Downton Abbey Christmas Special
Ok, so I finally had chance to watch it last night and I was definitely not happy with the ending - but I’ll come to that later.
Firstly, I just want to say that as a whole, I quite liked the Christmas special. It was nowhere near as perfect as the last, and I wasn’t too keen on setting it in summer, but for the most part, it was good.
So here are my ( Read more... )
Firstly, I just want to say that as a whole, I quite liked the Christmas special. It was nowhere near as perfect as the last, and I wasn’t too keen on setting it in summer, but for the most part, it was good.
So here are my ( Read more... )
Haha, it's actually like you took the words out of my mouth. Yep. Pretty much sums up exactly how I feel!
I want to air this, and here seems like a good place... just something I need to get off my chest. People of course are angry over Dan's decision to leave - I'm extremely disappointed, especially knowing that Fellowes hoped he would change his mind even weeks ago, so they could take that ending off. But - if Dan had stayed, if there were still M/M - what would they have DONE next series? They've got the baby - but that hardly seems like a series story arc. Matthew's well-established on the estate now and it's running well thanks to him. There was no more tension with Robert, who's now accepted Matthew's vision. Literally, from a narrative point of view, where could their story go? Absolutely nowhere, until Robert dies. Which is dreadfully sad, but I think, true. For MARY, Matthew's death opens up a realm of character development and plot possibility. But if he were alive still, what would their story have been, next series? Thinking about that, I can absolutely understand Dan's insistence on leaving, because what was he staying for (beyond the simple survival of the ship).
Matthew died incredibly happy after seeing his newborn son. He loved, and was loved. And though he's now gone, Mary knows that she was a loved, cherished, WONDERFUL woman that Matthew believed in and adored. And I think there's something to be taken from that.
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And now I know Fellowes had the death at the very end like that, so it could be cut out or made to NOT be fatal, mollifies my annoyance at how it was done. Really, I think Fellowes made the best of a bad situation. At least he let Matthew be happy and see his family again before he died. And at least Mary knew there was someone who saw the real her and loved her so dearly - not for her money or looks or position, but for her.
The only people I'm really annoyed at are the powers that be who decided to continue the show past 3 series. Knowing as I do now that Matthew would have to leave so tragically, I definitely think they should have ended it on a happy, high note this Christmas.
In terms of plot lines for Matthew - I think that is a very good reason he DID leave. Matthew may be a pivotal character, but he's not really had very many of his own storylines. And Mary and Matthew felt somewhat lacking in series 3 tbh - they didn't really have much to do.
Still though, it will be hard to watch Downton Abbey with no Matthew and a grief stricken Mary!
Least Mary/Matthew are so end-game even the writer himself wanted Matthew to come back very badly! We can take comfort from that!
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