Call the Midwife 7.02.
Given this is the second time Narrator Old Jenny mentions it's 1963 and brings up what a magical moment it was, what are the odds she - or someone else will quote Philip Larkin before the season is over? (And/or the end of the Chatterley ban, and the Beatles' first LP.)
On to the episode proper.
When my mother was in the hospital shortly before my birth, she encountered a later friend who'd just given birth and suffered a minor stroke immobilizing half her face for the first time. (Thankfully, the future friend later recovered - this was how my parents' met her and her husband.) So I couldn't help thinking of this with Marjorie as the case of the week. Though the medical issue here was secondary; mainly it was used as a story wherein Lucille Anderson is confronted with racism. The episode tries to show some mechanism - Marjorie's mother feels guilty and helpless due to her daughter's stroke, so she uses Lucille as a scapegoat - while also not pretending this is the entire reason (the mother already showed bias when Marjorie was stll fine). The most interesting/challenging aspect, I thought, was what was addressed in the scene between Lucille and Sister Julienne. Sister Julienne and Nurse Crane thought they were being supportive by giving Valerie Lucille's assignment so Lucille wouldn't have to put up with a racist client anymore. Otoh Lucille sees the reassignment as giving into the woman's accusations and attitude and prefers continuing her visitations. Imo the key point here is that Lucille needs to be the one to decide - and that in the future, she gets asked first what she prefers.
In addition to Lucille getting fleshed out in this episode (btw, lovely moment between her and Sister Monica Joan!), it also featured more of Sister Winifred than we've seen for a while, hers being the second, and more lighthearted, case of the week. But it offered the chance to portray Winifred as open for innovation, championing the idea of involving fathers in the pregnancy classes and birth process, if they want to be. I like that the show brings it up; this particular social change isn't as famous as the sexual revolution, but it's powerful nonetheless. All the fathers my own age and younger whom I'm friends with did the preparation classs with their wives/partners; it wouldn't have occured to anyone in my parents' circle.
The Hungarian Au Pair arrives chez Turner: I was a bit unsure at first where they're going with this, but decided I can buy Shelagh feeling a bit overwhelmed at first when instead of a shy refugee Magda turns out to be a glamorous multi-lingual and well travelled woman. And naturally Timothy crushes on her. Dr. Turner pointing out this motivates Timothy helping with the dishes cracked me up.
Lastly: considering the copper from the season opener is back and seems to be sweet on Phyllis Crane, I suspect he'll be the Peter replacement in the show. Which I understand. I'm fond of Peter, but it was a bit odd in recent years that he was still around yet Chummy was not. Thus is the curse of actress availability.
This entry was originally posted at https://selenak.dreamwidth.org/1270430.html. Comment there or here, as you wish.
On to the episode proper.
When my mother was in the hospital shortly before my birth, she encountered a later friend who'd just given birth and suffered a minor stroke immobilizing half her face for the first time. (Thankfully, the future friend later recovered - this was how my parents' met her and her husband.) So I couldn't help thinking of this with Marjorie as the case of the week. Though the medical issue here was secondary; mainly it was used as a story wherein Lucille Anderson is confronted with racism. The episode tries to show some mechanism - Marjorie's mother feels guilty and helpless due to her daughter's stroke, so she uses Lucille as a scapegoat - while also not pretending this is the entire reason (the mother already showed bias when Marjorie was stll fine). The most interesting/challenging aspect, I thought, was what was addressed in the scene between Lucille and Sister Julienne. Sister Julienne and Nurse Crane thought they were being supportive by giving Valerie Lucille's assignment so Lucille wouldn't have to put up with a racist client anymore. Otoh Lucille sees the reassignment as giving into the woman's accusations and attitude and prefers continuing her visitations. Imo the key point here is that Lucille needs to be the one to decide - and that in the future, she gets asked first what she prefers.
In addition to Lucille getting fleshed out in this episode (btw, lovely moment between her and Sister Monica Joan!), it also featured more of Sister Winifred than we've seen for a while, hers being the second, and more lighthearted, case of the week. But it offered the chance to portray Winifred as open for innovation, championing the idea of involving fathers in the pregnancy classes and birth process, if they want to be. I like that the show brings it up; this particular social change isn't as famous as the sexual revolution, but it's powerful nonetheless. All the fathers my own age and younger whom I'm friends with did the preparation classs with their wives/partners; it wouldn't have occured to anyone in my parents' circle.
The Hungarian Au Pair arrives chez Turner: I was a bit unsure at first where they're going with this, but decided I can buy Shelagh feeling a bit overwhelmed at first when instead of a shy refugee Magda turns out to be a glamorous multi-lingual and well travelled woman. And naturally Timothy crushes on her. Dr. Turner pointing out this motivates Timothy helping with the dishes cracked me up.
Lastly: considering the copper from the season opener is back and seems to be sweet on Phyllis Crane, I suspect he'll be the Peter replacement in the show. Which I understand. I'm fond of Peter, but it was a bit odd in recent years that he was still around yet Chummy was not. Thus is the curse of actress availability.
This entry was originally posted at https://selenak.dreamwidth.org/1270430.html. Comment there or here, as you wish.