Why I think killing off Sybil Sucked.

    Downton Abbey is one of the most iconic period pieces to ever be on the screen. Despite my love of the show and movie series, I have one big issue with season three episode five: Why is Sybil dead? Now, do not get me wrong, I completely understand why Sybil had to die. The actress portraying Lady Sybil Branson (née Crawley), Jessica Brown Findlay, wanted to pursue other opportunities and Lady Sybil's death showcased many issues with the women's healthcare system in the early 20th century. Putting all of that aside, there are three main reasons I believe killing off Sybil was a bad decision on the writers' part. Sybil's death left Tom's radical Irish republican storyline to die right along with her, it took out the only powerful character who modernized the family's way of thinking in a drastic manner, and it left the audience without a character to lighten the themes featured in the series. 

    First of all, Tom's original storyline falls through despite having so much potential for meaningful conversation or coverage on the Irish-English conflict. Yes, there were bits and pieces left over like the catholic versus anglican christening storyline but after that, Tom ultimately conforms to an aristocratic English way of living. I simply do not believe this is the direction Tom's character would've taken had Jessica Brown Findlay not left the show. I understand the writers' choice to make him softer and less "agressive" or radical, however I really wish we, the audience, got to see more of that of side him. I also wish we could've gotten more character development when it came to Sybil's safety and finding balance between fighting for what he believes and protecting his loved ones, as opposed to giving most or all of it up. I think that by completely removing Sybil and making Tom the only parent Sybbie has it completely removed the chances of Tom redeeming himself for abandoning a pregnant Sybil in Dublin while he was in trouble with the law. 

    Furthermore, Sybil's role in the family as the rebellious and modern daughter with a heart-of-gold was too important to throw away. I can see what the writers tried to do by bringing in Cousin Rose but I think many viewers and I can agree that her character was less powerful than Sybil. Sybil was modern but also political, well-read and most of all, level headed. Rose is modern, but she is also reckless, naive, and selfish from time to time. The comparison of the two might be a little unfair considering Sybil is much older than Rose but even in the beginning of the series where Sybil is quite young, she still behaves better and with more thought before her actions and words than Rose does. Sybil brought the bright bold twenties (1920s, that is) to Downton in a much more palatable manner than Rose. 

    Finally, Sybil was a breath of fresh air in a family full of stuffy old aristocrats. She was a character the audience could love and identify with because of her kindness towards other characters, especially towards the staff. She brought a lighter tone to the screen that made the show that much brighter and happier as opposed to doom and gloom like in the later seasons. This might just be my slightly biased opinion due to the fact that she was my "comfort character" but I think the overall atmosphere of the series got much darker after she passed away in such a brutal and intense manner.

    All of this to say, I completely understand and respect the writers' choice in killing off Sybil in the series as I am completely opposed to a recast, but I believe the series could've been better if she had lived on. 

PS sorry if this sucks, please don't bully me. 

- Karly