The family and staff are preparing for Mary and Matthew's wedding; and Cora's mother is arriving from the U.S. Robert, meanwhile, receives bad news about an investment.
Violet arranges for Neville Chamberlain to come to dinner at the estate, but the meal proves memorable for another reason; Thomas offers to teach Andy how to read.
The hospital board approves the merger; Daisy tries to block the burgeoning romance between Mrs. Patmore and Mr. Mason; Henry tells Mary how he feels about her.
Mary informs Bertie that Marigold is Edith's daughter; Mrs. Patmore's bed and breakfast faces a scandal: adulterers stayed the night; Molesley becomes a teacher; Thomas attempts suicide.
Violet tries to sway Robert to her position regarding the hospital; Edith fires her editor; Thomas has a job interview; Denker digs up dirt on Spratt.