Call the Midwife, series 8 episode 1 review: as cosy as a Teddy’s Bears’ Picnic, but a hardy lesson
January can be a depressing month so thank the televisual deities for Call the Midwife (BBC One), which was back to beam some period East End warmth into our living rooms. I counted a mere 13 minutes before the first bleat of a freshly delivered infant was heard and a soppy grin spread across my face.
It was spring 1964 and the nation was gripped by Royal baby fever, thanks to the impending arrival of the Queen’s fourth child. Violet (Annabelle Apsion) was raising funds for a Teddy Bears’ Picnic by running a sweepstake on its gender. Blue balloons were inflated when news broke that “It’s a Prince!” (Edward, to be precise).
In these turbulent times, it was a treat to take refuge in shameless nostalgia. This showed a more innocent world of milk tokens and luncheon meat, permanent waves and Mary Quant frocks, all soundtracked by Gerry and the Pacemakers.
With extra help needed in Poplar, Mother Mildred (the marvellous Miriam Margolyes, who was introduced to us in the Christmas special) sent “green as grass” Sister Frances (Ella Broccoleri) and gung-ho Sister Hilda (Fenella Woolgar) – two more newcomers – to Nonnatus House. Both looked promising additions to the revolving cast.
The nurses took delivery of snazzy new midwifery bags, which might not sound like the stuff of high drama but as Trixie (Helen George) said: “They do rather become an extension of one’s arm.” The increasingly erratic Sister Monica Joan (Judy Parfitt) grew distressed when she saw Fred (Cliff Parisi) burning the old leather bags and went Awol. Her struggle with dementia and Trixie’s with alcoholism continue to be running themes during this eighth series.
As always, writer Heidi Thomas combined the heart-warming with the hard-hitting, hence an affecting storyline which saw a botched backstreet abortion endanger the life of aspiring model Cath (Emily Barber). It might come cosily dressed in a cardigan and pinafore, but this drama isn’t afraid to tackle tough topics.
If Call the Midwife’s Christmas episodes have become formulaic, with their Nativity plays and snowfall, this was a return to form: an absorbingly paced, perfectly judged slice of Sunday-night pleasure.