Survival is the third episode of the second series of The Animals of Farthing Wood. It was originally broadcast in the UK on 21 January 1994.
Plot[]
In Fox and Vixen's earth, Vixen is attending to Cat's injuries. He is recovering well and Kestrel tries to apologize. She and Fox go out hunting, leaving Mole to look after the cat. When the cat pretends to be asleep, Mole leaves to eat some worms. The cat takes his chance and escapes back home. Badger is shocked to hear that Kestrel attacked his new friend. Starving, Fox and Vixen do not manage to catch anything to eat and when Mrs Vole disappears, Fox is the prime suspect, until Weasel turns up. She tells the others that she saw Scarface eat Mrs Vole. The animals think Fox should deal with Scarface. Fox believes that fighting would only make matters worse. "In that case", says Fieldmouse, "the oath doesn't mean anything anymore!". Later Scarface creeps up on Weasel and attacks her, biting her arm. He tells her that she has to spy on Fox, or he will kill her.
Badger finally recovers from his injuries and The Warden sends him back out into the park. Arriving at Fox's earth, where most of the animals have gathered, Badger tries to persuade the hungry animals that they should all go and live in the Warden's cottage. The other animals laugh off this ridiculous suggestion, and Badger furiously leaves to return to the Warden's house by himself. However, when he tries to go back into the cottage, the Warden pushes him back out. The cat explains to Badger that he is a wild animal and does not belong there. Badger sadly turns away and is met by Kestrel who has followed him. Spotting his chance for revenge while Kestrel is on the ground, the cat attacks her, but is fought off by Badger, who returns home to a warm welcome from his friends. In Fox's earth, Badger comes up with a better idea to find food. They can scavenge from humans, like they did on the way to the park.
That night the scavenging trips begin. Fox and Vixen arrive at a farm just outside the park. Suddenly two of Scarface's tribe run by with chickens in their mouths. They are shot dead by the farmer, and Fox and Vixen take their chance to take the chickens. Scarface and Lady Blue have seen everything and Scarface is furious. Fox will pay for taking his chickens…
Trivia[]
- This episode marks the death of Mrs Vole, and the last appearance of Vole (whose death is announced in the next episode).
- On "The Challenge of Winter" VHS, some scenes were cut:
- The first shot.
- Cat escorting Badger home.
- Badger's outburst when he falls of the ledge.
- Badger remembering not to fall of the ledge again.
Goofs[]
- During the story, the Great White Stag has a deeper voice as he narrates.
| Series and Episodes |
|---|
| Series 1 (1993) • Series 2 (1994) • Series 3 (1995) |
| Series 1 episodes (1993) |
| The Wood in Danger • The Journey Begins • Through Fire and Through Water • False Haven • Snare for the Unwary • Who Shall Wear the Crown? • New Friends, Old Enemies • Friends in Need • Whistler's Quarry • Between Two Evils • A Deathly Calm • Pandemonium • So near and yet so far... |
| Series 2 episodes (1994) |
| A Heroes' Welcome • Winter • Survival • New Enemies • A Joke Backfires • Home Is Where the Heart Is • The Feud Begins • Like Father, Like Son • Narrow Escapes • Shadows • A Time of Reckoning • Blood Is Thicker Than Water • Reconciliation |
| Series 3 episodes (1995) |
| Comings and Goings • Out and About • Water, Water • The Missing Fox's Friend • Tiffs and Tempers • Adventure for the Birds • The Long-Tailed Visitor • Scared Silly by Snakes • A Bigger Oink • The Mole Game • The Worst Kind of Hurricane • Homeward Bound • Bully-Bully-Bully |