All Creatures Great and Small (2020) s03e03 Episode Script

[HORSE NEIGHS]
Hold, men.
Captain Farnon?
Sounds like it's in pain.
[HORSE WAILS]
Let's have a look.
The officer's bought it. Still
holding the reins, though.
[HORSE WAILS]
It's all right, boy.
Sh.
Deep lacerations, some
muscle damage.
Probably torn going through
barbed wire.
He's a beautiful horse.
Captain!
Don't panic, Turner,
the front line's a hundred yards
beyond that ridge.
Is that supposed to reassure us?
We'll be quick.
Come on, Maurice.
Let's get him patched up, see if we
can take him back with us.
Gas, gas, gas! Mask on, Turner!
The horses!
Put your mask on, Turner!
Damn it! Put your mask on!
The animal always comes first!
Maurice, are you all right?
Fine!
Turner? Turner!
Mr. Farnon?
Mr. Farnon?
Hmm?
Are we still in
the land of the living?
It seems so, yes.
Major Sebright Saunders called.
Got an horse needs seeing to.
Right.
Look at the state of this place.
It's a bloody disgrace.
Long night?
Exhausting.
Take a seat. Audrey's left your
breakfast in the oven.
Tristan!
I was never here.
Either of you seen that
errant brother of mine?
Um, no. I've been out on call.
Helen?
He's hiding in the pantry.
Ah. There it is.
Good morning, Siegfried.
Do you know what this is?
I dare you to say a bottle.
I bloody dare you.
Hydrogen Cyanide.
Enough to kill half the district.
And do you know what this is?
Antiseptic.
I found them together
on the same shelf.
Your slap dash mismanagement of
the dispensary could very well
have caused the death of
countless innocent animals
or people, for that matter.
And we're assuming this is my
mistake because?
There's no need for us to get to
the who's and how-fors
Oh, because it usually is!
Poisons are always to be kept
correctly labelled and separately.
I want you to go through that
dispensary from top to bottom and
get it into some kind of order.
Yes, Siegfried.
A proper inventory.
You really must start taking
more responsibility.
I'm trying.
You're extremely trying.
Shall we not put the deadly poison
on the breakfast table?
Everything in its proper place.
Then there's no confusion.
And, James, I really wish you
wouldn't clutter up the place
with piles of TB testing forms.
I grow tired of endlessly
clearing up after you all.
[DOOR CLOSES]
You know, in this house, we tend to
have a united front when it comes
to matters concerning my brother.
Where's the fun in that?
Your time will come,
then you'll see.
Here.
Before someone keels over.
Mr. Cranford called.
Dead cow.
Oh, dear.
What did it die from?
I imagine that's what
he wants you to tell him.
Eat up.
I need to get up to the farm.
Mrs. Beck, we can't do it
for as little as that.
Mr. Herriot, I never thought you
were such an 'eartless man.
I can assure you I'm not being
in the least bit heartless.
If you're worried about your cat
getting pregnant again,
then the only course of action
is to have her spayed.
Fair enough.
We'll call it ten shillings.
I just cannot carry out a major
operation for ten shillings.
I thought you would've done it for a
poor widder woman like me.
We often offer reduced rates for
people who can't afford to pay,
but this is what we call a
luxury operation.
Luxury?
Our Georgina keeps
having these kittens.
I can't sleep wondering
when the next lot's coming.
And me a poor widder woman.
All right, ten shillings.
Just this once.
How would tomorrow afternoon be?
Grand.
You can collect her at one o'clock.
No, Mrs. Beck, you need to
That told her.
Second night in a row
you've been out on call.
Comes with the job.
With your job.
Tristan's not ready to go
on night calls by himself.
You think I'm too soft.
Siegfried doesn't do half
the night calls you do.
I'm the junior partner.
I've got to expect to do more.
And Tristan doesn't do any at all.
You should speak to Siegfried about
sharing the load a bit more equally.
Or you'll wear yourself out.
I know, and I will.
When the time's right.
Right.
I'll see you later.
Helen, have you asked your dad if
he'll take us up on the TB testing?
Only I'm struggling to convince
the farmers to go along with it.
When the time's right.
Major, how are you?
A little gouty, truth be told.
Can't be helped.
The price of living well.
I suppose you heard
about Sergeant Oliver.
Crying shame.
He was a good soldier.
And an even better man.
Mm.
Morning.
This the patient?
Aye. That's the bugger.
Sired by Donard's Hill.
His mother was Three Leaf Clover.
The finest breeding.
How long have you had him?
Three months now.
Goes like the proverbial off a
shovel with no rider on him.
Soon as you try to get
a jockey in the saddle,
well, you'll see for yourself.
George! if you don't mind?
- There's really no need
- Nonsense. That's what he's paid for. Come on.
Go on, up you get.
I'll tell your mother
you died a hero's death.
Go on. Get up there, man!
This really isn't necessary.
I don't know.
There's definitely
something wrong with him.
With him too now.
Take the saddle off, please.
Where was he before you?
Ireland.
Brought him over about a month ago.
I saw him run Curragh.
There was none of this trouble.
Did anyone make
the journey over with him?
I did. Got a kick in t'back
for my pleasure 'an all.
Easy boy. Easy, easy, easy.
I'm not going to hurt you.
What say you, Farnon?
He's absolutely wonderful.
And no problems on the boat over?
Not particularly.
A tad rough perhaps.
Rough?
Ah, well, high seas
don't agree with all these animals.
Maybe he lost his land legs.
I can't find anything
physically wrong with him.
I suspect the problem
is psychological.
As you know, I have some experience
transporting horses overseas.
They need particular care.
Can he be fixed?
Animals, like people,
cannot simply be tinkered with
and fixed like a wristwatch.
If he's no use for riding,
I can't afford to keep him.
Look, you were always
something of a horse man,
I thought perhaps
you could break him?
I'd say he's already broken.
Our job is to put him back
together again.
What's his name?
River.
Hello, River.
[RIVER NEIGHS]
I have to get to know the patient
if I've any hope of treating him.
You're a braver man than I.
Shhh. Sh.
Easy now.
You're all right, fella. Come on.
I'm not going to hurt you.
River.
All I want is his eyes.
At the moment
he's not looking at me.
He's not looking at anything.
Adrenaline's pouring into his veins.
He's in a state of absolute panic.
Fight or flight?
Well, this one chooses to fight.
It's all driven by fear.
It's what makes him
lash out the way he does.
I'm not going to hurt you.
You're all right.
You're all right. You're safe.
You're safe.
You're safe.
Look into my eyes.
Look into my eyes.
Ow.
You tried, Farnon.
Good for nowt now but dog food.
Good morning, Madam.
Always a pleasure.
I'd rather you kept
your paws off my petunias,
if you don't mind, Mr. Barge.
What on earth
The only way to dig out the weed is
to take hold of it by the root.
Right.
I half expected you to be feet up
doing the crossword.
Something you wanted?
Mr. Barge is here.
Oh.
Ah, good morning.
Good morning.
Now what medicinal wonders
do you have for us today then?
Well, sir, if you'd like
to peruse our brochure,
you'll find a cure for all ills.
Shouldn't you wait for Mr. Farnon
before you start?
Siegfried charged me
with minding the stock, Mrs. H.
And I'm more than up to the task.
Anything else?
Just holler
if you need a spade
to dig that grave of yours.
She does have a sense of humour.
Bloomin' well need one to work here.
Well, we'd better have
a couple dozen electuaries.
And we are running
a little low on fever drinks,
so a few boxes of those.
Very good, Mr. Farnon.
Will that be all?
I believe so,
unless you've something
new to tempt us with.
Funny you should say.
Introducing Cargill's SoothAway.
Available in pill or
liquid form for injection.
It's a calming sedative,
mollifying the most
irascible of patients.
Rendering agitated animals almost
immediately amenable.
I don't suppose
it works on humans?
No, Mr. Farnon,
I'm sorry but my wares aren't
licensed for human consumption.
No matter. We'll take two boxes.
Very good, Sir.
Thunderclap.
Dead cow.
What was that?
It were lightning that killed her.
Not now.
Last night.
There was no storm last night.
Aye, not down were you live.
But up here,
terrible storm.
Thunderclap, lightning flash,
dead cow.
Then there's the presentation.
It died in convulsions.
You can see where
its feet kicked in the grass.
Aye, well, it were lightning that
give it convulsions, won't it?
I have to say, I doubt it,
Mr. Cranford.
You see, one of the signs of a
lightning strike is that
the beast has fallen without
a struggle.
I really think we ought to do
a postmortem to make sure.
Are you saying I'm up to
summat I shouldn't be up to?
Not at all
You know there's folk round here
saying that you're trying
to get farmers to sign up
to this 'ere TB test.
It's in everybody's best interests.
Well, maybe I'll bring that up next
time I chair local Farmers' Union then.
Listen, lad, just sign
the certificate.
Insurance company'll pay up.
It were lightning.
I'm afraid I can't diagnose that as
the cause of death at this stage.
We'll take her to Mallock's tomorrow
for a postmortem and we can know for sure.
Bloody stuff and nonsense.
James is struggling to get folks
signed up for testing.
Oh, well.
When it costs them their herd and
government won't pay
what animal's worth,
what do you expect?
I know.
Is that it?
You're not going to bend
me ear until I give in?
I said I'd ask.
It's a tough one.
It is, aye.
But I'll think on it.
Come on, River.
I'm not giving up on you.
Come on, then.
Good.
You're seeing me now, aren't you?
Nothing to be afraid of here.
That's it.
One step at a time.
That's it.
One step at a time.
That's it.
Will you try to get
a saddle on him now?
Not today.
He's tired.
The way he's moving his head
tells me he's had enough.
He's deeply disturbed.
Undoing the damage will take time.
But we'll try.
Don't leave him alone tonight.
Find another horse,
one of your most amenable,
and put them in together
in one of the larger stables.
Did you get the chance
to speak to your dad today?
He says he'll think about it.
It's hard for farmers.
They spend decades
building up their herds.
One positive test and
that could all be undone.
If infected milk's consumed,
it can lead to people dying.
Surely you can see
that's more important?
I just don't think it's as
black and white as you see it.
I don't want to row about it.
We're not.
One more, sir.
I'll send you both a copy.
Easy, boy.
Easy.
How is Vonolel getting on, Captain?
Wound's healed.
Physically speaking,
he'll make a full recovery.
No accounting for
the damage we can't see.
Him and me both.
I was at the hospital.
Turner's bed's empty.
He's gone.
I'll write to his mother.
I should do it.
You've done enough already.
Anything else?
No, sir.
Major Sebright Saunders is here.
Fresh water for Orpheus.
Yes, sir.
I've just been informed that
at five o'clock this morning,
Germany signed an Armistice.
At the toll of one o'clock,
the war will be over.
I'm sorry.
It's over?
We're going home.
I'd like you to travel
with Orpheus personally
to make sure no harm comes to him.
Certainly, sir, once
I've organised everything here,
I'll make arrangements.
How soon can you and
your men be ready to leave?
Oh, well, we'll need
resupplying for the journey back.
Not just for the men.
We need adequate
provisions for the horses too.
That won't be necessary.
Sir, we've hundreds of horses here,
tens of thousands more
across the Front.
They'll need feeding and watering.
They won't, actually.
I'm not sure I understand.
It's an unnecessary cost.
They've been offered to
the Belgians and the French.
I've arranged for our horses
to be picked up tomorrow.
And they'd rather not have
to transport them alive.
I'm sorry.
They need to be put down.
We're going to shoot them?
Order someone from your company
to do it if you've no stomach for it.
Sergeant, horse.
They carried our men into battle.
They fought at our side.
I sympathise with the
sentiment, Farnon,
but the cost of bringing
them back far outweighs
what we'd get for them at home.
Men died for them.
My men.
We have our orders.
I brought you some dinner.
Oh, thank you, Mrs. Hall.
Um, here, please.
Ooh, is that from your
treasure chest?
Yes, just some notes I made when I
was in the Army Veterinary Corps.
How'd it go with the Major's horse?
Well, he's obviously been through
some fairly serious trials.
I hope that time will see him right.
It'll heal any wound.
Can't do away with the scar, though.
This looks delicious.
I'll leave you to it.
He took everything out.
He were absolutely meticulous.
What's this?
My head felt like it had barely hit
the pillow last night before the
phone woke me up.
Ouch. Three nights in a row.
Hard lines, Jim.
Did you not hear it, Triss?
Thankfully not.
I've always been blessed to have the
sleep of the dead.
After several pints of brew.
All medicinal, Mrs. H.
Care to explain?
Ah, yes, new sedative.
Mr. Barge assures me
that it'll calm
even the most
agitated of animals.
So, now you're wasting my
hard-earned money on snake-oil.
The accompanying literature
was very persuasive.
And I thought it might come in handy
with that horse of yours.
Yes, I took what you said about
responsibility on board.
Chapter and verse.
Oh.
Something you wish to add, Helen?
Oh, I'm sure there's plenty.
Good, then.
And the dispensary?
Yes, surprisingly well-ordered.
Well done.
James, I'm back up at the
Sebright Saunders' estate today,
so I'll have to ask you to do
some extra farm visits,
- if you wouldn't mind.
- Of course, Siegfried.
You know James was
out on call last night?
There's really no need
Well, couldn't Triss take
on some of the work?
Oh, no, full surgery. All day.
Well, then, I'm sorry, but I can't
see another way round it.
I have to attend this horse
and Tristan's got enough
on his plate already.
I'll manage, Siegfried.
It doesn't really seem fair.
Fair?
Fair?
I built this practice
from the ground up.
What's fair is that I'll run it as
I damned well see fit.
I think what
Helen's trying to say
I've no need of an interpreter,
thank you, Mrs. Hall.
Fair?
Fair!
[DOOR SLAMS]
Don't take it to heart.
I'm sure he's just got a lot
on his mind at the moment.
He still shouldn't have
spoken to you like that.
I'll speak to him this evening.
Give over,
I can fight my own battles.
Mrs. H, is everything
all right with my brother?
He has seemed a bit off.
Don't let what's on his mind
play on yours.
He does seem rather combustible,
even by his standards.
You know what he's like.
It'll blow over.
Until the next storm
comes rolling in.
He's just preoccupied
with this case of his.
Now, get out,
so I can get cleared up.
I'd better get ready for surgery.
Give me your keys. I'll drive.
Don't you need to go
up to the farm?
They'll manage.
We can drop in and let me Dad know.
Helen, I'm perfectly fine.
I'm really not that tired.
You see it too, don't you, Jess?
[JESS WHIMPERS]
Feel better for it?
I was just resting my eyes.
Cranford's in there.
I'm just havin' me breakfast.
Come on.
Stagnation on lungs.
I can always tell by
the look in their eyes
and the way the hair
lies along the back.
Shut your stupid cake hole, Mallock.
It were lightning.
You can use all kind words you like.
You can't change what's what.
I should be able to see bruising
under the skin if she was struck.
I don't see anything.
Oh, so you're a vet
an' all now, are you?
Wind it in, will you, Isaac?
Cut into the heart,
would you please, Jeff?
Aye.
There you are:
verrucose endocarditis.
See this cauliflower-like mass?
It's blocking the ventricles.
Fiddlesticks.
Them little things?
I'd still say it were t'lungs.
They're big enough to block the
blood flow and stop the heart.
Listen, Mr. Herriot.
You know the insurance company
can afford to pay for this
far better than I can.
No-one will know.
I'd know, Mr. Cranford.
Well done.
That bloke'd skin
a flea for its hide.
How'd he get on last night?
The stable lads checked
on them about ten o'clock.
River was restless but not too bad.
I think he enjoyed the company.
Glad to hear it.
Hello, friend.
You remember me, don't you?
Excellent.
Now, then, River, you don't mind if
I put this on you, do you?
Thank you. Very kind.
I'm just going to fasten
this up under you.
Now, don't worry.
I'm not going to sit on you.
Bag, please.
Now, then.
I've got an injection that
might calm you down.
Just a little scratch.
It's a new medication,
might help.
There we go.
There.
That wasn't so bad, was it?
Afternoon, Mrs. Beck.
I'm right glad to see you both.
Afternoon, Mrs. Beck.
Good. You've got her
in there, have you?
No. She's somewhere
in the garden.
Georgina.
Where are you?
There you go, love.
I've summat on the stove.
Bring her back tomorrow, won't you?
It's just a cat.
[CAT GROWLING]
It could've gone worse.
She's out, Helen.
The bugger's out!
- Keep your eyes on the road!
- Grab it!
The cat! The cat!
What do you think I'm doing?
- That's me!
- Ooh! She bit me!
Get it off me, Helen!
I can't drive!
She's on the brakes!
Get it! Helen!
I'm doing, I'm getting it!
We need to make riding
normal again,
teach him he's got nothing to fear.
What's this one's name?
Pegasus.
Crop?
Yes.
I think I'm beginning to understand
the root cause of his trouble
a little better.
Thank you.
Open the gate, please.
Let's see how fast you really are.
Looks like you may
have been wrong, Monkham.
Aye, we'll see.
Here you go, love.
Thanks, Mrs. H.
Look at the state of you two.
Don't ask.
You wouldn't believe the answer.
Now, before you do anything,
I think she could probably do with
one of your sedative injections.
Thank you, Jim, but
I'm probably not going
to take advice on handling cats
from someone who looks like
a human scratching post.
We're staying to watch, aren't we?
Oh, yes.
Summat bad's about
to happen, in't it?
Run along.
She's in safe hands now.
[CAT WAILING]
Right.
Let's see what we've got here.
Ah.
Hello, Georgina,
you don't look too
Arghh!
Arghh! Good God. Argh!
Damn thing!
Let's enjoy it a moment longer.
Georgina, get back here!
Get back here right now!
Now River is rested,
it's time to take the next step.
Just to be clear, Farnon,
if anything should happen to you,
I shan't be held responsible.
You'll be paying
your own doctor's fees.
Now, then, are we ready
to have some fun?
Ten bob says
he ends up on his arse.
Come on, then.
That's it.
That's it.
Good.
That's it.
Good.
Well done.
Happy horse.
Happy horse.
Good lad.
Go on, go on.
Hmm.
Somewhat surprising.
Easy, easy.
Easy boy.
Let me help you, Farnon.
I can manage.
Look like you've done
yourself some damage.
It's just a graze.
You have done your very best.
There is nothing more to be done.
I can't afford to keep a horse
that no man can ride.
Is there any decision
you make that isn't measured
against the weight of a coin?
If there is a more certain yardstick
then I'd like to hear it.
What about humanity?
When you've seen what we have,
I'm not sure that exists anymore.
And now it looks like
we're going to make
the same mistakes all over again.
I don't want you to do the
deed, Farnon.
I'll have Monkham take care of it.
He deserves better than that.
I'll come up tomorrow.
This isn't right.
It can't be right.
Not after everything.
Turner gave his life
We have our orders.
We'll open the gates.
Let 'em escape,
run wild.
Maurice, it would only
prolong the agony.
They'd die on the road.
We've done everything we can.
Hello?
Good walk with Gerald?
A little blustery, but
we didn't let that stop us.
Goodness, is that blood?
I fell off a horse.
Really, Mrs. Hall, it's fine.
I thought we might
play our word game.
So long as you don't try to use
any of your funny spellings.
That's a letter from
an old AVC friend.
Maurice Oliver.
I got it about a month ago.
He was the chap
in the photo you found.
He had a practice up in Brawton.
He and I went through
some things together.
Terrible things.
He killed himself last week.
Barbiturates.
I've been reading it
over and over and over,
trying to see if there was
anything I might've missed.
If I could've found something,
done something to help him.
But he seems happy.
He talks about his plans
for the summer.
Oh, Siegfried.
Well, I think we can safely say
Cargill's SoothAway is not
the wonder sedative
we were led to believe.
I'm sorry, "we?"
This is your mess.
If anyone's getting it
in the neck from Siegfried,
it's you.
Or we could just not say anything?
And pretend it worked.
Ahh, see,
she's learning.
As I said, the only way of surviving
Siegfried is if we stick together.
To surviving Siegfried.
Surviving Siegfried.
Something funny, is there?
No. Well,
there was, actually.
We were just saying
- Jim.
- Don't.
Right.
Listen.
If these co-called experts
come up offering you
chance of this testing malarky,
show them the bloody road.
Mr. Cranford,
the TB testing programme only exists
to help wipe out a dangerous disease
that kills tens of thousands of
people a year. That's your children,
your brothers, and sisters.
Your parents.
One sick cow and you could lose
the whole bloody herd.
You'll have us out of business.
I think what James is saying is we
all have to make sacrifices for
the greater good.
Oh, aye,
so you'll be having them up your
place then, will you, Alderson?
Aye.
I will, Mr. Cranford.
Thank you.
I just hope to God you don't
end up putting down
half the cows in the district.
I have to say,
I thought you were
very impressive with
Cranford last night.
I almost wanted to get
tested for TB myself.
Just my usual dedication
to the profession, Tristan.
You should try it, Triss.
You take a long bath
last night like I told you to?
I practically turned into a prune.
So long as you didn't use up
all me salts. Like some people.
How did it go with Cranford?
I refused to endorse his
fraudulent lightning claims,
so he's understandably furious.
Then you must be doing
something right.
I see from our daybook that we
spayed Mrs. Beck's cat?
Yes, yes.
All went very smoothly.
No complications.
That sedative you bought
doesn't do much.
Judging by the scratches
on your face.
No, no.
I'll be taking that up with Barge
next time we see him.
Helen, yesterday,
if I was a bit sharp
Siegfried, it's fine.
I've heard far worse.
Audrey told us you were
thrown from a horse.
I really thought I would be
able to help him.
Unfortunately, the damage
is too deeply engrained.
Some things can't be undone.
Tristan, would you mind driving me
up to the Sebright Saunders?
I'm still a bit sore.
Yes, of course.
Thank you.
Bring the humane kit, please.
You see, the Cranfords of this
world are easy to stand up to.
It's the little old ladies
that cause all the bother.
You don't believe me?
All right, then, you try and get
the money out of Mrs. Beck.
Oh, wonderful,
you brought her back.
So good of you.
She's lively enough,
so we've no concerns
about her recovery.
Oh, poor little Georgie.
What have these nasty people
been doing to you?
You can give her
a little milk tonight.
And then some solids from tomorrow.
I suppose you'll be wanting
your money then.
Well, you've got your cat, so
Ten shillings, weren't it?
That's correct, Mrs. Beck.
Oh, Georgina,
you are an expensive pussy.
Will she be needing
a follow up appointment?
In a week's time.
How about I pay you
when I pick her up then?
Well, Mrs. Beck
I'd rather leave you to it
if you don't mind, Siegfried.
Actually, I do.
You'll stay this time.
I'm sorry, lad.
I'm so sorry.
Out.
Get out of here now.
Out!
All right, fella, all right.
None of it is
this poor animal's fault.
Oh, Farnon.
Maurice needed help.
No-one was there to give it to him.
But we're here now.
Surely we don't need to repeat the
mistakes and cruelties of the past.
And how many times are
you willing to be thrown off?
As many as it takes.
A racehorse that can't be around
a riding crop is about as useful as
a porcelain hammer.
We need to build up
his confidence and trust.
And then, slowly,
we can start
to re-introduce the crop.
It'll take time.
Now, then, shall we go
for that ride together?
Have a word before
he does himself a mischief.
Siegfried, this doesn't seem like
one of your more sensible ideas.
Others have risked and
given far more, believe me.
Now, listen.
You can kick me off again
as much as you like.
I'm not going to give up on you.
Don't give up on me either.
Maybe we can help each other out.
Good.
Gate, please, Tristan.
All right, River, let's go.
Re-sync and some formatting by Hakkikt