The only things I recall from the Christmas Special is the ridiculous continuation of Anna/Bates (Bates may be my least favorite character in the history of ever. I howled when we found out he wouldn't swing!) and the resolution to Mary/Matthew - thank goodness, because that well was dry.

Oh wait, is that the one where Thomas decides to go back to being a footman despite the fact he could probably do well for himself in a big city at this point? And he hides the dog? Such a bafflingly out of character choice, I thought. They probably could have sent him to Dublin to be Lady Sybil's houseman or something if they were feeling creative. (Admittedly, I do not know if the actress simply wanted out or what - it may have been motivated by other things.)