Call the Midwife, BBC One, season 13, ep 1, review: a superb balance of convention and controversy
The popular TV show, Call the Midwife (BBC One), aired its thirteenth series and introduced a new storyline of fresh characters. Two student midwives, Joyce Highland (Renee Bailey) and Rosalind Clifford (Natalie Quarry), arrived at Nonnatus House and faced numerous challenges in the very first episode. Interestingly, Trixie (Helen George), who was once a novice, had now taken on the role of a teacher- marking a positive change in the progression of the series.
Heidi Thomas, the writer of Call the Midwife, has always been skilled at balancing multiple storylines within a single episode, surpassing the typical number most shows cover in an entire series. However, the recent season opener was particularly jam-packed. The episode featured Joyce, who hailed from the West Indies, and Rosalind, whose accent indicated a privileged background with a father who worked as a boarding school headmaster. The two became unlikely roommates, and despite their differences, formed a strong bond. As the show takes place in 1969, Rosalind was enthusiastic about hanging a CND poster, but Joyce was more worried about the damage it would cause to the room's wallpaper and the potential reaction from Sister.
The nurses initiated the Raise the Roof Campaign to improve their wages and working conditions, which highly resonates with the present situation. This sparked a heated argument at the Nonnatus dining table, discussing the criteria for determining a job as a vocation rather than just a means of earning money, and who has the authority to decide such matters.
The main plot of the show was about a woman named Doreen who had kept her pregnancy hidden from others. She eventually gave birth at St Cuthbert's, despite having cerebral palsy. Sister Julienne had helped deliver Doreen years ago and may have caused complications during that time. However, Doreen did not see her disability as a hindrance, and she spoke about the issue of ableism. Actress Rosie Jones delivered an impressive performance in conveying this message.
There was a significant amount of material to cover, but Thomas and her cast managed it flawlessly, as usual. The drawback of having such a comprehensive storyline is that some threads or characters that you may have taken a liking to might not receive enough attention. On the bright side, if you aren't particularly fond of a certain character or concept, another one will follow suit in no time.
Call the Midwife is a top-notch drama on television and sets an example for others to learn from. The show deals with important social issues and manages to stay up-to-date while still delivering emotional moments that are justified. Other programs could benefit from studying its elegant approach.
