All Creatures Great And Small - Series 3

Series 3 essentially completes the adaptation Alf Wight's then novels (pen name James Herriot). After two Specials, set after the War, four series revived the show after the BBC persuaded Wight to allow new scripts by other writers. Mrs Hall appears more in Series 2 and 3 (actress Mary Hignett died soon afterwards). In Series 3, although the approaching war casts a shadow, daily life for the vets continues: Tristan twice tries cooking, Tristan's love life causes mayhem but romance awaits Siegfried. Among issues explored are foot and mouth disease, animal abuse, and some owners' desperate even tragic attachment to their pets. Teasers for all Series 3, each episode 50 mins. *Some spoilers*

Series 3 Vol 1 Disc 1

1: PLENTY TO GROUSE ABOUT: The vets have to deal with illness on the grouse moors. James and Helen try to save a cow from slaughter.

2: CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME: Some new pills prove to be very effective, but Siegfried is worried about their high cost. James operates on a stray cat, which Helen looks after then wants to adopt.

3: EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY: Siegried tries out a new drug and learns a new way of calming a pig.

4: HAIR OF THE DOG: Mrs. Hall, the housekeeper, leaves to look after family. Siegfried assigns the housework and cooking to Tristan who, despite being worn down by the hard work, determines to produce a lavish meat casserole.

Series 3 Vol 1 Disc 2

5: IF WISHES WERE HORSES: Young Wesley Binks's spate of mischief-making seems at an end when his dog needs medical treatment. Tristan courts Debbie but her intimidating father doesn't approve of him. Siegfried is much affected when the Weeting sons, anticipating war, leave Darrowby to join the armed forces.

6: PIG IN THE MIDDLE: James fears disaster when he unwittingly books a most expensive restaurant for his and Helen's wedding anniversary. James is asked to arbitrate when Siegfried and Tristan want the same night off to woo their respective ladies.

7: BE PREPARED: When young Deirdre fancies Tristan, he avoids her ball by staying at Skeldale House to look after a client's dog, and mayhem ensues. With war looming, Siegfried wants to introduce economy measures but Mrs Hall cleverly makes a point. A badly injured dog alters plans for Siegfried, James and Helen.

8: A DYING BREED: James and Siegfried visit a state-of-the-art milking parlour. Darrowby's horse-and-cart milkman can't deliver any more when his horse becomes ill, affecting Skeldale House not just as vets treating it but as customers. Helen confides her worry about the war that seems inevitable.

Series 3 Vol 2 Disc 1

9: BRINK OF DISASTER: When Siegfried diagnoses a blistered animal as having foot and mouth disease, the area is placed under severe government restrictions. Fearing the spread of the dread disease, James is called to a cow with blisters. Britain declares war on Germany, and the main characters deal with the news in different ways.

10: HOME AND AWAY: With Mrs Hall away and Helen away with James, Tristan becomes the cook and serves bangers & mash. James acts as locum at Stewie's practice. He meets 'Mr Pymerov', officiates as Duty Vet at the dog track, and treats a dog that has been hit by a car.

11: ALARMS AND EXCURSIONS: Now that the church bells are to be rung only to announce invasion, Tristan, James and the Darrowby bellringers have a final knees-up, and Tristan's personal farewell to the bells goes awry. Someone is poisoning local dogs. Siegfried hears news of Margery Egerton from a friend of hers. When treating the friend's dog, James has to make a split-second life or death decision.

Series 3 Vol 2 Disc 2

12: MATTERS OF LIFE AND DEATH: James meets Lord Hulton (Frederick Treves) and they encounter an escaped military horse that has been abused. Paul Cotterell (Nicholas Courtney) consults James about his dog.

13: WILL TO LIVE: Still strongly affected by the case of Paul Cotterell, James has to deal with a dog that is going blind. Siegfried and Margery meet again. Tristan decides to stand up to his brother.

14: BIG STEPS AND LITTLE 'UNS: Mr Carter wants Mrs Hall to marry him. With Siegfied and James about to join the RAF, a Polish vet is interviewed as a possible war-time locum. Siegfried and James have a last long chat. Tristan receives most important career news.