When the Cheshire emerges...

Many still get a laugh out of it remembering it all comes from the Fonz, one of TV's most memorable characters.



If we talk about it in a TV context, jumping the shark only ever really becomes noticeable if a show that hasn't wavered in plots and continually holds the audience interested does it.

This comes to one blogger's particular attention because of an event shown to Australian viewers on Sunday night that left everyone reeling (if spoilers were avoided).

First reactions were commonly of shock and despair. How could they do this? IT'S MATTHEW CRAWLEY! He's the centre of the show. Everything was perfect. THERE WAS ALREADY A MAJOR DEATH BEFORE. This is just sad.

On having a few days' reflection though, it was smartly done. Leaving it until the last minute of the program was the best way for it to come off. It was just so... abrupt. Unexpected.

Thinking about it more still, because of his centrality to the plots not only of the fairytale relationship with Mary, but of Downton Abbey as the estate exists, his death is cause for concern.

Producers didn't have a choice as Dan Stevens wanted to leave, but it leaves them with a forced hand. You can already form ideas of what will immediately occur; Mary will be bitchier (or fall into a depressive state), Edith will carry the brunt of it as she always does, especially if the relationship with her editor blossoms and she's the happiest of all, and the estate could well fall to pieces once again now his vision to keep it alive's gone.

So the question begs as much as it is feared:

Is Matthew's death Downton Abbey's shark?

It is a painful thing to say, something that no fan would wish to hear. But it's a valid question. Again, it's not of the creators' choice, however, the fact is his departure will have substantial repercussions. Fans can only hope it turns the show down a direction that still resonates with its audience.