8.3/103 votes#1 - The Night Before Christmas
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 12/22/2020
James is trying to bury his pain over Helen and has invited his new girlfriend Connie to the annual Skeldale Christmas party. As the house fills with locals, James receives a call from a man who wants help with his dog who is giving birth.
Director: Andy Hay
Writer: Ben Vanstone
8.0/104 votes#2 - A Cure for All Ills
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 10/6/2020
James' workload doubles when Siegfried takes ill during a harsh winter. Mrs Hall discovers it is James' birthday, and Tristan tries his best to cheer him up by arranging a double date. Season finale.
Director: Andy Hay
Writer: Ben Vanstone
8.0/104 votes#3 - 26 Days to Go
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 10/21/2015
Rhonda horrifies herself when she realises she will do anything to maintain her freedom. Meanwhile, Ariel stumbles on the US Government's biggest secret.
Director: Saul Metzstein
Writer: Ben Vanstone
7.7/1012 votes#4 - The Poisoned Chalice
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 10/11/2008
With her sights set firmly on Merlin, Nimueh tricks him into drinking from a poisoned chalice, and he falls dangerously ill. Arthur ventures forth deep into the forest of Balor to find the antidote, but little does he know that he's walking into a trap
Director: Ed Fraiman
Writer: Ben Vanstone
7.7/107 votes#5 - Adieu
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 5/17/2024
The Count and Anna devise an elaborate plan, with huge consequences should it fail. However, things quickly start to unravel. An inevitable showdown is set between the Count and an old enemy.
Director: Sam Miller
Writer: Ben Vanstone
7.6/105 votes#6 - You've Got to Dream
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 9/1/2020
Fresh out of veterinary college in 1937, James Herriot struggles to find work in his Depression-struck home town of Glasgow. Seeking new opportunities, he pursues a position in the remote village of Darrowby working for eccentric local vet Siegfried Farnon, who is less than impressed by his early efforts. However, a difficult calving gives James a chance to prove his worth.
Director: Brian Percival
Writer: Ben Vanstone
7.5/108 votes#7 - The Last Rostov
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 4/12/2024
As his old life crumbles, the Count receives some devastating news; blinded by hurt, he embroils his friends in a dangerous plan; his disregard for the state may have consequences; Nina makes a surprise return, as Anna's career takes a turn.
Director: Sarah O'Gorman
Writer: Ben Vanstone
7.4/105 votes#8 - Another Farnon?
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 9/8/2020
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.
Director: Brian Percival
Writer: Ben Vanstone
7.4/107 votes#9 - An Assembly
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 5/10/2024
Russia stands on the brink of change in 1953, as someone close to the Count is granted a major opportunity. But when the return of an old friend makes the Count see clearly, he's confronted with a difficult choice about the future.
Director: Sam Miller
Writer: Ben Vanstone
7.2/104 votes#10 - A Tricki Case
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 9/22/2020
James is forced to take in Mrs Pumphrey's pampered Pekingese. Tristan prepares to return to university, but needs Siegfried's help to pay for his accommodation, but Siegfried insists he must first prove he is serious about being a vet. James treats the Aldersons' prize bull, and Helen rewards his efforts with some unusual home baking.
Director: Andy Hay
Writer: Ben Vanstone
7.1/1011 votes#11 - The Moment of Truth
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 11/22/2008
Merlin is stunned when his mother, Hunith, turns up in Camelot--bruised, battered and desperate for help from Uther. She explains to Uther that a bandit named Kanen and his men have been attacking her village demanding all of their harvest or he will kill them. When Uther refuses to help, Merlin leaves Camelot to protect his mother and friends. To Merlin's surprise, Arthur, Morgana and Gwen join forces with him to save his village--but at what cost?
Director: David Moore
Writer: Ben Vanstone
7.0/1012 votes#12 - The Gates of Avalon
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 11/1/2008
Morgana has a nightmare and sees Arthur's death at the hands of a strange but beautiful girl. Meanwhile, hunting in the forest, Merlin and Arthur save the same girl, Sophia, and her father, Aulfric from attack by bandits and bring them to Camelot for refuge. Morgana realizes that Sophia is the girl from her nightmare and tries to warn Arthur, who is smitten with her. As the truth of Morgana's magical gift for seeing future events unfolds, so does a father and daughter's plan to bring down the kingdom of Camelot by sacrificing Arthur in return for eternal life.
Director: Jeremy Webb
Writer: Ben Vanstone
7.0/101 votes#13 - Where the Heart Is
Season 2 Episode 1 - Aired 9/16/2021
It’s spring in 1938, and a trip back home to Glasgow presents James Herriot with a dilemma that will mean choosing between the people he loves when he is offered a position at his old mentor's forward-thinking practice.
Director: Brian Percival
Writer: Ben Vanstone
7.0/101 votes#14 - Semper Progrediens
Season 2 Episode 2 - Aired 9/23/2021
With Tristan's encouragement, James asks Helen if she'd like to go to the local spring dance. But village resident Gerald's arrival with his injured dog, Rock, puts a spanner in the works. Meanwhile, Tristan worries that Siegfried is in danger of losing his edge.
Director: Brian Percival
Writer: Ben Vanstone
7.0/108 votes#15 - Good Times
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 4/19/2024
The Count must undertake a dangerous political mission to save a friend.
Director: Sarah O'Gorman
Writer: Ben Vanstone
6.9/1011 votes#16 - The Nightmare Begins
Season 2 Episode 3 - Aired 10/3/2009
When Morgana's nightmares spill into waking hours, she becomes terrified that she has the power of magic. Gaius is determined to keep her in the dark for her own good but Merlin won't stand by and watch his friend suffer. He knows exactly what she's going through and he knows she needs the truth. Is Merlin about to reveal his secret at last?
Director: Jeremy Webb
Writer: Ben Vanstone
6.7/107 votes#17 - An Arrival
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 4/26/2024
The Count's life at the hotel is turned upside down by a startling arrival.
Director: Sarah O'Gorman
Writer: Ben Vanstone
6.5/1010 votes#18 - Beauty and the Beast (2)
Season 2 Episode 6 - Aired 10/31/2009
Lady Catrina has now been crowned and is now known as Queen Catrina. She accuses Merlin of stealing and he is driven into hiding, and must now find a way to expose her true form.
Director: Metin Hüseyin
Writer: Ben Vanstone
6.4/107 votes#19 - An Invitation
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 4/5/2024
The Count reckons with his past when old friend Mishka turns up at the hotel; he meets Anna Urbanova for the first time, embarking on a passionate affair; his friendship with Nina deepens, but their time together may be cut short.
Director: Sam Miller
Writer: Ben Vanstone
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The Best Episodes Written By Ben Vanstone
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Ben Vanstone Ratings Summary
"The Night Before Christmas" is the best rated episode written by Ben Vanstone. It scored 8.3/10 based on 3 votes. It was directed by Andy Hay. It aired on 12/22/2020 and is rated 0.3 points higher than their second-best episode, "A Cure for All Ills".