As women’s lib arrives in Poplar, the series is as reassuring – and as hard-hitting – as it ever was, reports BritPanorama.
The television landscape welcomes a new series of Call the Midwife, now in its 15th season, as it returns to Sunday evenings amidst the early January gloom. Set in 1971, the storyline reflects significant social changes, marking the arrival of Women’s Lib in East London.
The narratives in this season are anchored by two compelling storylines. First, newly qualified midwife Sister Catherine navigates the challenging circumstances of delivering a baby born at just 28 weeks, grappling with the emotional and physical repercussions for both mother and child.
The second storyline is more somber, focusing on a family with four neglected children. The children’s father is portrayed as volatile, while their mother continues to bear further children. After a fleeting stay at Nonnatus House, the family faces an uncertain future, highlighting the harsh realities some families endure without neat resolutions.
Further enriching the plot is Sister Monica Joan, played by Judy Parfitt. Her amusing quip about American breakfast habits reveals a sharp wit that contrasts with the episode’s more serious themes. Meanwhile, administrative pressures loom as the local Board of Health, composed solely of middle-aged men, threatens Sister Julienne and her team’s efforts, suggesting societal resistance to progressive ideas.
Amidst speculation of the series concluding, indications now suggest that rather than an end, future projects are on the horizon, including a prequel and a feature film. The enduring popularity of Call the Midwife underscores its cultural significance and the resonance of its narratives with audiences.
Call the Midwife continues next Sunday at 8pm on BBC One.
