Totally agree with you, rebecca1! I’m still loving the “Abbey,” but there is truly something special missing without the Matthew/Mary coupling. The fact it took so long for them to get together and find happiness, only to have it cut too tragically short really knocked the wind out of the series. I’m certainly not liking the latest suitor for Mary (Lord Gillingham) but am reserving judgment on the Julian Ovenden character since I so enjoyed him on “Foyle’s War.” However, I honestly don’t think anyone can truly replace Matthew in either Mary or the viewers’ hearts….he was just such a sweetheart and sooo boyishly adorable…he brought out the best in Michelle Dockery, as they had such superb chemistry right from the start. (But I would like to see either Douglas Booth or Ioan Griffudd give it a try!!!! Maybe next series?????) P.S. I quite fancied Hugh Grant as well….way back when and before the “Divine Brown” incident! Since then, not so much….

No, I hear you, too, Rebecca! Just been too busy to comment before now, It’s true that there is far too little commentary on the nighttime and foreign programs, and it’s a real shame since they have quality written all over them. Nothing against daytime, but this is where the real enjoyment lies…(.I only watch GH out of a sense of nostalgia for its glory days of the ’80’s and primarily the returning cast members….) Oh, and for the record, I believe that one day it will be considered common wisdom that Dan Stevens made a big mistake leaving the “Abbey” so prematurely….I understand his quest for greater stardom, but Julian Fellowes would have been more than accommodating to him, as he has been with other stars of the show wanting to do outside projects. Look at Benedict Cumberbatch…he is practically a superstar now, but he always comes back to “Sherlock” because he knows that role made him and he hasn’t become too big for his britches! Such a pity Mr. Stevens didn’t feel that same sense of loyalty to his claim to fame show and its many fans!

In other words, we have eclectic tastes! (Kinda like enjoying both Boccelli and ’80’s Britpop….) We are considered what is technically referred to as “boundary spanners!’ But yeah….I am not a diehard daytime fan….I keep up with GH for nostalgia’s sake, but I couldn’t spend all my hours doing the daytime thing, even though there was a point years ago when I pretty much kept up with all the soaps at one time or another…save for “Guiding Light,” don’t ask me why, as I couldn’t tell you….but I do prefer the more engaging and complex nature of primetime/British dramas. They just pay much more attention to detail and the complexities of plots, characters, and production values, not to mention their usage of traditional and proper English. We have become so lazy on this side of the pond when it comes to grammar and usage that one needs to reinforce one’s self in the correct principles of language before they completely disappear!!! Having said that, I do applaud GH for its international flair….with characters like Dr. O., Faison, Anna, Duke, and our dear Scorpio, the discourse and cultural references on the show do raise the bar above the usual daytime blather. That’s why I find the program so lacking when these people are not front and center, and also the reason I cannot wait for the arrival of the dashing and debonair Victor Cassadine….that should up the I.Q! As for Dan Stevens, since he WAS the original topic of discussion here, I’m not saying that he should regret his decision based upon his past year’s activities, but I do believe he would have experienced greater long-term success if he had both stayed with his original “Downton” role a bit longer (so as not to alienate his loyal base of fans there) and simultaneously pursued outside projects, as so many other “Abbey” cast members have done (not to mention “Sherlock’s” Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman.) Especially since I do believe that Julian Fellowes would have accommodated his needs in order to keep the character alive. However, that is now water under the bridge and only time will tell what the future will bring. I do rather hope that when the series does meet its eventual end that Mr. Stevens will treat his followers to a repeat appearance as his now-grown son…that would certainly bring a fitting closure to the saga. (Perhaps by then he will not be so dismissive of the program’s part in his entre’ to the U.S. market…..)