SERIES 10, EPISODE 1
Please feel free to comment on my review.
When Series 10 of ‘Call the Midwife’ was transmitted in 2021, it was transmitted later than usual on BBC TV. Usually a ‘Call the Midwife’ season would transmit in January. Series 10 transmitted in April.
This was due to the delay in filming Series 10 of ‘Call the Midwife’ and the 2020 Christmas Special because of the Covid-19 pandemic. A pity the delay happened, but thankfully the season was made.
One of the drawbacks to filming Series 10 late because of Covid-19 was the loss of one episode, reducing the episode count from 8 to 7. Thankfully, it was made up for in a 10th anniversary special.
I’ll talk more about the ‘Special Delivery’ anniversary special in my review for Series 10, Episode 7. Like with the filming of Series 10 being delayed, there was delay to me and my parents watching it. 🙂
We didn’t see Series 10 on its initial BBC TV transmission in April 2021. We were still checking out Series 7 on DVD by then. We decided to check out Series 10 after viewing Series 7, 8 and 9 on DVD. 🙂
Now we’ve reached the point of saying we’ve begun checking out Series 10 of ‘Call the Midwife’. At last I can share my thoughts on what I thought of the first episode of a season made during Covid-19.
So, what did I make of Series 10’s first episode? Err…it was fine. Don’t get me wrong, the acting, characters and drama are all well-done as usual, but I couldn’t help feeling depressed in watching it.
I appreciate that not every ‘Call the Midwife’ episode is going to be cheerful as there is bound to be some upsetting storyline going on. But couldn’t the season start off on a happy note for us to enjoy?
Series 10 takes place in 1966. Helen George as Trixie has become seconded to the Lady Emily Clinic, which is a private facility in the exclusive Mayfair area of London. All of this is a part of a bigger plan.
Jenny Agutter as Sister Julienne decides to prepare Nonnatus House in forming a working partnership with the clinic in hope of solving the convent’s financial problems echoed from Series 9.
This is something Stephen McGann as Dr. Turner is strongly opposed to since he’s a firm advocate of free treatment through the National Health Service. This should set up a clash of two opinions here.
Yet it’s not properly explored in the episode. I mean, maybe it’s explored in future episodes, but we don’t see Sister Julienne and Dr. Turner debating about it as you would expect watching the episode.
However, more upsetting things occur when the birth of a baby with no legs below the knee prompts fresh concerns about the drug thalidomide. Err; I thought that was done in Series 5 already.
But it turns out not to be that as Dr. Turner discovers that the father was exposed to radiation from nuclear tests whilst serving with the armed forces. This was so fascinating to discover in the episode.
It was sad to see the story of father and mother Kathryn Wilder as Audrey and Jack Colgrave Hirst as Derek when they lose their baby with no legs. Their scenes were pretty upsetting to watch indeed. 😦
Their story mirrors their next-door neighbours, Sarah Twomey as Glenys and James Bailey as Phil, who have success with their baby being born. It’s nice how the two parents met up by the tale’s end.
Whilst seconded to the Lady Emily Clinic, Trixie wears a new pink uniform which I find very fetching. She also meets Richard Dillane as Mr. Scarisbrick, the head of the clinic, who wears a bright bow-tie.
Trixie gets to meet one of her patients Jo Herbert as Fiona Aylward, joined by her husband Olly Rix as Matthew. The delivery of Fiona’s baby is successful, but this is not the last we’ll see of the Aylwards.
Leonie Elliot as Lucille becomes concerned for Zephryn Taitte as Cyril when his rooming house becomes condemned. Thankfully, with Cliff Parisi as Fred’s help, Cyril is able to secure a new place. 🙂
It was saddening to see Judy Parfitt as Sister Monica Joan suffering a crisis of faith as she continues her rehabilitation. I don’t know how this storyline will continue but I hope that she’ll be happy again.
So yeah! Series 10, Episode 1 in my humble opinion isn’t the most cheerful start to a ‘Call the Midwife’ season. But then again, things might become more cheerful as the season progresses here.
‘Series 10, Episode 1’ rating – 6/10
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