Keeping Up With the Crawleys: Where Downton Abbey Left Off

After an emotional season three of Downton Abbey left fans mourning the death of two major characters, no one knows quite what to expect next — that is, if you've managed to avoid spoilers from the previous UK airing of season four. The Crawley family comes back to TV sets stateside Sunday night on PBS at 9 p.m. Since the shock of the finale may have left you in need of a refresher, we're taking a look at where we left Lady and Lord Grantham, their extended family, and their intriguing household staff. Here is everything you need to remember before the premiere.

Matthew Crawley Is Dead
PBS

Matthew Crawley Is Dead

In case you forgot, season three starts out on a happy note, with Matthew and Lady Mary's much-anticipated marriage. After wondering would they or wouldn't they for the entire series, fans could finally feel satisfied that the future of Downton is secured and Mary and Matthew are finally together. But it doesn't last long. The season ends with Matthew unceremoniously dying in a car crash.

But He Leaves an Heir
PBS

But He Leaves an Heir

During his fateful car ride, Matthew is on his way home from the hospital, where he's just met his new son and heir. Considering much of season three is dedicated to the whether or not Matthew could even have children after his war injury, this is quite a miracle and means the fate of the estate should be safe with Lady Mary's little boy.

Sybil Is Dead, Too
PBS

Sybil Is Dead, Too

Ahead of Matthew's untimely death, the Crawley family loses the youngest daughter, Sybil, to childbirth complications. But before her death, the spirited beauty who married the family chauffeur, Thomas Branson, gives birth to a baby girl, also named Sybil.

Edna the Maid Is Making Branson's Life Complicated
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Edna the Maid Is Making Branson's Life Complicated

Following Sybil's death, Branson is accepted by the aristocratic family at Downton, despite his humble past. But when new housemaid Edna Braithwaite sets her eyes on him, things get complicated. Edna begins flirting with Tom and even comes into his room while he's changing one night and kisses him. After Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes catch wind of what's going on, Edna is fired.

Lady Edith Is Left at the Altar
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Lady Edith Is Left at the Altar

For much of season three, things aren't looking so bright for Lady Edith. For one, she is left at the altar by her older suitor, Sir Anthony Strallan. The mortified middle sister continues to be overlooked for much of the season and decides to turn her energy toward a new endeavor: journalism.

Thankfully, She Has a New Love Interest
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Thankfully, She Has a New Love Interest

Edith's adventures in magazine writing bring her to London, where she crosses paths with a handsome editor, Michael Gregson. He encourages her to explore her talents, and it finally seems Edith has found someone who can give her attention and appreciation. Unfortunately, there's a catch: he's technically married to a mentally insane woman and cannot get divorced under English law.

Thomas's Secret Is Out
PBS

Thomas's Secret Is Out

In season three, Downton Abbey gets wind that longtime servant Thomas Barrow is gay when he makes a pass at footman Jimmy after misinterpreting some flirtation. Jimmy reports the incident, and Mr. Carson orders Thomas to leave without reference. But after former Thomas-rival Mr. Bates surprising intervenes with a generous-minded Lord Grantham, Thomas's job is saved. Plus, Jimmy and Thomas eventually make up, after Thomas protects Jimmy when he is attacked.

Daisy Is Not a Fan of Ivy
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Daisy Is Not a Fan of Ivy

Meanwhile in the kitchen, there is a bit of a love triangle — or maybe it's a love square? Ivy, the new and pretty kitchen maid, arrives at Downton and captures the attention of Alfred the footman. Only problem is Daisy, the more experienced kitchen maid, is in love with Alfred. To make things more complicated, Ivy has a thing for Jimmy, who appears uninterested.

Downton Gains a Rebellious Niece
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Downton Gains a Rebellious Niece

We meet Lady Rose MacClare, the daughter of Lord Grantham's first cousin, in season three, when she comes to Downton for a visit and manages to find her way to London for an inappropriate night out at a jazz club. Later, in the season finale, the Crawley family travels to Scotland to stay at the MacClare's Duneagle Castle and find the young Rose is not getting along with her parents, especially her mother, Susan. By the end of the trip, it's determined that Rose will move to Downton while her parents travel to India.

The Bates Are Finally Happy
PBS

The Bates Are Finally Happy

Mr. Bates spends much of season three in prison for murder with his loyal wife, Anna, never losing faith that he will get out. He eventually does, and the finale ends on a happy note, at least for these two, as they enjoy being together at last.

Things Are Good Between Robert and Cora Again
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Things Are Good Between Robert and Cora Again

Robert Crawley, aka Lord Grantham, puts his wife, Cora, through quite a bit in season three. He's lost her fortune in a bad investment and did not listen to Cora's concerns over Sybil's health, which eventually led to her death. With a little help from Lady Violet, who asks Dr. Clarkson to tell Cora that there's nothing that could have been done to save Sybil, she is eventually able to forgive Robert and allow him to comfort her.

Lady Violet Is Still Lady Violet
PBS

Lady Violet Is Still Lady Violet

Lady Violet, the Dowager Countess, is as wise and witty as ever. Here are some of her best lines from season three:

"Vulgarity is no substitute for wit."

"No one can accuse me of being modern, but even I can see it’s no crime to be young."

"People like us are never unhappily married."

"We don't always get our just desserts."

"I am a woman of many parts."

"Forgive? Perhaps. Forget? Never."

"An aristocrat with no servants is as much use to the county as a glass hammer."