I keep reading everywhere that TPTB felt that they HAD to kill Matthew off because the relationship bw him and Lady Mary was so strong nothing else was believable...I call BS! If nothing else they could separate based on the endless disagreements over how Downton Abbey is run, etc... in real life lots of seemingly perfect couples end up apart because of numerous reasons...but it is just as believable and perhaps even more real to have a couple part ways rather than just kill off anyone who chooses to leave the show. Good grief!