re: Official Downton Abbey Season 3 Discussion

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Why not just have Matthew mysteriously disappear and write it in later? Have him write letters to Marry or Robert explaining his distant situation? Do a storyline about anything/ something but don't kill his character. The fans would have held Stevens in higher regard and it would have possibly allowed for a dramatic return a few seasons down the line if Stevens decided to return?

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Exactly.

I keep comparing this to Shelley Long leaving Cheers because the two decisions to leave seem similar to me, but the writers didn't have her slip on some beer spill on the floor and hit her head on the bar and die. They wrote her off in a way that fit her character's ambitions completely. It turned out to be one of the show's shining moments.

This is Downton's worst moment. You can't ever treat your audience like they are stupid if you are a writer and that is what this felt like.