First, let me say that I'm a huge fan of the series and think it is extremely well crafted and has excellent character development. However, with that being said, I have a bit of nit-picking to do.
1) The Turkish Scandal: When Lord Grantham visits Bates in the pub where he's working and Bates says he quit to prevent a scandal from engulfing their family, Sir Robert asks "What sort of scandal?" and Bates replies "Nothing you need to worry about" and that sort of ends it. If I were Lord Grantham and a scandal what threatening to engulf my family, I'd certainly raise holy hell until I found out what it was and could put a stop to it or verify that it was true. Does anyone else find it strange that Lord Grantham seems to take such a laissez-faire stance on this explosive topic?
2) Jane The Maid: Does anyone else find it strange that Lord Grantham is so entranced by this maid and that he seems reckless in making out with her? She did bail out and quit, but still, it seems that everyone must know what's going on. Mrs. Hughes seems to hint at that when she said she agreed that it was for the best.
3) When Patrick (the burned soldier) returned and claimed he had amnesia and all that, couldn't anyone remember any specific question to ask him that only **he** would know? Certainly there must have been one question. And did no one in the family recognize his voice, even his supposed fiance, Lady Mary? I find that hard to believe. His voice was rather distinctive. And certainly they could have compared his handwriting to some known handwriting by Patrick to see if it matched. That whole episode left me shaking my head.
- WARNING: POTENTIAL SPOILER ALERT
Here are my thoughts on how Series 3 will play out. Let's consider the main plot points right now...
-Sir Richard is blackmailing Lady Mary to marry him, which prevents her from going after Matthew.
-Bates is in jail for murder.
Now, wouldn't it tie everything up nicely if it turns out Sir Richard is the murderer? Bate's crazy ex wife decides she is going to break the gag order and sell the story to another paper. Sir Richard freaks out because he knows that is the only leverage he has to force Lady Mary to marry him, so he kills Vera Bates with rat poison to silence her. Eventually the police find out and clap him in irons and take him away. Bates is rescued from prison and Lady Mary marries Matthew and everyone lives happily ever after, except Edith, who does end up as the embittered maiden aunt.