All Creatures Great and Small Recap: The Answer Is Always You

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It feels like the season is flying by! We have the Christmas special coming up, but already it’s the finale? I’m struggling with the idea of going back to reality after enjoying this cozy show about a vet practice from the 1940s. It’s similar to how the kids felt in Prince Caspian when Aslan sent them back to wartime Europe – you experience something magical, then have to return to a difficult world. Except instead of a divine lion, this time it’s just a slightly grumpy vet and his friends that I’m missing.

The war storyline has finally wrapped up this week! Plus, we’ve got a new calf and a draft horse adding to the mix. Tristan is dealing with some strong emotions, and Siegfried and Mrs. Hall are slowly but surely getting closer. I have a feeling this is going to be a great year, and the season finale gave us some wonderful moments between Siegfried and Mrs. Hall – let’s dive in!

Tristan and Charlotte are having a picnic in front of Charlotte’s large house. As a song plays on the radio, they talk about Tristan’s upcoming return to duty. It makes you wonder why he’s always wearing his uniform. I’m not going to research the details of WWII uniform rules right now, but it’s strange that he still has to fight when the war is almost over – I realize I don’t fully understand Britain’s involvement. Whatever the reason, Tristan seems uncomfortable, even though Charlotte is being sweet and joking that they’ll have to rely on letters to stay in touch. It’s clear both of them are feeling uneasy.

James is called to the Alderson farm to help with a cow that’s about to have a calf. With Helen and Jenny away, it feels like it’s just Mrs. Hall and the male vets at Skeldale – a bit like Wendy and the Lost Boys, and I’m strangely enjoying it! Siegfried is definitely playing the Peter Pan role. Anyway, back to the farm: James learns the cow should calve in a day or two, and he asks about hearing from Helen and Jenny. It turns out Mr. Alderson disconnected the phone because people kept calling to ask about train schedules. Apparently, he could have gotten the number changed, but he’s too busy managing the farm and training his new employee, Butch, who bears a striking resemblance to Willem Dafoe. When James casually asks about Butch’s age, Mr. Alderson boasts about his experience… specifically, trimming horse hooves.

Siegfried and Tristan are called to Elijah Wentworth’s farm to look at a sick horse. Wentworth is known for being a man of few words, and Tristan jokingly bets he can get him to say something other than “ah,” “aye,” or “oh.” Tristan loses the bet. I’m especially happy because the horse is a draft horse – I absolutely love them, they’re just so huge! This one is a Shire horse, and while it doesn’t have anything to do with Tolkien, it is impressively large and strong. I wish I could hug it, but it’s far too big! The horse has an abscess in its hoof. During the examination, the horse becomes restless, which clearly upsets Tristan, seemingly due to a past experience. He abruptly leaves, driving off and leaving Siegfried stuck at the farm with the quiet Wentworth.

It’s interesting that Jimmy refers to Mrs. Hall as “Auntie Audrey.” Also, he shows real kindness by helping her deliver a cake to Maggie, whose husband was lost in the war. They thoughtfully leave it at the door so as not to disturb Maggie and her son, which is a good lesson in sensitivity for Jimmy, especially considering how much time he spends with Siegfried.

Siegfried returned to town in Elijah Wentworth’s cart, a little disgruntled and with a flattened hat, but mostly worried about Tristan. Tristan was home, but acting strangely distant. When the prime minister announced the war was over at midnight, everyone rejoiced – Siegfried and Mrs. Hall even shared a hug – but Tristan abruptly left the room. Later, Siegfried and Mrs. Hall had a drink and discussed how Tristan hadn’t been himself since his return. Mrs. Hall also mentioned Tom Chapman was back from the war, changed by his experiences, and decided to throw a party on the village green the next day. Siegfried was delighted by this gesture, reminding him of his own wife’s fondness for hosting – something he isn’t particularly good at himself.

The next morning, Tristan is gone from his room, leaving behind his war medal. Charlotte arrives to help with the party preparations, and Siegfried explains his absence by saying Tristan had to make a house call. Unfortunately, Maggie brings bad news: the beer for the party hasn’t been delivered. She also tells Siegfried she saw Tristan heading into the church. Siegfried then asks Mrs. Hall to come with him to speak to Tristan, and when she asks why, he delivers a dramatic confession: he’s realized that no matter what’s happening, Mrs. Hall is always at the center of it. He’s clearly in love with her, even joking that this should be written on his tombstone! It’s a shocking revelation, especially considering they haven’t even shared a kiss yet, leaving viewers wondering what’s going on with the show. It’s hard to believe Mrs. Hall hasn’t already recognized Siegfried’s intense feelings and his desperate need for her to stay.

Tristan was found in the church, and Mrs. Hall, understanding the situation, left them to talk privately while she kept watch outside. Tristan explained how he earned his medal: a close friend in the army had saved his life by alerting him to a landmine field. Tristan went on to rescue other soldiers, but sadly, his friend didn’t survive. The panicked horses reminded him of the explosions and that traumatic experience. It was a deeply upsetting revelation, and Siegfried embraced him, both of them weeping. It’s good you’re talking about this, Tristan.

It feels strange to change the subject, but we need to talk about the cow that was pregnant. James examined her and discovered she’s no longer expecting. Mr. Alderson confessed some cows got loose, though he didn’t think this one was among them. This means there’s a baby cow—let’s call it a baby cow, because it sounds nicer than ‘calf’—somewhere on the farm. James asks Tom and Jimmy for help, but they can’t find it. Then Jimmy cleverly suggests letting the mother cow search. It’s amazing no one thought of that sooner! Sure enough, the cow immediately locates her calf, and we see a cute baby cow running around in a field. I, as the viewer, find it adorable. Finally, Mr. Alderson hires Tom as a regular farmhand.

While Siegfried, Tristan, and Mrs. Hall are at the church, Maggie and Charlotte prepare for the party on the town green, and practically everyone shows up. Tristan and Charlotte have a somewhat indirect conversation about their future, and when Tristan admits he’s changed, Charlotte says she’s okay with the new him. Meanwhile, Siegfried and Mrs. Hall observe, and after she tells Siegfried he doesn’t need her anymore, he insists he’ll always need her. This is shaping up to be their year! Mrs. Hall is stunned into silence, finally understanding what’s happening; she’s realizing that things are really changing, and everyone who doubted them is about to be proven wrong. It’s not explicitly stated, but it’s almost certain that something significant is about to happen.

The celebration continues as everyone heads to a hilltop to light a large signal fire. Quiet Mr. Wentworth gives a heartfelt speech about the enduring spirit of the Dales and their traditions. Tristan, proudly wearing his medal, has the honor of lighting the fire. As the Skeldale family stands united, they realize other fires are being lit on hillsides throughout the countryside. A brass band begins to play “I Vow to Thee, My Country,” and I’m overcome with emotion again. It’s a truly wonderful sight.

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2026-02-16 06:58