Call the Midwife - a step too far?

I was enjoying it till the trapeze bit, which was just ludicrous, imho. I nodded off due to the mulled wine and chocolate surfeit soon after that, so am going to be rewinding today.....

I’m not a fan of circuses but this was set in the sixties when attitudes were different. Like you, I thought the storyline re the trapeze was far fetched for such a sensible shoes character! Yes, the inclusion of the dating agency was awkward but then Trixie doesn’t really seem like a typical nurse, then or now!
Overall the episode was too long and could have been fitted into an hour with the omission of the more fanciful aspects.

Maybe that storyline was a bit far far fetched, but I found it quite delightful.

I actually love the programme. It takes me back in time, which is nicer than the one we are in at present.

Although times were hard then, life seemed much simpler and straight forward.
No, I can’t help liking it.
Were people more kind and caring then? I like to think so.

I was not impressed either. Last year it was a a fair, and this year a circus. A bit formulaic.

Indeed - middle aged nurse on trapeze was a joke! How very silly.

Possibly. I enjoyed Call the Midwife last night - although I was in tears at the Mum who’d lost seven babies; again at the Mum nearly dying after having her third baby and, yes, I cried when Phyllis sat on the trapeze! Peter Davison fulfilled her dream - wonderful (and didn’t she have great legs?!). The cast member I’d like to slap is Trixie - she is so picky and irritating

I thought the storyline re the trapeze was far fetched for such a sensible shoes character.

I can't quite remember but didn't she get up to a bit of mischief with the policeman a couple of years ago?
Maybe she is a rebel underneath? It's always the ones you suspect the least!

It was the only thing i watched on tv yesterday. Yes the circus scenes were a bit unexpected, but it was Christmas when dreams can come true.

I actually liked the circus storyline (apart from Nurse Do-dah on the trapeze). We used to have circus children register at the school where I worked when they were in town and they always brought a bit of glamour with them. Their parents would join them in school for an impromptu tumbling and magic tricks show.

I've always thought Call the Midwife was far fetched. I had my daughter in 1970 and most of the midwives were horrible. I was just 20 and had to go into hospital due to high BP.
They told me they were going to induce me. I was terrified. The staff were unhelpful and unkind.

I don't criticise Call the midwife for being far fetched. So many things we watch are far fetched in the extreme. I worked in a Maternity unit on the 60 s . it was certainly very different from now. Maybe no flying elderly midwives but you certainly wouldn't want to have babies in them now.

I didnt watch the first few series but caught up after reading the excellent books. I think its strength is it's often gentle portrayal of what is important in life combined with nostalgic information on relatively recent history.
There have been times when it has covered hard hitting issues brilliantly. There was a Christmas special a few years ago where I did feel a little bit played when a baby died but then came back to life as hadn't really died!
The circus? I would have been four at that time and remember going to a circus with lions. The trapeze scene I did wonder in reality how she wouldnt have fallen off!
Despite all of that I was amazed and grateful that they managed to film it at all under covid restrictions. I did read afterwards how they did it and it would be interesting to watch again in that light.
I've never really minded Vanessa Redgraves voice lovers as they always feel in tune with the programme. It can be syrupy but that often balances out some gritty storylines. It felt right for this Christmas. No one died which after a year in which we've all at times felt vulnerable was a good decision. Syrupy yes but a timely reminder that it is often those little acts of love and kindness that hold things together.

I like some rubbishy plays and CTM no exception. I usually like nun stories no matter whether the nuns are saints or demons.

I would go on a high trapeze in a small costume if I were paid a lot of money , or for a charity, not for pleasure.

It would have made a big difference to me when I had my son in 1969 l was 19.The midwives and the medical staff in general were dreadful. I can't remember much of what l went through l think I've blanked it all out. My son was jaundiced l never had an exploration. I realize now from last nights programme it was to do with by blood group .

Should be explanation!!!

It was daft!

Sorry.

Kate1949 , there should be feedback from patients so that nurse education may be improved. It should not be taken for granted by nurse educators that student nurses are all great empathisers.

If CTM does any good it is that any nurses watching may learn the patient is a person with feelings and usually feels very vulnerable.

I loved the trapeze scene. I was a child again, flying with that sparkling costume on. I still go on the swings now with the grandchildren. ?

Alexa No one asked me for feedback in 1970! When I was sick with fear after an epidural, was told 'Well you'd better clean it up then hadn't you?'
I've never seen that on an episode of Call the Midwife. Apart from one young nurse on the ward, I don't remember anyone who wasn't sharp and aloof.

I had my daughter in 1967 and, due to complications, was in hospital for nearly three months. The midwives were wonderful. The pupil midwife stayed on after a night shift to stay with me during labour and the birth because she had been with me for the induction and wanted to see the result.
Visiting times were limited to a couple of hours in the evening — husbands only during the week but, mothers’ parents could visit at the weekend.

As for CTM, I love it. It is good entertainment, if not taken too seriously. Why not have a bit of fantasy at Christmas?

I am often impressed by little details, having qualified as a general nurse in 1965, like correct RCN badges on the uniform. I would not have got away with Trixie’s hair, though. It was too long to wear on duty. Heavy make-up was not encouraged. I remember a colleague wearing green eyeshadow on night duty and getting caught by Sister Tutor. She was asked if she had gangrene and then sent sent to wash it off.

I had my daughter in Rochford hospital ( Essex) in 1971.
I was there for 3 weeks so I got to know the midwifes and some doctors quiet well. They were all lovely and caring.

Well, Kate, if your letters to Gransnet were used in nurse education it would be a benefit to their patients.

I feel really sorry for the young mother you were then, about to give birth. I said "feedback" and what I really mean is nurses and other medics need to be taught empathy and such human stories as yours is the best teaching method.

Having said all of the above, I still enjoy Call the Midwife. It's a bit of escapism.

Yes I agree Alexa

My sister was a Midwife in the 1970s. After she had her own babies she was appalled at the attitudes she and the other midwives had had previously.
The social history aspect of this programme can be quite good at times. It would be better if the writers focused more on that.