Downton Abbey, series 1, episode 1

 I'd always wanted to watch Downton Abbey but I never found the time. Thankfully, now that I've finished my degree, and waiting to start volunteering and work experience, I finally have the time! 

Downton Abbey focuses on the Crawley family (Lord and Lady Grantham) and this episode is set in April 1912. The Crawley family have three daughters (Mary, Edith and Sybil) and as they're all female, they cannot inherit their Father's title or estate. The heir to the title was Lord Grantham's first cousin and his son (James and Patrick). The episode opens with the Titanic sinking and the realisation that James and Patrick perished as a result of the sinking. This throws the family into crisis as a total unknown (a third cousin once removed of Lord Grantham) is set to inherit the title and money. Lord Grantham's mother and Lady Grantham seek to smash the entail so that Mary (who was set to marry Patrick) could inherit the money. 

This episode also sees a new valet, who has a walking stick, join the staff. John Bates is resented by the first footman, Thomas, who believes he should have had that job. He, with the help of Lady Grantham's lady maid, Miss O'Brien, conspire to get Bates sacked. However their plan fails as Lord Grantham is insistent that Bates should stay. 

The end of the episode sees Lord Grantham reach out to the new heir and inviting him to live on the Downton estate.