Predictions for ‘Downton Abbey’ season 3 – are you ready?

Last year, as season 2 of “Downton Abbey” was coming to a close, we asked you to predict what you expected in season 3. We take a look as some of those prognostications. Having any second thoughts?

Last year, as season 2 of “Downton Abbey” was coming to a close, we asked you to predict what you expected in season 3.

Shirley MacLaine had just been announced as an addition to the cast, and fans were going crazy over Bates’ arrest (and subsequent Christmas special conviction), Matthew and Mary’s turbulent relationship, ex-chauffeur Branson and a pregnant Sybil off in Ireland, rising tension between Thomas and O’Brien. Drama.

As fans prepare for the season 3 premiere on Sunday at 9 p.m., let’s revisit some of the predictions … er, wishes … um (is there a difference?) … that NewsWorks readers shared:

Anna and Mr. Bates

“Please don’t make Bates and Anna be such victims!” cried one reader.

Many others supposed that proof of Bates’ innocence will be discovered. Someone said O’Brien killed Bates’ wife to save her ladyship from scandal. Someone else thought Sir Richard did it.

Lady Edith

More than a few people are wishing for some lovin’ for Lady Edith — poor always-in-the-background Edith! A few readers even forgot her name, one calling her Ethel and another calling her “Mary and Sybil’s sister.”

One reader firmly insisted that the show’s writers should find a man and not a woman for Lady Edith. (Had anyone suggested otherwise? Well, as long as you can poke in some nonsequitur homophobia, why not, I guess.)

Gay characters

Meanwhile, another reader was bothered that gay characters so far had been portrayed on the … unpleasant side. “Toss a gay hero or two into the mix this coming season,” he said. “Not only is it ‘the right thing to do’, but nothing could be more realistically British.”

Questions of inheritance

A few readers predicted that the mysterious Patrick Gordon will return to inherit Downton. (One person suggested Cora’s mother might even be in on it.)

Someone else said the real Patrick Crawley will come back and marry Lady Edith.

Furthermore, someone suggested Mary and Matthew will move to the United States and become heirs to the American fortune.

Downstairs

Someone said they’d like to see butler Carson and housekeeper Mrs. Hughes become “more than friends.” Who has time for romance with all the silver to polish and all the wine to strain? And what about Mrs. Hughes’ gentleman friend from the village?

One reader supposed that, as Mary’s scandal unfolds, it will be revealed that Kamal Pamuk did not, in fact, die of natural causes in season 1. Another bold reader points the finger of blame at Thomas! Could the Turkish diplomat have been poisoned?

The troubles

“For those who know their Irish history,” says one reader,” season three is rich with opportunity for a plot thread centered on major political upheavel in Ireland with Sybil and Branson right in the middle of it, possibly ending in the death or imprisonment of Branson.”

Another anxious reader pleads, “Branson can’t die!”

Wrong show, buddy

An exuberant fan (whose imagination is bigger on the inside than on the outside) expressed hope for a guest appearance from Doctor Who and his onetime companion Rose. Can you imagine a troupe of Cybermen in the downstairs pantry or a Dalek invasion in the parlor?

Hmm, maybe on second thought…