Downton Abbey series three, episode five: preview pictures and predictions

Edith seemed to have made her peace with being jilted at the altar and turned her attention to universal suffrage, even getting a letter published in The Times (much to Carson's alarm).

Mary told Matthew, rather sharply, to "pull your weight" around the estate so he delved into the inner workings of Downton only to find out that the Abbey is being "mismanaged". A lot of macho eyebrow-raising followed, so it's only a matter of time before the new masters of the house come to blows...

Meanwhile, Ethel and her heartbreaking storyline were back, leaving plenty of viewers in need of a tissue when she gave away her (incredibly cute) little boy.

But the biggest story of the week was Branson getting caught up in an Irish rebel plot. The ex-chauffeur arrived on Downton's doorstep alone on a rainy night without pregnant Sybil, whom he had left behind to fend for herself. The revelation provoked an angry Earl to yell "Go to bed!" before later revealing that if Branson ever set foot on Irish soil again he would be arrested by the authorities.

Meanwhile, there was a post-related fiasco. Bates wasn't writing to Anna but it turned out in the end that he wasn't receiving her letters either. What a kerfuffle! And new footman Jimmy sent all the maids' - as well as Thomas's - hearts a-flutter, while new kitchen maid Ivy put Daisy's back up when she seemed to attract Alfred's attention...

So what's next? We've got pictures of the drama to come this Sunday, so as usual we've made some spurious predictions...

Sybil is looking a little less pristine than usual... perhaps her chauffeur/aristocrat baby is planning its dramatic entrance.

Not only that, but the mum-to-be is looking a bit ill-at-ease, too. Maybe she's regretting marrying the passionate, rebellious chauffeur now he is wanted by the police and threatening to do a runner. We all know being a single mum in the 1920s isn't a walk in the park, however wealthy you are.

She may be there to lend a supportive hand, but all this baby talk might be a bit much for straight-faced Mary. Did anyone else notice how prickly she was last week when Matthew asked "what will we use for a day nursery?"

That and a visit to the doctors. Mary is either pregnant herself, a secret child-hater or her and Matthew are going to have some obstacles to overcome if they want a family of their own... Nothing is ever simple for those two.

Tom looks a bit shifty here. Is he still planning on jumping ship and returning to his beloved Ireland? Surely not with wife Sybil about to pop? Or perhaps he's thinking that the labour will make a good time to slip away without her noticing?

He certainly looks as if he's calculating something: How wrong would it be to abandon his pregnant wife? How long has he got before the Earl beats him around the head? Could he feasibly steal the midwife's uniform and escape overseas in disguise...?

A-ha! What is going on in the middle of the night at Downton? Why are the sisters awake and so perky-looking with such messy hair? And who knew Lady Mary and Edith looked so glam in their PJs?!

The dreamy smiles on their faces probably only mean one thing: little baby Branson has arrived!

That or they've pulled off a plan to get the dishy new footman upstairs to relight their fire...

Anna is looking a little brighter now all the letter drama of last week has been cleared up. Maybe regular correspondence from her imprisoned hubbie is enough to keep a smile on her face, or perhaps she's found something else to be pleased about.

Could her private detective work have paid off? Has she uncovered a vital piece of information? It is about time Bates got out of jail - they can't keep him in there for ever, can they?

What on earth is this? Is Daisy... smiling? We never thought we'd see the day!

What unprecedented turn of events could have put this grin on sullen Daisy's face? Maybe new girl Ivy has fallen over and dropped the dinner or accidentally set her apron alight?

Or - fingers crossed everyone - maybe Alfred has finally noticed Downton's pretty assistant cook? Nothing would make us happier than a Daisy-shaped Downton romance... (Are you listening, Fellowes?)

Is it just us or has the Downton kitchen gone from understaffed to packed to the rafters in a very short space of time? Who are all these people? Surely the Earl hasn't employed MORE staff? If he has, Matthew certainly won't be pleased with the extra expense...

Come to think of it, Mrs Patmore looks less than impressed herself. Maybe the excess of staff has left her twiddling her thumbs.

Or perhaps Daisy's lovesick longing for a man in her life has got Mrs Patmore thinking about her own love life...