All Creatures Great and Small Season 6, Episode 6, “Our Hearts Are Full” Spoilers Ahead
All Creatures Great and Small fans expect Episode 6 of any given season to put us through an emotional wringer, and 6×06 does not disappoint. Prepare for puffy eyes, breathless moments, and lingering feelings of warmth and wonder. “Our Hearts Are Full” is aptly named because viewers’ hearts will swell with an achingly beautiful blend of anguish, relief, and renewed faith.
Waging Peace in All Creatures Season 6, Episode 6
“Our Hearts Are Full” begins with a lush flyover, but it’s not the typical All Creatures opening shot. Instead of the rustic beauty of the Dales, we see the stunning, manicured gardens of the Beauvoir estate. A Union Jack atop the mansion flaps in the breeze as a wartime tune replaces the usual Alexandra Harwood soundtrack. The country is still at war, and, as we join Tristan Farnon for a posh picnic with Charlotte Beauvoir, she confirms that his next deployment is “awfully soon.” An adorable exchange of mock epistles provides (cold) comfort that he’ll have a sweetheart to write home to this time. When Tris turns to grab the jam tarts, Charlotte’s changed expression reveals concern beneath her placid smile.
As the scene shifts to Heston Grange, the semblance of peace in All Creatures 6×06 falls away entirely. The raging brook, roaring car engine, and scattering sheep mark a shift to more aggressive energy. James Herriot and Richard Alderson do at least exchange pleasantries before butting heads. After checking on a pregnant cow, James asks that Richard phone him if there’s further trouble. Richard confesses that he disconnected the line. He’s not afraid of witchcraft, as he called it in “Gathering the Flock.” Instead, he’s weary of constant wrong-number calls. The man just wants peace. (Relatable!) They clash about reconnecting the phone, but James surrenders on witnessing Richard do double duty as a railway information agent.
At Skeldale, Siegfried Farnon is fighting the idea of paying a call on a taciturn Yorkshire farmer. Mrs. Hall, the eternal peacemaker, tries to convince Siegfried to give Elijah Wentworth a chance. Instead of empathy, the irritable vet finds motivation in the chance to win a bet with Tristan. After their long walk through his gorgeous fields, the farmer greets the brothers with only monosyllabic utterances. Tristan promptly pays Siegfried, conceding defeat. Wentworth leads them into his horse barn, where the younger Captain Farnon soon faces another battle. His alarm on encountering an agitated Shire horse forces Tristan to beat a hasty retreat. He speeds off in the Rover, leaving Siegfried stranded. Befuddled and embarrassed, the elder Farnon is delivered back to town in the back of Wentworth’s horse-drawn cart.
Audrey Hall is battling on multiple fronts in “Our Hearts Are Full.” Her first mission is to protect the condolences cake she’s baked for Maggie from little Jimmy’s sticky fingers. The news about victory over Japan prompts Audrey to rally the Darrowby community for a celebration. Her plans are, initially, thwarted by a dry tap at the Drovers and the broken spirits of potential helpers. Then, Siegfried declares her to be “the answer” to Tristan’s issues … and all other questions in life. (Aside to the reader: What is happening?!? That sounded a lot like a rom-com declaration.) Audrey accompanies him to the church to find Tris, deserting her hopes of organizing the party.
Back at Heston Grange, another seemingly desperate situation arises. The cow, who was expecting earlier, is no longer pregnant when James returns to birth her calf. After a nudge, Richard admits the barn gate was open, meaning the calf could be “anywhere on the whole farm.” Unfortunately, the search party consists only of an aging farmer, an aging former farrier, and a child in Wellies. So, James calls in recently discharged Tom Chapman for reinforcement. Led by the mother cow, the searchers find the calf, and Tom finds a place that feels more like home.
Tristan’s complex homecoming finally comes to a head in “Our Hearts Are Full.” Japan’s surrender has provoked strong feelings of guilt at the circumstances in which he earned the Military Cross. He “celebrates” the nation’s victory isolated in his room with the premium whisky he received in “Gathering the Flock.” After an apparently sleepless night, Tris seeks refuge in the church. When Audrey and Siegfried find him, he urges them to leave him alone. Audrey wisely encourages the brothers to talk without her, although Siegfried’s initial babbling makes us question the decision. When the elder brother finally signals that he’s truly listening, Tris pours out his story and his heart. Siegfried’s comforting hug provides the release his younger brother has needed all season. The two find peace, return to the Shire horse, and lance the boil there, too.
“Our Hearts Are Full” Is a Total Victory for All Creatures Great and Small
All Creatures Season 6, Episode 6 is shattering and sublime. This episode comes awfully close to perfection. The short hour is brimming with all the features that make a TV show exceptional. Remarkably, “Our Hearts Are Full” presents both a complete narrative and a satisfying extension of series-long arcs initiated as early as Season 1. As a standalone episode, it is excellent. As the crescendo of six seasons of storytelling, it is extraordinary.
In such a strong ensemble cast, it feels unfair to single out any one actor’s performance. Still, the onscreen rapport between Samuel West and Callum Woodhouse is extremely special. Whether the brothers are bickering or supporting each other, the dynamic is accurately familiar to anyone who dearly loves but does not always like a sibling. The various interactions between the Farnons are wonderful in the episode.
Much of the brilliance of “Our Hearts Are Full” is the work of first-time All Creatures writer Nick Leather. The BAFTA-winning writer (“Murdered for Being Different”) has beautifully constructed intricate stories where every detail matters. Seemingly small things, like Jimmy marveling that baked goods can talk, come back in major ways. When Maggie assures Audrey, “It was a piece of cake,” the meaningful looks they exchange melt my heart. This scene also shows that Mrs. Hall has overcome the ostracism she endured in “Old Dog, New Tricks” and can rely on her neighbors and friends. Similarly, even amid his fog, Tris glibly affirms he’s a better equine vet than Siegfried. Later, as he soothes Weissmuller, like wee Jimmy, viewers wonder if Tristan really has learned to “talk horse.” The fraternal rivalry of “Captain Farnon” seems finally settled; Siegfried literally passes the torch to Tristan in the final scene.
In the episode, Leather also delivers the humorous and heartfelt dialogue that is a hallmark of the show. When Audrey and Tristan respond to Siegfried’s complaints about Wentworth with “oh” and “aye,” my reaction is a hearty “ha!” Mrs. Hall’s interactions with Jimmy about the cake are first-rate comedy. Charlotte and Tristan’s conversations are refreshingly candid, while James and Richard seem to have found healthier ways to communicate. Of course, Siegfried has several cutting quips. Elijah Wentworth’s address is simple, elegant, and beautifully moving.
The most rewarding dialogue in “Our Hearts are Full” shows an evolving and eventually appreciative Siegfried. He follows his “the answer is always you” declaration with a statement so frontally candid that Mrs. Hall fidgets nervously. Once he understands Tristan’s “storminess,” Siegfried unambiguously praises his godlike talents. Unquestionably, the scene in the church is among the most powerful in the whole series. Siegfried’s progress from babbling to inquiry to deep listening and finally wordless comfort is phenomenal. And the unfolding of Tristan’s long-awaited battlefield story engrosses viewers in both the past action and the present emotion.
This scene also demonstrates Andy Hay’s brilliant directorial vision. Mrs. Hall’s deliberate choice of a separate pew foreshadows her decision to remove herself from the conversation. It also provides a beautiful natural spotlight on her face as she leans forward, and the opportunity for her gentle squeeze of Siegfried’s shoulder. The side-by-side framing of Tristan and Siegfried recalls the clinical consultation in “Fixes.” Siegfried finally turns to look at Tristan when the younger brother confesses his suffering. When Siegfried leans in and doesn’t look away, Tris understands his brother honestly cares. The close-up of their embrace shows Tristan sobbing and Siegfried being a container for some of the pain. A wide shot allows viewers to follow Mrs. Hall’s example and gives them space to talk. Those “hugger” Farnons will be alright.
In All Creatures 6×06, Hay uses several other long shots and panoramic views that, once again, add interest, depth, and impact. The opening flyover reminds us of the war and of Tristan’s idyllic escape. This shot gives powerful meaning to Charlotte’s question of whether she’s been a distraction. Similarly, the aerial view at Wentworth’s farm reveals the vast distance that Tristan covers to reach the Rover without calming down. The flyover transition to Heston shows the expanse they would need to cover searching for the calf without better directions. In at least one shot, prominent utility poles dot the landscape as a reminder that progress is already here.
The scenes of celebration also reveal much about the characters. The gorgeous slow motion after the radio announcement shows Siegfried reaching to hug Audrey. Her thoughts are elsewhere until she feels his touch. James lifts little Jimmy, leaving Tristan standing alone like a singleton at midnight on New Year’s Eve. The fireworks viewing brings Helen Herriot and little Rosie back, at least in spirit. A scan of the picnic crowd lingers on Maggie and Grace Chapman as Wentworth acknowledges things won’t be the same. The final hilltop celebration unites many of the Darrowby residents we hold dear and confirms Tristan’s “Pair Bond” with Charlotte.
The episode reminds viewers that better days are on the horizon. A final panoramic shot reveals that our Darrowby friends are not the only community to light a hilltop bonfire. Seeing all the other beacons brings a final wave of emotion. As Gandalf said, “Hope is rekindled,” and indeed it is in oh so many ways. Truly, “Our Hearts Are Full.”
Now streaming on PBS: What are your thoughts on All Creatures Great and Small Season 6, Episode 6, “Our Hearts Are Full?” Let us know in the comments below.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Playground Entertainment and MASTERPIECE / Photographer: Helen Williams