All Creatures Great and Small

- Season 4

(1988)

Siegfried decides the time has come to hire a full-time assistant and he thinks he has the perfect candidate in Calum Buchanan. Tristan is now a full-time employee of the Ministry of Agriculture where he sets his sights on the attractive Deirdre McEwan. Mrs. Pumphrey needs uncle Herriot's help when Tricki Woo goes 'flop bot', yet again. James is invited to join the local milk subcommittee, but is concerned as to whether he can afford it. Siegfried has difficulties with a colleague, Mottram, who is convinced that Siegfried is poaching his clients.

Tristan is named the Ministry of Agriculture's sterility adviser for the north riding of the county. As such, he's responsible for promoting the use of artificial insemination to some very doubtful farmers. James acquires a new record player, but is reluctant to let anyone else use it. Rosie accompanies James on his rounds, but nearly has a serious accident. Calum takes up residence in Skeldale House. Tristan is assigned to examine a flock of sheep being exported to the Soviet Union so he and James head off to the docks in Hull.

With his new responsibilities, Tristan tries to convince skeptical farmers of the benefits of artificial insemination. Getting nowhere with Deirdre, Tristan accepts Calum's suggestion that she be invited for dinner where Calum will prepare a special dish for them. Unfortunately for Tristan, Deirdre and Calum seem to have a lot in common. James blames himself when a cow he was treating dies and he's now concerned that legal action might be taken against him. He also has to treat Humphrey Cobbs' pregnant dog. There's nothing wrong with the dog except when its owner who,...

Siegfried deals with two brothers who are constantly bickering. He also treats Mr. Bootland's sick horse and receives an interesting offer. Lionel Brough decides to buy a pig farm, but runs into problems when his stock fall ill with what James suspects is swine fever. When Tristan finds himself the butt of a farmer's practical joke, he decides to return the favor. Tristan begins to see the writing on the wall when he learns Deirdre left her dogs in Calum's care. When Mrs. Dryden tells James that she is selling her house, he sets his sights on buying it at auction but ...

Siegfried takes Tristan to task when the bus in which he was a passenger hits and kills one of Lord Brawton's stags. Tristan wasn't driving, but Siegfried feels he should have done more to report the accident. Soon after, venison is available on the market. Tristan and Calum are still vying for Deirdre's affection, but Tristan seems to be making little headway despite his attempts to appreciate all things Scottish. James treats Tricky Woo who, according to Mrs. Pumphrey, is going completely cracker dog. Siegfried treats Mrs. Westby's dog, who is suffering from a ...

James has another encounter with Mr. Biggins, who is convinced the vets are just out to take his money. When his cow dies, he suggests it's James' fault. The vets also meet Jip, a sheep herding dog who has never barked. Siegfried accuses Calum of pandering to panicky clients when he tells them to call the vets anytime, day or night. Tristan assists Mrs. Derrick who wants advice on raising goats. When she tells him her husband is retired, Tristan's picture of an elderly gentleman with a pretty young wife proves to be only half accurate. Calum meets the Duke of ...

James is unhappy when Siegfried acquires a second car while he has to put up with his aging heap. Siegfried has a surprise for him however. James treats a dog who has a broken leg which has yet to knit after six weeks in plaster. James is aghast when he's asked to judge the dog competition at the Darrowby Show. Mrs. Pumphrey subsequently informs him that she plans on entering Tricki Woo. Siegfried visits a farmer who has installed a modern milking parlor. He's dismayed however when he diagnoses the possibility of hoof and mouth disease and has to make a report to the ...

Siegfried takes Calum to task for wasting medical supplies. Of course, he doesn't quite live by his own rules. He also treats a flock of sick turkeys whose owner is convinced the vets are out to cheat him of his hard earned brass. Zoe Bennett and Helen take in lunch at the country club where Helen learns that Granville Bennett is looking for a partner in his small animal practice. Helen is attracted by the financial security this could provide them and gets James to thinking about the possibilities. When he visits Granville with a seriously injured cat, James starts ...

James' friend from school, Andrew Bruce, visits Darrowby for a few days. Andrew is a London banker who loves the Dales and is thinking of relocating to Darrowby. He accompanies James on his rounds and their first stop is at the Hugills, a farm run by four eccentric, middle-aged brothers. Siegfried visits Mr. Dumbleby, a demanding farmer who rarely pays his bills. James is still considering buying into a partnership with Granville Bennett and Helen in particular seems to be quite keen.

James and Helen are proud parents when Jimmy is asked to play in his piano teacher's music recital. James becomes fed up when his car breaks down and it may tip his decision on whether to accept the partnership offer from Granville Bennett. The time has come again for Kit Bilton to slaughter his pig. As usual, he has become so fond of the animal that he can hardly bear it and begs Tristan not to do the deed. Siegfried visits the Hardwicke family who seem to do everything as a pack. Calum is supposed to collect Deirdre at the train station but finds himself literally ...