James Herriot, under pressure from his mother to take a job on the docks, follows his dream when he is selected for an interview as a veterinary assistant in Yorkshire.

Skeldale House descends into chaos with the arrival of Siegfried's wayward brother Tristan. Helen provides James with a reason to stay in the Dales.

Siegfried hopes to bag the job of Attending Vet at Darrowby Racecourse, by buttering up the head of the race course, General Ransom.

When Mrs Pumphrey's Tricki Woo takes a turn for the worse, James takes drastic action. But things do not go to as expected. Tristan prepares to return to Edinburgh University.

It's the Darrowby Show and James is pleased as punch that he has been given the honour of Attending Vet.

James celebrates his birthday, but personal and professional worries but a dampener on the event. James and Tristan ignore Siegfried's advice and operate on a prized cow.

James is trying to bury his pain over Helen and has invited his new girlfriend Connie to the annual Skeldale Christmas party. Preparations are well under way!