All Creatures Great and Small is a TV series adapted from the autobiography of British veterinarian James Herriot. I read the books long ago and loved their lighthearted, humorous approach to life. I started watching the show in 2020, with each season featuring six episodes plus a Christmas special. Though I'd forgotten some earlier plot points, seeing a new season felt like welcoming back a familiar friend.
Season 6 now takes us to 1945, as World War II draws to a close. Country life is finally returning to normal, though it can never be quite the same as before the war. Some people never came back, while others returned bearing wounds that would take time and the support of family and friends to heal. As the story centers on veterinary practice, each episode features animal treatments alongside metaphorical human storylines.
The most moving episode is the sixth, where the war finally ends. During a horse treatment, Tristan suddenly withdraws. The horse's reaction to its pain triggers his own memories of war's cruelty. With Mrs. Hall and Siegfried's support, he bravely confronts his inner trauma and helps Siegfried complete the horse's treatment. The entire village celebrates the war's end with a party, everyone beginning to face the new post-war life with courage.
Earlier episodes focus on Siegfried's struggle with hiding his true feelings and failing to recognize his own unfriendliness toward others. After treating a sheep that concealed its illness and overhearing a child call him “selfish,” he finally acknowledges his issues. He begins apologizing to others and correcting his mistakes.
Since the book's stories are relatively realistic and mundane, they aren't well-suited for direct adaptation into a TV series. The screenwriter added some conflict-driven elements to the book's narrative style to enhance its watchability and emphasize the theme of healing. Lacking a major antagonist, the overall plot struggles to establish a prominent main storyline, making it unsuitable for viewers who prefer thrilling action. However, for those who enjoy tranquil pastoral life, it remains worth following each year.