Sat, Apr 5, 1980
England is at war and the time has come for James and Siegfried to join their military units. Their last day at the practice is a busy one and James is repeatedly called out when he had hopes to spend a last, quiet evening at home with Helen. Siegfried surprises James with a small gift. Mrs. Hall also has a surprise announcement for everyone and Tristan receives shocking news from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Sun, Dec 24, 1978
James and Siegfried treat a gypsy family's ailing donkey. It's Christmas-time and Siegfried gets to visit the Hewison farm and a chance to taste Mrs. Hewison's Christmas cake, the best in the district. Only she has a surprise for him this year. Tristan wonders if uncle Herriot has any plans to visit Mrs. Pumphrey, in the hopes of getting another hamper from Fortnum and Mason's. When Tricki Woo falls ill, James decides that the dog needs to spend a few days at Skeldale House. Siegfried mysteriously keeps the front room locked, only to arrange a surprise for a very nosy Tristan.
Mon, Dec 24, 1990
Christmas 1953 is fast approaching but the vets are dealing with their usual assortment of diseased animals and entertaining locals. James is particularly impressed by Frank Gillard's farm. Gillard also keeps racing pigeons, which fellow farmer Mr. Biggins blames for importing foot-and-mouth disease. When Gillard's cattle develop the dreaded disease, he has no choice but to destroy his herd. Tristan buys himself a fancy Daimler coupe but then can't quite pay back the money he borrowed from Siegfried, who gives him until Christmas Day to settle up or he will take possession of the car. Tristan once again joins the bell ringers but more because he's interested in Miss Marston, the new teacher who is also a member of the group. James and Siegfried find themselves acting as references in court for the feuding Bradley brothers, David and Jonathan, who have been fighting since the death of their father some years before.
Fri, Apr 14, 1978
It's a bad time for the vets and a local farmer when they discover a case of foot and mouth disease. The farmer's stock must be destroyed and a general quarantine is in place for thirty days. Siegfried, who came into contact with the animals confines himself to Skeldale house, meaning James and Tristan must do all of the outside calls. James discovers the power of anesthesia in assisting animals to heal: first with a farmer's dying ewe and then with the Flaxton's pet poodle.
Sat, Nov 17, 1990
Tristan is upset when Siegfried criticizes him for sleeping in. Siegfried assumed Tristan was out partying when in fact he had spent most of the night treating a sick cow. Tristan is convinced that Siegfried and James are always giving him the dirty jobs, so he and Siegfried swap rounds for the day. Tristan first call is to treat Mr. Sutcliffe's rather large pig. Siegfried has to deal with Mrs. Clarke, whose lambs are failing. Turns out her own health may not be what it once was. James advises Franco Pedretti, who is hoping to marry but doesn't quite know how to propose, on local customs.
Sun, Feb 19, 1978
James offers his condolences to Mrs. Dalby whose husband recently died. He's a bit doubtful when she tells him that she'll be running the farm on her own. Things go from bad to worse when some newly acquired cows fall ill. Helen stops by the surgery and invites James to tea on Sunday. James gladly accepts and things are going well until one of Mr. Alderson's cows falls ill and James is unable to save it. Helen and James manage to overcome their bad luck however. Tristan finally gets a car to use but accidentally releases the parking brake; the car goes roaring downhill and straight into the new golf course clubhouse. Gobber Newhouse convinces Jim to have a drink with the lads, only to also present him with the bill.
Sun, Feb 26, 1978
Tristan and Siegfried have to treat Clancy, Mr. Mulligan's very large dog who is "womittin" again. Mrs. Hall advises James to get on with it vis-a-vis Helen and warns him that he risks losing her, with Richard Edmundson around. James however thinks Helen's father doesn't think much of him and that overall, he's a very poor catch. Siegfried and Tristan are also concerned that James is too slow getting off the mark and decide to do something about it. James finally pops the question, but shudders at the thought of having to ask Mr. Alderson's permission. Mr. Biggins entertains the lads at the Rovers, courtesy of Tristan. Mrs. Dalby is worried about her herd of cattle and James can't come up with a diagnosis.
Fri, Apr 7, 1978
Tristan finally gets the bad news he's been expecting: he's failed his final exams and must now tell Siegfried. He decides to soften up Siegfried a bit, starting an exercise program and cutting out drinking and smoking. James has to deal with Mrs. Donovan, a self-styled animal healer whose dog is killed in an accident. When he's called in by the local constable to deal with a case of animal cruelty, he knows just who to call on to find it a home. Finally, James must assist cranky Angus Grier, a neighbouring vet who has a broken arm.
Sat, Oct 14, 1978
Siegfried has to deal with Walt Barnett, a nasty and demanding client who seems to go out of his way to be unpleasant. When Barnett needs a horse gelded, Siegfried has the perfect plan to get the better of him. James and Helen visit Jack Gilling's farm where Helen spent a great deal of time as a young girl. She is saddened by the decline in the use of farm horses but is pleased to see Badger, now the only remaining horse on the farmer. When Badger falls ill, Mr. Gilling has a difficult decision to make.
Sat, Sep 1, 1990
Tristan returns to Darrowby after a lengthy absence and James decides to welcome him back in grand style - by playing a practical joke. He has Helen complete a romantic welcome back card and sign it Susie Parker. The last time Tristan saw Susie he was so drunk he couldn't remember if he had proposed to her. With both James and Sigfried now living away, Tristan will be the only occupant of Skeldale House and Sigfried's arranged for a new housekeeper, the widowed Mrs. Alton. Tristan is none too pleased that Sigfried has done this without consulting him but changes his mind when he meets Sylvia Alton. It's not all that simple however. James continues to have his usual encounters with Mr. Biggins. He also has to deal with a family who are indifferent to their seriously ill dog. Fortunately, their neighbors have an interest in the animal's well-being.