All Creatures Great and Small Season 6, Episode 2, “Old Dog, New Tricks” Spoilers Ahead
All Creatures Great and Small‘s “Old Dogs, New Tricks” starts out as fresh fun, then suddenly springs over the wall right into our feels. At first glance, recurring themes feel recognizable, almost predictable, but this series excels at elevating universal human experiences beyond the familiar. The episode invites long-time viewers to look more deeply at our favorite characters and their relationships with each other.
In “Old Dog, New Tricks,” battles of wills threaten the tentative peace in Darrowby and the usually placid demeanors of the two resident peacemakers. All Creatures Season 6, Episode 2 allows fans to test our own ability to adapt to changing dynamics and character motivations.
Catching Strays in All Creatures Season 6, Episode 2
“Old Dog, New Tricks” promises enjoyment from the first scenes. The anticipation of seeing our favorite pampered Pekinese begins when little Jimmy Herriot hands his father a birthday card for Tricki Woo. As James Herriot drives away from Heston Grange, the views of the old stone bridge and sloping landscape are a much-needed breath of fresh air. Alexandra Harwood’s light notes ease the dreamy immersion into the bucolic world of the Yorkshire Dales.
A change of tune and of scenery signals that mischief is afoot in the episode. We first see a pair of feet—one shod, one stockinged—advancing gingerly along the side of the road. A rear view of disheveled hair and a tweed jacket thrown over a shoulder confirms our suspicions. A wide angle finally reveals Siegfried Farnon on an involuntary early morning trek, still a good distance from Darrowby. As luck would have it, James drives by, stops, and backs the car up to give embarrassed Siegfried a lift, but not before interrogating him. We learn the Rover and the missing shoe stayed behind at Widow Marsham’s when he fled for reasons left to our imaginations.
Siegfried’s unstable cocktail of dalliances, mental distraction, and direct insults is explosive, but he’s not the one taking flak in “Old Dog, New Tricks.” Instead, Mrs. Hall and James are forced to face the backlash of angry villagers. Poor Audrey can procure nothing better than wilted lettuce from the resentful greengrocer, Mr. Jubb. Only her quick reflexes save her from being hit by flying footwear spitefully hurled into the door of Skeldale House. Audrey confers with Helen Herriot about whether it’s Darrowby or her that’s off. Helen helps her understand that Siegfried is the one spoiling things.
After a gentle attempt to help Siegfried see the impact of his behavior, Mrs. Hall forcefully turns Siegfried’s blind mole rat metaphor against him to fantastic effect. Through his apology to the Jubbs, we learn that Siegfried brutally dismissed the grocer’s sister after only three days as housekeeper. Siegfried follows up to ensure his gesture has made Audrey’s shopping more fruitful. He chides her about comparing him to a rodent (Gerald might like a word), but the pair seems to be back to their chummy evening routine.
James also suffers the consequences of his business partner’s blunders in All Creatures 6×01. Siegfried’s forgetfulness forces James to call on a demanding client, but not Mrs. Pumphrey as expected. When he arrives late, Sister Rose’s biting sarcasm makes us cringe while blameless James patiently accepts the reproach. The nurse’s penchant for fostering abandoned dogs makes her a coveted repeat customer. Her bluntly efficient manner disarms the affable vet, and he finds himself the potential owner of an X-ray machine. The long-suffering man cannot even catch a break at home. In different ways, Jenny and Richard Alderson probe whether James has a backbone. Perhaps wanting to prove that he does, James takes a page from Siegfried’s playbook. He hastily completes the expensive equipment purchase without his co-owner’s explicit agreement. Mishaps with the machine and Siegfried’s superior attitude lead James to blow a fuse. Helen, again, provides the voice of reason, and we learn that James’ impulsiveness is rooted in big love. (I’m not crying!)
In the midst of these outbursts, Tristan Farnon is the one holding everything together in “Old Dog, New Tricks.” After an appetite-building five-mile run, Tris keeps quiet when his brother steals bacon from his breakfast plate. He tidies up the chaotic dispensary in another display of his “military discipline.” The constant kidder doesn’t pile on as Sister Rose and Jenny lampoon James about the giant, unmovable crate. Tris quickly and quietly rewires the circuits to restore light and peace to Skeldale House. He also overhauls his mindset after Mrs. Hall reminds him of the welcome distraction of doing good works. Still, his somewhat subdued attitude at the final dinner suggests Tristan’s memories may be a ticking bomb.
All Creatures Great and Small’s “Old Dog, New Tricks” is a Treat
Despite the strong Season 6 premiere, I admit I still had misgivings about how Siegfried’s regression and the various relationship resets would affect the ability to tell compelling, new stories in All Creatures. “Old Dog, New Tricks” does a lot to put those doubts to rest. The blend of recurring and new characters, variations on continuing themes, and the utter charm of the people and place produces an episode that is surprisingly powerful.
Two delightful acting performances contribute to the feeling of newness in Season 2, Episode 6. As soon as the name appears, we know Patricia Hodge will provide some belly laughs. Even the reduced circumstances of life in a cottage cannot lessen Mrs. Pumphrey’s oblivious imperiousness (or silliness as James described it in “Glass Half Full“). Hodge’s expressions as she portrays Mrs. P’s confused displeasure at a little Jimmy’s drawing are simply hilarious.
While Hodge steals all her scenes, in “Old Dog, New Tricks,” Elexi Walker steals the show as Sister Rose. Her portrayal of the hard-nosed nurse strikes the perfect balance of toughness in business and tenderness for the animals. The shifts from sharp customer demands to soft reflections on the natural order of life are seamless. Walker’s understated delivery of “please and thanks” captures the nurse’s impatience and sly humor. With Sister Rose’s transformation into a concerned pet owner during Geoffrey’s surgery, Walker demonstrates contained but moving emotion.
Readers of these reviews know that I’m a big admirer of director Stewart Svaasand’s style. In All Creatures Season 6, Episode 2, Svaasand again intrigues viewers with his close-ups and tight framing. The “Rations Accepted Here” sign in the bakery window later explains some of Siegfried’s reluctance to invest in new equipment. A downward view of Siegfried looking up at the illuminated light fixture suggests maybe new ideas are entering his thick head. The close-up on the greengrocer’s door sign being changed from “closed” to “open” signals thawing relationships.
The director also treats us to wider angles that provide new perspectives. During the power outage, as Tristan shines the flashlight in each speaker’s face, only Siegfried does not flinch. He seems unbothered by the glare. He even dismisses a curious onlooker, saying “Nothing to see here, George.” To show that the Skeldale House disagreements have an audience, Svaasand includes gawking villagers and waiting room patients more prominently in frames where extras usually go unnoticed. Wider views as James dashes to Sister Rose’s reveal a bigger Darrowby than the town square we’re used to seeing.
Writers Karim Khan (All Creatures 3×05, “Edward”) and Neil Jones (series first-timer) team up to provide wonderful character insights and powerful dialogue. The contrasting client relationships reveal so much about the two vets. James is patient even as Sister Rose punishes him for something he did not do. Siegfried is impatient even as Mrs. Pumphrey praises him for something that is not true. But when the two vets come together to save stray dog Geoffrey, we understand why they work so well together. Siegfried is transformed from tyrant to assistant/mentor and serves as a brake to James’ haste.
It’s strange to see Mrs. Hall confused about town dynamics or her employer. Her inability to understand how shocking Siegfried’s behavior has become seems to be a reminder of the grace she constantly affords him. In an echo of Siegfried’s talk with Farmer Tredwell in “Gathering the Flock,” Audrey has a realization in her conversation with Sister Rose, ostensibly about Geoffrey. She fears that Siegfried may have permanently forgotten how to count on people. This abandonment theme comes through poignantly in Siegfried’s powerful outburst, “I’m here!” Finally, we see the pain that explains so much.
A quick nod to Ros Little and the costume department. The fabrics are always so envy-inducing, even the adorable Fair Isle sweater on Geoffrey. The wardrobe change for Sister Rose from a stern nurse uniform to a casual dress in more vibrant colors is a nod to her off day and her soft heart.
The final dinner for four feels like a throwback to All Creatures Season 1, a time before war complicated life. Mrs. Hall seems intent on putting Sister Rose’s advice into action – providing a home and love so that all her boys can learn to trust again.
All Creatures Great and Small Season 6, Episode 2, “Old Dog, New Tricks,” is full of heart. Viewers will laugh and cry and be fully convinced that, as the episode title suggests, this creative team has a lot more life in it.
Now streaming on PBS: What are your thoughts on All Creatures Great and Small Season 6, Episode 2, “Old Dog, New Tricks?” Let us know in the comments below.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Playground Entertainment and MASTERPIECE / Photographer: Helen Williams