What a relief! All the young midwives and good sisters return in the new season of the BBC's immensely absorbing and popular drama, set in poverty-ridden East London in the late 1950s. With Nonnatus House scheduled for destruction, Jenny (Jessica Raine), Chummy (Miranda Hart), and Sister Julienne (Jenny Agutter) search for a new location as Jenny's relationship with Alec continues to bloom. Based on the best-selling memoirs of Jennifer Worth, set in the late 1950s, narrated by Vanessa Redgrave, this hit British series is a fascinating look at midwifery, family life, and the plight of the poor and female. Seen on PBS. 10 episodes plus the 2013 Christmas special, 9 1/2 hrs, 3 DVDs.
Christmas Special
Nonnatus House and the surrounding area is evacuated when an unexploded bomb is found nearby. Shelagh has doubts about her wedding to Patrick, and Jenny and Trixie help a man who is suffering from shell shock.
Episode 3.1
Now dating surveyor Alec, Jenny joins the other midwives in their superior new base, along with latest recruit, Sister Winifred. Jenny is concerned for Merle and Billy, a young couple whose infant boys are permanently ill, causing them to doubt their parenting skills. Sister Monica Joan accidentally provides Dr. Turner with the solution to the children's complaints, thus saving them.
Episode 3.2
Jenny is promoted to Acting Sister at the clinic, much to the chagrin of the more experienced Trixie. Cynthia is taken in by the theories of a visiting doctor, and a troubled, desperate woman seeks help.
Episode 3.3
Sister Julienne and Trixie attend to the female inmates at Holloway Prison, where they meet a troubled young woman. Jenny deals with a vain patient, Shelagh receives horrendous news, and the girls celebrate Chummy's birthday.
Episode 3.4
Sister Winifred treats a young Jewish woman whose mother is plagued by remembrances of the Holocaust. Shelagh tries to find a new way to channel her energy, and Alec suffers a terrible accident.
Episode 3.5
As Jenny takes compassionate leave after Alec's death and Sister Julienne collapses with exhaustion, Shelagh returns to help out and efficient nurse Patsy Mount arrives. They start to plan for a party to mark the jubilee of Sister Evangelina taking holy orders but are interrupted by irate Mrs Harper, whose daughter Sally, a young woman with Downs Syndrome, is pregnant. The father, cerebral palsy sufferer Jacob, lives in the same residential home and they declare that they are in love and aim to marry but the baby is stillborn and Jacob is sent to another home.
Episode 3.6
Patsy's brusque manner sees her taken off midwifery duties and reassigned to district nursing, where a patient reminds her of her past. Trixie deals with a couple whose relationship has separated them from their families.
Episode 3.7
Jenny returns and is seconded to the London Hospital, where she meets a fretting mother-to-be. Chummy's mother visits, a patient of Cynthia's becomes mentally ill, and Tom's nervousness leads to trouble with Trixie.
Episode 3.8
Chummy struggles to cope with her mother's terminal illness, with her experience affecting Sister Monica Joan greatly. Shelagh and Patrick receive encouraging news, and Jenny makes an important decision.
Packaging: Boxed set
Run Time: 472 minutes
Format: Widescreen
Number of Discs: 3
Language: English
Subtitles: Yes
Color or B&W: Color
CC: No
SDH: No
Region Code: 1
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Rating: NR
Awards:
National Television Awards Nomination for Most Popular Drama (2014)
BAFTA TV Award Winner for Best Director (2013)
BAFTA TV Award Winner for Best Make-Up & Hair Design (2013)
BAFTA TV Award Nomination for Audience Award (2013)
Christopher Award Winner for Television & Cable (2013)
National Television Award winner for Most Popular Female Drama Performance (Miranda Hart, 2013)
Royal Television Society Award Nomination for Best Drama Series (2013)
Satellite Awards Nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries, or Motion Picture Made for Television (Judy Parfitt, 2013)
TV Quick Awards Nomination for Best Drama Series (2013)
Television and Radio Industries Club Awards Winner for TV Drama Programme of the Year (2013)
BAFTA TV Award Nomination for Best Costume Design (2012)
BAFTA TV Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actress (Miranda Hart, 2012)
Prix Europa Nomination for Best Episode of TV Fiction Series or Serial (2012)
Prix Europa Nomination for TV Fiction (2012)
Royal Television Society Nomination for Best Costume Design: Drama (2012)
TV Quick Awards Winner for Best Actress (Miranda Hart, 2012)
TV Quick Awards Winner for Best New Drama (2012)