The WORST episodes of Downton Abbey
Every episode of Downton Abbey ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of Downton Abbey!
Downton Abbey depicts the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the post-Edwardian era—with great events in history having an effect on their lives and on the British social hierarchy.
#1 - Episode 4
Season 4 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/13/2013
Amid the fallout from the eventful house party, Mary faces a pressing question about her future. Carson reveals surprisingly intimate details of his former life, and a trip to the bright lights of London sees Rose put the reputation of the Crawleys in jeopardy.
#2 - Episode 2
Season 6 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/27/2015
Lady Mary's meddling gets Mr Carson into trouble with Mrs Hughes. Cora and Violet lock horns over the hospital takeover plans. Robert has a tough decision to make.
#3 - Episode 2
Season 4 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/29/2013
Mary starts to get over the grief she is feeling, and takes an interest in the running of the estate. Lady Rose MacClare, Lady Flintshire's daughter, ends up in a predicament at a tea dance in York. Hughes attempts to convince Carson to heal an old wound.
#4 - Episode 5
Season 5 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/19/2014
Simon Bricker returns to Downton to discuss the painting with Cora. Branson makes a difficult decision about Sarah Bunting. Rose encounters a handsome stranger. Determined to stop Isobel making the wrong decision about Lord Merton, Violet enlists the help of Doctor Clarkson. Charles Blake surprises Mary with a cunning plan to help her get exactly what she wants. Mrs Patmore seeks Carson's advice on a financial matter. Inspector Vyner returns with some ominous words of warning for Anna.
#5 - Episode 4
Season 5 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/12/2014
Sarah Bunting continues to cause waves above stairs, but this time she may have gone too far. On returning to Downton, Thomas suffers an inexplicable illness and Baxter suspects there’s more to it than he’s letting on. Violet reveals to Isobel the surprising truth of her past with Prince Kuragin. Mary comes to a decision concerning Lord Gillingham, but things don’t go quite as planned. When Rose’s father returns to Downton, he breaks news that will shock the whole family.
#6 - Episode 4
Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/7/2012
Branson's political views land him in hot water and Sybil's loyalty is tested to the limit. Ethel is torn between head and heart as she makes a decision about her son's future.
#7 - Episode 2
Season 5 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/28/2014
With the house recovering from the night’s dramatic events, Robert is faced with a very difficult decision. As Daisy continues to struggle with her studies, Mrs Patmore has an idea which might solve everything. Thomas has it in for Baxter. As Rose tries to convince Robert of the virtues of a wireless at Downton, Lord Merton continues his hot pursuit of Isobel. When Mary puts her reputation on the line, Anna is made a reluctant accomplice.
#8 - Episode 2
Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/23/2012
Hoping for a bailout from her American grandmother, Mary makes sure Downton puts on a bigger show than ever before. Mrs Hughes gets worrisome news. Thomas disapproves of O'Brien's attempts to boost Alfred's progress.
#9 - Episode 1
Season 6 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/20/2015
It is now 1925, when secrets and rifts threaten the unity of the family, while those below stairs are faced with social changes.
#10 - Episode 7
Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/28/2012
Anna's patience is finally rewarded. Edith has an unexpected admirer. Matthew refuses to back down over his concerns. Branson's plans for the christening cause consternation.
#11 - Episode 3
Season 4 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/6/2013
An extravagant house party at the Abbey gives the Crawleys a chance to reconnect with old friends. But some guests prove more welcome than others, and along with the celebrations come skulduggery and heartache.
#12 - Episode 6
Season 4 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/27/2013
A birthday party is planned for Robert, but Rose's surprise contribution to the event ruffles feathers above and below stairs. A new farming venture on the Downton estate comes with dramatic repercussions for Mary, and Edith receives more unwelcome news.
#13 - Episode 1
Season 5 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/21/2014
The story moves on to 1924, when the first ever Labour government heralds a sea change that is felt throughout the nation - nowhere more so than at Downton. A suggested plan for a war memorial unexpectedly pits Carson against Robert and Mrs Hughes. Young Jimmy the footman is the object of some unwanted female attention. Thomas gives Baxter an ultimatum. Branson's growing friendship with someone Robert considers quite unsuitable causes concern. After the tragedy she has been through, Lady Mary now seems ready to find love once more. Cracks appear in Edith and Tim Drewe's special arrangement as she struggles to keep her emotions in check - something which may have disastrous consequences for the entire household.
#14 - Episode 3
Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/2/2011
After Downton is turned into a convalescent home for wounded officers, Matthew brings a general to visit, but Branson has a surprise in store. And is Lavinia hiding something?
#15 - Episode 2
Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/25/2011
Carson is finding it tough maintaining standards in the house, and the suicide of a young officer prompts Isobel to suggest converting Downton Abbey into a convalescent hospital.
#16 - Episode 4
Season 6 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/11/2015
As Tom and Sybbie settle back into life at Downton, the family and servants are surprised by the return of another old friend in unexpected circumstances.
#17 - Episode 6
Season 5 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/26/2014
Relations between Robert and Cora continue to be strained. Blake's scheming starts to come to fruition when Mary is unexpectedly pitted against her love rival. Edith receives some terrible news and decides to take drastic action. Following a mysterious tip off, Baxter becomes embroiled in the investigation of Green's death. Thomas' condition deteriorates, prompting him to finally reveal the truth to Baxter. Love is in the air for more than one member of the Crawley family.
#18 - Episode 3
Season 5 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/5/2014
Mary's secret assignation is very nearly blown, but Violet's quick thinking saves the day. Robert is left red faced and furious when things do not go as planned. The events surrounding Green's death come under scrutiny once again. Mrs Patmore is devastated when old wounds are reopened but Carson is unsympathetic. Branson receives an interesting proposition concerning the future of the Downton estate. A figure from Violet's distant past suggests she has buried secrets of her own.
#19 - Episode 4
Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/17/2010
Mrs Hughes finds herself the focus of speculation when she meets a former suitor who makes her question her position. Violet and Isobel clash over a medical ailment affecting Molesley. Carson is concerned there is a thief at work in the grounds.
#20 - Episode 6
Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/21/2012
Tempers fray as Isobel's kind gesture backfires. Branson's decisions are put under scrutiny. As Bates's chance of freedom slips away, he goes to extreme lengths.
#21 - Episode 6
Season 6 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/25/2015
The house is made open to the public to raise money for the hospital, an act that divides opinions among the family and the servants. Tensions between Violet and Cora come to a head as a decision is made about the hospital takeover, Mr Dawes has a proposition for Molesley, and Baxter is thrown into turmoil by an unexpected letter. Carson is not happy with Thomas, while Mary and Edith hope to overcome their past and find new happiness with the men in their lives.
#22 - Episode 6
Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/23/2011
Carlisle threatens to ruin Mary if she jilts him. A major comes to stay - but is he really who he claims to be? Bates learns that Vera has succeeded in scuppering the divorce.
#23 - Episode 7
Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/30/2011
How long can Sybil and Branson keep their secret? Carlisle puts Anna in a difficult position, Bates is left reeling from the news about Vera, and Thomas embarks on a new scheme.
#24 - Episode 1
Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/26/2010
After the death of the heir, Violet wishes that Robert's daughter Mary could inherit Downton Abbey.
#25 - Episode 1
Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/18/2011
The Great War unsettles life at Downton and surprising news about Matthew rocks the family. New maid Ethel irritates O'Brien - and Bates returns with devastating news for Anna.