All Creatures Great and Small 4×02 “Carpe Diem” Spoilers Ahead
All Creatures Great and Small 4×02 “Carpe Diem” is a buoyant episode that explores weighty issues with a large dose of hilarity. Our favorite Darrowby residents continue to evaluate and renegotiate their post-Tristan roles, with an outside catalyst accelerating their self-reflection. “Carpe Diem” moves these struggles into new territory as Siegfried Farnon’s misguided attempt to compensate for his brother’s absence threatens the fundamental mission of the Skeldale veterinary practice.
With “Carpe Diem,” the show reminds us that financial worth isn’t the same as value, and rigid rules don’t always promote fairness. As this series does so well, viewers discover these serious lessons not from a soapbox monologue but through clever narrative, character development, and lots of hijinks. Goats rampaging inside Skeldale House and a lively ferret running the Darrowby streets embody the chaos Miss Harbottle, a new and blessedly short-lived addition to the staff, hopes to contain. As they unite to oppose Miss Harbottle’s zealous efforts, James and Helen Herriot, Mrs. Hall, and Siegfried recommit to the principles that make us love them.
All Creatures Great and Small 4×02 Gets Skeldale House in Order
The action in “Carpe Diem” takes place mainly inside Skeldale House, contrasting with other episodes that expand to the Dales and life on its farms. This focus reinforces the idea that Siegfried and James must get a handle on internal affairs before they can be effective vets for the farming community. We quickly discover that Siegfried has stumbled — or foxtrotted — onto a potential solution. As the episode unfolds, Siegfried gains an important perspective on his error and, more generally, his fallibility.
The opening sequence offers a glorious but brief pan-out over the Yorkshire countryside accompanied by a serene, airy Alexandra Harwood composition. This calm quickly gives way to pluckier notes as we enter Skeldale House. Siegfried’s searching and muttering recall his agitation in early scenes of “Broodiness,” leaving us to wonder if he’s retained any lessons from his interactions with Slaven. Storm Siegfried bursts unannounced into James Herriot’s treatment room, freeing two goats to charge through the house. As the others dash about in madcap fashion, trying to corral Betty and Hilda, Siegfried idly observes the chaos he’s unleashed. This inaction characterizes his approach during most of All Creatures Great and Small 4×02 “Carpe Diem.”
Miss Harbottle is all too eager to fill the vacuum created by Siegfried’s passivity. The would-be bookkeeper quickly takes the measure of the disarray and helps Siegfried remember that “bringing order to chaos is [her] specialty.” She essentially hires herself on terms to which only she is privy, given Siegfried’s incomplete recollection of the Farmers Ball job interview. As the episode progresses, I can’t help but wonder whether Siegfried was flirting or being flimflamed during the foxtrot. Miss Harbottle knows exactly which levers to pull to maneuver Siegfried to her will. It appears that, with his tongue loosened by the alcohol that has blurred his memory, Siegfried disclosed his concern about the practice “without [his] brother to help.” Miss Harbottle’s assertion that he is “forward-thinking” and “full of vigor” suggests Siegfried also shared his hopes for the future (and claimed credit for James’s TB testing initiative). She positions herself as the right person to bring much-needed order and progress to Skeldale House.
Siegfried’s capitulation to Miss Harbottle forces James, Helen, and Mrs. Hall into new roles. James becomes more directly confrontational, while Helen increasingly emerges as a moderating force. Just as she urges restraint in “Broodiness,” Helen gently instructs James to “calm down before you talk to” Siegfried. James again ignores her and butts heads with Siegfried numerous times. They clash about whether Siegfried has sole power to hire Miss Harbottle and whether she’s even needed. James bristles slightly at the title “junior partner.” He makes clear his own claim to some authority when he asks: “Who’s in charge here? You and me or Miss Harbottle?” Miss Harbottle is dismissive of James. She summons him by haughtily clearing her throat and interrupts his attempt to remind his partner, Siegfried, of their fundamental values. When James bluntly tells Siegfried that Miss Harbottle is not the fix for missing Tris, Siegfried responds with perplexed silence before storming off.
Mrs. Hall also suffers as a result of Siegfried’s assumed powerlessness. He silently eavesdrops on an exchange in which Audrey tries to explain to Miss Harbottle the general esprit de corps in Skeldale House. The bookkeeper demotes Audrey to the role of simple housekeeper, referring to Mrs. Hall’s “duties” and rebuffing her offer to code-break the appointment book. Siegfried acquiesces in Miss Harbottle’s insulting characterization of the house Mrs. Hall takes pride in running as less than “shipshape.” The greatest injury to Mrs. Hall comes when the usually astute Miss Harbottle misreads the relationship between Audrey and Gerald. The outsider uses none of the charm she reserves for Siegfried to smooth over the misunderstanding. The one advantage of Miss Harbottle’s “stickybeak” is to push Audrey to reveal her divorce application to Helen. We get more insight into Mrs. Hall’s motivation — “it is [for Gerald], but it isn’t.” Well, that clears up exactly nothing (leaving shippers some hope).
“Carpe Diem” Reminds Us of What Should Matter Most
Even as Siegfried empowers Miss Harbottle to ride roughshod over his housemates, the writing, acting, and direction offer glimpses of Siegfried’s doubts throughout All Creatures Great and Small 4×02 “Carpe Diem.” He does seem vaguely concerned when Miss Harbottle patronizes Audrey while dubbing herself “secretary, clerk, and assistant to the manager.” After he confidently assures James that Miss Harbottle is just what they need, the camera lingers on Samuel West’s uneasy expression, revealing Siegfried’s uncertainty. Later, Siegfried conceals his decision to offer compassionate care in express violation of her uncharitable “methods.” And he chuckles as James mocks Miss Harbottle’s self-important “ahem.” A mutiny is brewing.
The rare scenes in the Dales reinforce the central tensions of Skeldale House. After a drive through the stunning scenery, Siegfried confesses to Farmer Dakin that the view “always lifts the spirit” (and I confirm it does). But Dakin quickly brings him back to earth, saying, “Views don’t pay the bills.” So, Siegfried sets his mind on business and condemns the underperforming old cow Blossom to the slaughterhouse. On his next visit, Siegfried lingers with Blossom, perhaps regretting his advice. As Dakin reminisces about the cow’s birth, both men are visibly moved by her imminent death. James Bolam’s delivery of writer Helen Raynor’s monologue is heartbreaking. The statement “She don’t owe me a thing” snaps Siegfried back to action. He recognizes that productivity is not the only measure of a life’s worth. He creates a new role for Blossom that will allow her to be useful and live out her golden years in dignity.
This tension between seeing animals as useful things or inherently valuable beings runs through the episode. The ease and intimacy with their animals shown by the people of Darrowby contrasts with Miss Harbottle’s disdain. James politely addresses the goats as “ladies” while he chases them. Siegfried chuckles at the thought of Hilda enjoying a day out. James and Joe Coney consider Wilf, the ferret, to be the patient whose name should appear in the appointment book. In contrast, Miss Harbottle cannot be bothered to learn the name of her officemate, Volonel, referring to him as “that,” “the rat,” or “it” before finally catching herself. Whether it’s her disdain for animals or her prior experience with a feed merchant, Miss Harbottle treats veterinary care as a commodity and animals as inventory. Her eviction of Volonel from the warmth of Skeldale House finally converts Siegfried to the truth that she is not the right answer to his problem.
A highlight of this entertaining episode is the exchange between Siegfried and Mrs. Hall when he asks her: How do YOU manage ME? He’s just on the cusp of realizing his style may be more iron fist than velvet glove. Anna Madeley’s baffled expression as she portrays Mrs. Hall searching for a diplomatic answer is a masterclass in subtle comedic acting. Miss Harbottle again demonstrates her ability to manipulate a situation when she takes advantage of Seigfried’s inability to find the balance between kindness and honesty. From this point, the episode feels like a caper. It’s fun to watch Siegfried join in the subversive antics usually aimed at circumventing his own authority.
One might almost feel sorry for Miss Harbottle, but throughout All Creatures Great and Small 4×02 “Carpe Diem,” it is plain that her values clash starkly with those embraced by the community. Her distrust — people may steal the money — runs counter to the need to build trust with owners. Her cash-only policy assigns no value to the high-quality items offered in barter for vet services. (“Have you tried the jam?“) Her insistence on an upfront deposit puts animals at risk. The transformation of her wardrobe from a soft pink wool sweater to a stern black suit as she insinuates herself into the seat of power cements her in my mind as a mirthless, anti-Mary Poppins intent on quashing useful whimsy in pursuit of ruthless order. Seeing Miss La Di Da get her comeuppance can’t come soon enough.
The scene when Siegfried finally reclaims the mantle of authority is both rewarding and riotously funny. Siegfried is in his element as he teaches the ale-drinking gallery about the ferret lumpectomy. With no expectation of payment, he and James work together as professionals to save the ferret. Joe Coney’s slow recline as Miss Harbottle interrupts the celebration and quick pop-up when Siegfried finally pushes back are a hilarious barometer of our emotions.
The final minutes of “Carpe Diem” show that the seriesexcels at transitions between deep emotions, from deadly seriousness (during the operation) to joyful celebration to moral tension and hilarious relief. They also confirm that, in Darrowby, community matters and, in the Skeldale practice, “the animal comes first… always.”
One aspect of All Creatures Great and Small 4×02 “Carpe Diem” I haven’t commented on is how it subtly reminds us that James Herriot has become a full-fledged community member. In his first encounter with Miss Harbottle, he attempts to build rapport by invoking their shared Scottish origins. Once an outsider, he’s now embraced what matters most in the Yorkshire Dales and has been accepted in return. This transformation takes on importance as Season 4 advances.
“Carpe Diem” does everything a second episode should do in a short season: offers delightful side stories, advances coherent character development, gently moves some central plots forward — “let’s get crackin!” It appeals to what matters most to viewers: the bonds among the Skeldale House residents and their love for their neighbors.
Now streaming on PBS: What are your thoughts on the All Creatures Great and Small 4×02 “Carpe Diem?” Let us know in the comments below.
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