Christmas 1919. Downton Abbey is hosting a lavish Christmas party, yet despite being the season of goodwill, tensions are rife and Bates’ arrest has cast a shadow over the festivities. Will he be a condemned man or will he be found innocent in time to dance with his new wife at the annual servants’ ball? Mary has to consider her future with Sir Richard Carlisle following a contretemps at the shooting party and Violet has concerns about Rosamund, whose new suitor – the dashing but raffish Lord Hepworth – is not all he seems.
The holiday is a mostly happy one—everyone is concerned about incarcerated Mr. Bates, and duly mopey Anna, but not enough to call off the present-giving, the feasting, and the games. Downstairs, games mean popping crackers, wearing paper crowns…The Servants’ Ball, with a lovely orchestra and plenty of spiked punch. Thomas waltzes with the Dowager Countess, Matthew says “Crikey!” and pregames his dance with O’Brien… Vanity Fair
Starring Hugh Bonneville, Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern.
Note: Christmas at Downton Abbey is Episode 9 of Series 2 of the acclaimed costume drama.