S12.E00: Christmas Special 2022

[pcolapat]

The young actress who plays Susan is incredibly lovely. She reminds me so much of a young, blonde Margaret O’Brien. My heart melted into a puddle when she got to perform “Frosty” with the other girls!

[Daff]

21 hours ago, libgirl2 said:

I also had no problem with what Sister Julianne said to Sister Frances. I felt it was an apology for not realizing that they were having her do too much. 

I agree on that song, it should not have been a romantic song, but Sinatra sang it with his daughter, so maybe that is why they figured it was okay. 

I took it as chosen because it was hugely popular at that particular time, and the 45 would have been easily purloined from any of the program organizers. 

[Daff]

21 hours ago, libgirl2 said:

I don't mind them but her character hasn't been on the show in ages, so it seems odd. 

She continues to narrate because her character is the author.  These are her stories/experiences, regardless. 

[libgirl2]

2 hours ago, Daff said:

She continues to narrate because her character is the author.  These are her stories/experiences, regardless. 

 

2 hours ago, Daff said:

She continues to narrate because her character is the author.  These are her stories/experiences, regardless. 

That is true. 

[nx74defiant]

On 12/26/2022 at 8:28 AM, MissLucas said:

Grand Mistress of Red Tape herself, Miss Higgins. 

I love that, I am going to call her that from now on

[bybrandy]

I never pay much attention to the narration.  I don't mind it but I don't listen to it same with Grey's Anatomy.   

I think Sister Francis ending was meant to give her a way back in should the new show not work out, and I think, go, rest, an focus just on your primary vocation is something a lot of us in 2022 would love to hear.

[MissLucas]

5 minutes ago, nx74defiant said:

I love that, I am going to call her that from now on

I desperately need a Grand Mistress (or Master) of Red Tape myself, therefore Miss Higgins is one of my favorite characters. I'd even listen to a whole recorder concerto if she'd do my taxes!

Spoiler

Just saw a clip of the new nun, Sister Veronica, on Instagram. She comes across like a younger (and mildly less forceful) Sister Evangelina, looks like there will be some gentle headbutting ahead LOL!

 

[Daff]

8 hours ago, LtKelley said:

But they aren't. I don't have an issue with Vanessa Redgrave doing the voice overs, but "Jenny" even in the books wasn't working at Nonnatus House in 1968 - "Jenny" on the show has been gone from the storyline for almost a decade. Nothing we're seeing now was ever Jenny's experience or memory.

Now thats me being overly technical, I know but there are a whole lot of characters on this show that Jenny never met. Sister Frances, Sister Hilda, Sister Winnefred, Barbara, Whatshername the grandaughter of the local abortionist, Nancy, Lucille, Cyrus, Reggie, and Trixie's dentist boyfriend and Matthew. There's a whole bunch of things that Jenny never experienced. 

Well, yes, technically, you’re right. And I did think about the fact that the show has moved on for so long without Jenny. When the show proved to be so popular (and demand continues each season for renewal) I think the creators still want to remain loyal to the source material and premise.  Philosophically and emotionally, the life lessons and subsequent changes are expounded upon in a journalistic style. Maybe that’s why I don’t have a big problem with actors coming and going. 

[debraran]

It might be annoying to some but I've heard many fans find the voice-over calming, especially in the beginning. It's like CTM is here, settle in. ; ) The show is much more popular than I think it would be with the changes, so many that would kill other shows. I remember MASH having that and staying afloat because of writing and talent.

I know it's an odd thing to keep thinking about but I wonder if Miss Higgins will see cop, Sergeant Woolf,again. Was he just to be a distraction? I wondered if they didn't want him on or he wanted off.

[JudyObscure]

1 hour ago, debraran said:

It might be annoying to some but I've heard many fans find the voice-over calming, especially in the beginning. It's like CTM is here, settle in. ; )

That's how it is for me, the music, the voice, the opening scenes with the children playing and the gigantic ship behind them that I didn't spot for the first four seasons... puts me in the zone.

[Clanstarling]

On 12/26/2022 at 3:08 PM, Mermaid Under said:

I thought they were lip syncing to the Nancy/Frank Sinatra record.   I have some vague understanding that at one point in time it was considered entertaining to watch folks lip syncing to records.  Jerry Lewis in his early career had such an act.

They were - though I'm not sure if that was what it was supposed to be in the world of the show.

On 12/27/2022 at 3:46 AM, Daff said:

That was my first thought (no mistaking Sinatra’s voice). And I don’t think the actor who plays Matthew moonlights as a lounge singer. After reading here, I’m thinking they took the pressure off the actors by allowing them to sing along with the recording-same cost for the rights to use the song. 

It was definitely the Sinatras. I recognized the voice, so I Shazammed the song, and it came up with Frank and Nancy's version. It's a pretty good app and has come up or nothing when the song I was checking out wasn't a published recorded version.

On 12/27/2022 at 7:49 AM, libgirl2 said:

I agree on that song, it should not have been a romantic song, but Sinatra sang it with his daughter, so maybe that is why they figured it was okay. 

The song, in my mind, one of the creepiest father/daughter duets around. It was a big hit, but even when I heard it the first time (as a young woman) it creeped me out.

I am not happy we're losing two more nuns.

I agree Sister Julienne interfering was unlike her (though I took her advice to mean to propose without a ring so Trixie could pick her own out - or at least, not to use a "used" ring).

 

Edited December 29, 2022 by Clanstarling

[libgirl2]

6 minutes ago, Clanstarling said:

I agree Sister Julienne interfering was unlike her (though I took her advice to mean to propose without a ring so Trixie could pick her own out - or at least, not to use a "used" ring).

 

Ahh... I just realized, she might have thought he was going to give her his late wife's engagement ring. 

[Ceindreadh]

2 hours ago, Clanstarling said:

I agree Sister Julienne interfering was unlike her (though I took her advice to mean to propose without a ring so Trixie could pick her own out - or at least, not to use a "used" ring).

 

Yeah, I thought she was saying to let Trixie help pick out a ring.  Although if that was the intention, Matthew clearly didn't take the hint.   I found it rather aggravating that he's clearly so unconcerned about money that he could just chuck the ring away when he thought she didn't like it. 

 

[LadyChaos]

I don't dislike Nancy, but the girl is in her early-mid twenties and had clearly made some dumb mistakes....but somehow we're supposed to believe she is like this super wise love specialist who is more worldly and experienced than the midwives that were doing this since before she was even a teenager.....cause she seems to have all the answers about fixing people relationships and its just....I sit here watching going 'Oh....of course Nancy will get involved with Trixie's relationship and get him to step out of his comfort zone to show his fun side to everyone like Trixie wanted...' ...If it weren't for Nancy, this poor man in a relationship wouldn't have a clue....yet she seems to so clueless that she's not being a good roommate.

Im glad there was no SMJ coming in to save the day/drama plot. I love Judy Parfitt, but I wish they sent SMJ to the motherhouse at this point.

I am glad we saw the Mullucks back, I like their family.

I hope Helen George doesn't leave the show after Trixie gets married. At this point, I feel like Trixie, Sister Julienne, and the Turners are the backbone of the show.

15 hours ago, libgirl2 said:

Ahh... I just realized, she might have thought he was going to give her his late wife's engagement ring. 

Lightbulb moment....that makes sense.....

[Daff]

21 hours ago, libgirl2 said:

Ahh... I just realized, she might have thought he was going to give her his late wife's engagement ring. 

I could see where Matthew might think of that as an “honoring you” idea because of the effort and loving care Trixie put into his wife’s final days, but as a general rule, would any man really think recycling a late wife’s engagement ring is a good idea?

[libgirl2]

3 minutes ago, Daff said:

I could see where Matthew might think of that as an “honoring you” idea because of the effort and loving care Trixie put into his wife’s final days, but as a general rule, would any man really think recycling a late wife’s engagement ring is a good idea?

I would think not but maybe if it was a family heirloom? 

[Daff]

22 hours ago, Clanstarling said:

The song, in my mind, one of the creepiest father/daughter duets around. It was a big hit, but even when I heard it the first time (as a young woman) it creeped me out.

(as a young woman) So, was that the same time they first performed it? And did you see them or just hear it? It was part of a musical entertainment “special” on tv, maybe even holiday time (because they happened much more frequently back then). I remember the banter and intro to the pair’s performance that made it a sweet reconciliation song. We may argue and fight, but in the end you’re my (father/daughter) and I love you. They had a hard time keeping straight faces singing it, too. 

[Daff]

20 minutes ago, libgirl2 said:

I would think not but maybe if it was a family heirloom? 

I think it would have to be a James/Helen/impoverished times situation. But not as a surprise in more modern times. 

[Clanstarling]

37 minutes ago, Daff said:

(as a young woman) So, was that the same time they first performed it? And did you see them or just hear it? It was part of a musical entertainment “special” on tv, maybe even holiday time (because they happened much more frequently back then). I remember the banter and intro to the pair’s performance that made it a sweet reconciliation song. We may argue and fight, but in the end you’re my (father/daughter) and I love you. They had a hard time keeping straight faces singing it, too. 

Heard it, I was not in the US until 3 years after it was released. So creepy was firmly entrenched in my mind.

[MissLucas]

I'm so glad I was introduced to this song by the Williams/Kidman version LOL! I also loved the retro vibes of the video - worth checking out on YT!

[Daff]

18 hours ago, Clanstarling said:

Heard it, I was not in the US until 3 years after it was released. So creepy was firmly entrenched in my mind.

I can understand that, especially when radio DJs quickly labeled it “the incest song”. Regardless, it shot to the top of international charts in ‘67, stayed there quite a while, and won several awards. In spite of the jokes, it was constantly played on AM air waves here. The song has its own Wikipedia page. I believe they thought it was a potential hit project, and considered themselves too popular in circles of “entertainment royalty” to be thought of as scandalous. Today, they’d be canceled. 

[Clanstarling]

6 hours ago, Daff said:

I can understand that, especially when radio DJs quickly labeled it “the incest song”. Regardless, it shot to the top of international charts in ‘67, stayed there quite a while, and won several awards. In spite of the jokes, it was constantly played on AM air waves here. The song has its own Wikipedia page. I believe they thought it was a potential hit project, and considered themselves too popular in circles of “entertainment royalty” to be thought of as scandalous. Today, they’d be canceled. 

I don't believe I knew the meaning of the word "incest" itself when I first heard it, and AFN (Armed Forces Network) DJs probably didn't use that label. So my response to it was just listening to the lyrics and knowing the singers were father and daughter.

Being a hit, imo, doesn't make it less creepy. "Every Breath You Take" was a huge hit and it was essentially a stalker song. As for time passing, yes certain songs/books are viewed differently through the lens of a society that's evolved a bit, and this one certainly would be one of them.

Edited December 31, 2022 by Clanstarling

[Ceindreadh]

On 12/30/2022 at 2:52 PM, libgirl2 said:

I would think not but maybe if it was a family heirloom? 

In that case he should keep it for his son to give to a future fiancee. 

[3 is enough]

  I got the impression that when Sister Julienne spoke to Matthew he had already bought the ring.  I doubt he would consider giving her his late wife's ring.  He certainly could afford to buy her a new one.  

[natyxg]

I enjoyed the episode. I specially liked that Trixie and Matthew finally happened. It was telegraphed from the moment when his wife died, but I liked that they stretched it out for a respectable amount of time and tried to tell a good story about Matthew the rich guy becoming a better man thanks to her.

Now let's see if they actually do make it to the altar.

[mmecorday]

I can't seem to find this episode on Netflix or PBS. Does anyone know where I can stream it? 

[anna0852]

I’m re-watching this now that it finally dropped on PBS. And I’m thinking that with every passing season, Shelagh gets more and more out of touch with how the world works. Rhoda is in labor and rightfully upset about an unplanned baby that is going to turn their household upside down. She is in distress about the actual problems this will bring and trying to communicate that she is unhappy. And Shelagh  just completely dismisses it in that weird empathy voice that she does and just starts talking about how a mothers heart has infinite space. That does not actually solve any of Rhoda’s *actual problems*. Her husband has an alcohol issue. She has three children at home and money is tight. This is not even bringing up that the third child is *very* disabled and needs a ton of hands-on care. She is essentially homeschooling her youngest while tending to a myriad of her physical needs. And keeping up with her house and her older children. A baby is not a loving magical Band-Aid. It’s not going to make their household even more special. It is an enormous burden that Rhoda rightfully doesn’t want. And Shelagh just cannot seem to understand that. And it drives me nuts.

Love is not the problem here. The problem is Susan needs to use the restroom while the baby is nursing. The problem is the baby is out of clean diapers which means the laundry has to get done but right now someone also to supervise Susan’s physical therapy with her artificial legs. The problem is that Bernie is struggling with employment because it’s England in the late 60s but they still need to eat. All the platitudes in the world are not going to solve this. And I really wish Shelagh would recognize that. 

Edited September 9, 2023 by anna0852