Auld Lang Syne

[shanghaiedinla]

“I’m not shocked … just stunned, and desperately sad.”

[Downton Abbey S3/CS 2012 Spoilers Ahead]

These were the words of Downton Abbey’s Mary Crawley in S2 to Matthew’s erstwhile fiancée, Lavinia, when they learned that Matthew’s war injury would prevent him from fathering children or, as Matthew himself so delicately put it, being “properly married.” The CS 2012, an episode that

Comments

[rms1977]

Like most fans of Downton Abbey, I was extremely disappointed with the Christmas episode. I knew it was unlikely Dan Stevens would return for a fourth season, but I was still very unhappy and even angry with the ending. For the better part of three seasons, Downton Abbey had been a show about optimism and happiness, but the ending to the Christmas finale was neither. It was abrupt, arbitrary, and, frankly, lazy. It was not in keeping with the Downton Abbey fans around the world had come to enjoy

[shanghaiedinla]

I really agree with almost all of this, except if DS firmly said "no" to ever coming back, I don't think it would have been workable to NEVER see Matthew onscreen. At minimum, I think we'd need to see him at least a couple of episodes per season (except I think he could have been absent for S4 only and come back at the CS). With his outright refusal to take a small recurring role, it would have been too much of a gamble that he would never come back and eventually JF would have had to write him off, probably having him die abroad somehow. Though I have to admit, as depressing as that sounds, I would prefer it to seeing Matthew's bloody head and vacant stare at the end of Christmas night. At least it would have bought M/M more time (or rather, bought us more time with them to imagine and dream of their happy ending).

As for why he left, we'll never know unless they do a tell-all book down the road. I'm sure you've heard some of the speculation about the real reason he left. It's taken off I think because nothing else appears to make

[rms1977]

A fourth season without Dan Stevens would have been a gamble, but I think it could have worked. Had Matthew been assigned a foreign posting in India, Hong Kong, or even Singapore, he could have been part of each show merely through letters to Mary and one sided phone calls with Mary. It wouldn't have been optimal, but, given the contraints on travel during that period of time, it would have been plausible. If nothing else, it would have preserved the option for Matthew to return at the end of the series, but that's water under the bridge now

[shanghaiedinla]

I'm not aware of some of the speculation about the real reason Dan Stevens may have decided to leave, but I'd love to hear it.

If you like, you can send me a PM and I'll explain what I've come to refer to as the "January Theory." TBF, I'm far from the first person who's come up with speculation along these lines. To give credit where credit is due, eolivet first made me aware of what was already percolating in certain corners of tumblr. And actually her take on it -- and mine which is similar -- is not as ...errh ... titillating as some of the earlier variations. Nevertheless it's the only explanation in our view that makes any sense.

[shining_drop]

I am very sorry that I am writing here a month later, but maybe you could tell me the theories as well I am so interested!

[shanghaiedinla]

Hi! No need to apologize -- comments are welcome anytime.

I'll be expounding on the crack theory soon, as it's actually one of the topics in the meme that I'm doing (Day 25, probably Day 24 also). But in the meantime, I can also send you a PM if you want.

[shining_drop]

Thank you! If you plan to write about it then I'll just wait so that we can discuss it there! It's all very interesting, I started watching Downton only in January and so I have no idea what was going on in 2012 in press, so I'm really waiting for your posts

[kavan30013]

The CS was a kick in the teeth. The further I get from that episode the less interest I have in the 4th series. The laziness, the contrivances the shocking 3 minute twist all just leave a sour taste in my mouth. And the way it ended leaves me with no anticipation for the series.

In recent days, Fellowes said a foreign posting or a business venture requiring travel could have been created, but that wasn't possible since Stevens was adament about leaving. Why though? Why couldn't Stevens' character have just disappeared for a period of time? If nothing else, doing so would have kept the door open for a possible return in a series finale.I feel JF never considered any choice but killing Matthew. It is odd to me that Fellowes felt such confidence in his plans for series 4 that he refused to leave any door open or any room for doubt about Matthew. Even if DS was leaving, JF did not have to come out & state Matthew was dead and discuss widow Mary in series 4 the very next day. It seems JF and ITV are so enamored with their creation

[shanghaiedinla]

What story does JF feel is so necessary to tell?

I agree, but unfortunately it wasn't about his artistic vision. This is where the commercial and artistic aspects of the medium come to blows. ITV, Carnival/NBC Universal, JF and to a lesser extent the cast (after what we can presume are much more competitive contracts going into S4/S5) can make a lot of money doing another series or two. Follow the money.

But I agree that it will backfire. You kill the heart of your story, you kill audience demand. You kill audience demand, you kill ratings, commercial sponsorship, etc. It was a huge gamble to plunge ahead after killing off a romantic lead/principal character and, consequently, destroying one half of the central pairing. Some think JF is prepared and will rise to the occasion. Like you, I'm skeptical. Through comments to Dan Wootton and other journalists about possible plotlines in S4, I already get the sense that JF and the other execs are at odds about what direction to take the show. ITV seems to want to test the waters about