Audrey Hall is a consummate professional as a housekeeper. She is also a war mother and something of a people expert. So, when she receives a telegram addressed to Mr. Farnon towards the start of All Creatures Great and Small’s “Homecoming,” she knows to keep the news to herself. Any speculation would be inappropriate and would bring down the mood as the family gathers for little Jimmy’s christening. And even though she loves Tristan Farnon as much as her own son, Mrs. Hall knows that she has a right to only as much information as his brother Siegfried is willing to provide. In “To All Our Boys,” viewers learn that Siegfried gleefully shares Tristan’s letters with Audrey, even the smutty doodles. But this telegram is not a letter, and it contains potentially devastating news.
The timid intimacy between Siegfried and Audrey as he shares the contents of Tristan’s telegram in “Homecoming” shows both the bonds and bounds of their relationship.
You’ve Got Mail, Mr. Farnon
Alexandra Harwood’s spellbinding music introduces the tension and tenderness in this scene with a repeating four-note sequence. A Stewart Svaasand (episode director) close-up on a mixing bowl shows Audrey busily preparing the icing for little Jimmy’s christening cake. Although instantly alarmed at receiving the telegram for Mr. Farnon in the late morning, Mrs. Hall puts on a brave face for the day. As she hears Siegfried enter in the evening, she steels herself to deliver the envelope into his hands. An inhale and audible throat-clearing signal to viewers that Audrey does not relish being the bearer of potentially bad news. She, however, maintains her composure, allowing Siegfried at least a moment to transition from his workday to home. (Please, take notes if you share a house with someone!)
Audrey’s question prompts him to blow off steam about miserly Mr. Biggins so that at least that is not clouding his mind for whatever he’s about to read. Before, however, Siegfried becomes too preoccupied with routine Skeldale House events, Audrey interrupts to hand him the unexpected note. Mrs. Hall tries to put on a calming demeanor. Her verbal stumble as she informs Mr. Farnon that he won’t be disturbed betrays her concern. His almost unblinking eye contact as Audrey speaks suggests Siegfried is forcing himself to concentrate on her words. When he thanks Mrs. Hall, his gaze is unfocused as though he is already escaping into his own worst imaginings. The camera angle allows us to see the silent suffering of both characters, Siegfried’s as he receives the envelope and Audrey’s as he walks away to open it alone.
Behind Closed Doors
As the scene moves out of the kitchen, the anxiety becomes nearly unbearable. The pacing of this sequence, combined with the exquisite soundtrack, fills the scene with emotion. Siegfried pauses briefly before stepping into his study and closing the door. While Mrs. Hall remains on the outside, viewers observe Siegfried in this private instant. After retrieving the letter opener and putting on his reading glasses, he gives a longer pause and an audible sigh. Mirroring the earlier scene in “Homecoming” when Mrs. Hall first receives the telegram, the camera focuses on the note in Siegfried’s hands. It’s as if both want to be absolutely sure the poisoned note has reached the correct address.
While Siegfried overcomes his hesitation and opens the telegram, Mrs. Hall wavers in the hallway. We see her pacing before pausing outside the study door. The shift from a floor-to-ceiling side view to a front view of Audrey’s upper body allows viewers to see both her physical immobility and her racing mind. We are left to imagine her unspoken questions — Should I knock? Should I wait? Do I have permission to intrude on this moment? During this pause, the lighting emphasizes the yellow of the hallway. Unlike the hopeful springtime daffodils in the opening scene of “Homecoming,” this color feels ominous. Whatever Audrey is thinking, she walks away too late to escape Siegfried’s notice because he opens the door before she can turn the corner.
“What Does It Say?”
Mr. Farnon emerges from the study, and Mrs. Hall turns to face him. She places her hand over her mouth in a gesture of unease before quickly collecting herself. Audrey waits for Siegfried to speak even though her expression shows she’s yearning to know. Mercifully, Siegfried blurts out: “He’s coming home.” He gives a small flinch as though he’s testing the words. When Mrs. Hall responds with only a gasp, Siegfried lets out a relieved laugh. Mrs. Hall approaches him with decided steps and a wide smile to demand more information. We learn that Tristan has shared only two words with his brother: “Home tomorrow.”
As Audrey looks over the telegram, Siegfried keeps his eyes squarely on her face. As she seeks answers about Tristan’s return home, Siegfried is content not knowing. At this moment, he searches Mrs. Hall’s face for reassurance. Siegfried seems to want to include Audrey in the unbridled joy that’s apparently overtaking him. Their happiness does not, however, lead them to forget themselves completely. The few words they exchange are about the contents of the telegram, which remains physically between them. There’s no hand clasp or hug. Instead, their shared relief and excitement are visible only in Siegfried’s wonderfully expressive smile in the final frame.
This brief but poignant scene in All Creatures Great and Small’s “Homecoming” shows that Siegfried increasingly looks to Audrey as the privileged outlet for his emotional expression. Even though he refuses her offer of support the next morning, for the space of an evening, he needs her to partake in his happiness.
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