Problems in Poplar continue in Call the Midwife season 14, episode 6, as the bin men go on strike. This leads to a major health issue for the people, with lives on the line. However, there are concerns about Joyce’s future when she becomes a victim of racism.
Caution: This post contains SPOILERS on Call the Midwife season 14, episode 6.
Nurse Crane is in Devonshire on a vacation for the episode, but we know that the team at Nonnatus House could have done with her. Trixie was a great person to run the show, though, as she offers compassion and sternness when needed. However, there’s only so much Trixie can do when an illness spreads.
Cyril loses a friend but gains a love in Call the Midwife season 14, episode 6
Dr. Turner is angry at the current situation in Poplar. The bin men are on strike, and the trash is piling up in the streets. It’s not just smelly, but dangerous to the health. It doesn’t take long for his predictions to come true, with a terrible illness spreading around.
When one man comes down with Weil’s Disease and ends up dying, Dr. Turner makes it clear to Violet that she needs to do something. She doesn’t do anything until it’s Reggie who ends up sick. That’s the point she realizes that while striking is a right, it shouldn’t come at the expense of the health of the people of Poplar.
Things take a turn for the worse for Nonnatus House, though. Rosalind gets a sick Nigel back to Cyril’s home, and it’s soon clear that the two are extremely sick. Cyril hopes that Nigel will make it through the night to be able to get him to the vet, but it doesn’t work. Nigel passes away wrapped in a blanket in Cyril’s arms overnight, and it’s such a heartbreaking moment.
However, it’s a moment that brings Cyril some clarity. He’s been fighting against the divorce from his wife for some time, but he comes to accept it as he realizes he needs to accept someone else in his life. It’s all about Rosalind, except that she’s also come down with Weil’s Disease, and it’s touch and go as to whether she’ll survive.
Fortunately, Rosalind makes it through with the right treatment, and Cyril is able to bring her grapes. I love how grapes are the go-to for recovery in the hospital. It’s what my parents brought me when I had my appendix removed as a teenager. Cyril then shares that he’s getting a divorce but that he doesn’t want to be alone; he wants to be with Rosalind.
It’s a cute moment, but Joyce doesn’t want Rosalind to go through with this relationship. You see, Joyce is dealing with her own situation.
Joyce’s job is on the line in Call the Midwife
During the episode, Trixie is leading an initiative to get mothers walking sooner after birth. It’s no longer a case of staying in bed for 10 days. Moving sooner is proving to be better for a mother’s health, and Joyce is part of this initiative.
Well, Mrs. Midgely is not into this idea. When she gives birth, she decides to remain in bed and do things the way she always did when having her two babies before. When she struggles to get rest because of everyone else, she decides to leave Nonnatus House and go home, against all medical advice.
Well, as you would expect, there’s a medical issue — a life threatening one. A lot of that comes from her own prejudice. She won’t allow Joyce to examine her properly, and Sister Catherine is shocked to see it happen. However, Sister Catherine doesn’t think that it’s her place to talk about this, and it’s only when Mrs. Midgely suffers a deep vein thrombosis and her life is on the line that everything comes out.
Joyce knew that she is a victim of racial prejudice, and it comes out because Mrs. Midgely puts in a complaint about Joyce, saying that she didn’t do her job. It doesn’t matter that she wouldn’t let Joyce come anywhere near her, and with Sister Catherine not being there for the second house call, it’s Mrs. Midgely’s word against Joyce’s.
Sister Julienne seems shocked to find out that racial prejudice is a thing. Of course, she’s never come across it, but Joyce has too many times to count. It’s no wonder she’s worried about Rosalind being with Cyril, knowing how people will hate Rosalind for being with Cyril all because of the color of Cyril’s skin.
I just hope that we see the doctors side with Joyce. With what Sister Catherine saw at one home visit and Joyce’s track record, Mrs. Midgely’s racism has to come out, but it’s going to be a nerve-wracking situation for Joyce. Especially considering the time period.
The Army is called in to help with the trash
In the end, Sister Monica Joan is able to find a new lease on life. As people complain about the trash and the disease, Sister Monica Joan reminds everyone about what life was like during the war. Everyone had to just get on with it.
After this, Sister Veronica realizes how Sister Monica Joan’s skills can be used. She was struggling with the cubs to help them get their badges thanks to the trash, but Sister Monica Joan has many stories of the past that she can tell. I remember listening intently to how life was like during World War II from my grandparents, so it doesn’t surprise me to see the children engrossed in the tales of what Poplar was like during the War.
As the episode closes, Violet is able to figure out a way to help the situation in Poplar. She and Dr. Turner manage to work together to get the Army in to take care of the trash while the deal with the bin men continues. There’s hope that the disease will be cleaned up, but hopefully, Violet will realize she needs to act sooner rather than later next time.
Call the Midwife airs on Sundays at 8/7c on PBS.
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