In the finale of All Creatures Great and Small season 7, Siegfried Farnon's upcoming nuptials are the talk of Darrowby.
"Some thought you’d never be pinned down," remarks one client as the vet is examining her Dachshund. "But I’m sure you know your own mind."
Yet, Siegfried remains conflicted about his future. From the moment it was settled that he would move out of Skeldale House and live with Dorothy, the reality of his rather rash decision to propose to her had finally sunk in.
For leaving his home would mean leaving Mrs Hall, who would always be a permanent fixture in his life, of course. But their dynamic would naturally shift as he settled into a new era with his soon-to-be wife.
They certainly wouldn't be able to spend as much time playing cards and word games together, a favourite pastime of theirs.
"Well, I hope you'll drop by for a game," he says after Mrs Hall gives him his very own word game as a wedding present.
"Oh, I'm sure," she smiles. "From time to time," as an expression of what can only be described as complete and utter sorrow spreads across his face.
View Green Video on the source websiteBut Siegfried doesn't fully grasp the depth of his feelings for Mrs Hall – which have long been suspected by fans of the series – until he dictates his wedding speech to Tristan.
He offers to write it down for him given it's the day before Siegfried's wedding, and he's not yet put pen to paper.
"It will be a little odd, at first, not seeing you all over breakfast," he says, acknowledging leaving Skeldale House, as his thoughts quickly turn to Mrs Hall.
Siegfried falls silent as Tristan and James glance over, confused as to why he's trailed off.
After a brief distraction, courtesy of the horse they're tending to, Siegfried revisits his speech, this time on his own while walking said horse around the field. But rather than focusing on Dorothy and his hopes for their life together, it rapidly turns into a speech about Mrs Hall's many excellent qualities.
Siegfried thanks the housekeeper for "her food and all her hard work", before moving into more sentimental territory.
"For the many happy evenings we've spent playing cards and word games; the way she puts up with all my little foibles; the way she allows me to be me.
"For the countless immeasurable ways she makes my life better."
And that's when it hits him like a freight train: "I can't imagine my life without her."
Siegfried is stunned as he realises that the woman he loves has been right in front of him for quite some time – while also acknowledging that he cannot, in good conscience, marry Dorothy.
"It's unforgivable of me to say what I have to say," he admits.
But while Dorothy, who truly believed they would share a life together, expresses her hurt and embarrassment, she also says that she's "glad, in a way".
"I wouldn’t want to be married to someone who doesn’t love me with their whole heart," she adds. "I deserve better than that."
She then asks Siegfried if Mrs Hall knows how he feels, but he remains silent. He's yet to tell her, and when the credits roll on the latest instalment of All Creatures, she still doesn't know why he called off his wedding.
Just as Siegfried is gearing up to explain why, the moment is swiftly lost.
View oEmbed on the source website"I've behaved unforgivably, but I hope in time you'll realise why," he says while reaching for her hand. But Mrs Hall only has room in her thoughts for her dear friend, for whom she cares so deeply.
After gently pressing down on his outstretched hand, she then clasps hers together while switching back into housekeeper mode. Bed linen and Siegfried's ration book are top of her mind – and a welcome distraction – as the vet realises it's simply not the time to launch another bombshell – and one that would send shockwaves through Skeldale House and the wider community.
But as the season plays out, Siegfried can't tear his gaze away from Mrs Hall; he only has eyes for her.
So, will he take the plunge and confess his feelings? And will Mrs Hall reciprocate them?
With the series set to return in just a few weeks for the annual All Creatures Christmas special, we'll have our answer in due course.
All Creatures Great and Small will return for a 2026 Christmas special.
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