Snow is falling (allegedly — as a snow loving Boston resident, I’m miffed). If you’re lucky, you have a friend who bakes, and you’re in possession of some truly remarkable cookies. Winter is here, and so is a drama fan favorite holiday tradition: the Call The Midwife Holiday Special! I’m here to recap the show just in case you missed it, or just couldn’t get enough of our favorite nurses, nuns, and other assorted denizens of Poplar.
Another year, another Christmas in Poplar. This year kicks off with an immediate delivery supervised by Lucille (precious, as always) and the rest of the squad taking delivery of a massive tree from our boy A for Effort. Hilariously, despite being, again, massive, the tree still has a bit of a Charlie Brown quality to it: it’s crooked. So much so that even Sister Julienne notices. While they try to figure out what to do about that (just cut the stump at an angle, folks) Fred and Vi look over the shop’s books.
Vi: Dude, there are a LOT of people who owe us money, what gives?
Fred: I mean, three of them are families who were impacted by the accident. You know, the massive plot point from the end of last season?
Vi: Crap, right. Well, obviously debt forgotten in those cases.
Fred: It’s weird: everything feels kind of wrong after the massive train derailment. It’s just hard to get in the spirit after such a big traumatic thing.
Speaking of big traumatic things: for some reason known only to Mother Mildred, Sister Hilda will be staying at the mother house and missing family Christmas. And she hasn’t finished decorating the cake, either! Sister Frances agrees to take on the cookery tasks, but bummer! On the plus side, Trixie HAS returned, chauffeured by A for Effort, and is welcomed with open arms by everyone at Nonnatus.
Phyllis, knows exactly what she’s doing: What took you so long, your flight got in a while ago!
A for Effort, getting lipstick wiped off his face: Uh, ran out of gas by the airport?
Sister Monica Joan, ignoring all that: You’re back! You get to hang the wreath on the door :)
Aw! Also very sweet: across town, Lucille comes home from work right in the middle of church, prompting Mrs. Wallace to interrupt Cyril’s service to ask after Lucille and the baby she just delivered. Meanwhile, a young woman is being released from prison early for good behavior. Our former jailbird, Cindy, tells the warden that her fiance, whom she’ll be living with, is coming to meet her. Unfortunately, when she steps outside, no one is waiting. Oh, and because this is, after all, Call The Midwife, Cindy is pregnant.
Back at Nonnatus, Trixie’s excitement to be home is quickly dwindling. Why? Because in her absence Boots has absolutely stuffed their room and shared wardrobe with delightfully garish 60s fashion. Trixie, who thinks of herself as more timelessly elegant, is not best pleased to find her closet space taken, especially not by such eye-watering items, but Boots isn’t about to cede her hard pilfered space.
Trixie: Ugh, I’m going to get Sister Julienne to give us another wardrobe. And more drawers.
Phyllis, poking her head in: Heads up — rounds are canceled; we’re having a working lunch today and I finally got the keys to the building where we’re having clinic. Don’t be late.
Speaking of which, at clinic, everyone bustles around setting up their new space, including Fred, who’s there to hang lights. In short order, a flock of excited women arrive, urine samples in hand, which all go to young Tim Turner for analysis.
Shelagh: Higgins, try this mincemeat when you have a second. I went nuts and put booze in it!
Tim: Mom?
Miss Higgins: We’re at work, dude, call her Mrs. Turner.
Tim: Got it. Which one is Joyce? She’s got to be about to die of diabetes.
Shelagh, and me, a person who’s seen this show before: What did she bring the urine in?
Tim: Oh. Syrup bottle. Nevermind!
As he heads back to look at more samples, a blast from the past (seasons 5 and 6) walks through the door: Mrs. Mullucks, who you may remember as one of the mums who’s daughter was born without limbs due to thalidomide exposure. Mrs. Mullucks is back because she’s pregnant again! In her exam, she tells Dr. Turner and Shelagh that she knows this baby has all their limbs, because the hospital gave her an x-ray.
Dr. Turner: I want to be clear: no one has had a second child impacted by that horrible drug. It won’t hurt anyone again.
Mrs. Mullucks: I get that, but I had to be sure!
While Mrs. Mullucks meets with the care team, in reception, Tim hangs out with her daughter Susan. Alas, the dolls house she wants to play with is missing after the move, but there are other toys! Susan’s getting a bit overheated in her coat, so Tim helps her take it off, apparently finding out for the first time the extent of her limb difference. But like the shockingly professional kid that he is, he covers his concern for this kiddo extremely well. Meanwhile, back in the exam area, Mrs. Mullucks argues that she should have her baby at home, despite Dr. Turner’s suggestion that she labor in the maternity home due to her advanced age.
Mrs. Mullucks: If I’m at home I don’t have to worry about Susan. Also my older two are teens; way less stressful than little ones.
Shelagh: Tell me about it: we’re dealing with nativity play prep. Two angles and a camel! The camel costume is killing me.
Mrs. Mullucks: Hold up. When I asked, they said the parts hadn’t been assigned yet?
Shelagh: That makes no sense; the kids have been practicing since November.
Mrs. Mullucks: WTF? Susan is there every Sunday too.
Shelagh: Angela and Mae said she just watches — I am SO sorry, I thought you knew!
Well THAT is some ableist garbage! Across town, Cindy primps before knocking on her fiance’s door. Unfortunately for Cindy, a mum with a young kiddo answers instead, and explains that they’ve lived in the flat for two weeks. On the plus side, a letter did come for the previous tenant, and he left a note, both of which the mum shoves into Cindy’s hands before closing the door in her face. The former turns out to be a summons of some kind, which she quickly drops. The latter? A Christmas card with a few bills inside, but no note at all. What the hell?
Meanwhile, Mrs. Mullucks, her teen daughter, and Susan stroll through town. Mrs. Mullucks has just explained that medical student Tim has been helping at clinic, prompting her older daughter to ask if she might be able to help too to bolster her nursing school applications, when across the street they spot Mrs. Avis, the jerk who runs the nativity play. Naturally, Mrs. Mullucks storms off to give this woman a piece of her mind.
Mrs. Mullucks: We’ve waited months to find out what Susan will do in the nativity play. What gives?
Mrs. Avis, unrepentantly full of crap: Oh, we’re doing this for her own good! She might get hurt on stage!
Mrs. Mullucks: BULL. You’re thinking about what other people might think if you let her participate like everyone else.
Mrs. Avis: Well she’s not like everyone else!
Mrs. Mullucks: She wants to be, and excluding her is hurtful! GoodBYE.
Back at clinic, Mrs. Higgins realizes that Mrs. Mullucks left behind some tokens for free orange juice for Susan.
Tim: Free OJ isn’t all she should get: she should get an apology from the drug company!
Miss Higgins: Tim, I don’t know how to break it to you, but some of those kids didn’t even survive.
Tim: Look, when I had polio, the doctors were so amazing that I thought all medicine was good. Now that I know better, I feel ashamed of the profession.
Miss Higgins: As your colleague, hard agree. But as your older and wiser friend, please don’t ever say that to your dad.
Over at the Buckle’s shop, Fred’s decided that Poplar needs a treat. Yes, Christmas is coming, but they need to figure out a way to raise money for those impacted by the train crash and bring some extra cheer. His plan? Book the hall and organize a talent show!
Fred, in his own mind:
He’s busily coming up with the hardest to produce talent show of all time, completely ignoring Vi’s very reasonable logistical quibbles, when Cindy enters, shivering. She’s been checking out the rental options in their window, you see, and wants to write some down, but doesn’t have a pen. Reggie, ever the gentleman, comes outside with her, and points out that her coat is definitely not warm enough. He heads inside to grab his own coat to give to her, but alas, by the time he gets back outside, she’s vanished into the night.
Over at Nonnatus, Boots and Trixie wrestle a wardrobe upstairs to their room.
Trixie: Wow, Sister Julienne really did sort this out quickly!
Boots: Yeah, thanks to your fancy boyfriend.
Trixie: Huh?
Boots: Didn’t you know? He’s given Sister Julienne money for emergency purchases.
Trixie: He didn’t tell me! He really plays it close to the vest; he also hides his sense of humor.
Boots: You can say that again.
Trixie: I mean, it shouldn’t matter; I know it's there. But still! I wish he’d let his hair down, you know?
Oh, Trixie, I sure do. Something tells me we’re about to get a really weird talent show act from a certain posh gent, but only time will tell. Meanwhile, at the Mullucks house, Mr. Mullucks comes home with genuine happiness to see his family, and is met with a definite lack of excitement by his wife. He tells her and Susan that layoffs are likely coming at work, before sending Susan into the lounge so the parents have a clandestine chat about her Christmas present (luxury dollhouse? Secured!) and the thalidomide settlement.
Mr. Mullucks: I think we should take the money; we could certainly use it.
Mrs. Mullucks: She’ll need that support her whole life, and what they’re offering just isn’t enough.
Mr. Mullucks: This is thousands though?
Mrs. Mullucks: The other parents, the ones who know about money, they think we should all stick together and hold out for more. As long as it takes.
Mr. Mullucks: Yeah, of course they think that, they HAVE money! We don’t!
Mrs. Mullucks: Well us fighting isn’t going to help!
Yikes. Also yikes? Over at Nonnatus, there’s a fella there to deliver a TV to Boots. It’s for Collette, for Christmas.
Trixie: Ok, but then why is the man taking it upstairs?
Boots: Uh… I thought it could live in our room? And Collette and I could watch it together when she visits?
Trixie: What? No way, there’s no space in our room!
Sister Monica Joan, sensing an opportunity: My room, meanwhile, is brimming with space! And is on the first floor, so, accessible!
Smart play, MJ, smart play indeed. Across town, poor Cindy is getting VERY swindled by a textbook mean landlady, who upcharges her for being a woman, and insists that she has to be gone before she gives birth: no babies allowed. Unfortunately, seems like this is the best Cindy will get, for now, but here’s hoping our friends can help her find a better situation!
The next day, Vi rocks up to Nonnatus to give everyone the update on their talent show. So far a bunch of local groups have agreed to do acts. Yes, there are a ton of great options.
Boots: Let’s just hope Miss Higgins doesn’t get out the recorder.
Phyllis:
Most of the crew heads out into the bright morning for rounds, leaving Boots in the kitchen attempting to clean the Nonnatus nativity figures off from their time in the shed, where a family of rats apparently decided to use them as a toilet, when our girl is interrupted by none other than A for Effort.
A for Effort: Hey, I need a favor… do you know Trixie’s ring size?
Boots:
A for Effort: Well yeah, I gotta put a ring on it if she says yes.
Boots: She will. Probably.
A for Effort: Oh…kay? Anyway, can you snoop around in her jewelry box and tell me what her size is?
Boots: 100%. And in the meantime, I have a favor to ask YOU.
Boots, if you don’t use this opportunity to get that man into a ridiculous costume, so help me I will never forgive you. Anyway, across town, Dr. Turner has popped into the Mullucks house to check in. Susan has wisely chosen to ignore him in favor of watching her favorite TV program, so he talks to her parents in the kitchen.
Dr. Turner: Shouldn’t she be in school?
Mr. Mullucks: Yeah, but it’s an hour away and it’s freezing out.
Mrs. Mullucks: Also they don't teach the kids anything; she’s smart, but the other kids at that school have different educational needs.
Dr. Turner: Not great bob
Mr. Mullucks: Yeah, tell me about it. The other day my wife called up the education department and they said Susan has no legal entitlement to education, full stop, because she’s handicapped.
Dr. Turner: Great, I’ll get them to put that in writing. That at least gives us something to fight.
Mrs. Mullucks: We know you’ve been fighting for her since she was born, and we appreciate it.
Dr. Turner: Every kid deserves the best care we can give them. And, I’m sorry, but that includes the one you’re having now. I need you to take these iron tablets — you’re anemic.
Mr. Mullucks: Nope. United front: nothing from the pharmacy goes into her body while she’s pregnant.
Dr. Turner: You don’t have to punish yourself like this.
Mrs. Mullucks: Yes, I do.
Oof. Easy to see why she feels this way, but poor Mrs. Mullucks. Hopefully Dr. T can change her mind. Across town, Reggie is also attempting to win hearts and minds: specifically, Vi’s. He doesn’t want to help out backstage at the talent show, because he wants to perform!
Vi: You’ve only just started learning! And you left your guitar at home at the Village for Christmas!
Reggie, just as stubborn as everyone else in the family: They can mail it :)
Stick up for yourself, Reg, you got this! Meanwhile, Cindy gets stuck in an absolutely infuriating bureaucratic mess. She wants to get government assistance, but the rude gentleman she’s meeting with wants identification from her that she just doesn’t have.
Cindy: I’ve always worked for cash — I don’t have an old paystub to show. And I was told I needed an address to apply for housing assistance, so I have that.
Mr. Red Tape, rude: Hm. Well. If you have an address you don’t need assistance, so.
Cindy: I do though, I’m very clearly pregnant. Speaking of which, I need maternity cash.
Mr. Red Tape: I’m assuming you’re talking about a government grant, which I GUESS I could help you apply for. But no promises. Also, just to prove how slimy I am, I’m going to just say that I don’t believe you’re a UK citizen.
Cindy: My dad was an American GI, but my mom was English. I was born here!
Mr. Red Tape: Well you’re gonna need to prove it.
The only thing that’s good about this crap is that SOMEONE from our squad is eventually going to help Cindy, and hopefully read this crummy racist man the riot act at the same time. Anyway, over at Nonnatus, Phyllis brings Boots some possessions she’s left around the house, and is about to launch into a lecture when she realizes that our young friend’s hand is knuckle deep in Trixie’s jewelry box.
Phyllis: Uh, what gives?
Boots: I’m trying to figure out her ring size. I may have to steal something to bring to a jeweler.
Phyllis, weirdly hasn’t figured this out: Why do you want to know?
Boots: Don’t tell ANYONE.
Can’t wait for everyone in the house to know about this proposal before Trixie! After presumably soaking up all the good gossip, Phyllis heads over to the surgery, where Miss Higgins gives her the lay of the land before telling her friend that she’s going to need help. For what? For her performance at the talent show.
Miss Higgins: I’m OBVIOUSLY going to play my recorder! I’ve created a history of the woodwind instrument, with a twist. A twist that requires you! Yay!
Phyllis, fake as hell: Yay!
Will this be awful for Phyllis? Probably! Should I care for her welfare? Also probably! But guess what: I’m too delighted by the horrors Miss Higgins is about to unleash! Later that evening, Vi gathers the talent show committee for a planning session: herself, Lucille and Cyril, Tim, and Fred.
Fred: Can we start with item 5? The music?
Tim: Sure, I’m musical director, what’s up?
Fred: Tim, my dude, you’re not in for a good time. I’ve heard most of these people sing at the pub and it ain’t pretty.
Vi: Are you trying to say that no one in the talent show has any talent?
Tim: If we want this to be professional, we need to run it that way: with auditions. And rehearsals.
Cyril: I know we said item 5, but item 2 is scenery, and if I’m supposed to turn the stage into a tv set I need all the time I can get.
Lucille: Speaking of which, do we have a date for the event yet?
Vi: We do! I got the hall for December 30.
Well that’s something! Leaving the meeting later, Cyril explains to Lucille that he’s got a plan for the stage, but before they can get into it, they notice that it’s started to snow!
Lucille, extremely adorable: Every winter, and every time it snows, it’ll remind me of our wedding!
Cyril, ALSO extremely adorable: It’ll remind me to get you some flowers!
The next day, Collette starts a snowball fight with Boots, Trixie, and Lucille. In Nonnatus, Sister Julienne asks if Phyllis has seen Sister Frances, to whom she wants to assign a new task.
Phyllis: I haven’t seen her, and TBH, even if I had, she’s one person: she doesn’t have enough time for the stuff she’s already been assigned to do, let alone anything new! She had double the normal number of house calls.
Sister Julienne: I guess we’re lucky that unlike her secular colleagues, she doesn’t get time off.
Phyllis, accidentally spilling the beans: Yeah, and unlike her secular colleagues she’s not likely to get married and leave.
Sister Julienne, suddenly very worried: Oh no, who’s getting married?
Phyllis, to her credit, does a wee look around before sharing the secret, but jeez, you weren't supposed to tell anyone! Over at the Turner house, Shelagh’s raptly watching a tv program about holiday centerpieces, and at the Mullucks house, Susan is practicing using new prosthetic legs, despite her disinterest in them, when her mum runs off to check on something on the stove. Seeing her opportunity, Susan heads to the door and walks outside, entranced by the snowball fight her brother and the older children are having. He helps her down the stairs, but then gets distracted by the game, and can’t catch her when she tumbles backwards onto the ground. Later, as an ambulance takes Susan and Mrs. Mullucks to the hospital, Mr. Mullucks and Older Sister run up asking what happened. Dr. Turner explains that it wasn’t Older Brother’s fault, but Mr. Mullucks doesn’t hang around to hear what happened, running after the ambulance, leaving the good doctor to comfort the lad.
At the Buckle’s shop, Reggie tells Vi all he needs for his act is a costume.
Vi: What about a nice jacket and a bow tie?
Reggie: Old dudes wear that! Ooh, hello!
Cindy: Hi again. Is that guitar yours?
Reggie: I'm in the Poplar talent show!
Vi: Head upstairs, ok, and I’ll serve this young lady :)
Naturally, Vi immediately pulls out a TON of baby gear. Too much, alas, for Cindy to afford. She does know how to knit, so she decides to buy some supplies for that instead.
Across town, Boots meets up with A for Effort to tell him Trixie’s ring size AND to work on their mystery project. Meanwhile, Fred and Tim hold talent auditions, and let me tell you, it’s rough. There’s the acts with all style and no skill. The ones with all skill and no style. And one pretty girl dancing in a tiny costume that Fred tells a besotted Tim will never get past Vi or Lucille. Later that evening, after watching Shelagh valiantly attempt to construct a snowman costume for Angela, Dr. Turner arrives at the surgery to look in on Susan, who’s had to have stitches. Naturally, Mrs. Mullucks is distraught.
Mrs. Mullucks: I wasn’t looking for ONE MINUTE.
Dr. Turner: I know, this is hard, but all children have scrapes like this. And all pregnant women need to avoid stress. Let me drive you home; we’ll work this out in the morning.
Meanwhile, something that I fear cannot be worked out in the morning is happening: Cindy appears to be going into labor. And over at the Mullucks house, Mrs. Mullucks is furious at her husband for being at the pub when Susan was hurt.
Older Son: I made this thing for Susan to use to move furniture around.
Mrs. Mullucks, sarcastic: Thoughtful!
Older Daughter: That’s the piece he got top marks for in woodworking class, ma; it’s SUPER thoughtful.
Mrs. Mullucks: Oh. Well how was I supposed to know that?
Older Daughter: You could have asked! You never ask about anything unless it has to do with Susan!
Mr. Mullucks: Apologize to your mother!
Shelagh, out on her rounds, happens to arrive just in time to hear this exchange. After examining Mrs. Mullucks, she tells her patient that they’d like her to come get a few nights of bedrest at the maternity home.
Mrs. Mullucks: What about Susan?
Shelagh: She’s being very well looked after, and the break will help you cope with having this new baby.
Mrs. Mullucks, reluctant: I guess you’re right.
Victory! At the hospital, Mr. Mullucks is reading a book to Susan when the family the next bed over tells him how sweet she is, but comments on how it’s a shame about her limb difference. It seems to me like the other dad probably meant well, but that’s not how Mr. Mullucks takes it, and he pulls the curtain shut between the two beds.
Over at Nonnatus, Trixie is preparing to accompany A for Effort in distributing toys to sick children. Her outfit of choice? Very posh, and very white. Trixie’s reasoning is that she wants to look like Princess Alexandra, and so despite Lucille’s suggestion that her friend wear something kid friendly, the regal fancy outfit is selected. Downstairs, the man of the hour arrives, with wee Jaunty in tow, and pops in to speak with Sister Julienne.
A for Effort: Hi! You asked me to stop by when I had a chance — is it about the dry rot?
Sister Julienne: No, it’s about Trixie. I can tell you all have gotten very close, and your relationship is very cute. Can I ask: are you gonna propose?
A for Effort: Um. Yes? Yes you can ask, and my answer is also yes.
Sister Julienne: Well you know she was engaged once before, right?
A for Effort: Yeah, it was a while ago, right? To a clergyman?
Sister Julienne: God had other plans there. Anyway, there’s something you should know: she was NOT a fan of the ring. My mother always said never let a man surprise you with jewelry, and while it wasn’t pertinent for me, well. Talk with her before you buy anything.
Sound advice! And honestly something I feel like everyone should do? Your partner has to wear the dang thing every day. Anyway, it’s too late: A for Effort already has the ring secured, and now has to look at it in a panic. Thankfully, when the crew heads to the hospital to deliver their gifts, A for Effort gets to see Trixie in action. Yes, she’s a fashionable lady with discerning taste, but she’s also grown a lot over the years. Somehow I think she won’t be disappointed by that ring, even if it weren’t, frankly, unreasonably large.
Meanwhile, Cindy’s pacing the halls of her horrible rental and having to interact with her mean landlady, who yells at her for having the gall to have a human body and experience pain. Unfortunately, despite Cindy’s promises to the contrary, that baby sure does appear to be coming now: Cindy’s water breaks on the stairs. Mean Landlady, really living up to that descriptor, pushes a small pile of cash into Cindy’s shirt and throws her out.
Mean Landlady: You’re not having that kid here. The building’s been condemned, and if the authorities show up, they will take that baby away from you. Get out of here and call an ambulance.
Good gravy, what an absolutely horrible thing to do, especially since Cindy has entered the phase of labor where she’s taken off much of her clothing to get comfortable, and is now out in the snow in nothing but a slip and a worn sweater.
Across town, Phyllis gamely rehearses with Miss Higgins, who’s blithely unaware of how little anyone on the show wants to see her performance.
Miss Higgins: Anyway, it’d be too prideful to have you announce that I wrote this piece myself, so I just told Fred to put a note in the program. Here we go!
Phyllis then proceeds to read a poetic intro to the recorder piece that I can only describe as somewhere between bad and very bad (sorry, Millicent). Meanwhile, poor Cindy continues to walk through the streets of Poplar, knocking on doors and looking for help. Unfortunately, nobody is feeling very neighborly, and they keep sending her away as if they aren’t all looking forward to watching a nativity play to commemorate a holiday with this exact same plot.
Freezing cold, and scared, she makes her way into the allotment to try and shelter in the garden shed. Finding it locked, she finally calls out for help, catching the attention of Miss Higgins and Phyllis, and also intervening in what I presume might have been about to turn into a nasty argument between the two friends regarding Miss Higgins’ writing, playing, and general un-self aware demeanor. Hurrying outside, the two women find Cindy, and quickly work to warm her up, and get her inside, reassuring her all the while that she’s safe now. Given Cindy’s extreme distress, Miss Higgins is of the opinion that they ought to try and call an ambulance, which would arrive pretty quickly.
Phyllis: Yeah, but not soon enough! Cindy, you’re about to have a baby.
Cindy: I can’t though! I don’t know how!
Phyllis: Look, this is your first baby, but it sure isn’t mine. Try and think of something you did for the first time; something you didn’t know how to do before.
Cindy: Like knitting? I kind of remember learning.
Phyllis: Well who taught you?
Cindy: My mum. I remember her talking me through it.
Phyllis: That’s exactly what I’m going to do with you tonight. Talk you through it.
And, of course, she does. Cindy delivers a lovely baby girl just in time for Sister Julienne to arrive from evening prayers, prompting Cindy to proclaim that if the three women had crowns they’d look like the wise men. Again, this symbolism could not be more obvious! Get it together, other residents of Poplar!
Across town, at the Mullucks house, the non-hospitalized members of the family unpack the box of Christmas presents Mrs. Mullucks has stashed away.
Mr. Mullucks: Kids, I am sick of the gross comments people keep making. Like: do we think this new baby will be normal? Did we know that they got offered those pills and said no?
Older Brother: That can’t be true, either.
Mr. Mullucks, drinking heavily: RIGHT. And think about what they’re trying to say about us!
Older Sister: Ok, yes, not good, but you need to go pick up Susan’s dollhouse now. And come straight home. No pub!
He may not have stepped foot in the pub, but given the amount of drink he had before leaving, it’s no surprise that Mr. Mullucks is next spotted carrying a dollhouse and weaving unsteadily through the streets. Unfortunately, in his state, he is quickly distracted by a group of fellas with a football, and leaves the dollhouse sitting on a snow-covered trash bin, forgotten.
Inside Nonnatus, Boots arrives in the kitchen to find Sister Frances baking in the middle of the night. And not, alas, for fun, slumber party adjacent reasons, but because she’s so overburdened that this is the only time she’s able to make the marzipan.
Boots: Dude, how do you do this? Keep on being a nurse, a midwife, a nun. Actually two nuns, because you’re filling in for Sister Hilda AND kinda picking up the slack for the other two.
Sister Frances: I mean I could BS you and tell you that I just do what God says, but actually I just try to find the beauty. This cake is going to bring us all together; that’s beautiful.
Boots: I mean, whatever works for ya babe. It’s weird to imagine that you were once NOT a nun, and had a different name and everything. Colette and I try to figure out what you used to be called.
Sister Frances: LOL. Well, I’ll tell you if you guess right, how about that.
Cute! Boots, you could also probably help with the cake or something, just a thought. Finding the beauty doesn’t actually do anything to prevent long term burnout!
And speaking of finding the beauty in hardship, at A for Effort’s house, he asks baby Jaunty if the kiddo remembers his mother. Obviously not, given the circumstances, to which A for Effort says “it’s a shame because she’d have loved you forever” which like… I see what you’re doing, show. But you won’t make me cry this year, Heidi Thomas!
The next day, at the maternity home, Cindy asks how long she’ll be able to stay there. Phyllis explains that they’ll be there for at least 10 days, and then whisks away the baby so Cindy can actually get some sleep. On her way out, Phyllis runs into Mrs. Mullucks, who tells our friend that she thinks she might be starting to go into labor. Update noted, Phyllis steps into reception to check in with Miss Higgins, who’s been over to Cindy’s “home” to pick up her stuff, which as we know is basically nothing at all.
Miss Higgins: Isn’t it sad? This and her name, that’s all she has. Her whole life is a real failure in the thing that matters most.
Phyllis: Love?
Miss Higgins: No, administration!
Reader, I genuinely LOL’d at this. Never change, Millicent! The good news is, our persnickety friend is nothing if not skilled at administration, and she immediately jumps to action, creating a list of legal documents they will need to find, and offering to help Cindy fill out all the necessary forms.
While all this is happening, over at the Mullucks house, Mr. Mullucks has wandered out of the bedroom, hungover, to face the music i.e., his disappointed teens, who immediately ask where the dollhouse is. Naturally, they create a tiny search party to go out looking for the thing, not at all aided by Mr. Mullucks’ alcohol-induced memory loss. Unfortunately, they do eventually find the spot where he left it, but the dollhouse is nowhere to be seen, and given that it was on top of a now-emptied trash bin, I normally wouldn’t have a lot of hope that it’ll ever turn up now. However, in this case, the garbage collection truck is still close by, and without hesitating, Mr. Mullucks heaves himself through the window to look. He finds part of the house, and, infuriated, he throws it against a wall, breaking the fragment even more.
Older Brother, correct: Dad, was that supposed to improve the situation? What the heck?
Back at the maternity home, Cindy tells Miss Higgins about her childhood, which gives Miss Higgins lots of clues about Cindy’s legal name, and the street she grew up on, and a bunch of other things that would be helpful if you needed to find someone’s birth certificate. Across the hall, Mrs. Mullucks is definitely in labor, and very eager for Shelagh to arrive. She does, attempting the whole time to keep Mr. Mullucks out of the delivery room. Unsuccessfully. Mrs. Mullucks shouts at him to leave, and, a bit dazed, he eventually does, heading to the waiting room where Trixie practically pours a pot of black coffee down his throat.
Mr. Mullucks, hands shaking aggressively: Do you have. Uh. Some booze I could put in this?
Trixie: Nope. But I can bring you some pain relievers if you’ve got a headache. And btw, do you think the booze actually helps? Look, we don’t know each other very well, but I think right now I know exactly what you’re feeling. You probably think you’re completely alone, but you’re not. I promise. If you want I can help you, but you need to ask.
He takes her up on the offer, and so it is that when Trixie leaves the maternity home post shift and heads to A for Effort’s waiting car, she’s dragging Mr. Mullucks behind her. A for Effort, who clearly had envisioned a very different afternoon, rolls with it surprisingly well when Trixie explains that they’ll be dropping her still intoxicated patient off at home.
Inside, Mrs. Mullucks, overwhelmed, tells Shelagh that she doesn’t want the baby.
Shelagh: Oh, this is just normal labor stuff, bud. You don’t mean it!
Mrs. Mullucks: I do though.
Shelagh: Ok, well if that’s how you feel, that’s how you feel. It’d probably help to talk about it — care to share?
Mrs. Mullucks: I feel like I’m betraying Susan. She asks for nothing but she needs so much, and I have no idea how I’m going to manage ANOTHER person relying on me and touching me all the time.
Shelagh: You will because you’re a good mom and a good person. You’re the best mom I’ve ever seen.
Mrs. Mullucks: It’s hard though, and it’s going to get harder for Susan.
Shelagh: That happens to kids all the time; she’ll learn to share, and it’ll all be ok.
That seems to do the trick, and Mrs. Mullucks is comforted, but across town, Trixie returns to A for Effort’s car and breaks down crying.
Trixie: Drinking ruins everything! The kids tried to fix that dollhouse but it’s irreparably ruined.
A for Effort: Can we get a new one?
Trixie: The shops are all closed and it’s Christmas eve!
Back at the maternity home, things are much less dire. Mrs. Mullucks delivers a healthy baby boy, supervised by both Turners. Having talked through her fears, she has a chance to just enjoy her baby, before handing him off to Dr. Turner to carry around for a while like he did with Susan when she was a newborn. Mrs. Mullucks also asks if it would be ok for her to name the boy Patrick, after Dr. Turner.
Later that morning, A for Effort walks through the snowy streets of Poplar, finally arriving at the Mullucks house. When he rings the bell, it becomes clear that he’s carrying something: a new dollhouse with a giant bow on top. Delivering the gift to Mr. Mullucks, who immediately starts crying with happiness, A for Effort heads over to Nonnatus to join the rest of the squad. In the kitchen, Sister Frances entertains several incorrect guesses as to her original name, before Trixie arrives to tell her there’s been a call for a midwife, and not from someone they know. Taking off her apron, Sister Frances heads across town to a garment factory, where a small boy takes her upstairs to find a woman laboring alone.
Despite a language barrier, Sister Frances establishes that this is the woman’s second delivery, calms her down, and walks her through it. Everything seems to have gone perfectly, until Sister Frances gives the cord a small tug to see if the placenta has detached, and the cord snaps. Not good! She keeps it together in the moment, before biking off to the phone box to call Lucille for backup. Even worse, when Sister Frances is returning to the factory from the phone, she slips and falls, injuring her arm.
Across town, Mr. Mullucks takes a picture of the whole family, including Susan next to her new baby brother, all smiles. At Nonnatus, Trixie and A for Effort have a moment by the tree. A moment that is unsurprisingly not as private as they assume, being watched by Boots AND Phyllis, who peek around the hallway. The plus side of the snooping is that when Sister Julienne walks toward the room where a proposal is imminent, they grab her by the habit and keep her there with them. And so, in front of a roaring fire, A for Effort explains that he used to see the East End as a place to make money, but now it’s where his life is. Poplar has shown him a second chance at love, and he’s literally pulling a ring box out of his pocket when Shelagh runs in, informs the room at large that wee Jaunty has just yakked all over Sister Monica Joan, and runs out again.
Thankfully, Trixie is a good sport about this, but poor A for Effort must be losing it, just a bit. Meanwhile, across town, Lucille arrives at the delivery and figures out a plan that will only require Sister Frances to use her one good arm. Lucille apologizes for her cold hands, and then they get to work on a maneuver that cannot possibly be pleasant for their patient, and turns out to be pretty painful for Sister Frances too. Thankfully, Lucille came prepared, and has already called an ambulance that can take both of the women to hospital — Lucille is pretty sure that Sister Frances broke her shoulder.
Unfortunately, that prediction turns out to be correct: Sister Frances wakes up later in hospital, having had her shoulder reset under general anesthesia due to not one but TWO fractures, the poor thing. Of course her first thought is that they’ve had a real string of bad luck as a group, which is hard to argue with.
Sister Frances: I wonder what God’s getting at?
Sister Julienne: Probably that we need to take better care of ourselves and not overwork everyone.
Sister Frances: Oh, I’m fine! I can do a lot one handed!
Sister Julienne: Nope. You’re going to rest, and do nun stuff, and we’ve got some replacements coming. You know we turn over this cast every few seasons, don’t be surprised!
Sister Frances: So I would JUST be a nun?
Sister Julienne: Yes. For a bit. You’ve earned it.
Back at Nonnatus, Mr. Mullucks arrives and asks to speak to Trixie. Why? Well she’s escorting him to his first AA meeting! He very gamely shares his story with the group, supported by both Trixie and all the folks there.
Mr. Mullucks: I could say I’m here because I feel stupid, but my friend said I can talk about anything, so I want to talk about love. We don’t do that a lot where I’m from, so nobody tells you that love can hurt so badly, and no one can tell you’re in pain. I have a daughter who is so indescribably beautiful to me; Thalidomide took so much from her, and I want her to have everything. People say she’ll never have a normal life, and I can’t tell if I drink because I think they’re right, or to drown out what they’re saying. I know it’s a place to hide, and I think that means I’m hiding from her. I just want to love without it hurting, like it’s easy. Like I don’t know any better. I can’t be innocent again. But I think if I can stop drinking, I can love.
Again:
Hey, did you forget about Cindy in all this? Well Miss Higgins didn’t! At the maternity home, she and Phyllis give their young friend the great news that she’s been approved for supplementary income, and given a long term place at a hostel for mothers and babies on the coast. Overwhelmed by what they’ve done, Cindy starts crying happy tears. Another good ending!
Speaking of loose ends, we still have that talent show to see! Backstage, everyone gets ready, including Cyril, who’s fought off Fred’s suggestion that he wear a lounge suit in favor of a very snazzy tux, Reggie, who’s refusing to wear a bow tie, Trixie, who’s preparing her keep fit squad to withstand catcalls, and Susan, who’s arrived to do some kind of skit with the Turner kids. Taking the stage, Fred and Cyril kick everything off. The first act? An adorable duo from Boots and… A for Effort??
Folks: they’re pretty good! And he’s doing something fun and normal! Just like Trixie wanted! She is ENTRANCED, watching from the side of the stage, especially when he turns and sings “I love you” while making direct eye contact. Less charming, but much more hilarious: Miss Higgins and her hostage/friend Phyllis’ recorder extravaganza. Everyone claps politely, despite Cyril and Fred’s best efforts. Backstage, Cindy finally introduces herself (and her baby, Melissa) to Reggie, telling him she’s looking forward to his performance.
Reggie: I’m not. It’s too many people!
Cindy: That can be overwhelming. Bit much when it’s a lot of strangers. Maybe you just need to know that there’s one person out there rooting for you — I will! You can look out and see my face and I’ll be smiling!
Reggie: But you’ll be too far away!
Cindy clearly has a solution for that, and so soon thereafter Cyril introduces Reggie. He does a great job, leaving Fred in tears, playing mostly for Cindy, who’s sitting on stage with him and holding baby Melissa. The crowd goes wild! Finally, it’s time for the Turner kids and Susan’s performance of “Frosty the Snowman,” which is much too cute to handle. Again, very few dry eyes in the house! Just a lot of crying happening here tonight! Anyway, Reggie wins, and gallantly gives Cindy the trophy as a thank you for being his friend. Hopefully this means we’ll see more of her in the future!
The next day, Phyllis, Boots, and Colette bundle Sister Frances into a car that will take her off for her R&R assignment. Before she leaves, Sister Frances tells Colette a big secret: her pre-nun name, which is Rosemary. And later that evening, finally, A for Effort gets Trixie actually alone for a walk along the river, tells her he loves her, and proposes. She starts crying. He, gesturing wildly, tells her he can get her a different ring because all he cares about is her. The ring flies into the river. Trixie, as ever, surprisingly practical, immediately goes running into the water to retrieve it.
Trixie: I love you so much that I’m doing this in a brand new pair of suede shoes. Yes, I will absolutely marry you.
They find the ring! They kiss! It’s very cute! And then they run back to the house to ring in the new year with the rest of the Nonnatus family. All in all, a successful and happy holiday special, and we can’t ask for much more than that, can we? Alas, we’ll have to wait for March to return to our friends in Poplar, but in the meantime, I’m wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a very happy new year, reader.
