1925. Mrs Patmore, Daisy and Andy help Mr Mason move into the farm; Daisy is upset when she realises that Mr Mason and Mrs Patmore like each other. Andy has offered to help with the pigs and learn about farming, but he confesses to Thomas, whom he has been avoiding, that he cannot read or write; when Thomas offers to help him learn, he accepts. Edith appoints young Laura Edmunds as her editor, and also becomes romantic with Bertie. Molesley accompanies Baxter to the trial, but she is not called upon to testify. Carson, used to perfect meals and service in the servants' hall, makes nit-picking complaints to Mrs Hughes about her cooking, which annoys her -- especially when he dares to ask Mrs Patmore to help his wife with her cooking skills. Denker rudely confronts Dr Clarkson about opposing Violet regarding the hospital; he complains, and Violet fires her, but Denker uses her hold over Spratt to blackmail him into supporting her, and she is allowed to remain.
Violet persuades Minister of Health Neville Chamberlain to visit Downton for dinner, and harangues everyone about the hospital. Robert suddenly collapses at the dinner table with a burst ulcer, and is rushed to hospital. He survives surgery, but Mary tells Tom that she must take over the running of the estate, as her father must not be stressed further. She becomes suspicious about Marigold, after half-hearing a puzzling remark about the child. Before rushing off to the hospital, Cora, fed up with Violet always getting her way, tells Chamberlain to let the hospital merger go ahead, for the good of everyone, and refuses to argue further with Violet.
