About this season
One By One is a British television series made by the BBC between 1984 and 1987. The series, created by Anthony Read, followed the career of international veterinarian David Taylor and his work caring for exotic animals at zoos in Britain, from the 1950s to the 1970s. Each series was set during a different decade, with exteriors filmed at Dudley Zoo, Chester Zoo and Knowsley Safari Park. Thirty-two episodes were made in total. Rob Heyland starred as Turner, while other major cast members included James Ellis, Sonia Graham, Peter Gilmore, Heather James, Catherine Schell, Peter Jeffrey, Andrew Robertson and Christina Nagy.
Episodes (12)
1. Blood, Toil, Tears and Spit
Aired 5 January 1985 • 50 min
Donald is now well-known as a zoo vet, and is travelling the country dealing with circus animals, but still finds time to deal with the Great Northern Zoo's animals. The Northern Zoo itself is having a rough patch with Paddy acting as senior keeper and manager, and doesn'thold any illusions as to what is going to happen to the zoo. Maurice is annoyed about the amount of time Donald is away from the practice, and is even more annoyed when Donald informs him of a proposed safari park he will be involved with. Things finally come to a head when an elephant escapes from Ben Bishop's circus and injures a man, and forces Donald to split up the partnership.
2. Parting of the Ways
Aired 12 January 1985 • 50 min
Donald encounters a hostile lion trainer at the proposed safari park and is called in to treat three tiny alligators at a local night club.
3. Of Babes and Sucklings
Aired 19 January 1985 • 50 min
Donald investigates the strange behavior and requests of an Italian couple with a trained dog act who are waiting out their quarantine at the zoo, and Ethel formally joins Donald at the safari park.
4. To Hear the Sea-Maid's Music
Aired 26 January 1985 • 50 min
Donald helps prepare a dog for burial and meets an American dolphin expert.
5. End of an Era
Aired 2 February 1985 • 50 min
Donald and Paddy battle a callous administrator as they struggle without much success to place all the zoo animals before the closing day.
6. You and Whose Army?
Aired 9 February 1985 • 50 min
Donald solves the riddle of vandalism in the village and an attack on a local vagrant, and provides a home for a laboratory baboon due to be put down.
7. Pride of Place
Aired 16 February 1985 • 50 min
Donald has trouble with the big cats:a lioness escapes, a tiger cub needs hand rearing, and a self-appointed expert insists on one to one contact with the pride.
8. It's All Done With Mirrors
Aired 23 February 1985 • 50 min
Paddy and Donald settle the dolphins into a temporary home in France while Maggie tries to deal with practical problems at the park.
9. Dangerous Practice
Aired 2 March 1985 • 50 min
Maggie's a little prickly over the dolphin trainer Sindy but helps Donald cope with a mysterious epidemic running through the park's new lions.
10. A Killer Called Cuddles
Aired 9 March 1985 • 50 min
Sindy and Donald journey to America to escort home the park's newest attraction-a killer whale named Cuddles.
11. Thank You, Mr. D.H. Lawrence
Aired 16 March 1985 • 50 min
Donald must learn quickly about the medical needs of killer whales when Cuddles begins losing blood, and he accepts some unusual help from the spirit world to treat a tortoise with inflamed eyes.
12. A Close Run Thing...
Aired 23 March 1985 • 50 min
Donald has to find a suitable home for two baby elephants donated at the last moment by an old friend of Lady Anne, deal with all the confusion of the grand opening ceremonies for the safari park, and react to Maggie's intention to take a nursing job in the Middle East.