@merryapril said:

I watched the premier episode last night on PBS Masterpiece and was charmed by it all - the bucolic setting, fine production values, attractive ensemble of players, lack of political subtext, violence, gloom and darkness, and its overall uplifting entertainment value. The show's a much-needed tonic for the stress of last year. Just what the doctor/vet ordered!!! I'm happily looking forward to future episodes and hope it has the staying power of the original series.

More specifically, as a downtown city girl, the point made by Seigfried Farnon expressing dismay that a certain breed of bovine was at risk of becoming extinct because it didn't yield as much milk as another popular breed was poignant and thought-provoking. IMO details like this in an adapted screenplay help to elevate a show from a purely feel-good status to something more substantial.

Well done!!!

Haven't seen it yet but from what I have read it was picked up for a second series (season).

Series one is all right, however in series two and onward PC, diversity and inclusion - POC and LGBTQ - are slowly weaving its way into the storylines. Although historically correct - Britain, including Yorkshire, has a diverse population - this does leave the door open to introduce new characters and adapt others to suit the plot. This continuous - let's hope mostly subtle - reminder of the 'real' world will make an escape to the quiet country life with our favourite veterinarians Siegfried, James and Tristan 'almost' impossible.

"Being able to cast truthfully but embracing diversity, whether it’s diversity in terms of the role of women, disabled people, and as we go forward in season two, Black stories and Black actors, that will all be part of our agenda as we go forward. But this episode was a particular joy."

@wonder2wonder said:

Series one is all right, however in series two and onward PC, diversity and inclusion - POC and LGBTQ - are slowly weaving its way into the storylines. Although historically correct - Britain, including Yorkshire, has a diverse population - this does leave the door open to introduce new characters and adapt others to suit the plot. This continuous - let's hope mostly subtle - reminder of the 'real' world will make an escape to the quiet country life with our favourite veterinarians Siegfried, James and Tristan 'almost' impossible.

"Being able to cast truthfully but embracing diversity, whether it’s diversity in terms of the role of women, disabled people, and as we go forward in season two, Black stories and Black actors, that will all be part of our agenda as we go forward. But this episode was a particular joy."

Where is that 'quote' from?

It's a quote from executive producer Colin Callender. He was addressing journalists at a press event in December 2020 about the success of series one and the renewal of the show.

Well, I'm very sorry to read there will be an "agenda" and can only hope it's not gratuitous or out of place, like black actors portraying 18th C English aristocrats - as if... 🙄. While I realize trying to convey some sort of morality is nothing new when it comes to entertainments, I enjoyed this premier episode in part PRECISELY because it was about what seemed to be a fairly plausible depiction of the plot without straining to tick off items on a woke checklist, which can break the spell. I guess only time will tell if the producer casts "truthfully".

Happily for fans, and continuing in the spirit of feel good TV, Ep. 2 was every bit as enjoyable as the premiere. Samuel West does a convincing job playing a curmudgeon; likewise Nicholas Ralph is very good as his ingenuous assistant. Anna Madeley and the rest of the cast are equally fine. But another important reason to tune in is to see the late, great Diana Rigg in what turned out to be one of her final performances. And while she portrayed an eccentric, slightly doddering heiress, I'll always think of her as one of THE most iconic and beautiful actresses of the Swinging Sixties. My, how time has flown...

I loved the season finale with all of the Christmas doings, plus there was a bonus for dog lovers as a border collie gave birth to pups. I didn't feel the interracial couple Bert and Anne Chapman seemed tacked on at all - they were endearing characters and helped to make the point that we can't help who we love, which was integral to the plot twist at the end.

Callum Woodhouse as Tristan is consistently good at providing levity and lightheartedness. He has an impishness that's warms the heart. Helen and James seemed so natural together, working side by side as they delivered the collie pups, that it's hard to believe she could even consider marrying another man instead of her obvious soul mate. Is landlord Hugh's wealth a big attraction because it could possibly ease her father's financial situation? Rachel Shenton is well-cast as the dark, fresh-faced beauty who captured James' heart at first sight. Her portrayal and the writing have made a very practical, down-to-earth, somewhat care-worn-for-her-years impression, but the finale allowed a peek at a streak of wistfulness about what might have been...

I appreciate all of the production shots of beautiful Yorkshire countryside - they're almost as good as fresh air itself. I can't wait for Season 2!!!

I'm still absolutely loving this show and have watched the Christmas special/Season finale 3 times so far, never failing to cry my effing eyes out. It's so touching, heartwarming and a much-needed tonic for these especially troubling times. The sentimentalism of the episode was offset by an ominous note at the very end and it seems WWII will be an unavoidable factor in the next season. I hope none of our favorite denizens of the Yorkshire Dales will end up as casualties. Tricki Woo, the handsome Pekingese belonging to Mrs. Pumphrey, manages to steal every scene he appears in. What a looker! And speaking of Mrs. Pumphrey, Patricia Hodge has proven to be a terrific successor to Diana Rigg in the role. I've seen her on the stage in London and she's another top notch addition to the cast. As far as romance goes, it was a letdown that Maggie (Mollie Winnard) , the congenial Drover barmaid who suffers no fools gladly, is engaged to be married to someone named Arthur. I'd hoped she and Tristan would hook up eventually. On the other hand, the hard-working housekeeper Mrs. Hall seems to have found a good friend in Gerald (Will Thorp). Anna Madeley deserves special recognition in the role -- she and Samuel West are great foils when they face off, which is always a treat to see. If it were up to me, there'd be Emmy Awards all around for this wonderful cast and crew.

@mechajutaro said:

The sentimentalism of the episode was offset by an ominous note at the very end and it seems WWII will be an unavoidable factor in the next season

And I'm banking that the next season will take place shortly after WWII has ended. Between the seasons, James will have spent time with The Chindits in Burma, and return home a blood-soaked, decorated, and dangerous warrior. Yorkshire will be in a state of near dystopia, thanks to criminal gangs having overtaken the place during the war years. It'll be up to James to set things right once again, ala. Rutger Hauer in Hobo With A Shotgun

mech, GIVE IT A REST PLEASE! There are so many other places you can leave your crass comments on/at.

mechajutaro, in the spirit of your cheeky comment, all I can say is if the show were to go in the direction you suggest, I just hope your imagined gangs of troublemakers wouldn't get weird with the livestock, IYKWIM. And while you may prefer dystopian drama, it can be as overused and trite a genre as period/historical drama, no?

R.I.P. Rutger Hauer. I especially loved him in Soldier of Orange and Blade Runner.

SO, A Clockwork Blancmange??? Pray, no more fan fiction, please.

@merryapril said:

R.I.P. Rutger Hauer. I especially loved him in Soldier of Orange and Blade Runner.

The television series "Floris (1969)" is a favourite. Rutger was an unknown actor, who got his big break there.

Thanks W2W. It seems there are no English versions of the Floris series available for viewing, at least none I can find. Too bad, as there are several retro American TV shows available on some of the cable channels; I often watch now and then (Alfred Hitchcock Presents is a favorite -- the episode "Little White Frock" starring Herbert Marshall sticks in my mind). I wish there were even more, especially any of the anthology series, of which there were so many in the 1950s-early 1960s. The casts, writing, direction, editing, etc. were often first rate. I'm always amazed at how quickly and effectively the plots develop.

I love ACGAS, but don't like the relatively short seasons PLUS the long waits in between them that are typical of this and other TV shows imported from the UK.