Image: PSB/ ZAP 2 it BY JASMINE BAILEY The hit show Downton Abbey premiered its third season in the United States on Sunday night and as NBC’s Today points out— the show has been the biggest success in the 40 years of PBS’ Masterpiece Theater. “Downton Abbey really started as something that had a cult following. But the audience has grown into something so big that it’s really nothing shorter than a phenomenon.” But it’s not just the U.S. where the show has caused quite a buzz— it airs in more than 100 countries, and the third season has already premiered in a handful of those. The numbers aren’t in yet for the U.S. but in Britain the premiere raked in more than 9 million viewers according to Entertainment Weekly . Compare that to Breaking Bad’s most recent season premiere that only drew in 2.9 million viewers. Season three also premiered in Spain Norway New Zealand and Finland— just to name a few. So what are the critics saying about the triple Golden Globe nominee’s season premiere? The editors of TV Fanatic gave the premiere 4.6 stars out of 5. And users gave it 4.1 stars. Not bad. So what’s the commotion about? Well People Magazine gives a little insight with 3 of its best moments of of the season premiere. WARNING! Spoilers ahead. First on the list: Matthew and Mary finally get married. Two— A secret is revealed. The Dowager Countess that she was the one who paid for Branson's passage from Dublin because she wanted Sybil and her husband to be present for the wedding. Awww. Number 3— Lady Mary's mother, Martha Levinson saves the day. When the stove goes out she suggest an indoor picnic that turn into a success. But one writer for The Star-Ledger wasn’t a fan— saying the show’s premiere seemed a unrealistic. A few of his criticisms:   “I didn't buy Martha saving the dinner by turning it into an ‘indoor picnic’ one bit… it was ridiculous seeing unnamed ladies in evening gowns gushing about how exciting it was to eat somewhere other than the dining room. Are they really that spoiled and sheltered? Also, I have a bit of a problem with the character of Martha. Shirley MacLaine played her with gusto, but her zany inappropriateness got wearying.