'Downton Abbey' (Christmas 2015 Special) Quiz

Answer: Pernicious anaemia

The prognosis meant that Lord Merton's son and daughter-in-law, who had been only too keen for Isobel to take him off their hands, now wished to keep him away from her to protect their inheritance. With the help of Violet, Isobel rescued him from their clutches to her own home, and decided that the long delayed marriage would take place as soon as possible.

In true Downton fashion, the local expert, Dr. Clarkson, was able to prove the expensive Harley Street doctors wrong and discover that Dickie's illness was 'ordinary' anaemia, thus giving him and Isobel every hope for a happy future.

Answer: Hair dryer

Anna had ordered the hair dryer to help in the styling of Mary's hair, much to Carson's dismay. Although it seemed harmless enough, the hair dryer was destined to play a starring role in other plot lines in the show.

Although some appliances had made an appearance, vacuum cleaners were not mentioned - those housemaids were still expected to use little more than 'elbow grease' and dustpans and brushes. Mrs Patmore would be unlikely to welcome anything operated by electricity in her closely guarded kitchen.

Answer: Ritz

The meeting was set up, somewhat surprisingly, by Mary with the connivance of Aunt Rosamund. Proof, maybe, rather late in the series that Mary does have a heart after all. After an uncomfortable start, with Edith reminding Bertie that he had broken her heart, Bertie managed to convince her that he was lost without her. The news was broken to the family, and the viewer, by means of a late night telephone call to Robert.

Any of the hotels listed would provide an excellent meal, but Mary had booked a table at the Ritz for the hoped for reconciliation to take place in the best possible surroundings.

Answer: Sir Mark and Lady Stiles

Barrow's departure led to some touching scenes as he bade farewell to his former colleagues. Even Bates shook his hand and wished him well, despite Barrow's many attempts to cause problems for him in the past. Lady Mary brought the children down to say goodbye, too, with young George asking Barrow not to go.

The new job turned out to be less exciting than Barrow had hoped, with only two other members of staff to run the household. Since it appeared to consist of only two people, this might well have been enough.

Since this is Downton Abbey, not the 'real world', events meant that Barrow would be returning to his original place of work to take over as butler from Carson as Robert came up with a neat solution to the problem of Carson's sudden onset of 'palsy'.

Answer: Patricia Hodge

Bertie had told Edith it would be better to keep the secret of Marigold's birth from his mother, who soon made it clear that she expected her son and his wife to uphold strict moral standards. Edith's concerns that too many people already knew about Marigold's parentage, and her own honesty, meant that she felt compelled to disclose the truth. After a few awkward situations, Mrs Pelham accepted that Edith had shown courage and moral strength and gave the couple her blessing.

Patricia Hodge is a well established English actress, who has appeared in many television series. Among her best known roles is that of another mother, to the title character in the series 'Miranda', which starred Miranda Hart.

Answer: Nail polish

The ongoing battle between the Dowager Countess's butler and maid provided much of the humour in the episode. Spratt found Denker painting her nails, and pointed out that Violet would not approve. Denker told him that the shade was called 'nude' and was unlikely to be noticed.

She took her revenge by ensuring that Violet learned of Spratt's second job of advice columnist in Edith's magazine, with unexpected results.

Answer: Car sales

Since the death of his friend, Charlie, in a race, Henry had lost interest motor racing and decided to give it up, much to Mary's relief. He was keen not to become a 'kept man', living off his wife, and discussed his concerns with Tom, who came up with a plan. Since both Henry and Tom, the former chauffeur, were interested in cars, it was no surprise to find that their business - 'Talbot and Branson' - involved a garage. Quite where the money came from to buy it was not mentioned.

Their plan was to begin by selling second hand cars, before branching out into new cars and even building their own. Tom rather fancied them becoming the next Mr Rolls and Mr Royce.

Answer: Victoria Rachel Cora

Rose had been forbidden to bring the baby with her as the child was only three months old and 'nanny' was afraid of the germs she might pick up. Rose came armed with photos, though, which she took to the kitchen to show the servants. She explained that the child had been named Rachel after Atticus's mother and Cora for Lady Grantham, and was quick to squash Mrs Patmore's question about her failure to include Susan, her own mother's name. You may recall that Susan had done her best to ruin the romance with Atticus.

As well as Rose and Atticus, there was a welcome return for her father, 'Shrimpie', played by Peter Egan.

Answer: Clara Bow

Daisy had been giving Andy the cold shoulder, telling Mrs Patmore that she 'could do better', until she found him helping Mr Mason on his farm. Andy had given up on her, so Daisy decided to change her appearance by cutting her hair, although she made a real mess of it. Anna, and the trusty hair dryer, came to the rescue, giving Daisy a stylish bob and leading Andy to compare her to the actress, Clara Bow.

By the end of the episode, Daisy had decided to move to the farm to live with Mr Mason, and the romance was back on course. Mr Mason also made his move on Mrs Patmore, so love was in the air there, too.

Answer: Lady Mary's bedroom

Anna had continued to work throughout her pregnancy, a fact which Carson struggled with (no surprise there). The hair dryer made yet another appearance, as Anna was putting it away in Mary's bedroom when her waters broke. Although there would have been time to move her, Mary insisted on putting Anna into her own bed even, in a role reversal, helping her off with her shoes. The next time we saw Anna, she was still in Mary's bed, nursing her new son, with Bates in attendance, and insisting that she would return to work as soon as she can. Rather modern, for 1925/6, when the episode was set.

Mary readily agreed to this, revealing her own pregnancy to those present, which she had kept secret to avoid 'stealing Edith's thunder' - another sign that she had learned to be less spiteful.