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Downton Abbey season premiere moves fans to tears, but what happened to thewedding?

Lady Mary wore a modest ivory gown with high neck and sheer sleeves, reminiscentof what Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother wore when she married King George in1923.
Courtesy of ITV
On the set of Manor of Speaking, from left, Jackson HIcks, Helen Mann, butler,Ernie Manouse, Robert Patten and Roseann Rogers
Photo by Clifford Pugh

Fans of the hit British TV series Downton Abbey had a lot to laugh and cry about in the season three U.S. premiere Sunday night on PBS. But there were also some puzzling aspects, too.

We watched the two-hour episode at the Melcher Center for Public Broadcasting at the University of Houston, along with around 30 other diehard DA fans — one viewer in the audience wore a flower-bedecked hat and white gloves; another sobbed uncontrollably as it appeared that Lady Mary Crawley (Michelle Dockery) and Matthew (Dan Stevens) were finally headed to the altar.

Mary and Matthew exhibit one modern touch: They fight over money.

After the two-hour season opener ended, everyone stayed for the premiere of Manor of Speaking, a live half-hour show hosted by Channel 8's Ernie Manouse that promises to dissect every plot turn of the wildly popular drama during the season.

For the first episode, Manouse was joined by former British vice consul Helen Mann, Rice University professor Robert L. Patten, society caterer Jackson Hicks and Downton Abbey superfan Roseann Rogers. They appeared on a set that resembled a drawing room library in an English country home — complete with a butler, although he seemed more like Lurch than Jeeves.

Among the topics they discussed based on audience questions (spoiler alert! - don't read on if you don't want key plot points revealed):

1. Why couldn't unmarried women have breakfast in bed at an English country home in the early 1920s? Hicks said at the time married women had a more leisurely life than their single counterparts;

2. Why didn't voyagers on a cruise change clothes on the first night? Their trunks hadn't been unpacked yet, Patten said;

3. Why was Mary's simple ivory wedding dress with a high neck and sheer sleeves so understated? It was keeping with the style of the times, Rogers said. (But her jeweled headband was far flashier);

4. How could Lord Grantham be so stupid to put all of his investments in Canadian railroad stock? At the time it seemed a good idea, until the head of the railroad died in the Titanic disaster in 1912 and the business went belly up (it really happened).

We were most looking forward to the highly anticipated showdown between Maggie Smith, who portrays Violet Crawley the Dowager Countess of Grantham, and Shirley MacLaine, who debuted as Martha Levison, the mother of Cora, Countess of Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern).

Indeed there were loads of one-liners between the two acting titans that had everyone laughing, although MacLaine's role wasn't fleshed out nearly enough before her series departure.

Here's hoping she'll be back.

While the Crawleys are worried about keeping the manor in the family, their servants have more pressing problems, like life and death. Bates remains in jail but shows his mean streak, Mrs. Hughes may have cancer and a couple of servants may be losing their jobs.

Upstairs, Matthew again finds out he will inherit a fortune — he's the luckiest Brit alive — but his high-mindedness nearly scuttles the wedding and makes him seem uncaring about his wife's needs to preserve her lifestyle.

But the couple does exhibit one modern touch: They fight over money.

As for the wedding, we've waited three seasons for Mary and Matthew to tie the knot — so it was a bit of a disappointment when series creator Julian Fellowes, who writes all the episodes, shut viewers out of the wedding, reception and honeymoon in France. All we got to see was the ride to the church.

But the couple's 15-second kiss on the night before the wedding— with their eyes closed because it's bad luck for a prospective groom to see his bride before the ceremony— was so romantic that it almost makes up for being shut out of their big moment.

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These are the 14 best things to do in Houston this weekend

Photo courtesy of Goo Goo Dolls

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This weekend, it’s all about music, comedy, celebration, and getting free chicken.

The Goo Goo Dolls and Kam Franklin will have live concerts. Mo Amer and Kym Whitley will be doing back-to-back stand-up shows. Little Jewford will pay tribute to Kinly Friedman with a live show. Karbach Brewing is bringing back Frida Fest. And Nando PERi-PERi will salute Nelson Mandela Day by giving free chicken and fries to whoever donates some canned goods.

So, let’s ease on down the road and see what’s popping this weekend.

Thursday, July 17

Little Jewford's Sentimental Journey: Remembering Kinky Friedman
Little Jewford's Sentimental Journey will highlight songs from Kinky Friedman's catalog and the Great American Songbook. Little Jewford will also share a few of his favorite memories of Kinky and stories from their travels. Little Jewford was eight years old when he met Kinky Friedman at Echo Hill Ranch in 1958. They began a friendship and musical pairing that would last more than 60 years. Little Jewford is also an accomplished pianist with a unique, entertaining style all his own. 7 pm.

River Oaks Theatre presents Film Strip: Barbarella
Grimm and Ghoulia, headmistresses of The Sisterhood of Lili St. Cyr, present another monthly screening of a cult movie, preceded by a rotating cast of burlesque beauties. This time around, we have Jane Fonda starring in this erotic, space-age, comic-book adaptation from 1968, where she’s a space traveler tasked with finding and stopping the evil Durand-Durand. BTW, quoting and singing along with the film is encouraged. Surprise gags and performances may take place during the film. 8 pm.

Goo Goo Dolls in concert
You can go back to the 2000s this weekend, as rock band Goo Goo Dolls will be performing in Sugar Land's Smart Financial Centre. Currently on the road for their Summer Anthem Tour, the Grammy-nominated, diamond-certified rockers (best known for “Iris,” one of many millennial pop ditties guitar-playing frat guys played for sorority girls at parties back in the day) are also at work on their 15th studio album. Dashboard Confessional, another rock outfit who rose to prominence during the Bush II era, will be the opening act. 8 pm.

Friday, July 18

Nelson Mandela Day at Nando’s Peri-Peri
In honor of Nelson Mandela Day on Friday, Nando’s Peri-Peri is turning compassion into action with a nationwide food drive, rewarding guests with free flame-grilled chicken and Peri Chips in exchange for non-perishable food donations. At the Houston locations in Post Oak and Katy, donations will go to Second Servings, the city’s only perishable food rescue organization. Second Servings is also collecting donations to support those affected by the devastating floods that recently impacted Central Texas. 3 pm.

Mo Amer: El Oso Palestino Tour
Palestinian-American stand-up comedian (and hometown boy made good) Mo Amer may have wrapped up the second and final season of his acclaimed Netflix show Mo this year. But that doesn’t mean the man hasn’t stopped bringing the funny. Before he heads off to do two back-to-back shows at the Dubai Comedy Festival, he’ll do an early show right here in H-Town, as part of his El Oso Palestino Tour. As of press time, only a limited number of standing room only tickets remain. 7 pm.

Punch Line Houston presents Kym Whitley
Kym Whitley knew she was blessed with the gift to make people laugh after Redd Foxx told her she had “the comedic goods.” The comedienne and former host of BET talk show Oh Drama! has appeared in such movies as The Nutty Professor and Next Friday. She’s also done guest shots on My Wife and Kids, Two Broke Girls, That’s So Raven, and Curb Your Enthusiasm, on an episode that saved a man from going to death row. She even appeared in a Netflix documentary about it. 7:30 and 9:45 pm (7 and 9:15 pm Saturday).

A.D. Players presents The Wizard of Oz
Since we’re all still in a Wicked frame of mind, A.D. Players presents a stage version of the L. Frank Baum classic. Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, the Cowardly Lion, and Toto travel the universe of Dorothy’s imagination, crossing over the rainbow to the beautiful land of Oz. To find her way home, Dorothy must follow the yellow brick road to find the Wizard. But the Wicked Witch of the West threatens to destroy these newfound friends as they make their journey. Through Sunday, August 10. 7:30 pm (2 and 7:30 pm Saturday; 2 pm Sunday).

Saturday, July 19

Houston Pets Alive! And Trust Guss Injury Lawyers present Puppy Palooza
Houston Pets Alive! and Trust Guss Injury Lawyers team up for Puppy Palooza this weekend, at the Houston Pets Alive! headquarters. Houstonians are invited to a family-friendly adoption event where attendees can meet up to 50 adorable puppies of all sizes, breeds, and personalities, looking for their forever homes. The event not only offers a chance to welcome a new furry friend into your life, but also supports Houston’s local shelters by helping reduce overcrowding and giving at-risk pets a second chance.

Moody Center for the Arts presents Summer Jam
Moody's annual Summer Jam will feature art activities, galleries to explore, an indoor farmer’s market, local food vendors, and more. The event includes access to Figurative Histories and Collective Memories as well as programming with Black art/culture reference library The Reading Room. In addition to a scavenger hunt, face painting, and bubble play, Red Bird Press will lead a printmaking activity for the duration of the event. Noon.

Karbach Brewing Co. presents Frida Fest
Karbach Brewing Co. is bringing back its annual Frida Fest, a two-day celebration honoring art icon Frida Kahlo through art, fashion, and community. In partnership with nonprofit MuXerhtx, Karbach’s biergarten will transform into a vibrant cultural hub. Saturday’s festivities will include an art show, a fashion show, and a lookalike contest, while Sunday will have a mariachi performance, a flower-making workshop, and a DJ playing beats. Saturday attendees will get first access to exclusive Frida Fest glassware. 1 pm (11 am Sunday).

The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Houston presents Iolanthe
The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Houston, Houston’s longest-running opera company, will present Iolanthe, a hallmark of Gilbert and Sullivan’s signature satire that cheerily blends fantasy and pointed social commentary. It skewers the British legal system, the House of Lords, and Victorian sensibilities with clever wit and a charming score. Iolanthe (pronounced "eye-oh-LAN-thee") is a comic opera sung in English and is enjoyable for all ages. Through Sunday, July 27. 7 pm (7 pm Friday, 2:30 pm Sunday).

Sunday, July 20

National Ice Cream Day
National Ice Cream Day is this Sunday, and these are just some of the several places around town marking the occasion with deals and specials. The Sunrise House in Montrose has both an ice cream-topped waffle and an affogato. Both locations of The Pit Room will take $2 off any creation made with Blue Bell ice cream. Asian American diner Agnes and Sherman will be serving root beer floats and banana splits. Houston-area locations of Lick Honest Ice Creams will donate 10 percent of sales to Buffalo Bayou Partnership. All four Houston-area locations of Jeni’s will add its new sundae fudge sauce for free to any scoop. (Times and locations vary.)

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore
Marlee Matlin became the first deaf actor to win an Oscar for her performance in Children of a Lesser God. In this new documentary, she discusses her personal and professional struggles — including her meteoric rise to fame in a predominantly hearing industry, a tumultuous high-profile relationship, getting sober, and years of being overlooked by Hollywood. Through split-screen interviews with both deaf and hearing contributors, the film weaves a poignant narrative of Matlin’s career, highlighting her tireless fight for inclusion. 5 pm.

Dan Electro’s presents Kam Franklin & Friends
Kam Franklin and a bunch of her musical pals will be performing this weekend at Dan Electro’s. Best known for belting powerful vocals as the lead singer of Gulf Coast soul band The Suffers, this dynamic interdisciplinary artist is also a passionate activist for justice and equity — amplifying Black, queer, femme, and non-binary voices across the arts. She’ll be joined by Sergio Trevino, Louis Morales, Sara Van Buskirk, Uncle Tino, and Blacknintendo. 7:30 pm.

Photo courtesy of Goo Goo Dolls

Goo Goo Dolls will play in Sugar Land July 17, 2025.

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