All Creatures Great and Small – Season 4 – Review
Director: Stewart Svaasand, Andy Hay, Jordan Hogg
Writer: James Herriot, Helen Raynor, Maxine Alderton, Lee Coan, Jamie Crichton (Screenplay)
Cast
- Nicholas Ralph (Prey for the Devil)
- Anna Madeley (In Bruges)
- Samuel West (Van Helsing)
- Rachel Shenton (White Gold)
Plot: The numerous adventures of a countryside veterinarian practice in 1930s to 1940s Yorkshire, England.
Runtime: 45 Minutes per Episodes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Verdict on All Creatures Great and Small – Season 4
Broodiness (D. Andy Hay)
Broodiness sees James and Seigfried trying to hold the clinic together while Tristan is still away at war. Siegfried is trying to change himself, while Helen is thinking about starting her own family after seeing all the children in the village. James sees a troublemaker in town mistreating their dog and tries to do the best thing for the animal.
This first episode back sees James’s challenge unlike anything before. However, it never explains why he got to return from the war and Tristan didn’t. Siegfried brings comedy to the episode with his actions, but this isn’t as bright as the previous season. It keeps an uncertain tone to everything going on throughout the episode due to the war in Europe. (3/5)
Carpe Diem (D. Andy Hay)
Carpe Diem sees tension rising between James and Siegfried about how the practice is run. However, Siegfried has hired a professional bookkeeper in Miss Harbottle (McIntosh). He must reluctantly hand over the reins to someone from outside his familiar circle to help him. However, he struggles to adapt to her organisational skills and finds himself challenged by how things are handled on the business side of things.
This has a little bit more comedy involved with Siegfried clashing with the new bookkeeper. It struggles to reach the serious nature of everything going on within the world, returning to a comfier calm approach. This is entertaining and still gets the importance of animals coming first through. (3/5)
Right Hand Man (D. Stewart Svaasand)
Right Hand Man sees the practice getting a new assistant vet Richard Carmody (Anthony-Rose). James sees this as a chance to give him more time with Helen so they can get around to starting their family. Siegfried deals with the farmers who are facing their challenges with their farmers away at war. Mrs Hall faces her past as she looks to move on with her life and blossoming relationship with Gerald.
This is continuing the comfy feel this season is going through the season. It does feel like it is holding back the biggest storylines for later, while Siegfried is maintaining his worry about Tristan. The village continues to show their struggles through the war in Europe, which takes over the biggest story involved. (3/5)
By the Book (D. Stewart Svaasand)
By the Book sees new farmers coming to the area wanting to do more for the country. Richard continues to struggle to get on with the locals as his people skills make it difficult to connect. Siegfried looks to take him under his wing, as James and Helen prepare for the next chapter of their life.
This is a continuing trend for this season, everything seems to have calmed down a lot and you can see it missing Tristan. There are still serious subjects going on, but the lack of humour is holding a lot back this time, as the serious moments don’t seem to take over enough. (3/5)
Papers (D. Jordan Hogg)
Papers follows James struggling to teach Richard how to drive, forcing Siegfried to push him to the next level. However, it leads to an accident and James must convince Siegfried to accept Richard before James leaves. With Helen showing signs of their baby, the difficult decision is coming to life. Meanwhile, Mrs Hall receives bad news leaving her hopes of a future with Gerald in doubt.
This episode looks to answer the question left lingering after the start of the season. We finally get to learn why James hadn’t been called up until now. This episode brings the serious side to everything we are about to see unfolding. It also gets to make more out of Richard and Siegfried’s relationship, which is shown more from James’s point of view, knowing how difficult it is to connect with Seigfried. This still lacks the spark the previous season brought to the table, but it is starting to feel more connected. (3/5)
The Home Front (D. Stewart Svaasand)
The Home Front sees Helen dealing with life with James away at Devon. She still has her father and sister around to keep her calmer as she prepares for their baby. Elsewhere, Mrs Hall decides on her future, one that will leave Siegfried with his own doubts. Helen decides to help back at the farm, while Richard must continue to prove his worth to Siegfried.
This episode sees our characters facing difficult life choices. It leaves plenty on the table for what could happen next for the characters. There is an overrunning serious nature to this episode, one that reflects the fact the war has changed everyone’s lives. It is the best episode of the series, as shows us a life not many of us could ever imagine. (4/5)
Overall
Season 4 sees the series facing the most serious time in history, World War II, Tristan has gone, while James has signed up when required. James and Helen also look to start their own little family. Elsewhere, Seigfried must decide on a new assistant vet being bought into the practice. Sadly, the series struggles deeply with the loss of Tristan and actor Callum Woodhouse, who was most of the comic timing in the show. While it is explained and understandable for his character not to be around, the replacement struggles to replace him. It does remain comfy but the serious subject matter looms causing a darker cloud to cover the series.
Where to Watch
All Creatures Great & Small Complete Series One – Four Box set on 11 December 2023
Final Thoughts – All Creatures Great and Small – Season 4 is the most serious the show has been, but it has a gaping hole without Tristan.
