All Creatures Great and Small season 5 episode 3 ending explained: Is Tristan back? He brought some good news

All Creatures Great and Small season 5 episode 3 brought back one of the key characters in the series, who had been missing for a full season—Tristan Farnon. He was missing throughout season 4 and the first two episodes of season 5 as he joined the war effort at the Royal Army Veterinary Corps stationed in Cairo.

However, Tristan was back at Skeldale House just in time for little Jimmy's christening in All Creatures Great and Small season 5 episode 3, and he was alive and well. And, while his return meant he and Siegfried were back to their usual banter, Siegfried was happy to learn that Tristan returned in one piece. The young Mr. Farnon also brought some good news during his return.

Meanwhile, Tristan joined Siegfried in one of his rounds. It's an all-around big day at Skeldale House in All Creatures Great and Small season 5 episode 3, with little Jimmy's christening and everyone preparing for the big day.

Disclaimer: This article contains major spoilers for All Creatures Great and Small season 5 episode 3. Reader's discretion is advised.

---

All Creatures Great and Small season 5 episode 3 saw Tristan back at Skeldale House

Tristan Farnon, who had been missing throughout season four and in the first and second episodes of All Creatures Great and Small season 5, returned to Darrowby and Skeldale House in the third episode of season 5, much to everyone's delight.

Tristan and Siegfried reunite (Image via PBS)

All Creatures Great and Small season 5 episode 3 kicked off with Siegfried in a foul mood after having to return to Mr. Biggins' farm to tend to his goat, which hadn't seemed to improve from its condition. After visiting Biggins' farm, another upsetting news awaited him. It wasn't the news that was upsetting for Siegfried, but not knowing what the letter entailed. Mrs. Hall gave him the telegram that arrived, and in it, his brother, Tristan, wrote:

"Home tomorrow."

There wasn't a time enclosed when he would be back and why, which worried both Siegfried and Mrs. Hall. Questions arose about Tristan's well-being after his sudden return from war, and Mrs. Hall, although worried, told Siegfried to try not to assume the worst, which he said was easier said than done.

One of the significant worries was Tristan getting hurt from war, causing his return, like when James returned from RAF Abingdon because of his sickness in All Creatures Great and Small season 5 episode 2. Siegfried was worried enough that he promised not to utter a crossword to Tristan again if he came back in one piece.

Tristan in All Creatures Great and Small season 5 episode 3 (Image via PBS)

Much to everyone's delight, Tristan arrived at Darrowby just in time for little Jimmy's christening. Moreover, he was unharmed, with no bones broken, and "not a hair out of place," as he told Mrs. Hall. He also had some good news, which Siegfried proudly told Mrs. Hall as they returned to Skeldale House from the train station.

Tristan got a promotion and would soon be in charge of training new veterinary recruits in Doncaster. He said that his new job would mostly include lecturing, which would put him a bit further from the dangers of war.

---

Tristan helps Siegfried with a farmer scamming him

After the christening, the boys and Jenny went to the pub for a pint as Mrs. Hall, Helen, and James' mother prepared for lunch. While there, they saw Mr. Biggins, whom Siegfried called the "Grim Reaper." When Biggins started mouthing off about Siegfried wrongly diagnosing his nanny goat and trying to scam him with his "fake powders," Siegfried insisted on coming to see the goat again. Tristan also insisted on coming along because he said Biggins was trying to besmirch their good name.

Tristan and Siegfried in All Creatures Great and Small season 5 episode 3 (Image via PBS)

At Biggins' farm, Tristan was the one to inspect the goat, and he diagnosed it with a lumpy jaw, the same as Siegfried's diagnosis. All three of them got into an argument after Mr. Biggins accused Siegfried of calling him a liar when the vet asked for the prescription, and Tristan butted in. Siegfried then asked his brother to make a warm compress on Biggins' stove, which was how Tristan noticed that Biggins never gave the goat the sulphanilamide powder that Siegfried prescribed.

He saw two unopened boxes of it in Biggins' things, which he reported to his brother. In the end, they tricked Biggins into admitting that he never used the medicine on his goat so he could avoid paying.

---

Siegfried and Mrs. Hall become Jimmy's godparents in All Creatures Great and Small season 5 episode 3

Little Jimmy's christening in All Creatures Great and Small season 5 episode 3 was an intimate affair attended by James' parents, Hannah and James Herriot Senior. Helen's father Richard, her sister Jenny, Mrs. Hall, Siegfried, and Tristan were also at the event. Siegfried and Mrs. Hall were his godparents, and Siegfried even held him during a part of the christening ceremony.

Mrs. Hall and Siegfried (Image via PBS)

Siegfried, in particular, was taking his godparent duties seriously. The night before the christening, he was trying to write his speech for the event, which shocked James. Knowing Siegfried, the speech would be lengthy. Mrs. Hall even joked that while she took being Jimmy's godparent seriously, she wouldn't be making any speech, which James said he appreciated.

However, Siegfried didn't end up reciting his speech because he and Tristan went to Mr. Biggins' farm. When they returned to Skeldale House at the end of All Creatures Great and Small season 5 episode 3, the celebration was over, and James and Helen were sending the Herriots off. He, however, ended up giving the abridged version of his speech in front of Tristan, which left both of them teary-eyed.

---

Catch All Creatures Great and Small season 5 episode 3, now streaming on MASTERPIECE on CBS. Seasons 1 through 4 of the British series are also available for streaming via the PBS app and PBS Passport.