Downton Abbey Season 2 Episode 1

Set in November 1916…

Matthew brings home a fiance...

The war is in full swing. Matthew has gone off to fight the battle of the Somme. At Downton Abbey, Robert wants to join the war effort but is deemed too old to fight. He is given the token title of Lord Lieutenant. Matthew comes home on leave with his fiance Lavinia Swire. Despite Mary’s disappointment, she gives Matthew a lucky toy to carry back to the front. Lady Sybil also wants to be useful so Isobel arranges for her to enter nurse’s training. William wants to join the army but is forbidden by his father and must endure the taunts of cowardice. Thomas, the only one not eager to fight, deliberately gets his hand shot by the enemy. Branson, the chauffeur, confesses his love to Sybil. Mr Bates is away at his mother’s funeral. His inheritance is larger than he thought and Bates believes he can finally get rid of Vera by buying her off for a divorce. Vera has other ideas and threatens to expose Mary’s indiscretion with the Turk unless Bates leaves Anna, which he does. Mrs Hughes overhears the threat and gets Robert involved. Anna is sad.

Mary sees Matthew off to war...

Quotes from Downton Abbey Season 2 Episode 1

Lady Mary: Dear Lord, I don’t pretend to have much credit with you. I’m not even sure that you’re there. But if you are, and if I’ve ever done anything good, I beg you to keep him safe.

Anna: I know you. You’re doing something gallant here, making a sacrifice for my honour, but I don’t want you to. I don’t care. Don’t you understand? I don’t care what people say. I’d live in sin with you. If she’s threatening to ruin me, then let her. It’s nothing to me. The only ruin that I recognize is to be without you!