On A Wing And A Prayer – As the Christmas special of All Creatures Greater and Small begins, James Herriot (Nicholas Ralph) is told that one of the bombers over at Heslington didn’t make it back. He is told it was North, Harrington, Jones, and Mcilvenny. Siegfried Farnon (Samuel West) and Audrey Hall (Anna Madeley) discuss their responsibilities this Christmas. Audrey asks if Carmody said why he didn’t go back home for Christmas. Siegfried explains he offered to help with the visits over the festive period. James calls Skeldale House and speaks to Audrey. Siegfried argues with Carmody about wearing the suit. Siegfried grabs the phone and says Helen (Rachel Shenton) shouldn’t travel, but Helen has other ideas.

Helen insists it is just indigestion so she wants to drive to see James anyway. James tells her he has a sewing job for her when she arrives since he got his wings this morning. He is being transferred to Brize Norton to start bomber training. Helen is concerned. Siegfried thinks James should consider his hare-brained scheme to have Helen drive 30 miles. Helen makes him hang up before telling James she’s had a couple of small cramps. James insists he still wants her to come. Helen says she really needs to see him. After the call ends, James is told Officer Woodham needs him. They found Georgie on the outer airfield this morning and another kestrel must’ve had a go at her. She could’ve been hit by one of their planes.

James has until Boxing Day to sort it out. James is worried because he has never worked on a bird like that before. Some of the men think it is a bad omen having the mascot down. James asks Woodham if he can go back to see Helen since she can’t drive. He is told his job is to get the bird flying again. Helen tells Audrey she feels like she’s let James down. Audrey tells her otherwise. In the other room, Audrey takes off her ring and puts it aside. Siegfried believes it would’ve been irresponsible not to say something to Helen. He learns that she received a letter from Gerald. They begin talking about Triss as Siegfried admits he can’t remember the last time they didn’t spend Christmas together.

Richard Carmody (James Anthony-Rose admits he might’ve put his foot in it with Helen. Audrey puts them to work before telling Helen they’re gone. James jumps into the back of a truck in an attempt to escape. Siegfried tells Richard he could still make it home for Christmas if he sets out now. Richard says his family really doesn’t celebrate Christmas because they’re atheists. They try to find a way to get rid of the dog barking at their window. Carmody gets up getting bit on the backside so Siegfried has to stitch him up. Audrey finds out at Skeldale House. James gets a ride and offers to give Michael Collins (Antonio Galas) money for petrol. Collins tells him he is looking for his daughter’s cat which has been missing for a few months now.

He hasn’t got much to give her so he’d like to return the cat. James tells him about Oscar. Michael says Tiger used to go down to the pub and drink stout until he didn’t come back one day. He says something changes in you when you hold your child in your arms. Helen speaks to Maggie (Mollie Winnard) at the pub. Jenny (Mogen Clawson) and Richard Alderson (Tony Pitts) join them moments later. Richard Alderson brings her a crib that he fixed himself. Carmody and Siegfried help Audrey bring things inside. Mrs. Pumphrey comes inside. She isn’t sure she’ll come since she is worried it might be a little rowdy for Tricki. When she puts Tricki in the crib, Helen makes sure her dad doesn’t say anything.

James talks to Michael about being a bomber. Michael says he’d fight if he could, but his knees are gone and his back is broken. James admits he left the base without their permission because he hasn’t seen his wife in so long. Michael says he’ll be able to tell his children what he did. As for Michael, he can tell his children he went looking for a cat. James is dropped off and given directions. He thanks Michael who thanks him for doing it for the others that can’t. Helen tells the others about not seeing James and their call being cut off. Then, they learn that James is going to be flying a bomber. James sees a vehicle behind him. Woodham pulls up and tells him to get in. He is only one mile away from Darrowby. Helen says Merry Christmas to James in her own way.

In the morning, Richard Carmody and Helen struggle to get down the stairs. Carmody says he doesn’t really celebrate even though he knew every word of the carol yesterday. He has to go back up to get changed. Audrey tells Helen she doesn’t have to pretend she isn’t terrified of what’s to come. Before long, they begin opening presents. Carmody receives a tie. Helen believes it has started. Woodham reminds James that he could’ve gotten into big trouble. James says they need to wait for new feathers before the mascot can fly. Woodham says they have to stick together. James knew one of the men they lost and they were around the same age. It got to him. Woodham trained all of the men who went down on the plane and they’re not the first.

He expresses the importance of not being controlled by their emotions. James learns he has two little girls he has only seen twice. Woodham warns him that it’ll end badly if his mind isn’t on the job. It’d mean a lot if James could get the mascot flying again. Audrey gets off the phone and tells Siegfried they should stay put. They’ll get the midwife there as soon as possible. Audrey thinks Siegfried and Carmody should take the lunch over to the Drovers although Siegfried wonders if he should stay around. Audrey and Helen don’t think he should deliver the baby. Siegfried and Carmody leave with lunch moments later. James speaks to Cooper (Ole Madden) about the mascot. The others arrive and expect James to have her flying tomorrow.

James learns Woodham has been singing his praises. He wonders if they could imp them to give the wings support until the new feathers push through. Richard doesn’t think he should be there when his daughter gives birth. Carmody delivers the rest of the food and tries to leave until Pumphrey asks him to keep Tricki company. Maggie gives him a lot of alcohol. Pumphrey thanks everyone for making them feel so welcome. They share a toast to Mrs. Hall and Jesus. Jenny and Helen talk about their father. Helen tells Audrey it has gone quiet. Audrey says she’ll call the midwife again. James tells Cooper that the mascot has a good shot, but they’ll have to see how she does tomorrow. Carmody admits to Siegfried that he likes the singing, eating, and joy of Christmas.

Carmody asks if that makes him a hypocrite. Siegfried thinks that makes him human. He agrees to let Carmody use Tristan’s old room if he wants to stay. Siegfried tells him to keep his hands off his good whiskey though. Everyone listens to a statement on the radio. After entertaining the kids, Carmody tells Audrey she shouldn’t have gotten him the tie. He admits it is his first Christmas gift because his mom and dad weren’t the type. Carmody says she is remarkable, but Audrey doesn’t want to agree. Siegfried makes him go to bed after he gets a hug from Audrey. Once they’re alone, Siegfried tells Audrey he has decided Carmody should stay at Skeldale for the foreseeable future. Siegfried helps her clean up. He finds her ring which she says she didn’t forget.

The midwife finally arrives later as Helen admits she just wants it over. James prepares to see if Georgie can fly. It does. Woodham tells James to bring her in and meet him in his car. Woodham takes him to Skeldale House and gives him two days. Siegfried and the others are surprised to see him. James runs upstairs to see Helen and learns about the baby being delivered. He gets to hold his son. Helen admits it was awful. She thought they’d name the boy after his dad. James says Michael was right. He promises to return no matter what. Audrey and the others hold the baby downstairs. James finds out that the cat likes stout so he takes it to Michael, but Michael says it isn’t him. James thinks his daughter wouldn’t mind since she probably just wants her dad around. Michael agrees to let his daughter have Oscar.

 

All Creatures Great And Small Review

The Christmas special of All Creatures Great and Small was enjoyable and probably better than any of the episodes during the fourth series. In some senses, the series is still lacking the heart it had earlier in its run. A lot of that has to do with the fact that the focus is rarely on the animals anymore.

Although the series is trying to cover other aspects of Herriot’s life, there are still many ways to incorporate animals with Siegfried and Carmody working as usual. The human dramas just haven’t been as impactful as they were earlier in the season and they’re rarely as effective as the animal dramas.

Nevertheless, this was a better episode than any of the others this series. The show really needs to go back to its roots and focus more on the animals and gripping life-or-death situations once James returns to Skeldale House. Otherwise, it is just going to become a soap opera with animals in the background as props from time to time.

This episode scores a 7 out of 10. Recaps of All Creatures Great and Small can be found on Reel Mockery here. Find out how to support our independent site at this link. Learn more about advertising on Reel Mockery here. Discuss this series and more and the Reel Mockery Forum.