Quotes

Episode 1

Lady Edith Crawley: I thought it was supposed to be unsinkable. Robert Crawley, Lord Grantham: Every mountain is unclimbable until someone climbs it; so every ship is unsinkable until it sinks.

Episode 1

Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess: I'm very sorry about poor Patrick, of course. He was a nice boy. Cora Crawley, Lady Grantham: We were all so fond of him... Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess: But I never cared for James. He was too like his mother, and a nastier woman never drew breath.

Episode 1

Cora Crawley, Lady Grantham: Are we to be friends, then? Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess: We are allies, my dear, which can be a good deal more effective.

Episode 1

Daisy: Seems like a lot of food, when you think they're all in mourning. Mrs. Patmore: Nothing makes you hungrier or more tired than grief. When my sister died, God rest her soul, I ate my way through four plates of sandwiches at one sitting and slept round the clock. Daisy: Did it make you feel better? Mrs. Patmore: Not much, but it passed the time.

Episode 1

Robert Crawley, Lord Grantham: You seem very informed on this family's private affairs. But you ought perhaps to know that I do not intend to fight the entail. Not any part of it. Duke of Crowborough: You can't be serious. Robert Crawley, Lord Grantham: It pains me to say it, but I am. Duke of Crowborough: You'll give up your entire estate--your wife's money into the bargain--to a perfect stranger? You won't even put up a fight? Robert Crawley, Lord Grantham: I hope he proves to be perfect, but I rather doubt it. Duke of Crowborough: A very odd thing to joke about. Robert Crawley, Lord Grantham: No odder than this conversation.

Episode 2

Matthew Crawley: Mother, Lord Grantham has made the unwelcome discovery that his heir is a middle class lawyer, and the son of a middle class doctor. Isobel Crawley: Upper middle class!

Episode 2

Cora Crawley, Lady Grantham: It's a cottage hospital, of course, but quite well equipped. Isobel Crawley: Who pays for it? Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess: Oh, good, let's talk about money. Robert Crawley, Lord Grantham: My father gave the building and an endowment to run it. In a way, he set up his own memorial. Isobel Crawley: But how splendid! Robert Crawley, Lord Grantham: And Mr. Lloyd George's new insurance measures will help. Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess: Please don't speak that man's name; we are about to eat.

Episode 2

Robert Crawley, Lord Grantham: You do know I mean to involve you in the running of the estate? Matthew Crawley: Oh, don't worry, there are plenty of hours in the day. And of course I'll have the weekend. Robert Crawley, Lord Grantham: We'll discuss this later, we mustn't bore the ladies. Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess: What is a weekend?

Episode 2

Robert Crawley, Lord Grantham: [About Matthew Crawley, Lord Grantham's new heir] I thought you didn't like him? Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess: So what? I have plenty of friends I don't like.

Episode 2

Robert Crawley, Lord Grantham: You do not love the place yet. Matthew Crawley: Well, obviously, it's... Robert Crawley, Lord Grantham: No, you don't love it. You see a million bricks that may crumble, a thousand gutters and pipes that may block and leak, and stone that will crack in the frost. Matthew Crawley: But you don't? Robert Crawley, Lord Grantham: I see my life's work.

Episode 3

Daisy! What's happened to you? I said you could go for a drink of water, not a trip up the Nile!

Episode 3

Mr. Bates: I saw this advertisement for a limp corrector. What does it do exactly? Salesman: It corrects limps. Mr. Bates: Does it work? Salesman: Well, as I make it and I advertise it, is it likely I'd say no?

Episode 3

You can change your life if you want to. Sometimes you have to be hard on yourself, but you can change it completely. I know.

Episode 3

Mrs. Hughes: Mr. Bates, what's the matter? Mr. Bates: Nothing, not a thing. I'm fine. Mrs. Hughes: Let me help you. Mr. Bates: I'm perfectly alright. Thank you, Mrs. Hughes. Mrs. Hughes: Are you sure? You're as white as a sheet. Mr. Bates: It's my wonderful complexion, inherited from my Irish mother.

Episode 3

Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess: Oh, my dears! Is it really true? I can't believe it. Last night he looked so well! Of course, it would happen to a foreigner. It's typical. Lady Mary Crawley: Don't be ridiculous! Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess: I'm not being ridiculous. No Englishman would dream of dying in someone else's house, especially someone they didn't even know. Lady Sibyl Crawley: Oh, Granny, even the English aren't in control of everything. Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess: Well I hope we're in control of something, if only ourselves.

Episode 4

You are my darling daughter, and I love you, hard as it is for an Englishman to say the words...If I had made my own fortune and bought Downton for myself, it should be yours without question. But I did not. My fortune is the work of others, who labored to build a great dynasty. Do I have the right to destroy their work, or impoverish that dynasty? I am a custodian, my dear, not an owner. I must strive to be worthy of the task I have been set.

Episode 4

Dr. Clarkson: Mrs. Crawley tells me she's recommended nitrate of silver and tincture of steel. Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess: Why, is she making a suit of armour?

Episode 5

Daisy: I was only trying to help. Mrs. Patmore: Oh, Judas was only trying to help I suppose, when he brought the Roman soldiers to the Garden!

Episode 5

Lady Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess: You are quite wonderful, the way you see room for improvement wherever you look. I never knew such reforming zeal. Isobel Crawley: I take that as a compliment. Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess: I must have said it wrong.

Episode 5

Lady Mary Crawley: How many times am I to be ordered to marry the man sitting next to me at dinner? Cora Crawley, Lady Grantham: As many times as it takes.

Episode 5

Anna: I love you, Mr Bates. I know it’s not ladylike to say it, but I’m not a lady, and I don’t pretend to be. Mr. Bates: You are a lady to me. And I never knew a finer one.

Episode 5

Mr. Carson: Gwen, may I ask why you are sitting on Lady Sybil's bed? Gwen: Well, you see, I had a turn, like a burst of sickness, just sudden-like. I had to sit down. Anna: It's true. Mr. Carson: Well, you'd better go and lie down. I'll tell Mrs. Hughes. Gwen: No, I don't need to interrupt her morning. I'm sure I'll be fine if I could just put my feet up. Mr. Carson: How many bedrooms have you still got to do? Anna: Just one. Lady Edith's. Mr. Carson: And you can manage on your own. Anna: Well, she's no use to man or beast in that state. Go on. Shoo. Mr. Carson: Daisy, may I ask why you are holding Lady Sybil's biscuit jar? Daisy: Em...I was just...Polishing it...Before I put it back. Mr. Carson: See that you do.

Episode 6

Politicians often can't recognize the changes that are inevitable.

Episode 6

Lady Mary Crawley: I was only going to say that Sybil is entitled to her opinions. Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess: No, she isn't until she is married--then her husband will tell her what her opinions are.

Episode 6

Robert Crawley, Lord Grantham: Poor old Edith; we never seem to talk about her. Cora Crawley, Lady Grantham: I'm afraid Edith will be the one to care for us in our old age. Robert Crawley, Lord Grantham: What a ghastly prospect.

Episode 7

Lady Rosamond Painswick: There's nothing like an English summer, is there? Lady Mary Crawley: Except an English winter.

Episode 7

Mrs. Patmore: Oh my Lord, listen to that! It's like the cry of the ! [Branson walks in] Branson: That's Mr. Carson's telephone ringing. [the phone rings again] Is someone going to answer it? Mrs. Patmore: I wouldn't touch that thing with a ten foot pole! Branson: Well, I will then.

Episode 7

Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess: Well, Rosamund, I'm afraid your meddling has cost Mary the only decent offer she'll ever get. Lady Rosamund Painswick: I'm sorry, Mama, but you know me. I have to say what I think. Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess: Why? Nobody else does.

Episode 7

I know you have spirit, my lady, and that's what counts. It's all that counts in the end.

Episode 5

[on the phone] Yes, yes. The minister. Well how many Marquesses of Flintshire are there? [to Edith] Is this an instrument of communication or torture? [on the phone again] Hello?! Shrimpie?! Yes, it's Aunt Violet. Yes, very well. And Susan? Oh, good. I won't beat around the bush, dear. Whom might we know on the board of Leeds General Infirmary?

Episode 5

[telling Daisy what to say to William at his deathbed] Just say nice, warm, comforting things. Make him feel loved. You don't have to be Shakespeare.

Episode 1

Come war and peace, Downton still stands and the Crawleys are still in it. Cora.

Episode 1

[greeting her granddaughters] Sybil, tell me all about the arrangements for the birth. We do these things so much better in the States. Edith. Still no one special? Well, well, never mind. You must take a tip from the modern American girl. Ah, Mary. Dearest Mary. Now, you tell me all of your wedding plans, and I'll see what I can do to improve them.

Episode 1

Lady Mary Crawley: It's not about the money. It's that he won't save Papa when he could. Anna: But he has to be true to himself. Lady Mary Crawley: That's the point. He puts himself above the rest of us. Don't you see? Anna: What I see is a good man, my lady. And they're not like buses. There won't be another one along in ten minutes' time.

Episode 1

Matthew Crawley: My darling, I refuse to quarrel about something that hasn't happened and probably never will. Lady Mary Crawley: That's what Anna says. Matthew Crawley: Then she's right. My darling, I'm sure we will fight about money and about Downton, about how to rear our children, about any number of things. Lady Mary Crawley: Then shouldn't we accept it? Matthew, I've been thinking...and I'm not angry now, truly I'm not. But if we can disagree over something as fundamental as this, then shouldn't we be brave and back away now? Matthew Crawley: No. Lady Mary Crawley: It's not because you're afraid of calling it off? Because I'm not. Matthew Crawley: No. It's because of something Tom said: That I would never be happy with anyone else as long as you walked the earth, which is true.

Episode 2

Lady Mary Crawley: Who will groan first when they see it, Granny or Papa? Matthew Crawley: [chuckles] I should think they'll howl at the moon in unison! Robert Crawley, Lord Grantham: What in God's name is this? Well I never! [marvels at the AC] Cora Crawley, Lady Grantham: Where did this come from? Matthew Crawley: I ordered it in London, picked it up on the way back. It's an AC. Robert Crawley, Lord Grantham: Well, at least it's English.

Episode 2

Robert Crawley, Lord Grantham: How was the honeymoon? Matthew Crawley: [grins] My eyes have been opened. Robert Crawley, Lord Grantham: [smiles] Don't I know it.

Episode 2

Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess: [grumbles to Robert] Just how long is she here for? Robert Crawley, Lord Grantham: [sighs] Who knows? Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess: No guest should be admitted with no departure date settled.

Episode 2

Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess: I cannot understand why so much money was put into one company. Lady Mary Crawley: I couldn't agree more. Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess: Now we're to be turned out of Downton. Even Lloyd George can't want that. Lady Mary Crawley: I'm not sure he's a good example.

Episode 2

Lady Mary Crawley: People like us should lead the fight to keep tradition going. Isobel Crawley: If you mean we can never change, I can't agree. Cora Crawley, Lady Grantham: Nor me. Accepting change is as important as defending the past. Lady Mary Crawley: The role of houses like Downton is to protect tradition. That's why they're so important to maintain.

Episode 3

Lady Edith Crawley: Isn't it exciting? Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess: At my age one must ration one's excitement. [notices Cora fussing about] I told her everything would come right but she wouldn't believe me. Lady Edith Crawley: I still can't. Something happening in this house is actually about me.

Episode 3

Sir Anthony Strallan: Lady Edith tells me you're very interested in politics. Robert Crawley, Lord Grantham: [smirks] Tom is our tame revolutionary. Sir Anthony Strallan: Every family should have one. Matthew Crawley: As long as you are tame. [glances at Branson knowingly] Tom Branson: Tame enough for a game of billiards.

Episode 3

Sir Anthony Strallan: I wish you'd let me sit in the front. Isobel Crawley: I prefer it, I've ridden in the front seat many times. Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess: Aren't you a wild thing! Sir Anthony Strallan: There's never been a safer method of travel. Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess: Nor a faster one. Sir Anthony Strallan: Edith's the speed fiend, she likes to go at a terrific lick. Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess: Do you think you'll be able to keep up with her? Sir Anthony Strallan: I'll try.

Episode 3

Robert Crawley, Lord Grantham: [looks at Eryholme] We won't need more than eight servants, tops. So it'll be very economical. Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess: What about me? Where am I to go? Robert Crawley, Lord Grantham: We still own most of the village. Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess: Oh. Perhaps I could open a shop?

Episode 3

Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess: I really think you should go to bed. No bride wants to look tired on her wedding. That means she's anxious or been up to no good. Lady Edith Crawley: I won't sleep a wink. Lady Sybil Branson: Tonight or tomorrow? Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess: Sybil, vulgarity is no substitute for wit. Lady Sybil Branson: [smirks at her grandmother] You started it. [she and Edith giggle]

Episode 8

[in surprise] Oh.

A Journey to the Highlands

[to Anna] They'll be here in a minute. And tell Mr. Matthew he must wait his turn. He's seen the baby and they haven't.

Episode 6

Alfred: I'm nervous, now it's happened. Jimmy: [dismissive] What's there to be nervous about? Mr. Carson: You're nervous because you're intelligent, Alfred. Only stupid people are foolhardy. [Other servants look at him meaningfully, but Jimmy holds his tongue.]

Episode 6

Isobel Crawley: How you hate to be wrong. Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess: I wouldn’t know, I’m not familiar with the sensation.

Episode 6

Mrs. Patmore: I like that Rudolph Valentino. He makes me shiver all over. Mr. Carson: What a very disturbing thought.

Episode 6

Evelyn Napier: Is this your first experience of jazz, Lady Grantham? Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess: Oh, is that what it is? Do you think any of them know what the others are playing?

Episode 7

Good-bye Tom. Look after all my womenfolk. Including Isis. [whispers] Especially Isis.

Episode 1

Principles are like prayers: noble, of course, but awkward at a party.

A Moorland Holiday

Mr. Carson: But that's the point. Mrs. Hughes: What is? Mr. Carson: I do want to be stuck with you.

The Finale

But what can I do? I can hardly push my way past the servants and run upstairs to his bedroom.

The Finale

Well, what else could we drink to? We're going forward to the future, not back into the past.