Downton Abbey -The Podcast (Series 1 Episode 7 - ’A Time of Change”) - From Antique Dust

Antique Dust - The Podcast

In the final episode of the first series, Downton Abbey faces many changes as the First World War looms. Cora's pregnancy, Mary and Matthew's engagement, Thomas and O'Brien's schemes, and Sybil and Gwen's ambitions are all affected by the events of July 1914. Main Cast and Crew: • Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham • Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham • Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley • Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith Crawley • Jessica Brown Findlay as Lady Sybil Crawley • Dan Stevens as Matthew Crawley • Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham • Penelope Wilton as Isobel Crawley • Jim Carter as Charles Carson • Phyllis Logan as Mrs. Hughes • Brendan Coyle as John Bates • Joanne Froggatt as Anna Smith • Rob James-Collier as Thomas Barrow • Siobhan Finneran as Sarah O'Brien • Lesley Nicol as Mrs. Patmore • Sophie McShera as Daisy Robinson • Rose Leslie as Gwen Dawson • Brian Percival as Director • Julian Fellowes as Writer Significant Events: • Mary learns that it was Edith who revealed her scandal with Kemal Pamuk to the Turkish ambassador, and retaliates by sabotaging Edith's engagement with Sir Anthony Strallan. • Robert is reluctant to fire Bates, even after O'Brien and Thomas produce a letter accusing him of stealing from a previous employer. Anna discovers that Bates took the blame for his ex-wife Vera, and Robert is pleased to hear the truth. • Thomas, frustrated by his failure to get rid of Bates, and sensing war on the way, joins the Army Medical Corps. • Sybil helps Gwen get a job as a secretary in London. • Cora announces that she is pregnant, which puts Mary and Matthew's engagement in doubt, since the baby could be a male heir. However, O'Brien causes Cora to miscarry by leaving a bar of soap on the floor, out of spite for mistakenly believing she is being dismissed. • William punches Thomas for making insensitive remarks about Cora's loss. • Matthew decides to end his engagement with Mary, feeling that it was only based on pragmatism and that she would have changed her mind if a son had been born. • The episode ends with the announcement that Britain has declared war on Germany.