New Holiday Special Premieres Dec. 25 8/7c
Modern Midwives Blog
Deck the halls with boughs of… marvelous mince pie contests, charming carols, and happy holiday lights!
Christmas is around the corner in Poplar and everyone is stepping up with their finest winter revelry. A special shoutout, too, to dear Fred Buckle who always sports the finest Santa wear. (Would it really be Christmas in Poplar if we didn’t see Fred dressed as Santa?)
As the turning of another year approaches, there’s a lot for the people of Poplar to reflect on, most notably the recent Hong Kong Flu. But while the virus outbreak is dwindling with its numbers, other epidemics that often go unnoticed – loneliness and poverty – are plaguing many community members.
So how will the midwives of Nonnatus House fair with such trials and tribulations? And, on another note, is there romance in the air – and perhaps the return of a lovely, familiar face? It looks as though some of our Christmas wishes have indeed come true.
Although the holidays are well underway in Poplar, the spirit of the season isn't strong enough to shield everyone from hardship, as is the case for the Shaughnessy family. While Karen, the eldest Shaughnessy daughter, is recovering from a congenital heart defect in the hospital, the rest of her family is suffering the distress of being evicted from their flat.
With nearly all of their possessions confiscated – even their grandmother’s foot stool – and little to no money to turn to, the Shaughnessys are forced to relocate to a squalid flat…. with rats running rampant, damp infrastructure, and no electricity. The conditions are far from liveable, and with Dilys Shaughnessy almost at full-term with her pregnancy, there are understandable concerns as to the family’s safety and well-being.
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a spectacular holiday fair. Bring on the dazzling lights, jubilant games, and spellbinding rides for a proper display of fun!
While walking past the holiday fair together, May and Angela Turner meet the wife of the festival’s manager, Alma Curran. Alma is excited about the imminent opening of the festival, but is even more thrilled about the prospect of becoming a mother.
When talking to her husband, Sid, she remarks on the shortcomings of her own childhood – as an infant, Alma’s mother abandoned her – and how she’s determined to provide their child with the love and support she was stripped of.
The demand never lets up for midwives and healthcare professionals during the holiday season – but that’s not to say there isn’t any room for romance.
While temporarily filling in as a secretary for Miss Higgins, Nancy meets Roger Nobel, a salesman and fellow Irishman, who is eager to speak with Dr. Turner about his tranquilizer products.
Though Miss Higgins originally turned Roger away on the phone due to the hectic scheduling demands, his persistence and charm win over Nancy’s help. She adds a meeting for Roger in Miss Higgins’ calendar (quick: nobody tell Phyllis!) and the two exchange some flirtyyy glances before saying goodbye.
Later on, Nancy and Roger bump into each other again… and more palpable chemistry is exchanged: amorous smiles, fleeting glances, the whole ordeal. Yet, for as much as Nancy seems interested in Roger, there appears to be some hesitancy on her end. And when Roger finally does pop the question of asking Nancy on a date, she ends up kindly rejecting his offer.
While there aren’t any hard feelings on Roger’s end, Nancy looks conflicted when she walks away from him. Perhaps they’ll meet again? Does she regret saying “no”?
Less romantic, however, is the shocking news that four prisoners have managed to escape from jail in Lancashire (major yikes). Although there’s little indication of where they may have gone, the citizens of Poplar are nonetheless concerned about their general public safety as an all-hands manhunt is well underway.
As the Hong Kong Flu of 1968 expands its insidious reach across the world, the Poplar community is doing its best to recover from the virus. While checking up on a patient, Dr. Turner and Nurse Crane notice a frenzy of flies circulating outside a nearby flat. When they don’t hear any response after knocking on the door, they call a policeman to break down the door.
The party of three discovers that the resident, Gertrude, died on her own days earlier, likely from complications due to the flu. Despite their extensive efforts to provide care for everyone in their community, Dr. Turner and Nurse Crane realize there are always still people beyond their reach, especially if they are alone and without family.
Questions also linger over how Gertrude will be memorialized, considering she has no record of a next of kin… all they find is a mysterious Christmas gift with the tag "To Babe, from Guess Who?"
Meanwhile, over at St. Cuthbert's, Joyce is on standby to provide extra assistance to the understaffed hospital. Always a steady, calm presence, Joyce supports Alma as she prepares to give birth. The first-time mother is discernibly distressed: the Currans intended to return to Kent in anticipation of the birth, but such plans have thus been derailed.
Fortunately, with Alma’s focus and Joyce’s guiding hand, the two women work together to help deliver Alma’s son, Richard, into the world. At a staggering seven pounds and two ounces, the couple’s baby boy is the embodiment of health.
As Call the Midwife always reminds us, not every birth is straightforward… and unexpected complications can always lead to high-stakes situations.
At the maternity ward, Sister Veronica is on duty and prepared to help her patient, Vera, deliver her baby. But things quickly turn dire once Sister Veronica notices Vera losing an excessive amount of blood following the birth. The mother is experiencing an atonic hemorrhage, a condition that occurs when the uterus doesn’t contract enough after childbirth.
Miss Higgins calls for The Flying Squad and Dr. Turner rushes into the delivery room to tend to Vera. By administering fluids into her system and elevating her feet, Dr. Turner and Sister Veronica are able to bring Vera’s blood pressure down and steady her breathing. The quick, measured response fortunately saves the mother, helping to avoid a devastating outcome.
Still unresolved, however, is the matter regarding Gertrude’s burial. Since she has no listed family members or loved ones, she is entitled to a pauper’s funeral where the local authority is in charge of organizing a simple service.
But upon hearing this sad predicament, Rosalind is devastated by the news, and she turns to Sister Monica Joan for consoling guidance. The Sister tells Rosalind not to worry – and true to her word, she decides to retrieve Gertrude’s body and bring her to Nonnatus House.
Why does Sister Monica Joan do this? Her logic is simple: to ensure that Gertrude, an elderly woman who died alone, is given the dignity of being accompanied to her grave. And while Nurse Crane is initially agitated when first learning of Sister Monica Joan’s actions, there’s ultimately no denying it is the proper thing to do.
A car trunk packed to the brim with suitcases… a glimpse of chic, blonde hair… two things that can only mean one thing: Trixie is back in Poplar!
Though she has only returned for a short visit, Geoffrey and the midwives are over the moon to see her. Life seems to be going well in New York, but she has yet to practice midwifery since moving due to the different American medical requirements.
With the Christmas decorations now on full display at Nonnatus House, the carolers and musicians in full swing, and familiar faces back for the holiday, the stage is set for a glorious Christmas. Except there is one person noticeably not in attendance… where is Reggie?
On the way to pick up Reggie from the bus station, Fred gets caught up in the crossfires of congested traffic: there has been an armed robbery at a nearby post office and most of the streets are blocked off.
Forced to take an alternative route, Fred pulls up to the station significantly later than his and Reggie’s agreed-upon time. Once Fred exits his rather gigantic van, his stomach drops – Reggie is nowhere to be found. Only his abandoned luggage remains underneath an empty bench.
It turns out that Reggie, having no way to contact Fred, wandered off to find his own way home, likely thinking Fred forgot about picking him up. Yet despite Reggie’s efforts to get on the correct bus, he discovers he’s taken one to an unknown destination.
It’s the middle of the night, winter, and Reggie is far, far, far from Poplar. (Cue our immediate nervous snacking.)
After spotting Roger in the crowd outside Nonnatus House, Nancy, now feeling emboldened, tells him she would reconsider going out on a date with him.
Roger takes her suggestion to heart and proposes that they head over immediately to check out the carnival. With some excellent hair styling and make-up assistance from Joyce and Rosalind – plus the recruitment of a last-minute babysitter – Nancy whips up her best “romantic date” look and heads out on the town.
Similar to earlier, the two of them get on well and share a fun time… and even a romantic kiss, followed shortly after with Roger tripping over the pavement and spraining his ankle. (Oh well! It happens to the best of us.)
As the two of them drive up to Nonnatus House, Roger continues to shower Nancy with earnest, thoughtful compliments. But is Nancy ready to bring a man into her life? And would Roger be the sort of man to accept the fact that Nancy is an unmarried mother?
These are questions that are at the forefront of Nancy’s head, but she doesn’t possess the answers to either of them at this moment.
With no one certain about Reggie’s whereabouts, friends and community members group together to set out on a search plan.
As everyone heads out on their own to cover the surrounding areas, Rosalind checks out one of the dimly lit, quiet streets. It’s probably not the safest decision that Rosalind has made, for she soon comes across a stranger… who unbeknownst to her, is one of the escaped prisoners named Jock.
As he staggers away from Rosalind, the compassionate, dutiful nurse notices his hand bleeding. Rather than walk in the opposite direction, she continues to follow Jock into an abandoned apartment, insisting that he allow her to provide him with medical care.
Not long after, Cyril notices Rosalind’s abandoned bicycle in the street and follows the trail leading to the nurse. He walks in on his friend attempting to tend to the stranger’s hand and steps in to assist. But when he reaches down to the ground to find a makeshift bandage, his hand grazes Jock’s striped prison jumpsuit.
Cyril puts two and two together, and rushes over to Jock to make a citizen’s arrest. Fortunately, Jock ceases to put up a fight and tells Cyril he won’t resist going back to prison – he had only escaped for one reason: to visit his mother.
Before Cyril takes him back, he asks to open the Christmas gift she left for him. Rosalind quickly recognizes the package from Gertrude’s apartment and helps him unwrap the present, to reveal an elegant tie.
Back at the Buckle’s house, Trixie attempts to console a distraught Violet. But when Fred returns saying the police have given up on looking for Reggie for the night, Trixie jumps right into action. She storms across the street to confront an officer parked in his car, insisting that the force continue their efforts.
The officer attempts to justify the police’s pause in searching, but Trixie does not take “no” for an answer – and doing as she does best, effectively gets her point across, undeterred by the officer’s initial indifference. You tell ‘em, Trixie!
Thankfully, the mental anguish over Reggie’s missing status does not last too long. The next morning, a mother and her daughter stumble across Reggie sitting on a bench, and he’s swiftly reunited with Violet and Fred.
Insert: deep sigh of relief.
The children’s choir, conducted by Shelagh, is well underway for its holiday performance. But during the group’s rehearsal in the church, Shelagh catches Karen Shaughnessy attempting to pocket some candles.
After assuring Karen that she won’t get in trouble, Shelagh asks the young girl to tell her what’s going on. Shelagh joins Karen and her siblings back to their sordid flat where Shelagh discovers Mr. Shaughnessy, Karen’s father, is likely suffering from pneumonia due to flu complications.
The nurse sends for him to receive immediate medical treatment while she remains at the flat to tend to the other Shaughnessy children and the expecting mother, Dilys.
Elsewhere, Sister Julienne drops by Alma and Sid’s trailer to check on the newborn. However, she quickly discovers that baby Richard is far from well: his skin has developed a yellow pigment and his body can’t help twitching.
Sister Julienne suspects Richard has jaundice – and if the symptoms continue to worsen, he could acquire long-lasting brain damage, or even worse, potentially die. Alma and Sid are shattered by the news, but all they can do for now is admit Richard into medical care and hope the blood transfusion will save him.
Following Jock’s readmission to prison, Cyril visits the grieving son in his jail cell, informing him that Gertrude’s funeral will be in the coming days.
Though Jock is still under the supervision of the authorities, he expresses a strong desire to attend his mother’s service. In the spirit of compassion, arrangements are made, and Jock is allowed to join Sister Monica Joan, Cyril, and other midwives at Nonnatus House for the funeral.
In a touching moment, Nurse Crane helps Jock put on the tie that his mother left him for Christmas. To have so many people present to honor Gertrude, a woman who died alone, is moving for everyone involved.
While she is no longer alive to witness this gathering, Gertrude is shown love and celebration in her absence. The funeral also provides Jock the solace he needs as he now knows his mother is remembered, despite the fact that he was away from her for so many years.
After her memorable date with Roger, Nancy seems optimistic about the prospect of her courtship with Roger. However, in an unexpected move, Roger shows up unannounced at Nonnatus House… where he’s greeted by none other than the effervescent Colette.
Nancy still hasn’t told Roger about having a daughter. So, when Colette calls out to her mom to let her know a visitor is calling on her, both Roger and Nancy are taken aback by the sudden reveal. Nancy hurriedly excuses herself, leaving Roger, hobbling on crutches, trying to catch up. And, based on her troubled facial expressions, Nancy is far from thrilled about the situation she’s now in. She dismisses his offer for the two of them to grab coffee and departs for work.
Yet, Roger, ever persistent, finds a taxi to drive him so he can trail after Nancy. With his head sticking out the window, he eventually finds her and asks once again if she would consider getting coffee with him.
Though reluctant, Nancy agrees, and the two of them sit down for an earnest conversation. Nancy expresses to him that becoming a mother at 16 was the most important and formative thing that has happened in her life, and that she takes her role quite seriously.
Roger understands the gravity of Nancy’s position but assures her that he is eager to continue their relationship. In fact, he suggests taking both Nancy and Colette out for a date sometime, and despite Nancy’s reservations, she’s still willing to give the two of them a chance.
Shelagh, in need of backup at the Shaughnessy’s flat, calls Nonnatus House for extra assistance to oversee Dily’s birth. Trixie, despite not having practiced midwifery since leaving for New York, answers Shelagh’s call and hurries over to help.
Once there, it’s as if no time has passed as Trixie, with ease, slips back into her midwifery duties. There’s no concealing the joy and fulfillment Trixie feels from being back in the room, tending to mothers and their children.
Afterward, while attending an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, Trixie shares how she feels steady with her new life in New York, but nevertheless, can’t help but think about the career she left in midwifery.
While the cards aren’t completely off the table for her to revitalize her medical profession, the likelihood of finding opportunities in New York is slim. Only time will tell how Trixie copes with the lack of meaningful work in her life.
Over at the carnival, Sister Julienne pays a visit to the Alma Curran.
While it seems the future of her young baby’s health remains uncertain – the doctors indicated there’s a chance he will be disabled – Alma is unwavering in her commitment to him. No matter what form of disability Richard develops, she will love him unequivocally.
Such a sentiment is a reminder that when unexpected moments are brought on in life, the best way to meet them is with grace.
Sister Julienne is touched by Alma’s devotion to her son, and the moment is a reminder of the gratification that comes from midwifery. Her latest meeting with the Board of Health suggests that Nonnatus House will continue to experience pushback and challenges, but Sister Julienne is as determined as ever to fight back.
The events and revelations leading up to Christmas Day have revealed many things for the staff at Nonnatus House, one of which is that you never know who is alone.
Though the holiday season is typically associated with reverie and rapture, so many people are often plagued with loneliness or their own struggles – and, more often than not, will choose to suffer in silence.
Nevertheless, there is always one antidote that reliably accomplishes wonders: a strong sense of community.
In an effort to reach out to the people of Poplar, the midwives at Nonnatus House invite folks to join their festive Christmas feast. With the plans spearheaded by the meticulous and ever-so-detail-oriented Geoffrey, everyone does their part in contributing to the happy day.
Because as Geoffrey so eloquently said, “When I'm at Nonnatus House, I often find I’m quite sincere in my contentment. Perhaps it's because I'm with other spinsters. Or maybe it's simply because… I feel at home.”
And don’t we all?
Huzzah! Another successful Christmas for the books.
Some eggnog and champagne, anyone?
Forgot how we got here? Catch up on “Call the Midwife” with the Season 13, Episode 8 GIF Recap.
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