Last Sunday in a scene ripped straight out of the pages of Pride and Prejudice we were introduced to whom I can only assume will be Lady Mary’s new love interest, Mr. Blake, the dark, snarky new government official who’s come to the York district to reek havoc on the rich and quietly famous of Downton Abbey.

Oh, Mr. Blake, can I just say, you have some big shoes to fill? And I’m not talking about the fact that you seem to be rather on the short side. You’re tall enough for government work and there is that something about you that neither Mr. Napier nor the poor love-struck Tony Gillingham seem to possess. But…you are no Matthew. What made Matthew so perfect was his ability (in the infamous words of Jack Nicholson) to make Mary a better man.

Still, I’m not giving up hope. There are those eyes of his. They seem to smolder and laugh and promise something deliciously naughty all at the same time. Only time will tell.