‘Call the Midwife’ Discovers How to Travel Through Time & Space
The third episode of 'Call the Midwife' Season 15 veers into distressing territory while dealing with the heavy subjects of sexual assault and slavery, but the show uses a gentle touch.
There’s a certain expected solace in Call the Midwife’s weekly installments as we keep up with Poplar and its denizens. The third episode of Season 15 veers into distressing territory while dealing with the heavy subjects of sexual assault and slavery, but the show uses a gentle touch. Never one to shy away from uncomfortable topics, instead, it confronts the horrors women face with an unwavering eye and a warm, comforting arm. This isn’t the first time the show has explored sexual and physical abuse, but the showrunners seem to have learned to tone down the onscreen depictions following audience outcry – not to mention the expected norm of programming during watershed hours.
To lighten the emotional toll, the episode is woven through with subplot threads about the time-capsule fever that’s taken over the town, particularly the children. It’s almost too light-hearted in comparison. For balance, we get a third subplot with Joyce filling in at St. Cuthbert’s Hospital and befriending a single pregnant woman. Taking the time to bond with her patient becomes key when a life-saving blood transfusion is required.
Next week, we’ll hit the midpoint of the season. As we await more details about the planned movie and prequel series, the show continues to prove how it earned its following despite the occasional unevenness.
