The BEST episodes of Upstairs, Downstairs season 3
Every episode of Upstairs, Downstairs season 3, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Upstairs, Downstairs season 3!
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. Richard Bellamy, the son of a poor parson, is married to Lady Marjorie, the daughter of the wealthy Earl and Countess of Southwold, whose family money provides for the Bellamy's lavish lifestyle. As an influential member of the Conservative party, the Earl secures a seat in Parliament for Richard, with the expectation that he will support conservative policies. He tries his best to please his wife's family but, being a Liberal at heart, Richard finds it's not always that easy. These political and financial differences are a reoccurring source of contention for the Bellamys. On the surface, the lives of the family living upstairs couldn't seem more different than those of the servants living below but, strangely enough, through the years their lives often intersect, becoming increasingly entwined as time goes by. 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 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.
#2 - 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.
#3 - Word of Honour
Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 12/8/1973
Acting on a tip from a friend, Richard quadruples his stock market investment in a matter of weeks. When it turns out that the company he invested in just landed a government contract, he's accused of insider trading. Richard denies learning about it in Parliament, but refuses to divulge the name of his friend, and when Hazel and Hudson go behind his back to determine his friend's identity, Richard is furious.
#4 - The Sudden Storm
Season 3 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/19/1974
On the verge of war, Mrs Bridges receives a marriage proposal but the gentleman quickly loses favor in her eyes. Edward and Daisy declare their love, as do Georgina and Billy, while James and Hazel's relationship hangs on by a thread. When Britain declares war on Germany, James is recalled to the military.
#5 - Goodwill to All Men
Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/22/1973
Lady Southwold and Georgina Worsley, her 18 year-old step-granddaughter (the step-daughter of her late son, Hugo) are spending the holidays at Eaton Place and Georgina quickly befriends the new maid, Daisy Peel, also 18. When she learns that Daisy is homesick and hasn't seen her family in three years, Georgina hatches a plan to take Daisy to see them but things don't go as planned.
#6 - What the Footman Saw
Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/29/1973
At the pub with some friends, Edward shares stories about the recent weekend hunting party he attended with James and Hazel, and inadvertently opens a huge can of worms.
#7 - 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.
#8 - A Perfect Stranger
Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/5/1974
A chance meeting on a bus leads to a proposal of marriage for Rose and a chance to make a new life in Australia.
#9 - Distant Thunder
Season 3 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/12/1974
The summer brings a stifling heatwave, causing passions, emotions, and tempers to run hot. Georgina is staying at Eaton Place for the summer and has "come out" in society as a young debutante, Rose is regretting her decision regarding Gregory Wilmot, Hazel is recovering from her miscarriage, and James is letting his eye wander in an inappropriate and very dangerous direction.
#10 - The Bolter
Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired 12/15/1973
Hazel feels out of her element when she accompanies James on a hunting weekend and spends the evening watching Diana throw herself at him. When James refuses to allow her to participate in the hunt, Hazel defies him with the urging of Diana, who then proceeds to play a cruel stunt by putting Hazel on an untamed horse she's unable to handle. James is embarrassed and angry over Hazel's defiance and lack of horsemanship, causing an argument. Later, when Cochy implies James is sleeping with Diana, Hazel, who's already nursing a wounded ego, packs it in and heads back to London. Meanwhile, a flirtatious maid asks Edward to come to her room later that night, and on his way there, Edward is shocked to see one of the gentlemen entering the room of one of the married ladies.
#11 - Miss Forrest
Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/27/1973
It's two years later and Eaton Place has seen many changes. Richard is writing his late father-in-law's biography, assisted by Miss Hazel Forrest, his typist. James has been working in London ever since Phyllis broke off their engagement, and Miss Forrest has caught his eye. Daring to venture across the class boundaries once again, James invites her to dine with him, much to the chagrin of Hudson who finds this impropriety upsetting and when he's unable to hide his feelings, it provokes a confrontation with James. Lady Marjorie is looking forward to visiting Elizabeth who now lives in America. Her brother, Lord Hugo Southwold, and his new wife, Marion, are also going, as well as her maid, Roberts, who is giddy with excitement that she gets to sail on the maiden voyage of that magnificent new ship, the Titanic!
#12 - Rose's Pigeon
Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/24/1973
Alfred, the Bellamy's former footman from a few years ago, shows up on the doorstep, cold, wet, and hungry, with no where else to go. Although his behavior is erratic, Rose lets him in to eat and stay the night in a storage room. When he's discovered the next morning, Alfred panics and the situation quickly falls apart.
#13 - A Change of Scene
Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired 11/10/1973
James attends a weekend hunting party where some guests attempt to set him up with his childhood chum, Lady Diana Russell, even though his best friend, Bunny, wants to marry her. Hudson accompanies James and steps up to lend a helping hand when the head butler, who appears to be suffering from Alzheimer's, falls short in his duties. He's later offered a job when the mistress of the house takes note of his capabilities.