The BEST episodes of Upstairs, Downstairs
Every episode of Upstairs, Downstairs ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Upstairs, Downstairs!
Covering a span of 27 years (1903-1930), Upstairs, Downstairs follows the lives of the wealthy Bellamy family residing upstairs at 165 Eaton Place, London, as well as the lives of those employed in their service living downstairs. The addition of real-life events, like the tragic sinking of the RMS Titanic and the horrors of World War I, incorporated into the storylines add a touch of authenticity and realism to the show.
#1 - A Special Mischief
Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/29/1972
While her parents are away, Elizabeth gets involved in the suffragette movement. Rose attempts to keep her out of trouble but the situation ends badly, requiring Elizabeth to seek help from Julius Karekin, an influential man she just met.
#2 - All the King's Horses
Season 5 - Episode 15 - Aired 12/14/1975
(Audio commentary available on some DVDs). The Wall Street crash hits Eaton Place. October, 1929. After making a killing on Wall Street, James returns to England with his spirits renewed. His homecoming is a joyous one for the Bellamys, despite Richard's doubts as to the soundness of his son's speculations. Indeed, his fears are prophetical; the stock-market crash wipes out James and Rose, who invested her savings on the strength of James' advice. Enraged, Richard berates James over this and past failures, opening old and still painful wounds.
#3 - Whither Shall I Wander?
Season 5 - Episode 16 - Aired 12/21/1975
(Audio commentary available on some DVDs). After nearly 30 years, the Bellamy saga ends with the sale of 165 Eaton Place and a fresh beginning for every member of the household.
#4 - A Patriotic Offering
Season 4 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/14/1974
Unable to communicate with the Belgian refugees they're expected to look after has left the staff feeling put out, frustrated, and angry. They want the refugees to leave but, after hearing their tragic stories, things change and they're sorry to see them go. Meanwhile, Edward is caught in the middle between those who love him and want him to be safe, and everyone else who make him feel guilty for not enlisting; but after hearing the refugees' stories, he decides to do what he thinks is right, and Daisy is not pleased.
#5 - The Property of a Lady
Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/24/1972
Thomas is approached by a blackmailer who claims to have love letters from Lady Marjorie to Captain Hammond.
#6 - The Wages of Sin
Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/12/1973
With Sarah expecting his baby, she and Thomas are planning to wed, but concerns that the news might not be well received causes Sarah to claim a stranger is the father. Unaware of the truth, Lady Marjorie thinks Thomas is making a huge mistake and threatens to sack him unless he changes his mind, which he refuses to do. Later, when Thomas informs her they'll be working for a neighbor, Lady Marjorie fears they'll divulge the family secrets and demands Richard do something to ensure that doesn't happen.
#7 - Facing Fearful Odds
Season 4 - Episode 12 - Aired 11/30/1974
Virginia Hamilton returns to Eaton Place, seeking Richard's advice for her son who is facing a court martial. Meanwhile, Edward is scheduled to go back to France, and James is wallowing in self-pity.
#8 - The Understudy
Season 5 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/9/1975
On the eve of an important dinner party for a French diplomat, Hudson suffers a heart attack.
#9 - Will Ye No Come Back Again?
Season 5 - Episode 12 - Aired 11/23/1975
Hudson is back in his element when the Bellamys travel to Scotland for their summer holiday.
#10 - Noblesse Oblige
Season 5 - Episode 14 - Aired 12/7/1975
Better the devil you know than the one you don't is the lesson Mrs. Bridges and Ruby learn after a terrible row. Upstairs, Lord Stockbridge proposes to Georgina, but there's a catch.
#11 - The Hero's Farewell
Season 4 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/16/1974
Lady Prudence commandeers the Bellamy drawing room for a worthy cause. Another London bombing, another close call, and another tragedy is heaped upon the tattered nerves of those at Eaton Place.
#12 - The Joy Ride
Season 5 - Episode 4 - Aired 9/28/1975
When James buys a small airplane, Virginia defies Richard, putting the entire household through quite an ordeal.
#13 - On with the Dance
Season 5 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/7/1975
Eaton Place is enveloped with uncertainty. Edward and Daisy have moved on and been replaced with Frederick Norton, James' servant from the war, and Lily. The newlyweds, Richard and Virginia, and her children, Alica and William, have plans to move into their own home. There's not enough work to keep everyone busy and the house is far too large for James to live there alone, so he decides it's time to sell the house and gives the servants a month's notice.
#14 - Peace Out of Pain
Season 4 - Episode 13 - Aired 12/7/1974
Rose receives excellent news, James is depressed about his slow recovery, Richard is courting Virginia, and the Great War is winding down to a victorious conclusion, but there's still one more casualty to be claimed.
#15 - An Object of Value
Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/15/1972
After her father dies, Lady Marjorie has her mother, Lady Southwold come to Eaton Place. When a valuable broach goes missing, finger pointing causes a disruption throughout the household. Meanwhile, Thomas' hopes for a career change are dashed when his potential employer tries to impose himself on Sarah.
#16 - A Family Secret
Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 11/17/1973
James has been secretly courting Hazel Forrest, and soon discovers she's a master at hiding secrets because she's been hiding a really big one from him.
#17 - The Nine Days Wonder
Season 5 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/2/1975
The entire household comes together when a General Strike is called throughout Britain in May 1926
#18 - If You Were the Only Girl in the World
Season 4 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/26/1974
Hazel has a little fling with Lt. Jack Dyson, whom she met at the tea party for wounded officers, and is seen by one of her lady acquaintances. James and Georgina meet in France and share a moment of passion.
#19 - Wanted: A Good Home
Season 5 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/5/1975
Spring 1922: When William goes off to Prep School, Rose gets Alice a new puppy so she won't be lonely, but when Richard and Virginia go on holiday and leave Miss Treadwell in charge, the entire staff lines up against her when she tries to dispose of the "filthy creature".
#20 - A Place in the World
Season 5 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/14/1975
After James' Letter to the Editor garners strong public approval. the conservative Tory party, hoping to cash in on his moment of popularity, invite him to run for Parliament as a Tory. James accepts but everyone soon realizes that his progressive views for moving the country forward are not aligned with the party views which want to go back to the way things were before the war. Meanwhile, Edward and Daisy are struggling financially but realize they have friends who love them at Eaton Place.
#21 - Missing Believed Killed
Season 4 - Episode 11 - Aired 11/23/1974
Grasping at straws, the Bellamy family continue to search for any information to indicate James is still alive, but when Trooper Frederick Norton, James' servant, arrives to deliver James' personal belongings, Hazel loses all hope.
#22 - A House Divided
Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 11/3/1973
When none of the family members are listed among the Titanic survivors, they must be presumed dead and the entire household goes into mourning. When routine household tasks begin to fall through the cracks, Hazel steps up to help whenever she sees a need. Her thoughtful effort is lost on the servants who feel like she's imposing herself into their lives and trying to take Lady Marjorie's place. It also causes concern for her parents who seem to think the Bellamys will soon have Hazel mopping floors. Everyone is stunned when an unexpected visitor arrives.
#23 - Desirous of Change
Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 12/1/1973
Richard and a lovely widowed countess greatly enjoy each others company, but when they discover neither of them has financial stability, they enjoy one last lovely day before parting. The new maid, Gwyneth, an odd but very capable girl, becomes obsessed with Richard.
#24 - Joke Over
Season 5 - Episode 13 - Aired 11/30/1975
After an evening of dissipated behavior and a reckless drive into the countryside, Georgina must appear at a coroner's inquest, when one of the locals is killed.
#25 - Alberto
Season 5 - Episode 11 - Aired 11/16/1975
Frederick considers his future when he feels his talents are largely wasted in the Bellamy household.