I do agree that an actor's leaving the show does not always have to mean death, but I think it might be particularly hard in Matthew's case. He would have to go away in some way that would mean him never being at Downton, and I think it would be difficult not to make that seem contrived, especially since he has now taken such a strong and active interest in running Downton. Of course, in this alternate universe I'm discussing, if JF planned for Matthew to just go away for a long time, he also probably would have written this season differently to make it make sense for Matthew to leave the scene. It could be a completely different show.

As it is, I am really sorry to see Matthew go. Early in the season I was annoyed with how he acted about Mr. Swire's money. I could understand his not wanting to keep it, but after a while it was just irritating - the way he said he wouldn't read Swire's letter because he thought it would contain a lot of praise that would make him feel guilty was just so whiny, and I was glad when Mary just took it and read it herself. But after he decided to use it to save Downton, he took charge and stood up to Lord G and did so many other little Matthew things that make him such a great character - encouraging Edith, for example, right under Lord G's nose at the breakfast table. And the way he brought in some middle class values and ideas, but didn't completely disregard the wishes and traditions of the world he was now living in. I love what he said to Mary about her dad. "Love him, by all means, but believe in me." As I said, great character, and he'll be missed.