The premiere episode of "Downton Abbey" surely grappled on one thing -- change. With some of the period drama's characters still sticking to their traditional ways, the changing times prove to be challenging for some of them. The others, however, including Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) and Edith (Laura Carmichael), are embracing the changes currently happening in their generation, and it looks like they are ready to bid adieu to their old-world upbringing.

The episode features a Labour leader being elected as the new prime minister. According to Washington Post, "Socialism and Communism are taking root in Europe" and the villagers want Carson (Jim Carter) to be the leader of the war memorial committee instead of Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville).

Edith, on the other hand, is still struggling with her secret - her daughter Marigold, who is born out of wedlock and is currently under the care of the Drewes.

Entertainment Weekly noted that Edith told Tim Drewe (Andrew Scarborough) that Marigold is the child of a friend, but the farmer knows the truth. Before the episode ends, "Tim suggests Edith show a slow and careful interest in Marigold, presumably to eventually 'adopt' her." The whole thing had to be kept a secret because it would not only bring shame to Edith, but also to her entire family.

Mary also has her fair share of scandals. After spending months choosing between Charles Blake (Julian Ovenden) and Tony Gillingham (Tom Cullen), Mary seems to lean more towards the latter. She later tells Anna (Joanne Froggatt) that she "finds it odd that you decide to marry someone without really knowing them, emotionally, sure, but also intimately," according to Entertainment Weekly.

When Tony arrives at Downton for Mary's parents' anniversary party, she tells him that she loves him but she also wants to make sure that she is marrying the right person. That night, while alone in her bedroom, Tony asks Mary to spend a week with him as his lover.

Jimmy (Ed Speleers), the footman, also dipped his foot in the scandal tub. After flirting with the widow Lady Anstruther (Anna Chancellor), they wind up in bed together, with Thomas (Rob James Collier) serving as a lookout. The couple was then caught in the act by Lord Grantham while he was knocking on everyone's doors due to a fire that broke out in the household, which Edith incidentally caused. Jimmy was then fired because of the indecent act he was in with Lady Anstruther.

The Dowager Countess Violet (Maggie Smith), however, schemed to bring Isobel (Penelope Wilton) closer to her admirer Lord Merton (Douglas Reith). Dr. Clarkson (David Robb), another admirer of Isobel, was also brought to the party when Violet's intentions were jokingly questioned by Robert, Entertainment Weekly noted.

Downstairs, Daisy (Sophie McShera) is still struggling with her education, which earned both support and disapproval from the other servants. Thomas blackmailed Baxter (Raquel Cassidy) for information about Bates (Brendan Coyle). Baxter then tried to gain the upperhand by outing herself to Cora (Elizabeth McGovern), revealing that she was once jailed because she stole her previous employer's jewelry. With this out in the open, Thomas has no more leverage to use against her, Washington Post noted.

"Downton Abbey" airs at 9:00 PM ET on MASTERPIECE Classic on PBS.