Downstairs, Thomas complains that he was co-opted into looking after Matthew, and Molesley sighs that he doesn't think Matthew has thought through his decision not to bring him. With a rather ridiculous level of sincere pride, he repeats what Matthew told him about being essential, but O'Brien's there for some #realtalk: "We're all essential until we get sacked." Carson then walks in and acidly informs O'Brien that her nephew apparently still thought he was working in a hotel, and Alfred's hangdog look inspires Anna to give him a kind word. Mrs. Hughes then enters and invites Molesley to dine with them, as the upstairs crowd won't be leaving for a while, but Molesley tells he wouldn't want them to get home and find him not there to let them in. O'Brien: "No, you wouldn't. Not when you're essential." If the Dowager Countess isn't around, O'Brien isn't a poor substitute.

Upstairs, as everyone's walking out of the dining room, Mary and Matthew discuss the fact that Lavinia's father's lawyer is coming to see him; Mary thinks the father must have bequeathed something to Matthew, but Matthew hopes not. Before he can explain why, however, Isobel calls to him to get a move on, so after he and Mary exchange some flirty words, he departs.

The next day, we see quite a bit of footage of a car approaching Downton, but the buildup is justified, as after is comes to a stop, it disgorges Sybil and -- hi there! -- Branson. Sybil rushes up to greet Lord Grantham and ask if he sent the money. Leaving aside his feelings about Branson, of course, Lord Grantham reacts to the mention of any money spent anywhere like he's receiving actual electric shocks, but everyone ignores him and Lady Cora extends a hand and a smile to Branson as she welcomes him to Downton. Branson somewhat apprehensively replies that he hopes he is welcome, and while Mary has no problem politely affirming that, the daggers Lord Grantham is vainly trying not to send Branson's way prove his question isn't exactly without merit. Edith pipes up that there's tea in the library, so everyone heads inside, with Branson stopping to say hello to Carson, who nods regally in reply, probably wondering if Branson is desperate enough to get into the family's good graces that he'd be willing to take a shift or two as a second footman.