10 Best Episodes of ‘Downton Abbey’ To Watch Before ‘The Grand Finale’

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is finally here, and it’s as intriguing and classy as the parent show. The new release is the third and final film in the franchise, serving as a sequel to Downton Abbey: A New Era, which premiered in 2022. The reviews have been spectacular so far, with Rotten Tomatoes awarding it an impressive 90% score. It sure is sad to see the saga end, but it’s okay for it to end on a high note like this.

As expected, many of the original franchise’s cast members from the series and previous two films return. And in a rather unique arrangement, the final chapter will first stream on Peacock for four months before moving to Prime Video for ten months before returning to Peacock for another four. Complicated, huh? Just like the characters. Meanwhile, fans can revisit some of the greatest episodes of the show, which, surprisingly, were never given titles.

Here are 10 necessary episodes of Downton Abbey to rewatch (or rewatch) before The Grand Finale.

“Season 1, Episode 6”

Scandals are never good for high society members, yet another one pops up in “Episode 6.” Turkish diplomat Kemal Pamuk has been found dead in Lady Mary’s bed. No surprises when Mary enlists the help of Anna and Cora to move the body. Some of the best moments come while watching how the incident weighs heavily on Mary’s conscience. Complicating matters further is the resentful Edith, who shows signs of exposing everything.

Will Word Come Out?

Under the mildest inspection, each strand of “Episode 6” frays into absurdity, but despite the clichés (especially the use of information as a weapon), the story is extremely entertaining. Here, viewers ought to be outraged, but they’ll be impressed by the maternal loyalty that Cora shows to Mary. The image of Mary, Cora, and Anna dragging the body through the house offers the kind of macabre comicality we never expected.

“Season 2, Episode 5”

Downton Abbey is partially (just a tiny bit) a World War I TV show, and Season 2’s fifth episode reminds us of that. The stories in this omnibus chapter range from the coy and intelligent (Vera Bates threatening to publicly shame the Crawleys), to the downright tragic (William dying soon after marrying Daisy). Overall, the episode is a poignant paean, featuring extra heartbreaking plots, including Matthew returning home injured from the war and learning he may never father children.

One of the Saddest Episodes

After decades of watching bloodbaths in various shows that touch on old wars, it has become harder for viewers to stomach more immersion into battlefield conflict, so “Episode 5” does well by restricting the events to the aftermath. Here, fans are offered nothing less than a refined and lucid detailing of pain and malaise, an air of fatality that steadily and stealthily expands its reach throughout a once-perfect family — a foul bloom no one expected. Things are so bad that the estate even gets converted to a convalescent hospital. But worry not. It’ll be over soon.

“Season 3, Episode 1”

Love is in the air, or is it? Wedding preparations for Mary and Matthew are underway in the Season 3 premiere, but Matthew seems to be lost in thought after being offered an inheritance from Lavinia’s late father. Meanwhile, Lord Grantham, who first despised but later grew to admire business, faces his own reckoning following a bad investment in the Canadian railway. And as imperfect as she is, Edith cannot extinguish the residue of affection she has for Sir Anthony Strallan, despite family doubts.

The Big Wedding Finally Happens

Fans had been waiting for Mary and Matthew’s wedding since Season 1, so it was great to see it finally happen. For romance buffs, it was a very fulfilling moment, with emotions surging even higher because of Matthew’s conflicted nature. There is also a serious threat of a class change, following Lord Grantham’s failed investment. Will the family really get through it? Such questions make viewers eager for the rest of the season. Besides that, the petty rivalries between the staff members downstairs is impossible to forget.

“Season 6, Episode 3”

Lady Mary has taken charge of the estate, Edith is still figuring out how best to deal with her secret daughter, and Marigold is considering relocating to London to micromanage her magazine. Downstairs, disagreements emerge between Mrs. Hughes and Carson make plans for nuptials.

Here for Money and Family

Downton Abbey had the nagging problem of being easily compared with other generally well-regarded period dramas where characters dress well. This episode reminded everyone that the show was in a league of its own. We marvel as the characters make unwise decisions with serious consequences, while others sink further into their dissolute lifestyles, unaware of the suffering that awaits. Here, the showrunner also chose to depart from history and focus on family and business rather than attempt of the events that make up the backdrops.

“Season 1, Episode 1”

Downton Abbey opens on a sad note. The Crawley family learns that heir Patrick Crawley has died in the Titanic maritime disaster, leaving Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville) without a successor. News that the estate must now be passed to distant cousin Matthew Crawley only aggravates an already precarious emotional state among Robert’s daughters. But Cora figures Mary can secure the wealth by marrying Matthew.

And so It Begins

The series premiere satisfactorily introduces us to the cosseted world of the stylish and beautiful Crawley family, with everyone given such amazing foundational arcs that we remain hooked to them for the rest of their time on the show. Beyond that, much effort is put into the filmmaking side of things. The opening montage, featuring servants and a train, is golden, and so are the cross-cutting and sweeping exterior shots of the estate.

“Season 2, Episode 8”

As everyone is making Christmas preparations, Richard Carlisle and Mary start fighting. He wants them to finalize their engagement, yet her heart still lies with Matthew. Well, Matthew later proposes in the snow, reminding us that this is one of the most romantic TV shows of the 21st century. Elsewhere, Bates gets cuffed for the murder of his estranged wife, Vera.

Stunning Views

The camerawork and cinematography make the eighth episode totally memorable. Early on, as the sense of unease transfers from Richard to Mary, the camera’s POV gently shifts between the two characters, letting viewers in on both of their equally fraught and complicated perspectives on this thing called love. The snow shot featuring Matthew is quite iconic, too. And what can ever top Lady Sybil’s quote: “I will stay one week to avoid the impression I’ve run away. And then we will marry in Dublin.

“Season 6, Episode 9”

Cheers to new beginnings for the Crawleys and their staff. In the finale, Edith weds Bertie Pelham, Mary reconciles with the family, and Isobel marries Lord Merton. Among the servants, Barrow takes over from Carson as butler following the latter’s health decline. Anna and Bates also welcome a baby.

It’s Over… Or Is It Really?

Downton Abbey had many great episodes during its run, but it never had anything that warms the heart as much as the finale. There is closure for just about every character, and even as the “wrapping up” is ongoing, the door is still left open for more plot angles. No surprise that three sequel movies have been made. For one, there is no sadness, just good vibes and an optimistic look into the future.

“Season 5, Episode 9”

The spirit of Christmas runs through Season 5’s ninth episode. The Crawleys head to Brancaster Castle, by invitation from Lord Sinderby, for the festivities, only for drama to pop up when Sinderby’s mistress shows up with his illegitimate child, unexpectedly. Back at Downton, Mary bonds with Henry, and Edith warms up to Bertie Pelham. There’s more drama when Isobel then turns down Lord Merton’s proposal.

Feliz Navidad!

Plucking the Crawleys from Downton and installing them in Brancaster Castle gives the episode a refreshing feel. Beyond that, few screen moments top the scene where Rose employs wit and empathy to defuse the situation between Lord Sinderby and his mistress. Payoffs are also important in great shows, and Carson and Mrs. Hughes’ engagement provides such satisfaction. And the costumes! Holy Sacerdote! They remind us why this is one of the best shows set in the 1920s.

“Season 3, Episode 5”

Tragedy strikes once again when Lady Sybil goes into labor. Despite delivering a healthy baby girl, she dies due to complications from eclampsia. Blame games thus begin, with Cora blaming Robert for trusting the bon vivant doctor, Sir Philip, over the reliable Dr. Clarkson. Elsewhere, Edith gets the opportunity to write for a paper, granting her a route to independence.

One of the Show’s Most Shocking Deaths

This touching episode speaks to the irrational nature of choices stemming from grief, choices that even a lifetime of happy moments cannot extinguish. With warmth and utmost subtlety, it details how an unexpected moment can change the trajectory of a family forever. Will Cora be consumed by long-simmering resentment for the rest of show? The way tradition versus modernity gets explored is worth commending, too. Would Sybil have survived if the old-fashioned doctor had been chosen? Will Edith’s new opportunity be good for her? Beyond that, the absence of music during Sybil’s death scene really speaks volumes.

“Season 6, Episode 8”

The Proposal and Marriage Show could have been a great alternate title for Downton Abbey. In the penultimate episode, Bertie withdraws his marriage offer to Edith after learning about Marigold. This leaves her crushed. Mary’s choice to expose Edith’s secret also results in a tense confrontation with Tom and Violet.

Flawless and Spellbinding

The second last episode reminds us why we have always loved this period drama. It has the views, the themes, the emotion, and the odd characters, whereas similar shows present mostly sliced-cranium violence and lacquered-glitz interiors, with a sprinkle of mock emotions like anger, love, and grief, linking the episodes loosely, the way a thin thread holds glittering jewels in a fake necklace. Here, the camera dwells on the bodies of the characters wholly without lust, immersing us into what they are thinking rather than what they are desiring. Will we ever have something like it ever again? Probably, yes. Probably not.