When people talk about being shocked and heartbroken on a regular basis because of a television series, they're usually talking about Game of Thrones. Though Downton Abbey doesn't have quite the same stakes – at all – the show's visceral drama has caused jaw-dropping and a heavy use of tissues. Most of the weeping was due to unfair arrests, break-ups, or unexpected deaths, but sometimes it was for joyous occasions. Isn't there a a saying about how the rain usually brings the sun? In Downton, that was flipped. Shining, sparkling joy often brightened the fancy household before tragedy, and those scenes of happiness aren't as well-remembered. As the series comes to a close, let's take a look back on some of the best moments of this gorgeous drama.

Editor's note: With the Downton Abbey movie headed to U.S. theaters this month, Focus Features has also released a recap video for your viewing pleasure!

7. The Follies of Mr. Pamuk (Season 1)

downton-abbey-mr-pamuk
Image via PBS

The most loyal servants won't only wash your intimates, they'll help you hide a body. When the handsome Mr. Pamuk visited the Crawleys in the third episode of the series, he had a heart attack while in Mary's bed. Oops. It probably shouldn't have been funny but watching Mary, Anna, and Cora carry the dead Pamuk through the opulent hallways of Downton was indeed terribly amusing.

6. The Dowager Countesses' Quips (Season 1-6)

downton-abbey-season-6-maggie-smith
Image via PBS

Ok, so this isn't just one moment, and it's probably not fair to count all of the dialogue from one character among the best moments of Downton, but the Dowager Countess deserves it. She delivered a countless number of insults along with many words of wisdom over the last six seasons of the drama. She was often mean, sure, but she was honest; that's a trait worth admiring. It's impossible to pick a favorite quote from her, but this one is particularly on point: "Vulgarity is no substitute for wit." Zing, Rinse, Repeat.

5. Mr. Molesley Gets His Due (Season 6)

"Poor old Molesley." Few characters on Downton have been as stepped on and looked over as Joseph Molesley. He's never particularly excelled at any of his downstairs duties. And while always showed up to work and served the family loyally, he never quite fit in -- not until he started encouraging Daisy with her studies. Molesley's interest and respect for learning was a fascinating layer for the character, and when he took exams alongside Daisy, performed well, and was offered a teaching job in the seventh episode of Season 6? It was heartwarming and rewarding both because he deserved it and because of his (and our) utter delight at getting the news.

4. Mr. Bates Comes Home (Season 3)

downton-abbey-joanne-froggatt

Mr. and Mrs. Bates have overcome hardship after hardship in their marriage. They've dealt with being wrongfully accused of crimes, they've suffered severe trauma, and the list goes on. Mr. Bates was imprisoned for what felt like forever, and when he was finally released in episode seven of Season 3, the hug he and Anna shared was jubilant. The warm reaction from Bates' fellow servants wasn't too shabby either.

3. The Earl of Grantham Gets a Puppy (Season 6)

The Dowager Countess knows just what to do in any situation. Sometimes she's misguided, but she's the Dowager Countess so she's never wrong. Before she left for South France to let her anger over the hospital situation drop from a furious boil to a simmer in the seventh episode of Season 6, she left Robert a wriggling, adorable puppy. The expression on Robert's face when he saw the puppy was the definition of glee. Teo has already seemed to fill the Isis-shaped hole in Robert's heart.

2. A Day at the Beach (Season 4)

Image via PBS

Love on Downton Abbey has been illustrated in many shades. The passionate relationships of the younger Crawleys are on one end of the spectrum, while couples like Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes share a more chaste but no less valid devotion to each other. Hope for a long-term, non-work relationship for the couple started when they waded together into the ocean in episode eight of Season 4. Mrs. Hughes offered her hand to steady Carson, and the smiles on both their faces radiated off the screen.

1. A Snowy Proposal (Season 2)

Mary Crawley used to be a slightly warmer, less guarded person. Remember those days? And remember when she and Matthew were falling in love? They complemented each other in all the right ways. It took until the ninth episode of the show's second season for the "Will they/won't they?" question to be answered. Matthew proposing to Mary in the snow followed by their sweet kiss was the happiest and most romantic couple of minutes of the series.

The Downton Abbey movie arrives in U.S. theaters on September 20th.

downton-abbey-movie-poster