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Modern Midwives Blog
Not everyone is smiling in Poplar this week — and we can’t blame them. After all, there’s a pressing public health crisis sparked by the recent dustmen’s strike.
But Sister Monica Joan remains undeterred; it’s no hardship that Poplar hasn’t seen before. The prudent Sister is convinced that, while unpleasant, this trying period will pass in due time. However, her friends and colleagues may have some differing opinions on the matter.
Read on to discover more about this week’s episode.
Houston, we have a problem. A stinky problem.
Due to the ongoing dustmen’s strike, the streets of Poplar are overflowing with trash. Bags and bags of garbage pile up in makeshift refuse sites — most notably in front of Nonnatus House — causing unfavorable living conditions for everyone. Needless to say, Miss Higgins is far from pleased.
But apart from the inconvenience the trash poses on the street, public health is more pressing – specifically the presence of rats and the increased risk of illness. Fortunately, Dr. Turner is back on the Board of Health, and he raises his concerns. However, Violet reminds the board members that the dustmen workers have the right to strike for improved pay and conditions. While Dr. Turner understands this fact, he argues that children also have a right “not to have a disease-ridden dump within yards of their school gate.”
There’s no question that everyone wants this problem resolved as soon as possible, but Dr. Turner warns that the cases of sick patients are going to multiply and worsen… as will other diseases.
After the meeting, Dr. Turner and Violet agree that the two of them are just trying to do their jobs the best they can. But will a resolution be found before the damage is done?
This week, Trixie is in charge of leading an “early ambulation” seminar at St. Cuthbert’s. Whereas previous medical advice recommended mothers get plenty of bed rest after giving birth, the latest scientific literature encourages the exact opposite — beginning gentle exercise after delivery.
Representing Nonnatus House at the seminar is Joyce. When Trixie poses questions to her fellow obstetric professionals, Joyce is the one with all the answers. How does gentle exercise affect the body? Answer: it can help promote rapid resumption of normal bladder and bowel functions as well as mitigate respiratory complications.
All that’s left now is to bring the new instructions to the maternity ward — and get the new mothers onboard!
Speaking of the maternity ward, Miss Higgins is busy checking in Mrs. Midgely, a mother expecting her third child. Mrs. Midgely is a woman with a big personality who doesn’t hesitate to speak her mind.
Soon after arriving, Mrs. Midgely gives birth to a baby girl, and that’s when her true colors really start to show. While recovering with other mothers, she refuses to join in with the exercises Trixie leads, and when Joyce offers Mrs. Midgley some advice on calming down her newborn, the mother is outright dismissive and curt.
But her bad attitude isn’t directed to the nurses alone — Mrs. Midgely also directs some comments laced with subtle racism toward another mother.
The next day, Mrs. Midgely announces her intention to check herself out of the maternity home, only two days after having her baby. Despite Shelagh and Miss Higgins' protests, the mother appears to have made up her mind.
With no resolution for the dustmen strike in sight, the build-up of public trash continues to cause more problems… especially, the influx of vermin.
Unfortunately, just like Dr. Turner predicted, Poplar’s public health crisis takes a turn for the worse. He pays a visit to Mr. Butler, an elderly man living in poor housing conditions. Mr. Butler exhibits concerning symptoms, and Dr. Turner suspects his patient’s nasty infection is possibly linked to the high exposure to rats — and he’s right.
Dr. Turner sends Mr. Butler straight to St. Cuthberts, but learns soon after that the patient passed away due to complications from Weil’s Disease — a severe form of Leptospirosis spread through contact with the urine of infected animals, such as rats.
Dr. Turner worries that Mr. Butler’s passing won’t be the last fatality, and more citizens of Poplar start to fall ill, including Reggie.
Meanwhile, Rosalind finds Nigel, Cyril’s beloved cat, ambling the streets in an ill state. Rosalind returns the trembling Nigel to his home and Cyril thanks her for looking after him. The two share a touching moment before parting ways.
As Cyril falls asleep that night, he cradles Nigel in his arms, asking his tiny friend to “hold on” until the morning so he can bring him to the veterinarian for treatment.
Amidst the havoc brought on by the garbage crisis, one important group has also been experiencing the tolls of the problem: Poplar’s Cubs.
With many of the Cubs working toward their Arrow badges, Sister Veronica comes up with the perfect assignment for them c learning to understand and appreciate the wealth of Poplar’s history! She tasks the Cubs with exploring the local area, noting down places of history and interest, and reporting back with three facts.
But those plans get derailed at the last-minute when Miss Higgins arrives. Due to the dangerous and unsanitary state of the streets, the assignment will have to take place in the Hall rather than outside — no matter how exciting they find the rubbish piles.
The boys are, to no one’s surprise, annoyed by this news; learning from maps isn’t the same as actually being outside after all. But with no end to the dustbin strike in sight, how will Sister Veronica and Miss Higgins keep their Cubs content in the meantime?
When Rosalind returns to Nonnatus House, Trixie and Joyce quickly realize their dear friend is very unwell — she’s completely washed out and running a high fever. While Joyce fetches some aspirin, Trixie calls for Dr. Turner and Sister Julienne, who both confirm Rosalind requires admittance to the hospital.
The hospital staff run some tests and discover Rosalind has also contracted Weil’s disease. Her health continues to deteriorate, and Dr. Richmond tells her that the next 24 hours are critical.
Despite Cyril’s hope for Nigel’s recovery, he’s forced to say goodbye to his beloved companion.
With help from Fred, the two men dig the cat a grave in Fred’s garden. Cyril reflects on how he and Nigel were both “strays” in Poplar who somehow made a home together. Their bond further strengthened once Lucille left England for Jamaica, as Cyril could turn to Nigel for comfort and companionship.
After the men pay their respects to Nigel, they spot an ambulance pulling up at Nonnatus House. Cyril wonders if something has happened with Sister Monica Joan, but he soon learns from Trixie that it is actually Rosalind who requires medical treatment.
Cyril visits Dr. Turner’s office to check for signs of Weil's Disease. Of course, his mind is on other things… and people – what are the chances of recovery for people who contract the illness? Will Rosalind be okay?
Meanwhile, Joyce and Sister Catherine visit Mrs. Midgely, whose friendliness immediately drops upon seeing Joyce again. Yet, despite Mrs. Midgely’s hostile attitude, Joyce remains professional throughout her examination.
However, when Joyce asks Mrs. Midgely to consider moving around with her baby, the mother snaps back, saying, “We don’t need to walk around, we need to rest.”
When Sister Catherine tells the mother that she agrees with Joyce’s recommendation, it’s the last straw for Mrs. Midgely. The disgruntled mother accuses Joyce of being a “bad influence” on Sister Catherine and throws the nurses out.
Afterward, Sister Catherine tells Joyce that Mrs. Midgely was very rude to her. Joyce shrugs – it’s unfortunately nothing she hasn’t experienced before – and instead tells Sister Catherine to write “Mother declined attention at this visit” in the paperwork.
The ongoing dustbin strike has caught the attention of the media, and an eager journalist from Radio Thames London catches Miss Higgins on her way to work.
Irritated and exasperated, Miss Higgins tells the report how she and many others are “living in a state of siege.” She further elaborates how she is unable to open her windows at home, and that she’s forced to “spray eau de cologne about as if it were tap water.”
Meanwhile, a nearby Sister Monica Joan listens attentively, and when the reporter turns his attention her way, she’s more than willing to share her opinion. She is convinced that, like most difficult times, they can be endured — just like they endured The Great War – and they will pass. Right now, this garbage issue is “merely a transient inconvenience.”
Later, Sister Veronica and Sister Monica Joan listen to the radio news broadcast, featuring Sister Monica Joan’s interview. Her colleague’s blunt but wise insight sparks an idea for Sister Veronica — would Sister Monica Joan be willing to speak about the history of Poplar with the Cubs?
It turns out Sister Monica Joan is just the ticket to Sister Veronica and Miss Higgins' dilemma: the Cubs are utterly riveted by the stories she shares.
Elsewhere, Joyce checks in on Mrs. Midgely after her husband called in reporting she was in excruciating pain. And it doesn’t take long for the nurse to realize she’s once again unwelcome.
When Joyce asks to examine her, Mrs. Midgely refuses, saying she’s never been right since the maternity home. She adds, “I never wanted a Black person touching me then and I sure as hell don't want one touching me now!”
Despite the blatant hostility, Joyce remains professional and assures Mrs. Midgely that she will send for Dr. Turner — though, she’s fighting back tears in the phone box during the call for additional help.
Dr. Turner arrives shortly after, and confirms Joyce’s suspicions. The pain in Mrs. Midgely’s leg is due to a blood clot, and she needs medical treatment at the hospital. But as Dr. Turner shares the news, Mrs. Midgley once again blames Joyce for her current condition, insisting that the nurse was neither qualified nor thorough in her care.
The mother’s comments leave Dr. Turner scratching his head — he knows Joyce is arguably one of Nonnatus House’s sharpest and most competent midwives. Mrs. Midgely’s words simply don’t add up.
In a spell of good news, Rosalind has pulled through the worst of her illness. She’s eager to return to Nonnatus House, but Sister Julienne persuades her young colleague to focus all of her attention on rest and recovery. Additionally, Violet has gotten the army to swoop in to help with garbage disposal — huzzah!
Later, Cyril visits Rosalind at the hospital, much to her surprise. While holding hands (oh?), the two of them reminisce about their fond memories of Nigel. Cyril tells her that Nigel’s passing illuminated something for him: he “cannot be an island” nor is he “made to be alone.”
Rosalind reminds him that he isn’t alone: he has friends, the Church, and… Lucille.
Cyril takes the opportunity to finally update Rosalind on his private life; Lucille will not be returning to Poplar — and they’ve decided to divorce.
While he doesn’t know what his future holds, he knows that he doesn’t want to face it as a single man. And as for Rosalind, she’d be more than happy to spend more time with Cyril.
In summary, slowwwww burns are for the win, and “Cyr-alind” is here to stay. (We’ll workshop their ship name.)
Meanwhile, Dr. Turner informs Sister Julienne that Mrs. Midgely intends to make a formal complaint against Joyce, claiming that the nurse failed to examine her properly and therefore failed to spot the case of thrombosis.
Like Dr. Turner, Sister Julienne is immediately skeptical of Mrs. Midgely’s assertions and jumps to the nurse’s defense. After all, Joyce is one of Nonnatus House’s most meticulous, qualified midwives! Plus, both Dr. Turner and Sister Julienne agree that Mrs. Midgely is at high risk of blood clots after childbirth, given her smoking, weight, and lack of physical activity.
Sister Julienne tells Dr. Turner she will get to the bottom of the issue. When she speaks with Joyce, she discovers the extent of racial prejudice the nurse experiences — this situation wasn’t the first and likely won’t be the last….
Joyce is wholly innocent, but nevertheless, Mrs. Midgely is adamant about pursuing her full complaint.
Rosalind, now back at Nonnatus, discloses her exciting news to Joyce — she and Cyril intend to go on a date!
But to Rosalind’s surprise, she’s met with a passionate yet disheartening response from Joyce who warns Rosalind about the difficult journey she’s embarking upon. Based on Joyce’s life experience, the world is not welcoming to an interracial couple, and she doesn’t want to see her friend hurt.
Nevertheless, Rosalind has clear affection for Cyril. Despite Joyce’s words, she’s still eager to give their relationship a chance: difficult things are worth fighting for.
Forgot how we got here? Catch up on “Call the Midwife” with the Season 14, Episode 5 Recap.
