Downton Abbey - Episode Seven

An absolutely wonderful conclusion to the first season of a spectacularly exquisite television program.
Please be warned that there are spoilers ahead.
Firstly, Mrs Patmore is finally sent to London by Lord Grantham to have her eyes operated on and she is accompanied by Anna who searches out the real story behind Mr Bate's past and tracks down his mother who reveals that he took the blame for his wife who was the thief.  What a gentleman.
The big story for the finale is that it is revealed that Lady Grantham is pregnant.  If she has a boy, then the estate can stay with them and not go to cousin Matthew.  Mary doesn't know how to respond to Matthew's wedding proposal because she really loves him and doesn't want him to think that she is only marrying him now that he is no longer a threat.
Meanwhile, the Dowager is in need of a new maid and the Lady Grantham offers to help her and even puts an ad in the paper.  O'Brien mistakenly thinks she is being replaced and is horrified when Lady Grantham asks her point blank for advice about her 'replacement'.  While bathing the Countess, O'Brien leaves a cake of soap on the floor and the Lady Grantham slips and falls, miscarrying the baby.
Everything comes to a head at a Garden party.  Thomas has been discovered trying to steal a wallet, but before he can be fired, he resigns to join the Army.  Gwen gets a job as a secretary when the telephone installer mentions he is looking for a secretary.  Sir Anthony arrives to propose to Edith but Mary gets back at Edith for writing to the Turkish embassy about her affair with the ambassador, by tricking Sir Anthony into thinking Edith does not like him and so he leaves.  But Mary loses Matthew when she accepts his proposal but he recants because he now believes she is only accepting because he will again get Downton.
The episode concludes with the first phone call to Downton Abbey announcing Britain is at war with Germany and World War I has commenced!
Can't wait for the second season to start!  It airs in the UK in September, so not sure when we will get it here.  It has also been confirmed that there will be a Christmas special and a third season!  Fantastic!