10 Questionable Life Choices In Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey has its share of scandals and dramatic reveals: from surprise pregnancies to shocking inheritance laws, torrid affairs and a whole lot of dinner table tension, the costume drama has it all. But the show also has primary characters making bad decisions, sometimes on a whim.

Like the time Mary got engaged to the ruthless and domineering Richard Carlisle, who was obviously not the right man for her, or when Robert ignored medical advice during his daughter’s delivery. But what were the poorest decisions ever made on the show? 

10 Lord Grantham Ignoring Clarkson’s Advice During Sybil’s Delivery

Though the Dowager Countess absolved her son of all guilt over the death of Sybil, the truth is, Sybil may actually have survived if Robert would have heeded Dr. Clarkson’s advice over Philip Tapsell. When Sybil was in labor, Robert ignores Clarkson’s warning that she was showing signs of preeclampsia and needs to give birth in a hospital. Robert insists that she remain at home, where she later dies after giving birth.

This becomes a problem in Robert and Cora’s relationship too, as he blamed her husband for poor decision-making. “You believed Taps because he’s knighted and fashionable and has a practice in Harley Street. You let all that nonsense weigh against saving our daughter’s life,” she tells him.

9 When Mary Decided To Embark On A Relationship With Richard

Mary was very aware that her scandal involving the Turkish attache, Pamuk, could ruin her reputation, and she also sought a sense of security since her future seemed uncertain without a husband. Though she didn’t have strong feelings for the newspaper magnate, Richard Carlisle, she agreed to a marital alliance with him. She opens up to him about her history with Pamuk and enters into an arrangement that she would marry him if he would keep her secret.

But Richard accused her of infidelity (over her relationship with Matthew) and even blackmailed her. And even after everything, Mary was ready to tie the knot with him just because her mum called her “damaged goods.” This was a really bad decision and it was only after her father’s intervention that Mary came to her senses and called off the engagement

8 All Of Robert’s Decisions That Led Him To Almost Losing Downton

Robert’s sense of self was associated very closely with his duties as the lord of Downton, and his pride was a huge part of his self-identity. But that said, he made some really bad decisions pertaining to his estate, most of which were driven by his emotions and sense of vanity. 

He refused to take away the land that had been leased away generationally to tenant farmers, and though this was a novel move, it put his financial prospects in jeopardy. He also actively tried to stop Matthew, his son-in-law, from making Downton more sustainable and self-sufficient, as he was old-fashioned and simply refused to change with the times, be it pertaining to his lifestyle or relationships. 

7 When Matthew Decides To Go Ahead With His Wedding With Lavinia, Despite His Feelings For Mary

Before Lavinia tragically succumbed to the flu and died, she had witnessed Matthew and Lady Mary kissing as they discussed how they felt about each other and contemplated whether they should come clean about their relationship. This was quite a tragic moment because Lavinia wasn’t aware of their history.

If Matthew really did care about Lavinia as he had so fervently claimed, he should have obviously come clean about his situation with Mary and saved Lavinia from the heartbreak of discovering their relationship.

6 Robert’s Fling With Jane

Though the affair ended on a mutual understanding, it was still a really poor move on Robert’s part, especially because he only instigated the fling with the Downton scullery maid Jane because he felt ignored by Cora, and had no real attraction to her.

He carried on his advances even when Cora was sick, and though the fling was mutual, it could have tarnished Jane’s reputation and it definitely would have made for a scandal in the Crawley household

5 Matthew’s Refusal To Accept His Inheritance From Reginald Swire

Considering the circumstances, it was really quite thoughtless of Matthew to turn down Swire’s money when his family so desperately needed it to save Downton. Swire posted a will that bequeathed all his assets and wealth to Matthew, who was engaged to his daughter Lavinia when she died. The inheritance arrived at a crucial moment as Mary and the Crawleys were all trying to save Downton and were in the midst of an economic crisis.

Matthew turns down the money because he believed he treated Lavinia badly by lying to her about Mary, even though Swire loved Matthew like a son and wanted him to be his heir, irrespective of his relationship with Lavinia.

4 When Mary Turns Matthew Down For Money

Mary’s aunt Rosamund warns her that if her mom, Cora, is pregnant with a boy, Matthew would no longer inherit Downton and it so may not make sense for Mary to marry him after all. This puts Mary in a pickle because she does love Matthew and wants a life with him, but Rosamund’s warning confuses her. Rosamund also advises her to wait until the end of the London season to respond to Matthew’s proposal.

When Mary refuses Matthew, he is hurt, guessing the reason behind her sudden change of mind and so he withdraws his proposal before signing off for the war. On Mary’s part, this was a rather confusing move since they were both in love with each other and she did not exactly care about his finances. She simply had cold feet and clearly regretted the decision eventually.

3 When Robert Loses All Of Cora’s Inheritance

Lord Grantham didn’t just lose his own money but also lost his wife’s inheritance (that was tied to Downton through her dowry) in bad investments. Cora points out that he was rather recklessly heavily invested in one enterprise.

Robert makes most of his decisions based on first impressions, and at times, it takes a toll, as he’s easily fooled by appearances. He tells Cora that he tied all their money to one venture because everyone said he couldn’t lose any money with this one. But his poor grasp of finances gets his family in trouble, as they were on the brink of financial collapse.

2 When Thomas Loses All His Money On A Bad Black Market Investment

After the war, Thomas tries his luck in the black market, unwilling to return to Downton as help. He decides to spend his savings to buy some high-end gourmet goods from a man he had only met briefly at a bar. This was rather reckless of him since he had very little knowledge about this area of business.

He spends most of his money on stuff that looked quite premium but ended up being fake. He gave samples to Daisy to cook a cake for Mrs. Patmore, who he hoped could test the quality of the goods and would eventually place orders with him for Downton. But the items he bought turn out to be fake and adulterated, causing Thomas to do away with them entirely in a fit of rage as he realizes he has to return to Downton for work.

1 Mary’s Decision To Tell Matthew About Pamuk

Things were complicated enough between Matthew and Mary: she had broken up with him over her financial anxieties, post which he signed up for war. He came back and got engaged to Lavinia and both he and Mary had to suppress their love for each other.

It really didn’t make sense for Mary to bring up the Pamuk scandal and threaten their relationship further. It was unlikely that Matthew would hold something so traumatic against her, but Mary nevertheless was anxious to be free from the burden of this secret and so she told him. The fandom unanimously agreed that her timing on this one was rather poor.

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