One By One: Nature’s Great Masterpiece (BBC-1 5 Feb 1984 with Rosie Kerslake)

UK / BBC One / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast 5 February 1984

Writer: Anthony Read / Production Design: John Coleman / Director: Christopher Baker

Series: One By One / Season 1 Episode 2

In the second episode of One By One, Nature’s Great Masterpiece, newly qualified vet Donald Turner is not sure whether he wants to continue working for Maurice Webb and in particular working at the zoo but realises that Maurice actually respects his work. The bosses of the Zoo are contemplating closing it down if it doesn’t start to make more money and Maurice hits on the idea of drumming up some publicity by getting both the zoo and the practice in the papers. Meanwhile an elephant at the zoo has an abcess on a tooth and Donald has the option of operating or putting the animal down. He attempts a decidedly tricky operation…

It’s blood and guts unlimited in this second episode as Donald and Maurice set to on the Elephant tooth removal using a hammer and chisel! Some light hearted moments though with the arrival of exotic dancer Miss Seksi who needs Donald to heal her snake who has dodgy eyes. This episode is the debut of reporter Jenny Blount (played by Rosie Kerslake) who acts as something of a love interest for Donald for much of this season although she is well aware that his priorities lay with the animals he is treating.

guest cast
GARFIELD MORGAN as Howard Rundle
ROSIE KERSLAKE as Jenny Blount
PETER IVATTS as Harry
PETER LORENZELLI as Ted
KEVIN DONAGHY as Brian
TONY DOYLE as George Bedford
TOMMY DUGGAN as Frank Harvey
SHIRIN TAYLOR as Miss Seksi
IAN LINDSAY as Jim Perry
PHILIP ANTHONY as Harold
DONALD NITHSDALE as Parsons