chickencam Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 I just love this programme and it has me in floods of tears each time, I watch it alone on iplayer during the week whilst doing the ironing and it gets me every time. So well cast and the stories are really heartfelt. I can't tell if it is because I am a mother or because if I had my time over I would love to be a midwife, but I think I needed to have my own children to realise that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 Me too, it's about the only thing I watch in the week (also while ironing) and love the old fashioned values. I'd also love to retrain as a midwife - they are heroes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted January 29, 2014 Author Share Posted January 29, 2014 I read all of the books before the TV series came along and they are so moving. There were some tough characters, but the feeling of community and family values was so strong. My roots are from communities very like those of the East End but in Nottingham from miners. The real working class. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 I love it too. I even find myself pushing with the mothers . Got it on record series so I never have to miss it. Do you think it's worth reading the books chickencam? Even though I've watched all the episodes so far Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 The books are a bit different, and convey an old-worldliness which isn't as evident in the TV series; I would read them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 The convent bits are filmed near here. I saw Fred in our local Costa one day and couldnt place him till OH said it was the chap from Eastenders now in that "baby thing you watch" holding 4 takeaways lattes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 I have never watched it I must give it a go.I trained as a midwife but had to go back into general nursing as there were no posts when the training was over.It is a very rewarding area of nursing,although tends to be one extreme to other.When it's good it's very very happy and when it's bad it's very very sad,at times almost unbearably sad.I still remember families I shared tragedies with . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 I also love Call the Midwife! Some gritty content, sensitively done. I would like to read the books as a friend recommended them to me. It just feels like a cosy blanket on a Sunday night. That's why I also like Death In Paradise. I know the plot is wafer thin and who dun it is very formulaic, but I just love it. Programmes don't need to be all dark and tense. Well, I don't need them to be that way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 Me and the oh really like to too, even though I am not at all maternal, My kids have hooves! It suits a chilly Sunday night for snuggling down and watching tv. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted January 29, 2014 Author Share Posted January 29, 2014 I would highly recommend the books, there are plenty of stories in them that have not been on the televised version. You will see just how well they cast everyone particularly Chummy. The Shadows of the Workhouse is very moving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 I love it as well, I spent a while in hospital when pregnant with my boys and admired the midwives greatly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickendoodle Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Love the stories and nearly all of the characters. The only fly in the ointment for me is Nurse Lee played by Jessica Raine. I find her very irritating for some reason - don't know if it is the way the character is supposed to be, in which case it is very good acting, or if she is just being played in a drippy way! Jenny Agutter is brilliant - read an article last week that the cystic fibrosis story was suggested by her as she had 2 brothers who died as babies, has a CF niece and is a carrier herself. I also adore the way they look after the nun with dementia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 Jennifer worth the author of call the midwife lived here in Boxmoor Hemel Hempstead Youngest daughter loves the series and has wanted to be a midwife since she was about eight years old she is currently in her third year of her Adult Nursing degree and is applying now to do her conversion course in midwifery as there weren't enough places to go round three years ago she is one determined young lady Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 the books are great and Miranda Hart interviewed recently said theres another out soon called "letters to the midwife". The books are more near the knuckle though. I lived off Cable Street in the 80's and remember a patient being horrified as she remembered it when it was the red light district. Thats now in Commercial Street Aldgate I also find Nurse Lee highly irritating and I dont think they picked the right actress,having said that I am not sure who I wouldve picked. The other actresses have been matched well though and I love Pat Ferris and Jenny Agutter - both fine actresses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ally-ally-alio Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 LOVE this programme, such a gentle end to a weekend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickendoodle Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 What a beautiful final episode. Miranda Hart was so moving Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 She was brilliant. Loved this episode, although getting a little tired of Shelaghs simpering It's just feeling a little false and not caring which is what I am sure she wants it to be. Anyway, can't wait for it to come back. Seems to go by so very quickly every season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Shelagh gets on my wick too. She is so wet. Loved last night's programme. Sunday evenings won't be the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted March 10, 2014 Author Share Posted March 10, 2014 I am 3 episodes behind I have got 7 days now to watch them all, I normally watch when ironing, but YD has been doing that for payment, whilst I have been decorating. There are about an episode's worth of shirts for today though, but still loads of painting to do too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Anyway, can't wait for it to come back. Seems to go by so very quickly every season. Is it coming back? Thought it had finished forever due to the way it ended. Sorry quick edit realised it contained a spoiler . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickendoodle Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 I agree it did look as though it was the end as all of the various characters had their stories resolved. It is probably time to finish it as going on too much longer might make it a bit weak? Totally agree about Shelagh, although her husband is pretty similar ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted March 10, 2014 Author Share Posted March 10, 2014 I know that the actress that plays Jenny has now left the show, not sure if there will be another series or not. I haven't heard that that was the last ever though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Shelagh gets on my wick too. She is so wet. Loved last night's programme. Sunday evenings won't be the same. Me too. It's about the only thing I ever watch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 I would imagine they will have another series or so. I hope so. Although the books were written by Jennifer Worth, the other characters were heavily featured in the series. If it wasn't for the voiceovers, I'm not sure it would be obvious that Jenny was the main character. I think it would be easy for scriptwriters to continue the stories and there's lots more to explore. Sister Winifred's back storey and future; Fred might get a new lady love; the eventual demise of Sister Monica Joan; right through to the end of the MIdwifery service. btw, I thought it was lovely to hear Timothy referring to Shelagh as "mum" (Mum's spent all day making Apple Charlotte... etc) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 I read her book In the Midst of Life, about her post-midwifery career in palliative care; very moving indeed. It reminded me of the gentler way to die - at home, surrounded by your family and less technology. My great grandad moved in with my grandparents when he became poorly, and had a bed in the downstairs study; I remember him being in there, and telling us stories when he was well enough, but I don't remember his passing. We would do well to learn from that and be less afraid of death. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
