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Modern Midwives Blog
Holiday greetings from Poplar! ‘Tis the season of Advent, of new comings and goings, and boundless snow-related, mistletoe-loving, lights-adoring galore.
Much to everyone’s delight, Trixie and Jonty are back in Poplar while Matthew finishes up business matters in New York. However, Trixie soon learns that things have been rather quiet in London — and there’s no medical demand for her help (at least, not for now).
Elsewhere, Nurse Crane and Miss Higgins are busy prepping their cub scouts for the much-awaited Christmas Carnival. Rounding up high-energy kids is no easy task, but the two women are determined to pull off their vision.
Of course, with Christmas around the corner, things are bound to get hectic. How will our Poplar favorites cope with the various challenges… especially when many of them are called away?
Read below to find out more.
This year, the Buckles are heading to Hong Kong to visit Violet’s son, Derek, who is currently stationed there. But they’re not traveling empty handed; they’re also bringing medical supplies to Sisters at a clinic affiliated with the Order.
Soon after arriving, however, the clinic collapses, leaving it completely destroyed. Now they need more than medical supplies — they need a doctor, midwives, resources, and a place to live and work.
Word of the tragedy soon reaches Poplar. Eager to help, Dr. Turner, Shelagh, Sister Veronica, Sister Hilda, and Sister Julienne head to Hong Kong to lend a hand. While there, the Poplar crew does their best to get the clinic back up and running while caring for those who need medical attention. Shelagh and Patrick even have a chance to connect with May’s biological mother, and her little brother, Christopher!
Poplar has welcomed its fair share of visitors over the years, and this December, a new guest arrives.
While checking his mail, Cyril opens a letter from a Mr. Fischer. In the message, the man asks to reside in Cyril’s flat for an undisclosed amount of time. Realizing that the Church can benefit from the potential rent, Cyril and Mrs. Wallace give Mr. Fischer the go-ahead.
As the snowflakes begin to fall on Poplar, we finally meet Mr. Fischer — an elegant man with a fashionable pea coat and silver-topped, ebony cane — taking in the wonder of the winter magic. But when Cyril gives him a tour of his flat, Mr. Fischer appears familiar with the space.
One can’t help but wonder over Mr. Fischer’s past. And why does he appear to have such a fervent fondness for Poplar?
With Dr. Turner and many of the midwives away in Hong Kong, Poplar requires a temporary general practitioner to step in. Enter Dr. Watkiss, a seemingly confident physician who is also the complete opposite of Dr. Turner, much to Miss Higgins’ chagrin.
However, more troubling is Dr. Watkiss’ limited experience in obstetrics and gynecology. When Diane arrives in labor, Rosalind informs Dr. Watkins that the the delivery will require forceps. But Dr. Watkiss decides they will continue as is and excuses herself from the delivery room.
With little time to make sense of Dr. Watkiss’ choice, Rosalind rings Sister Monica Joan at Nonnatus House.
Thankfully, the wise and seasoned Sister provides verbal guidance — she even arrives in person to help ensure the safe delivery of Diane’s newborn.
Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Poplar, Joyce and Sister Catherine meet a young Irish mother, Marie, struggling through her labor. Fortunately, the two midwives show up in time to offer guidance, although Joyce makes a point of reminding Marie’s mother, Queenie, that “women need skilled help when they’re giving birth.”
After many painful seconds of silence, the newborn finally releases his first breaths. Talk about a close call.
Following the closely-averted emergency during Diane’s pregnancy, Rosalind turns to Miss Higgins for advice.
Despite Dr. Watkiss’ vitae stating she is fully trained in obstetrics, Miss Higgins learns that the young physician has only overseen two deliveries over five years and neither had complications.
Rosalind and Miss Higgins agree that such a near-disaster incident cannot be repeated. Fortunately, Miss Higgins has the perfect solution… Trixie!
With her experience, including 16 years working under Dr. Turner, Trixie confidently takes charge of the situation. Together, she and Dr. Watkiss tend to patients, many of whom Dr. Watkiss was keen to send over to St. Cuthbert’s.
It wouldn’t be a proper Poplar Christmas without a festive spectacle. Lo and behold, the marvelous Christmas Parade! Thanks to Geoffrey’s outstanding vision and sewing skills, he even transforms the midwives into sparkling angels, complete with ostrich feather wings.
On their way to the festivities, Geoffrey and Trixie come across an abandoned cane… and a nearby fallen Mr. Fischer. Within seconds, Geoffrey realizes Mr. Fischer as a former client of his: Mr. Maurice Templemore, a prominent film star when “talkie” films first came out.
So what on Earth is Mr. Fischer doing in Poplar? It turns out Mr. Fischer is suffering from a malignant blood disorder and has returned to his childhood flat in Poplar to prepare for his imminent passing.
After bringing the gentleman back to his flat, Trixie and Geoffrey agree to send medical care for him the following day.
Following Marie’s stressful but successful delivery, her mother, Queenie, stops by the antenatal clinic. Much to Sister Catherine’s surprise, Queenie is also expecting a child.
However, in a tragic retelling, Sister Catherine learns that despite attending a hospital, Queenie’s last child was a stillborn. Although the traumatic experience weighs heavily over her, Queenie recognizes that she requires professional help to guide her through her upcoming delivery. Nevertheless, she remains distressed by her last pregnancy….
Meanwhile, over at Mr. Fischer’s (aka Cyril’s) flat, Dr. Watkiss and Rosalind check in on the retired actor. The former East Ender admits that now his family is all gone, he faces the ever-growing worry that he will be left alone before he passes.
Recognizing Mr. Fischer’s desire for companionship, Rosalind hatches a plan to have Poplar members check in on the patient. Later, Sister Monica Joan pays him a visit, and much to her pleasant surprise, she discovers that she was the midwife who delivered Mr. Fischer’s siblings.
Who would’ve thought that all these years later, they would reconnect in such a moving way?
Rosalind and Joyce, eager to spice up the winter season, propose hosting a party at Nonnatus House. The two friends wait with bated breath as Sister Monica Joan contemplates their request, but thankfully, after some careful consideration, the Sister grants the green light.
Throw in some festive cocktails, blaring music, and shining lights, and we have a Christmas party for the ages. A major plus? Timothy’s medical school friends also show up with many, many bottles of alcohol.
While the young partygoers entertain themselves with some dancing and thrilling game of sardines, Sister Monica Joan and Mr. Fischer enjoy the prose of Charles Dickens and the reflection brought on by the holiday season.
Despite being of different religions — Christian and Jewish, respectively — the two realize they share far more in common.
While everyone is in high spirits at Nonnatus House, Trixie and Sister Catherine are called to tend to Queenie. Both midwives provide words of encouragement and comfort to the anxious mother who can’t help but remember the trauma from her last birth.
However, Trixie and Sister Catherine soon understand that Queenie’s baby is in distress. Sister Catherine rushes to call in back up medical assistance, but finds she can’t locate Dr. Watkiss nor the Flying Squad.
When Trixie assesses the baby again, she declares she needs to deliver the newborn now… and by forceps. Sister Catherine reminds Trixie that only doctors are permitted to use forceps for delivery. But Trixie argues that if they delay any longer, they may lose the baby.
With confidence and reassurance, Sister Catherine guides Queenie through her breathing as Trixie goes in with forceps. After many stressful moments, the baby is finally delivered. Queenie embraces her healthy young boy while Trixie and Sister Catherine breathe a sigh of relief. (Side note: Is there anything Trixie can’t pull off?)
It wouldn’t be a proper holiday party without some impromptu choreography, courtesy of a mesmerizing dance trio: Geoffrey, Harry, and Timothy!
Just when you think you’ve seen it all, the three lads round up some midwife outfits and makeshift "newborns" to offer a showstopping performance that leaves all the guests howling with delight. Will we ever hear “Baby Love” by the Supremes the same way after this?
Of course, such merriment often itself lends to a huge mess and physical ailments — and the next morning, the enthusiastic performers are left recovering with brutal hangovers, much to Trixie’s irritation.
As Mr. Fischer’s health slowly declines, more members of Nonnatus House gather at his bedside to offer comfort. Surrounded by caring individuals as well as Geoffrey’s superb whiskey cream punch, Mr. Fischer is struck with a sense of sincere gratitude.
And thanks to Rosalind, Mr. Fischer enjoys a touching Hanukkah lighting ceremony. No longer alone, Mr. Fischer is able to find solace among the people and spirituality surrounding him.
Following their travels to Hong Kong, the Poplar crew find their way back to England to enjoy the remaining days of December before the turning of the new year. Despite all of the ups and downs they endured during their stay in Hong Kong, they leave with memories that will last a lifetime.
After all, what better place is there to be than among family and friends?
Forgot how we got here? Catch up on “Call the Midwife” with the Season 14, Episode 8 GIF Recap.
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