Call the Midwife 2.5 + 2.6
I was wondering whether we'd get an episode that dealt with abortion - I mean, given the show's premise, it had to happen sooner or later. (Also given that one of the earliest episodes included a woman who had about twenty children and welcomed the next pregancy, we did need a counter example of one who throws her hands up in despair.) Combining this with contraception was probably a smart move. I have no idea how much was invented and how much was based on Jennifer Worth's memoirs in this particular case (though I suspect the woman recovering at the end was the invented part), but the scenario itself is plausible enough and of course a very pointed comment about why contraception and the pill were direly needed (older!Jenny, our narrator, at the beginning and the end makes a comparison between the moon landing and the pill as the events of the 60s which seemed both equally likely to the women in the East End of the 50s, and in the end concludes the pill was the far, far more important step for (woman)kind), complete with modern application (when young Jenny says that the NHS doesn't cover contraception). Between her eight already children and poverty, I don't think even the most fervent Pro Life person would deny the case of the week was in dire need of birth control, though I admit I was momentarily distracted by wondering why she and her husband didn't try condoms (surely cheap enough and available in the 50s) - not the most comfortable solution, but better than leaving it to fate and crappy potions. Anyway, contraception was one angle, but what to do once the pregnancy does exist the other. Here I thought the show tread a delicate line in the scene where Jenny says there is only one way to terminate a pregnancy without endangering the mother, her patient replies that since it's illegal and leaves that hanging. To me it came across like she was asking Jenny whether Jenny either could perform an abortion herself or knew someone who could, and Jenny understood that but couldn't/didn't reply other than warn her patient not to risk her life by trying it herself, which was one reason why she felt guilty later when her patient had gone to the local quack and got herself nearly butchered. But you can also interpret it as Jenny feeling guilty because she said anything at all, not because she didn't go far enough.
Anyway, other than letting the woman survive, I thought the show did not pull any punches; there was no magic acceptance of this ninth pregnancy, it was clear that the woman was desperate both for economic reasons (two rooms with eight kids already, poverty) and for physical reasons (not wanting another yet pregnancy with her already more than exhausted body).
The ongoing plot line of Sister Bernadette and Doctor Turner came to a head of sorts here, in a very restrained and tender way, with that one kiss on her hand, her making it clear that she does have feelings for him but also holds to her vows, and him making it clear he respects that. As with other storylines that could have been dealt with sensationally, the show plays it low key and very effective; in the next episode, when Sister Bernadette turns out to have TBC, there is no sudden hug or kiss but the supportive being there on Doctor Turner's part without talking about feelings (either his or hers) is incredibly touching (and sympathetic; love it when a male character doesn't make a woman's danger and possible tragedy about himself but is there for her instead, not in the way he wants in in the way that works best for her).
I have somewhat mixed feelings about the Mastersons' case in 2.6. I mean, it's probably period accurate for Jenny to see it as so important for Miss Masterson to reconcile with her father despite the fact that the man is just plain horrid to his daughter early on (and Jenny has no more to go on the idea he does love his daughter after all than the fact he is her father). Now the episode later lets him change his behaviour plus it's not like the backstory is psychologically implausible - sadly, losing children/siblings and your spouse/more can mean the surviving family members grow apart, not together. Also Mr. Masterson was dying, so it's not like Jenny asked his daughter for a life time commitment. But I still inwardly grumbled.
Lastly, it's nice to be updated on the Jane & the Reverend situation and to know they keep in contact. The next episode trailer shows that Chummy will be back, and if that means Jane leaves, I hope for a happy ending with the Reverend as fervently as any 19th century novel reader ever would. If otoh Jane stays on in addition to Chummy, I'm fine with that, too, I like Jane.
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