The Branson Storyline was the most interesting and touching. A lonely widower/father in a new job/positon, trying to find himself, and deal with grief and fatherhood. Adding to the equation he is family yet not family when it came to his in-laws and the servants. Glad he did not fall under Edna's spell. Nice to have some long camera scenes of this handsome actor who plays the part. The scenes with Branson crying and Mrs Hughes holding his hands were so moving, you could feel his character's pain if you have ever lost someone close. The Branson/Sybil scenes were few,short and rushed this season. They were my favorite couple and my family had hi hopes for them.
This storyline made the episode; as his character was bridge between the Family(upstairs) and the servants(downstairs). The family being away most of the episode.
The story lines of the staff were fun and playful. Nice to see all getting along and have pleasant exchanges of conversations. The background of the fair was a wonderful touch and fun seeing the boys pulling at the tug of war and winning; as were having the girls on the rides was a nice touch.
Isobel and local doctor Clarkson was a nice by-line, yet I did see that coming and was not surprise by it.
The family's visit to the unhappy Scottish relatives home was a validation of how empty society life could be. The women wearing tiaras and presiding as queens over the estates. The men prancing about with guns.The main purpose of the storyline was to show an unhappy married couple in their societies trappings. It did that.
The joy of Downton Abbey came from the happy relations and conversations: Cora/Robert, Mary/Matthew; Anna/Bates, Carson/Hughes;Carson/Robert; Mary/Anna. Violet/Mary; Hughes/Patmore; Robert/Matthew. We know from historical record was not always the case.
Overall S3 was a let down. Very little of Sybil and Branson, then her death. Now Matthew's death. Hope the writers have learned from this season as not to kill off popular characters and write in silly new ones like Rose.