Calling All Quality Drama Lovers: Check Out PBS’ ‘Call the Midwife’
by Maureen Pauwels
Clash Daily Guest Contributor
I have come to find that word of mouth can be a powerful tool. It can influence, recommend, provide hopeful information and in some cases even steer in a certain direction. For the receiver, those words can open up a world of opportunity.
As someone who loves both cooking and baking, I have so often stumbled upon a great recipe that, when shared, has pleased so many a household. Oh, do I have a great mac & cheese one for ya!
We’ve all heard the phrase, “Reading is fundamental”. I couldn’t agree with that more, but may I add,”Reading is an adventure.” Whenever I come across a newly released work of fiction, that makes my heart go all a-flutter, I can’t wait to call up my little sister, “Hey, Meg, you gotta check this one out at your library!” (Public libraries — gotta love ’em!) A weekly treat for my husband and me is our Wednesday A.M. breakfast date. How often have we said, “You know who would love this place”… and we spread the word.
Ladies, I can’t forget to mention that beauty item, the one that, when you decide to give it a shot, produces wonderful results. Pass it on! That cleaning product that truly does both whiten and brighten and that “freebie” that actually is free. Good news is contagious!
I love to expose my family and friends to that little treasure of info that can be a gift. It makes my heart happy to know that they’ve opened it up and were blessed.
I came across such a treasure two years ago with a BBC period drama series entitled Call The Midwife. It is based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth and follows the lives and work of a group of Anglican nuns and midwives in 1950’s East London. They live at Nonnatus House, a nursing convent set in Poplar, a deprived district made up of the desperately poor.
It stars Jessica Raine, Miranda Hart, Helen George, Bryony Hannah, Laura Main, Jenny Agutter, Pam Ferris, Judy Parfitt and a cast of characters that won my heart. I love these ladies…their Christ-like servanthood towards these moms-to-be and their “I’ve got-your-back-no-matter-what” understanding towards each other. They possess such sweet spirits and an innocence towards their community. Their community is the sad and down-and-out and they just love these inhabitants.
Frankly, it’s awfully nice to see committed religious workers portrayed in an attractive, respectful manner – not like the stereotyped, bitter hags we see in movies like 2002’s The Magdalene Sisters or the more recent, disappointing Philomena.
Oh, did I mention that I love these ladies?
The plot follows newly trained Jenny Lee and her comrades Cynthia,Trixie, and Chummy as they maneuver through their daily delivery chores. They are assisted by Sisters Bernadette, Julienne, Evangeline and Monica Joan. A great team of care-givers that make you both laugh and cry and want to accompany them as they meander through their mission of generating life. I simply would love to share a meal and a story with these new BBC friends of mine.
I couldn’t keep quiet about this series. I blabbed to several women in my church, shared the DVDs and got ’em hooked! Even my mother and sister-in-law came on board! I guess you could say I am the Call The Midwife whisperer.
I am a faithful supporter of most things British. I, along with millions of viewers from across the world, have just wrapped up Season 4 of Downtown Abbey. I even got my husband to sit for the Sunday evening showcase and he loved it. The thought of having to wait an entire year for Downton Season 5 to commence will be trying. I am looking forward to getting my next British fix and if you find yourself in the same boat let me relay this good gossip…
Season 3 of Call The Midwife will premiere on PBS stations, Sunday, March 30th at 8 pm. Get a hold of seasons 1 and 2. Whatever it takes. You will not regret it and you will end up sharing the experiences of these girls and finding the power behind a word of mouth.
Just thought I’d let you know.
Image: Courtesy of: http://www.cazadoresdeseries.es/2013/03/10/llama-a-la-comadrona-call-the-midwife-review/
