Call The Midwife.

Visgir1

CTMW I thought was very disjointed, but that was probably me as I wasn't completely concentrated on it.
I had no idea why they were in Hong Kong? Was Timothy qualified? Why the Buckle 's were there too? Lots of questions...?
So, I'm going to leave it..but I too think it's time to call it a day.

They are heading that way as Home births do become a thing of the past. Midwife led units go into Hospital settings, even few women take orders to become Nuns.

They were in Hong Kong because…..

Well, not quite sure, but the old building where the HK nuns lived and worked had collapsed, most of them had TB it seemed, and they needed reinforcements from England.

Hence most of the Nonnatus staff and the one from HQ went out to assist.

As did Dr Turner, who is usually indispensable in Poplar, plus saintly Sheila, they needed to check out little May’s birth mother, can’t remember why.

Also not sure why the Buckles went, probably because Violet is the mayor.

There again, why not, as it gave Violet a chance to meet up with this policeman son, who I can’t recall ever being mentioned before.

Timothy, (don’t think he’s fully qualified) was able to be there back home to assist Miss Millicent and also to look after his half siblings, not very efficiently.

Yes, it all jumped about a lot, from shanty town HK to snowy Poplar.

It was a load of tosh, why did I watch it?

Well, it was Christmas, not much else on, and a bit like the Channel 5 plays, I hoped (in vain) it might be better.

Me too. On toast, anytime of day.

Is there a "like marmite" and "like CTM" association

(runs for cover)

Why is it necessary, in what is after all a work of fiction, to require everything "to make logical sense".

They never fail to get the medical facts right. for example, I googled the new cancer treatment alluded to in the episode:

"Yes, the mention of new cancer treatments in the Call the Midwife Christmas special is medically and historically correct for the time period the show is set in. The series is known for its meticulous research and efforts to be "medically watertight" and historically accurate"

Surely this is the key? Just enjoy the out of the way plot.

Summed up very well, Calendargirl

^It was a load of tosh, why did I watch it?
😁

Because it was escapism!

Because it shows love, and the possibility (even if rather magical at times, but the small things were realistic, like the complications and joys of a new child entering the world, the comfort of a supported death, a celebration of Hanukkah as well as the Christian tradition, is quietly inclusive without making a big fuss about it, putting things right, in a world much needful of both.

Thats why.

I was traumatised by the forceps delivery. Is it really as brutal as that?
She was using both arms and tugging .
No wonder there are so many c sections nowadays.

Grammaretto

I was traumatised by the forceps delivery. Is it really as brutal as that?
She was using both arms and tugging .
No wonder there are so many c sections nowadays.

My DN was a forceps delivery in the 1960s - I was looking on with horror and thinking of my SisIL!
This is the 1970s too. Surely there were on-call obstetricians in hospitals?

I'm afraid it's like many other series which were based on great books; then when TV producers ran out of books by the original author , they hired some far less talented writer to hack out more episodes. I feel sorry for the original actors having to deliver some of those scripts. It's particularly galling when the talentless new writer clearly has no clue about the language, mores and vocabulary of Ye Olde Days way back in, er, the 1970's.

CTMW is heading down the same drain as Shetland and All Creatures Great and Small.

At the end of last night's Xmas special when they announced a forthcoming new series of CTMW , my heart actually sank.

Usedtobeblonde

Two episodes in of the first series and I had done with Call the Midwife.
But it is enjoyed by millions so I am in the minority.

Same here uttb. I’ve only ever watched two episodes from the first series. Just not my cup of tea. Ditto Strictly, I know how popular both are, just not with me. I was never able join in at the water cooler moments when at work.

butterandjam

I'm afraid it's like many other series which were based on great books; then when TV producers ran out of books by the original author , they hired some far less talented writer to hack out more episodes. I feel sorry for the original actors having to deliver some of those scripts. It's particularly galling when the talentless new writer clearly has no clue about the language, mores and vocabulary of Ye Olde Days way back in, er, the 1970's.

CTMW is heading down the same drain as Shetland and All Creatures Great and Small.

At the end of last night's Xmas special when they announced a forthcoming new series of CTMW , my heart actually sank.

I'm afraid it's like many other series which were based on great books; then when TV producers ran out of books by the original author , they hired some far less talented writer to hack out more episodes.

Exactly.

I feel sorry for the original actors having to deliver some of those scripts.

It keeps them in a job.

I think I might even prefer these programmes to Celebrity This, That and The Other, though.

It is escapist tosh and always was .... I still watch it. Lots of passing references to my childhood memories... food, music, ads, household appliances etc.

It wasn’t up to par quite simply put. But we took it because we are the faithful in my view. Probably would have been better with reruns and then that would have caused more disquiet.

GrannyGravy13

flappergirl

I watched Jaws on BBC 2. Seen it a dozen times but never fails to entertain. Can't stand the sweet, sickliness of Call the Midwife along with the total lack of reality.

total lack of reality on Call the Midwife, yet you watched and enjoyed Jaws! Hilarious 😹😹😹

Jaws is supposed to be fantasy. It makes no claim to be based on facts and shamelessly presents itself as pure indulgence. I'm sure most people would agree that sometimes fantasy is highly enjoyable and just what's called for. On the other hand Call the Midwife is not designed to be fantasy. I thought it was generally pitched as a realistic portrayal of modern history and in my opinion it doesn't sufficiently fulfil that brief. Given the pretty dire viewing options on the day, I therefore decided to watch something that is not only universally acknowledged as a very well made film, but that doesn't pretend to be anything it isn't. So not really that hilarious after all GrannyGravy.

How's your DN Allira?.

My DGS was delivered using a suction extraction method called ventousse.

Grammaretto

How's your DN Allira?.

My DGS was delivered using a suction extraction method called ventousse.

He's fine, thank you.
He's a scientist (perhaps he should have invented better forceps!).

Did they mention a ventousse on the programme? Yes, I think my DGS was too, as he was enormous, he is fine.

Grammaretto

I was traumatised by the forceps delivery. Is it really as brutal as that?
She was using both arms and tugging .
No wonder there are so many c sections nowadays.

Not just her arms, her foot seemed to be wedged against the bed, I assume to give traction.

It looked horrific.

I expected not only the baby to appear, but also the poor woman’s entire stomach contents.

It looked similar to when a pheasant/chicken has been slaughtered, plucked and drawn ready for the oven.

This is the last series, we are told. so make the most of it!
Midwives that is.

I too have been disappointed. I loved the series Two Doors Down but the Christmas special barely raised a titter. I didn’t laugh at Amandaland either. I find Lucy Punch very funny, but she took a back seat to Saunders and Lumley. They were funny but it was like watching a different show somehow. I gave up watching CTM when during a Christmas special a ‘dead’ baby came back to life in a brief case. This Christmas I have really enjoyed watching the old films that have been on. Meet Me in St Louis, Calamity Jane, Spartacus etc. Just watching 7 Year Itch, then it’s Some Like It Hot. That will do me!

I was a bit underwhelmed by Amandaland but the very last second turned it around for me ( bit late though!).

Grammaretto

I was traumatised by the forceps delivery. Is it really as brutal as that?
She was using both arms and tugging .
No wonder there are so many c sections nowadays.

My son was born in 1995.
He was delivered using forceps & ventouse.
Which is why I only have 1 son.
Put me off for life

Grammaretto

I was traumatised by the forceps delivery. Is it really as brutal as that?
She was using both arms and tugging .
No wonder there are so many c sections nowadays.

I had a ventouse delivery where the Dr pulled on the baby's head ( still completely inside my vagina) with such force, the (vacuum suction) cap came off the baby's head and Dr fell backwards flat on his arse on the floor.

Agh butterandjam!! You poor girl.
No wonder noone told me about childbirth before I had a baby.

I'm currently clearing a bookcase and have come across a book called:

The Truth about Childbirth by Anthony Luduvici
1937
One chapter heading;
Painless and pleasurable childbirth
Another;
Further conditions conflicting with normal birth.
There it goes on to blame the woman for faulty nutrition or being "senile" as in older mother
I have never seen this book before today.
Should I send it to a museum or the bin? 🙄

Calendargirl

Grammaretto

I was traumatised by the forceps delivery. Is it really as brutal as that?
She was using both arms and tugging .
No wonder there are so many c sections nowadays.

Not just her arms, her foot seemed to be wedged against the bed, I assume to give traction.

It looked horrific.

I expected not only the baby to appear, but also the poor woman’s entire stomach contents.

It looked similar to when a pheasant/chicken has been slaughtered, plucked and drawn ready for the oven.

Calendargirl - your knowledge of the female body leaves a lot to be desired! If the stomach happened to be involved in a birth, there could be a shock for more than just the midwife! But I do get where you’re coming from!

If you're a bit squeamish about the idea of 'assisted' childbirth, better not investigate the invention of the chainsaw, that's all I can say!

Allira

Grammaretto

I was traumatised by the forceps delivery. Is it really as brutal as that?
She was using both arms and tugging .
No wonder there are so many c sections nowadays.

My DN was a forceps delivery in the 1960s - I was looking on with horror and thinking of my SisIL!
This is the 1970s too. Surely there were on-call obstetricians in hospitals?

iirc they reckoned they had only half an hour - maximum - before the baby died, and the ambulance couldn't come in time.