At this point I don't think it's necessary to issue a Spoiler Alert, because if you're a Downton Abbey fan you don't miss an episode when it's broadcast, and if you do, you DVR it and it's hard to imagine that you wouldn't have watched Sunday night's season finale by now.

D.A. fans (myself included) are up in arms that producers killed off the popular Matthew Crawley character, out of blue, in the last :45 seconds of the season finale no less!! Moments after the show ended, Downton fans blew up the internet with rage.

Writer Julian Fellowes tried to calm D.A. followers explaining that actor Dan Stevens wanted off the show to explore other opportunities and he didn't want to commit himself to one or two episodes in season four so Fellowes had no choice.

And since he didn't want Matthew's death to over shadow the other developments in the season finale, he chose to wait until the last possible moment to do the deed. 

Fellowes apparently felt the need to issue this statement regarding this stunning development: “Over the last three years, audiences across the world have been captivated by the ups and downs of Mary and Matthew’s relationship, culminating in their wedding. Fans have enjoyed what has become a solid and loving marriage,” Fellowes said.

“It is for this reason that the producers decided Matthew and Mary could not simply be estranged or parted, resulting in his untimely and tragic death at the end of the series’ finale.

“In the next series, alongside all the usual drama, comedy and romance involving the much-loved cast of characters, viewers will see Mary adjusting to her life and attempting to move on without the man she loved.”

If you're a Downton fan whose still smarting from this unforeseen plot twist, I highly recommend this wonderful article from the Huffington Post. You'll enjoy every word. Read more here.