TV Review – ‘Home Truths’ (All Creatures Great and Small) (2020-21)

SPOILERS ALERT!!!

Hello everyone! 🙂

Welcome to ‘Bradley’s Basement’ blog and I’m Tim Bradley!

Well, we’ve come to the end of Series 2 of the new ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ TV series! I’ve greatly enjoyed Series 2 of the new ‘All Creatures’ show. I’m pleased Series 2 ended on a positive and happy note and I’ve enjoyed Series 2 of new ‘All Creatures’ more than Series 6 of ‘Grantchester’.

In the last episode of Series 2, the threat of war is looming. Chamberlain heads off to meet up with Hitler in Munich. It’s interesting how certain ‘All Creatures’ characters like James, Helen, Siegfried, Tristan and Mrs. Hall react to the news of worldwide events whilst they’re handling their own affairs.

Meanwhile, Nicholas Ralph as James prepares to deal with giving his parents the news they may not like. It’s intriguing that James’ parents actually visit him in the Yorkshire Dales in this episode. This is something that never happened in the original show as we don’t get to meet James’ parents in that.

In this episode, Samuel West as Siegfried encourages James to propose marriage to Helen. Callum Woodhouse as Tristan and Anna Madeley as Mrs. Hall also encourage James to pop the question to Helen too. James is initially reluctant as he doesn’t think Helen will say ‘yes’ to marry him in the end. 😐

Thankfully, as the episode progresses, James and Rachel Shenton as Helen end up becoming engaged. I hoped this would happen. I didn’t think it would quite soon in the final episode of Series 2. It’s a happy occasion, although James has to ask Helen’s father’s permission to marry her here. 😐

Soon, an emergency occurs when the Aldersons’ pregnant mare Candy is about to give birth, but has a problem. I liked it when James took charge and asked Imogen Clawson as Jenny, Helen’s sister, to phone for help at Skeldale House. Siegfried comes out to help. Tristan joins him at the last minute. 🙂

One thing I should mention is that when James puts his arm up the cow in the episode, they’re using prosthetics and not an actual cow for that. This is different compared to the original series when they used a real cow. Peter Davison pointed this out when at the recent ‘Bedford Who Charity Con’.

Thankfully, James with Mr. Alderson, Siegfried and Tristan’s help is able to deliver Candy’s calf, which is a huge relief. I did wonder whether it would all end in a disaster at one point. James also plucks up the courage to ask Helen’s father if he can marry his daughter. The two soon have a drink.

Oh, did I say ‘drink’? I mean, Helen’s father keeps pouring drinks for James from whatever bottle he’s having. I hope James was able to drive home safely afterwards. 😀 Actually, I like how it turns out between these two, since Helen’s father gives James his late wife’s wedding ring for Helen to wear.

In fact, I’ve noticed how Tony Pitts’ Richard Alderson has had more screen-time in the new TV series compared to the amount of screen-time Mr. Alderson had in the original show. I mean, Mr. Alderson was like in only two episodes of Series 1 and the 1983 Christmas Special. Quite a major difference! 😀

I also like how James and Helen break the news to Gabriel Quiqley as Hannah Herriot and Drew Cain as James Herriot Snr, James’ parents, that they’ve become engaged and that James is staying in the Dales. James’ mother is clearly upset that her son isn’t returning to Glasgow, but she and the dad are happy for him.

The episode also features Mike Harding as Isaac Cranford (You know, you could have easily called this character Biggins from the original series) as well as Amy Nuttall as Phyllis Dalby (who was in the third episode of Series 2), Aiden Cook as Young Billy Dalby and Frances Tomelty as Mrs. Donovan. 😀

Mrs. Donovan was also in the original ‘All Creatures’ show as played by Sheila Reid in Series 1 and 7. Tristan has a lot more interaction with Mrs. Donovan in the episode. Mollie Winnard is also back as Maggie. (Where have you been, Maggie?!) Will Thorp as Gerald Hammond also appears in this episode.

‘Home Truths’ is a very satisfying and happy-filled finale to Series 2 of the new ‘All Creatures Great and Small’. I’ve greatly enjoyed Series 2 throughout. I’m very pleased that James and Helen have finally become engaged to be married, which is something that I wanted to happen since Series 2 began.

I’m currently looking forward to the upcoming 2021 Christmas Special of the new ‘All Creatures Great and Small’. I’m also looking forward to receiving Series 2 of new ‘All Creatures’ on DVD in November (hopefully the 2020 Christmas Special will be included too). I’ve also pre-ordered ‘The World of All Creatures Great and Small: Welcome to Skeldale House’ book. Incidentally, I have the new ‘All Creatures’ music by Alexandra Harwood on download in my Amazon music library.

Stay tuned for my review on the upcoming 2021 Christmas Special of the new ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ series coming soon to my blog.

Thanks for reading!

Bye for now!

Tim. 🙂