S14.E08: Episode 8

[debraran]

I’m watching episode eight on PBS passport and I am seeing the beach scene with Sr Catherine😊

someone had told me this was cut from the United States airing, but I’m glad it wasn’t

Edited April 18 by debraran

[chitowngirl]

SEASON FINALE. As Nancy's wedding day approaches, Sister Catherine faces an important occasion of her own, and the midwives rally around a familiar young patient.
 

Airdate May 18, 2025 on PBS, available now on Passport

Edited April 18 by chitowngirl

[marceline]

I have to admit, I’d completely forgotten Nancy and Collette still existed.

Cyril and Rosalind make my teeth itch. He’s too old to think that kissing a white woman in public on the steps of a convent is a good idea.

Whenever I hear about the mother & baby home I think of Chummy. I wonder how  she’s doing, just like I wonder how Jenny is handling her work with the dying.

I loved seeing Sister Hilda again. She will always be one of my favorites because she’s got that rebellious streak.

Edited April 19 by marceline

[debraran]

I think Cyril is just trying to be "normal" in a way (although he should wait until papers are signed) but it was the finale. Rosiland's race shouldn't matter, kissing a lot of people were doing, but it shouldn't be about race. Not sure why the convent matters.

I am part of an interracial couple and have been married 41 years this year. There were others before me but if you don't stand up for the fact that you are 2 human beings and not cower, things don't change. They will go through a lot I'm sure but it will be easier over the years.

I watched Chummy and Jenny Xmas special the other day, Mrs Jenkins and others. There was something very special about those early episodes and not just the freshness and newness.

I don't know who would do it or who they could get, but I hope for very the a mini reunion with some old faces...whether for something nice or a funeral for SMJ....not happy but many memories they could share.

[marceline]

On 4/19/2025 at 5:00 PM, debraran said:

I think Cyril is just trying to be "normal" in a way (although he should wait until papers are signed) but it was the finale. Rosiland's race shouldn't matter, kissing a lot of people were doing, but it shouldn't be about race. Not sure why the convent matters.

I guess I have to be the Joyce Highlander here. Rosalind’s race very much matters. It’s 1970 in this world. I don’t know the UK’s history with this issue but in the US interracial marriage had only been legal for three years.

I mention the convent because over the years we’ve had numerous characters talk about how “scandalous” it would be to be seen kissing on the convent steps (usually as they were kissing on the convent steps 🙂).

Edited April 21 by marceline

[debraran]

2 hours ago, marceline said:

I guess I have to be the Joyce Highlander here. Rosalind’s race very much matters. It’s 1970 in this world. I don’t know the UK’s history with this issue but in the US interracial marriage had only been legal for three years.

I mention the convent because over the years we’ve had numerous characters talk about how “scandalous” it would be to be seen kissing on the convent steps (usually as they were kissing on the convent steps 🙂).

It was never banned in the United Kingdom, unlike our country and the south, but that doesn’t mean that everyone always liked it. But there was no law that had to be passed. They always had a lot more interracial couples in certain areas and someone asked on the UK Call the Midwife site why that was so and they were discussing it. Near the docks was very common and they were talking about teachers and neighbors back in 60s that intermarried. I’m glad to hear they were more progressive    Actually very interesting reading how many centuries it goes back , Royalty, etc

In US Calif was first in 1948 

Edited April 21 by debraran

[jah1986]

I honestly thought Nancy and Roger got married on her last episode appearance, I was shocked that they were just getting married. Where was his mom? 

Loved seeing Catherine with her sister, dancing and running on the beach, just enjoying being sisters. And Sis. Hilda! What a nice surprise.

Glad Paula is going home to what may be a more supportive mother. I think her father is done with their church.

Sorry we didn't get to see Timothy at all this season. 

As much as I love this show, I think I'm ready for it to end gracefully, maybe with the death of Sis. Monica Joan...It would be so nice to get some of the old characters back to say goodbye.

[amarante]

I thought this was a blah episode

Maybe because I lack a scintilla of spirituality so it is hard for me to understand why someone - especially in 1970 - would become a nun when there are so many nuns leaving their orders and numbers were declining.

One would think Shelagh would have been part of the storyline since she was someone who left the Order and still leads a life devoted to service to others.

I don't have issues with the interracial relationship because the reality was that there were interracial marriages in 1970 although they would have their difficulties. Joyce the nurse explicitly dealt with those concerns.

Call The Midwife has always been a bit of a "feel good" show even when dealing with hard issues. Reggie - in my opinion - is equally a unicorn in terms of the kind of facilities available in the 1960's. 

Not complaining as I accept the somewhat treacle stuff as a way to relax - better than a Xanax as for the most part good is rewarded and bad generally doesn't rise to the top and the outcomes are generally resolved in a way that leaves one with a sense of progress.

[debraran]

2 hours ago, amarante said:

I thought this was a blah episode

Maybe because I lack a scintilla of spirituality so it is hard for me to understand why someone - especially in 1970 - would become a nun when there are so many nuns leaving their orders and numbers were declining.

One would think Shelagh would have been part of the storyline since she was someone who left the Order and still leads a life devoted to service to others.

I don't have issues with the interracial relationship because the reality was that there were interracial marriages in 1970 although they would have their difficulties. Joyce the nurse explicitly dealt with those concerns.

Call The Midwife has always been a bit of a "feel good" show even when dealing with hard issues. Reggie - in my opinion - is equally a unicorn in terms of the kind of facilities available in the 1960's. 

Not complaining as I accept the somewhat treacle stuff as a way to relax - better than a Xanax as for the most part good is rewarded and bad generally doesn't rise to the top and the outcomes are generally resolved in a way that leaves one with a sense of progress.

It wasn't typical, there are still nuns today in US , some have 10 or so enter a year, an Ivy grad recently to Sister for Life. In UK. Once people weren't going in for reasons like poverty and other things they were hiding, more real vocations came later. With interracial relationships, not having stupid laws about interracial marriage,they always had much more than we did and earlier. Very interesting it goes back hundreds of years for some. (daughter's fiance is from UK) It did feel everything was wedding/baby but IDK, I wasn't as enamored, but I still love the show.  Knowing they are off the show next year (from what I heard) I didn't get too attached. I knew Trixie's husband weren't coming back so that seems flat to me, how much is she going to go back and forth until it ends?

I do like Sr Catherine though. There's just something about her that reminds me of the old crew.

[Ancaster]

On 4/19/2025 at 7:09 AM, marceline said:

I have to admit, I’d completely forgotten Nancy and Collette still existed.

Cyril and Rosalind make my teeth itch. He’s too old to think that kissing a white woman in public on the steps of a convent is a good idea.

 

 

I loved seeing Sister Hilda again. She will always be one of my favorites because she’s got that rebellious streak.

Sorry, I can't believe Nancy was stupid and careless enough to get herself pregnant before the wedding.  Get yourself on the pill if you really can't wait.

On 4/21/2025 at 3:54 AM, marceline said:

I guess I have to be the Joyce Highlander here. Rosalind’s race very much matters. It’s 1970 in this world. I don’t know the UK’s history with this issue but in the US interracial marriage had only been legal for three years.

I mention the convent because over the years we’ve had numerous characters talk about how “scandalous” it would be to be seen kissing on the convent steps (usually as they were kissing on the convent steps 🙂).

I'm not sure what the Joyce Highlander reference is, but we just saw a couple of episodes ago that sitting on the steps eating an iced lolly was not acceptable, never mind (a still married pastor) kissing.  Maybe, just maybe, they could have got away with a quick peck on the cheek.  I don't believe Cyril as we know him would do even that though.

[txhorns79]

On 4/19/2025 at 10:09 AM, marceline said:

I loved seeing Sister Hilda again. She will always be one of my favorites because she’s got that rebellious streak.

I liked seeing her too!

On 4/21/2025 at 3:43 PM, jah1986 said:

Loved seeing Catherine with her sister, dancing and running on the beach, just enjoying being sisters.

I was confused.  Was Sister Catherine's sister supposed to be a lesbian?  They kind of danced around it, but then she was dressed in that ill-fitting  man's suit for the ceremony.

On 4/25/2025 at 11:19 AM, Ancaster said:

I have to admit, I’d completely forgotten Nancy and Collette still existed.

I just rolled my eyes at the district nurse who apparently cannot do math to know how far along her pregnancy was. 

Edited April 28 by txhorns79

[caitmcg]

39 minutes ago, txhorns79 said:

I just rolled my eyes at the district nurse who apparently cannot do math to know how far along her pregnancy was. 

The nurse midwife, even. I wonder if she was in a bit of denial, not wanting it to be obvious at the wedding.

[Ancaster]

 

  On 4/25/2025 at 8:19 AM, Ancaster said:

I have to admit, I’d completely forgotten Nancy and Collette still existed.

-----------

 I'm not sure why my name came up in the quote, but I didn't actually say this!

[Ancaster]

2 hours ago, txhorns79 said:

 

I was confused.  Was Sister Catherine's sister supposed to be a lesbian?  They kind of danced around it, but then she was dressed in that ill-fitting  man's suit for the ceremony.

 

I believe so - when I saw her dressed like that I realised that's what she was referring to on the beach when Sister Catherine said she wished their father could accept her becoming a nun, and her sister said something like she wished their father could accept her "lifestyle" too.  (I saw the episode a while ago so don't remember the exact wording, sorry.) 

And yes, I'm not sure why they danced around it, though I suppose the sisters could have been uncomfortable actually saying "lesbian", even though Sister Catherine knew what was going on.

Edited April 28 by Ancaster

[pasdetrois]

On 4/22/2025 at 3:32 PM, amarante said:

Not complaining as I accept the somewhat treacle stuff as a way to relax

The treacly spin that crept into the show - including the acting styles - turned me off, so I avoided paying for Passport to watch.

Dialed in however to check out the new sister. I am enjoying Sr Catherine and the old broads (said affectionately). It's hilarious to watch Miss Higgins bouncing around instead of her usual prissy admonitions issued from her desk.

Quote

Because he finally admitted he has a heart, he will regret rejecting his young daughter in her time of need for the rest of his life. She spent much of her pregnancy without any family support.

Stupid Nancy and her ill-timed pregnancy and her big-eyed "oopsie" is extremely annoying to watch.

Cyril and Rosaline are cringeworthy to watch. Zero chemistry and that kiss was clumsy and odd as hell. Writers trying to tell us these two were overcome with love and passion in the moment, and instead the scene was jammed in because the writers never met a cliche they don't like.

Remember when we used to see way more close-ups of adorable fat babies?

Edited May 3 by pasdetrois

[amarante]

6 hours ago, pasdetrois said:

 

 It's hilarious to watch Miss Higgins bouncing around instead of her usual prissy admonitions issued from her desk.

 

Remember when we used to see way more close-ups of adorable fat babies?

I was watching Hysteria which is a movie about the invention of personal vibrators. Evidently a London doctor was manually stimulating women so they would have an orgasm and cure their "hysteria". What a hoot is was to see Miss Higgins straddling the stirrups and being stimulated by the doctor into a loud and prolonged orgasm.

There was a first on Pitt - a closeup of the actual vaginal canal as the head of the baby was emerging - this was in the ER 

[caitmcg]

For those who have been wondering all season, we got one answer for why Sister Catherine's father in particular isn't accepting of her vocation and religiosity; he grew up in poverty (and possibly an orphan), abused by Catholic nuns. 

Edited Monday at 01:17 AM by caitmcg

[Straycat80]

The Paula story was sad but I wish they hadn’t injected the birth scenes with Sister Catherine’s vow ceremony which I thought was beautiful. And at least we found out why her father was against her being a nun (abused by nuns as a child).

Side eyeing Nancy for not going to a doctor knowing she was pregnant and her being a nurse. Also strange why they waxed over Trixie still being in the UK while her husband and stepson are in America. 
I have nothing against intra-racial relationships but Cyril and Rosalind do not have any chemistry. 

[Quilt Fairy]

1 hour ago, caitmcg said:

That was certainly not shown in the PBS edit!

I think the poster is referring to the actress who plays Miss Higgins and her role in the movie Hysteria, not our very proper Miss Higgins in CTM. 

[iMonrey]

Was anyone else worried it might turn out Nancy's baby wasn't Roger's? When she said she could only be seven months along based on when she met Roger and Nurse Crane looked skeptical, I was worried for a minute there. 

Who is Philip? Was that Trixie's brother? I barely remember him. I was surprised to see Sister Hilda again too. I couldn't remember what happened to her.

There was some clunky exposition between Patrick and Shelagh when they were discussing adolescent pregnancy. I hate when shows do this sort of thing where it's obvious characters are talking to the audience rather than to each other, since one is a doctor and the other a trained nurse and midwife. They already know all this!

On 4/27/2025 at 11:53 PM, Ancaster said:

I believe so - when I saw her dressed like that I realised that's what she was referring to on the beach when Sister Catherine said she wished their father could accept her becoming a nun, and her sister said something like she wished their father could accept her "lifestyle" too. 

I didn't read anything into this. The sister was merely saying their father didn't have to approve of her life either (not lifestyle). 

Nice ending to the season but I missed Timothy. I assume we've seen the last of Nancy and Colette. I'd rather keep them and drop Cyril and Rosalind.

[caitmcg]

6 minutes ago, Quilt Fairy said:

I think the poster is referring to the actress who plays Miss Higgins and her role in the movie Hysteria, not our very proper Miss Higgins in CTM. 

Okay, I've edited that out of my post. The confusion had to do with the reference to Miss Higgins (who's played by Georgie Glen).

4 minutes ago, iMonrey said:

Was anyone else worried it might turn out Nancy's baby wasn't Roger's? When she said she could only be seven months along based on when she met Roger and Nurse Crane looked skeptical, I was worried for a minute there. 

She wasn't saying she hadn't known Roger long enough, but apparently had a bit of "amnesia" regarding how early in their relationship they started sleeping together. 

[txhorns79]

1 hour ago, iMonrey said:

Who is Philip? Was that Trixie's brother? I barely remember him. I was surprised to see Sister Hilda again too. I couldn't remember what happened to her.

Geoffrey is Trixie's brother.  From what I recall about Sister Hilda, she returned to the Mother House off screen after her last season on the show a few years ago.   

[Quilt Fairy]

No surprise, Nancy decided since she couldn't have a white wedding dress she'd go for an orange one.  

[Sarah 103]

On 4/19/2025 at 10:09 AM, marceline said:

Cyril and Rosalind make my teeth itch. He’s too old to think that kissing a white woman in public on the steps of a convent is a good idea.

As I said last week, this is my problem with the show. Rosalind can think that they're in love and everything will be fine and that's all that matters. Cyril knows better or at least, he should. 

On 4/21/2025 at 3:43 PM, jah1986 said:

Loved seeing Catherine with her sister, dancing and running on the beach, just enjoying being sisters.

I'm glad they got this moment of just the two of them being sisters, remembering fun times when they were younger. 

On 4/27/2025 at 10:12 PM, txhorns79 said:

I just rolled my eyes at the district nurse who apparently cannot do math to know how far along her pregnancy was. 

She did say her periods were irregular and I think that is one of the common mechanisms used to date a pregnancy. It did seem like she went to a doctor to confirm the pregnancy. Silly question from a younger person: In 1970 what were the available methods that could be used to determine how far along a pregnancy was? Aside from taking measurements, which would only give an estimate, was there anything more accurate available?  

On 4/28/2025 at 12:53 AM, Ancaster said:

I believe so - when I saw her dressed like that I realised that's what she was referring to on the beach when Sister Catherine said she wished their father could accept her becoming a nun, and her sister said something like she wished their father could accept her "lifestyle" too. 

@Ancaster (or anyone else) Was the word "lifestyle" used to mean what today would be called the LGBTQ community? I know the word was used in the 1980s, but does that use of the word "lifestyle" go back as far as the 1970s? 

2 hours ago, Straycat80 said:

Side eyeing Nancy for not going to a doctor knowing she was pregnant and her being a nurse.

I thought she said she had been to a doctor. 

1 hour ago, iMonrey said:

Nice ending to the season but I missed Timothy.

On 4/21/2025 at 3:43 PM, jah1986 said:

Sorry we didn't get to see Timothy at all this season. 

There is still the Christmas episode so maybe we'll see them in that. It would make sense for him to be on school break and visiting home. 

Based on the discussion about the future of the order, my prediction is that season 15 will be the last season/series before the

Spoiler

WWII Prequel Series

 

[Notabug]

3 minutes ago, Sarah 103 said:

As I said last week, this is my problem with the show. Rosalind can think that they're in love and everything will be fine and that's all that matters. Cyril knows better or at least, he should. 

I'm glad they got this moment of just the two of them being sisters, remembering fun times when they were younger. 

She did say her periods were irregular and I think that is one of the common mechanisms used to date a pregnancy. It did seem like she went to a doctor to confirm the pregnancy. Silly question from a younger person: In 1970 what were the available methods that could be used to determine how far along a pregnancy was? Aside from taking measurements, which would only give an estimate, was there anything more accurate available?  

@Ancaster (or anyone else) Was the word "lifestyle" used to mean what today would be called the LGBTQ community? I know the word was used in the 1980s, but does that use of the word "lifestyle" go back as far as the 1970s? 

 

No, 'lifestyle' would not be code for anything except maybe that someone was a hippie and believed in free love and smoking dope or such back in 1970.  Nothing to do with non-hetero people.  The only thing I remember from that era that might indicate that someone was gay was that performers such as Liberace and Rock Hudson were often referred to as 'confirmed bachelors' in the media.  Even so, interviews often focused on their dating lives with the performers remaining firmly closeted and playing along, pretending they were dating women.  The vast, vast majority of gay people were not out, not even to their closest friends or family.  If the sister was really talking about being gay, that would've been a pretty unusual piece of information for her to share in 1970, especially with her sister who is taking vows to be a nun.  

Back in 1970, the only means to date a pregnancy would be to use the woman's last menstrual period and/or size of the uterus.  So, in Nancy's case, her last period was apparently not an accurate measure and she was figuring her due date based on the start of her sexual relationship with Roger and on what the doctor told her after examining her.  Ultrasound to check the dates on a pregnancy was not widely available until the early '80's.

[Haleth]

I cried my eyes out. Between Nancy’s baby (Nurse Crane is the best), Reggie’s metaphoric vase, and Sr Catherine’s ceremony the show really got me in the feels. I felt awful for poor Paula but am glad the family allowed the baby to be adopted rather than keeping him themselves. Loved seeing Sr Hilda again. Loved seeing Geoffrey again. (Can we get a spin off with Hilda and Geoff? They’d be a hoot together.)

[JudyObscure]

On 5/3/2025 at 8:43 AM, pasdetrois said:

Stupid Nancy and her ill-timed pregnancy and her big-eyed "oopsie" is extremely annoying to watch.

I've always found Nancy spoiled and immature, even way back when she was buying all the latest fashions while her daughter lived in an orphanage because she couldn't afford to keep her.

Seeing all the sensible elders act like her most recent bout of irresponsibility was something wonderful was so irritating.  Whatever happened to the no-nonsense Nurse Crane we first knew?

I've enjoyed the Sister Catherine story and wish we could have had a little more of it.  To me there's something really wonderful about those people who choose to give their entire lives to service. The Turners show us how they can have families and do great work at the same time, but I can understand the nuns wanting to devote themselves to their calling without being pulled in two directions.

On 4/19/2025 at 4:00 PM, debraran said:

 

I am part of an interracial couple and have been married 41 years this year. There were others before me but if you don't stand up for the fact that you are 2 human beings and not cower, things don't change. They will go through a lot I'm sure but it will be easier over the years.

 

You're so right.  I dated a black man through 1979 and some of the people we worked with said nasty things and a few people would stare when we were out together, but we really didn't care what racists thought of us.  We certainly never felt we should hide so they wouldn't be offended.

[Jodithgrace]

I don’t think it was a good idea for the Mother house to have sold the kitchen garden. Isn’t it cheaper for them to grow their own fruits and vegetables than to have to buy them? Especially if they can and pickle them to last through the winter. The problem with selling land to pay bills is that you can only sell land once but the bills keep coming back. 

As soon as I saw Reggie’s broken vase and Geoffrey talking about the Japanese art of Ikibana, I knew that he was going to repair with it with gold, though the examples I’ve seen of kintsugi, the repairs are much more subtle. That vase was pretty ugly! 

That poor little ignorant Paula! I’m glad the mother finally came around. 

I loved the scene with sister Catherine and her sister. I didn’t think there was any subtext about the sister being gay. 

I don’t have any problem with Rosalind and Cyrill, though I agree that Rosalind is very naive about what to expect. I like Cyrill, though, and it’s so good to see him happy again after so long.

[AZChristian]

While Catherine and Ellen were walking on the beach and talking about their father (and how their choices displeased him), Ellen said, "He doesn't have to like the way that I live my life."  She was wearing a man's coat, and then was at the wedding wearing a man's suit and tie.

Telegraphs "gay" to me. Anachronistic for the time, yes . . . but it sure looks like that's what is being portrayed.

 

[libgirl2]

14 minutes ago, AZChristian said:

While Catherine and Ellen were walking on the beach and talking about their father (and how their choices displeased him), Ellen said, "He doesn't have to like the way that I live my life."  She was wearing a man's coat, and then was at the wedding wearing a man's suit and tie.

Telegraphs "gay" to me. Anachronistic for the time, yes . . . but it sure looks like that's what is being portrayed.

 

I have to agree, especially in church it sealed it for me. 

[iMonrey]

15 hours ago, caitmcg said:

She wasn't saying she hadn't known Roger long enough, but apparently had a bit of "amnesia" regarding how early in their relationship they started sleeping together. 

Her exact words were "I only met the man in December." Meaning if she were further along than seven months she would have been pregnant before she even met him. But I guess it's a moot point since it did turn out to be a premature birth.

4 hours ago, Jodithgrace said:

I don’t have any problem with Rosalind and Cyrill, though I agree that Rosalind is very naive about what to expect. I like Cyrill, though, and it’s so good to see him happy again after so long.

I think they are just trying to find a way to keep Cyril relevant and on the show, and pairing him up with Joyce seemed too obvious since she's already Lucille 2.0 in other ways. They also probably thought an interracial storyline would be interesting. That's all fine. The problem is they sort of yada-yada's the actual relationship. It just feels like it came out of nowhere, and like most others I don't see any chemistry between the actors.

[howiveaddict]

Nancy commented that her cycle was always irregular.  That is probably why she wasn't sure how far along she was.  It's not like she could get an ultrasound.  My daughter was born in 85, and ultrasounds were not even routine then.  My son, 90 and I only had one with him because I asked.  Then it was too early to tell sex.  I had gotten sick with bronchitis, while pregnant and still did not have an ultrasound or offered one.

My take was they got married in fall.  If she got pregnant right away, that would put baby due in September, since it said they met in December.  Sounds about typical length of time for her to get pregnant after meeting him.  

[Sarah 103]

I liked what Nancy wore to the wedding. To be extremely catty for a minute, I did not like what the young bridesmaids wore. It looked candy corn threw up on the dress. I get it's the 1970s, but still. 

[caitmcg]

52 minutes ago, iMonrey said:

Her exact words were "I only met the man in December." Meaning if she were further along than seven months she would have been pregnant before she even met him. But I guess it's a moot point since it did turn out to be a premature birth.

That would only be true if the wedding were in the summer, but the entire discussion about the wedding theme, colors, etc. established that it was an autumn wedding, since Nancy straight-up said all of it was tied to the season. 

[libgirl2]

27 minutes ago, Sarah 103 said:

I liked what Nancy wore to the wedding. To be extremely catty for a minute, I did not like what the young bridesmaids wore. It looked candy corn threw up on the dress. I get it's the 1970s, but still. 

Those dresses were hideous but yea, a lot of 70s fashion was as well. 

[Haleth]

Those dresses for the girls were definitely 70s style. The more orange and green, the better!

[j5cochran]

5 hours ago, AZChristian said:

While Catherine and Ellen were walking on the beach and talking about their father (and how their choices displeased him), Ellen said, "He doesn't have to like the way that I live my life."  She was wearing a man's coat, and then was at the wedding wearing a man's suit and tie.

Telegraphs "gay" to me. Anachronistic for the time, yes . . . but it sure looks like that's what is being portrayed.

 

I had the exact same pea coat in 1972 with the wooden toggle fastenings, though mine was navy blue. And I had a similar tweed suit in 1977, though it was a skirted suit and I wore a scarf in place of the tie. My employer preferred women in skirts and dresses, rather than in trousers.

In other words, those clothes looked very typical for young women of the 1970s, straight or gay. 

[dancingdreamer]

The way Sister MJ interacts with Sister Catherine makes me like her even more. Sister Catherine  getting  married  to the church made me tear up, I still think she has an aura  about her, as well as being  a lovely  actress. I'm so happy her sister decided  to come to her ceremony. 

Nancy has always  seemed  like a sweet natured flibbertggibit,  I was happy  knowing  she had found a good husband.  

Poor little  Paula, all she really  wanted was to play with her hamsters. I didn't  care for boys that much, I much preferred  cats or dogs.

I will look forward to the Christmas episode, it's  one of my favorites. 

 

[Ancaster]

18 hours ago, Quilt Fairy said:

No surprise, Nancy decided since she couldn't have a white wedding dress she'd go for an orange one.  

In the early 70s my quite conservative parents chose a wallpaper very similar to this for the dining room.  I remember my mum had orange trousers that she wore a lot, and I had a floral orange smock top that I loved (in retrospect it was hideous).

Edited Monday at 08:52 PM by Ancaster

[Sarah 103]

2 hours ago, dancingdreamer said:

Poor little  Paula, all she really  wanted was to play with her hamsters. I didn't  care for boys that much, I much preferred  cats or dogs.

Paula didn't care for boys in a romantic way. She was just one of the boys it seems, or so she thought. Even though she is back at home, Paula is going to be so messed up from this. 

2 hours ago, Ancaster said:

In the early 70s my quite conservative parents chose a wallpaper very similar to this for the dining room.  I remember my mum had orange trousers that she wore a lot, and I had a floral orange smock top that I loved (in retrospect it was hideous).

Yep. That is very definitively, unquestionably, the 1970s. To be fair, a ton of 1970s fashion could be described as hideous. Americans make jokes about the powder blue prom tuxedos for a reason. 

[AZChristian]

3 hours ago, j5cochran said:

I had the exact same pea coat in 1972 with the wooden toggle fastenings, though mine was navy blue. And I had a similar tweed suit in 1977, though it was a skirted suit and I wore a scarf in place of the tie. My employer preferred women in skirts and dresses, rather than in trousers.

In other words, those clothes looked very typical for young women of the 1970s, straight or gay. 

But the buttons and buttonholes had male garment placement. Opposite of the placement on women's clothing.

[txhorns79]

5 hours ago, j5cochran said:

In other words, those clothes looked very typical for young women of the 1970s, straight or gay.

That's more Annie Hall, but that isn't until the late 70s, like 77.  If she had been wearing a tailored suit, meant for a woman, I'd say she's fashion forward.  As it was, I'd say the ill fitting man's suit was supposed to suggest that she was a lesbian.   

[howiveaddict]

6 hours ago, j5cochran said:

I had the exact same pea coat in 1972 with the wooden toggle fastenings, though mine was navy blue. And I had a similar tweed suit in 1977, though it was a skirted suit and I wore a scarf in place of the tie. My employer preferred women in skirts and dresses, rather than in trousers.

In other words, those clothes looked very typical for young women of the 1970s, straight or gay. 

I always wanted a Pea coat, but my mom said it would get too linty.  And below:  Hey my date wore a powder blue tux to the prom in 77!  We weren't matchy, matchy because I wore lime green.

2 hours ago, Sarah 103 said:

 

Yep. That is very definitively, unquestionably, the 1970s. To be fair, a ton of 1970s fashion could be described as hideous. Americans make jokes about the powder blue prom tuxedos for a reason. 

[mmecorday]

There were some scenes in this episode that were pure art, the beach scenes in particular. I also loved the scene with Sister Hilda (good to see you again, lass!) ringing the bell, summoning the sisters to wake up for morning prayers. Sister Catherine is a welcome addition to this show. Her smile lights up the screen. 

Poor Paula. Giving birth so young is so traumatizing physically and mentally. This is one of the few times in the show's history that we've gotten an update on a patient. 

I love this show, but I hate that the seasons are so short!

[eel2178]

23 hours ago, Notabug said:

Back in 1970, the only means to date a pregnancy would be to use the woman's last menstrual period and/or size of the uterus. 

When did we start using the blood hCG level to determine how far along the pregnancy was?

I'm pretty sure by 1970 we weren't using "the rabbit died" method anymore.

[proserpina65]

On 4/21/2025 at 3:43 PM, jah1986 said:

Loved seeing Catherine with her sister, dancing and running on the beach, just enjoying being sisters.

I enjoyed that and actually hoped it would make Catherine change her mind about becoming a nun.  I know the show presented it as a good thing, but all I could think about was what a waste of her life it was.  I know she'll still be a nurse and midwife, but the religious life seems so wrong to me.

I liked Nancy's wedding (and thought her hair looked fabulous just as it was), but I did question she and Roger not taking precautions.  She is a nurse midwife, after all.

I really appreciated that there was a minimum of sadness in this episode.  Life has its crap moments, but sometimes it's good to just see a few nice moments.  We can save the fallout from Cyril & Rosalind kissing in public for next season.

On 5/18/2025 at 10:44 PM, Quilt Fairy said:

No surprise, Nancy decided since she couldn't have a white wedding dress she'd go for an orange one.  

I didn't love the color, thought it totally suited her personality, but the fit was lovely on her.

On 4/22/2025 at 3:32 PM, amarante said:

Maybe because I lack a scintilla of spirituality so it is hard for me to understand why someone - especially in 1970 - would become a nun when there are so many nuns leaving their orders and numbers were declining.

Yeah, me too.  The draw of the religious life completely mystifies me.

On 4/22/2025 at 5:46 PM, debraran said:

With interracial relationships, not having stupid laws about interracial marriage

Nobody is talking about interracial relationships being illegal in the UK.  We're referring to the social attitudes.  Yes they were more common than in the US, but there was still a lot of resistance to such relationships.

On 4/25/2025 at 11:19 AM, Ancaster said:

Get yourself on the pill if you really can't wait.

Was it possible for unmarried women to get the pill in the UK in 1970?  I wondered why she wouldn't have been on it but maybe she couldn't get it.  Still, there are other ways to prevent pregnancy.

I did like that Colette was happy about the baby, and that she and Roger have a good relationship.

On 4/27/2025 at 10:12 PM, txhorns79 said:

I was confused.  Was Sister Catherine's sister supposed to be a lesbian?  They kind of danced around it, but then she was dressed in that ill-fitting  man's suit for the ceremony.

I didn't clock on to that, but it does make a certain amount of sense, I guess.

On 5/3/2025 at 9:43 AM, pasdetrois said:

Remember when we used to see way more close-ups of adorable fat babies?

Eh, the babies were always the least interesting part of the show for me.  I do not find them adorable for the most part.

On 5/18/2025 at 9:17 PM, iMonrey said:

I didn't read anything into this. The sister was merely saying their father didn't have to approve of her life either (not lifestyle). 

That was my take on it.  As a woman who doesn't wear dresses for comfort reasons, I kinda hate it when wearing less feminine clothing is used as code for lesbian.  Not all of us are lesbians and, from my experience, plenty of lesbians like dresses and frilly stuff.

20 hours ago, Haleth said:

Those dresses for the girls were definitely 70s style. The more orange and green, the better!

I thought they were hideous, and so, so right for 1970.  I grew up with all that orange and brown and harvest gold and avocado green.

On 5/19/2025 at 8:11 AM, Jodithgrace said:

I don’t have any problem with Rosalind and Cyrill, though I agree that Rosalind is very naive about what to expect. I like Cyrill, though, and it’s so good to see him happy again after so long.

This is pretty much where I am with their relationship. 

21 hours ago, caitmcg said:

That would only be true if the wedding were in the summer, but the entire discussion about the wedding theme, colors, etc. established that it was an autumn wedding, since Nancy straight-up said all of it was tied to the season. 

Yep, 9 months from December is September, and this episode struck me as being sometime in October so the baby could easily have been almost full-term.

19 hours ago, j5cochran said:

I had the exact same pea coat in 1972 with the wooden toggle fastenings, though mine was navy blue. And I had a similar tweed suit in 1977, though it was a skirted suit and I wore a scarf in place of the tie. My employer preferred women in skirts and dresses, rather than in trousers.

In other words, those clothes looked very typical for young women of the 1970s, straight or gay. 

The pea coat meant absolutely nothing.  Lots of women have worn them over the decades because they're quite warm.  Doesn't matter that they were made for men.  The church outfit, hell, I didn't even notice what the sister was wearing at the service, so I can't make a judgment on that, but plenty of women dressed for comfort, not style, even then.

15 hours ago, Sarah 103 said:

Americans make jokes about the powder blue prom tuxedos for a reason. 

I take it you've seen the tux my brother wore to his senior prom in 1978 then?  Complete with blue-trimmed ruffles on the shirt.

 

[Ancaster]

6 minutes ago, proserpina65 said:

 

Was it possible for unmarried women to get the pill in the UK in 1970?  I wondered why she wouldn't have been on it but maybe she couldn't get it.  Still, there are other ways to prevent pregnancy.

 

Yes, from 1967.  (1961 for married women.)

[proserpina65]

Just now, Ancaster said:

Yes, from 1967.  (1961 for married women.)

Thanks.  So, yes, Nancy should've been on it, if it wasn't medically contraindicated for her.

[Notabug]

19 hours ago, j5cochran said:

 

In other words, those clothes looked very typical for young women of the 1970s, straight or gay. 

On the other hand, her clothes would've been highly atypical for a gay woman in the early 70's.    Even if Helen preferred to dress in men's clothing, she wouldn't be that overt about it in public.  Gay people weren't 'out' publicly in that time; they risked discrimination.  She would've had trouble getting or keeping a job, renting an apartment, or simply living in peace if she regularly appeared in menswear in public.  If the show was using her clothing as a sign of her sexuality; it was completely anachronistic.  We've seen the nuns at Nonnatus House be extraordinarily accepting of people from all walks of life; but there's no way they wouldn't have a problem with a woman wearing mens' suits daily.  Mrs. Buckle wouldn't have been comfortable with it, either.  There was plenty of reason not to try to stand out as different in that era.

I will say the late 60's-early 70's were a time when most of us went thrifting.  I bought much of my clothing from rummage sales, Goodwill, Army surplus, etc.  I had about half dozen men's shirts handed down from my cousins and a neighbor that I wore regularly.  Not to church, though.

16 hours ago, AZChristian said:

But the buttons and buttonholes had male garment placement. Opposite of the placement on women's clothing.

Perhaps she bought it from an Army surplus?  That was where I and many of our friends bought them in that era.

[Notabug]

52 minutes ago, proserpina65 said:

I enjoyed that and actually hoped it would make Catherine change her mind about becoming a nun.  I know the show presented it as a good thing, but all I could think about was what a waste of her life it was.  I know she'll still be a nurse and midwife, but the religious life seems so wrong to me.

I liked Nancy's wedding (and thought her hair looked fabulous just as it was), but I did question she and Roger not taking precautions.  She is a nurse midwife, after all.

I really appreciated that there was a minimum of sadness in this episode.  Life has its crap moments, but sometimes it's good to just see a few nice moments.  We can save the fallout from Cyril & Rosalind kissing in public for next season.

I didn't love the color, thought it totally suited her personality, but the fit was lovely on her.

Yeah, me too.  The draw of the religious life completely mystifies me.

Nobody is talking about interracial relationships being illegal in the UK.  We're referring to the social attitudes.  Yes they were more common than in the US, but there was still a lot of resistance to such relationships.

Was it possible for unmarried women to get the pill in the UK in 1970?  I wondered why she wouldn't have been on it but maybe she couldn't get it.  Still, there are other ways to prevent pregnancy.

The pill has always been used to prevent abnormal bleeding in women with irregular cycles.  Even if she wasn't eligible for getting a prescription purely for contraception, Nancy's menstrual history would've been a medical indication for it.

When I was a resident in the '80's, we ran a clinic in a Catholic hospital.  We weren't supposed to prescribe the pill for contraception but could prescribe it for 'cycle regulation' as long as we documented it in the patient chart.  The nuns knew full well and good what we were doing and had no objections.  One actually said, 'well she is taking the pill to regulate her cycle, to make sure she keeps having one every month'.