User Reviews

For all the people that say the show's becoming a soap opera, it's a drama! It might have some pull on the emotions, but it really is not a true soap opera, which would sure involve more lustful activities to put it mildly. I watch this show because of the beauty of the countryside and the warm human interactions between the characters interspersed with animal stories. Even in his books the real James Herriot aka Alf Wight didn't dwell too much on the realities of war and he barely even served long enough before he was deemed unfit for duty after a health operation. It is not claiming to be tightly based on the books which I think is a good thing because the writers and producers can have some license in fleshing out certain minor characters, such as Richard Carmody, who is a great addition to the show! Given that, I personally don't like the idea of a Mrs. Hall and Siegfried romance and I will concede that the Gerald and Mrs. Hall storyline IS so soap opera-y I honestly fast-forwarded through those bits. But other than that, the interactions with Carmody and his new "family" were just lovely and heartwarming...his character arc of learning how to be more of an understanding person and less of a bookwormy-intellectual---the endgame of this episode being him slightly drunk and hugging Mrs. Hall LOL, and Helen and James being anxious about their forthcoming baby, those were nice moments! Who doesn't want their heart warmed for Christmas! A very sweet Christmas episode! More please!

I don't usually write reviews, but felt compelled. With each passing season, this show has become more of a soap opera than it's original style (about animals). This episode personified that. It was way over the top, including the cheesy music. It has now strayed too far from the original series (which was about being a vet) for my liking.

Now technically it does include a story about a bird, but that's minor. As soon as the officer rejected James' request to go home to see Helen, we all knew what was going to happen - and there was no surprise there. I think the nail in the coffin was when Helen gave away her cat.