Dear Dan Stevens, (DOWNTON ABBEY SPOILER *SPOILER *SPOILER ALERT)

Well. What can be said that hasn't already been said? You have been throroughly boxed on the ears, haven't you? Apparently, hell hath no fury like Downton viewers who lose beloved characters. 

I want to add something a little different though. 

First I will say that I watched Season Three's finale literally sitting on the edge of my seat. I had been avoiding the Internet for two days because I had not yet seen the last two shows, but finally my husband and I were able to sit down and see the final two hours. In spite of my highly choreographed avoidance dance with Facebook and the blogs I read, I knew something sad was going to happen. Throughout the entire episode, I played out at least 57 scenarios: Who would it be?! What would happen?! 

Bates and Anna?

Thomas in the fight?

O'Brien gets poisoned?

Mary loses the baby?

Ms. Patmore and Creepy Grocery Guy?

Little Sybil drowns?

Matthew gets shot while hunting? (But certainly not, because KILLING OFF TWO MAIN CHARACTERS IN ONE SEASON? NO WAY!)

Nanny...where is she anyway?

And so my mind raced, and my heart pounded, and I shook from the inside out as I watched anxiously, anticipating the awful scene...but not knowing what on earth it could possibly be. 

When Matthew is driving down the road, after his blissful encounter with Mary and his beautiful baby boy, smiling and radiating joy, and the scene changes to the oncoming vehicle, yes, at that point it was clear what would happen. It was, indeed, like watching the proverbial train wreck...except with old-timey cars. No seat belts, no air bags, no sides to the vehicle even! Nothing to stop what was now inevitable.

And what was inevitable was not just the death of a beloved character, but also the heartbreak of a million and more fans. But here is where I will veer from the path of the enraged and disenfranchised Matthew-lovers. 

I want to say thank you. Thank you for bringing the character of Matthew Crawley to life in such a way that I, along with many, many others, fell in love with him. He was charming. He was handsome. He was kind. He was not snobby, and yet he came to understand and, dare I say, love all that he found undesirable when he was first introduced to Downton Abbey. I will never forget the scene when Matthew asks Molesley to help him dress. It brought tears to my eyes; Matthew's sensitivity was giving Molesley purpose in that very moment. Matthew at war (well, the whole war part) broke my heart. Matthew making mistakes made me sad, but it was good because we all know that no one is perfect, not even the noblest of English gentlemen. He was on everyone's side, but it didn't seem to me that he had a wishy-washy, never-take-a-stand kind of stance. He was willing to give the benefit of the doubt. 

Empathy. Compassion. Great love for Mary.

It says a lot for your ability to give us a character that we can't help but like, who is so endearing without being a weenie (in many ways, Matthew was just beginning to find a strong footing in regards to Downton's future and having a firm say in the matters at hand...I'm sorry that he will not get to see the fruit of his labor) (although I am so very glad that he was able to see the fruit of Mary's labor...that was beautiful beyond words). So thank you for Matthew, and for what he was for Downton. He will be sorely missed. 

I hope your career is fulfilling and that you get to spend time with your real-life family. You were an important part of a wonderful story, a story that dealt with issues that are most certainly not a thing of the past: familial relationships, brokenness, joy and sorrow, redemption. And for that, I am very glad. I've always loved a good story. 

Christina

Comments

[Missy]

I skipped this post - but wanted you to know - because my hubs and I have committed to watching all of Downton Abbey, from the beginning this summer. I must hold my breath until then...