Sun, Jan 15, 1978
James is on pins and needles awaiting the results of the postmortem on Lord Hulton's horse. He continues to make his rounds, becoming acquainted with some of the local remedies for sick cattle. Siegfried's younger brother Tristan returns to Darrowby from veterinary college having once again failed his exams. Siegfried assigns him to collecting payments on market day, but where has he put the receipt book? James is also introduced to Mrs Pumphrey and her pekingese, Tricki Woo, who then sends Uncle Herriot a gift.
Sun, Jan 22, 1978
James visits the Alderson farm to treat a calf with a broken leg and meets the very attractive Helen Alderson for the first time since asking her for directions on his arrival in Darrowby. Meanwhile, Siegfried decides to bring to some business-like discipline to the practice by hiring a secretary, Miss Harbottle. Not surprisingly, she turns out to something more than he expected.
Sun, Jan 29, 1978
James continues to pine for Helen and learns he has a rival for her affections in the form of Richard Edmundson, a wealthy member of the local gentry. Tristan suggests James may want to join the local musical society - especially since Helen is a regular attendee. Tristan has another all-nighter with the bell ringers, leading Siegfried to believe he has too much time on his hands. So he puts him in charge of some newly acquired piglets. Mrs. Pumphrey also acquires a new pet pig, Nugent, and she asks Uncle Herriot to examine him. Siegfried reaches the breaking point with Miss Harbottle.
Sun, Feb 5, 1978
Having finally worked up the courage to ask Helen out on a date, James is not quite sure where to take her. Tristan convinces him that the first date is always the most important so he recommends that James take her to dinner at the Reniston, the poshest hotel outside of London. To his chagrin, James follows Tristan's advice and the date isn't very successful. To make matters worse, Tristan subsequently gets James to complete a foursome with two lively lasses and they meet Helen and Richard Edmundson in less than ideal circumstances. Tristan is less than enthused at having to care for the pigs Siegfried has acquired. James treats an itinerant family's sick horse. The vets seek the assistance of Sister Rose in finding a home for a stray dog.
Sun, Feb 12, 1978
Helen visits the surgery with her dog Dan, but James is embarrassed by his performance when he last saw her at the dance. He nonetheless manages to ask her out to the movies, but once again, their date is a bit of a disaster. The film he thought they were to see has been replaced by a cheap western and Gobber Newhouse, in his cups, provides a bit of unexpected entertainment. Tristan reads with interest in the local newspaper that there may be a historical basis for the ghost that haunts Raines Abbey, given that several monks were killed there several centuries ago. Sure enough, the ghost soon makes another appearance. James has to deal with a farmer who insists his cow was struck by lightning and wants James to provide the necessary documentation to support an insurance claim. Siegfried lectures James and Tristan on their forgetting equipment during their farm visits; of course, Siegfried needs to listen to his own advice.
Top-rated
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.
Top-rated
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.
Sun, Mar 5, 1978
Tristan and James treat Mr. Pickersgill, a good farmer with a tendency toward malapropisms. Tristan has an injury while there, but finds an immediate remedy. Siegfried is called out to the Sidlows, who are a bit difficult. Tristan gives James advice on his honeymoon plans and suggests a Mediterranean cruise. James couldn't possibly afford it and Tristan suggests he try his hand betting at the track. Siegfried is invited to the Broughton races and he knows the racing circuit is looking for a new vet. Once there however he meets an old friend, Stewie Brannon, a fellow vet whom he's not seen for many years. Siegfried faces a dilemma when the Agriculture Ministry requires the practice to undertake tuberculin testing the same week of James and Helen's honeymoon. James proposes a solution. Siegfried's wedding gift surprises James.
Sun, Mar 12, 1978
James and Helen are on their honeymoon and start the tuberculin testing. They're staying at a local inn but are constantly interrupted by the landlady. Back at the practice, Siegfried is particularly harried and Tristan announces that he must return to Edinburgh to take his final exams. He nonetheless decides to help Tristan prepare. James is concerned with the generosity of Siegfried's wedding gift. James meets Angus Grier, a nearby vet, and his student Clinton. Grier invites James along on a call and provides him with a peculiar change of clothes. Siegfried suggests that they hire a student while Tristan is away.
Sun, Mar 19, 1978
James works with young, hard-working farmer Frank Metcalfe, who has relocated from the city. Unfortunately his herd is diagnosed with brucellosis, which has both immediate and long-term effects. Tristan returns from school and admits to James that his exams may not have gone all that well. He also meets Richard Carmody, a brilliant veterinary student who is spending a few weeks with the practice to gain practical experience. Tristan takes a dislike to him and he and James look for an opportunity to teach him what it's really like to work in a country practice. Finally, the vets and the village doctor see an opportunity to teach Gobber Newhouse, a local bully and wife-beater, a lesson when he steps on a rusty nail and needs care.
Top-rated
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.
Top-rated
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, Sep 30, 1978
Siegfried and Tristan treat Mr. Benson's flock of sheep, most of whom are suffering from a severe calcium deficiency but several have been killed by a dog. Siegfried also has to make a late-night all to Harold Ingledew who, in his cups, is something less than efficient. James is still confined to the surgery because of a sore ankle. He meets Roderick Perowne, whose dog has been injured and Peter Marsten whose dog Jack may have gotten involved in a bit of serious mischief. Marsten is devastated when James determines that Jack may be responsible for the sheep attacks.
Sat, Oct 7, 1978
Tristan treats Albert Skerry's bloated cow by releasing some of its stomach gas. Unfortunately, as he does so, Mr. Skerry strikes a match with the expected results. The humour of it all is lost on Siegfried when he receives a solicitor's letter requesting compensation. Ewan Ross, a nearby vet, asks for some help and Siegfried suggests James go out and give him a hand. Ross is a formidable character who is not only one of the best horse vets around, but is also reputed to be overly fond of drink. Siegfried gets the idea that they should raise guinea fowl; pandemonium ensues when Tristan forgets to close the gate.
Top-rated
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, Oct 21, 1978
Mrs. Bond visits the surgery with her cat Boris "the Gladiator" and James is left with visible reminders of the encounter. To Helen's dismay James has agreed to be the official vet at the Darrowby and Houlton Show. He innocently believes that it will just another pleasant day out, but it turns out to be quite a busy day day including cheaters and some trying to enter sick animals. His biggest challenge is in judging the family pets, where Mrs. Pumphrey has entered Tricki Woo. Tristan tries to woo a pretty barmaid in the beer tent and Mrs. Hall enters her preserves in competition against the perennial winner.
Sat, Oct 28, 1978
Helen, James, Tristan and Siegfried have a wonderful lunch at swank French restaurant where Tristan meets Julia Tavener. He becomes desperate to meet her and sees his chance when James is called out to treat the Tavener's dog. Mrs. Pumphrey visits the surgery with Tricki Woo and also offers Tristan help and advice on his pursuit of Julia. Not surprisingly, their date doesn't quite go as planned but Tristan suddenly feels trapped by her constant attention. James visits the Bellerbys to treat a sick cow and he agrees to give them a lift to the village as they are all attending a performance of Handel's Messiah. James becomes a bit concerned however when the family's lunch seems to drag on and on and the time for the performance grows ever nearer. James also has to treat Tim Alton's prize pig who has gone off her feed. He also faces a dilemma when Mrs. Tompkins budgie dies in his care. His solution presents unanticipated results.
Sat, Nov 4, 1978
Helen is away caring for a sick aunt. Siegfried is on the warpath because of the number of unpaid farmers' bills. He is particularly annoyed with Dennis Pratt who has not settled his account for some time. James and Tristan have to treat a rather large and very difficult stallion. James meets Granville Bennett, a vet who specializes in small animal care, when Mrs. Barker's dog requires surgery. While the dog is recovering from the anesthetic, Granville suggests that he and James have a drink (or two or three, as it turns out) and then over to his house for a bite to eat (and a drink or two or three). By the time his visit is over, James is very much the worse for wear. James rescues a kitten by the side of the road.
Sat, Nov 11, 1978
James calls on Mr. Partridge who has a sick dog, Percy. James suggests that Percy undergo medical treatment rather than surgery but the medication has an unusual side effect. James notices that Mr. Partridge is a gifted amateur painter and arranges for him to paint a portrait of Bill Ogilvie's new prize bull. Partridge is amazed at the fee James has negotiated for him and gets to work but Ogilvie grows less enthusiastic when his bull is apparently uninterested in performing his "duties". James treats Mr. Rudd newly acquired cow, Strawberry, with amusing results. Tristan treats Angela Farmer's dog but he accidentally injects her instead of the dog.
Sat, Nov 18, 1978
Siegfried and Tristan go out of their way to make themselves unavailable so Mr. Blenkinsopp recruits James to play for the local cricket team, with amusing results. James treats the Dimmocks' new puppy with all 8 (or so) children in attendance. James decides that the pup needs Granville Bennett's special touch but is concerned that he will only get into trouble so he asks Siegfried to come along. Granville convinces both of them to stop in at his branch surgery, which turns out to be his local. Once again, James has a few too many.
Sat, Nov 25, 1978
James and Tristan drive back from a conference in London and Tristan promptly drives the car through the garage wall. Tristan gets a visit from a Edinburgh friend, Alice McTavish, who has 'wee Tristan' in tow. There's a simple explanation but Siegfried jumps to conclusions. Tristan is obviously very keen on Alice and starts thinking about more permanent arrangements. James treats the Barratts' dog; they are clearly an unhappy couple on the verge of a separation.
Sat, Dec 2, 1978
Tristan receives a visit from Alice McTavish, a friend from Edinburgh. He's quite taken with her and she with him, but things don't quite work out in the end. She accompanies him on a call to treat a choking nanny goat - who has eaten something quite unusual! James overcomes his fears and takes the leap into public speaking - at the Darrowby Youth Club. On the big day, he's running late as usual with an over-abundance of calls and when he finally arrives, the audience proves to be quite formidable.
Sat, Dec 9, 1978
The vets must deal with Kit Bilton, an amiable local farmer who every year fattens a pig for slaughter. Problem is that Kit becomes so fond of the animals that he's an emotional wreck when the times comes to do the deed. Helen is away taking care of a sick aunt and Tristan tries to convince James to go on pub crawl. Siegfried seems to hit it off with Tristan's friend, Daphne. James treats a dog who is late going into labour and whose owner is convinced she knows the right treatment. After a call, a local farmer invites James to stay for a bit o' bacon - which turns out to be almost pure fat; James finds a way to make it edible.
Top-rated
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.