All Creatures Great & Small Recap: Down at the Dog Track

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I just discovered that people race whippets – which are like smaller greyhounds – and it’s surprisingly popular in northern England. However, the sport is declining, and honestly, that’s probably a good thing.

James learns that dog racing isn’t doing well financially and needs a boost. Meanwhile, Siegfried is strangely preoccupied with having Jimmy identify animal feces by smell – or at least, that’s what it seems like. Jimmy is enjoying himself, though! James then mentions a job offer from a local dog track needing a veterinarian. Siegfried, remembering poor conditions at a horse track he visited, quickly dismisses the idea. James believes this dog track will be much better managed, and heads off to Hensfield to check it out.

One of the guys working at the dog track turns out to be an extra from the movie Guys and Dolls – that’s Mr. Coker, in the fedora and suit. He claims he’s not in it for the money, which is good to hear. He also doesn’t want to bother with checking references, which is… unusual. They check out the dogs, and a war veteran named Willie has a dog that’s clearly been overfed – a problem for racing. James, bonding with Willie over their shared military experience, lets it go. But the dog comes in last, and James quickly figures out Willie intentionally overfed him to improve his betting odds in the next race. James tries to point this out to Mr. Coker, but Coker dismisses it, suggesting James focus on treating a man with a scraped knee instead – even though James is a veterinarian.

James is frustrated to realize Siegfried was right. Meanwhile, Tristan is dealing with George, a rather difficult parrot. It’s strange that Tristan still wears his military uniform constantly – even though his service is over, it’s unclear if he’s required to or just prefers it. As for George, he was adopted by the large Ainsley family after his owner passed away. He’s a bit of a grump who mostly repeats a rude phrase, and he’s been plucking out his own feathers. Tristan suspects George might have psittacosis, a potentially fatal disease for birds that can also spread to people, so he’s taken the parrot to the veterinary practice for observation and quarantine.

Tristan needs someone to look after his parrot while he has dinner with Charlotte, so he asks Siegfried. However, Siegfried is already occupied taking Jimmy on a rather unusual hunt for fox droppings, and he’s also planning to ask Mrs. Hall to play cribbage! She admits she doesn’t actually enjoy the game, which is a nice moment for her character, but Siegfried then suggests playing cribbage backwards, and she’s willing to try it. Honestly, this episode is full of playful innuendo – it’s a perfect 10/10 for anyone who’s hoping Siegfried and Mrs. Hall get together, and it all revolves around a game of cribbage!

Okay, so Tristan had to rush over to Charlotte’s to cancel dinner – they’re still ridiculously adorable together. We learn she’s only met his dad, Siegfried, which, honestly, melted my heart – it’s so clear they are his family! But then Tristan got all strange and evasive when Charlotte offered to meet them. He started rambling about the parrot being ‘infectious’? Seriously, Tristan, stop! She’s Sophie Thompson’s daughter – Emma Thompson’s daughter! Just imagine the voicemails he could get from that mother-in-law! Now I’m completely stressed about him ruining what seems like a really promising relationship.

Maggie visits Skeldale and gets to chatting with Mrs. Hall, discovering she’s quite the darts player! Mrs. Hall lends Maggie her dartboard and suggests they ask Siegfried to switch their evening plans and head to The Drovers for a game. Maggie points out that Siegfried can’t always get his way. It’s a small step, but it shows character development – something that’s been slow to come this season. When Mrs. Hall asks Siegfried, he jokingly refuses, saying he already spends all day precisely placing needles, and prefers cribbage. Honestly, after he was recently upset about Mrs. Hall potentially leaving, you’d think he’d jump at the chance to spend time with her! The line was really funny, though – a well-written moment.

Mrs. Hall isn’t the only one facing rejection – when James asks Siegfried for help at the racetrack, he also refuses. This leaves James to take on the racetrack’s management, specifically Mr. Coker and a mysterious man in a hat, on his own. Meanwhile, back at home, Jimmy innocently tells Siegfried they can’t stay at Skeldale because Helen thinks Siegfried is selfish. Siegfried, clearly shaken, has four strong scotches and asks Mrs. Hall if she agrees he’s selfish. She carefully confirms that he is, prompting Siegfried to surprisingly decide to help James at the dog track. Luckily, Mrs. Hall insists on being the driver – a first, as far as anyone can tell.

At the dog track, James is urgently explaining that Willy’s dog is seriously ill with bloat and can’t race without risking its life. Willy reluctantly agrees to pull the dog out, but Mr. Coker and a man known as Tall Man in the Hat strongly object, raising suspicions about what’s really going on. Just then, Siegfried arrives and warns Tall Man to back off, claiming he understands the unspoken rules of whippet racing. He and James then quickly snatch the dog and make a chaotic escape, with Mrs. Hall driving. The whole team works well, except for one person who forgot to close the gate, and will likely face consequences for it.

The dog is saved, and Tristan discovers George the parrot isn’t ill, just unhappy. Tristan shares his own sadness with George. Meanwhile, Siegfried confides in James that he wants to apologize to Helen for his behavior and hopes they can both stay at Skeldale. There’s a lovely moment between Siegfried and Mrs. Hall as she gently tends to a cut on his face – her hand actually on his face! Siegfried then invites her to join him for darts at The Drovers. Seriously, why aren’t these two getting married? All this talk of complicated feelings and difficult pasts – just get together already! Ugh.

Following a heartfelt conversation with George, Tristan introduces Charlotte to his family. The meeting quickly descends into playful chaos, typical of the Skeldale household, and ends with everyone happily throwing paper airplanes. It’s a wonderfully endearing scene.

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2026-02-09 06:55