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Modern Midwives Blog
The glorious autumnal season has descended upon Poplar, and with its arrival, many of our favorite characters are preparing for some changes of their own.
Nurse Crane is back from her time in Devon, much to the joy of her bestie, Miss Higgins. And although Nurse Crane undoubtedly missed her friends and colleagues while she was away, she’s certainly relieved to have escaped the recent dustmen’s strike.
There’s also some significant “talk of the town” this week. Rumor has it that Princess Anne will be attending the local premiere of "Bronco Bullfrog," a film recently shot in Poplar. Everyone is clamoring to get a hold of tickets (especially Trixie).
But while folks are excited about the upcoming movie event, Joyce has more stressful issues on her mind. After her upsetting interaction with Mrs. Midgely last week, Joyce receives an official letter outlining the patient’s claim of “misconduct and disobedience.” Nevertheless, Sister Julienne remains certain Joyce will be cleared of all charges.
Now, without further ado, here’s the the lowdown for this week:
Over at St. Oswald’s natal clinic, Shelagh welcomes Jacqui and Laurence Berridge, a couple expecting their second child together.
Mrs. Berridge seems noticeably tired, and when she passes over her sample of urine to Joyce, the vial slips through the nurse’s hand. Joyce quickly apologizes, but Mrs. Berridge’s defensive reaction suggests dropping her sample was no accident.
Additional concerns arise during her examination when Sister Catherine notices the baby is on the smaller size and Jacqui has low blood pressure. Shelagh assures Jacqui that the midwives will keep a close eye over the mother to ensure her pregnancy progresses as it should.
Later, Shelagh informs Sister Catherine that the Berridges used to use heroin. However, both are currently in recovery. Out of precaution, Shelagh recommends they make a house call tomorrow to make sure Jacqui is okay.
This week, Nurse Crane meets Ellen Briscoe, a patient who has rejoined Dr. Turner’s practice after leaving her previous GP.
When Nurse Crane visits the Briscoe’s flat, she runs into Mark, Ellen’s attentive, dutiful son. He brings the nurse up to his mother’s room, where Ellen explains that “things have gone downhill” since the nurse last saw her. Ellen reports being in constant pain, having difficulty using the bathroom on her own, and moving around in general. She’s grateful to have Mark close by to help her, although she suspects he’s recently taken up a girlfriend.
Nurse Crane says it’s promising news that Mark is in a potential romantic relationship. However, Ellen is quick to dismiss the idea of Mark and his future wife living anywhere besides Ellen’s house. She’s convinced her condition won’t get any better, so she’ll need her son as close to her as possible….
Naturally, Nurse Crane has some thoughts in response to that, but for now, she keeps them to herself.
Dr. Turner stops by the Drug Addiction Unit where he oversees the methadone treatment program. The program is an “experimental, pioneering” initiative which, according to Dr. Turner, has given rise to a lot of interest and hope among the medical community. One of his patients is Laurence Berridge, Jacqui’s husband.
Since starting his methadone treatment, Laurence has made extraordinary progress. While his opiate cravings aren’t completely gone, methadone helps him cope better. Even more encouragingly, he has steady work, a nice flat, and another baby on the way.
Laurence feels optimistic about their future for the first time in a long time.
Meanwhile, Shelagh and Nurse Catherine call on Jacqui at her flat, much to the mother’s surprise. It isn’t long before the nurses confirm their concern – Jacqui has relapsed.
They bring Jacqui to the maternity ward where Dr. Turner explains that her unborn baby has likely developed a heroin dependency because of the drugs in her system. He recommends administering controlled injections of methadone to help wean her off heroin.
Jacqui is heartbroken by the news but insists she doesn’t want to take any more drugs. She’s confident she can stop using on her own without any medical intervention since she has in the past.
Soon after, Laurence arrives at the maternity ward where he learns Jacqui’s secret. She explains that she’s been suffering since her parents cut her off three years ago. And with Laurence always at work, she’s felt increasingly more isolated and alone.
Where does the couple go from here?
After Rosalind’s health scare from last week’s episode, we’re relieved to see her back on her feet – especially since she is finally out and about with Cyril!
The two lovebirds meet up for lunch where they discuss plans for their first “proper night out.” Fortunately, Cyril has come prepared with two tickets to the "Bronco Bullfrog" premiere. Rosalind is delighted, although she knows Trixie will be jealous once she hears she’s secured tickets to the movie. Either way, it’s a date!
Meanwhile, the Turner family is also in store for some exciting news. After many months of paperwork and formalities, Shelagh and Patrick receive word that May’s official adoption papers are finally cleared! The final step is for the parents and daughter to attend the magistrate court to sign the papers.
And equally as uplifting, Sister Julienne has some exciting news for Sister Catherine. After speaking to Mother Mildred, the women have decided that they would like Sister Catherine to take her First Vows, making her a novice in the Order.
Sister Catherine is overwhelmed with happiness, as are her colleagues Sister Veronica and Sister Monica Joan.
While experiencing debilitating opiate withdrawal symptoms, Jacqui goes into labor. Her birth is stressful, but with support from Dr. Turner, Shelagh, and Sister Catherine, she gives birth to a baby boy.
In order to properly monitor the young Berridge, Jacqui is told her child will have to relocate to St. Cuthbert’s. Before the baby is taken, Jacqui asks Laurence if they can name their boy after her father, Michael. Her parents may have cut her off, but Jacqui still possesses a lot of love for her dad, who she knows still cares for her in return in spite of everything.
While Michael is brought to St. Cuthbert’s, Jacqui remains in the maternity ward to rest. However, her separation from her baby takes a heavy toll. Not long after, Sister Catherine discovers Jacqui has disappeared – fortunately, she’s soon spotted leaving St. Cuthbert’s, visiting Michael.
As it turns out, Mark doesn’t have a secret girlfriend – he’s trying to join the military, an opportunity that would lead him to a life outside of Poplar.
When Mark runs into Nurse Crane after his medical exam, he asks her to keep his secret under wraps for now as he’s not sure how to break the news to his mom.
Later, Nurse Crane drops by the Briscoe’s residence where, to her surprise, she catches a glimpse of Ellen walking on her own. Clearly, her patient hasn’t been completely honest about her physical capabilities.
Nurse Crane tries to convince Ellen that with a little bit of work, she can get her independence back. Ellen, however, scoffs at this suggestion. But Nurse Crane, always an empathetic but firm healthcare provider, decides it’s time for some tough love – and that means a trip to Dr. Turner’s surgery. He confirms Nurse Crane’s suspicions; Ellen can get back on her feet with a good plan and hard work.
The question that remains, however, is whether Ellen wants to make a change in her life.
Meanwhile, Mark, who is still worried for his mother, doesn’t know how to break the news of his military pursuits. Nurse Crane encourages him to tell her, reminding him that “perhaps she needs to hear it.”
After tending to Jacqui this week and learning about her complicated family dynamic, Sister Catherine can’t help but think about her own situation. While the young Sister is thrilled at the prospect of becoming a novice, her happiness is stunted by her family’s painful rejection of her religious calling.
Is she wrong to want her family’s blessing?
Sister Monica Joan assures Sister Catherine that such a want is understandable. She also reveals that it was the same with her own family when she pursued a religious life. However, with time and God’s help, Sister Monica Joan found that she could possess the gift of acceptance and forgiveness.
Sister Monica Joan also reminds Sister Catherine that just because she doesn’t have her family’s blessing now, it doesn’t mean she will never get it. In the meantime, however, she proposes that Sister Catherine write to her parents and siblings. You never know – they must just come around.
Mark, having worked up some courage, breaks the news to Ellen about his military recruitment. Unfortunately for him, his mother is (predictably) unreceptive to this information – and ultimately yells at him to leave the house.
Meanwhile, Sister Catherine and Sister Veronica visit Jacqui, who once again seems troubled and exhausted. The midwives raise the topic of assigning Jacqui and her family a social worker, however the mother quickly shuts down the idea. She believes she can manage just fine on her own with no additional help.
Sister Veronica and Sister Catherine exchange a look – they know Jacqui needs the support – but they don’t want to overwhelm her, considering the delicate nature of her situation.
The time for celebration is at last here for the Turners!
Shelagh, Dr. Turner, and May report to the juvenile court where they receive the official news: the adoption request is now final!
May brings her parents in for one big hug. While the Turner have embraced May since her arrival, it’s a much-welcomed relief to legally be recognized as a Turner.
Amidst the fallout of her tense conversation with Mark, Ellen continues to feel alone – and even more desperate to keep her son from leaving Poplar.
Her desperation culminates into a drastic decision, staging a fall down the stairs in the hopes that Mark will find her and see she is still in need of help.
However, Nurse Crane stops by the Briscoe’s residence before Mark does, and finds Ellen in her “injured” state. The nurse quickly sees through the patient’s charade and decides it’s time to Mark up to speed on the true state of his mother’s health.
As expected, Mark is upset with his mother, and he takes the opportunity to lay his cards out on the table. He wants the two of them to be honest with each other, but more than anything, he wants Ellen to be supportive of his ambitions. Mark tells her that if he is offered the job, he will take it.
Ellen’s face reveals a sense of hurt and anguish. Will she give Mark her blessing?
Meanwhile, Laurence returns home to find that Jacqui has sold her wedding ring for heroin. When he tries to discard it, Jacqui convinces him to take it with her instead.
The next day, Cyril and Sister Veronica show up to check on the Berridges. But when they knock on the front door, they’re met with no reception. After looking through the mail slot in the door, Cyril sees the young Kerry standing in her crib, alone.
Cyril knocks the front door open, and they discover the tragedy: Laurence and Jacqui lying in their bed, unresponsive in each other’s arms.
The attention is now focused on the future well-being of Kerry and little Michael. Sister Veronica is hopeful that Cyril will be able to locate Jacqui’s parents.
The much-anticipated (and dreaded) medical hearing has finally arrived for Joyce, but fortunately, the nurse has much-needed support from Sister Julienne.
Sister Julienne testifies that Mrs. Midgely’s accusations are “entirely unfounded.” She adds that she believes the mother is attempting to escape responsibility for her decision to refuse medical care.
Sister Julienne further mentions Mrs. Midgely rejected Joyce’s assistance solely because she took issue with Joyce’s race. However, one of the spokesmen on the board interjects, reminding the Sister that the issue of race is not what they’re “here to discuss.”
When asked why she failed to examine Mrs. Midgely, Joyce explains that she wanted to. Yet, despite her insistence, Mrs. Midgely “didn't want a Black person to touch her.” Her response sets off uncomfortable reactions among the board.
After a brief deliberation, the council members announce their ruling: no disobedience or misconduct was found on Nurse Highland’s part. Joyce is completely exonerated and will face no further action.
Joyce exhales a big sigh of relief (as do all of us). Justice has rightly been restored – and now she can return to doing what she does best: treating and tending to her patients.
Meanwhile, Ellen realizes it’s finally time to make some changes in her life.
Although she is terrified of being alone, she understands she won’t lose Mark entirely if he joins the military. As Nurse Crane points out, Mark is immensely devoted to Ellen, and in his absence, Ellen may just discover some interests and hobbies of her own.
When Mark finally hands her his military acceptance letter, she embraces her son with a hug. She kindly remarks to him, “It’s time for you to spread your wings now.”
Back at Nonnatus House, Sister Catherine finishes writing up her case notes on the Berridges. Fortunately, Cyril was successful and the two Berridge children are at last united with Jacqui’s parents.
Separate from work, Sister Catherine also has some happy news: her sister, Ellen, has written back, promising to be in attendance at Sister Catherine’s First Vows ceremony! While her other family members won’t be there, Sister Catherine is delighted that she will at least have her beloved sister with her on her special day.
Just like Sister Monica says, “Sometimes our prayers are answered, but not always in the way that we desire.”
After a stressful week of work, what better way to decompress than an evening at the movies?
The "Bronco Bullfrog" premiere takes centerstage in Poplar, and most of the Nonnatus House crew show up for the affair. Spirits are soaring so high, even a racist encounter for our newest couple can’t ruin the night – in fact, it only strengthens Rosalind’s desire and resolve to spend more time with Cyril.
Some popcorn and candy? Yes please.
Forgot how we got here? Catch up on “Call the Midwife” with the Season 14, Episode 6 Recap.
