Downton Abbey is back! What did you think?

The nights may be drawing in as we say goodbye to summer but with the advent of autumn comes the return of Downton to Sunday nights. And good golly it’s good…

If you didn’t see the first episode of the third series of Downton Abbey last night, stop reading now, and go and watch it on Vision Catch Up before reading on.

Well, Will and Kate are so last year. Because last night was all about the preparations for the wedding of the year. The white bunting was out in the village and Mary resplendant in a gorgeous 1920s wedding dress drew gasps from Robert her father and surrogate father, the butler Carson. Yes the ‘will they, won’t they’ drama of Matthew and Mary’s relationship was finally put to bed yesterday but not before a few very Downton dramas.

The main one being the revelation that the Crawleys have lost nearly all of their fortune, thanks to an ill-judged investment in the Canadian railways. It could spell the end of Downton’s days as its future is now uncertain. Mary doesn’t take the news well and when Matthew doesn’t act as she expects, she almost calls the wedding off. It’s only when former chauffeur, now husband of Lady Sybil, Branson advises Matthew that he ‘won’t be happy with anyone else while Lady Mary walks the earth’ that Matthew decides to fight for Mary.

The Crawleys have a lot to contend with in this new series, not least the arrival of the magificent Martha Levinson played by Hollywood legend Shirley MacLaine. Before she arrives Violet, Countess Dowager (Maggie Smith) tells Cora ‘I’m so looking forward to seeing your mother again. When I’m with her, I’m reminded of the virtues of the English,’ to which Matthew replies ‘But isn’t she American?’. ‘Exactly’ counters Violet, quick as a flash. Violet’s quips are in abundance in this episode and I personally can’t wait until the next programme to hear what she’ll come out with next.

Bates remains in jail for life imprisonment for murdering his first wife

Robert, Earl of Grantham receives a worrying call

Lady Edith’s head is turned by sugar daddy Sir Anthony

As wedding preparations are well underway, Downton prepares for a glamorous arrival

Martha, mother of Cora, Countess of Grantham, sweeps into Downton from America

When legends meet: Martha (Shirley MacLaine) and Violet (Maggie Smith)

Happy couple Matthew and Mary finally tie in the knot but not without (period) drama

After complaints about the second series becoming too ‘soap-like’ this first episode proves the script is back on witty form, the attention to detail maintained, the costumes are as sumptuous as ever, the scenes are beautifully captured, and the acting excellent. All in all, I’d say it was a jolly good show. Bravo!

Is this new series of Downton Abbey as good as the first? Let us know below.