REVIEW: All Creatures Great And Small, Series 1 Episode Five 'Out Of Practice'

 REVIEW: All Creatures Great And Small, Series 1 Episode Five 'Out Of Practice'

Originally published in 2020, here are my thoughts on All Creatures Great And Small's fifth episode 'Out Of Practice'.

There's nothing more devastating for a dog owner than the idea of your family pooch falling ill or coming to some harm. It's hard seeing a dog in pain, as they are such loving and loyal creatures who make sure to shower you in love. In some ways, dogs are better than many humans, and there's no other pet quite like them. This can make it very hard to watch a show like All Creatures Great And Small, which deals with a small veterinary practice in Darrowby, as dogs are obviously going to feature quite regularly, being the nation's most common pet of choice. 

As a dog lover this episode is an absolute rollercoaster of emotions. It starts of tragically as we are introduced to a dog with a bleeding leg who was left abandoned by the hills, and then it morphs into a somewhat more heartwarming story when the poor dog finds a home with a loving owner. It's probably my favourite of the actual veterinary scenes, because it's a really captivating watch and is a neat demonstrator of the genuinely amazing work of these vets who care for the animals. The fact that they can not only nurture this dog who was clearly in a bad way back to good health whilst also find him a good owner is a fictionalised testament to the hard work and commitment of the extraordinary men and women who work at these vet practices. Of course, it wouldn't have been entirely possible without the dog having been taken to Sister Louisa Rose's (Jessica Spencer) animal shelter, and the dog would not have found its owners had it not escaped from Sister Rose's care, but James Herriot's (Christopher Timothy) involvement is what ultimately assisted the stray dog in finding a better quality of life.

An interesting thing to note about the elderly couple is that the husband of the pair - Mr Plenderleith - is played by James Bree, who also appeared in three classic serials of Doctor Who (The War Games, Full Circle and The Trial Of A Time Lord). They seem like a lovely couple, who have done a considerable amount of research into the ownership of a dog and the responsibility it requires. These are the sort of owners you want looking after a dog; the type who will take it seriously, and view the dog as an equivalent of a human child, who it's your duty to give the upmost care and attention. It's really nice to see this dog's story end on such a happy note, as it helps to highlight that even though this dog was clearly treated appallingly by its original owner, there's always somebody out there waiting to give a pooch a loving home.

This episode also gives us a continuation of a running gag from the previous instalment, concerning Tristan (Peter Davison) and his undying hate for the pigs. These sequences are a lot of fun, and a good showcase for Peter Davison's excellent comedic skills. Peter Davison is very funny throughout; he says a lot with just the intonation of his voice, or sometimes just the expressions on his face, which convey his frustration at these swines. His exasperation after having to look after Siegfried's (Robert Hardy) pig livestock is conveyed excellently through his performance, and it creates one of All Creature's most memorable running gags.

James and Helen's (Carol Drinkwater) relationship in this version of the original series is also very endearing to watch. You really feel for James when he believes their first date went poorly, and you're shouting your disapproval at the television screen when Tristan sets him up with a blind date called Connie (Jean Harrington), and then you're dismayed when you see Helen partnered with Richard (Nroman Mann). By the end of the episode you are left rooting more than ever for James and Helen to finally become romantically intertwined. They are a great pairing with so much chemistry, and their dynamic feels natural rather than forced.

Overall, 'Out Of Practice' is an excellent piece of drama within the original All Creatures Great And Small series. The dog story is one of the most lovely and heartwarming storylines in any drama show where the animals form a major aspect of the narrative, and Peter Davison once again gets some great comedic moments with the continuation of the pig saga. It's an episode that also leaves you wishing for James and Helen to finally become a couple, as by this point the actors have already demonstrated so much chemistry in the show. It's easily one of All Creature's greatest instalments, and a nice showcase of the kind of dramatic storytelling that this series is capable of when it's at the top of its game.

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What are your thoughts on All Creatures Great And Small's fifth episode? Let me know in the comments section.