Bates (Brendan Coyle) returned to Downton Abbey a free man on the Feb. 10 episode, but in true Downton fashion, his return was interrupted by scandal of a most scandalous nature.

Let’s start with the most scandalous of all: Thomas (Rob James-Collier) finally put the moves on Jimmy (Ed Speleers)! It wasn’t quite as romantic as I’d hoped it would be, though, considering it was basically rape. After O’Brien (Siobhan Finneran) filled him with false hope, Thomas crept into Jimmy’s room while he was sleeping and kissed him.

But their Sleeping Beauty moment was interrupted by Alfred, who had just returned from a super-awkward date with Ivy. Jimmy awoke with a fright, screaming at Thomas and insisting to Alfred that the encounter was not as it seemed. Jimmy ended up reporting Thomas to Carson, who reacted just as angrily and homophobic-ally as you’d expect.

Robert Vs. Matthew Vs. Fertility

Meanwhile, Robert (Hugh Bonneville) and Matthew (Dan Stevens) spent most of the hour squabbling about how to run the estate. It was mostly a lot of boring gobbledigook, but it did allow Mr. Jarvis to say this amazing line: “I am the old broom, you are the new. I wish you luck with your sweeping.”

Then Matthew asked Mary (Michelle Dockery) if she should see a doctor about his seemingly malfunctioning peen. She told him not to worry.

Oh Tom’s Brother, Where Art Thy Mustache?

Tom’s brother — who the Dowager Countess aptly described as a “drunken gorilla” — paid the abbey a visit this week. There’s really not much to say about him, other than he had a mustache and was very rude. He actually looked like a skinny Ron Swanson.

Edith Crawley, Journalist

After accepting the newspaper editor’s proposition, Edith formally announced at dinner that the Crawleys now had a journalist in the family, clearly forgetting they already have one — and he was sitting right across from her.

I leave you with this incredible exchange between Edith and Violet, re: Ethel being treated like Hester from The Scarlett Letter:

Violet: “What is The Scarlet Letter?”
Edith: “A novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne.”
Violet: “It sounds most unsuitable.”

What did you think of this week’s episode? Will you be disappointed if Thomas is fired from Downton? Do you think Matthew & Mary will be able to have kids? And when will this family stop dumping on poor Edith? Drop a comment with your personal review of the episode!

– Andy Swift

Two new Downton Abbey trailers hit the web this week — one from British broadcaster ITV, and another from PBS — and they both reveal some wild surprises from the show’s upcoming third season, including a new forbidden romance for Thomas (Rob James-Collier), who apparently does have emotions under all those layers of evil.

Thomas, whose gay story line was more or less swept under the rug after the first few episodes of the show, is seen spying on new footman Jimmy (Ed Speleers) as he strips down to his birthday suit. But before you go celebrating Downton’s newest couple, it’s also worth noting that Thomas is later seen crying. So that probably won’t end well.

But Thomas isn’t the only one getting weepy! Lord Crawley (Hugh Bonneville) and Matthew (Dan Stevens) are also seen in various states of distress, while Bates (Brendan Coyle) shows off his darker side by getting physical with a man in an alley.

Never a dull moment at Downton!

Watch both new trailers below, then drop a comment with your hopes and predictions for season three:

Watch More ENTV Videos!

— Andy Swift

Follow @AndySwift

More Downton Abbey season 3 scoop:

1. 4 ‘Downton Abbey’ Wedding Spoilers: Mary’s Dress & More
2. ‘Downton Abbey’ Season 3: Four Spoilers From The New Trailer
3. ‘Downton Abbey’ Pics: Mary & Matthew Are Finally Getting Married

Wedding bells are ringing at Downton Abbey — but before Matthew (Dan Stevens) and Mary (Michelle Dockery) say “I do,” they’re dishing out major spoilers about their big day! The third season premieres in 2013 in the U.S., and the show’s stars recently spilled their upper-crust guts to the UK’s Mirror, revealing serious relationship drama to come.

Here’s what Dan and Michelle had to say about Matthew and Mary’s big day (and beyond):

1. The dress:  “It’s a truly stunning dress, and I’m sure people will make some comparisons with the Royal Wedding,” Michelle said. “As we arrived at the church and stepped out of the carriage the crowds were just amazing, with all these supporting artists cheering us on.”

2. The complications: Though it may sound like the wedding goes off without a hitch, Dan promised, “There’s still some thrills and spills; it’s not all plain sailing.”

3. The fights: As the trailer for the third season first revealed, Michelle said Mary and Matthew “have their teething problems at the start.”

4. The sex: “It doesn’t get pornographic but there’s a newly-wed undercurrent,” Dan said of Matthew and Mary’s bedroom scenes.

The Mirror also spoke with Rob James-Collier, who plays nogoodnik Thomas, about how his character’s forgotten gay story line will to light in the third season.

“It’s a very emotional storyline and goes some way to explaining why he is how he is,” Rob explained. “Being a homosexual man in Edwardian times was against God and you could go to prison for it. It’s a burden and the audience will hopefully empathise with him.”

He even alluded to a potential romance between Thomas and new footman Jimmy Kent (Ed Speleers).

“Thomas takes him under his wing and looks after him,” Rob hints. “Knowing Thomas and knowing he has a preference for a certain type of person in life, I think Jimmy fits that bill perfectly.”

What’s your take on Dan & Michelle’s spoilers? Will Matthew & Mary’s marriage will last? Could a healthy relationship actually prevent Thomas from being a total prick? Drop me a comment with your theories and predictions for season three!

— Andy Swift

Follow @AndySwift

More Downton Abbey:

1. ‘Downton Abbey’ Season 3: Four Spoilers From The New Trailer
2. ‘Downton Abbey’ Spoiler: Blank & Blank Are Finally Getting Married
3. ‘Downton Abbey’ Season Finale: Will Mary & Matthew Finally Get Together?