After six nail biting weeks on our screens, the final episode of All Creatures Great and Small concluded on Thursday night – but not without packing a serious emotional punch first.

The much-loved drama series, which charts the life of fictional Yorkshire vet James Herriot, got off to a tense start, as housekeeper Mrs Hall wrestled with a tough decision about whether to stay at Skeldale veterinary practice or head off to pastures new.

Throughout the course of the episode, Mrs. Hall could be seen seriously weighing up her decision, before crunch time finally came and she opted to stay – but not without sacrificing her relationship with Gerald Hammond in the process.

In a real tear jerker moment, Mrs. Hall urged Gerald to set off and leave without her, before being unable to tell him when she would follow, when he asked the all important question.

Realising their relationship was over, the pair both appeared heartbroken by the development, however it was deemed to be the best decision for them in the long run.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the show, a heavily pregnant Helen Anderson was experiencing drama of her own, when she realised she hadn’t felt her baby move for several days, prompting a moment of terrified panic, in which she worried she may have been pushing herself too hard on the family farm.

In harrowing scenes, viewers were on the edges of their seat as local vet Siegfried Farnon was enlisted to come and listen for a heartbeat to put Helen’s mind at rest – something which took a nerve wracking minute or so to finally detect.

Having detected a healthy heartbeat, the stethoscope was later passed to Helen so she could listen for herself, something which came as a huge relief to the expectant mother, as she had previously learnt that her parents had actually lost a child prior to her birth.

Although the episode didn’t see the return of Helen’s partner James, who had departed earlier in the series to serve on the frontlines in WW2 — the series did tease his return, along with the birth of their baby, in a Christmas special due to air later this year.

In a preview released at the end of the episode, James could be seen requesting a leave of absence to return home to his wife, while a further cutscene showed Helen revealing her labour had started!

Following the episode and its poignant nod to the future for the couple, fans were quick to share their thoughts on social media.

One fan wrote: “I have to say that #AllCreaturesGreatAndSmall has had this family’s emotionally in turmoil but we still love this program,” while another viewer branded it a “another tearjerker”.

A second viewer commented: “Don’t envy Mrs Hall having to make that tough call between staying in Darrowby and not going with Mr Gerald Hammond. Sacrifices are never easy…”

Meanwhile a third fan added: “I can't believe this is the last episode of #AllCreaturesGreatAndSmall. It only seems like yesterday it started again. I'm going to miss my Thursday trips to Yorkshire.”

A fourth viewer also echoed the sentiment adding: “Oh no!!! Can’t believe that’s the end of the series already – it goes far too quickly every time! Thank goodness there’s still the Xmas special to look forward to!”

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