All Creatures Great and Small is a television series adapted from the autobiography of British veterinarian James Herriot. I read the book a long time ago and really enjoyed its light-hearted and humorous approach to life. I started watching the series in 2020, with a new season of six episodes plus a Christmas special each year. Although I have forgotten some of the earlier plots, seeing a new season still feels like welcoming back familiar friends.
In Season 6, the story has reached 1945, with World War II nearing its end. Life in the countryside is finally returning to normal, but it can never go back to the pre-war state. Some people will never return, and others come back with scars that need time and the support of family and friends to heal. Since it revolves around the life of a veterinarian, each episode features plots about treating animals, along with metaphorical character-related storylines.
The most touching episode is Episode 6, where the war has finally ended. Tristan suddenly leaves during a horse treatment, and the horse's reaction to pain triggers his memories of the war's brutality. With the help of Mrs. Hall and Siegfried, he finally faces his inner trauma and assists Siegfried in completing the horse's treatment. The whole village throws a party to celebrate the end of the war, and everyone begins to bravely face their new post-war lives.
The earlier episodes focus on Siegfried, who, by hiding his inner thoughts and failing to recognize his unfriendliness towards others, treats a sheep that is concealing its illness. After hearing a child call himself Shellish, he finally realizes his problem, begins to apologize to others, and corrects his mistakes.
Since the stories in the book are quite realistic and trivial, they are not very suitable for direct adaptation into a film or television series. The screenwriters have added some conflicting plots to enhance the viewing experience and highlight the theme of healing. Due to the lack of a major antagonist, the overall storyline struggles to have a prominent main thread, making it less suitable for viewers who enjoy thrilling plots, but it is still worth following each year for those who appreciate a peaceful rural life.