"Downton Abbey" Season 3 premieres on PBS

From left, Lady Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern), Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville), Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens), Isobel Crawley (Penelope Wilton) Tom Branson (Allen Leech), Mr. Carson (Jim Carter) and Mrs. Hughes (Phyllis Logan) in a scene from "Downton Abbey." / Carnival Film & Television for Masterpiece

"Downton Abbey" returned to American television sets on Sunday night, when the period drama's third season premiered on PBS.

The two-hour episode brought new financial woes for the Crawley family, but also happiness in the form of a wedding.

Lord Grantham learns that a bad investment he's made means that much of his family's money -- including wife Cora's fortune -- is now gone.

• Plot spoilers pose challenge for "Downton Abbey"

But, there may be a solution. Matthew Crawley learns he is set to inherit a lot of money from the father of his late fiancee, Lavinia Swire. The inheritance could save Downton, but Matthew does not want to take the money because he feels guilty about Lavinia's death.

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Behind the scenes at "Downton Abbey"

This leads to a fight between Matthew and Mary that almost derails their wedding. But a little help from Anna and Tom (the former chauffeur, now Lady Sybil's husband) puts them back on the same page, and the two say "I do."

Sunday's episode also introduced Shirley MacLaine as Martha Levinson, Cora's mother, who visits from America to attend the wedding. She spends much of her time in the episode trading barbs with the Dowager Countess.

We also got to see a pregnant Lady Sybil return from Dublin to Downton with Tom for her sister's nuptials. Other happenings in the episode include a new love interest for Lady Edith, Anna working to prove Mr. Bates' innocence, a health scare for Mrs. Hughes and a new footman (O'Brien's nephew, Alfred) joining the downstairs staff.

Tell us: What did you think of the "Downton Abbey" premiere?

[teflondonn]

What a weekend! Start of the NFL playoffs and Downton Abbey. I have no idea what that says about me. The show is just so cheesy and so good! Please can we have Bates get shivved in prison.

[mireyaayala]

FANTASTIC EPISODE!

[RandomNotes101]

I've only found this series within the last few months and have been avidly watching all reruns. Finally a gorgeous series; well written with incredible shots of surrounding vistas and stunning costumes. It's difficult to believe so many people fill their spare time with all the reality shows. Maybe our world would be alittle more sane if people filled their minds with something other than the most negative examples of our 'culture'. Downton Abbey certainly has it's share of humanity; but it is beyond me why people want to watch shows which portray worst case scenarios of a lack of education, mental and physical health, and exploitation? Maybe to make their lives seem 'not so bad'? They are laughing all the way to the bank, but I would much rather fill my free
time (how ever little of it I actually have) with a bit more pleasurable
efforts. I guess I relate more to British humor, too, rather than having to use curse words, a guy getting hit in the scrotum or belittling others for a laugh. Also, comedians in the US past were more talented as they could get a laugh from common daily occurrences rather than something nasty. Maybe we could rethink our own angles?

[Auntiefritz1]

Hallelujah downtown abbey certainly did not disappoint last night . I couldn't wait to see it and was sad when the episode was over I wanted it to go on longer. It had plenty of drama love laughter and tears. I can't wait until next week!