Why All Creatures Great and Small is more impactful than ever in season 5

Why All Creatures Great and Small is more impactful than ever in season 5

As a long-time admirer of All Creatures Great and Small, I must say that this latest season has truly struck a chord with me. The show’s gentle storytelling and emphasis on community spirit feels like a breath of fresh air amidst the often grim news headlines we see today.


It’s time for honesty: We delve deeply into All Creatures Great and Small at TopMob.com, but I’d be stretching the truth if I claimed to be a fan of it.

Before becoming part of the team, I hadn’t typically watched Channel 5 period dramas, and if not for my professional duties, I likely wouldn’t have given the series much attention.

But here I am, fully clued up on all of the comings and goings at Skeldale House.

To be clear, I’m not saying I don’t comprehend why All Creatures is widely appreciated. However, personally, it hasn’t captivated me in the same way. Given the current array of shows like Succession, Better Call Saul, Slow Horses, and The Bear – just a few of my recent favorites – All Creatures has yet to hold the same appeal for me.

By contrast, All Creatures has always felt a little bit limp, and dare I say forgettable.

Interestingly enough, as I sat down for the season 5 premiere, a sensation I’d never experienced before suddenly came over me. It wasn’t due to pre-menstrual feelings or a dip in blood sugar levels from skipping lunch, if you were wondering.

I was genuinely moved by the writing and performances, which have always resonated with so many other viewers, but for the first time were resonating with this particular viewer.

It was during an ordinary night at Skeldale House that Siegfried’s suggestion of a toast to Tristan and James initially stirred a peculiar sensation within him.

He lifted his glass, addressing all the young ones, expressing hope that we’ll be reunited with them shortly, as they are now far from their loved ones and homes, uncertain about when – or even if – they might come back.

Conflict is no longer merely a potential danger; it’s no longer confined to distant lands or someone else’s troubles. It has come to us, and in its wake, it brings an unavoidable transformation of life as we have known it.

Why All Creatures Great and Small is more impactful than ever in season 5

War-themed narratives persistently dominate popular culture due to their strong emotional impact. Regardless of their number, they continue to captivate writers, filmmakers, and viewers, as long as the mood is perfectly balanced.

As a movie enthusiast, I can truly appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into a series like All Creatures Great and Small, especially in its fifth season. When it comes to jingoistic fanfare and overly sentimental scenes, this show skillfully sidesteps them. Instead, it tells stories that resonate deeply and for all the right reasons. These tales linger in my mind long after the credits roll.

Indeed, it’s not new for the show to delve into how war affects the townsfolk of Darrowby. Previously, Tristan went off to serve in the Royal Vet Corps during the 2023 Christmas special, and James started his pilot training last season. However, the struggle has grown more intense, and when Siegfried, Helen, Mrs. Hall, and Carmody meet again at Skeldale House, their faces bear a solemn, troubled look, hinting at the stark reminder of war’s impact.

In quiet moments, when distractions fade, I find myself grappling with the unimaginable – a chilling specter of what might befall my beloved absentees. At such times, I can’t help but ponder the potential long-term impact on us, should they somehow survive the horror that looms ominously at the edge of our collective consciousness.

It’s true that their sons are still living. However, it should be noted that Tristan will come back eventually, but as for the changes in him, actor Samuel West has mentioned that he appears to have undergone some noticeable transformations.

As a movie enthusiast, I find myself struggling to grasp the changes I’ve observed. It’s clear that he’s been through harrowing experiences, ones he chooses to keep hidden. He’s camouflaging his pain with alcohol.

Mental health is now part of the public discourse, not so much in the 1940s.

After experiencing a close call, James has come back, as he nearly didn’t due to collapsing just before his flight. A year earlier, he contracted brucellosis, a bacterial disease, while treating an infected herd. If he had gone on that flight, it would have been fatal for him.

If James had been cleared to travel by air, he still might have been hit by hostile gunfire during his journey to Scotland, a fate that similarly claimed the lives of some of his fellow soldiers.

Considering this situation, my mind immediately goes to Helen. To be a young widow, with so many years left for growth and experiences ahead, especially with their little boy Jimmy in the picture, is heartbreaking. It’s unbearable to think that he might have grown up without his kind, loving, and patient father by his side.

Helen could handle parenthood quite well, and the entirety of Skeldale House would stand behind her. However, Jimmy’s life would certainly lack a richness without James around.

After that, I ponder over what life might be without my father, and his unending love and guidance. Fortunately, such a scenario remains unfathomable and undesirable for me, so I swiftly move on. Great writing often prompts self-reflection about one’s own existence and the significant individuals in their lives.

Why All Creatures Great and Small is more impactful than ever in season 5

And it’s not just those who have left Darrowby who have taken on new responsibilities.

In my perspective as a movie reviewer, when Mrs. Hall reveals her new role as a blackout warden, Siegfried initially reels in surprise, soon followed by praise and faith in her capabilities. However, there’s an undercurrent of worry that permeates his thoughts regarding the potential implications for Mrs. Hall. This revelation serves as a stark reminder that their familiar way of life is now a thing of the past. It foreshadows the ominous approach of unforeseen challenges, symbolizing the encroaching tempest in their lives.

Mrs. Pumphrey had planned to move out of her house following its donation for the war effort, but she wasn’t anticipating such an immediate departure. Events seem to be unfolding much more quickly than anticipated.

Given these circumstances, constant updates arriving unexpectedly, the humor and less serious narratives are now appreciated even more than before.

Instead of being merely a humorous aspect, the bickering between Siegfried and Carmody has become crucial as it serves both as a diversion and a means to elevate the atmosphere.

The seemingly deceased cat belonging to Dot Fawcett, which turned out to just have a fondness for morphine, presented an absurdly amusing plot. Remarkably, this implausible scenario proved to be more engaging and significant than one might expect.

Why All Creatures Great and Small is more impactful than ever in season 5

Beyond the influence of the looming conflict, All Creatures seem to evoke a stronger emotional resonance as well.

Amidst a period where heart-wrenching narratives have been prevalent in news outlets, from the brutal assault on Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, to the tragic events surrounding Gisèle Pelicot in her residence, to the persistent unrest in Palestine, All Creatures’ dedication to soft-spoken storytelling, brimming with good people, serves as a source of comfort. It offers a reminder that goodness prevails, despite it sometimes appearing elusive.

The story, titled “All Creatures,” focuses on a close-knit community where everyday individuals with generous hearts play significant roles. These people are selfless, contributing not for personal advantages, but to ensure the wellbeing of those around them. As conflict deepens, so does their sense of unity and empathy grow stronger.

After watching Netflix’s The Perfect Couple, a series portraying the privileged and self-centered upper class, I realized that All Creatures might be more groundbreaking than I previously thought.

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but savor every biting comment and underhanded remark that adds tension to the murder mystery I’m watching. Similarly, the heart-wrenching moments when Logan Roy tears into his children in Succession are just as captivating. It’s not about choosing one over the other; both elements have their place and are essential for a gripping narrative.

And just like that, All Creatures Great and Small has cast its spell on this former sceptic.

The fifth season of All Creatures Great and Small resumes on the 26th of September. Starting from the 19th of September, catch it every Thursday at 9pm on Channel 5 and My5.

If you’re searching for something different to watch, check out our TV Schedule or browse through our Drama section instead. Also, don’t forget to tune into The TopMob Podcast for more from the most prominent figures in television.

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2024-09-20 00:34