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Episodes
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May 1, 2022Call the Midwife: Episode 8
The aftermath of a tragic incident in the heart of Poplar ripples through the community. -
April 24, 2022
Call the Midwife: Episode 7
An unforeseen event in Poplar means that Nonnatus House suffers its biggest threat yet. -
April 17, 2022
Call the Midwife: Episode 6
Sister Monica Joan seeks advice from an eccentric clairvoyant. -
April 10, 2022
Call the Midwife: Episode 5
Trixie is assigned to a complicated case involving a paraplegic husband. -
April 3, 2022
Call the Midwife: Episode 4
Sister Hilda and Dr. Turner support a young father with a lung condition. -
March 27, 2022
Call the Midwife: Episode 3
The Order of St. Raymond Nonnatus is celebrating its 100th anniversary. -
March 20, 2022
Call the Midwife: Episode 1
Nonnatus House is preparing for an Easter parade when building work uncovers a secret. -
March 20, 2022
Call the Midwife: Episode 2
Trixie and Sister Frances join Dr. Turner at the cytology clinic.
Call The Midwife Season 11 Recaps
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Jackie BruleighMarch 20, 2022 08:00 PM'Call The Midwife' Season 11 Episode 1 Recap: keeping up appearances
I’m not going to lie to you: spring isn’t my favorite season (I’m from New England: I like the cold! I'm not here to apologize!) but the adorable outfits sported by children and adults alike at the start of this season of Call The Midwife might just change my mind. Yes, we have the usual floral explosion, but our friends are also sporting crocheted bunny and chick costumes! Phyllis is even wearing some kind of flower covered hat? It’s outrageous, is what I’m saying. -
Jackie BruleighMarch 27, 2022 08:00 PM
'Call The Midwife' Season 11 Episode 2 Recap: oh my god... they were roommates!
You know that thing where you wake up before your alarm clock and it’s super annoying? Well that’s how this episode starts, but unlike you and I, Sister Frances is SMILING about missing out on those extra seconds of precious slumber. I honestly don’t understand her, but I sure do appreciate her sunny disposition. Anyway, all around Poplar, our friends wake up and go about their morning routines, which for Lucille includes a visit to her first patient of the day, who lives in a building with a LOT of nosy neighbors. Inside, Lucille chats with maybe the most unbothered mum we’ve seen in all these 11 seasons of Call The Midwife. -
Jackie BruleighApril 3, 2022 08:00 PM
'Call The Midwife' Season 11 Episode 3 Recap: build me up buttercup
This week, things are starting off on a not great foot in Poplar… literally. Boots puts on her uniform to discover that all of her stockings have massive runs. As everyone prepares for the day, the group goes in on Boots’ stocking problem. -
Jackie BruleighApril 10, 2022 08:00 PM
'Call The Midwife' Season 11 Episode 4 Recap: here comes the sun
We’re back, and this week’s episode is kicking off with a twin delivery: a relatively unusual occurrence here in Call The Midwife land, but nothing our friends haven’t handled before. While most of the squad works on that, Miss Higgins greets a new mama in the waiting room. Is she here for an appointment? No: her sister is the one having twins at this very moment, and she’s come to check in. -
Jackie BruleighApril 17, 2022 08:00 PM
'Call The Midwife' Season 11 Episode 5 Recap: a change is gonna come
This episode starts with the voice over saying “we’re nothing without change,” which makes me worry that a storm's a brewin’ with SOMEBODY in our main squad. Sure, Vanessa Redgrave just told me change is natural, but guess what? I don’t have to like it!! Ahem. Anyway. At Cyril and Lucille’s place, things are looking up: Cyril’s got an invitation for a job interview at the council offices, which is extra exciting after the many rejections he’s gotten so far (job hunting really is the worst), and Lucille woke up with less morning sickness than usual. -
Jackie BruleighApril 24, 2022 08:00 PM
'Call The Midwife' Season 11 Episode 6 Recap: golden living dreams of visions?
Thankfully last week wasn’t as explosive as it could have been, but we’re still down two members of our squad in an already pretty understaffed group. Should. Be. Interesting. While our nun friends head to morning prayers, and the Turner parents see Tim off for his return to school, Lucille, very understandably, appears to have not slept at all. It’s her first day back at work after her miscarriage, and her colleagues welcome her with sad smiles that the normally effervescent Lucille is barely able to return. But there’s no time for emotional upheaval: with Phyllis and Trixie out of the country, Sister Hilda is in charge, and she’s determined to run a very tight ship. -
Jackie BruleighMay 1, 2022 08:00 PM
'Call The Midwife' Season 11 Episode 7 Recap: courage and hope, both
Last week ended on a bit of a somber note, and I know Sister Monica Joan, at least, shares my low key constant worry that something bad is going to happen in the next two episodes. However, the rest of the squad seems pretty chill, with the exception of young Timothy Turner, who’s returned from school wretchedly sick. By contrast, Lucille is looking a whole lot better, smiling broadly as she meets up with the rest of the group at Nonnatus. Before they can start their day, Boots reads the latest headline regarding the 1967 Abortion Act. -
Jackie BruleighMay 8, 2022 08:00 PM
'Call The Midwife' Season 11 Episode 8 Recap: meditations in an emergency
Hey so the penultimate episode of this season was pretty intense, huh? Here’s the deal: I’m gonna dive right in, and every so often, when things just get too stressful, we’ll all get to look at a gif of a cute animal. Sound good? Ok, moving on: as you might expect, this week starts pretty much right where we left off. Rescue workers are struggling to reach the train in order to help the injured get away from the wreckage, and our friends at Nonnatus are busy setting up a first aid station when a bloodied Boots runs up to Fred where he’s directing traffic outside.
Season 10 Recaps & Holiday Special 2021
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Jackie BruleighOctober 3, 2021 08:00 PM
'Call The Midwife' Season 10 Episode 1 Recap: Losing My Religion
Now where were we? Last season, Nonnatus house’s budget cut/rent hike was briefly reversed, and we dealt with addiction, death and a whole bunch of babies. This season starts on a hopeful note, as Sister Monica Joan gets back up on her feet and walks, creakily, down the hall. Across town, Vi bustles into her store and greets Fred with a typical honey-do list: go get Easter candy at lunch! -
Jackie BruleighOctober 10, 2021 08:00 PM
'Call The Midwife' Season 10 Episode 2 Recap: What Dreams May Come
Remember how I thought last week was unusually grim, even for Call The Midwife? Episode 2 is shaping up to be no different, starting with the Nonnatus crew reacting to news of the Moors Murders, a horribly upsetting true crime story that Americans may not know (it involves a couple who murdered and sexually assaulted five children, which explains why all of our midwife friends are so righteously furious). The episode also starts with a family, the Clarkes, getting evicted while a crowd boos their landlord, so it seems that the housing crisis in Poplar is only getting worse. -
Jackie BruleighOctober 17, 2021 08:00 PM
'Call The Midwife' Season 10 Episode 3 Recap: Wish You Were Here
Last week, we learned that Sister Julienne’s plan to save Nonnatus through privatization was an unfortunate bust. Back to the drawing board! -
Jackie BruleighOctober 24, 2021 08:00 PM
'Call The Midwife' Season 10 Episode 4 Recap: Always Be My Baby
Episode four kicks off with two, to my mind, equally exciting things: England is moving ahead in the World Cup, and Lucille is wearing a truly incredible hat. But alas, we don’t have time to talk millinery, because Team Nonnatus is busy going over the logistics of taking on a bunch of pupil midwives. -
Jackie BruleighOctober 31, 2021 08:00 PM
'Call The Midwife' Season 10 Episode 5 Recap: Slipping Through My Fingers
In Poplar, the entire Turner family is incredibly stressed out. Shelagh even almost lights up a cigarette! Why? Because they’re all waiting with bated breath for Timothy’s exam results, which soon arrive through the mail slot. And because we need to experience their stress ourselves, we have to wait and see our boy open that envelope for at least a few scenes. -
Jackie BruleighNovember 7, 2021 08:03 PM
'Call The Midwife' Season 10 Episode 6 Recap: You Don't Own Me
Back in Poplar, our young trainees are getting into the groove of things, but they’re not quite ready for emergencies, and, alas, that’s how this week starts off. Phyllis answers the phone, and then runs through Nonnatus house to send Lucille off to a BBA (born before arrival) call. Alison the Trainee, who was meant to shadow Lucille, goes with Phyllis instead, and folks, I’m not sure she’s excited about this change of plans. Don’t worry, Alison the Trainee, all of our midwife friends have something fun to offer! -
Jackie BruleighNovember 14, 2021 08:00 PM
'Call The Midwife' Season 10 Episode 7 Recap: How Now? A Rat?
How are we at the last episode of the season already? I don’t know, but I don’t like it! Regardless, it’s happening, so buckle in. In Poplar, our friends are starting this week off still reeling from what we learned last week about Boots’ secret past. And in case you were wondering where Sister Hilda was, she’s back just in time to get the update from Sister Julienne -
Jackie BruleighDecember 25, 2021 09:00 PM
'Call The Midwife' holiday special 2021 recap: sucker for you
Snow is falling. Office holiday parties are in full swing (online, this year). Winter is here, and so is a drama fan favorite holiday tradition: the Call The Midwife Holiday Special! I’m here to recap the special just in case you missed it, or just couldn’t get enough of our favorite nurses, nuns, and other assorted denizens of Poplar.
Season 9 & Holiday Special 2020 Recaps
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Jackie BruleighMarch 30, 2020 09:08 AM
'Call The Midwife' Season 9 Episode 1 Recap: A Foundling, An Outbreak and Tights (Oh My!)
Every season, the Drama After Dark team gathers ‘round the conference room table to watch the latest and greatest in British dramas. We're thrilled to be bringing you coverage of perennial PBS favorite, Call The Midwife. This show has everything: hard-working nurses, sassy nuns, and gut-wrenching emotional trauma that somehow keeps you wanting more. I’m here to recap the season as it happens just in case you, dear reader, miss an episode and haven’t yet been able to catch up on WGBH Passport. -
Jackie BruleighApril 5, 2020 09:44 PM
'Call The Midwife' Season 9 Episode 2 Recap: My Third Favorite Beatle
It's Lent in Poplar (and according to Google, in real life as well!) so everybody is going without. Once again I am forced to say TOO REAL, Call The Midwife! In typical fashion, many of our favorites are struggling with their Lenten resolutions, including Fred, who nearly gets away with sneaking an eclair before Violet catches him. Lucille, who has an impressively iron will, gets Trixie and Val to throw out their cigarettes. Hopefully this will encourage them to quit; I don't want any of my television children indulging bad habits. -
Jackie BruleighApril 12, 2020 09:43 PM
'Call The Midwife' Season 9 Episode 3 Recap: Project Runway Poplar
It's spring in Poplar, and you know what that means: it's time for Phyllis to visit the school to see its community garden and check on their vaccinations. It's kind of cool that they can just make every student follow a heavily tested life-saving protocol; makes you think! Today we meet two new students: brothers called Rahul and Jalal. These adorable scamps just recently emigrated from Sylhet in East Pakistan, and have a great grasp of English thanks to their mom. Their vaccination records are a little funky, and while Phyllis can see that they've got scarring consistent with vaccinations it's impossible to say what for. Thankfully, Phyllis LOVES to follow up on things, so they should be all set. -
Jackie BruleighApril 19, 2020 09:58 PM
'Call The Midwife' Season 9 Episode 4 Recap: Fly Away Home
Welcome back to Poplar, where Sister Julienne just can't catch a break. As if the "we're knocking your house down AGAIN" memo from the council wasn't bad enough, she's also received a note from Mother Mildred. Apparently Mildred's missive is so important that Julienne runs out into a torrential downpour to speak with Dr. Turner, and looks so wide-eyed and bonkers that even Miss Higgins backs off of her questioning. Here’s the deal: Mother M is concerned about the order’s position in Poplar, and so is Sister Julienne. -
Jackie BruleighApril 26, 2020 09:35 PM
'Call The Midwife' Season 9 Episode 5 Recap: How Do You Solve A Problem Like Monica Joan?
This episode opens on a death bed so… strap in guys, this week might be a lot (that is, on the show... let's be honest, I already know this week has been a lot in real life 🙃). As always, the Nonnatus sisters are the helpful calm in the storm, comforting the family through grief. While Sisters Julienne and Monica Joan head back from this pretty intense morning (which doesn't seem to mess them up too much; after all, it’s kind of their job), back at the house, the nurses chat about an exciting new film: The Sound of Mother Freakin' Music. Phyllis somehow missed the memo about the new movie, but she saw the musical years ago. It’s a classic Phyllis saga: the gal she went with fell asleep and the woman next to her was knitting despite Phyllis's TUTTING. Shameless. Trixie informs her that they turned the play into a movie and it’s great. You know who else is stoked? Sister Monica Joan, obviously! -
Jackie BruleighMay 3, 2020 10:02 PM
'Call The Midwife' Season 9 Episode 6 Recap: It's Gonna Be May
I missed Fred last week, and apparently so did the writers, because he's back with a vengeance, engaging some local youths in a water gun fight out in the garden. Never change, Fred. One welcome change? The return of Baby Doctor! He presents himself to Miss Higgins, and we find out that his train got in a day early and he thought he might as well show up for Tuesday clinic. Miss Higgins is annoyed that he's here and in the way, and assumes Dr. Turner will be on her side, but he's too busy being OVERJOYED to have a sidekick. Miss Higgins obviously doesn't take that lying down, and snipes at Baby Doctor to move his luggage and get out of the way before he's allowed to go see patients. -
Jackie BruleighMay 10, 2020 09:45 PM
'Call The Midwife' Season 9 Episode 7 Recap: Hugs Not Drugs
My new favorite best friends, Baby Doctor and Sister Frances, kick off this episode by tag-teaming a slightly complicated forceps delivery, while proud papa Dr. Turner looks on. Good job, junior! Let me tell you, Dr. Turner is loving life as a doc of (relative) leisure. Pretty great to have Baby Doctor around to take over sometimes! And speaking of babies (how's THAT for an applicable Call The Midwife recap phrase??), we have a special delivery: the much anticipated incubator! Everyone is on hand for the unveiling, including a Cub Scout advance guard. This is a hugely positive development for our pals: premie babies can now stay in Poplar with their families. Vi, in full on Councilor Buckle mode, prepares for the unveiling with her special ceremonial scissors, and kind of snubs Shelagh in the process. Lucky for her, Shelagh doesn't seem to mind. VI cuts the ribbon with great aplomb, and everyone poses for a photo in the paper. -
Jackie BruleighMay 17, 2020 09:33 PM
'Call The Midwife' Season 9 Episode 8 Recap: We Need To Talk About Kevin
Cold weather is coming to Poplar, and as with every seasonal change in Call The Midwife land, there's a celebration 'a brewin'. I don't know what it is yet, but let's go ahead and assume that's what Fred will be up to for the majority of the episode. At Nonnatus, Baby Doctor offers to make Trixie and Val a cuppa. Since Trixie is fancy, and Val is rushing off to visit Gran, they decline, but not before Val Tom Sawyers Baby Doctor into packaging up her latest baked good offering for Gran, the minx. Clearly Baby Doctor hasn’t been informed about the whole “Gran is in jail” situation, but since he's pretty new that seems fair. What’s he doing this fine afternoon? Well, he's On Call, i.e,. hoping to stay home and watch wrestling on TV with Phyllis. Huh? You ask. Well apparently, Phyllis LOVES to watch wrestling, and thinks she's kept this hobby secret from everyone. Unfortunately for her, there are no secrets in Nonnatus, so they all know. Fortunately for her, they're all sweethearts, so they pretend not to. -
Jackie BruleighDecember 25, 2020 09:30 PM
'Call The Midwife' Holiday Special 2020 Recap: Don't Cry Out Loud
Snow is falling. Office holiday parties are in full swing (online, this year). Winter is here, and so is a drama fan favorite holiday tradition: the Call The Midwife Holiday Special! I’m here to recap the special just in case you missed it, or just couldn’t get enough of our favorite nurses, nuns, and other assorted denizens of Poplar.
More Call The Midwife
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Jackie BruleighMarch 24, 2020 09:59 AM
Everything That’s Happened (So Far) On PBS’ “Call The Midwife”
PBS’ Call The Midwife returns in just about a week, which means that unless you’re VERY dedicated and have the week off, you won’t have time to binge the whole series before Season 9 starts on March 29. Never fear: I watched all eight seasons to prepare for Drama After Dark, the live drama aftershow I co-host for WGBH, so I did the binge-watching for you. Read on for a quick-and-dirty overview of each season! -
Meghan SmithApril 6, 2020 04:57 PMWhy Paul McCartney Loves 'Call The Midwife'
Paul McCartney himself is a fan of Call The Midwife, and for a very sweet reason: his mother Mary was a cycling midwife during his childhood in Liverpool. -
Jackie BruleighMarch 24, 2020 03:43 PM
Grieving My Mother With PBS' "Call The Midwife"
I’m a latecomer to PBS’ Call the Midwife, a show that follows the lives of nurse-midwives, some of whom are nuns, serving the poverty stricken residents of the East End of London following World War II. When WGBH’s Drama After Dark team decided we would cover Call the Midwife for our next season, we set out to complete a somewhat daunting but ultimately enjoyable task: to binge-watch eight seasons of the beloved show in about a month. Having never watched an episode before, I expected a mostly lighthearted, woman-centered charm-fest; in short, as Miranda Hart’s character Chummy would say, “a bally good time.” However — and I say this with all the love in the world for this show — I could not have been more wrong. -
Meghan SmithMarch 21, 2019 03:16 PM
Call the Doula: Ananda Lowe on Call the Midwife
Meet Ananda Lowe, a doula who has practiced in the Boston area for more than 20 years. As a doula, she approaches pregnancy and childbirth from a wellness model and supports mothers and families, before the birth, during the childbirth process, and in the postpartum period. -
Jackie BruleighApril 11, 2019 01:06 PM
Call The Librarian (And Read These Eight Books On Midwifery)
Does the return of perennial favorite Call the Midwife have you jonesing for more midwifery goodness? Never fear — we’ve found eight books on the subject (mostly featuring first-hand accounts from the midwives themselves) to accompany season eight. So if you can’t get enough of your favorite nuns and/or midwives on TV, get thee to the library and check one (or more, we won’t tell) out!
