All Creatures Great and Small Recap: Zarathustra and Ziggurats (and Goats)

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We’ve found a possible explosive, there are goats infested with worms, and I can’t help but find Jimmy incredibly adorable. My wife entered the room just as I was gushing about him, giving me a look that said “Alice.” I apologize for my reaction, but since we had a baby, every little one melts my heart like a cartoon character. They are simply amazing! Now, let’s discuss what our Yorkshire vets and other characters are doing. Apart from Jimmy, who is sitting in his high chair alone, isn’t he just precious? (I am now shifting focus away from talking about Jimmy.)

James appears exhausted, both due to his hidden struggles with war trauma and Tristan’s frequent drinking outings. You need to be more mindful, Tristan, as you two are polar opposites. At breakfast, despite his efforts to maintain composure, Richard receives a package and a letter. The contents turn out to be goat droppings from the Grantleys, which they examine under a microscope and diagnose as having ringworm. Excited by this find, Siegfried suggests using a worming gun to treat the affected goats at the Grantley estate. However, before they can do so, Richard opens his letter. Not only has he successfully passed his exams, but he has also been awarded an exceptional distinction and offered the Warner’s Prize, which includes a research position in London.

Richard is quite secretive when it comes to discussing this proposal and even more so about accepting it (since he adores Skeldale House and everyone within, and who wouldn’t?). When Siegfried urges him to accept, Richard counters by stating that he should be contributing to the war effort through veterinary work rather than enjoying himself in a lab. That’s exactly how I feel about laboratory work.

At the residence of the Grantleys, we encounter various dogs and miniature goats, among them Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr, named after the goats that pull Thor’s chariot. These creatures are incredibly adorable. The caretaker of these animals is Miss Grantley, who might seem familiar as she starred in the 1994 miniseries of Middlemarch. Quite thrilling! Less thrilling, however, is that the series once again introduces a woman that catches Siegfried’s attention. Isn’t this a recurring theme? Miss Grantley is an archaeologist who communicates with animals in Farsi, which is quite intriguing, and I appreciate her, but could we have her portrayal be engaging without the predictable “Siegfried pursues a woman only to lose interest quickly” narrative? Nonetheless…

The goats are infested with worms (and even have their own loungers!), while Thor’s carriage-pulling goats are light-sensitive as well, creating an intriguing conundrum for Siegfried and Richard. They deduce that the miniature Thor goats have been consuming St. John’s wort, causing their photosensitivity. Richard calls out to Miss Grantley about Siegfried not being in a relationship, which she handles gracefully. She and Siegfried then engage in a conversation about her work, “Zarathustra and Ziggurats,” which he requests to read. Miss Grantley is a teacher at Cambridge, making her quite impressive. She manages to convince Siegfried to reconsider Richard’s decision to reject the Warner’s Prize.

In other places, James is wrestling with finding a way to inform Tristan that he can’t continue their drinking outings because he wants to spend time with his family instead. Meanwhile, Mrs. Hall is dealing with a false alarm accompanied by an overly meticulous Mr. Bosworth. On the other hand, Tristan finds himself tasked with writing a lecture about mule hydration in desert conditions, but would much rather do something else. I’ve observed mules effortlessly traversing steep paths in the Grand Canyon as if it were effortless – quite impressive!

Tristan, instead of helping James fix Jimmy’s playpen, is found running around the house and seemingly playing with a cricket ball, only to be unsuccessful at assisting his repair efforts. In an attempt to avoid this situation, they agree to play cricket for 20 minutes, during which James withdraws from their planned drinking spree. Tristan acknowledges that he may have carried the carousing too far. Surprisingly, Tristan? Perhaps?

Moreover, they are engaging in a game of cricket so close to an open baby carriage that I find it extremely concerning – I truly dislike this situation. Later on, Tristan rehearses his mule lecture for Jimmy, who responds by passing gas. Who is taking care of the baby while Tristan is around?

In an urgent manner, Mr. Bosworth summons Mrs. Hall and asks her to put on her work attire as they’re dealing with official matters. The matter at hand is a suspected bomb in a field, but they must keep this secret from the public to prevent panic. However, upon reaching the site, it turns out not to be a bomb but an aircraft debris, filled with various items such as food and toothpaste. Despite this discovery, Mrs. Hall’s revelation doesn’t dampen Bosworth’s enthusiasm, as he remains cautious, suggesting they should still exercise caution; it could still pose a risk. Ah, Bosworth!

It’s important to note that there’s another storyline involving Doris the Land Girl unintentionally poisoning Bosworth’s dog Bingo by not burying the dead rats sufficiently. A deceased fox is also present, which could have been spared from our sight. In a commendable act, Mrs. Hall informs Bosworth about the incident and suggests that Doris wishes to apologize in person. That must be tough; what a model of compassion is Mrs. Hall. Bosworth responds emotionally but asks for the message to be passed on to Doris that Bingo brought him immense joy, he wouldn’t want Doris to suffer because of it. They then discuss Bingo and Bosworth’s recent experiences. Mrs. Hall reveals that her son is serving on a battleship, painting a picture of herself as a broken box that’s been glued back together. What a heartwarming display of vulnerability between our two wardens, Mrs. Hall.

It’s clear that Siegfried believes Richard should take up a high-ranking position, assuring him he’ll always be welcome at Skeldale House, regardless of his work status. Eventually, Richard makes the decision to accept the offer, leaving us in a predicament: who will replace him? Not Tristan, oh no! For now, however, we get to witness Tristan and Helen heading out to the pub; meanwhile, Richard invites Doris the Land Girl, and even asks Siegfried and Mrs. Hall (who seem unusually close) for company. James remains at home with Jimmy and the dogs. With everyone content and snug, I can’t help but appreciate this wonderful series.

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2025-02-10 07:54