This series still gives me great pleasure. The true story of a veterinary practise in the English Dales in the late 1930 and early 1940's, this 3rd season was a bittersweet one in many ways.
It kept along with the stories of James Herriot and his partners Siegfried and Tristan Farnon, practising animal doctoring among the farmers and other colorful characters of the English countryside, stories often amusing, sometimes downright funny, and sometimes heart wrenching. But the season also had the threat of the impending war over it, and by the end of the season, James and Siegfried are off to participate in WW II, as they really did.
But in the creation of the show it also was bittersweet, because is marked the end of the original run of the series, ending in 1980. After that came two specials, in 1983 and 1985 and then the series started again in 1988. It is true that most of the original cast comes back. Christopher Timothy as James and both Robert hardy and Peter Davison return as the Farnons...but Carol Drinkwater does not return as Helen Herriot, and though Lynda Bellingham tries to fill the shoes, there truly is no other Helen. Also missing is Mary Hignett, as Mrs. Hall, their long-suffering housekeeper, as the actress died in the interim.
So season 3 is to be savored. It is the high point in a series that is wonderful, funny, charming and loving.
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