Lady Sybil learns truth about Branson on latest Downton Abbey

Tumultuous times once again at Downton Abbey, particularly when daughter Sybil is endangered by her husband Branson and his Irish revolutionary leanings.

Downton Abbey has entered new territory once again as the swirling politics of 1920 touch the household.

Robert Crawley, the Earl of Grantham has been tolerant of his daughters and their ways.

Daughter Mary, finally married, but had her early sex scandal.

Middle daughter Edith was finally given permission to marry a disabled older gentleman, who then turned and left her at the altar.

It is youngest girl Sybil who made her parents take the biggest leap, when she married the family's chauffeur. If that weren't bad enough, he is Irish and a revolutionary.

After marrying, moving to Ireland and eschewing her blue blood upbringing, Lady Sybil is left to fend for herself when Branson fled the scene of a terrorist act.

Mr. Crawley went nuts. Against his will he accepted the marriage and tried to deal with Branson's attempts to go from being one of the household staff to being waited on by them.

This, however he won't accept.

Lady Sybil took a couple of days to get home to Downton, part of a pre-planned exit from the country. Authorities didn't stop her despite them being on the hunt for Branson.

In the end, Sybil's mother Cora put the squeeze on her husband to pull diplomatic strings to keep her future grandchild's father safe.

Here's the rub. Branson doesn't want to remain in England at the estate to ensure his safety. He needs to be back in the fight.

He's not a paper revolutionary and Sybil might not have realized that when she decided to marry him.

It's one thing for go to a rally and speak out about your beliefs.

It's quite another to be willing to be imprisoned for the right of your people to live in a democracy. Branson is a true believer and Sybil is just learning that.

In other stories:

Edith has chosen to speak out in print about women's suffrage in Great Britain to the horror of all.

Lady Mary and hubby Matthew are at odds once again. This time it's over Matthew's issues with how Robert has let the estate fall into financial chaos.

An alliance is building between him and the Dowager Princess, who cares less for her son Robert's ego bruises than saving Downton at all costs.

This one is going to be a hot button for sure.

Bates and Anna survived a letter and visit drought due to prison politics and a dashingly handsome new footman has been hired. It isn't just the ladies who are all excited either, as Thomas eyed him up and down.

What do you think will be the most problematic issue as the series continues in this season three? Lady Sybil and Branson, Matthew vs. Robert or Edith's political agitation?

PBS airs new episodes of Downton Abbey each Sunday night starting at 9:00 p.m. ET Image: PBS/Downton Abbey Laura Carmichael and Maggie Smith

Watch Downton Abbey, Season 3: Episode 3 Preview on PBS. See more from Masterpiece.

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