Downton Abbey - Season 3

[Melanie]

Less than a week away from the US premiere of DA. I know we have a lot of DA watchers here, so I'm excited to discuss with you all.

Just a reminder, no spoilers please, that is if you've happened to see the series by another means or have stumbled upon spoilers. I've luckily managed to stay fairly spoiler-free.

Funny, didn't have this spoiler issue last year when it wasn't quite so popular in the US.

[Katzateer]

I think I am all caught up on Season 2 - I watched it out of order which I don't like to do but at least I got to see the shows before Season 3 begins.

Can't wait!

[magicofdisney]

I was formally introduced to the show here on Intercot. I was hooked with the first episode. I LOVE these period drama pieces, as long as they're not musicals.

I've managed to avoid spoilers. I'm looking forward to watching again.

[SBETigg]

I have seen lots of spoilers, unfortunately, and I know all the major happenings. But I will still enjoy watching and it's going to be a great season. Looking forward to watching and discussing!

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

The allies win the war - I won't spoil anything else.

I actually know nothing about where the story line picks up in season 3, so am looking forward to it.

[Melanie]

The allies win the war - I won't spoil anything else.

Oh my god, you just ruined it for me.

[TheDuckRocks]

Read this today from an interview with Julian Fellows, creator of Downton Abbey.

"I had hoped that we would have one episode of this fourth season that I'm writing now, so we could have ended the Christmas episode on a happy note, and then kill him in the first episode of the next series. But he didn't want to do that," Fellowes tells The New York Times of star Dan Stevens' desire to leave the show. "I didn't want his death to dominate the Christmas special, so that's why we killed him at the very, very end. In a way I think it works quite well because we begin Series 4 six months later. We don't have to do funerals and all that stuff. That's all in the past by then."

"When an actor playing a servant wants to leave, there isn't really a problem -- [that character gets] another job," he says. "With members of the family, once they're not prepared to come back for any episodes at all, then it means death. Because how believable would it be that Matthew never wanted to see the baby, never wanted to see his wife? And was never seen again at the estate that he was the heir to? So we didn't have any option, really. I was as sorry as everyone else."

[NotaGeek]

I can't believe how invested in this show I have become -- when Matthew was driving down the lane I KNEW it was coming and I still started yelling NO NO NO ... LOL! I was completely sad and just hope Mary doesn't turn sour again -- her character was just becoming awesome.