Call the Midwife 6.04

[selenak]

To start with the most minor, the voice of the actress playing Gloria, Shelagh's fellow patient, reminded me so much of the actress who playd Shaz in Ashes to Ashes that I looked at the name in the credits despite there not being much facial similarity, but no, apparently not her. Gloria and Shelagh being in the same predicament but Gloria being more optimistic for her chances restored some optiimism to me re: Shelagh, because I know the rules of tv. It didn't make the sadness less real when Gloria had her stillbirth. BTW, I think this episode was the first time when we saw Delia working as a nurse without Patsy anywhere; as I suspected, Patsy's temporary absence is used by the show to let the audience know Delia on her town terms some more. I also liked the main nurse at the hospital, and hope she might be back in a future episode.

Speaking of back: I had suspected that Shelagh's fellow witness/nurse in the accident, Valerie Dyer, might be back, and so she is now as of the end of this episode. Welcome, Valerie Dyer. Am looking forward to learning more about you, too!

The main case of the week, with cousins Marnie and Dot, was heartrendering, and I appreciated that no attempt was made to vilify Dot for wanting to adopt Marnie's child, and that her sadness when Marnie in the end couldn't bring herself to go through with the adoption was treated as real. Also, kudos to Tom for not making Marnie's terrible situation about himself because of his adopted child background but being supportive and there for her whatever she decided. A lesser character in a lesser show would have monologued at her about how he himself was adopted instead of listening to her worries and trying to find something to help her. Mind you, it was also fitting he shared this background information with Barbara and our other heroines. This being a tv show, I of course now wonder whether Tom's biological mother might turn up one day, but it's really not necessary, the point is made.

Patrick and Tim, Shelagh and Tim, Shelagh and Patrick: the Turners continue to be an adorable family. Incidentally, the young actor playing Timothy definitely has Jake Sisko syndrome, growing incredibly taller by the seasons. Thankfully, this show does have the chance to let him grow up in showtime as well, and his chats with his parents reflect that. Aw.

Trixie being out of shape after those months without her gym class: I hear you, Trixie, it happens to me, too. This show being this show, you first think she's got a sickness as well when she gets out of breath, but no, it's simply realistic lack of exercise. :) On the more serious side, Trixie's insistence that they should check on Mary Cynthia looks like it's direly needed, because this subplot looks like it's headed into a "mental healthcare in the early 60s sucked" direction...