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Modern Midwives Blog
Do you still have your champagne glasses out? Because we certainly do after last week’s delightful marriage proposal between Roger and Nancy. We can’t wait to see what their wedding celebration has in store. (After all, no one knows how to throw a proper wedding ceremony like Poplar.)
While we’re devastated about Nancy’s departure, we’re relieved to see Trixie is back in London and on the job. With the Board of Health once again threatening the closure of Nonnatus House, it will require all hands on deck.
So what else is going down in Poplar this week? Let’s jump right in.
This week, the natal clinic welcomes Arlene Brewer, an expectant mother who has recently returned to Poplar after some undisclosed time away. In fact, when checking in with Miss Higgins, Arlene is unable to recall her previous address in Poplar.
However, while sifting through documents later on, Miss Higgins unearths the truth behind Arlene’s mysterious background: the mother-to-be has just been released from the Linchmere, a psychiatric hospital. Based on the medical records sent to Dr. Turner's office, Arlene spent four months in the institution after being diagnosed with manic depression (what we would call bipolar disorder today).
As Sister Julienne points out to Trixie and Dr. Turner, the Nonnatus House midwives have never tended to an expectant mother straight from the Linchmere. And although Arlene is on lithium, a new drug that has stabilized her, there is limited literature regarding the most efficient ways to treat a patient in her condition.
Meanwhile, Nurse Crane tends to the effervescent Zeta Demir, a Greek immigrant expecting her first child with her Turkish husband, Mehmet. The couple first met in their home country of Cyprus, but due to the ongoing political tensions between neighboring Greek and Turkish communities, the star-crossed lovers were forced to temporarily split up. Fortunately, they reunited in London three months later, where they married immediately.
Zeta’s vitals appear to be healthy, however she exhibits signs of a vaginal yeast infection that can occur during pregnancy. In order to best treat her, Dr. Turner sends for some tests to confirm his suspicions.
But when the swab results come back, they indicate Zeta is suffering from an additional condition… a case of gonorrhea.
Nurse Crane pays a visit to the Demir’s flat where she breaks the news to the young mother. Zeta is unfamiliar with the sexually transmitted disease and is equally uncertain how she picked up the STD considering she has only ever had sex with her husband.
Meanwhile, mounting evidence suggests Mrs. Demir isn’t the only person in Poplar who has gonorrhea. At the local medical clinic, Eric Wilson, a young teenager, also tests positive for the STD… uh oh.
So… just how many Poplar residents have the STD? And is it possible it’s a much more widespread problem than what was anticipated?
As one of Violet’s final initiatives as Tower Hamlets’ mayor, she oversees this year’s Flower Festival with Mrs. Wallace. Of course, detail and precision are paramount to the event’s triumph – everything must adhere to tip-top fashion.
Mrs. Wallace and Violet explain to the Nonnatus House midwives how all of Poplar’s most important organizations will contribute individual floral arrangements. However, as Rosalind points out, no one has yet asked the homeless shelter to participate. Realizing the veracity of Nurse Clifford’s claim, Violet assures the midwives that they can find a space in the Church for one additional arrangement.
Still, one other imperative question remains: Who will design the floral arrangement for Nonnatus House? The midwives are far too preoccupied with their work to allocate time for such a task..
Enter Sister Monica Joan! One can never discount her enthusiasm for a new assignment, and according to her, the flower arrangement, “is a reflection of ourselves and our place in the community.”
After securing the homeless shelter’s involvement with the Flower Festival, Rosalind stops by to assist with serving dinner. It’s rewarding work for the nurse, but as she tells Cyril, she’s frustrated by the limitations of her ability to help. To her, “it's not enough just to feed people,” rather, “they need to be included.”
Rosalind greets Ted, one of the frequent visitors at the shelter. However, moments after giving him his meal, an altercation breaks out between Ted and another man Cyril intervenes to stop the fighting, but the damage is already done. The shelter doesn’t tolerate any physical violence, and Ted may be prohibited from returning.
While tending to his head wound, Rosalind learns more about Ted and the enriching life he once led. At one point, he once worked as a window dresser in Harrods. But when a tragic house fire took the lives of his beloved wife and child, he lost everything.
All Rosalind can offer is her condolences and compassion, even though she wishes there was more to be done…
During her check-up visit to St. Cuthbert’s, Arlene learns the hospital plans to keep both her and the newborn under close observation for two weeks following the birth.
Additionally, the baby will consume bottled milk rather than Arlene’s breast milk. Mr. Perry explains the reasoning for this is due to the unknown side effects of lithium – if the drug were to enter Arlene’s milk, it could potentially be unhealthy for the baby to ingest.
Arlene is horrified to discover her medication could pose a health problem for her child, and when she returns home to her flat, she refuses to take her lithium dosage….
Later on, Trixie stops by Arlene’s flat to discuss the medical notes from the psychiatrist at Linchmere Hospital.
An embarrassed Arlene admits that she should have mentioned her history. But after her stint at the psychiatric hospital, she explains she simply wanted a fresh start. Arlene feared that, had she revealed her past, people wouldn't look at her as a “normal” mother.
As expected, Trixie is sympathetic to Arlene’s fear. She assures her that as her midwife, the more she knows, the better she can care for her and her baby.
Trixie also insists she will make sure Arlene never feels treated that way.
With recent data signaling a potential gonorrhea outbreak in Poplar, Dr. Turner and the midwives realize they must take action to address the problem.
Shelagh explains the proposed tracing program to Sister Veronica and Miss Higgins. The three women will speak to every gonorrhea patient whom they are aware of, and try to find out from whom and to whom they may have passed on the STD.
From there, the medical staff will locate any identifying contacts and encourage them to come in for testing and treatment.
The team wastes no time in executing their plan. One of the first patients Miss Higgins visits is Mr. Demir. She asks him if he would be willing to discuss his sexual history and come in for testing, however, he promptly demands for her to leave his flat. (His reaction definitely makes it seem like he’s got something to hide.)
Meanwhile, Shelagh acquires a more helpful lead when she visits Eric Wilson’s residence. It turns out he and a few other men visited a local brothel during his brother’s stag night, suggesting Eric picked up the STD there….
While efforts to contain the gonorrhea outbreak reach some breakthroughs, Arlene continues to struggle in silence. In an act to protect her baby, she dumps her entire bottle of prescribed lithium down the sink drain.
When Trixie stops by later to check up on Arlene, the mother’s condition has worsened: she’s unable to sleep, her face is splattered with paint, and she’s physically erratic.
Trixie recommends ordering a medication to help Arlene get back on track with her sleeping, but the mother scoffs at the suggestion. Arlene wants her baby to be “normal,” and not affected by unnecessary medicines.
Unfortunately, when Arlene shows up to the Mothercraft Workshop, she continues to look unwell. Afterward, Trixie tries to gently console her patient, but Arlene isn’t responsive to the nurse’s sympathy. She’s not a child, nor does she want to be treated like one.
After learning Eric Wilson likely contracted gonorrhea from a sex worker at the local brothel, Miss Higgins elects to visit the establishment. Despite looking like a fish out of water, she asserts herself before the proprietor and requests he point her in the direction of the unnamed employee in question.
Miss Higgins is directed to a bedroom with the name “Ada” written out on a door name tag. But when the door opens, she’s stunned by the woman she sees… it’s Ada Rowntree, one of the mothers who frequently attends the medical clinic.
Although the mother confirms she has symptoms of gonorrhea, she’s not comfortable coming into the clinic – Dr. Turner knows her as a mother, not as a sex worker. She understandably doesn’t want to deal with other people’s judgement….
But Miss Higgins makes the point that Mrs. Rowntree has shown to be nothing but a responsible mother, always making sure her child Sally receives her necessary boosters and appointments. Doesn’t Sally deserve to have a healthy mother?
Miss Higgins’ words resonate with Ada and she finally agrees to go in for testing, although she doubts that her co-workers will do the same. But have no fear – astute Miss Higgins proposes a solution: instead of having the employees go to the health clinic, the health clinic can come to the brothel.
This ensures the women can maintain confidentiality while receiving their necessary medical treatment.
After learning about Ted’s tragic story, Rosalind decides there’s no better way to help him out than by giving him a purpose. Considering his background in window dressing, she sees him as the perfect candidate to create a floral arrangement on behalf of the homeless shelter.
Ted is touched by Rosalind’s offer and later shows her a design he’s drawn up. The two of them agree to meet up later in the week to bring his sketches to life.
However, after Ted leaves, Cyril kindly reminds Rosalind of the possibility that Ted won’t be able to see the whole endeavor through. And while this initiative may provide meaning for him, it won’t “change his life.”
Rosalind replies by saying she understands this and that she refutes his suggestion that she’s helping Ted to make herself feel better. To her, it’s quite the opposite….
After conducting widespread interviews, Shelagh, Sister Veronica, Miss Higgins, and Dr. Turner reconvene to discuss their findings.
Based on information both Sister Veronica and Miss Higgins obtained, they discovered there is a factory foreman who frequently organizes visits for his workers to a brothel.
Miss Higgins and Shelagh confront the foreman, insisting he has all of his employees tested and treated. Begrudgingly, he agrees to their demands. However, before leaving, Miss Higgins recognizes one of the workers as Mr. Demir.
Zeta's husband confesses that during the time he was separated from Zeta, he once visited a brothel in the hope it would help him forget her, as he thought he would never see his beloved again. Then, miraculously, she appeared on his doorstep a few days later, and they married immediately.
In other news, Violet learns the incoming mayor has been diagnosed with cancer. Since he won’t be fit enough to take office, the council has asked Violet if she would take on a second term.
But the Buckles are tired, and the exhausted expression on both of their faces indicates a second term isn’t in the cards. Before Fred can add much more, Violet announces she will tell the council she doesn’t have it in her to continue on as mayor.
Trixie drops by for a scheduled appointment at Arlene’s flat where she finds the pregnant mother struggling to show a grasp of reality. But before she can do much to address it, Arlene goes into labor.
Realizing Arlene will require further medical assistance, Trixie rushes out of the flat to call Dr. Turner. But while doing so, Arlene locks her front door, barring any and all entrances.
When Dr. Turner shows up, he and Trixie are forced to break in. And, soon enough, they’re reunited with the expectant mother and deliver her child.
Over at the nursing clinic, Zeta gives birth to a beautiful baby boy. Fortunately, he shows no signs of gonorrhea, much to the parents’ relief.
Prior to her labor, Mehmet finally confessed to Zeta about his premarital sexual encounter. Zeta is still hurt after learning the truth, but she seems willing to give their marriage another chance under the precursor that he demonstrates his worthiness.
To Rosalind’s disappointment, Ted fails to show up to their agreed upon Thursday meet-up. Cyril does his best to console her, but she’s ashamed by her realization: deep down, she had enjoyed the idea of helping him, making her intentions “selfish” and “arrogant.”
But Cyril reminds his dear friend that she also went out of her way to show Ted respect, and more importantly, she gave him a purpose, even if it was only a fleeting one. They decide the best way to honor Ted’s vision is to create the design themselves.
As they piece together the collected flowers into the arrangement, sparks fly between the two: stolen glances, brushed hands, flirty smiles. Their friendship has blossomed into something special… and potentially something more?
The next day, Cyril delivers the floral arrangement to the Church, overseen by an impressed Mrs. Wallace. But when Cyril explains how he and Rosalind created the arrangement together, Mrs. Wallace discreetly raises her eyebrows. She applauds Cyril for his effort to stay active in the community, but also reminds him of his responsibility to be a dutiful husband, even if a wide ocean separates him from Lucille….
After giving birth in her flat, Arlene and her child are brought to St. Cuthbert's to undergo further examinations and testing. However, what’s evident to Trixie and Dr. Turner is that Arlene will not be able to keep her daughter – at least not right now.
For the time being, Arlene will have to admit herself to the psychiatric hospital while her newborn is placed in foster care. The news is devastating for everyone involved, but as Trixie reminds Arlene, her baby will always have her mother. In time, Arlene will get better and she will one day be reunited with her little girl.
Meanwhile, on the day of the Flower Festival, a giddy Rosalind strolls up to Cyril’s flat. The two of them will take in the splendors of their dedicated work at the Church. But what she finds instead is Cyril with his bags packed… to visit Lucille in Jamaica.
There’s no knowing how long he will be gone for, and it takes all of her might to hold back tears as she bids Cyril farewell for now.
The question of whether to take on a second term for mayor is far from a simple one. While there’s no denying Violet is well-equipped to take on the job again, the past 12 months have been filled with their share of stresses.
But Fred, forever the supportive husband, encourages his wife to accept the challenge rather than back away. Sure, it will be a lot of work, but it’s nothing the two can’t manage. After all, Fred assures her, when she gets tired, he’ll carry her – in a manner of speaking, of course, so he doesn’t put his back out.
So what do you get at the end of the day? A dream team, that’s for sure. Huzzah for the Buckles and the rest of Poplar!
Forgot how we got here? Catch up on “Call the Midwife” with the Season 14, Episode 1 Recap.
