Old Dogs Learn New Tricks in 'All Creatures Great & Small'
Siegfried Farnon comes to terms with modern technology, Tristan reveals new skills, and Mrs. Pumphrey plans an exciting venture for Tricki Woo in this week's 'All Creatures.'
All Creatures Great & Small opens this week with James Herriot leaving Heston Grange for another busy day, with a birthday card his son, Wee Jimmy, made. As James drives along, he sees Siegfried Farnon in a bedraggled state walking toward Darrowby, and missing one shoe. Siegfried left his car at a friend’s house after an all-night bridge game, and the more he explains, the more “bridge game” seems to be a euphemism for a fully-fledged orgy.
By contrast, when they arrive at Skeldale House, Siegfried’s brother Tristan is tucking into a hearty breakfast and extolling the virtues of army training, having just completed a five-mile run. The veterinarians’ attention is turned to the schedule, and to making a priority a visit to Sister Rose, who should have been on yesterday’s roster.
Sister Rose (Elexi Walker) isn’t a nun; she’s a senior nurse in the local hospital, a force of nature whose other calling is to rescue, heal, and find homes for stray dogs. James patiently listens to her complaints, starting with his not showing up the day before, and forgetting to bring flea powder. Her newest acquisition is an abandoned dog she’s named Jeffrey (she likes to give dogs “real” names). Is it gastritis, or did he eat something he shouldn’t have? He should have an X-ray, she declares, and Skeldale House should have a machine.
