As the episode opens, Pupil Midwife Joyce Highland (Renee Bailey) and Pupil Midwife Rosalind Clifford (Natalie Quarry) get a standing ovation for passing their nursing exams. The new nurses receive matching sweaters like the other nurses. Joyce is awarded the 1969 Violet Albany Prize. Nurse Trixie Aylward (Helen George) and Matthew Aylward (Olly Rix) arrive as a Gazette reporter (Scott Logan) snaps Joyce’s photo. Trixie recalls her wedding day when she thought the disasters were behind them. They both realize their marriage is perfect. A short time later, she drops freshly sterilized medical equipment on the floor.
Matthew offers Sister Julienne (Jenny Agutter) a proposal to transfer the Nonnatus House to the order. She is reluctant to sign the proposal without consulting with Mother Mildred (Miriam Margoyles). He stresses the desire to be reassured his work there will remain secure. He explains what the Nonnatus House has done for him. She asks if he has no financial use for the building. He warns that it could be taken from him in bankruptcy. He pleads with her to accept his proposal to allow him to keep some self-respect. She says he has her respect, love, and gratitude from everyone his generosity has touched. As he emerges from the building, he sees a Bailiff (Russell Anthony) repossessing his vehicle for Aylward Estates. When Matthew refuses to sign the form, the Bailiff threatens to take him to the police station. Trixie approaches as he signs the form. An upset Trixie tells Julienne that she failed Matthew. Julienne says she will be rewarded by helping others.
Violet Buckle (Annabelle Apsion) assures Matthew that all businesspeople experience ups and downs. She recalls losing her milliner job when the war broke out, so she began selling sewing essentials. She assures him that he will dig himself out of it.
Trixie gives a group of expectant mothers a tour of the maternity ward. Gerri Godfrey (Matilda Rae) asks if private rooms are available. After telling her that it is not a hotel, Joyce says the curtains will give her some privacy. Trixie denies being snooty before explaining why she desires privacy with the father, Dennis, out of the picture. Joyce suggests a home birth. Trixie says her birth was uncomplicated. Joyce agrees to visit her at home tomorrow. Elsewhere, Fred Buckle (Cliff Parisi) convinces Violet to sell turnips in their shop.
Kingsley Toy Factory – Nurse Phyllis Crane (Linda Bassett) and Rosalind educate the female workers on birth control and the menstrual cycle. The workers tease Alison Casey (Grace Doherty) when she raises her hand to ask a question. A short time later, Rosalind finds her weeping but she refuses to talk. Rosalind and Phyllis know Alison is pregnant.
Miss Millicent Higgins (Georgie Glen) receives a call from a man asking to speak with Nurse Warner. Trixie and Joyce deny knowing anyone by that name. Elsewhere, Madge Casey (Rachel Lumberg) invites Alison to the salon to get their hair done before her father returns. Alison says he is not her father. Madge reminds her that he raised her and everything he does for them. Alison admits they are lucky.
Trixie stresses the need for Jonty Aylward (Archie O’Callaghan) to eat healthily. Learning Matthew has confronted Dowager Lady Aylward (Terry Bamberger) about the car, she suggests he not accept it lying down. Denying the allegation, he informs her of two warehouses acquired from his personal account. He says they may be able to sell but he need to talk to Chester. At 2am, Alison has labor pains. Trixie finds Matthew’s side of the bed empty. He promises to get them back on their feet again. They agree to let the nanny go. The next morning, he says Chester believes he can get a return on his investment within five years. She expresses her desire to be involved in everything. He pleads with her to let him redeem himself.
Upon arriving at work, Millicent finds Alison in labor. Alison admits to telling no one about her pregnancy because she fears Madge will kill her. Rosalind says they will notify her mum. Alison becomes distraught. Rosalind assures her that she is safe. Elsewhere, Joyce complements Gerri’s mothering and housekeeping. Back at the maternity ward, Rosalind tells Dr. Patrick Turner (Stephen McGann) that Alison is extremely anxious. He suggests she and Julienne oversee the delivery and he will prescribe pethidine. She claims Alison denies having a boyfriend.
Fred acquires 20 hundredweight to receive a truckload of turnips. The market trader (Peter McCabe) drops the turnips in front of Violet’s shop. Fred says they were supposed to be delivered to his shop. Violet orders him to make it go away.
Patrick informs Madge of Alison’s pregnancy. She assures him that Alison is a good girl. Alison gives birth to a son but she is far from being ready to hold him. Madge weeps. Trixie tells Patrick that she is suffering from insomnia. He writes her a prescription for nitrazepam, a sleeping pill. Fred and Cyril relocate the turnips. After her shift, Joyce finds Sylvester Warren (Benjamin Cawley) waiting for her. He says their mothers would be so proud of her. He is planning to relocate to Stepney. Sister Veronica (Rebecca Gethings) urges him to move to Brixton. Once alone, Sylvester asks Joyce why she chose to not utilize her real name, Claudine Warren. She refuses to be his wife again because he abused her. He blames it on being young and admits to being wrong. He vows to not let her leave him. Later, Joyce takes her stress out on Rosalind making her cry. She immediately apologizes and embraces her.
Outside the shop, Fred offers turnips to all the passersby. When Nurse Shelagh Turner (Laura Main) accepts a turnip, he fills her basket. Reviewing Alison’s lab results, Patrick learns she has syphilis and fears her baby has it as well. He tells Rosalind that Alison will be prescribed penicillin.
Joyce tells Nancy she is going to see Gerri Godfrey for her first solo home birth. Nancy has to grab the address for her. Cyril Robinson (Zephryn Taitte) watches as Nancy yells the address at Joyce. Moments later, Joyce is busy working with Gerri. Dr. Turner tells Alison that the baby has syphilis. Alison says they’ll have to speak to her mom because she might have syphilis herself. Madge isn’t happy to hear that and instead calls it disgusting and wicked. She claims to run a clean home and a happy marriage. Turner admits they’re troubled by the things Alison seems to be suggesting. Madge reveals she had trouble with her waterworks last year. She had a bit of a boil. Madge knows her husband goes to tarts. She insists it just went after she took some antibiotics.
Turner explains that syphilis can appear to do that. Rosalind tells Alison that he shouldn’t get worse now that he’s on penicillin. They briefly talk about names for the boy including Stanley. Alison explains he is her stepdad. Joyce speaks to Gerri about how she’s feeling. Trixie serves dinner to Matthew. Matthew tells her he has been speaking to Chester and he’s accepted his offer to form a partnership starting right away in New York. If things go well, it’ll be a permanent move. Trixie gets upset that he is not thinking about her choice. Matthew admits he wants to have all the answers again. Trixie wants to rebuild where they are. Matthew is adamant about going to New York with Jonty regardless. Madge says even animals don’t molest their young. Alison reveals she was ten when it started.
She says he taught her how to scream in whispers because he said Madge would run away if she found out. Alison nearly thought it was worth it when she saw Madge laughing at the dinner table with Richard and Rachael. Alison is going to find someone to protect them if Madge is going to let him come home. She suggests her mother has failed. Gerri complains about getting a weird pain in her side. Joyce has to call for extra help. She uses a payphone to report an obstetric emergency and suggests the placenta may have partially detached. Sylvester confronts her outside and calls her Claudine. She tells him she won’t let him drag her back into the past. When Joyce goes back inside, she learns that the head is out. Before long, Gerri is told she has a daughter.
Sylvester watches as the flying squad arrives. Matthew tells Trixie to get into bed. He urges her to take one of her sleeping pills. Joyce tells Gerri she’ll see her back in her own home within a week. Outside, she tells Sylvester about Gerri and her baby. He tells her he wants to make a life there and immigration isn’t easy for a single man. Sylvester believes she needs his silence because she trained and qualified under a false name. When she walks away, Sylvester warns her that he knows where she lives. Miss Millicent Higgins tells Cyril that she and Nurse Crane have plans for his surplus of turnips. The scheme involves the Cubs, Halloween, and their activity badges. Veronica tells Alison she’ll be her health visitor when she is discharged.
She’ll help her settle in with her new foster mom. Alison tells Madge she isn’t coming back until he’s dead. Madge has spoken to him and he isn’t coming back. They’re told Cyril will tell them what might happen if the police get involved. Madge yells that Alison needs to put this behind her and not go to the police, but Rosalind thinks Alison should make her own decision. When Rosalind goes for Cyril, Alison says she is going to name him Martin. They’re starting new and going somewhere safe. Rosalind and Cyril talk about the difficulty of the job. Before Matthew leaves, he tells Trixie that he will not force things. Gerri eventually comes home with the baby. Alison and the baby go with Cyril. Trixie gets emotional when she sees the kids celebrating Halloween.
Call The Midwife Review
The series is plagued by weak writing and silly subplots. The layout is virtually the same for each episode – two prenatal cases, one complicated and the other, a recently separated/divorced mother struggling to make ends meet. The rest of the episode is filled with personal drama and community activities. There is almost always a segment or two dedicated to Fred’s idiocy.
The dialogue is mostly lame with a bit of medical terminology sprinkled in to impress the uninformed. Little about the series is relevant to 1950s London. It is heavily slanted. Eight episodes make for a long and boring watch.
Why say Alison is impregnated by her stepfather without a character? Matthew and Trixie are in dire straits. He seriously forgets the two New York warehouses that he purchased with his own money.
The episode deserves a 4.5. Get more Call The Midwife recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Learn how advertising with us can build your brand awareness. Join our newly established forum to discuss new TV shows, celebrity happenings, scams, and sports.
