S14.E07: Episode 7

[chitowngirl]

It's October, 1970. The midwives help a family with a history of drug addiction. Dr Turner and Shelagh take the final steps in May's adoption, whilst Joyce faces the disciplinary board. 

Airdate May 11, 2025 on PBS, available now on Passport

Edited April 14 by chitowngirl

[debraran]

That was one of the saddest episodes I've seen in a while but it had it's uplifting moments.

Spoiler

I didn't expect to see death like this and it stayed with me long after the show. I notice this year is very depressing with less lighter areas. I am glad the complaint that was racist wasn't dragged out. Being part of an interracial couple myself from the 80's, I cringe at what is to come for Cyril and Rosiland. It never ends but was even worse then I'm sure. It wasn't pleasant for me.

I never realized the adoption of May wasn't finalized and I'm glad that's over.

I really like the new postulant and I hope the relationship with her sister flourishes and I like how Sister MJ took her under her wing.

 

Edited April 14 by debraran

[marceline]

It's so strange to me that a family would reject a daughter because she wanted to join the religious life but then I realize that women's only value back then was the hope they could marry well.

The heroin couple was so sad. The wife asking her husband to do drugs with her had to be one of the most evil things I've ever seen on this show.

[MissLucas]

The heroin story was tragic and bleak. 

Edited April 18 by MissLucas

[debraran]

On 4/15/2025 at 9:10 AM, marceline said:

It's so strange to me that a family would reject a daughter because she wanted to join the religious life but then I realize that women's only value back then was the hope they could marry well.

The heroin couple was so sad. The wife asking her husband to do drugs with her had to be one of the most evil things I've ever seen on this show.

I never thought they’d both die

[caitmcg]

Edited because not relevant here.

Edited April 18 by caitmcg

[marceline]

11 hours ago, caitmcg said:

Sigh, an entire scene that was cut from the PBS broadcast.

I will never understand the reasoning behind editing the eps for airing in the U.S. It's such an unnecessary annoyance for American viewers. 

It's worse if you're a Passport member. Why can't we get full episodes?

[debraran]

18 hours ago, marceline said:

I will never understand the reasoning behind editing the eps for airing in the U.S. It's such an unnecessary annoyance for American viewers. 

It's worse if you're a Passport member. Why can't we get full episodes?

Is there anyway to see them? It's not like PBS can't fit it all in or there are commercials. Sometimes someone would say what they were but actually seeing the scene I guess is not possible. That scene seems like it would be important. (not there yet in US) Another time I didn't understand something in the past and on FB someone told me of a missing scene that helped explain it, it was something with the nuns. Frustrating for sure.

[MissLucas]

nothing to see here

Edited April 18 by MissLucas

[caitmcg]

Edited because not relevant here.

Edited April 18 by caitmcg

[MissLucas]

My apologies! I was pulling a Sister Monica Joan.  All that's in the next episode which has no thread yet *hangs head in shame* I'm going to edit my posts now to keep the thread spoiler-free.

[txhorns79]

On 4/15/2025 at 9:10 AM, marceline said:

The heroin couple was so sad. The wife asking her husband to do drugs with her had to be one of the most evil things I've ever seen on this show.

I didn't realize how bleak that storyline was going to get.  Though I wouldn't say the wife was evil, so much as she was engaging in addict-type behavior. 

On 4/15/2025 at 9:10 AM, marceline said:

It's so strange to me that a family would reject a daughter because she wanted to join the religious life but then I realize that women's only value back then was the hope they could marry well.

I don't know that is true.  After all, the show is full of working women, both married and single.  I think it's more a lack of understanding as to why a child would give up a secular life to become a nun.  They don't understand the choice, are angry that they cannot control their child, so they go to a favorite old standby, i.e. threatening to cut off the child unless they get their way.  I did like that they had Sister Monica Joan bring up her own estrangement from her family.  It's nice to see continuity and it gave Sister Monica Joan something substantial to do during the episode.      

I will say I thought the storyline with the malingering mother trying to manipulate her son into caring for her forever wrapped up way too easily.  She faked falling down the stairs to try to trick him into staying(!).  To me that signals some serious mental health issues, but they didn't really address that.   

I was glad Joyce was absolved of any wrongdoing by the nursing board. 

Edited April 21 by txhorns79

[Ancaster]

On 4/20/2025 at 6:29 PM, txhorns79 said:

I didn't realize how bleak that storyline was going to get.  Though I wouldn't say the wife was evil, so much as she was engaging in addict-type behavior. 

I don't know that is true.  After all, the show is full of working women, both married and single.  I think it's more a lack of understanding as to why a child would give up a secular life to become a nun.  They don't understand the choice, are angry that they cannot control their child, so they go to a favorite old standby, i.e. threatening to cut off the child unless they get their way.

 

 

Yes, the wife was not evil, she was an addict in the very early and vulnerable days of recovery.

Although I'm sure my grandparents hoped their children would get married if that's what they wanted, the first priority on both sides was a good education for their children. My parents and their siblings (born in 1920s and 1930s England) all went to excellent universities and went on to have successful and meaningful careers.  My grandmothers, born in the 1890s, both worked in respectful and respected jobs, even after they were married.