Nonnatus House Closes Its Doors in 'Call the Midwife'
What does Nonnatus House’s closure mean for the future of 'Call the Midwife'?
Call the Midwife’s sixth episode deals a major blow to our beloved characters as Nonnatus House is handed its ultimate fate: a notice of imminent closure from the Council that not only shutters its doors but also Dr. Turner’s practice at the maternity home. In contrast to the previous episode’s hopeful tone when Sister Julienne was confident in her decision, Episode 6 ends much more solemnly. With only two more episodes left in the season, a guaranteed full-length movie, and a prequel series, one wonders what this indicates for the original series.
This week’s stories spend time proving how integral the midwives, Dr. Turner, and their healthcare are to the community. Trixie befriends a female wrestler with a mysterious chronic illness, helping improve her life. Dr. Turner and Shelagh support an expectant father through his cancer diagnosis, empowering him to open up to his own family for help.
At Nonnatus House, Sister Monica Joan is alternately feisty or melancholy as she expects her blood test results, which show advanced kidney disease. Most urgently in the unexpected escalation of her relationship with Cyril, Rosalind awaits a urinalysis to determine how worried she should be about her late period and nausea.
Tony Gets a “Woman’s Disease”
While the ice cream man, Tony (Steffan Rizzi), and his wife Tina (Charlotte Beaumont) are expecting the arrival of their first child, they get the upsetting news that he has breast cancer. The youngest of five brothers and the only one not in the family business, Tony is already struggling with feelings of inadequacy. The shame of having a “woman’s disease” and the thought of being unable to work and support his family during recovery from an extensive mastectomy make him hide his diagnosis from his brothers. His own mother died from it, and Tony can’t reconcile being a man with having this disease.
Dr. Turner and Shelagh are incredibly gentle and encouraging with Tony, and it’s Shelagh who checks on him when he’s skipped several hospital appointments. Even Fred lends a kind ear, but Tony is too proud to ask for help and chooses to ignore his cancer.
When Tina goes into labor at home, Tony is suddenly thrust into the role of midwife. Unlike the gendered landmines Tony uncovered with his breast cancer, delivering his firstborn is a role he happily steps into. Joyce coaches Tony over the phone, and he and Tina pull off a successful birth. After introducing his brothers to his new baby, he’s heartened by their pride in his role in the birth. Tony finally feels supported enough to admit his diagnosis and that he’ll need help managing. All four brothers immediately embrace him. Tony is clearly going to get the support he needs; all he had to do was ask.
Wrestling with Lupus
Wrestler Gwen Savage (Emma Symmonds) passes out in the ring after being tackled. Trixie, who’s in a neighboring room attending an AA meeting, examines Gwen and urges her to see a doctor. Trixie even drives her and her young son, Carl (Taylor Sullivan), home so that Gwen won’t get behind the wheel after a possible concussion.
Dr. Turner tells Gwen she’s clear of a concussion, but Gwen complains of fatigue and joint pain, which have been ongoing for years. Her tests come back inconclusive, with a low white blood cell count and inflammation. Then, when Dr. Turner sees Gwen without her makeup, he recognizes the trademark butterfly-patterned rash on her face as indicative of lupus. Gwen is upset to hear it can’t be cured, only managed.
Meanwhile, Gwen’s exhaustion means she hasn’t been winning matches. She gets dropped to the “Adult Fixtures” circuit – a gig she says is just a step above stripping. But Gwen is out of money and options to support herself and Carl. Though both Dr. Turner and Trixie have cautioned that she’s too unwell to keep fighting, Gwen chooses to get into the ring.
She takes a hit and goes down, passing out again. Trixie is in attendance and arranges an ambulance for Gwen. Once in recovery at the hospital, Gwen asks for help after Trixie implies there are “alternatives” for Gwen to explore. On the nurse’s advice, Gwen moves to Lancashire to work at a gym training other female wrestlers. There, the sport is legal for ladies, unlike in London. Being a trainer, not a fighter, will allow her body to heal. Trixie watches Gwen leave with a mixture of relief and loneliness.
Unplanned Parenthood
Cyril gets the letter he’s been waiting for: the official divorce decree that makes him a single man. Rosalind is excited by the possibilities but also worried about the timing of her period. In the past, it’s been late and corrected itself, but that was before she was sexually active.
Joyce discreetly has Rosalind’s urine tested, confirming her fears: Rosalind is indeed pregnant. Rosalind is terrified of losing her job, afraid to tell her parents, and anxious about how to break the news to Cyril. She’s also very upset that the “wonder drug” birth control pill failed.
(Note to users – the pill can take up to a week to start preventing pregnancy with an efficacy rate ranging between 93%-99%. Add barrier protection for peace of mind and STI prevention!)
As they’ve become good friends, Joyce vows to keep Rosalind’s confidence and stand by her, no matter what she chooses to do. Rosalind clarifies that she isn’t even contemplating abortion. Instead, a guilt-wracked Rosalind tells Cyril the news. She blames herself and regrets taking the decision to have children out of their hands. As expected, Cyril reacts sweetly. Though he declares things happened a bit out of order, he’s absolutely thrilled. They both admit to picturing their future children. He says he wouldn’t have slept with her if he didn’t plan to marry her and build a life together.
Sister Monica Joan Contemplates Her Life
Sister Monica Joan professes irritation at being treated like an “invalid” and is sure her blood tests will prove she’s heartier than her colleagues suppose. However, in a sweet private moment with Fred, she waxes philosophical about life and quotes some beautiful, if macabre, poetry about impending endings. Fred instantly notes her tone and stops his task, giving the sister his full attention. When asked, she confesses her ruminations are on time’s “passage and its sheer weary accumulation.”
After the results show Sister Monica Joan is dangerously close to renal failure, they start her on diuretics. Phyllis attempts to reassure the sister that, although “everyone’s days are numbered,” with the ailment identified and treatment started, Sister Monica Joan could yet have a good, long life. Quietly, the sister replies that maybe she doesn’t want to keep on living that long. Brace yourselves, friends.
Late Deliveries
- After Sister Catherine raises concern over Beryl being alone at the retreat center during her most vulnerable time, her friend Geoffrey (Christopher Harper) convinces Beryl to stay with him instead.
- Before the official letter to Nonnatus House, Dr. Turner is directly informed that his practice will be shut down in a few weeks. Dr. Threapwood tells him he’s a “central part” of the Council’s restructuring plan. We’ll see what that means.
Call the Midwife Season 15 continues Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on most PBS stations, the PBS app, and the PBS Masterpiece Prime Video Channel. The series has already been streaming on PBS Passport for members. The series will stream on the PBS app and the PBS Masterpiece Channel weekly through mid-May. As always, check your local listings.
