Series six of Downton Abbey is being touted as the last.
The drama series that took us back to those solid, easily understood days when there was a place for everyone and everyone knew their place, when solid loyal English under-stair dwellers doffed their hats and curtsied to their betters as part of a cleverly entrenched class system is itself back for a sixth season.
But, why, oh why does it need to end?
Surely the 1920s setting for the latest series is just the beginning of the social changes the Crawleys and their privileged offspring love to negotiate?
Why can't they end up in a semi-detached villa in Hackney in the 1970s during the oil crisis, with the Earl of Grantham still being looked after by his loyal manservant Mr Bates, despite both having been dead for some decades?
Why can't the upstairs-downstairs relationship continue sans stairs, as the onset of Thatcherism approaches and the lid finally closes on the social mores of the swinging '60s?
Why can't Lady Mary, despite being in her 80s, still be considering which young gentleman to marry, or similar, as frankly I have lost touch with the plot of late?
Maybe she got married?
I don't know.
But facts are facts - this is most definitely the very last of one of television's most loved shows (despite the planned Christmas special).
Series six begins with the privileged folk of Downton colourfully dressed and ready to release the hounds in a vigorous fox hunt.
As they gallop off, in the servants' quarters Mrs Hughes is worrying about her upcoming marriage to Mr Carson.
''I wish you'd tell me what's wrong,'' Mrs Patmore, the cook, says to her.
''He's a very, very dear man,'' Mrs Hughes tells her.
''But I hadn't fully considered all the aspects of marriage.''
''What aspects?'' Mrs Patmore asks.
Nothing but a look is exchanged between the pair, but the cook appears to understand.
''Oh, my Lord, you mean?
''Yes, that is precisely what I mean.
''Perhaps you can keep the lights off,'' Mrs Patmore helpfully suggests.
Yes, it is 1925, when country matters were dealt with practically, and with good common sense.
But despite the activities of Downton slipping gently back into their groove, secrets and rifts in the background are threatening the unity of the Crowley family.
Lady Mary's past catches up with her when an unwelcome visitor delivers an ultimatum, and news of the running of Downton Hospital puts the Dowager Countess on the warpath.
Tune in to Prime next Thursday at 8.30pm for more revelations.
• Charles Loughrey
