Home » blog » Classic Romantic Moment: Downton Abbey’s Mary and Matthew – A Christmas Proposal

Classic Romantic Moment: Downton Abbey’s Mary and Matthew – A Christmas Proposal

Downton Abbey Mary and Matthew

THE SHOW: Downton Abbey

THE PAIRING: Lady Mary Crawley (Michelle Dockery) and Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens)

THE EPISODE: Season Two, Episode Nine (“Christmas at Downton”)

THE MOMENT: The Proposal


Amid the ups and downs of this six-season series, I don’t think there were many fans that didn’t root for the primary love story of Lady Mary and Matthew Crawley. Even through the convenient obstacles that were placed in their lives or the separations, there was something magnificent about these two together. Mary is the epitome of a proper British lady right down to her stiff upper lip and because of that, she isn’t the most popular character on the show.

Mary and Matthew
Mary and Matthew meet for the first time.

Then along came Matthew, a distant Crawley cousin who suddenly became the family estate’s only heir. From that first meeting, I think nearly every fan would admit they were head over heels for the compassionate, blue-eyed British gentleman. Matthew brought out the best in Mary; he knew how to elicit the best response and find the best part of her heart. Theirs was a kind of “epic” love story we forgive clichés for.

The love they had for one another survived Mary breaking his heart, secrets and fiancés, unspoken words and a World War. The writers did everything they could to delay what loyal fans knew was inevitable between these two. Never was there a truer love meant to be – especially on this show.

SPOILERS AHEAD!

The Lead In: Mary and Matthew

The series of events that led up to today’s moment are many. There are close calls that nearly separate them for good including a brush with death, but ultimately fate is kind. Matthew and Mary are reunited. But there is still one small obstacle. As Mary begins to hope again – hope that Matthew might be willing to give them a second chance, she worries over the one thing she has kept carefully hidden. Her secret. The death of a one-night paramour in her bed hangs over her head. Against the better advice of her grandmother, Mary takes a risk, she must tell Matthew. It’ll either seal her fate forever or bring her closer than ever to the only man she has ever loved…

The Romantic Moment

Downton Abbey Matthew and Mary Christmas Dance
Matthew and Mary share a dance at the Servant’s Ball

At the Crawley’s servants ball, Mary and Matthew are sharing a dance post-Mary confessing her secret to Matthew. A secret that he took in with some surprise and silence and neither one of them has spoken of it since. Following their dance, Matthew asks her about her plans to head to America (a necessity to protect her secret which a powerful newspaper owner learned).

Downton Abbey Mary in Snow - Mary and Matthew

Downton Abbey Mary and Matthew Snow

Walking outside, Matthew finds a shivering Mary standing out in the cold. With hope, Matthew speaks the words long overdue. “Would you stay? If I asked you to?”

With her calm sophistication, Mary replies, “Oh, Matthew, you don’t mean that.” Continuing she says, “You know yourself we carry more luggage than the porters at King’s Cross!”

Downton Abbey Mary and Mattew Forgiveness

This causes a smile to pass over Matthew’s face as he likely remembers some of the moments of their past and ignores Mary’s continued bid to make a case against them being together. In answer to her worry, that every fight between them would trace back to her past dalliance, his reply is simple: “No.”

With expectation, she turns to him and tentatively asks, “You mean you’ve forgiven me?”

Downton Abbey - Mary and Matthew - Snow and Forgiveness

Downton Abbey Mary and Matthew Disappointment

“No, I haven’t forgiven you.” Cutting off Mary’s crestfallen face and attempts to put an end to the matter, he continues. “I haven’t forgiven you because I don’t believe you need my forgiveness. You’ve lived your life and I’ve lived mine.” Though he’s made his case amply, Matthew continues with words never truer. “And now it’s time we lived them together.”

Downton Abbey Mary and Matthew Christmas

Hesitating still because of Matthew’s recent loss (of his fiancé) and her feelings of inadequacy, she asks one last thing of him. “We’ve been on the edge of this so many times, Matthew. Please don’t take me there again unless you’re sure.”

With confidence, he replies. “I am sure.”

Downton Abbey Mary Crawley Proposal Joy - Mary and Matthew

A rare kind of unguarded joy passes over Mary’s face at this confession.

Downton Abbey Will You marry me - Mary and Matthew

Remembering his fiancé as they both agree she wouldn’t wish them to be sad, Matthew simply says this, “Then will you?”

“You must say it properly” is Mary’s smart reply which delays the inevitable a moment longer. Continuing she says, “I won’t answer unless you kneel down and everything.”

Downton Abbey Christmas Proposal - Mary and Matthew
Matthew proposes to Mary

Downton Abbey Christmas Proposal Mary and Matthew

The words Mary needed to hear come next as Matthew exhales in mock frustration with his beloved. Instead, with a smile of expectation, he bends down on one knee and seems to understand Mary’s “demand” jinxing his proposal. “Lady Mary Crawley, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Downton Abbey Christmas Proposal - Mary and Matthew

The reply Matthew has long since wished spoken arrives in quick succession. A joyful “Yes!” is exclaimed as Mary is crushed against Matthew in an embrace.

Downton Abbey Christmas Proposal - Mary and Matthew
Mary and Matthew kiss in the snow

Downton Abbey Proposal - Mary and Matthew

As a gentle snowfall falls from the darkened night sky, the couple shares a kiss, sealing their troth to one another. The picture perfect image of Matthew twirling Mary around in the snowfall continues as the camera pans out closing out what truly was, a beautiful moment ending one chapter on one of the television’s most beloved romances.

What are your favorite Mary and Matthew moments? How did you see their romance? Comment down below with your thoughts on this epic love story.


Photos: ITV

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By on December 19th, 2015

About Rissi JC

Rissi is a self-diagnosed Bookaholic and TV fandom addict. She’s currently an avid blogger and reader who enjoys interacting with readers, and often dreams about finishing her first novel. When not writing or reading, she can be found working as an INSPYs advisory board member or contributing to e-zines. Her scribbles are housed on her blog Finding Wonderland (https://www.rissiwrites.com).

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7 thoughts on “Classic Romantic Moment: Downton Abbey’s Mary and Matthew – A Christmas Proposal”

  1. Thanks for this article. This moment forever. I loved Mary and Matthew since the start (the Andromeda and the sea monster dinner moment) and my favourite scene is the goodbye at the train station followed by the proposal.

    • Thank you for reading. Aw, the train scene is a lovely moment between them! I pretty much love all of their scenes together – including that first meeting and Mary’s parting “I wouldn’t want to ‘push in'” as she leaves the room. 🙂

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