I read a few reviews and blogs on the subject of how the writers handled this season and I disagree with the idea that Matthew could not possibly be taken over by another actor. I never found Dan Stevens appealing. I liked the character of Matthew, but the actor playing him, not so much. For me placing a new man in the role would have been just fine.
However, and maybe this is because of the way the writers handled the season leading up to the crash; what would his character done with himself going forward? Would being a gushing dad and having Robert on board with the modernisation of Downton been enough? There could have been some drama if he insisted in going out to work as a lawyer again. Perhaps the exit - though really too much on top of Sybil's death, was the best way to move the story forward.
I can't say I am all that interested in Rose entering the picture, though I think seeing her home life makes her more sympathetic. It does appear that they were setting up O'Brien to take off with Shrimpy and Susan to India, but other than that downstairs isn't geared up to be all that interesting, either. They say that the producers are casting a new romantic partner for Mary, so it looks like we are in for a leap to the future...
I guess we just have to wait until January to see if the storytelling improves - and to see what the Dowager has to say next.
