Every season, the Drama After Dark team gathers ‘round the (yes, still online) conference room table to watch the latest and greatest in British dramas. As summer fades into autumn, we have more than just the metaphorical birth of a new season to contend with: it’s also time for the return of PBS favorite, Call The Midwife. Between our scrappy nurses, sassy nuns and gut-wrenching emotional trauma that somehow keeps you wanting more, there’s a lot to be excited about. Need a refresher on what happened last season? Check out our Season 9 and 2020 Holiday Special recaps here. Ready? Take a deep (Lamaze) breath, and prepare yourself for Season 10!
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.
At Nonnatus House, Phyllis assigns the trainee midwives tasks for the day, before testing them on an important midwifery skill.
Phyllis: Now: what do we need to remember during a heat wave?
Georgette the Trainee: Hydrate?
Phyllis: Close, but actually, it’s hygiene. Expectant mothers can be… sensitive to smells, if you catch my drift. I left some deodorant in the bathroom if anyone needs it.
I mean, she’s not wrong, but I can also totally understand why all of the trainees giggle as they run off to work. Later, at the surgery, Miss Higgins meets one of our patients of the week. As sometimes happens here on Call the Midwife, this gal is pretty young, so I’ve dubbed her Sixteen Going on Seventeen.
Miss Higgins: I see here that you don’t attend our Tuesday clinics?
Sixteen Going on Seventeen: Well it conflicts with school.
Miss Higgins: Ah, but it’s summer break, right? Maybe we’ll see you on Tuesdays after all!
In the exam room, Dr. Turner lets Sixteen Going on Seventeen and her mom know that everything looks good: the baby will probably arrive in a couple of weeks.
Keeping Up Appearances, aka Sixteen Going on Seventeen’s mom: But school starts before that!
Phyllis: It’ll work out, don’t worry. And do you want us to get in touch with the adoption folks?
Keeping Up Appearances: No, I have it handled. They’re very helpful.
Dr. Turner: And are you happy with this plan, Sixteen Going on Seventeen?
Sixteen Going on Seventeen: Oh, I’m trying not to think about it. I’m mostly worried about exams!
Phyllis: Awesome, we got a nerd!
Keeping Up Appearances: Sure do! My kid’s going to college
Dr. Turner: Yeah she is!
Wholesome! I hope that this kid isn’t being pressured into a future she doesn’t want, but I’m always happy to see our squad supporting academically minded young ladies. Across town, Sister Juliette visits her patient, a woman who lives in a high rise apartment building and has apparently never read The TV Character’s Guide to Self Preservation, a pamphlet I’m thinking of writing.
Dramatic Irony: Yes, everything’s going ok with living at the top of a high rise apartment building! I just keep hoping the elevator doesn’t break.
Me:
Dramatic Irony: Anyway, the diapers dry super well on the balcony.
Sister Julienne: Oh, great, so you’re extra prepared!
Dramatic Irony: Nah, they’re from my older kid.
Here’s where the plot thickens: Dramatic Irony’s older daughter, Elaine, is definitely big enough that it’s unusual for her to still be wearing diapers. She’s sat in a kid playpen, and is fairly unresponsive when Sister Julienne says hi. And speaking of the thickening plot, over at the surgery, Miss Higgins brings Sixteen Going on Seventeen and Keeping Up Appearances a pair of support stockings. Helpful? Yes, but for some reason this clearly irks Sixteen Going on Seventeen. But being annoyed isn’t on her approved activities list, so Keeping Up Appearances bundles her daughter out of the waiting room.
Back at Dramatic Irony’s place, Sister Julienne confirms that her test results are looking good: they can do a home delivery.
Dramatic Irony: That’s great — I had Elaine at home.
Sister Julienne: Awesome. And do you have anyone to watch Elaine while you’re in labor?
Dramatic Irony: No, but it’s ok: I’ll just put her in the playpen. She’s never any trouble. Tea?
Sister Julienne: Yeah, that would be great. I’m just gonna casually examine your kid while you do that, don’t worry about me!
Later, Sister Julienne shares her concerns with Dr. Turner. Elaine doesn’t seem to be neglected, or visibly ill, but there’s definitely something up with this kiddo: she’s not potty trained, walking, or talking, which is very unusual given her age.
Dr. Turner: She’s almost old enough for a bunch of our routine testing, but I don’t think this should wait. Miss Higgins, can you add her to rounds?
Miss Higgins, super distracted by her files:
Dr. Turner: Well maybe I can stop in on my way home.
Miss Higgins, still distracted: Not necessary: Dramatic Irony is coming into the clinic tomorrow, talk to her then.
Dr. Turner: Thank goodness for Miss Higgins and her memory!
Miss Higgins: Yeah, thank goodness for me indeed: my filing cabinets are soaked, and I’m pretty sure there’s a leaking pipe in this wall.
Unfortunately, she’s right. Later that evening, while Fred works on repairing the leak, Miss Higgins despairs at the amount of work that will be needed to organize, dry, inspect, and replace their records.
Dr. Turner: What can I do?
Miss Higgins, shadily looking at an increasingly wet Fred: I need a clothesline, pegs, and a competent individual.
Me, loves an almost forensic organizing project:
The next morning, we finally get to find out what happened with Timothy’s results when Miss Higgins (who, incidentally, might not have left the clinic last night) greets our collective son with a hearty congratulations: he’s been admitted to Edinburgh Med School, which is a very big deal indeed. But why is he here? Because Dr. Turner has correctly deduced that Timothy is exactly the competent individual that Miss Higgins needs for her file salvage project. It’s ok. I’m only a little jealous.
Across town, Sixteen Going on Seventeen and Keeping Up Appearances have arrived at Vi’s shop to pick up a maternity girdle (girdles are bad enough, but maternity ones? I rebuke it!). As always, Vi bustles about offering advice and tea, trying to make the whole thing fun.
Keeping Up Appearances: Yeah but this isn’t fun, is it? We’re just getting necessary supplies.
Vi: Well, I still need to get some sizing, so hop on over here kiddo.
Sixteen Going on Seventeen, standing up: Oof, I’m light headed. Same thing happened this morning.
Vi, spends a LOT of time with midwives: That sounds like a blood pressure issue. You should call Dr. Turner’s office.
Thankfully, they listen to Vi, because later, at the surgery, Dr. Turner lets Sixteen Going on Seventeen know that between her high blood pressure and her very swollen ankles, he thinks she might have preeclampsia.
Sixteen Going on Seventeen: Oh, I’ve read about that. It’s more common in teen moms, right?
Shelagh: Yes, and it usually only happens with your first pregnancy.
Sixteen Going on Seventeen: Is the baby going to be ok?
Shelagh: Everything should be fine! We just need to monitor you carefully.
Dr. Turner: You need to be on bedrest until you go into labor, and I think the best place for that will be here at the maternity home, instead of at the hospital. I’m going to let your mom know, and Shelagh will get you all settled.
Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done. In the waiting room, Keeping Up Appearances berates Dr. Turner: doesn’t he know her kid has a bright future, unlike his normal patients?
Keeping Up Appearances: You shouldn’t just make these important decisions for her.
Dr. Turner: We didn’t? We made them without involving you. But as her doctor, I made the call I think is best. Also, lay off my "normal patients," lady!
Keeping Up Appearances: I just wanted all of this handled under the radar so she could move past it!
Dr. Turner: I know, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. Being here might give her time to process everything.
Fair enough, and thankfully, Keeping Up Appearances seems to agree, at least a bit. Meanwhile, thankfully, we finally get to hang out with the newly engaged Lucille and Cyril at their engagement party, hosted before clinic starts.
Dr. Turner: Speech!!
Both Cyril and Lucille:
Lucille, finally: Thank you all. We both came here on our own, and now that we’ve met, we’re going to make a life together. We told our families over the phone, and it’ll be a long time before anyone who knew me as a kid can ask to see my ring, but you all did. And it means so much to me; it makes us both feel like we’ve found our home.
Found family: it never gets old! Anyway, we still have a clinic to run! As Dramatic Irony finishes up her exam with Sister Julienne, Janice the Trainee pops her head into the cubicle.
Janice the Trainee: Urine test is great, so you’re good to go!
Sister Julienne: Actually, Dr. Turner is going to pop in — can you let him know we’re ready, and maybe go check if Miss Higgins needs help?
Janice the Trainee, completely oblivious: Do you mean you want me to go away so the patient can have some privacy?
Sister Julienne: … yes. Bye!
Dramatic Irony, worried: Why is he coming in? You said I was doing great!
Sister Julienne: You are. But we’re worried about Elaine. She’s here, right?
While Dr. Turner takes a look at the kiddo, Dramatic Irony tearfully spills the beans to Sister Julienne. Yes, she’s been concerned that Elaine isn’t doing well — she had younger siblings, so she’s familiar with typical developmental milestones. But she was afraid to ask for help, and hoped that maybe she was wrong: after all, some kids just develop a little more slowly. But from the look on Dr. Turner’s face, I’m not sure this is one of those times.
Later, at the maternity home, Boots checks in with Sixteen Going on Seventeen, who’s responding well to bedrest AND to Boots.
Sixteen Going on Seventeen: Yes, I’m feeling a lot better, but I feel massive.
Boots: Hey, you can still see your feet, so trust me, you’re doing ok. This last month is tough, but you’re going to be out of here soon!
Sixteen Going on Seventeen: You know my baby’s going to be adopted, right?
Boots, remembering her lessons from Episode 4: Yeah, I read your notes! We’re all going to help you, you know that right?
Sixteen Going on Seventeen, slightly bitter: Yeah, everyone’s been helping me since I couldn’t hide my pregnancy anymore. Question: who can visit me in here?
Boots: Hm. Who do you have in mind?
Sixteen Going on Seventeen: The baby’s father, Glen. I haven’t been allowed to see him, but I wrote him a note. I don’t have an envelope or a stamp though.
Boots: Pop the address on this piece of paper and I’ll see if I can get it in the mail today.
Well well well! Meanwhile, Dr. Turner and Sister Julienne have a conversation about Dramatic Irony and her kiddo Elaine. Their main takeaway? They’ll have to be thoughtful about this conversation; Dramatic Irony is already on edge. They’re understanding: it’s easy to be in denial about developmental delays, and sometimes the symptoms show up gradually, which also makes diagnosis challenging.
Back at Nonnatus House, Trixie gets a call, and once again, it’s our old pal A for Effort!
A for Effort: SOS, how do I fire my nanny?
Trixie: Bro, I’m a midwife, not an HR department!
A for Effort, ignoring that: Do you just fire them? And then how do I find a replacement?
Trixie: OK, slow down: fill me in. What’s happening? I mean, I suggested you be more confident.
A for Effort: Yeah, and you said you’d send me books! It’s fine, this really isn’t your job, but you’re just so sensible and helpful! Seriously, any advice is good.
Trixie: Alright, let’s focus: where’s the nanny now?
A for Effort: It’s her afternoon off, and I’m here to feed him, and he’s just making a huge mess and won’t use a spoon!
Trixie: And what did your nanny say?
A for Effort: She said to put my foot down! I keep smooshing the spoon into his mouth and all that’s accomplished is accidentally poking him in the eye.
Trixie: Look, I’m going to be over in your neck of the woods for a meeting tomorrow night. Want me to swing by? I can bring those books.
Baby Jonathan, this whole time, in the background:
Meanwhile, at the Turner house, Shelagh lends a listening ear to her husband, who’s a bit flummoxed by this Elaine situation. He’s noticed that the kiddo has some eczema on her arms, but that’s about the only clue he’s got.
Dr. Turner: I think it might be metabolic? I’m definitely going to have her lipids tested, that’s for sure.
Shelagh: Weird question, but do you know what tests she got at birth? Working with the pupil midwives, I realized how all over the place the symptoms can be for stuff like PKU.
Dr. Turner: OH MY GOD, PKU! Off to the surgery!
Shelagh: Now?
Dr. Turner: It’ll keep me up all night if I don’t go check.
Timothy: I’m coming with you: if you mess up the files Miss Higgins will actually murder you, and then me, and I don’t think we want THAT.
What’s PKU? Glad you asked! It’s short for Phenylketonuria (say that 5 times fast) a rare genetic syndrome where the body can’t process Phenylalanine, an amino acid that’s found in protein and artificial sweeteners (you may recognize PKU from product warnings, if you, like me, have ever spent any amount of time bored and making card castles out of fake sugar packets in a diner). Anyway, our intrepid father-son duo heads over to the surgery, where Timothy makes a timely comment about how many diseases he sees in the various, slowly drying records that just aren’t a big issue anymore. Why? VACCINES. But also antibiotics.
Dr. Turner: You’re definitely not going to come across some of the horrible stuff I’ve seen in my career. Like smelling a septic ward. But you’re going to see things I can only dream of.
Timothy: Such as?
Dr. Turner: Better prenatal diagnostic testing, for one: X Rays just aren’t great. Although TBH I’d also settle for better records.
Timothy: Or waterproof!
Me, living in the future where we have electronic medical records AND ultrasounds but also an alarming rise in antibiotic resistance and vaccine hesitancy:
Dr. Turner: Never mind all that — I found the file! Looks like Elaine got the standard vaccinations, but there’s no record of a PKU test.
Well that particular problem is about to be solved. At Dramatic Irony’s flat, the lady herself and her husband hover while Sister Julienne carefully sticks a test strip against one of Elaine’s diapers. After a brief pause, Sister Julienne flips the stick: it’s positive. Unfortunately, PKU is complicated, so she tells them Dr. Turner will come by later to go over everything in more detail.
Over at the surgery, Timothy’s continued record keeping is interrupted by a familiar (to him) face: Sixteen Going on Seventeen’s baby’s father, Glen. The two young fellas reminisce about their shared time in the Scouts and catch up on their respective career aspirations before Timothy finally asks the million dollar question: what’s his buddy doing at the maternity home?
Glen:
Back across town, Sister Julienne’s leavetaking is interrupted by Dramatic Irony’s terrified husband, who summons her back into the flat: Elaine is having a seizure. Sister Julienne quickly jumps into action to help keep Elaine safe. As the seizure ends, Sister Julienne decides that Dr. Turner will have to come over sooner rather than later.
At the maternity home, Boots chats to Sixteen Going on Seventeen about her reading choices: isn’t Oliver Twist kind of a bummer?
Sixteen Going on Seventeen: You’re not wrong. And it starts with a fallen woman! I’d almost assume my mom was trying to tell me something, but she packed too haphazardly for that. And she’s never read Dickens.
Boots: I used to have a crush on David Copperfield. And he isn’t even real!
Glen, sneaking in: Hi, am I in the right place?
Boots: Yes, but you’re not supposed to be here right now! It isn’t visiting hours!
Sixteen Going on Seventeen:
Boots: Fine, you get 15 minutes, and then I’ll take you out the back.
Visit approved, Glen shuffles over and tells his girlfriend that he’s brought her a gift: Rolos! They chat a bit about the complicated logistics of trying to hide a teen pregnancy, and how Sixteen Going on Seventeen is feeling, before Glen asks his girlfriend an important question: is she really happy with the plan to put the baby up for adoption?
Sixteen Going on Seventeen, dodging the question: It’s what everyone wants.
Glen, digging deep: Well. It’s not what I want.
Before Sixteen Going on Seventeen can react, this conversation is, of course, interrupted by her mom, Keeping Up Appearances, who insists that Boots chuck Glen out. Meanwhile, Dr. Turner sits down with Dramatic Irony and her husband to explain what’s happening with Elaine.
Dramatic Irony: How serious is it?
Dr. Turner: I’ll just repeat what this recapper told you earlier. But basically, phenylalanine has built up in her bloodstream, and it’s impacting her brain.
Dramatic Irony: Will she need an operation?
Dramatic Irony’s Husband: Or medicine? That’s better than cutting her head open, right?
Dr. Turner: No, she’s just going to be put on a special low protein diet. It’ll stop her condition from getting any worse.
Sister Julienne: And we’ll bring in some therapists to help her.
Dramatic Irony: But she’s not going to be… normal?
Sister Julienne: We need to wait until she can be seen by a specialist to tell you.
Dramatic Irony: And can the new baby have this too?
Dr. Turner: Yes. I’m sorry.
Seems like a missed opportunity to point out that since they’ll be looking for PKU earlier they can do more to prevent symptoms in the new baby, but hey, what do I know! Anyway, over at the maternity home, Shelagh gives Boots a talking to about letting Glen in to visit Sixteen Going on Seventeen.
Shelagh:
Boots: I just felt bad for them both!
Shelagh: Situations like these are emotional; staying cool is better for mom’s mental health, which means it's better for her physical health too.
Me: Staying cool didn’t really work out so great for the Jets, but go off I guess.
Boots: So when you say “situations like these” you mean adoptions, right?
Shelagh: Yes. You’re going to see a lot of complicated stuff in district work; it’s not like the hospital where procedure is king.
Boots: Well that’s exactly why I wanted to bend the rules!
Shelagh: Look, I know you care. That’s why you’re in this line of work! But everyone is better off if you follow the rules.
Honestly, I’m with Boots on this one: that did seem like a contradiction, Shelagh! But we don’t have time to argue, because across town, Trixie drops in at A for Effort’s house to check in on the whole reverse Supernanny situation.
Trixie, taking in the post-cyclone vibe inside: So, did something in particular cause this issue? Housekeeping maybe?
A for Effort: LOL. No, I started calling him Jaunty, because Jonathan is a pretty long name for such a little baby, and Nanny told me to stop, because she doesn’t approve of abbreviations!
Trixie, going to pick the baby up in her very cute, very white outfit: Yikes, well I’m sure we could come up with a nickname for her. Anyway, Jaunty, are you trying a new skincare routine, or just super into pudding?
A for Effort, subtly giving Trixie and her nice outfit an out: Uhhhh he might need a diaper change.
Trixie ignoring his unspoken warning and picking up the kiddo: Yup, he does!
Later, young Jaunty successfully freshened up, A for Effort tells Trixie that he’s changed a lot of diapers since Nanny left, and they’ve all leaked.
A for Effort: I found pee in his ear once. In his ear! HOW?
Trixie: Well, before you fasten the diaper, do you always point his penis down?
A for Effort, embarrassed: Uh. No? But like from a personal… I mean… yes, that makes sense. I was thinking about looking into disposable diapers?
Trixie: Sure, you’ll save a lot of laundry. But you have to watch out for diaper rash.
A for Effort: Can’t Have It All actually said the same thing when we were talking about how we wanted to raise him.
Trixie: You know, don’t be afraid to think back to those conversations. You know more than you think, and so did she.
A for Effort: She always did want me to be involved with the baby.
Trixie: She trusted you, and you should trust yourself.
A for Effort: I guess you’re right. I need to find a new nanny, or I won’t be able to go back to work. Anyway, sorry to have kept you so long. I hope I didn’t make you miss your meeting.
Trixie, not about to explain AA to this dad: It’s more of a study group — I’ll just go next week.
A for Effort: Thank you so much. For everything. Will you also help look at some of these nanny applications?
Trixie: Hell yeah; I’m not leaving until I know you’re both all set.
Do I detect just a soupçon of flirting here? I guess if everyone keeps finding new ways to prolong the nanny search I’ll have my answer.
Meanwhile, at the hospital, Elaine gets examined by a doctor while her worried parents look on. After, he hands them pamphlets, but apparently doesn’t explain anything in plain English, leaving Dramatic Irony feeling uneducated on top of already blaming herself for Elaine’s illness.
Dramatic Irony’s Husband: Before this we didn’t know what PKU was either — we’ll learn. And it runs in families, so this is just as much my fault as it is yours.
Dramatic Irony: No, look: her makeup can’t be helped, but I didn’t see what was happening, and I made her condition worse!
At the maternity home, Sixteen Going on Seventeen attempts to sneak out behind Miss Higgins’ back, but since she’s 9 months pregnant and Miss Higgins is very nearly omniscient, it doesn’t work.
Miss Higgins: And where are you headed?
Sixteen Going on Seventeen: I’m discharging myself.
Miss Higgins: Not so fast: you’re almost at full term and you’ve got preeclampsia! If you go home, your mom will bring you straight back!
Sixteen Going on Seventeen: Well I’m not going home, I’m going to my boyfriend’s!
Miss Higgins chases her outside, and in their attempt at haste, poor Sixteen Going on Seventeen slips on the stairs.
Over at Nonnatus, Trixie looks over some nanny resumes like that’s a normal thing to do for your totally platonic patient from a job you resigned from weeks ago. Luckily for us, Sister Frances, who doesn’t have a canny bone in her body, is here for perspective.
Sister Frances: Oh, that’s a lot of paperwork. Did you join another marriage bureau?
Trixie: Nah, I took the money out and used it to go shopping.
Sister Frances: LOL, I would do the same if I were you. But I guess I’m married to work. And Jesus. So… don’t really need a matchmaker?
Trixie: TBH, I sometimes think this work is better than a spouse could ever be.
I LOVE that Trixie is fulfilled by her career, but you know what they say about TV characters who aren’t looking for love, right? Over at the maternity home, Sixteen Going on Seventeen is back in bed and getting a very gentle scolding from Shelagh about how dangerous her escape attempt was for everyone involved.
Sixteen Going on Seventeen, contrite: I could have hurt the baby, and this is the only care I’ll get to give it, so I have to be extra good!
Shelagh: That’s true, but this isn’t the only love you’ll feel, you know that right?
Honestly Shelagh, I’m not sure she does! Meanwhile, Dramatic Irony and her husband go through their pantry to try and eliminate all the protein. Bad news: that stuff is in everything, especially if you’re eating a typical 1960s English diet.
Dramatic Irony’s Husband, reverse crossfit bro: How much protein is in milk, babe?
Dramatic Irony, miserable and stressed out: I don’t know, oh my GOD, shush!
Back at the maternity home, Shelagh pops in on Sixteen Going on Seventeen for a urine sample. Everything continues to be fine, but at the maternity home, monitoring is life.
Sixteen Going on Seventeen: How do you know what it’s like to give a baby away?
Shelagh: Well… I’ve had to think about it. I’ve adopted two kiddos myself, and I think about their birth moms a LOT.
Sixteen Going on Seventeen: Do you hate them?
Shelagh: No! I think of them with love: I got to choose their kids, and they didn’t have options. I make sure I do everything I can to live up to the choice they made to give up their kids.
Sixteen Going on Seventeen: I hope my kid goes to someone like you.
Enough emotions, it’s time for a montage! Over at A for Effort’s house, he and Trixie interview a series of unsuitable nannies, including a shy girl, a woman I’m fairly certain is modelled after the Trunchbull from Matilda, and a gal who’s openly hitting on A for Effort, before landing on a lady who exudes competence and fun. Ok, montage over, it’s back to gut wrenching emotional trauma!
Back at the maternity home, Keeping Up Appearances tells her daughter some “good” news: the adoption society has room in their nursery for Sixteen Going on Seventeen’s baby straight away, so there won’t be any delay before they take the baby there. Sixteen Going on Seventeen would rather stick to their original plan, but her mom does seem keen to get this whole situation in her rearview mirror as quickly as possible. Before Sixteen Going on Seventeen has time to argue, she makes The Face: labor time!
Sixteen Going on Seventeen: I’m scared!
Keeping Up Appearances: Don’t be, it’ll be fine! I’ll be here with you the whole time. That’s ok, right?
Shelagh: Yes, if it’s what Sixteen Going on Seventeen wants.
Sixteen Going on Seventeen: It’s not.
Shelagh: Ok, you can go wait in reception, I’ll keep you updated.
Keeping Up Appearances: She’s only 16! Hence the name!
Shelagh: Yes, but she’s a smart kid and she knows what she wants.
Later, Shelagh tells Boots that she wants to move Sixteen Going on Seventeen into the labor room early. She’s only 4 centimeters dilated, but she hasn’t been to any antenatal classes and isn’t handling the pain well.
Boots: Well no sh*t! Her mom’s been controlling this whole thing without any input from Sixteen Going on Seventeen; no wonder the kid doesn’t feel like she can handle this herself!
Shelagh: That’s a little too far!
Boots: Is it? Honesty is never bad, and I don’t think anyone has listened to that girl the entire episode!
Shelagh: I am! That’s why her mom is sitting in reception.
Boots: Yeah, just waiting until she can grab the baby and drop it off with a stranger!
Shelagh: Look, I’m in charge here. We need to be sensitive to what Sixteen Going on Seventeen needs: you can’t get the best result if you let your emotions get involved.
Boots: But isn’t nursing about compassion?
Shelagh: Yes, but what I’m seeing from you is PASSION, and that’s not the same.
In the delivery room, Shelagh guides Sixteen Going on Seventeen through labor, telling her that she’s doing a great job. In reception, Glen arrives, and is offered a seat by a surprisingly welcoming Keeping Up Appearances. At first I assumed this was more due to her concern for her kid than actual interest in being nice to the boyfriend, but then Glen thanks her for calling him, so she made an effort!
Keeping Up Appearances: I’m not a monster. I’m just worried about my daughter!
In the delivery room, Sixteen Going on Seventeen’s baby is born, and Shelagh asks her if she wants to hold her son now, or after he’s been cleaned up. Sixteen Going on Seventeen doesn’t miss a beat, happily holding her boy right away. While she does that, Boots heads out to reception to give the waiting family members the good news and to invite them back.
Shelagh: Hey, Keeping Up Appearances, want to hold your grandson?
Keeping Up Appearances, starting to quietly freak out: No, that’s ok, I’ve got a bit of a cold.
Shelagh: I can get you a mask?
Keeping Up Appearances: No thanks, I gotta go, bye!
Glen: Can I hold him?
Shelagh: Yeah, of course, get on in here!
Our midwife pals give him some instructions on holding babies, and then leave the young family to be together. Both teens are immediately enamoured with their baby, wondering at how sweet he is. Out in reception, Keeping Up Appearances is quietly having a breakdown when Boots offers her some tea, compassion, and a handkerchief.
Later, at Nonnatus, our nun friends are in prayers, led by Sister Monica Joan, when the phone rings. It’s Dramatic Irony, who, of course, is in labor. Sister Julienne heads over there straight away. At the maternity home, Glen is once again visiting his girlfriend and their baby when they’re caught by Miss Higgins.
Glen: Busted?
Miss Higgins: Timothy told me you were here. And yes, technically this is against the rules, but I’m going to let it slide just this once.
Me:
Miss Higgins: Anyway, good news: I found a place for you and the baby at a mother and baby home. You’ll be there for 4-6 weeks, and they’ll handle the adoption agency. I can send the paperwork in today, I just need the baby’s name.
Sixteen Going on Seventeen: Is this the same as the birth certificate?
Miss Higgins: No, you have to do that at the registry office. And once he’s adopted they’ll issue a new certificate with a new name to the adoptive parents. But the original will stay on record with your info too.
Sixteen Going on Seventeen: I never thought I’d get to pick one, so I don’t have a good name handy!
Glen: Well, what about Oliver, after Chekov’s hospital reading there?
Miss Higgins: I’m a fan of literary names! My middle name is Trilby after the du Maurier novel.
Sixteen Going on Seventeen: I’m on board too. Oliver it is! And give him Glen’s last name.
Everyone (vibes wise, obviously, not literally):
Over at Dramatic Irony’s flat, labor is progressing, but she’s worrying about Elaine.
Sister Julienne, misunderstanding: She’s being well looked after, don’t worry!
Dramatic Irony: No, I mean I didn’t notice what was happening! What if I do it again! I can’t do this alone!
Dramatic Irony’s Husband, right on schedule: Here I come with that warm flannel, being helpful AND symbolically illustrating that I’ll be here to support my wife!
Dramatic Irony: I’m scared. And I’m worried I can’t cope!
Sister Julienne: Even saying that is very brave. You’re strong and capable, and you’ve got this.
Dramatic Irony’s Husband: And you have me to support you too!
And with that, Dramatic Irony gets down to it and pushes out their baby, a cute lil boy. Everyone is overcome and excited. They look at their newborn, reminisce about when Elaine was born, and try not to worry while they wait for test results that will tell them if their son also has PKU. Meanwhile, at A for Effort’s house, things seem to finally be looking up. He’s got wee Jaunty all dressed up and clean, and a plan to thank Trixie for all her help.
Over at the maternity home, Glen visits again with a present for Sixteen Going on Seventeen: a baby book. Miss Higgins doesn’t even try to hide it this time: she’s delighted by this very sweet gesture.
Glen: She can write down all the baby stuff… some of it hopefully will happen before she leaves the mother and baby home?
Miss Higgins: That’s a great idea. Here, borrow my pen — you want to make sure all the important things are recorded in ink.
Glen heads right back to get started, but before Miss Higgins can get back to work, Keeping Up Appearances arrives. And she’s not alone: there’s a lady from the adoption society right behind her carrying a bassinet! Miss Higgins is too polite to say it, so I will:
Back in the patient area, the lady from the adoption agency quickly bundles up Sixteen Going on Seventeen’s baby and carries him off.
Glen: You can’t do this!
Sixteen Going on Seventeen: He’s meant to be getting fed right now! And we’re supposed to be going to the mother and baby home!
Keeping Up Appearances, avoiding looking at her daughter: He’ll get fed at the agency.
Adoption Agency Lady: I’m just doing my job.
Ignoring the young parents crying pleas, Keeping Up Appearances and her henchwoman leave, but not before Miss Higgins can surreptitiously snip off baby Oliver’s medical bracelet for them, which lists the baby’s date of birth AND the name they chose for him. She hands the bracelet to Glen (Sixteen Going on Seventeen is, understandably, too busy getting a sedative to calm her from this traumatic experience) and offers him some tea. Timothy, there to help out, offers Glen as much comfort as he can, explaining that the agency is a nice place, and that Oliver will be well cared for. It’s not a lot, but it is something. I don’t know, reader, I hate it here.
Over at Nonnatus, Sister Frances answers the door to find a woman with a HUGE house plant that’s intended for Trixie.
Sister Frances, knows enough about Trixie to know she’s not a plant parent type: Uh… you sure?
Delivery Lady: I don’t know what to tell you, I just read the order.
Inside, Sister Frances obviously reads the card, which says something along the lines of “to a sweet lady, thank you, Jaunty.” (And yes, A for Effort spells it Jonty, but I like mine better, and it’s not like I’m using A for Effort’s real name either... so there!)
Sister Frances, mortified: Oh my god, I shouldn’t have snooped! I have SINNED!
Phyllis, stirring the pot: Oh, well Jaunty is DEFINITELY a man’s name. And doesn’t it sound… theatrical?
Sister Frances, apparently already over the sinning thing: Also: what kind of guy sends a woman a potted plant?
Sister Monica Joan: You have to look deeper! Not what kind of man sends plants, but what does this particular plant mean? The almanac has a WHOLE section on flower meanings.
Sister Frances: But it’s an old book, will it have this one?
Sister Monica Joan, a gardener: Well it has something similar, which means loveliness.
Phyllis: I think it looks like a rhododendron.
Sister Monica Joan, looking that up: “Beware: I am dangerous.”
Trixie, finally entering: What’s uh… what’s going on, guys?
Phyllis: SOMEONE has an admirer!
Sister Monica Joan: And we don’t know what he’s planning but it’s either nice or DANGER.
Trixie, reading the note: LOL, Jaunty is short for Jonathan! He’s a baby!
LOL indeed. Trixie, being the polite gal that we know she is, calls up A for Effort to say thanks (and hopefully to warn him that she lives in a house full of busybodies, so he can factor that in to any future gifts).
Trixie: This is so nice, but not necessary?
A for Effort: My dude, you have helped me a lot, so it really was necessary. No flowers, right?
Trixie: Uh, nope, it’s just a giant plant.
A for Effort: Good. I told the florist it was a BIG thank you, but a proper business one, not personal, because that would be inappropriate. Right?
Trixie, disappointed? Understanding? I can’t tell!: There are no flowers on the plant, A for Effort.
Honestly, I think A for Effort doth protest too much, but we'll just have to wait and see. Over at Dramatic Irony’s house, she tells Sister Julienne that Elaine is already responding to the low protein diet, and both parents are also feeling better about the whole situation. While they talk, Sister Julienne takes a little blood to test the new baby for PKU. And speaking of tests, at the maternity home, Keeping Up Appearances tries to get Sixteen Going on Seventeen to be excited about her O level exam results.
Sixteen Going on Seventeen: Who cares? I’m going to go to university, and learn a lot, but I’ll never learn what happened to my baby.
Keeping Up Appearances: It’s a fresh start, which you agreed to.
Sixteen Going on Seventeen, standing up for herself: The only fresh start I want is with Glen, and you’re going to have to get on board with that.
Annoyed, Keeping Up Appearances storms out, and Shelagh and Boots come over to help Sixteen Going on Seventeen bind her breasts to dry up her milk supply, which honestly feels like an unfair thing for her to have to go through on top of everything else. But there is SOME good news in Poplar: over at Dramatic Irony’s place, the test confirms that the new baby doesn’t have PKU!
Dramatic Irony’s Husband: He was always going to be perfect to us anyway, but this is great to hear.
Dramatic Irony: And Elaine is perfect too, just in a different way.
Later, when they pick Elaine up from the hospital, she’s smiling (a big difference from all the other times we’ve seen her so far this episode). Not smiling? The crew at the maternity home, where Sixteen Going on Seventeen leaves with Glen, to her mom’s clear displeasure. As they go, Miss Higgins watches, sad and rattled by what’s happened. And back at Nonnatus, Trixie waters her plant, mulling over that conversation from earlier. Will A for Effort make the leap into actual flirting? Will Miss Higgins become a full-fledged softie after this emotional episode? And don’t think I forgot: when are we getting that sweet sweet LuCyril wedding? See you all back here next week, hopefully for some answers!
Episode 1 Recap: Losing My Religion
Episode 2 Recap: What Dreams May Come
Episode 3 Recap: Wish You Were Here
Episode 4 Recap: Always Be My Baby
