OK, I'll do my positives...
1) Followers, and lots of 'em
2) same sex marriage - thank the gods my character doesn't have to be straight, 'cos all those Nordic men are fit
3) Alchemy lets you make use of plants, so all those flowers and fungi aren't just pretty scenery, they have gameplay functions
4) random item placements making every new game different
5) the fact that ALMOST every activity you do gives you some sort of experience, not just combat based stuff
6) no deadlines or time restrictions, so i can play at my own pace
7) Hearthfire - I love my greenhouse and stewards
8) Books on every subject - from history and legends, to personal diaries and research notes
9) Killing animations make victory taste sweeter
10) You can never run out of things to do