We herewith present earlier drafts of Mr. Fellowes's first-draft ending for the fantastically-popular-and-in-no-way-phoned-in-by-a-cast-who-were-already-out-the-door Downton Abbey Christmas on Ice Special.
INT. DOWNTON HOSPITAL
MARY is in bed looking slightly disheveled but still in the bloom of English womanhood. (Ask Michelle to maybe tousle her hair? Something with the eyebrows. Oh, those eyebrows.)
MATTHEW
Oh dearest Mary now that you have issued forth a tiny new Earl we need never have sex again! Once again Britannia is safe from the Hun!CheersHuzzah.
MARY
Indeed Matthew it is the happiest of outcomes. Now we shall be happy forever and everand everto the end of our painless and exceedingly long lives!
MATTHEW
I find myself so overcome with emotion that I must now leave this happy, happy tableau! Farewell, gentle Mary, I will see you anonand for the rest of our aforementioned freakishly extended lifespans!
EXT. DOWNTON HOSPITAL
MATTHEW exits looking very much a young Earl-to-be in the prime of English manhood. He dons his rakish cap and smiles to the heavens. Immediately a piano falls upon him