Merry Blood Christmas – As the Christmas special of All Creatures Great and Small begins, Eva Feldman (Ella Bernstein) writes a letter to her parents telling them about staying at Skeldale House. James (Nicholas Ralph) and Tristan (Callum Woodhouse) are still waiting to go on their adventure. Eva grabs the phone thinking it might be her mom, but it is only some old man. Audrey Hall (Anna Madeley) takes it and learns it is Major Saunders (Michael Maloney) who reports trouble with River. When Siegfried visits, Saunders tells him that River pulled up sudden and seemed to be favoring his foreleg. Siegfried notices that it is swollen and warm to the touch so it could be a fracture.

Saunders says the Colonel has taken an interest in River and wants to see how he runs. He goes on to tell him that Tristan (Callum Woodhouse) is going to get his letter to be called up in the next day or so. Siegfried is surprised to hear that. Saunders asks if he is proud that he is going to serve. Siegfried says Tristan is many things but he isn’t a soldier. Saunders offers to have a word with the colonel since there might be a way to hold him back. Siegfried warns him that there is a danger of serious injury if the horse runs when it is not fit. Sebright tells him he best see him right then. James complains about being stuck there when the war is going on. Helen (Rachel Shenton) promises he’ll be told when he is needed. Audrey interrupts to tell them that Mrs. Pumphrey (Patricia Hodge) calls about the stray cat again.

They talk to Eva about Christmas and caroling. Since she is Jewish, she has never done that. They agree that she can do Christmas this year because she is with them. Before Siegfried takes James and Tristan outside, James tells Eva she can come with him once she finishes breakfast. Siegfried explains River is coming to stay with them for a couple of days for treatment. She tells them it is a possible stress fracture and he wants to keep a close eye on him because of the upcoming race. James is sent away while Siegfried asks Tristan to stay for an hour. As James and Eva arrive at Mrs. Pumphrey’s place, Eva tells James about the good witch, the bad witch, and the guy who lives behind the curtain. Pumphrey says they hadn’t seen the cat for a while until it staggered into the kitchen a few hours ago.

She had a kitten in her house. The cat laid down and hasn’t moved since. James finds that she is underweight and exhausted. Mrs. Pumphrey is introduced to Eva who says her home is boring because she doesn’t even have a garden. She tells Eva that those who can entertain themselves are never bored. Eva gets some chocolates before she mentions that this house is big for one person. Pumphrey admits it is and that is why she likes when people visit. James finds that the kitten is in good health, but the constant feeding has really taken it out of Debbie. He suggests bottle-feeding the kitten and separating them for the time being. Tristan goes to the pub where he talks to Maggie (Mollie Winnard). He makes up lies about Florence before telling the truth about asking her to marry him. Tristan says it wasn’t painless, but it brought into focus what he should be doing with his life.

He soon learns that his bill at the pub is very high. Gerald (Will Thorp) catches up with Audrey when she goes shopping. It’ll be slim picking this year. Audrey admits a party wouldn’t feel right. Edward is still at sea and says he is enjoying himself although Audrey thinks he is saying that to stop her from worrying. Gerald reveals he is leaving because he has taken a job in Hull. Audrey asks him to stop by tomorrow evening. At Skeldale later, Audrey tells James and Tristan that they’re just having a few people coming around. She eventually tells them that Gerald is leaving so he is coming to say goodbye. Once Siegfried joins them, Audrey reveals they’re going to try some of Eva’s Jewish traditions. Siegfried studies alone in hopes of finding a way to help River. They talk about how Tristan is determined to leave.

Audrey argues that having children is one of the most wonderful and painful things you could do in your life. Siegfried is worried that his brother doesn’t know what he is getting himself into. In the morning, Siegfried gets Tristan’s letter from RAVC. Jenny (Imogen Clawson) and the others tell Eva about the stockings and the other events for the day. Eva takes Jenny to see the kitten. Tristan admits he is bored because there are no animals in surgery. When he learns his brother is up at Sebright’s place, he decides to go there and give him a hand. Siegfried tells Sebright they’ve managed to reduce the swelling although that is treating the symptom and not the cause. Sebright says the Colonel has had a word with the North Yorkshire Division and Tristan won’t be required for the duration. He can ignore his call-up letter.

River begins exhibiting signs of pain again. Siegfried says the horse needs three months of rest and a program of rehabilitation. When Sebright says the colonel won’t appreciate that, Siegfried says they can possibly take away the pain. They can give him an injection before he runs. Tristan argues there is a chance that it would make the injury worse. Siegfried asks his brother to go back to the practice. Then, he tells Sebright to tell the colonel he’ll be ready. Siegfried apologizes to River and explains he is doing it for his little brother. Eva tells James she has named the kitten Toto. Tristan admits to James it was confusing that Siegfried is determined to let River race. Audrey learns that they didn’t invite anyone over so Gerald might think it is something else. Tristan says he asked Maggie to bring some people over from the Drovers. He tells James about Siegfried giving River an injection to get him through the race.

They continue talking about it until Tristan suspects Siegfried got his old army pal to hold back his enlistment. Tristan is going to tell the other vet that River is unfit and shouldn’t run. Sebright tells Siegfried that River has been pulled from the race tomorrow. The attending vet received a phone call informing him the horse was unfit. Siegfried denies doing it. After all, he has been doing everything in his power to make sure the horse makes it against his better judgment. Sebright says there must be another vet going by the name Farnon. Henry Dinsdale (Mark Noble) arrives at the party while Audrey continues waiting for Gerald. Richard Alderson (Tony Pitts) plays Santa and ends up scaring some of the kids. Mrs. Pumphrey checks in with Toto and agrees to let the kitten stay with Eva.

She believes her mother will go back to her roaming ways soon anyway. Helen interrupts to tell Eva there is someone she wants to meet. They take her to see Richard as Father Christmas. She immediately knows he isn’t the real Father Christmas. Richard ends up giving her an orange. Gerald finally arrives at the party. He reminds her that he can’t stay for long. Tristan thanks Maggie for coming since she has to get back to the pub. He notices they’re under the mistletoe, but doesn’t pounce on her. When Siegfried returns, Audrey asks Jenny to take Gerald a drink and snacks. She also asks her not to let him leave no matter what it takes. Siegfried tries to force Tristan to call and tell them he was wrong, but Tristan won’t because the animal always comes first. When Jenny walks in, Audrey worries that Gerald might’ve left.

Tristan and Siegfried continue arguing. He believes Siegfried always resented him for being the new son. Siegfried says he resented him because he was their favorite and they loved him more. Tristan was a miracle child that they thought they were too old to receive. They die and Tristan was stuck with Siegfried who knew he would never be able to replace their love. He wanted Tristan to be better than he was. Siegfried worries it’d be the end for him if anything happens to his brother. He confesses that he loves him. Siegfried gives him the letter before saying he doesn’t have to go because he is in a reserved occupation. Tristan believes he has to go. He can’t be who he is supposed to be if Siegfried is always there reminding him who he isn’t. Gerald continues waiting as Eva begins playing the piano for Mrs. Pumphrey.

He prepares to leave while Audrey listens to Siegfried. He knows he should’ve listened to her because she always knows what is best. Audrey apologizes and says she needs to go. She begins looking for Gerald believing he has already left. When he returns, she rushes over to kiss him. Gerald explains he took the wrong coat, but he is glad he did. Eva wakes everyone on Christmas morning. They have got her a pair of shoes similar to Dorothy’s shoes in the Wizard of Oz. She tries them only to find that they don’t work. Eva asks why they’re all looking at her. When Siegfried checks on her, she thinks Toto should go back to his mother since families should be together. Siegfried reminds her it is okay to be upset because they’re not her family.

Eva tells him that he is allowed to cry for his brother leaving too. Before they eat, Tristan tells everyone that Christmas is a time for family including those who aren’t there. He wants to remember those who are gone and thank those who filled the hole they left behind, especially his brother. Siegfried never gave up on him no matter how much of a reason he gave him. Tristan tells his brother he loves him. Before Tristan leaves, he gives Helen the keys to his car. He says goodbye to everyone before leaving with Siegfried. At the station, Siegfried pleads with him not to do anything stupid. After a hug, Tristan tells his brother about the bar bill and gets on the train.

 

All Creatures Great And Small Review

Merry Bloody Christmas was a very effective episode of All Creatures Great and Small and a bit of a tearjerker at times. While there wasn’t a lot in terms of animals, the episode made up for it with an emotional Christmas eve get-together for the folks of Skeldale House. Tristan found out that he had been called up so Siegfried tried to cut a deal to prevent him from going.

Once Tristan learned about this, he decided to do something about it, prevent River from experiencing further injury, and go anyway. The group also had a visitor named Eva who was one of the evacuees. Audrey remains as dutiful as ever even when it meant that she might miss the opportunity to say goodbye to Gerald before he went to Hull.

When All Creatures Great and Small is at its best, it is still easily one of the best and most emotional shows on television. Merry Blood Christmas was a perfect example of this considering it had just enough humor, romance, and emotion to connect with viewers during the holidays. Now, it’ll be interesting to see how the show handles the war and whether Tristan will remain absent for the long term.

The episode scores an 8 out of 10. Recaps of All Creatures Great and Small are available on Reel Mockery here. Find our website helpful? Want to support an independent voice? Considering supporting Reel Mockery by following this link.