10. The Thomas-William smackdown- you knew it was gonna happen! 

9.  Suffragette-to-be Lady Sibyl’s various ploys to help Gwen, the ambitious second housemaid, get a secretary job were sweet and funny.  (Becoming a secretary would be a step up for Gwen, whose parents are farmhands.) 

8.  Mr. Carson, the butler and head servant, encouraging and consoling Lady Mary (his favorite) 

7.  The rivalry between The Dowager Countess of Grantham (Violet) and Isobel Crawley (Matthew’s mother)-playing out in their scenes together, esp. re: the village hospital and flower show   

6.   Anna plainly and clearly says “I love you, Mr. Bates.”  When she adds “I know a lady shouldn’t say such things, but I’m not a lady,” he objects by saying that she’s “the finest lady” he’s ever known.  Wonderful!

5.  The Countess (Cora) tells The Dowager Countess (w/o using many words) about the incidents surrounding their Turkish guest’s death

4.  Lord Grantham breaking down in tears after the loss of the baby (a son)

3.  Lady Edith writing her (tell-all) letter to the Turkish ambassador in London

2.  Anna and Mr. Bates’  (almost) kiss in the backyard

1.  Lady Mary and Matthew’s (long-awaited) kiss in the dining room