Downton Abbey remains a beloved period piece that follows the Crawley family through the twentieth century. The entire family faces the massive changes that marked this time period, and they evolve with the times. Lord Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville) is often forced to change with the times in spite of himself. The series sees the Crawleys confront the changes in British society, and how these changes impacted every social class.
Although Downton Abbey has always been a solid period drama, there are several episodes that stand out. These flawless episodes highlight how enchanting the series always was. The most flawless episodes of Downton Abbey highlight how lovable and charming these characters are, and how much their stories are still worth investing in years after the final season. These perfect episodes can be revisited over and over again.
10
“Episode Six”
Season 5, Episode 6
In Downton Abbey‘s fifth season, Edith (Laura Carmichael) receives the devastating confirmation that her fiancé, Michael Gregson (Charles Edwards), was killed in Munich as part of Hitler’s Beer Hall Putsch. Edith discovers that she has inherited Gregson’s publishing company, and decides to take her daughter to London for a new start. Thomas (Robert James-Collier) also finds himself unexpectedly in need of medical attention when he buys something he thinks is a cure.
Edith discovers that she has inherited Gregson’s publishing company, and decides to take her daughter to London for a new start.
What makes this such a perfect episode of Downton Abbey is the fact that it’s a crossroads for so many of these characters. This is an example of the series’ ability to balance several emotional stories and provide them all with a satisfying conclusion. Despite the tragic circumstances some of these characters find themselves in the middle of, there’s a warmth and tenderness that shines through that makes this episode flawless.
9
“Episode Three”
Season 1, Episode 3
Downton Abbey‘s third episode remains one of the series’ most iconic. A Turkish diplomat, Mr Kemal Pamuk (Theo James), arrives at Downton with Evelyn Napier (Brendan Patricks), an eligible man for Mary (Michelle Dockery) to consider. Pamuk dies of a heart attack in Mary’s bed, and Mary, Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) and Anna (Joanne Froggatt) have to move his body to avoid scandal. Cora tells Mary that she will be unable to forgive her.
This episode is ultimately the beginning of Mary’s journey to discover who she is…
What makes this episode so perfect is the fact that it establishes the stakes that women of the British upper class faced at the turn of the century. This episode highlights how human Mary is despite her initially cool exterior. The way Mary is willing to risk her entire reputation for the love of a stranger highlights the fact that she’s always been a woman capable of deep feeling. This episode is ultimately the beginning of Mary’s journey to discover who she is, and a chance to appreciate what a complex character she is.
8
“Episode One”
Season 4, Episode 1
This episode focuses on the aftermath of Matthew’s (Dan Stevens) shocking death and Mary’s struggle to navigate her grief. The story highlights the fact that Mary struggles to connect with her son as she’s so consumed with the massive loss she’s just suffered. This is the biggest test Mary’s ever faced, as she contemplates whether she should continue to choose life itself and should try to process and move forward from losing the love of her life.
It’s heartbreaking to watch Mary face a future without Matthew.
Downton Abbey‘s season premieres always presented new challenges for the characters and this one is no exception. This is another example of an episode that’s flawless because it highlights how relatable Mary has always been. It’s heartbreaking to watch Mary face a future without Matthew. This is a perfect episode to highlight Mary’s strength and her ability to carry on in the face of unimaginable tragedy.
7
“Episode One”
Season 1, Episode 1
It makes sense to highlight the series premiere, since it introduces the Crawley family. When the Crawleys are introduced, they have their lives upended by the sinking of the Titanic when the heir to the Grantham fortune and title and his son are killed in the tragedy. They have to reckon with the fact that the title Earl of Grantham and Downton Abbey will be inherited by a distant relative most of them haven’t met.
This is a perfect series premiere that establishes the challenges that the Crawleys are about to face.
The series premiere is perfect because it sets the stage for the Crawleys, and makes them a family worth investing in. Rewatching this episode makes it easier to appreciate how much each of these characters developed over the course of the series. This is a perfect series premiere that establishes the challenges that the Crawleys are about to face. Seeing them at the start of their journey is heartwarming, considering how much they grew through the series.
6
“Episode Five”
Season 2, Episode 5
Downton Abbey‘s second season focuses on World War I, and how the war upended the Crawley household. When Matthew and William (Thomas Howes) are caught in a particularly brutal battle, they are transported back to Downton to recover. Matthew has to reckon with the fact that his injuries are critical and that his life will never be the same. William’s injuries are life-threatening, and he wants to marry Daisy (Sophie McShera) before he dies.
…This episode illustrates how damaging the war was on a personal level.
While this is one of Downton Abbey‘s saddest episodes, it is one of the series’ most perfect. Although the entire second season effectively showcases how cataclysmic World War I was, this episode illustrates how damaging the war was on a personal level. This episode also proves that Mary and Matthew always loved each other and that this love always transcended whatever was happening around them.
5
“Episode Seven”
Season 1, Episode 7
Downton Abbey‘s first season finale sets the stage for the fact that the Crawleys and everyone around them are about to experience the horrors of World War I. As war brews in Europe, the Crawleys find themselves navigating the fact that Cora’s pregnancy could change their lives. Matthew believes that Mary’s hesitance to accept his proposal is because she thinks he will not inherit Downton Abbey if Cora’s baby is a boy.
As war brews in Europe, the Crawleys find themselves navigating the fact that Cora’s pregnancy could change their lives.
This season finale is such a perfect episode of Downton Abbey because it’s a last look at the Crawleys and the society in which they live before their lives are upended. Mary and Matthew’s story is particularly devastating, since they’re on the cusp of starting their new lives together. Ultimately, this season finale sets each of these characters on a new course as the world they’ve been living in comes crashing down.
4
“Christmas at Downton Abbey”
Season 2, Episode 9
Downton Abbey‘s Christmas episodes are charming, and this one stands out in particular. After the war and the flu pandemic of 1918, this is a new start for the Crawleys as they enter a new world together. Mary and Matthew can finally admit their love for one another. Matthew’s proposal is one of the highlights of the series, since it represents the start of a new life for them as they choose one another to face an uncertain future.
…It represents the start of a new life for them as they choose one another to face an uncertain future.
What makes this episode of Downton Abbey so perfect is the fact that it brings Mary and Matthew’s story full circle. They’ve come so far in just two seasons. After navigating crisis after crisis, and having to ask themselves and each other whether they’re meant to be together, their future is set. The fact that the episode is set against the backdrop of the Christmas season makes it that much more magical.
3
“Episode Three”
Season 6, Episode 3
After years of asking will-they-won’t-they, Mrs. Hughes (Phyllis Logan) and Mr. Carson (Jim Carter) finally get married. These two have been the backbone of Downton Abbey from the beginning of the series. This episode is a chance to pay tribute to these characters as they start a new chapter together. During their wedding breakfast, Tom (Allen Leech) unexpectedly returns from the United States with Sybbie and tells the family that he is home to stay.
After years of asking will-they-won’t-they, Mrs. Hughes and Mr. Carson finally get married.
This episode is perfect because it sets everyone up for a future they didn’t necessarily expect. Mrs. Hughes and Mr. Carson’s new start, and their ability to stand their ground to advocate for the wedding they want, is a testament to how well-equipped they are to handle the modern world. This episode is flawless because it shows how strong this family has become over the years, and how much they love each other.
2
“Episode Eight”
Season 5, Episode 8
After overcoming many obstacles, Rose (Lily James) and Atticus (Matt Barber) finally get married in the penultimate episode of Downton Abbey‘s fifth season before the season finale. The wedding almost doesn’t happen, however, as Rose’s mother does her bet to sabotage the happy couple. Thankfully, after facing down antisemitism and disapproval, Rose and Atticus successfully marry in a municipal registry office, and can begin their new lives together.
…After facing down antisemitism and disapproval, Rose and Atticus successfully marry in a municipal registry office…
What makes this episode so perfect is the fact that it’s another example of an episode that balances heartbreak and hope. The fact that the Crawleys have to contemplate a future without Tom, even as their family grows by Rose marrying the love of her life, makes this family all the more relatable. This episode is flawless because it celebrates Rose as a character, and highlights how charming she is and how she represents the Crawleys’ future.
1
“A Journey to the Highlands”
Season 3, Episode 9
Downton Abbey‘s third season finale follows the Crawleys as they visit family in the Scottish Highlands. They stay with Rose and her strict parents, “Shrimpie” (Peter Egan) and Susan (Phoebe Nicholls), the Marquess and Marchioness of Flintshire. Although the Flintshires seem like a perfect aristocratic family, it soon becomes clear that they are struggling and are ill-equipped to handle the realities of a post-World War I existence. Mary and Matthew also prepare to welcome their first child.
Although the Flintshires seem like a perfect aristocratic family, it soon becomes clear that they are struggling…
This is another example of a Downton Abbey episode that is so perfect even though it ends in tragedy. In addition to being a heartbreaking final look at Mary and Matthew being as happy as ever, this episode provides the chance to appreciate how well the Crawleys have adapted to the changing times by showing them in contrast to the Flintshires. This season finale is perfect because it celebrates how perfect Mary and Matthew are as a couple and how they were always meant to be a family.
