RECAP: 'Downton Abbey' Introduces New Characters, Plot Developments

When life hands poor Lady Edith Crawley (Laura Carmichael) lemons, say, in the form of her being left at the altar by her one-armed beau, Anthony Strallan (Robert Bathurst), she makes lemonade, or at least finds a cause to latch onto, this time in the form of equal rights for women in the 1920s England.

In this weekend's episode of Downton Abbey — now securely in the middle of its third season — Edith sent a letter to the London newspaper demanding the right to vote for all women. Lady Edith has had her drama for the season, however. Now the Masterpiece Classics show is on to other things, including potential trouble in paradise between Matthew (Dan Stevens) and Mary (Michelle Dockery), the latter of whom is converting the nursery into a sitting room, while Matthew would be just as happy to see it kept as it is.

In new plot development, there's a new footman in town, the dashing young Jimmy (or, as the oh-so-proper Carson insists, James), a young thing whom elicits a "Well done, Carson," exclamation from Mary. That's not the point, however, according to Carson (Jim Carter), who believes that "hard work and diligence weigh more than beauty."

As if one edition to Downton weren't enough, Daisy (Sophie McShera) finds herself jealous and demanding a new kitchenmaid, only to receive one in the demure, feminine form of Ivy — and all just as Daisy was about to muster up the confidence to tell Alfred how she really feels!

Downton Abbey’s season three continues next Sunday on PBS at 9 p.m. EST.

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