I agree, these were two of the best episodes of the series. (Once again, I've only seen the first of today's episodes, so I wasn't sure if Nathan got his comeuppance today or not.)
I can't think of anything on daytime TV, ever, that has been comparable.
The suspense, the overwhelming sense of tragedy, the pitch-perfect characterizations, the restrained emotions (often more effective in an actor's performance than over-emoting -- especially in those cases when there isn't that much to emote over, but that's another topic) ...
You mention that this is the end of 1795 -- if so, that second episode must cram a lot into it, because Miss Winters still has to (in my viewing) face the hangman's noose.
I remember the suspense of that scene in the study, and always remembered the study as one of my favorites rooms at Collinwood, if not the favorite, despite the tragic events that happened. I'd love to curl up with a book in there on a stormy night!
Not when Grandmamama Edith Collin's body is laid out there, though!
P.S., Donna, the 1840 storyline doesn't come until near the end of the series. You may be thinking of 1897.