[theme music]
[dog barks]
[newsreader on the radio] ...in the first women's cricket Test.
Oh, good morning, Mrs H.
Isn't it custom to get dressed in the morning?
[chuckles]
I shall be retiring to my room.
[groans]
[Siegfried] Mrs Hall!
-Tris? -Shh!
Can't get the thing through the...
[Mrs Hall] Come in here.
[Siegfried] Bloody cufflinks!
Oh, come into the light.
-Morning, Siegfried. -Morning.
-New suit? -What?
Oh, yes. I'm being put through my paces at Darrowby racecourse.
The attending vet's retiring.
Be quite the honour if he gets the role.
-[door creaks] -Oh, it's no bloody good!
There's another pair in my office.
[James coughs]
He's wanted the job some time.
It's made him a little emotional.
Now, James, I'm hoping to be back
for afternoon rounds, but...
I need you to hold the fort till then.
Of course.
Thank you. I won't let you down.
Ah, many have said the same, but few rise to...
We've been robbed.
This was full only last week.
-What are you doing? -I was just...
And why aren't you dressed? It's nearly nine o'clock.
Come and explain yourself.
Is that your doing?
I haven't touched it!
I took the last of the petty cash for this week's shop.
How is it possible?!
We've worked harder than ever since James arrived.
More surgery time. Where's all the money from that gone?
Shall I call the police?
It's still in the farmers' pockets, I should imagine.
When was the last time you chased the bills?
You!
Me.
It's market day.
Time to earn your keep like the rest of us.
[sighs]
Good luck today!
Hold on!
Thank you.
I'll keep an eye on Tristan for you.
Yes, do.
Remember, spare the rod, spoil the child.
[engine starts]
You'll have to go back.
Go back!
Oh, OK. Thank you. Much obliged.
Put it in reverse and...
Oh, for Pete's sake!
Well, what the...
I... I thought I was going back.
I thought so too, but... Never mind.
Well, hold on.
Oh, you're Siegfried's chap, aren't you? Er, er...
Harris!
-Herriot. -Ah, that's it, yes.
I do apologise.
Have a good day.
You too.
Farnon.
Oh...
General Ransom.
Hello!
I didn't expect to see you today. I thought you'd be with Andante.
Soames is bringing him down later.
-How's he looking for tomorrow? -Well, I'd put a fiver on him.
Which other breeders do you work with, Farnon?
Well, virtually all my clients have horses that need attending to.
Racehorses?
Well, there's just Hugh really.
We were hoping for someone with pertinent experience.
There's quite a bit of difference between a cart horse
-and a thoroughbred. -Not anatomically speaking.
A horse is always a horse.
My father wouldn't have any other vet but Siegfried in his stables.
-Good man. He loved his horses. -Hmm. And I feel the same way.
There's not a horse of mine that Siegfried here hasn't given the once over.
Including Andante.
[whistle blows]
Oh, there's a horse down.
Time to show us what you're made of, Farnon.
Mrs Calvert.
Ah.
Hello, hello, hello.
What's this?
We've got a new chap today. [chuckles]
I've been at the practice for a while now, actually.
Oh!
-Ain't he got a nice smile? -[men laugh]
He's a real happy Harry this one.
She was as right as rain yesterday.
But now she's not breathing right.
She don't seem to want to move about very much.
Is that right, girl?
Let's see what's going on.
[mooing]
-Ach... -[mooing]
-106. -That don't sound too clever.
Going like the clappers.
[mooing]
What's she been doing these last few days?
She was out in the field, chasing round after the dog.
It was roasting yesterday.
-Well, there's your problem. -Hmm?
She's got heat exhaustion.
Well, what's to be done?
Let's start with a couple of buckets of water.
Quick as you like!
[horse grunting]
Would you mind, Hugh?
[Siegfried makes soothing sounds]
-[horse whinnies] -What's up with you, fella?
Done yourself a mischief, have you?
Keep back, please, give me room.
No sign of sprain or fracture.
Then why is he not getting up?
There it is.
There's no nystagmus, but that doesn't mean he didn't hit his head on the way down.
What we need is to get him up and walking.
Sooner the better.
Gentlemen, I'll need your help.
Come on, boy.
Up we go! Come on, boy!
[strains] Come on! Up we go!
Come on!
-He's not having it, Siegfried. -Right.
I think he's probably still winded from the fall.
Let's just, erm...
Let's just take a moment.
Shouldn't you be doing something?
Nature takes the time she needs.
Go on, bring the tractor.
-We're going to have to winch him off. -I can't let you do that.
-Excuse me? -Nobody's winching this horse anywhere.
It's cruel and unnecessary.
Yes, you've given yourself a fright, haven't you?
But you're fine.
Get some air into your lungs.
Ready to have another go?
Come on then, up and at him.
That's the one! Let's be havin' you.
There we are.
Well done! Walk on.
I'm not used to being spoken to in that manner.
And I'm not used to putting personal niceties before good professional practice,
sir.
[church bell rings, crowd chatters]
A shilling and two pence, please.
Good boy.
[sighs] Keep it up.
Ah, Mr Dinsdale.
How fortuitous!
Um... Oh my, you have let it build up. One pound and thruppence.
[laughs] I don't have any on me now.
And yet, here you are, buying things with money, one would presume.
Well, Mother gives me money for vegetables.
Not a penny more, not a penny less.
If it's thruppence a hen, how about I put a shilling in your pocket
-and take six off your hands? -No, no!
Jenny, what do you think you're playing at?
-Buying hens. -Sorry.
Ah! The delightful Miss Alderson.
Yes, Tris, what is it?
Um, nothing. It can wait.
[Jenny] But them were good 'uns! Old man Cocker says so.
Oh, if old man Cocker says so, they must be.
You don't trust me to do anything!
I've been there.
The shouting, tantrums.
Your Edward was the same?
He was. But I were thinking more of...
[Helen] Mr Farnon?
Never mind!
I just want her to know there's more to life than being a farmer,
where you have no time to yourself.
Do you want me to... take her for the day?
It wouldn't put you out?
Not a bit of it. Have a break.
You deserve it.
[sighs, cockerel crows]
[Tristan] Cheeky beggar!
Pint of best when you're ready, Maggie.
Coming right up.
Oh, Mr Dinsdale. That's a healthy wedge you have there.
Ah, more flushed than I thought.
So it seems. Don't expect him to buy a round though, chaps.
Not without the say so of his good lady wife, eh?
[men laugh]
If you're going business in here, the least you can do is buy a drink.
Hello. You're new.
What'll it be?
I shouldn't really.
Drink leads to loose tongues
and even looser wallets.
If you want people to part with their money, this is no bad place for it.
[men chatting]
But you've got to buy a drink first.
Did you write all these recipes?
And my mother.
And her mother before her.
All our family secrets.
My sister does most of the baking at home.
That's because it's her job to look after you.
I don't need looking after.
We were born to the land to work the land.
Is that something you've heard your dad say?
Hugh Hulton's estate.
Right. I'll get someone up to you as quick as I can.
-Bye... -[line cuts off]
And how did you know what was wrong? Were you guessing?
Ah, no. We're professional vets, we never guess.
First, I took her heart rate and then I checked her temperature.
That, along with the clinical history,
meant there was only one possible diagnosis.
He's a clever clogs, isn't he?
James has been seeing to a sun-burnt calf.
Heat exhaustion.
We've just had a call from Hulton Manor. Horse with colic.
That's Hugh's house. Can I go with him, Auntie Audrey?
Oh, your sister will be back soon.
She'll wonder where you got to.
Maybe next time.
Uh...
How about we finish them faces?
Oh!
He's a grumpy one, isn't he?
It's our Helen.
That's not fair.
She used to be fun. Now it's...
"Do your homework! Stop mucking about!"
Only because she wants what's best for you.
If you don't do well at school...
I'll do what I was gonna do anyway.
Dad's getting on.
Helen will be off with Hugh.
Someone's got to take care of the place.
Well, that doesn't mean it has to be you.
-[laughter] -I'm stood at the other end.
Mr Lunn here's hit the ball for six.
It's gone miles, but the umpire, silly sod,
gives him a four!
So young Farnon here says, "Where do you want a six?
In the bloody bus depot?"
[laughter]
-You're a good lad. -Oh, yes, honestly, Mr Lunn.
That's why it pains me so to turn matters more serious.
-Leave you to it. -Aye.
Don't you worry. You tell me how much it is.
Here, Mags...
Darrowby Classic, 12:30 tomorrow.
Andante to win.
You're a dark horse, aren't you?
Birds of a feather.
You staying for another?
Don't mind if I do.
[Dinsdale] Is he paying for a drink? Lads!
Tristan Farnon is buying himself his own pint.
-It's a miracle! -[cheering]
Now, now, I always pay my way.
In fact, Henry...
why don't I get you one?
Well, that's dreadful decent of you.
-How about one for everybody? -[cheering]
[indistinct chatter]
-Mr Soames. -Aye.
-James Herriot. -[horse whinnies]
He's through here.
-[horse whinnies loudly] -How long's he been like this?
Since this morning.
Just give him a shot of arecoline. That'll sort him.
[horse grunts]
[horse whinnies and snorts]
[horse whinnies wildly]
-This is no ordinary colic. -Well, what the hell is it then?
I won't know for sure until I've given him an examination.
I've been running stables here since you were in short trousers.
I know what colic looks like.
Look, he's due at the racecourse to settle in for tomorrow.
-I'll need soap and water. -What the devil for? You've done nowt and now you want to wash?
Get a head collar on him so I can examine him.
Now, please.
[horse whinnies]
Steady, boy. I know. I know.
Poor thing.
[horse grunts in pain]
Well then, spit it out.
-It's no ordinary colic. -Eh?
What is it then?
I'm really sorry to say, it's a torsion of the bowel, Mr Soames.
All right, then he's, er... he's got a torsion.
What're you gonna do about it?
The bowel's twisted so badly that the circulation has been cut off for some time.
The tissue's died.
Toxins are already building up in the blood.
There's nothing more that we can do.
I'm sorry but it's already too late.
Too late for what?
This horse will die.
The only thing we can do is end his life as quickly and painlessly as possible.
Put him down?
Do you have any idea how much this horse is worth?
It doesn't make the blindest bit of difference! He's in agony!
The sooner we proceed the better.
I want a second opinion.
I want Siegfried Farnon up here.
Mr Hulton swears by him.
Now, come on, lad.
You don't want this on your shoulders.
-[sighs] -[horse whinnies]
[Siegfried] Born to jump. Show him a fence and he'd have a go.
[he laughs]
I went out one morning
and he'd dragged his feeding trough into the middle of the paddock,
just so he could jump it. Happy as Larry, he was!
I'm afraid you'll have to excuse me, gentlemen. Andante should have arrived by now.
-Of course. -General.
[Ransom] Could be a big day for Hulton if that horse of his lives up to his promise.
It would be good to have a winner from a local stable.
-A particular source of pride to me personally. -Why is that?
I've known Andante since he was a foal.
You're more of a farm vet, aren't you?
-I've built a strong practice. -Is that so?
I've taken on an excellence young vet
and my brother's about to qualify, I hope.
But horses have always been my passion.
Really?
Belgium, 1917. Army Veterinary Corps.
-Ypres? -In the main.
The bravery of the men who fought...
matched only by the bravery of the horses that carried them there.
The things those poor souls endured.
And then we shot a lot of them.
Cheaper than bringing them home on boats, you see.
If I can help a horse in pain,
I feel in some way I'm repaying a debt of sorts.
There you have it.
We're trying out another fellow tomorrow.
I'm very grateful for the opportunity.
If I offended you earlier,
it's only that...
for me the animal always comes first.
Above all things.
As it should.
Come to the course tomorrow evening.
Hope to have some good news for you.
[horse whinnies softly and pants]
I've called but Siegfried's already left the course.
[horse cries in pain]
He's going mad with the pain of it.
-I can't let this go on. -Oh no, just hold on!
If you'd called me sooner, this might have been avoided.
But not now.
If you'd called me sooner, this might have been avoided.
[horse whinnies]
What's his name?
Andante.
Hold him tight.
Steady, boy.
Shh, shh, shh, shh.
It's nearly over, Andante.
[car approaches]
Good lad.
-Mr Hulton... -Why are you still here?
What do you mean? What's going on?
[shot echoes]
[body slumps]
What have you just done?
What the hell have you just done?!
You listen to me!
He had a torsion. There was nothing else I could do for him.
He was in terrible pain.
Get out.
Now.
[poignant music]
Ah, one of my employees.
James...
Oh, you look like you've lost a shilling and found a penny!
I just had to put a horse down.
It was one of Hugh Hulton's horses.
Andante.
Oh, good God.
I know what you need.
Maggie.
Hold on a minute.
Maggie, where's it all gone? This was full an hour ago.
Down their necks, I reckon.
Oh!
Who's the second favourite in the Darrowby Classic tomorrow?
Finlay Bay.
Ten to one. But he's got no chance.
I mean, Andante's going to run away with it.
Put that on Finlay Bay to win.
I mean, don't get me wrong,
I take great satisfaction in looking after our usual clientele
of cart horses and gymkhana ponies.
But to spend a day with those magnificent beasts,
bred to perfection.
And the General was impressed.
He had me down as an also-ran.
Now he knows I'm a thoroughbred.
[Siegfried chuckles]
I'm happy for you.
It's you I have to thank for it.
I don't think Ransom would have taken me as seriously
if I was still a one-man band.
You encouraged me to take on James.
I nudged you in the right direction.
Mrs Hall, you're considerably less braggadocios than I would expect in the circumstances.
Oh, it's nothing.
I had Jenny Alderson for the day.
I thought I could help, but I'm not sure I did her much good.
I never thought I'd see it, Mrs Hall waving the white flag.
-I'm not waving anything. -Undone by a 12-year-old child.
Well, it can't be easy,
having your big sister acting like your mother.
It's no easier for the other party, I assure you.
[rapid knocking on door]
-You stay there. I'll get this. -[knocking]
[knocking continues]
[Farnon whistles, knocking continues]
There is a doorbell, you know!
Hugh.
Has Herriot told you?
[Hugh] It's an outrage!
He had no right doing that to my horse.
[Siegfried] I understand you're upset...
Oh, for God's sake, can you blame me?
It sounds like he was in terrible pain, Hugh.
I would have done the same thing.
-Would you? -With the same diagnosis, yes.
[Tristan laughs]
[Siegfried] We would never leave an animal in distress.
[Hugh] Well, that's just it! How do I know his diagnosis was right?
[Siegfried] James is a very competent vet.
He's barely out of school!
He should have got a second opinion! He should have called for you!
You should have been there for him, Siegfried!
Well, I wish I had been.
I've been advised to speak to a solicitor.
That's really not necessary.
He was a very valuable horse.
We can sort this out between ourselves, Hugh.
How?
I'll do a post-mortem examination tomorrow.
-And if Herriot made a mistake? -I'll deal with it.
You can be sure of that.
Hugh, I...
James, come in.
[front door shuts]
Well?
I couldn't let that poor animal suffer.
And you're positive about your diagnosis?
One hundred per cent.
How are you faring?
Me? I'm...
all right.
Trying to be.
Shocked at first.
It felt a terrible thing to do to such a beautiful creature.
The first one is always the hardest.
I presume you did a full internal examination?
Yes, I felt a tympanitic mass about halfway up the colon.
And it couldn't have been some other kind of blockage?
-No, I don't think so. -You don't "think" so?
That's not what... It was a torsion.
A moment ago you said you were sure.
I am.
I am sure.
I am.
And if you're wrong, I'm afraid there will be consequences.
[Jess barks]
Breakfast's ready.
Sorry, Mrs Hall, I'm not very hungry.
James won't be joining us.
I imagine he doesn't have the appetite for it.
What time's the post-mortem?
Ten o'clock.
Get on with your list, let James get on with his.
There's nothing worrying will do for it.
Morning, Siegfried.
Ledger. Now, please.
You collected all this?
And not done yet. Far from it.
I want to keep at it today. Finish the job off properly.
See that you do. Money.
Now, please.
I thought it would make more sense to give to you in one go.
Cleaner that way, rather than piecemeal.
Money.
I left my wallet in my room.
[door slams]
Was that the front door?
Tristan?
Tristan!
[Siegfried] Tristan!
Tristan!
Here, before you go.
In case you get your appetite back later.
Thank you.
Once everyone's calmed down a bit, they'll see
what you did was right.
What I thought was right.
Don't dwell on what's done when there's things need doing.
Mrs Calvert's been on the phone. Wants someone up there again.
It's time to get back in the saddle.
Sorry, poor choice of words.
[Jess barks]
Morning.
-Look ahead, look ahead! -Tristan...
-What are you doing? -Trying to save my skin.
You spent the money, didn't you?
Don't worry, I have a plan.
I just need... time.
Drive, just drive.
Forgetting the moral implications of it all for a moment,
you know there's still a chance your horse might not come in?
Fortes fortuna iogurtum.
Fortune favours the yoghurt?
No, the brave. Fortune favours the brave.
That's "juvat". Fortes fortuna juvat.
Well, nevertheless, you took a gamble on your horse,
I took one on mine, either one or both, or neither of us are for the high jump.
-I didn't gamble. -No, of course. Turn of phrase.
Oh, not again!
[horn honks]
Is that the lovely Miss Alderson?
[Helen] Good morning to you too, James.
Hold on. Let me back up.
[Tristan chuckles]
Sorry. My mind was... somewhere else.
-I'm sure it was. -You heard?
Hugh told me last night.
Andante meant the world to him. Sounded awful.
-He called you a bas... -Jenny!
Out of the mouths of babes.
I had to do it.
You don't have to explain yourself to me. It were Hughs' horse.
I know, I know. It's just you're his...
his...
Unless you know something I don't.
I'd best get on. Good luck today.
And what was all that about?
Mmm?
I saw you. I saw that look.
-It's nothing. -Now I am intrigued.
-I asked her out. -[Tristan gasps]
-James, you didn't? -Mrs Pumphrey's do.
-Took all night to pluck up the courage. -Dutch courage?
Might have well have been Abyssinian for all the good it did.
I just made my play and in walks Hugh.
And then you killed his horse.
It's unorthodox but I have to say I admire the gumption.
[Tristan] Oh, amazing!
[doorbell rings]
You sure this isn't putting you out too much?
-Oh, it's no trouble at all. -You're a godsend.
I've got a load of hay to bring in and there's all that with Hugh's horse.
Right, come here, you.
How is he?
In pieces. Not that he'd admit it.
And you'll sweep him up and put him back together again.
-Isn't that our lot in life? -Well, for you more than most.
If you ever fancy a natter...
There's not much more to say.
I'd best get on.
I'll be back before tea.
[rattling]
Sorry.
So, you've an interest in veterinary work, have you?
All these need cleaning out.
And after that you can feed and exercise them.
Can I play with the bunnies?
Can I take the dog for a walk on the green?
If you like, but first I want you to have a look at this.
Don't you start with all the books and all.
All right.
Suit yourself.
All right.
They need to know their stuff first.
But I know animals. I grew up with animals.
What should a good vet do for a rabbit with suspected ivy poisoning?
The only rabbits I know we put in pies.
-Morning, Mr Soames. -Morning.
Hugh.
I'm sorry it's come to this.
As am I. Where is he?
[poignant music]
[Hugh] I should be here.
I owe it to him to be here.
[poignant music]
Oh dear, oh dear!
Here's trouble.
Herriot the horse killer.
-What? -Word's got around.
Not many of them good. [laughs]
I thought they'd have had you out on your ear by now.
So what seems to be the problem today?
Calf, gone daft.
But I'd like Mr Siegfried to look it over.
Well, my brother is otherwise engaged.
So it'll be Jim or no one.
[mooing]
And how long has he been like this?
I first noticed something this morning.
Thought he was drunk the way he's staggering about and bumping into things.
Not right, is it?
No, Mrs Calvert, it's not.
OK.
[calf grunts]
Well, what do you reckon?
I just don't know.
The process of veterinary discovery often takes time.
Just so long as he don't wind up killing him.
Any ideas, Jim, you're rather losing your audience.
We've got muscle tremors,
frothing from the mouth, confusion.
Oh well, that's me every morning, Mrs Calvert.
No need to look so worried.
Blimey, this place has seen better days, hasn't it?
-Where did this wood come from? -Oh, bit of old skirting board.
Waste not, want not.
Look at the paint. It's flaking.
He's been licking it and biting. I can see teeth marks!
[Mrs Calvert] He's a cow!
It's what they do.
It's lead paint.
He's got lead poisoning. Get this wood out of here!
[Mrs Calvert] You heard! Jump to it!
A couple of spoonfuls of Epsom salts in the feed and all will be well again.
Oh...
A couple of spoonfuls of Epsom salts in the feed and all will be well again.
Or at least someone will be.
All the best, horse killer.
You know, everyone will forget, eventually.
If my diagnosis was correct.
If it wasn't...
I'll be packing my bags.
[Tristan] Moment of truth, James. Wish me luck.
Maggie!
The sword of Damocles dangles by a mere thread. Please tell me who won the race.
Finlay Bay came in.
Thank goodness! Maggie, I could kiss you.
-Well, not without my say so. -Sorry.
Go on then.
What? Really?
Is that him then, the horse killer?
I reckon I owe you a pint.
Saved me paying out to half the county by offing that horse!
[crowd muttering]
I think we might have a budding vet on our hands.
It's just good to see her so happy.
Come on, Jess! [giggles]
Good girl!
You know, she parroted your old man yesterday.
She said to me, bold as brass,
"We were born to the land to work the land."
[Jess barks]
That weren't my old man she were parroting.
It was my mother.
[Jess barks]
I'm always worried I'm letting her down.
You're doing a great job.
Your mother would be proud.
Don't. You'll start me off.
Jenny's getting older.
Maybe right now she needs a big sister
more than she needs a mother.
Thank you.
[Helen] Come on then.
Right, let's see if you can beat the dog, Jenny.
How were it?
James.
The post-mortem was quite conclusive.
Significant torsion of the bowel.
There was necrosis, so he'd been in that state for a while.
Absolutely nothing you could have done for him,
except put him out of his misery.
And Hugh... Hugh agrees with that?
I'm not sure either of us will be welcome at his stables for a bit.
James, your diagnosis and your chosen course of action
were both textbook.
Then why don't I feel any better?
Because you had to euthanise a beautiful young animal.
I never doubted you for a second, Jim.
There you are! Where is it?
-[doorbell rings] -You've lost the money, haven't you?
See for yourself.
I'll be checking it against the ledger. If there's so much as a halfpenny missing...
I'll be flogged and boiled in oil.
Mr Farnon, it's for you.
-General. -Siegfried.
I was rather hoping to see you at the racecourse.
I didn't think there was much point.
I assume you've spoken to Hugh Hulton?
Yes. Terrible business. Awful.
It was the only thing to do. The poor animal was too far gone.
Yes. Well, I thought you were very impressive yesterday
and I'd still like to offer you the role.
General, I can't thank you enough.
You won't regret it, I assure you.
I said I'd like to, but I fear that many of my owners would be very twitchy
when they know that you're associated with that Herriot chap.
But he did absolutely the right thing.
-The post-mortem couldn't be clearer. -Even so...
killing the pride and joy of Darrowby, hmm?
Never a good look.
Now, if you want this job, he'll have to go. Do we have an understanding?
Actually, we don't.
Yesterday, you agreed the welfare of the animal came first.
Today, it seems that's not the case.
Herriot's the best assistant I've ever had.
I won't betray him for anything.
Then, with regret,
I'm afraid we shan't be requiring your services.
Thank you.
Good evening.
I didn't get the job.
I heard.
I can't lie, it would have been tremendous.
Still.
You're a good man, Siegfried Farnon.
No matter how much you try to hide it.
Yes, well, keep it to yourself.
We don't want people thinking I've gone soft.
We've had a few calls.
It seems folk would rather you visit than James.
I can't imagine it'll be easy for him.
They'll come round.
Let's see to it that they do.
Tristan, get your bloody feet off the table!
Do you think you're in some kind of backroom bordello?
Chance would be a fine thing!
Fetch me the ledger. I want to go through it with a fine toothcomb.
I want every penny accounted for.
-[sighs] -Well, jump to it!
Now, Herriot, what about you?
What about me?
Now, Herriot, what about you?
Mrs Hall's had a whole load of calls and you're doing all of them.
Is this some kind of punishment?
Quite the opposite.
Go on! We've got a practice to run!
I'll fetch you a fresh one.
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