Floyd's ritual of hugging Otto's prone body while he sleeps.
Most of the scenes with the Solversons, which in contrast with the chaos around them is always shown as loving and domestic, despite the tragedy in their family.
The Blumquists slowly rebuilding their marriage throughout all their criminal activities, to the point where Peggy steadfastly defends Ed against any outside criticism. It stands firm as a marked difference between the earlier selfish Peggy who seemed to view Ed as an obstacle, and the more 'actualized' Peggy who refuses to leave Ed behind.
Waiting for Dutch
Before the Law
Lou and Hank trading war stories on the steps of the Waffle Hut.
The Myth of Sisyphus
Fear and Trembling
Near the end, when the Gerhardts are riding back from their disastrous meeting with Kansas City, Dodd puts his head on Floyd's shoulder. She appears annoyed at first and brushes him off, but eventually she starts breaking down and touches his face. She may be a cold-hearted matriarch and he may be a violent, hot-headed gangster, but they're still mother and son.
The Gift of the Magi
Peggy selling her car to make up for the money she took in order for Ed to be able to buy the butcher shop. However, given that the episode this occurs in is entitled "The Gift of the Magi" it doesn't end up working out.
Bear's half-hearted and awkward attempt at making small talk with Hanzee.
Rhinoceros
Charlie trying to call his father and to apologize after deciding that a life of crime really isn't for him and that his father was right in trying to put him on a legitimate path.
Bear suppressing his pride and his family's orders and walking away from besieging the police station, as he doesn't want to make Charlie's situation worse.
Did You Do This? No, You Did It!
Betsy claims that her older sister Lenore was courting Lou first, but lost interest when he left to serve in Vietnam, leaving Betsy feeling like a runner-up prize. Karl gives her his seal of approval:
Karl: Listen, if I was buildin' an ark, and they said you can only take two people, man and wife, I'd take him and you over him and her any day.
At some prompting from Betsy, Karl promises to look after her family once she's gone, and seals the deal with a slightly awkward hug.
Loplop
The Castle
Peggy snaps angrily at Captain Cheney when he calls Ed stupid.
Palindrome
Lou comforting Schmidt following the events of Sioux Falls as the latter starts crying over the chaos they've been through.
A bittersweet example since Betsy dies while Molly is still a child, but in the last episode of the season, she has a dream of the future, allowing her to see her daughter grow up, her grandchildren, and her husband's latter years while she's alive.
Lou, Betsy and Hank getting together for a family dinner, in the calm after the storm.
Hank: A man once said, "You'll know the angels when they come 'cause they'll have the faces of your children." Anyway... Just happy to see you, is all.
Betsy finally asks Hank about the strange notes she found in his study. He explains that he was trying to develop a language based on images, as a solution to the problem of miscommunication which he sees as the root of society's ills.
Betsy: So that's what that is, in your office? You're making your own language. Lou: Well, it sounds crazy when you say it out loud, I know. But... you know, when we see a... a box with a roof on it- well, everyone knows that means "Home", right? [gestures around him at the Solverson family home] You know? And my- my 6-year-old granddaughter, she draws a heart. It means "Love". No question. Anyway... that's where I started, you know, with simple ideas. And... and the more I worked on it, the more it became all I could think about. [Betsy takes his hand] Betsy: You're a good man. Hank: Well... I don't know about that. But I like to think I have good intentions.
The final shot of the season is Lou and Betsy simply cuddling in bed, saying goodnight to each other and falling asleep. Although Betsy will die in a few years, the family is happy and together for now.
Other
The script for "Palindrome" features an alternative ending which flashes forward to 2008, with Lou and the now adult Molly going fishing. Molly brings up her grandfather Hank's notes on the Universal Language he was working on in his twilight years.
Lou: For a minute there he thought he might just save the world. And then he realized the world’s something ya gotta save anew every day. Can’t just do it once. So he dedicated himself to that instead. Guess it's kind of a family business.
