
Episode 1: Gathering the Flock
Season 6 Episode 1 | 53m 34sVideo has Audio Description
Change comes to Skeldale House, and James struggles to keep up with Siegfried’s unpredictable ways.
As victory in Europe is declared, there is the promise of peace at last; James is wishing for a greater sense of peace at the surgery as he juggles vet work with a busy family life and an exceptionally challenging Siegfried.
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Funding for MASTERPIECE is provided by Viking and Raymond James with additional support from public television viewers and contributors to The MASTERPIECE Trust, created to help ensure the series’ future.

Episode 1: Gathering the Flock
Season 6 Episode 1 | 53m 34sVideo has Audio Description
As victory in Europe is declared, there is the promise of peace at last; James is wishing for a greater sense of peace at the surgery as he juggles vet work with a busy family life and an exceptionally challenging Siegfried.
See all videos with Audio DescriptionADProblems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship♪ ♪ (phone rings) Darrowby 2297.
TRISTAN: This place is a state.
Goodness me.
SIEGFRIED: I have my ways.
I do them because they work.
James!
Tristan!
(shouts in frustration) ♪ ♪ JAMES: The world has changed.
We need to change with it.
MRS.
HALL: It's not just about making the animal better, or the owner.
Does you lot good as well.
(animal bleating) ♪ ♪ (indistinct chatter) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (panting) ARCHIE: Away, Fly!
Come away, Lad!
(bleating) Come-bye.
(whistles) (bleating) Away, Fly!
Away!
(bleating) Stay!
Away!
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (horn honks, sheep bleats) ♪ ♪ (brake engages, engine stops) (Jimmy imitating plane engine) (imitating engine) Jimmy!
Dad!
(laughing): What're you doing out so early?
Flying my plane.
Mum's making breakfast with Rosie.
Quite right, too.
Shall we finish your patrol together?
And then go inside and fill up our tummies?
(James imitating plane engine) (laughs) (Rosie moans) I've got her.
What's up, Rosie?
(Rosie moans) HELEN: Shall I take her, Jenny?
What is it?
JENNY: She's fine here with her aunty.
JAMES: Sorry I didn't make it home last night.
You know, I never sleep as well when you're not next to me.
What happened?
Siegfried happened.
I had to stay at Skeldale again.
HELEN: Oh.
Well, it were right cold without you to keep me warm.
ALDERSON: That's enough of that kind of talk, thank you very much.
(cooing) JAMES: I'd better get on.
Are you back tonight?
That depends on Siegfried.
There's nothing I can do-- I have to be at Skeldale to be on call.
Mm.
Maybe if we put in a phone line... ALDERSON: We're not having a telephone, I've told you.
Bloody witchcraft.
I'm sorry.
I'll do my best.
But I won't make promises I can't keep.
I know.
It's not you.
We're really struggling without Mrs.
H. The practice is a state.
We're short on stock, our profits are down.
I'm not sure he's remembering to charge half our clients.
There's only so much I can do.
Are you worried about him?
Aye, I am.
There is one thing we could do.
No, James, we agreed.
It wouldn't be fair.
I know.
I know, you're right.
Come along, Jimmy.
HELEN: Have a good day.
Don't show your dad up.
Have you got everything you need in there, Jimbo?
Aye, so as long as he's got nothing wants sluicing out.
(chuckling) ♪ ♪ JAMES: Flocks of sheep grazed these hills for hundreds of years.
And the sheep, they know to stay in the same place.
Away!
JAMES: They know where they belong.
It's in their bones.
Passed from one generation to the next.
ARCHIE: Away!
Aye, the leg is caught, so I just need to bring it around... (sheep bleating) ARCHIE: Come on.
Here it comes.
(snorting) (bleating) JIMMY: You did it, Dad!
Is that how it were with our Rosie?
(chuckling): Kind of.
Less messy, I imagine.
Although I have heard stories.
JIMMY: She's all slimy.
(James chuckles) (lamb bleats) JAMES: Grab some straw.
Brush her down, Jimmy.
Like this?
That's it.
(bleats) That's it-- good lad.
I'll never grow tired of seeing it.
Yeah.
(bleating) ARCHIE: What a thing, eh, lad?
(dog barking) What on earth?
Damn Barghest.
It's a dog-- a stray, maybe?
(barking) (Fly whining) Come on, Jimmy.
(Fly whining) ARCHIE: Fly!
She's got caught in the wire!
Mr.
Herriot!
(Fly whimpering) All right, girl, all right.
Just watch... Watch the barbed wire.
(whimpering) ♪ ♪ (snoring softly) (squeaking) (door opens) JAMES: Apologies for the state of the place.
We're between housekeepers.
Yet again.
(door closes) All right, Fly.
It's not as bad as I first thought.
There's no break.
It only needs a couple of stitches.
She'll be all right to work again?
Given time to recover.
I'm just going to check your hind legs to make sure you haven't done yourself a mischief.
(Fly whines) Is that sore?
That's sore, isn't it?
You said it weren't too serious.
Good girl.
(whimpering) How old is she?
Fly were born around the great blizzard.
That'd be in '33.
At least 12.
So, she's getting on a bit.
Aye.
Your man Farnon did what he could, but we lost her mother in the doing.
That's the way it goes sometimes.
Well, the injury isn't bad.
But when I move the limb, it's sore.
I'm concerned it's arthritis.
Could be why she fell into the wire.
(whimpering) (bike bell rings) ♪ ♪ (nickering) Dad!
Over the years, the cartilage has been ground away, and that's stopping the joint from moving smoothly.
There are things we can give her to take the edge off it.
But this is a problem that's only going to get worse.
I can't afford to keep a dog that can't work.
(Fly whines) JIMMY: Dad!
Dad!
(groans) Ow.
There's a horse!
(snorts) And one of Uncle Siegfried's rats.
Oh, Jesus.
(groans) (whispering): Susan!
Hm?
Oh, heck.
You're joking me.
(nickers) (panting) (coins rattling) ♪ ♪ (snorts) (nickers) What on earth?
Go.
(key turning) No, don't go.
SUSAN: Oh!
(front door opens) (front door closes) (calling): Buongiorno, mio principe!
JAMES (in hall): Tris!
What's this?
Window?
(sighs) All the way from Italy!
I didn't know you were back today.
I told Siegfried last week.
He must've forgot that he was picking me up from the station.
No surprises there.
Mm-- oh!
What is that godawful smell?
Our new house guest.
Quickly.
TRISTAN: Good grief.
This place is a state.
What on earth has he been up to?
Ah.
I suppose we should be grateful Siegfried didn't bring anything worse home with him.
Mm, who knows?
Perhaps he did.
Morning, Archie.
Afternoon, Mr.
Farnon.
Problem?
Arthritis.
So says young Mr.
Herriot.
Oh, well, don't worry, we'll soon sort that out, won't we, Fly?
Good girl.
I hope you lot aren't charging by the hour.
(exhaling softly) SIEGFRIED: Ah, yes, of course, of course.
That makes sense.
Herriot, Tristan.
What?
No, you're right-- it's a completely normal state of affairs.
A severe case of laminitis.
I brought her home last night for some close monitoring, which I've been doing diligently while everyone else was asleep.
It's the afternoon.
(stammering): Precisely my point.
And the rats?
SIEGFRIED: Needed the exercise.
I'll put them back.
They always turn up in the end.
Tristan-- you're here.
Ah, the penny drops.
Why didn't you let me know?
I'd have picked you up from the station.
It was all in the letter I sent from Italy.
Well, what kind of fool doesn't ring ahead to check?
We spoke a few days ago-- at length.
And I must say, you're a terrible mumbler.
I'm not sure you were as clear as you thought.
Oh.
I'll just put this one outside, and then we can catch up properly.
JAMES: I suppose you'll be coming back to clear up this mess.
Thank you, James, that's very kind of you.
(knock at window) ♪ ♪ (knocking continues) Excuse me.
I left me handbag.
(chuckles) And you can tell him he owes me a new pair of stockings and all.
But he can bring them when he drops me Gladys off later.
Gladys?
Aye, Siegfried's been seeing to her.
Me pygmy horse?
Oh.
Oh.
♪ ♪ SIEGFRIED: There's a perfectly reasonable explanation for that-- her.
Susan.
Well, me and James are dying to hear it.
Aren't we, James?
SIEGFRIED: She... Susan?
...had, has a, a horse.
This horse, in fact.
We were at a dance... With the horse?
Must've been a barn dance.
Had to have been, yeah.
Mm.
Susan mentioned the horse.
Its hoof was inflamed, so I offered-- rather gallantly, I thought-- to have a look at it.
We came back here, all three of us... So very gallant of you.
Her knight in shining armor.
Mm.
On a tiny little horse.
(both laugh) Shut up.
(laughing) Why I'm explaining myself to you, I do not know.
(laughing) JAMES: What happened to your letters?
Your dispatches from the front were one of my few sources of entertainment.
(chuckles) I ran out of anything I wanted to say.
Cheers.
To your good health.
(exhales) Well, I love what you've done with the place.
(chuckling) Siegfried deserves most of the credit.
Ah-- forgetful, erratic.
Unreasonable, irascible.
Plus ça change.
Not like this.
Oh, I wouldn't be so sure.
You know, he forgot to pick me up from school once.
I slept in an empty dorm for a week before he realized.
It was after Evelyn died.
He wasn't himself.
In fact, he was himself, just a much worse version.
It stayed like that until, uh, Mrs.
Hall arrived.
Helen doesn't think we should bother her.
She's really settled there.
It's up to you-- you're the one stuck here with him.
Me?
I'll be in much more comfortable surroundings.
Being shot at by Nazis.
(both chuckle) ♪ ♪ (trolley bell ringing) ♪ ♪ TRISTAN: So, how do you want to go about this?
Club her over the head and bundle her into the back of a taxi?
We're not shanghaiing Mrs.
H. I don't see how else we're going to convince her to come back.
We're not going to convince her.
We're not?
Then what are we doing here?
We're just going to explain the situation to her, and hope that... (car horns honking) TRISTAN: Blimey, it's busy around here.
Well, they've rented a couple of rooms.
Ah, makes sense.
Now, what was I saying?
Uh, we're not trying to convince her to come back.
No.
Yes-- no.
Well, we are.
But just don't lay it on too thick.
(car horn honking) Yeah.
Has to be her choice.
Reading you loud and clear.
We all agreed she should be with her family.
Well, desperate times, old chap.
Because... Worry ye not, Jim.
The mission parameters are clear.
Ah.
This is her boarding house.
This it?
(trolley bell rings) ♪ ♪ Oh, my goodness!
Mrs.
H. James?
(children laughing) Hello, Mrs.
H. Tristan!
I thought you were in Italy.
Oh, it's good to see you both!
(murmuring) (chuckles) (Mary cooing) Have you made friends with Uncle Tris?
(laughing) Have you, Mary?
Have you said hello?
She were saying "Ma" at nine months.
Weren't you?
(chuckles) EDWARD: Right, lads.
Edward, good to see you again.
And you.
Here she is-- hello.
My little angel.
(Edward and Tristan chuckle) Glad to see you back in one piece.
I left a few bits behind, but I'm right now.
Thanks to Ma.
Oh, he keeps saying that.
I think he's fed up with me fussing over him.
(Mary cooing) EDWARD: Right, do you want to go get some tea?
Oh, come on.
(all chuckle) (Mary babbling) MRS.
HALL: He's a good dad.
Dotes on her.
So... What brings you two here?
Oh, uh, you know... Just passing through.
Mm.
Sunderland?
I didn't just fall off the turnip truck.
Out with it.
Well, the thing is, Siegfried... The old goat's lost his marbles.
He's gone totally berserk.
Tris... The man's a menace.
Worse than when he was when you first met him.
Worse?
I thought we weren't going to lay it on too thick.
He needs help.
We need help-- yours, specifically.
Not that we want to put you under any pressure.
No, of course not, but we would be completely lost without you.
And does Mr.
Farnon want me to come back?
Sure, absolutely.
Yeah, of course he does.
Not that he'd ever admit it.
I see.
Just for a few weeks.
Help us turn things around, get him back on track.
We wouldn't ask if it weren't desperate.
♪ ♪ (sheep bleating) (brake engages, Lad barks) (engine stops) ARCHIE: Come on, Lad.
Archie!
Good afternoon.
Thought I'd come and have a look at Fly's dressing, see how she's getting along.
None too clever, Mr.
Farnon.
She's in here.
You all right, Lad?
I'm here to see your mother.
There we are.
Don't worry, old girl, we'll soon sort you out.
She remembers you well enough.
Well, I brought her into the world.
I should hope she does.
Oh, yes, Herriot's not done a terrible job there at all.
That looks to have healed nicely.
Let's get you a new dressing.
Good girl.
We'll have you up and running in no time.
Yes, that's the spot, isn't it?
(chuckles) ARCHIE: Mr.
Herriot says there's no hope of her working anymore.
He's right in that arthritis is incurable, but it can be managed with painkillers.
They'll see her right?
They'll allow her to work without too much pain.
Herriot has a habit of rushing in when what's needed is careful consideration.
I suppose it'll give me more time to get Lad trained up.
He's a good dog, but he's got no sense when it comes to sheep.
He needs his mother by his side, or it all goes to pot.
SIEGFRIED: Well, we'll have to make sure we keep her going, then, won't we?
I'll prescribe some tablets-- how does that sound?
Expensive.
Not as expensive as acquiring an experienced sheepdog, I promise you.
Now, then.
I'm sure I've got something in here somewhere.
Ah, here we are.
Yeah, that's the ticket.
A couple of these today, and I'll be back with another prescription tomorrow.
(people talking in background) ♪ ♪ Shall we?
Hello, love.
(rings) ♪ ♪ (sighs) Sorry about the state of the place.
Don't know what you mean.
(scoffs) Jimmy doesn't always remember to put them in the compost.
I hope that's all right.
(exhales) Hm-- mm.
Can certainly taste the tea.
I couldn't find the strainer.
(chuckles) Oh, don't worry about that.
No, sorry.
It'll drive me bananas.
TRISTAN: Oh, Mrs.
H!
Hello, Tris.
JAMES: Helen will be pleased to see you.
(exhales) What about Helen, and the little ones?
How are they?
Well, Helen felt... We felt it better for them-- us... ...to stay at Heston while everything is in a state of flux.
Chaos.
I'm between the two houses.
We get calls at all hours of the night.
Sometimes it's easier to just get my head down here.
Helen mentioned.
You poor things.
We're managing.
Well, I'm here now.
Like I said, it's only for three or four days, while Edward's away, but maybe I can help get you back on the right track.
How did Mr.
Farnon take the news?
♪ ♪ He does know I'm coming?
♪ ♪ (birds chirping, sheep bleating) Leave it, I'll do that.
No, I don't mind.
There was something I wanted to mention, actually.
Nothing important.
Barely needs mentioning.
James, what have you done?
Now, this is one of those times where you think you're going to be cross with me... Oh, I think I'm going to be cross?
Or am I actually going to be cross?
Initially, perhaps.
But then you'll realize that I was right all along, and you'll be eternally grateful.
Huh.
Will I?
I asked Mrs.
Hall to come back.
Oh, James, we agreed.
You said... Yeah, and you didn't disagree.
I thought it best to skip that part.
(sighs) Well, what does Siegfried make of it all?
He doesn't know, does he?
♪ ♪ (laughs) (exhales) (laughs) (squeaking) Goodness me.
No.
Clear off.
Go on!
(brake engages, engine stops) ♪ ♪ Mrs.
Hall!
What on earth... Mr.
Farnon.
What are you doing here?
I were in the pantry.
All this time?
No, I just arrived.
Ah, that does make more sense.
I was joking.
(chuckles) But how, what... I didn't know you were coming.
Well, neither did I, till a few days ago.
It's good to see you again.
You, too.
Oh, there's a rat in the pantry.
One of yours?
You found one, excellent.
In there at the back, scrabbling amongst the tins.
Yes, don't worry, he's one of mine.
Oh, well, that's all right, then.
Should've offered him a biscuit.
Vonolel's grandson.
His name's Gerald.
You see, he has got a bit of a moustache.
(squeaking) How are you all getting along?
So what are you doing here?
Well, Edward and his family... Never better.
After you.
They've, uh, gone to visit Betty's parents.
So, I thought I'd drop in and see how you're all getting along.
I should've let you know.
No, no.
You're always welcome here.
How are you all getting along?
Good.
Edward and Betty are sick of me looking over their shoulder, I should imagine.
(chuckles) I can't believe that's true.
And how are things here?
Oh, you know.
The usual.
I see you've developed a taste for fish.
What?
Oh, the sardines, yes.
Would you like one?
Hm.
Perhaps later.
For dinner?
You cooking?
Am I?
I hadn't planned to.
So are you staying long?
Just a few days, maybe a, a week.
There's no rush-- stay as long as you like.
Within reason-- otherwise, we'll have to start charging you rent.
Oh, right.
Ah.
Another joke.
Yeah, I tidied up a bit.
Force of habit.
I thought it looked different.
Herriot's terrible at clearing up after himself.
I was going to have a go this evening.
Better get this one back in his cage.
Come on, Gerald.
♪ ♪ (bleating) ♪ ♪ (people talking in background) SIEGFRIED: It must be from one of my old Army pals.
Liquid gold from Scotland.
MRS.
HALL: Might want to read that label again.
Captain T. Farnon.
What?
They made you a captain?
Field promotion.
Careful, Siegfried-- he'll outrank you soon.
(Tristan chuckles) MRS.
HALL: Why didn't you tell us?
Oh, you know me, Mrs.
H.-- never one to brag.
I know how insecure it makes my brother.
Absolute balls.
I rest my case.
Well, you must've done something important to deserve it.
No, not really-- I was just next in line.
It's 8:30, aren't you going to open one?
No, I'm going to save them for a special occasion.
If it's your whisky, you're a model of temperance-- if it's mine, you guzzle it by the gallon!
I better get going, as well.
I'm heading up to the Tredwells' this morning.
SIEGFRIED: Taken care of.
I went up yesterday and checked the stitching, and it pains me to point it out... You did what?
...but you did use rather a lot of suture.
You were only a couple of stitches short of the Bayeux Tapestry.
That was my case, which I was supposed to be attending, while I covered you at surgery yesterday.
No need to thank me.
And I'd remind you to take care with these farmers-- they're a hard lot.
As soon as you make them think an animal's no use anymore, they get rid of it.
Fly has arthritis.
I made my diagnosis and I stand by it.
You can't write a dog off like that.
It's tantamount to a death sentence in these parts.
I'm taking a repeat prescription up to Tredwell today.
Well, I'd like to see how Fly's managing myself, if it's all the same to you.
If she breaks down, it could leave Archie's flock in trouble.
MRS.
HALL: Well, it sounds like you're in agreement, then.
Are we?
How?
You can both go up and check her over.
Two heads are better than one.
Well, I'm not sure about that-- I read an article once about a two-headed snake, bit itself to death.
All right, well, if that's the case, then you can stay here and help me clear up this lot.
I'm driving.
You'll need these.
Thank you!
(radio playing) (door closes) (murmurs) MRS.
HALL: It seems like yesterday she came into the world.
(chuckling) (Rosie babbling) We should get her and Mary together.
Oh, I'd like that.
(chuckles) I have missed you all.
Of course, it's lovely to be with Edward and Mary.
He's got himself a good one with that Betty.
Ah.
How are Jenny and your dad getting on?
Oh, he never changes.
Jenny never stays the same.
Got one foot out the door already.
She's talking of London, of all places.
I didn't leave Yorkshire till our honeymoon.
London?
Whatever for?
Lord only knows.
Can I have another cup?
You pour some in there.
(Mrs.
Hall exhales) ♪ ♪ There we go.
Eh?
(chuckles) (Jess whimpers) You two forgotten you're friends?
♪ ♪ You going somewhere swish tonight?
Yes, how could you tell?
Your cologne walked in before you.
(chuckles) No matter, I'll pack this away.
No, I've time for a quick game.
Will you?
Just a small one.
Ah-ha!
♪ ♪ That's the pair of them.
TRISTAN: Thanks, Maggie.
Any word from Arthur?
Tried to find Burma on the map last night.
It's such a long way from here.
Hm.
It's all right-- I know.
ALBERT (exclaims): Mummy!
Mama!
Here you go-- why don't you play with this?
(Albert babbles) Arthur's ma was supposed to pick him up before my shift.
You know, if there's anything you need now I'm home, anything I can do... Do you want to take Albert for the rest of the day and night for me?
Almost anything I can do... (both laugh) Thank you.
When do you go back?
Just when I'm told.
There's talk of being redeployed to India.
Scared?
No.
Not a bit of it.
I'm excited at the prospect.
♪ ♪ All right, somewhat scared.
Make sure you come home.
I'll try.
ALBERT: Mummy!
You know, Arthur will make it back, too.
Promise?
Didn't think so.
♪ ♪ (sighs) Meldrop.
A bit of mucus on the end of the nose.
I'll choose to believe you.
Thousands wouldn't.
(both chuckle) Does Edward play?
He's never been a man of words.
But he's a dab hand at cards, let me tell you.
(sighs) I'm so pleased for you.
If anyone deserves the happiness a family can bring, it's you.
Even if my leaving were rather sudden.
Well, what were you supposed to do?
Let him recover by himself?
I didn't think it would be permanent.
Well, nothing in life is.
And you're a grandmother now.
It's only natural you'd want to be with them.
Although, again, something of a surprise.
(both chuckle) Betty and Edward.
They're a very sweet couple.
Hm.
Good heart, the pair of them.
We missed you at the wedding.
I was just incredibly busy.
Especially, well, especially since you left.
You didn't think hiring another housekeeper might be sensible?
We tried.
None of them cut the mustard.
Or any other condiment, for that matter.
Although, in truth, it was something of a blessing.
How so?
Well, with you here doing everything, we were robbed of our autonomy.
Robbed?
Exactly.
None of us realized we were perfectly capable of looking after ourselves.
All of us pulling together, there's really nothing to it.
I don't think that's how James and the others see it.
What do you mean?
Mrs.
Hall?
Did Herriot say something?
He mentioned there'd been some problems.
Problems?
Mm.
Is that why you're here?
Is that what I am to you?
A, a problem to be solved?
(chuckles): Well... I, I wouldn't put it quite like that.
♪ ♪ It's later than I thought.
Thank you for the game.
Someone's expecting me.
♪ ♪ (exhales) (birds chirping) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (exhales) (breathes deeply) (Lad whimpering) ♪ ♪ (Lad whimpering) (softly): Hey.
(whimpering) (murmurs) (whimpers) (inhales sharply) (exhales) SUSAN: He's like a whirlwind.
It's a wonder his head don't come off his shoulders.
(chuckles) Morning, Mr.
Farnon.
Morning.
I understand you're in need of a cup of tea this morning.
I'll make myself some coffee.
Coffee?
I've developed a taste for it.
Oh, right.
It's good of you to come, Susan.
I was planning to return your horse this afternoon.
Oh, it's no bother.
Thought I'd better drop these off, any rate.
He left them at the Renniston last night.
Those glasses and the car keys.
(laughs): You'd think they had legs, the places you find them.
I wasn't aware you two knew each other.
Only a little.
Yeah, Susan and I were on the church fundraising committee.
A while back.
What about you two?
Us?
Oh.
Uh, Mr.
Farnon and I... We're... She's our old housekeeper.
We've been friends for nearly a decade.
That's right-- I am.
I was.
Oh.
I see.
And, uh... (clears throat) What brings you back?
Just visiting.
Damn and blast!
Oh, let me grab you a cloth.
No, leave it, thank you very much, it's fine.
Really, it's no bother.
I don't need your help!
Someone's woken up on the grumpy side of the bed.
(chuckles) Thank you for returning my glasses.
I really think it would be better if you leave.
Oh, I... I do, too.
(chuckles) Goodbye, Audrey.
Bye now.
(exhales) You should run that under the cold water.
I know what to damn well do!
♪ ♪ I can look after myself.
(door opens) Siegfried.
(Lad whimpering) He's badly hurt.
(Lad whimpering) I was over the peak at Niddsdale, not far past the war memorial.
That'd be right.
We were up there yesterday evening.
Couldn't find the flock.
Weather turned.
Night came in.
I lost both the dogs.
SIEGFRIED: The injuries are quite severe.
Torn flesh, puncture wounds, scratches.
(whimpering) (door closes) Damn Barghest.
SIEGFRIED: What's that?
The stray we saw up on the Dales.
That would explain why the sheep scattered.
ARCHIE: Will he make it?
He's young and strong, so I'm hopeful.
ARCHIE: If it can do this to Lad, Fly will have stood no chance.
I only took her up there 'cause you said she were all right to work.
We'll help you look for her.
And the flock.
♪ ♪ (Lad whimpering) All right, Lad.
♪ ♪ (exhales) JAMES: Fly!
SIEGFRIED: Fly!
Here, girl!
TRISTAN: Fly!
Fly!
Come on, girl!
Fly!
(whistling) Fly!
We both thought Fly was responding well to the painkillers.
Did you tell Mrs.
Hall I was a problem?
Me?
I might've mentioned something to that effect.
Well, in future, if you're going to stab me, do it in my front.
All right, if that's what you'd prefer.
Since Mrs.
Hall left, you've become more and more erratic, short-tempered... If I have occasionally been a trifle abrupt, that's because you've driven me to the point of distraction.
Me distracted?
You're the one who keeps forgetting everything.
Completely untrue.
It can't go on.
The wheels have well and truly come off the wagon... There is no bloody wagon!
And even if there were, the wheels would be firmly on!
Siegfried, we've all missed Mrs.
H... No, we're not doing this.
Doing what?
Talking.
Having a heart- to-bleeding-heart.
Telling sad stories-- it won't change anything.
It doesn't fix anything or make anything better.
It just makes you feel that things have been made better, and what the hell use is that?
Well... She left us!
What was I supposed to do?
Pretend to be happy?
Pretend to be fine?
If you keep pushing people away, eventually, they will go away.
Well, thanks a lot-- that's very bloody incisive!
Come along now.
Dash?
(Dash panting) I know you don't want to, but we've got to go.
♪ ♪ (sighs) ♪ ♪ (voice trembling): Sorry, love, but it's time.
Dash.
Come on.
Don't make this any harder than it already is-- come on now!
(cries, sniffles) (exhales) Dash.
♪ ♪ (sighs) ARCHIE: Here, girl!
OTHERS: Fly!
(Archie whistling) SIEGFRIED: Here, Fly!
JAMES: Here, girl!
There's still time before we lose the light.
Nay.
Flock'll have scattered.
There's no way Fly could keep them together, not in her state.
♪ ♪ They're done for.
I'm so sorry.
I pushed you to keep her going.
I should've known better.
Ten years Fly and me worked these hills together.
Ten.
She were more than just a working dog.
She was your partner.
(sighs) I should've taken better care of the girl.
I owed her that much.
Instead, I put her to work.
I were too hard on the poor thing.
It was me that prescribed the painkillers.
It's my fault.
Nay.
I knew.
Forced meself to pretend I didn't.
It's easier that way, in't it?
I can see something.
It's a sheep!
(Fly barks in distance) And another!
ARCHIE: There's another coming up behind.
TRISTAN: There's more-- dozens of them.
Yours?
Are they yours, Archie?
ARCHIE: I'll be able to tell once I see their horn marks.
There's six, seven of them?
JAMES: I count 12.
TRISTAN: No, there's 30, at least.
By God, they're mine!
It's the whole flock!
They're all here.
(all laughing) (whimpering) Fly!
Good girl!
That's a good girl!
SIEGFRIED: She's been attacked.
ARCHIE: What's it done to you?
What did it do?
We need to get her back to the surgery, now!
Lie her on the table.
(Fly whimpers, keys clatter) Mrs.
Hall?
Mrs.
Hall.
(door closes) (Fly whimpering) Siegfried?
SIEGFRIED: Mrs.
Hall!
♪ ♪ It's all my fault.
I drove her away.
There's still time.
Keys.
You were driving.
Keys!
Where are my bloody keys?
(sighs) Where have they gone?
Well, they have to be somewhere.
You must've put them down!
So where the hell are they?
You just had them.
Which means somebody must've moved them!
(door opens) JAMES: What's going on?
(sighs) Keys.
Why can't anything just stay in one place?!
Is that too much to ask?
It's maddening!
Why does everything have to change?
Where you threw them.
(door opens) (exhales) (door closes) ♪ ♪ (engine revving) Right, this way.
Sunderland, please.
Of course.
One way.
JAMES: She's been very brave.
She gave everything she had and more to protect the flock.
It's done for her.
I know I said Fly was getting on.
That doesn't mean she's still not got a part to play.
Let her point Lad in the right direction.
He can put in the legwork.
And when she does stop working, she can live out a good few years as a pet, curled up next to you by the fire.
A pet?
(footsteps running, church bells ringing) Hm.
See how we get on, won't we?
TRISTAN: James!
James.
Excuse me.
(bells continue) ♪ ♪ (people talking in distance) JAMES: What's going on?
(bells continue) I think it's happened.
ANNOUNCER (on radio): We interrupt this broadcast to bring you a special news bulletin.
Germany has signed an unconditional surrender, bringing to an end six years of war in Europe, according to reports in France.
JAMES: Sorry, sorry.
Excuse me.
ANNOUNCER: This evening, the Ministry of Information has confirmed that an official statement declaring the end of the war will be made... (cheering and applauding) ♪ ♪ (laughing) Helen-- the kids!
Yeah, go, go, go, go, go, go!
♪ ♪ (chuckles) (kisses) (exhales) (train whistle blows) (engine revving) ANNOUNCER (over radio): The day has been declared a national holiday to mark Victory in Europe Day.
(train whistle blows) (shouting): Mrs.
Hall!
(wagons clattering loudly) Mrs.
Hall!
(train wheels screeching, wagons clattering) ♪ ♪ (steam hissing) SIEGFRIED: Excuse me.
Excuse me-- yes, come on.
Sorry, not now!
Mrs.
Hall!
Audrey!
Mr.
Farnon.
There really is no need.
We tried to find a replacement.
It could never work-- no one could ever work.
Because they'd never put up with your nonsense.
Because they're not you.
♪ ♪ I understand you might have to live your life.
If that's not here, with us, well, that's up to you.
♪ ♪ But you should know that we would like it to be.
(people exclaiming, talking in background) Take as much time as you need.
(exclaiming, talking in background) So what do you say?
About what?
About coming back?
(stammers): You said I could take me time.
Yes, well, we can't wait around all day.
(people talking, cheering in background) What on earth's got into everyone?
(talking happily) SIEGFRIED: Oh, that.
The war's ended.
What?
What did you say?
With Germany.
It's over?
♪ ♪ It's over!
Oh, dear God.
It really is over.
SIEGFRIED: Yes.
(chuckling) (Mrs.
Hall laughing) (people talking in background) (slow song playing) (song continues in distance) ♪ ♪ (people talking in background) (cheering) Here.
(cheering, glasses clinking) You were right where you needed to be.
You did your bit, just as much as any other man.
Aye.
I love you, James Herriot.
I love you, too.
♪ ♪ (flare launches, crowd cheers) Jimmy, look!
♪ ♪ With any luck, the whole show will be over soon.
This the good stuff?
Only the best.
(sniffs) It's mine, isn't it?
Very generous of you.
All those years of uncertainty, never knowing if a bomb would drop on our heads, or we'd be invaded any moment, we made it through.
(sniffs) Some of us did.
(church bells ringing) Mrs.
Hall and I stood on this spot, wondering if we'd ever hear the bells ring again.
She said we should be grateful for what we have.
We have to fight for it, too.
Not just be grateful.
We have to fight for it.
(flares launching) (people cheering) Go.
Go and enjoy yourself.
I'll join you in a minute.
♪ ♪ Shall we?
Oh, it's good to be back.
SIEGFRIED: It's good to have you back.
(laughing) (crowd exclaiming and cheering) SIEGFRIED: Just wait till you see how far behind we are with the laundry.
MRS.
HALL: Let's not, just for tonight.
LADY CARTERET: To be seen in the company of the illustrious Forsytes.
Who wouldn't leap at the chance?
(clinking) This is our moment.
A golden opportunity.
SOAMES: They might speed you on your way to the fulfillment of your desires.
IRENE: To love and be loved, to trust and be trusted, to dance.
(Ann chuckles) It will be a dance.
(both chuckle) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Why is he being like this?
You don't have a X-ray machine yet?
JAMES: We're ironing out the details.
TRISTAN: Is it supposed to be this big?
(grunts) What will Siegfried say?
What the hell's that?
JAMES: It's for the good of the practice.
(fuse pops) SIEGFRIED: Herriot!
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Video has Closed Captions
Clip: S6 Ep1 | 1m 55s | James tends to an aging dog while Jimmy stumbles upon Siegfried and Susan... and a horse. (1m 55s)
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