They gave us all the romance, yearning, and will-they-won’t-they energy we crave from a good period drama.
Lady Mary and Matthew Crawley didn’t initially seem like a natural match.
It’s hard to imagine a world where they didn’t eventually fall for each other.
In fact, Matthew was actually meant to fall in love with Mary’s youngest sister, Sybil.
Thank goodness Fellowes changed his mind, or we would never have had Matthew and Mary!
Their work consists of ensuring they don’t lose their property.
Downstairs is the troop of servants who scurry around unseen, facilitating it all.
And that’s exactly what happened with Matthew and Mary.
Let’s face it both of them had their fair share of flaws at the start of the show.
Of course, he added, “She remains quite a fierce monster underneath.”
Stevens was right to say they were totally meant to be.
“The thought of losing Matthew had a huge effect on her,” actressMichelle Dockerytold theDaily Mail.
“It made her a nicer person in the end.”
So, how did Mary become nicer?
Well, for one thing, she began helping out with the war effort at Downton.
Plus, she welcomed Lavinia into the family with open arms, even though she was technically her rival.
That shows some serious growth if you ask us!
You probably remember raising at least one eyebrow at the Bates-being-framed-for-murder arc or the ludicrous Russian-Prince-who-love-the-Dowager-Countess storyline.
Some of the least plausible plot lines on the show involved medical incidents.
One of them was Matthew’s temporary paralysis.
During World War I, Matthew is injured and paralyzed from the waist down.
The local doctor is convinced that his injuries are permanent.
However, soon enough, he miraculously feels a “tingle” and makes a full, inexplicablerecovery.
But this couple certainly does have plenty of personal flaws between them.
Looking back, this viewer was absolutely right.
No wonder these two took so long to finally get together.
The relationship began after Mary and Matthew called off their engagement at the end of Season 1.
“Mary is 27, by the return of the series,” actress Michelle Dockery toldCollider.
“You’re pretty much on the shelf, at that time.
She needs to get a move on.”
We’re certainly glad things have changed in the last hundred years or so!
The fairytaleproposalhappened outside of the beautiful Downton estate during a light snowfall.
Matthew followed Mary outside.
Then, he apologized for blaming her for the affair with Pamuk.
“You’ve lived your life and I’ve lived mine,” he said.
“Now it’s time we lived them together.”
Their wedding was one of the most memorable, extravagant moments in the show’s history.
In fact, it was such a big occasion, the stars even compared it to a royal wedding.
I had never worn a wedding dress I’ve never filmed an on-screen wedding before.
I loved it."
Dan Stevens added, “There was quite a lot of security and it was crawling with paparazzi.
Sounds like they might as well have filmed the wedding at Westminster Abbey!
Keeping secrets from your partner almost always leads to problems.
She then gets a “small operation” in London without telling Matthew.
Matthew finally discovers the truth when he sees Mary at a fertility clinic.
Apparently, she was too prim to discuss her fertility with her own husband!
Shortly before their wedding, Mary discovered that Matthew’s ex-fiancee’s father had left him his entire fortune.
Mary assumes that Matthew will accept his inheritance and save Downton.
Matthew, however, is too proud to accept.
However, the way they dealt with their money disagreement was actually pretty commendable.
“One moment, they speak openly about how much the completely disagree with one another.
The next moment, Mary says, ‘Now kiss me and let’s go to bed!'”
It’s quite impressive how this couple manages to work through their problems.
Shortly after the birth of his first child, Matthew was killed in a shocking car accident.
“Something in my gut told me that it was time to explore,” he said.
Initially, Fellowes had hoped Stevens would return for one episode in Season 4, but the actor declined.
The other option would have been tokill Matthew and Sybil at the same time.
It sounds like Matthew’s tragic death could have been very different.
After Matthew’s death, Mary grieves and eventually moves on, marrying Henry Talbot.
However, her love for her first husband has always remained constant.
It’s clear that Mary was forever changed by their relationship.
Of course, she ultimately learns to be a (somewhat) good person without Matthew, too.
But with or without Matthew, it’s clear that these two had something truly special.
