RECAP: Rebellion's in the Air on DOWNTON ABBEY's Episode 3

Ivy is joined by two other new hires, for while Robert Is still Earl of Grantham and Carson his butler, Downton will run at full force. Most notably, a new footman, Jimmy, arrives and beats out the competition on the merit of his good looks. He immediately captures the hearts of the female staff, and it seems of Thomas as well (O'Brien is already scheming how to use this to her advantage). Jimmy poshes up as James for his duties upstairs and his presence does not go unnoticed. Even Granny thinks "he looks like a footman in a musical revue."

Anna is officially promoted to Mary's Lady's Maid upon the arrival of a new housemaid, but Bates' imprisonment is weighing too heavily on her mind to pay notice. She has not received a letter in weeks and suspects he is trying to free her from the burden of supporting him. As it turns out, Bates has not received any letters from his wife either. Bates' "informant" tells him that his cellmate, Craig's, complaints have landed him labeled as a dangerous prisoner, explaining the lack of communication with Anna. In an attempt at redemption, Bates gives Craig a taste of his own medicine and plants the same mysterious item he had found hidden in his bed under his cellmate's mattress while his friend calls the guards for an inspection. When the contraband is discovered, Bates is back in favor with the guards, but makes a bitterer enemy of Craig. At long last, Anna and Bates each receive a bundle of "missing" letters and the fire to persevere is rekindled as they read their spouse's words.

Things are far bleaker for the former housemaid Ethel Parks, who finally meets with Isobel and Mrs. Hughes. I can't understand why she won't accept Mrs. Crawley's offers of help. It seems to be a trend of the people at Downton to let pride, or perhaps in Ethel's case, self-pity, prevent them from saving themselves. Regardless, Ethel does want the best for her son Charlie, so she cedes custody to the boy's grandparents, the Bryants. It may be the best option for him, but I can't help agreeing with Isobel, that with her help, together with the support of the money the Bryants had offered, Ethel could well have raised the boy herself.

What will go down at Downton Abbey next week? Will the insubordinate Branson be confined within the walls of Downton? Will Anna discover the key to Bates' freedom? Will Mrs. Hughes master the art of the electric toaster? Tune in Sunday, January 27 at 9 PM ET/CT on PBS to find out!

Photos courtesy of PBS

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Lauren Robbins is a 23 year old from New Jersey. She graduated from Bucknell University in 2011 with a double major in Art History and Classics and a minor in French. For the past year and a half she has been interning at various museums in New York City, including The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, The South Street Seaport Museum and The Museum of Modern Art. Her writing can be seen on MoMA���s blog Inside/Out.