When someone is widowed, they aren't expected to stay single forever.
Oh my goodness, she's not a nun for crying out loud! Let the poor girl find a new love. She doesn't have to forget her time with Matthew, and I'm sure he wouldn't want her to play the grieving widow her whole life.
Of course she can, like Tom with Sybil. And it will be the best and not only "forget Matthew and find someone else" like the main plot in Series 4 and 5. There so many plots that JF could use with Mary and not only the suitors.
I know what you mean. I haven't liked much how Mary grieved and then seemed to kick over the traces in contrast to Tom who mourned Sybil almost reverently.
Whilst you wipe the rabid Matthew fan-girl foam from your chins, do try to put yourselves in Mary's position; her husband died and it's terribly sad, but a young woman should not have to spend the rest of her life in Queen Victoria-esque, celibate mourning.
I don't think she should have stayed 'loyal', but if she had we may have been spared her ghastly suitor storylines.
I think she must be 'loyal' beacause Matthew was the right, she loved him mutch more then you can love enyone. Then she coud't leave him it's not right
Tom is hardly showing the signs of remaining a reverent widower forever. He did have sex with Edna, he was definitely interested in the ghastly Miss Bunting and the last episode suggested very strongly that he will end up marrying Edith's nice editor.