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The Worst Episodes of Upstairs, Downstairs

Every episode of Upstairs, Downstairs ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Upstairs, Downstairs!

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Upstairs: the wealthy, aristocratic Bellamys. Downstairs: their loyal and lively servants. For nearly 30 years, they share a fashionable townhouse at 165 Eaton Place in London’s posh Belgravia neighborhood, surviving social change, political upheaval, scandals,

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Upstairs, Downstairs Season 1 Episode 11 - The Swedish Tiger
    5.5/10(185 votes)

    #1 - The Swedish Tiger

    S1:E11

    James is visited by his friend Axel Ryttsen, a Swedish Army captain who lives for taking risks. With him is his valet, the handsome and charismatic Torkel Kraft. There is some scheming going on the manor house during their visit, but to what end?

    Director:Brian Parker
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 3 Episode 6 - Desirous of Change
    6.7/10(125 votes)

    #2 - Desirous of Change

    S3:E6

    Hazel Bellamy assumes her role as mistress of the household with great trepidation and Richard becomes the quarry of a bounty-hunting Austrian woman and her wily and rapacious brother.

    Director:Lionel Harris
    Writer:Fay Weldon

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  3. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 5 Episode 7 - Disillusion
    7.1/10(107 votes)

    #3 - Disillusion

    S5:E7

    Spring is in the air and Hudson has found love, but it comes at a price for the household. In the end, the object of his affection makes a sacrifice for him.

    Director:Bill Bain
    Writer:Alfred Shaughnessy

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  4. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 1 Episode 12 - The Key of the Door
    7.3/10(139 votes)

    #4 - The Key of the Door

    S1:E12

    Winter 1908: Elizabeth befriends a bunch of Bohemian-types, but is drawn to two in particular: Evelyn Larkin, a radical Socialist extremist, and her lover, Lawrence Kirbridge, a handsome, free-spirited poet. On the eve of her 21st birthday, with her parents out of town, Lizzy invites the entire group to Eaton Place, and is humiliated when the Bellamys return home unexpectedly and throw everyone out. Anxious to prove she's nothing like her parents, Lizzy is compelled to do something extreme, leading to a falling out with her parents and a harsh discovery about Evelyn.

    Director:Raymond Menmuir
    Writers:Alfred Shaughnessy, John Hawkesworth

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  5. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 3 Episode 10 - What the Footman Saw
    7.3/10(108 votes)

    #5 - What the Footman Saw

    S3:E10

    A leisurely evening out with his chums, a few beers and some downstairs gossip give Edward a bigger headache than any hangover ever could.

    Director:Cyril Coke
    Writer:Jeremy Paul

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  6. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 1 Episode 3 - Board Wages
    7.4/10(160 votes)

    #6 - Board Wages

    S1:E3

    August 1904: Finding themselves alone and having the run of the house, the junior servants indulge in a night of wild partying. When James, the Bellamy's son, show up unexpectedly, the party takes an unusual turn, causing Sarah to reevaluate her life. Unhappy with what she sees, she makes a monumental decision that will alter her course forever.

    Director:Derek Bennett
    Writers:Charlotte Bingham, Terence Brady

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  7. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 5 Episode 6 - An Old Flame
    7.4/10(94 votes)

    #7 - An Old Flame

    S5:E6

    James and Lady Diana Newbury behave foolishly, with little regard of how it impacts others. Edward is in trouble with Daisy when he's caught in a lie.

    Director:Derek Bennett
    Writer:John Hawkesworth

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  8. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 4 Episode 5 - Tug of War
    7.5/10(96 votes)

    #8 - Tug of War

    S4:E5

    James yearns for a regimental post at the front and Rose volunteers to become a conductorette as the war rages on.

    Director:Derek Bennett
    Writer:Rosemary Anne Sisson

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  9. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 1 Episode 1 - On Trial
    7.6/10(233 votes)

    #9 - On Trial

    S1:E1

    November 1903: Clemence, young and inexperienced, is hired on a trial basis by Lady Marjorie, who decides Clemence is not an appropriate name for someone in service and changes it to Sarah. Being far too outspoken and having a tendency towards over exaggeration and drama, Sarah struggles to fit in and become accepted by the other servants.

    Director:Raymond Menmuir
    Writer:Fay Weldon

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  10. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 1 Episode 10 - A Voice from the Past
    7.6/10(134 votes)

    #10 - A Voice from the Past

    S1:E10

    Autumn 1908: While providing food for the homeless, James and Elizabeth are surprised to run into Sara whose been living on the street. Elizabeth insists on taking her back to Eaton Place where she's given a job as a scullery maid. Sarah immediately reverts back to her old tricks and, claiming to be a medium, causes an uproar when she tries to conjure up the spirit of Emily during a seance.

    Director:Raymond Menmuir
    Writer:Jeremy Paul

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  11. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 1 Episode 2 - The Mistress and the Maids
    7.7/10(184 votes)

    #11 - The Mistress and the Maids

    S1:E2

    June 1904: An artist, commissioned to paint Lady Marjorie's portrait, takes a shine to Sarah and convinces her to pose for him. The painting, depicting Sarah and her roommate, is a bit racy, and when the Bellamy's see it in a public exhibit, they fire both girls for what they wrongly conclude is "questionable behaviour."

    Director:Derek Bennett
    Writer:Alfred Shaughnessy

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  12. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 2 Episode 1 - The New Man
    7.7/10(129 votes)

    #12 - The New Man

    S2:E1

    Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Kirbridge return from their honeymoon and set up their new household in nearby Greenwich.

    Director:Raymond Menmuir
    Writer:Rosemary Anne Sisson

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  13. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 2 Episode 9 - An Object of Value
    7.7/10(119 votes)

    #13 - An Object of Value

    S2:E9

    Everyone's nerves are frazzled when Lord Southwold dies, Lady Southwold and her companion, Miss Hodges, spend a some time with Richard and Lady Marjorie and a valuable diamond brooch goes missing.

    Director:Raymond Menmuir
    Writer:Jeremy Paul

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  14. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 3 Episode 5 - Rose's Pigeon
    7.7/10(110 votes)

    #14 - Rose's Pigeon

    S3:E5

    Alfred, the former Bellamy footman, is on the run and dupes Rose and uses her kindness as a shield from the law.

    Director:Bill Bain
    Writer:Jeremy Paul

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  15. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 5 Episode 3 - Laugh a Little Louder Please
    7.7/10(99 votes)

    #15 - Laugh a Little Louder Please

    S5:E3

    Georgina and her cohort throw a bacchanal at Eaton Place, with tragic consequences. Miss Treadwell, a governess for the children, joins the household.

    Director:Derek Bennett
    Writer:Rosemary Anne Sisson

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  16. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 5 Episode 11 - Alberto
    7.7/10(94 votes)

    #16 - Alberto

    S5:E11

    Frederick considers his future when he feels his talents are largely wasted in the Bellamy household.

    Director:Christopher Hodson
    Writer:Alfred Shaughnessy

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  17. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 1 Episode 4 - The Path of Duty
    7.8/10(147 votes)

    #17 - The Path of Duty

    S1:E4

    May 1905: When Elizabeth returns home from abroad, her parents plan her debut into society, but the spirited young girl has little interest. She reluctantly agrees, but at the last moment, has a change of heart and flees. Rose, more like a sister than a servant, steps up and makes the girl see the situation in another light.

    Director:Joan Kemp-Welch
    Writer:John Harrison

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  18. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 1 Episode 13 - For Love of Love
    7.8/10(132 votes)

    #18 - For Love of Love

    S1:E13

    June 1909: Elizabeth and Lawrence Kirbridge have fallen in love and, refusing to conform to society's rules, announce their plan to live together without marriage, resulting in pressure from all sides. After Lawrence gives in and starts pressuring her too, Lizzie finally succumbs. Meanwhile, Sarah fulfills her dream to perform on the stage when she takes a job in a burlesque show. James shows up and, now that she no longer works for his family, wants to pursue the relationship they've both wanted for nearly six years.

    Director:Herbert Wise
    Writer:Rosemary Anne Sisson

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  19. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 2 Episode 3 - Married Love
    7.8/10(117 votes)

    #19 - Married Love

    S2:E3

    Things have not improved in the Kirbridge household. It turns out they have yet to consummate their marriage. Lizzie, unaware she's married to a gay man, is miserable and angry, making Lawrence miserable, too. Realizing he cannot fulfill that "need" for her, Lawrence decides to enlist the help of a friend to fulfill those duties for him.

    Director:Raymond Menmuir
    Writer:John Harrison

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  20. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 3 Episode 7 - Word of Honour
    7.8/10(107 votes)

    #20 - Word of Honour

    S3:E7

    Richard Bellamy, who has been in considerable financial distress since the death of Lady Marjorie, finds himself at the center of a insider trading firestorm in his capacity as a member of Parliament.

    Director:Christopher Hodson
    Writer:Anthony Skene

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  21. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 4 Episode 6 - Home Fires
    7.8/10(100 votes)

    #21 - Home Fires

    S4:E6

    The reappearance of Gregory Wilmot throws Rose into a tailspin. Lady Prudence butts heads with Helen over a tea party for wounded officers.

    Director:Bill Bain
    Writer:Jeremy Paul

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  22. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 5 Episode 9 - The Nine Days Wonder
    7.8/10(91 votes)

    #22 - The Nine Days Wonder

    S5:E9

    The entire household comes together when a General Strike is called throughout Britain in May 1926

    Director:Simon Langton
    Writer:Jeremy Paul

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  23. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 2 Episode 8 - Out of the Everywhere
    7.9/10(126 votes)

    #23 - Out of the Everywhere

    S2:E8

    Elizabeth returns home with her newborn daughter, Lucy, and the very disagreeable and old Nanny Webster, to look after "Baby".

    Director:Christopher Hodson
    Writers:Charlotte Bingham, Terence Brady

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  24. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 2 Episode 10 - A Special Mischief
    7.9/10(118 votes)

    #24 - A Special Mischief

    S2:E10

    Elizabeth joins the suffragette movement, but in her effort to protect her, Rose is imprisoned.

    Director:Raymond Menmuir
    Writer:Anthony Skene

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  25. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 3 Episode 8 - The Bolter
    7.9/10(107 votes)

    #25 - The Bolter

    S3:E8

    Hazel's first substantial encounter with fashionable society causes her great humiliation, marital distress and a near-fatal accident, when she and James visit Lord and Lady Newbury at Sommerby Park.

    Director:Cyril Coke
    Writer:John Hawkesworth

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Worst Episodes Summary

"The Swedish Tiger" is the worst rated episode of "Upstairs, Downstairs". It scored 5.5/10 based on 185 votes. Directed by Brian Parker and written by Unknown, it aired on 2/20/1972. This episode scored 1.2 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Desirous of Change".