I did not like that Matthew Crowly died. I think season 1 has been the best so far. Seems to me like the story lines are introduced and too abruptly finished. However, I thought last night’s episode was very good. Is it not on again until next January?
I don't know when Downton will be back on, either in the UK or in the US. From what I've read, they are filming Season 4 now.
I really wish they would run Downton at the same time in the UK and the US so spoilers wouldn't be all over the media. Unfortunately I learned about the deaths of Lady Sybil and Matthew beforehand, even though I was trying to avoid any info about upcoming episodes.
I learned that Matthew's character had been "written out of the show at the end of Season 3" courtesy of a few FReepers who posted the spoilers about Matthew above on this thread in early January. I really wish I had not known about last night's tragic ending beforehand.