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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
    5.4/10(193 votes)

    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 in the 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(129 votes)

    S3:E6

    A French countess claiming to be an old acquaintance of Richard's asks Hazel to arrange a meeting.

    Director:Lionel Harris
    Writer:Fay Weldon

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  3. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 5 Episode 7 - Disillusion
    7.1/10(112 votes)

    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(142 votes)

    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, Lizzie 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, Lizzie is compelled to do something extreme, leading to a falling out with her parents and a harsh discovery about Evelyn.

    Director:Raymond Menmuir
    Writers:John Hawkesworth, Alfred Shaughnessy

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  5. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 3 Episode 10 - What the Footman Saw
    7.3/10(110 votes)

    S3:E10

    Edward is a witness in a scandalous divorce case.

    Director:Cyril Coke
    Writer:Jeremy Paul

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  6. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 1 Episode 3 - Board Wages
    7.4/10(163 votes)

    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(97 votes)

    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 1 Episode 1 - On Trial
    7.5/10(244 votes)

    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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  9. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 4 Episode 5 - Tug of War
    7.5/10(99 votes)

    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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  10. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 1 Episode 10 - A Voice from the Past
    7.6/10(138 votes)

    S1:E10

    Autumn 1908: While providing food for the homeless, James and Elizabeth are surprised to run into Sarah whose been living on the street. Elizabeth insists upon taking her back to Eaton Place where she's given a job as a scullery maid. Sarah immediately reverts 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 séance.

    Director:Raymond Menmuir
    Writer:Jeremy Paul

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  11. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 2 Episode 1 - The New Man
    7.6/10(131 votes)

    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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  12. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 1 Episode 2 - The Mistress and the Maids
    7.7/10(190 votes)

    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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  13. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 2 Episode 3 - Married Love
    7.7/10(119 votes)

    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 homosexual, is miserable and angry, making Lawrence miserable, too. Realising he cannot fulfil that need for her, Lawrence decides to enlist the help of a friend to step in as proxy.

    Director:Raymond Menmuir
    Writer:John Harrison

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  14. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 2 Episode 9 - An Object of Value
    7.7/10(122 votes)

    S2:E9

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

    Director:Raymond Menmuir
    Writer:Jeremy Paul

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  15. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 5 Episode 3 - Laugh a Little Louder Please
    7.7/10(102 votes)

    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(97 votes)

    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(151 votes)

    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(134 votes)

    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 3 Episode 5 - Rose's Pigeon
    7.8/10(113 votes)

    S3:E5

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

    Director:Bill Bain
    Writer:Jeremy Paul

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  20. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 3 Episode 7 - Word of Honour
    7.8/10(111 votes)

    S3:E7

    A scandal erupts after Richard is given a confidential financial tip-off and his shares quadruple in value.

    Director:Christopher Hodson
    Writer:Anthony Skene

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  21. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 4 Episode 6 - Home Fires
    7.8/10(103 votes)

    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 2 Episode 8 - Out of the Everywhere
    7.9/10(130 votes)

    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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  23. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 2 Episode 10 - A Special Mischief
    7.9/10(121 votes)

    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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  24. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 3 Episode 8 - The Bolter
    7.9/10(112 votes)

    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 Somerby Park.

    Director:Cyril Coke
    Writer:John Hawkesworth

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  25. Upstairs, Downstairs Season 4 Episode 2 - News from the Front
    7.9/10(102 votes)

    S4:E2

    James is home on leave and offers a realistic account of what is really happening on the front and Daisy and Edward announce their engagement to Hudson.

    Director:Derek Bennett
    Writer:John Hawkesworth

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Worst Episodes Summary

"The Swedish Tiger" is the worst rated episode of "Upstairs, Downstairs". It scored 5.4/10 based on 193 votes. Directed by Brian Parker and written by Unknown, it aired on 2/20/1972. This episode scored 1.3 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Desirous of Change".