Why is everybody being so mean about Dan Stevens' acting abilities? I first saw him playing a cocaine-sorting gay '80s go-getter in The Line of Beauty (take that, cousin Matthew) and he was just fine.

This has been his role with the biggest profile, especially in the States, but he already had a pretty solid resume. I think the character has been a bad fit rather than anything else, which also partly explains why he's leaving .

Fiona, I didn't intend to be mean. I did say he was fine on Downton, which is the only thing I've seen him in. I think he did well, even when the storylines had me cringing. And he had great chemistry with Dockery. (Though I expect Dockery's the one with the BBOC chemistry.) I don't think he had a profile at all in North America before Downton. So I do wonder about his wider appeal and range.

I understand his desire to leave. He also had to endure the silliest storyline (his tragic paralysis and miraculous cure) and though he was unfailingly polite about it, there was also a raised eyebrow whenever he talked about it.

You didn't spoil me, Sue -- no worries! I've seen all of S3. I was worried about Dana.

OK, I was totally confused. I didn't realize there was *another* Xmas special. I thought the talk was about last year's. Which makes no sense on many levels, I know. My excuse is my cold-addled brain.

My excuse is my cold-addled brain.

Oh don't worry, I have one of those too.

Heh. I was wondering, Jon, since I didn't know why anyone would read the whitefont about the Christmas special without watching the previous season. Cold medicine explains everything.

I do understand why he wanted to leave. I guess it's just not the choice I would make. And piled on top of Sybil's thing, it's a little much with the babies and the dying.

I'm totally with Dana.

When I heard about the change, I was intrigued to see how they would handle the storytelling, thinking they would have to come up with something super interesting, in light of recent events.

Not so much.

Dashing in to ask a favour - B. put his first ever attempt at a stop-motion animation up on youtube today. It is very basic, but he is (rightly) insanely proud of it, and page views in general and likes in particular would make him extremely happy. He has already asked for a tripod for his birthday.

Thanks!

Oh, and C. baked a cake today.

Edit: links redacted.

Cute little animation, Fiona! B is indeed rightly proud.

Thank you! He ran in earlier, super bouncy and exited about all the views and likes. So many thanks to all who took the time and made his day.