All Creatures Great and Small Recap: Holding the Baby

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This episode invites you to consider your personality traits. Are you more like Mr. Bosworth, who prioritizes safety and rules, or perhaps you’re the cow-painting lady, willing to bend the rules when necessary? There seems to be no middle ground here. Mr. Bosworth, a local official, is concerned about citizens’ safety during blackouts, which leads him to enforce the painting of stripes on cows with lead paint. However, this action has angered Siegfried, who is upset over this requirement. The tension between Bosworth and Siegfried already exists due to some light-emitting curtains at Skeldale House, a problem exacerbated by the ongoing war. Adding to the drama, Mrs. Hall also serves as a blackout warden, making her position in this dispute quite tricky from an appearance standpoint.

Instead of considering the public aspect, Siegfred will prioritize staying awake past midnight for Mrs. Hall’s return. This is because of his affection for her. I find it hard to believe that we’re already in season five and I’m still emphasizing this point. Look at what we’ve endured together. That one woman, Gerald, and likely others I’ve failed to remember. Now, with five years behind us, Mrs. Hall has finalized her divorce, and Siegfred is gradually understanding that he doesn’t want to share Bosworth’s fate, always grumbling about unattended livestock.

In another part of the story, our other characters are exploring various farms. Before departing for the day, James discovers Siegfried engrossed in information about hemorrhagic septicemia, sharing it with Jimmy. “It’s his favorite,” Siegfried notes. Since Helen intends to assist her father and Jenny with relocating their sheep flock, James decides to take care of Jimmy for the day. He and Richard then pay a visit to Mr. Dowson, who is dealing with a troublesome calf that frequently knocks over its milk bucket. It’s worth mentioning that James transports Jimmy in a wicker basket in the back of the car. Back then, things were different. My parents would dismantle the back seats from our van for lengthy trips and spread out blankets. At least Jimmy is confined within a container, although it’s made of wicker. James forgets to bring the diaper bag along with him and drives off, oh well.

In a surprising turn of events, Mr. Dowson trusts Richard and James to solve his bucket issue, despite their assertion that it’s more psychological than medical. Richard administers thiamine (vitamin B1) to the calf, claiming it would certainly resolve everything. However, this was not true. Yet, miraculously, the calf survives! Mr. Dowson is ecstatic with relief. With a triumphant smile, Richard and James depart, but their joy is short-lived as they remember James left the baby at the farm. To everyone’s surprise, Jimmy is safe and sound, wrapped in a makeshift towel diaper. Upon learning about the incident, James confides in Helen. Good job, James! You could have kept quiet about it, but you didn’t, and that honesty is commendable. Helen responds warmly, and everyone handles the situation admirably.

Helen has a free day as she finds out her father and Jenny don’t require her assistance with the sheep. Interestingly, Jenny is quite close to Doris from the Women’s Army now. When Doris and Helen meet, there seems to be more connection between them compared to James and Helen. It’s unlikely that the plot will involve a romantic relationship between them, but Doris exudes a strong 1940s lesbian vibe. Additionally, Jenny appears to be around the same age as Doris. Later, Jenny mentions her plans to move to London where she could work in a shop. Helen then tells her father that if you were to cut Jenny in half, it would say ‘farmer.’ This seems to be an idiom from northern England, describing someone deeply connected with farming. However, it might seem quite violent to some due to its imagery.

It was clear to me that Jenny and Doris were romantically involved, as Jenny had given up her rural lifestyle to be with Doris in London’s more LGBTQ+ populated environment. Excitedly, I anticipated the introduction of a gay storyline on All Creatures Great and Small, a show not typically known for such representation. When Jenny and Doris embarked on a horse ride together, I thought for sure they would express their feelings for each other. However, an airplane startled Doris’s horse, prompting James and Richard to attend to the animal after it became injured. Surprisingly, Doris flirted with Richard instead of Jenny. Frankly, I felt that this was a missed opportunity. Given their secluded setting in the forest, it seemed ripe for a romantic moment between Jenny and Doris. Alas, it seems we can’t always have everything we want, such as female characters sharing tender moments while tending to sheep.

Although there’s potential for more bonding experiences between Mrs. Hall and Siegfried, a turn of events unfolds sadly. Mrs. Hall comes across a distressed dog near the brook and invites Siegfried to take a look. Unfortunately, the dog had consumed poison, and despite Siegfried’s best attempts, it perishes. The heartbreaking revelation is that the dog, Bingo, belonged to none other than Mr. Bosworth! “Oh nooo,” we might exclaim. This incident only adds to the somber atmosphere as we learn that Bingo was Bosworth’s lone companion. In a poignant moment, Bosworth opens up to Siegfried about their shared circumstances – a career rather than a family. This revelation leaves Siegfried feeling awkward, as he sees similarities between himself and Bosworth; however, he finds it hard to identify with Bosworth’s officious and quarrelsome nature, traits that Siegfried would never embody.

Later, I inquire from Mrs. Hall if there’s any truth to the resemblance she sees. With a wink, she claims we’re like long-lost siblings, but Bosworth has surrendered to life’s challenges, unlike me. Yet, I’ve discovered a new family – a pack of three dogs and a bundle of joy who can snuggle by the fire while we relax in comfy armchairs before indulging in homemade pie. This is the progressive vision for our future. As for who retrieves the pie from the oven, it’s yours truly! Donning an apron for some peculiar reason, though I didn’t bake the pie myself, I lend a hand since Mrs. Hall must attend to her duties. And that, my friend, is commendable effort! I’ve chosen to be more receptive to change and adapt with grace. Cheers!

Leaving our cherished family, Mr. Bosworth raps and shouts for them to extinguish the light. The curtains are drawn open once more, leading Siegfried to incur a one-pound fine. “Rules must be followed,” Mr. Farnon says, “My position isn’t worth any less than that.” “But you’re not even getting paid!” They carry on arguing as the rest of us at the table raise a toast to things that always remain constant.

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2025-01-20 05:54