Call the Midwife s14e01 Episode Script
Season 14, Episode 1
1
MATURE JENNIFER:
Life unfolds as fates decide.
It carries within its own secrets,
its own power,
its own incontrovertible decisions.
Life does not appear
to accept dictation.
And so we seek to pin it down,
to label it,
to assign to it weights and measures
and predicted likelihoods.
But life will not submit to this.
Life thinks life knows best.
I come bearing gifts!
We really ought to put a ban
on ketchup bottles!
They can't possibly get
washed out properly.
Mrs Affori left her sample on the bus.
I've sent her to the ladies'
to try again.
I'm taking advantage of a brief lull
in clinic proceedings
in order to draw your attention
to the forthcoming
1970 Birth Cohort Study.
The designated seven days
commence on the 5th of April.
If you're looking for the pasty
you left on the side,
it has been removed
to the refrigerator.
DR TURNER: I can't wait.
There have been surveys
of this and studies of that
ever since
the National Health kicked off.
But this is going to be
teaching us things for 80 years.
So, what will we actually do
during the designated seven days?
Every birth of every child
in the country,
including those that we deliver,
must be meticulously annotated.
Prepare yourselves by perusing
the materials provided.
Mrs Martin!
How nice to have you back with us
again!
This is number three, isn't it?
For my sins!
I'll have a bottle each
of the orange juice
and the Delrosa for the boys
and all the milk tokens and whatnot.
I'll have some cod liver oil an' all.
Nobody likes it in our house,
but at least it's free.
Well, it's certainly discounted.
I'll just work out what you owe.
I beg your pardon?
I don't think I owe you anything.
Your circumstances have changed,
Mrs Martin.
Now your husband is working again
your entitlements have been revised.
That's exactly seven shillings.
Don't need the cod liver oil.
Or the orange.
You know, I sometimes wonder
what the last war was for!
How far is the airport?
Depends whether you mean
New York or Heathrow.
Trixie's coming back this afternoon.
The afternoon is from now
until teatime,
and you've only just had your lunch,
Reg.
Look, why don't you go round
the corner and wait for her taxi?
You don't want me
to look at the rude magazines.
No, I don't. Your mum would kill me,
and even I'm supposed to
do this looking the other way.
Mother is 30 years old.
This is the second baby.
Obstructed labour
in the first pregnancy
resulted in delivery by Caesarean
of a live infant weighing 10lb 3oz.
Have we any idea
why this might have occurred?
Gestational diabetes, sir? Correct.
But but I've been all right
this time.
There's not been anything wrong
with me at all.
Have we any observations to make
about Mother's abdomen?
Long, vertical incision, sir?
High, vertical,
classical Caesarean scar.
Meaning natural delivery is precluded
in this and all future labours,
due to?
Risk of death, sir?
Risk of uterine rupture.
One of the most serious
adverse events in obstetrics.
Mother will be admitted
in advance of her due date -
no trial of labour.
I will reopen this scar and conduct
a second surgical delivery.
I-I don't reckon it's even
that big a baby this time.
Given your history, that is immaterial.
Big baby, small baby,
we will do what's best.
I brought you a cuppa
and some ginger nuts
to keep you going while you unpack.
What's all this?
Those sheets were clean on.
I brought my own.
Your own sheets?
Well, the weather
will be warming up soon
and I'm not sure I can face three
months cocooned in flannelette.
This is the bedding Matthew and I
use in our apartment.
Well, I suppose if it reminds you
of him
It does.
WOMAN SOBS
What's all this, dear?
Is someone looking after you?
I'm waiting for a blood test,
for diabetes.
But I don't have diabetes.
SHE SNIFFLES
Mr Parry says
I've got to have a Caesarean.
Come on.
Dry your eyes, blow your nose.
This is really clean.
I'm a trained professional -
I wouldn't offer you a mucky one!
I wouldn't contradict anything
Mr Parry says either,
but I can tell you, if you aren't
happy with your consultant,
you can talk to your GP.
I've never even met my GP.
He's called Dr Turner,
that's all I know.
Tell me your name
and we'll start from there.
We are so grateful to you for giving
us your time, Nurse Aylward.
The gratitude goes both ways.
The business in New York
is really going very well.
But we'll be home within the year
and I don't want to let
my registration lapse.
I may be asking rather more of you
than keeping up your midwifery skills
and taking on refresher courses.
The Board of Health have declared
war on Nonnatus House.
War?!
They do not like that the Order are,
by definition, religious sisters.
They do not like that we wear
the habit.
They do not like that we pray.
They do not approve of us delivering
contraceptive advice,
um, sexual education,
or even, one suspects, babies.
SHE SCOFFS
And they do not like
that our first obedience
is to God and not to them.
FOOTSTEPS APPROACH
I've just been called out
to Sira Patel.
It's her first baby, isn't it?
You may be up for a long night.
I shall relish it.
Now Nurse Aylward is back,
I doubt I'll be called upon
for night duty for a while.
What are we going to do, Sister?
We are going to fight back,
with every weapon at our disposal.
And that, my colleague and friend,
includes you.
Praise the Lord, O my soul
And forget not all his benefits
Who forgiveth all thy sin
And healeth all thine
infirmities ♪
SHE GRUNTS, EXHALES SHARPLY
SHE GROANS
We're almost there, Sira!
You've almost made it!
CAT MEOWS
BRAKE SQUEAKS
INDISTINCT CHATTER
No, no, no, it's
Whoa! What you doing?
BOYS SQUABBLE
BABY CRIES
CRYING CONTINUES
- What are you doing?!
- What are you doing?
Attention, please!
Mr Buckle has just telephoned
after his emergency trip
to the warehouse,
and he has managed to locate
the missing papers.
Hands up everyone who normally delivers
the Express or the Mirror.
And Paula.
Ooh, thank you, Reggie.
Where is Paula?
SHOP BELL RINGS
Paula, we have a plan.
Are you all right, dear?
You look ever so pale.
Oh!
Oh, you poor pet!
I'd better walk you home.
I'll probably be all right now.
Ow! Ow!
It's full of knots, May.
It hurts!
It'd hurt less if she cut them out
with scissors.
DOOR OPENS
Good morning!
Patrick! Biscuits for breakfast?!
While the cat's away,
the mice will play!
- I've made fresh coffee.
- Oh!
How was it?
Oh long labour.
Posterior presentation.
Tears for the mother,
aching knees for yours truly.
And it was everything.
Everything this job is meant to be.
Winnie Welch and her family
were indeed transferred to us
in January,
when Dr Kinloch's practice
closed on the Isle of Dogs.
You do wonder how many amenities
the Isle of Dogs can lose.
It's madness, when the council
are building more flats there
all the time!
I'll ask one of our midwives
to call in on her.
DOOR OPENS, SHOP BELL DINGS
Oh, good afternoon, Mrs Cunningham.
Did my Paula leave her jumper
here this morning?
- Is it blue?
- That's it.
I couldn't tell if it was hers
or one of the paper lads'.
Oh, your magazines are in, by the way.
Er, Reggie, can you get
Mrs Cunningham's,
er, Gospel and People's Friend.
SHE CHUCKLES
Mrs Cunningham, may I have a word?
But I saw Paula at dinner time.
She always comes home for her dinner.
There's too much monkey business
in that school canteen.
But she didn't say anything
about being sick.
Um, she told me
it had happened a few times.
And it was such a nasty, bright yellow.
Well, do you think
it was a bilious attack?
I think she needs to see a doctor.
Every single day!
CAR HORN TOOTS
They don't care about us!
It's our children,
it's their futures! We need
to stand together, all right?
Excuse me, Constable.
How long is this going on for?
I'm a midwife,
trying to make a house call.
Is somebody having a baby?
Sorry, Nurse Crane, but the only way
you're going to get to deliver
a baby this morning
is if you jump in and swim.
Is the bridge up again?
That bridge has been up and down
like a stripper's drawers since
they built it last autumn!
And every time it's up to let a ship
in, we're all trapped on the island
till the ruddy thing's unloaded.
SHIP'S HORN BLARES
Oh, chocks away!
BRIDGE MECHANISM RUMBLES
LOUD THUD
Cyril!
- Mr Robinson. Hello.
- Hello. What brings you here?
I'm dropping off this month's forms
for the mother and baby homes.
I expect they probably end up
on your desk.
They do.
What's this?
HE SIGHS
I don't have as much time
to spend in the homeless shelter
as I did.
They could do with a new volunteer
or two.
I might put my name down.
If I don't find something
useful to do with my evenings,
Nurse Crane and Miss Higgins
will have me helping with the Cubs.
THEY CHUCKLE
THEY LAUGH AWKWARDLY
GULLS CAW
KEYS JANGLE
I was in hospital for three weeks,
Nurse.
I was in so much pain,
I couldn't even feed the baby.
And they kept him in the nursery
for all that time.
The important thing to remember
is that once you're discharged,
the district midwives
will be looking after you
exactly as if you'd had Baby
in our little maternity home,
or even in this bed.
I had a dream once,
that I had it in this bed.
My mum was sitting where you are
and she was holding my hand
and she was egging me on
as if she was still alive.
It's funny because this is the bed
she had me in.
Well, you do surprise me!
- This feels like a top-notch mattress!
- Oh, it's almost new.
Me and Lance treated ourselves
when we got married.
Winnie, most of the time,
birth is just a normal, natural
messy event.
But once you've had to have
one Caesarean,
it does make sense
to follow suit the next time.
It might make sense in your head.
But it doesn't make sense in my heart.
It's like my body is burning to do
the thing that it was made for.
But sometimes, nature must be
overruled by science.
All done, thank you.
How many hamsters have you got, Paula?
Three, in two cages.
Mum wanted me to call them Shadrach,
Meshach and Abednego,
like from the Bible.
But I called them Rosemary,
Parsley and Sage.
Think Rosemary might be a boy, though.
It's cystitis, isn't it?
All the women in our family
have trouble with our
waterworks.
We've got narrow tubes.
I'll certainly take
a urine sample away with me,
so we can see what's what.
Paula, have you started your periods
yet?
Not really. I had one
a couple of months ago.
She's been a bit of a late developer.
But I always say to her,
"You'll catch up.”
Come on, time for your toast
and peanut butter.
I got a new jar, crunchy this week.
Sister Veronica said that this
came in the afternoon post.
Hmm!
Where are you going
with Uncle Roger tonight?
Er, his company are giving a party
for the sales reps.
"Curry buffet and dancing,"
according to the invite.
They must have sold
a lot of tranquillizers.
That's why Uncle Roger
got promoted, isn't it?
- SHE COUGHS
- Yes, it is.
Now, come here, you're coughing.
I need to rub some menthol
on your chest.
Pregnancy test?
Well, that's going to be negative.
She's 13 years old.
Mrs Cunningham, Paula is showing
every sign of being pregnant.
No, Doctor.
No.
I'm sorry.
We know what's what in
the modern world.
And we've brought Paula up
the right way.
I know you go to church, Mr Cunningham.
We don't just go to church,
we live church.
It's as the Lord says in Deuteronomy,
"And these words thou shalt teach
diligently unto thy children
"and shalt talk of them
when thou sit test in thine house"
BOTH: "..and when thou walkest
by the way
"and when thou liest down,
and when thou risest up.”
When they had sex education
at school last year,
I wouldn't even sign the letter.
We discussed it, didn't we, Philip?
We agreed there were things
she didn't need to know.
Kids learn soon enough, though,
don't they?
Yes. They do.
I'm running my gimlet eye over you all,
from the soles of your shoes
to the top of your hats.
Please note I'm wearing
fully fashioned stockings.
If the pay rise is going
to be announced today,
I want to be as well presented
as it's possible to be.
SHE SIGHS
DOORBELL RINGS
Let me answer it!
Uncle Roger!
Do you have any science homework
for me to do?
Only the evaporation experiment.
Still the evaporation experiment?
It's like watching water dry!
SHE CHUCKLES
INDISTINCT CHATTER
POP MUSIC
One more dance, one more onion bhaji,
then we're making our excuses.
I'll keep dancing, and you can keep
your onion bhaji!
SHE CHUCKLES
It is with the most profound pleasure
that as a direct result of
our campaign,
I am now able to announce
the following:
a two-year, two-part settlement
comprising a 20% pay rise
from the 1st of April 1970,
with an additional 2%
from the 1st of April 1971.
MURMURING
A total wage increase of 22%!
EXCITED CHATTER, CHEERING
We did this, not by allowing our
profession to be sentimentalised,
not by tugging at government's
heartstrings,
and not by claiming to be an army
of Florence Nightingales
in short skirts.
We did it by acknowledging
our own worth
and persuading society to do the same!
Would you not give Indian food
another go, Nance?
I wasn't mad keen on beer
when I first tried it,
but I persevered.
And the rest is history!
All I've had tonight is grape juice,
cos I'm driving back to Surrey.
My mother would be ecstatic.
Has she really never drunk alcohol
in the whole of her life?
That's Presbyterianism for you.
Does she know you're
walking out with a Catholic?
All I've said, so far,
is that your name is Nancy.
Roger, there's something
I have to tell you.
Oh, don't get all serious on me.
It's scary!
That campaign taught me all kinds of
things I didn't know.
Phyllis! Should we stop and get some
fish and chips to celebrate?
That's "Nurse Crane" to you
when we're in uniform!
And no eating in the street!
We're to take them back
to Nonnatus House.
ALL LAUGH
I may be more modern,
but I'm not that modern!
The speaker was right about
not being sentimental, though.
We can emote all we like, we can
cite our vocation all we like,
but nothing gets through to those
in power like cold, hard facts.
Netherditch Hospital?
I've seen signs
for Netherditch Hospital.
It's right in the middle
of my sales patch!
I was offered exactly the same job
there 18 months ago,
and I turned it down.
The same job is vacant again. The
same little house is vacant again.
You have to take it, Nancy.
You'll be nearer to me,
until we get married.
And Colette will be able
to breathe clean air
and go to a better school.
You want all that for her
just as much as I do, don't you?
She's going to be my daughter.
THEME TUNE
DOORBELL RINGS
HE SIGHS
Who on earth can that be
at this hour of the night?
Someone needs emergency
knicker elastic!
THEY LAUGH
REGGIE SIGHS
Colette first.
Nuns next.
Then I'm going to phone my mother
in the morning
and I'm going to take you both
to meet her over Easter weekend.
Grand.
So, where's the ring?
It's in my jacket pocket.
It's been there
since the day we chose it.
SHE LAUGHS
SHE LAUGHS EXCITEDLY
Perfect.
I love that it's an opal.
It's got so many
different colours in it.
Like yellow and pink and turquoise,
flashing like stars,
or little electric flowers.
It's like you.
HE WHISPERS
I love you.
I'm sorry to spring it on you
when you're
in your rollers and everything.
MAN CHORTLES
But you are the mayor.
I most certainly am the mayor,
Mr Southwell.
And please be advised
that you cannot just make
a unilateral declaration
of independence
on behalf of the Isle of Dogs.
Did it in Rhodesia.
Ah, Rhodesia's a country!
The Isle of Dogs isn't even a borough!
It's more of a bulge into
the Thames.
And 11,000 people live there.
We're underfunded, overlooked,
starved of resources
Fed up to the back teeth.
That's a very stirring statement,
Mr Southwell,
but you aren't an elected politician.
As of midnight, I am President
of the Island.
SHE SIGHS
And I am Prime Minister.
HE CHUCKLES
Course, it's about time
old Harold Wilson got
a run for his money!
And there's eight more men
in our committee.
You are a tug boat pilot.
And this is a gimmick.
It's a silly,
attention-seeking gimmick.
I'm not giving you my support.
It doesn't matter.
This was only a courtesy call.
Come tomorrow, we're all free men.
ALL: ..to do always that is
righteous in thy sight,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Uh, Sister Julienne, may I have a word?
LAUGHTER
Are you going to miss us,
Sister Julienne?
Our sadness at your departure
is completely eclipsed by
our happiness for both of you.
I can't put it as elegantly as that,
but
good on you, lass.
Ah, you'll make me cry!
Save the tears.
There's a wedding to plan!
Yes. When is it going to be?
Yes, when, and where?
In six months' time.
In Poplar.
Why would I want to get married
anywhere other than home?
Dr Turner has asked me
to look after Paula,
the little pregnant girl.
The 13-year-old?
He said he needs a midwife who can
be gentle with the child
and firm with the child's mother.
Adolescent pregnancies
are notoriously difficult.
She's at increased risk
of eclampsia, anaemia,
preterm delivery
and antepartum haemorrhage.
One saw it far too often
in times gone by.
A half-budded body
that should be little and limber
warped and swollen
out of all tolerable shape.
And the infants of such children
were usually so very small,
as though they scarcely dared admit
that they were made.
Just because a body can conceive
a baby,
doesn't mean that it can bear it
easily.
At such a young age, I mean,
can a mother even understand
what's happening?
We can bring Paula in in a minute.
But ideally, I need to speak
with her mother too.
Would a home visit be more convenient?
My wife doesn't want to talk to you.
This sort of thing doesn't happen
in families like ours.
Or churches like ours.
According to Dr Turner's notes,
you attend Habitation Chapel?
I know it.
Habitation Chapel has been
saving lives since 1859.
It says, "Saving souls since 1859,"
above the door,
but I reckon it does more than that.
My life wouldn't have been worth living
if I hadn't gone in there
and pledged myself to Jesus.
I always say, I met God
and I met Grace there.
Grace is my wife.
Everything else, it just, well,
it just sort of followed.
Mr Cunningham
questions will have to be asked
about the baby's father.
Who he is and whether any offence
has been committed.
It's not me.
I-I promise.
It's not me.
I've even had one of them vasectomies,
er, Dr Turner'll tell you.
Have you any idea
whether Paula has a boyfriend?
We wouldn't allow it.
Is this picture right?
Can your baby burst
out of your body like that?
This is a medical textbook, Mrs Welch.
It was written to train and educate
people like Nurse Clifford and me.
That's why it doesn't pull any punches.
This one frightens me,
and I'm a midwife.
It doesn't happen often, I promise you.
Why didn't anybody tell me
that my womb could burst open?
Did Mr Parry not think I was
clever enough to take this in?
Mrs Welch, has seeing this
changed the way that you feel
about having a surgical delivery?
Too ruddy right it has!
I'm scared of the operation, but I'm
terrified of the alternative.
I'm happy, Sister Veronica.
But I'll miss you doing this.
I'm happy.
But I will miss this too.
I was just about to leave.
I thought there was no-one home.
Cast your eye upon my visage.
Have I the untainted complexion
of youth?
Not really.
Then it will not surprise you to learn
that I am halt in my antiquity.
And I can no more run to this door
than I may fly.
The supply of hot beverages to callers
is no longer within my purview.
This must suffice.
I'm surprised the Pope
even let you have a television.
You'd think he'd encourage
self-discipline if nothing else.
Dr Turner never did this.
Now we know for sure
you're going to have a baby,
he wants to make sure
you have all the usual checks.
Is this all right, honey?
It feels a bit funny.
I'm sorry.
It's one of those things
us girls have to get used to,
if we're going to look after
our bodies properly.
This won't take too long.
I'm going to get you a tissue.
You might see a tiny bit of blood.
Am I having a period?
No. I don't think it's that.
Angela and May hope
they'll be bridesmaids.
They've never been asked
by anyone before.
Ah, have they not? Well, they might
be getting a nice surprise!
- Really?
- I'm going to talk to Auntie Violet
about making all the dresses.
Hello.
My name is Esther Noble.
And I take it you're the young lady
whom my son intends to marry?
Paula's hymen is still there, Doctor.
To the point where I think
I tore it slightly
when I tried to examine her.
Sometimes the hymen
doesn't completely stretch
across the vagina.
An intact hymen isn't unheard of
in a pregnant patient.
But in this case,
it's just totally unhelpful.
He implied you were respectable.
I am completely respectable.
You're an unmarried mother!
I was also reared by nuns
and I still live in a convent.
It is of no consolation to me
that you're Roman Catholic.
These nuns are Anglican.
The distinction is immaterial.
Question one - where were you baptised?
Two - where will you marry? Three
where do you go to worship God?
Question one -
you'd have to ask my mother,
who's been dead for 20 years.
Two - the registry office.
Three - I don't.
I see.
Roger had a very different upbringing.
And it's clear to me that he is
making the most terrible mistake.
I told you.
And my daughter told you.
And now her body has told you.
She is a virgin.
She is also expecting a baby.
If that child is expecting a baby
and her hymen,
or whatever you call it,
has never been broken,
there are only two ways
this can have come about.
She's either pregnant
by the Holy Spirit
Are you saying this is
an immaculate conception?
or she's been interfered with
by the Devil.
Nurse Corrigan! Nurse Corrigan!
Your fiance's on the phone!
COIN RATTLES
Roger? Your mother's been here.
What? In London?!
She told me nothing!
Well, she told me plenty.
What do you do in a case like Winnie's?
When the mother is so scared
and so desperate?
Well, sometimes, just
hearing them out is as good
as talking them round.
But what I could never say
to Winnie Welch
is that the worst thing I ever
witnessed was a woman dying
of exactly the complication
that this second Caesarean
is aiming to avoid.
- Uterine rupture?
- Hmm.
It's as if it's branded
into my mind's eye.
The mother had
the most beautiful tummy,
not a stretch mark on it.
And you never forget a thing like that.
But during second stage,
there was this rippling
underneath the skin.
I could see the muscles
contracting, contracting, contracting,
into this sickening hourglass shape.
The other thing I never forget
is the way she screamed
before she died,
as though animals
were tearing her apart.
She'd bought a beautiful new nightie
for wearing afterwards.
Turquoise nylon,
with a little lemon frill.
I had it warming on the
fireguard.
But I had to lay her out in it, dead.
With the baby tucked
into the crook of her arm.
Oh, Phyllis
I felt such a fraud,
sympathising with Winnie
over Mr Parry and his scalpel.
But the fact of the matter is,
if there is any risk at all
of uterine rupture,
the knife is the only way ahead.
CLAMOUR OUTSIDE
Yes, I am aware that the Isle of Dogs
has declared itself
an independent republic.
This has not been put
to any sort of vote,
and as Mayor of Tower Hamlets,
I neither acknowledge nor condone it.
Men are filming outside.
What?!
Oh
Don't let anyone in!
Where's Fred gone?
I had to catch an aeroplane.
And the only boarding house available
is like the United Nations!
I am in love and I'm getting married.
It's not a crisis, Mother.
I'm nearly 30!
You're 27 years
and eight months old tomorrow.
If we're to have a helpful
conversation about this,
it would be best if we adhere to facts.
The principle facts being
Nancy is a Catholic,
and has a child outside
what you would call wedlock.
And you don't want me to marry her.
I don't want you contracting a
marriage that will end in tears!
Yours, or mine!
What about Nancy?
She doesn't deserve
a day's more unhappiness
than she's already overcome.
Because, in spite
of all of that she has endured,
she is the brightest, lightest spirit
and she and her little girl
HIS VOICE BREAKS
..shine on me, like sunlight.
She has turned your head.
And she's turning you away from
all that you have ever known.
You're the one who's turning me away.
If you carry on like this,
there'll be no coming back!
She tore Roger to shreds.
I don't want a mother-in-law
that hurts her son like that.
Tinned salmon, with just a suspicion
of salad cream.
I want to go and fight her.
But that would just hurt him more.
And he wants to go and fight her,
but that would hurt everyone.
You need someone to vouch for you,
Nancy.
Someone who can bring
a supplementary point of view.
Yeah, I've no-one, Miss Higgins.
You know perfectly well
that that's not the case.
MAN: Right, come on, you lot, let's go!
No-one passes
until our demands are met!
INDISTINCT SHOUTING
Win? Winnie!
Can you please stop cleaning?
The place is filthy.
And it doesn't help that the
immersion heater's bust again.
I wish you'd give over
with them banners -
there was nothing wrong
with the last ones.
I forgot the "the".
There was only room
for "we are people”,
and that's a foregone conclusion
in anybody's book.
You don't look comfy, Win.
I'm not comfy.
Maybe the midwives would have
something to treat wind?
Reviewing these accounts, Sister,
it's clear that the council's
budget only works because
the Order does a great deal of work
for nothing.
We are sisters of charity.
That's always been our way.
That was your way before the
National Health came into being.
But there's no reason why it should
have continued afterwards!
Well, there may be no reason,
but there is need.
The council are using you
so that they can save money.
Is this going to be
awfully contentious?
Yes. It is.
Sometimes things happen in this life
which appear to be inexplicable.
Do you know what inexplicable means,
Paula?
Does it mean there's no reason for it?
It means that there seems to be
no reason for it.
But, Paula, there is always a reason
for everything that happens
on this Earth.
Because God in heaven has decreed it,
or because the Devil is trying
to make things otherwise.
By striving to make us alter
our behaviour.
Do you believe in God, Paula?
And do you believe in the Devil?
No, I don't.
But if you don't believe in him
that means you don't fear him.
And that is very, very dangerous.
SHIP'S HORN BLARES
SHE SCREAMS
Mummy! Don't hit me!
Paula, I've never, ever hit you.
Not even a smack on the legs
when you were little
and you were naughty,
but this this is not you!
This is not something you have done.
Can't you see that?
Would it be better
if I had done something?
Would everyone stop shouting at me?
If you'd done something
that would be even worse.
INDISTINCT CHATTER
LAUGHTER
CAR HORNS TOO
Excuse me! Do you have a spare balloon?
We'll tie it to the wing mirror!
Why are you encouraging them?
HORN TOOTS
By all accounts, they've
occupied the Blue Bridge
and they're blocking this one.
HORN BLASTS
My apologies, madam,
but we're not allowing
any more through traffic
until after the President arrives.
The President?
What do you mean, the President?
Tom Southwell,
President of the Isle of Dogs.
He's on his way back from the BBC,
- he's been giving interviews all morning.
- I see.
And who are you - his press spokesman?
Well, I, as a matter of fact,
am the Prime Minister.
And I'm Home Secretary.
Well, if you're Home Secretary,
then you're responsible
for law and order.
So I suggest that you allow me to pass
before I perform a citizen's arrest!
Mrs Cunningham?
I need to see your daughter.
She requires regular appointments.
Paula!
This is Joyce. Joyce Highland.
I am the nurse who came to see you.
You can telephone me
at Nonnatus House at any time.
We're in Wick Street.
No-one can force you
to face this alone.
DOOR OPENS
She isn't facing anything alone.
She has parents that love her
and a church that is praying
for her soul.
THROUGH LOUD-HAILER:
What do we want, citizens?
We want doctors! We want schools!
We want buses! We're no fools!
- Excuse me
- Nurse Crane, that lady's on our books!
She's five months pregnant.
Oh, yes, Ingrid Martin.
No show without Punch.
Excuse me!
We're no fools!
This is our home.
Our Island of Dogs.
Mrs Martin? Ingrid?
I really don't think that's
an awfully safe place to stand.
Thank you, Nurse,
but I'm not in any danger.
I'm standing firm,
along with the people
of the Independent Republic
of the Isle of Dogs!
CROWD CHEERS
AIR HISSES
The little rascals!
They're letting the tyres down
on that bus!
Oi!
It's about time we showed them
just what we're made of!
DOOR CLOSES
SHIP'S HORN BLARES
Winnie, there's two of them.
It's just as well!
I reckon I'm in labour.
Proper labour.
What was that awful noise?
The people have occupied the bridge,
so there's a cargo ship
locked outside of the dock.
I feel I'm going to burst open.
Sh-sh. No, no, you're not.
Mr Welch, could you go to the
telephone box
and ring for an ambulance?
I can't have it here!
If I do, I'll rupture!
Tell them an emergency
maternity transfer is required,
due to risk of uterine rupture.
CHURCH MEMBERS:
We beseech thee, O Lord.
Be this child's protection
against the wickedness
and snares of the Devil.
Be this child's protection
against the wickedness
and snares of the Devil.
O Prince of the Heavenly Host,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell all evil spirits
who wander through the world
seeking souls to feed from
and innocence to ruin.
SHE WHIMPERS
When will I know when
it's time to start pushing?
Try to stay calm, Winnie.
SHE CRIES SOFTLY
Deep, slow, breaths are better
than fast, shallow ones.
Deep and slow now.
Deep and slow.
I'm going to have it here, aren't I?
Yes. I believe you are.
I can't breathe.
There's no sign of the ambulance.
She needs to be in hospital.
This baby needs to be delivered
by Caesarean.
Go back to the kitchen, Mr Welch,
and keep boiling water.
Nurse Crane, we might have better luck
if you call them this time
and state that
this is a medical emergency.
When I start to push,
is that when I'm going to tear open?
No, Winnie. It is not.
CHURCH MEMBERS: Be this child's
protection against the wickedness
and snares of the Devil.
Look at me! Look at me!
Say it, Paula!
Say, "I reject you!"
I don't know what you mean!
Say, "I reject you!"
Help me, Daddy! SOBS
That's enough! Come on, Paula!
Run to Nonnatus House!
Run! Run!
BREATHES RAGGEDLY
HORN BLASTS
PROTESTERS: We shall not,
we shall not be moved ♪
I'm sorry, but this is
unacceptable, Mr Southwell.
They called me Mr President at the BBC.
You are not improving people's lives.
You are disrupting them.
We shall not, we shall not be moved
We shall not ♪
And you've no business going on the BBC
saying that council tenants
will not be paying rent
to Tower Hamlets any more!
All rents will be going direct
to the Citizens Council.
And who decided that?
The Citizens Council.
This is democracy.
No, this isn't democracy,
this is a farce!
Who voted for you?
Who are your supporters?
OTHERS: We are!
WOMEN: Not us. We didn't.
Fred!
We shall not, we ♪
You want to come over here
and calm your missus down?
Hello, Vi.
SHE WAILS
SHE SOBS I'm scared!
I feel like I shouldn't be pushing,
and then I can't help it.
Baby wants to be born, Winnie.
But we are going to make sure
that happens safely and smoothly.
- Do you hear me?
- But I'm really scared.
We are going to do this together.
They said the ambulance is en route.
But the the street's blocked
by protesters.
I keep thinking about my mum.
When she died,
me and my brothers and sisters
put an obituary in the Gazette.
And there was this poem in it,
and it said, er,
"If there were phones in heaven, Mum,
"we'd ring you every day"
I can't remember the rest of it
but there were some lovely rhymes
That's a lovely sentiment.
Many's the time I've wished
I could nip to the phone box
and call my mother.
If you could ring her,
what would you say?
I would say, "I'm in your bed, Mum.
"I'm giving birth
to your ninth grandchild.
"Every time I push, the midwife
says that she can see its head.
"And I think about you
and what you would have heard,
"when you were having me
"and Sally and Errol and Dawn.
"Hanging on to these bed rails,
"like Granny Annie did before us.
"Cos I'm not having a Caesarean, Mum!
"I'm going to do this myself."
SHE STRAINS
SIREN BLARES
SHE GASPS
Come in.
SHE GROANS
SHE PANTS AND GASPS
BABY CRIES
SHE LAUGHS
No rupture?
ROSALIND: No rupture. And no Caesarean!
All your own work!
Oh, lass
Oh, lass!
Oh, both of you!
How about all of us? It's a girl.
Is it a girl?!
Agh!
Go into the kitchen, stand by the sink
and run the cold tap
over your feet one at a time.
Your wife just had a baby
and we've got work to do.
Yes!
Oh
Here comes the placenta.
Gentlemen, we have a baby girl!
We also have a scalded father.
Your attendance would be appreciated.
Those scones were as light
as a feather, Miss Higgins.
I was taught to always combine
the mixture
using a bone-handled knife.
The logic was the blade stayed cool,
preventing the warmth of the hands
from affecting the butter.
I was taught to make pastry
with a bone-handled knife.
CHUCKLES SOFTLY
I'm sorry your son's engagement
is so hard to come to terms with.
I do appreciate that the religious
differences run very deep.
It's bred into the sinew,
where we come from.
You are who you are,
from the day you're born.
It was bad enough
before all this new carry-on.
So-called civil rights demonstrations
all across Belfast,
and fighting in the streets.
But Roger has a career
and a life in England now.
Like his wife-to-be.
Roger is hobbling himself.
The girl has a child in tow.
And how will they run a decent home,
not knowing what side
of the divide they're on?
I think they will run a decent home
by not accepting
there is a divide of any kind.
I don't mean to be rude, Miss Higgins.
You're a woman of rectitude
and discretion.
And it was very kind of you
to invite me into your home.
But what can you know
about this sort of mess?
About illegitimacy?
About religions getting
all mixed up with one another?
Mrs Noble
| know more than you might think.
Bodies are strange things, honey.
We feed them, we clothe them
and we live inside them,
but we don't know them
quite as well as we may think.
And sometimes,
they take us by surprise.
And sometimes,
our bodies want things
that we don't understand,
but can't run away from.
I couldn't run away from Lenny.
Lenny?
He does nearly the same
paper round as me.
Sometimes we walk back
down the towpath together.
So, you are friends?
We have a laugh.
And play fight.
All the lads do that.
Lenny always says I'm one of the lads.
And would you be alone,
on the towpath?
And is that where
you did your play fighting?
I liked it.
He liked it.
When we was alone,
it was different.
Honey, if you want to tell me
to stop asking questions, you can.
It's all right.
Did Lenny ever
interfere with your clothing?
He interfered with his.
But I didn't see anything!
I don't even know what we did.
I didn't mind it.
We was just laughing.
Laughing and fighting.
Paula, do you think
you had sexual intercourse?
I don't know!
My mum wouldn't sign the note
when we did facts of life at school.
Oh, honey.
SOBS: And now
I can never go home again.
You're a brave woman,
telling me about your son,
telling me your private story.
Tolerance and compromise
are such gentle things.
But like everything worthwhile,
they can take so much courage.
How old are the others,
in this mother and baby home?
Most are older.
Some are in their twenties
and will only be there for six weeks.
But Arbury House has
a 15-year-old and a 16-year-old
who will stay longer, so they
would be company for Paula.
I don't want her
coming under the influence
of girls like that.
Grace Paula is a girl like that.
Until we get her home
and the baby's adopted,
she's a girl like that, and we
are going to have to accept it.
I can't accept it.
I can't accept
that this is what God wants.
This is nothing to do with God.
KNOCK AT DOOR
SHE SNIFFLES
This is about
the way we brought her up.
I've come for the hamsters.
What?
Joyce rang the mother and baby home.
They said Paula can take them with her.
Come inside.
Thank you, Mrs Buckle.
Ooh, hello, girls!
We're going to have so much fun
choosing these dresses!
I've got this idea that they could
all wear different colours.
Maybe three shades of pink,
or one yellow, one blue, green.
I like lilac.
Maybe we should ask Miss Higgins.
Oh. When I was a girl,
we used to call mixed colours
at a wedding "sweet pea shades".
Fred! Stand by with the pastel taffeta.
NANCY: What are you doing up there?
I thought you were
running round the island,
crusading for the free world?
It fizzled out.
President and Prime Minister resigned.
Possibly because we all have
better things to do with our time.
I think we will start with the Wedgwood
and then we will work our way through.
Aw! Yes
How much did Baby weigh?
7lb 20z. No intervention required.
Other than a single
perineal stitch from me.
Congratulations, Mother.
I couldn't have done it
without the midwives.
But you did do it without me.
You know, um
HE CLEARS THROA
sometimes it's, er, it's rather
splendid to be wrong.
I keep crying.
I had to tell Nurse Crane
it was because of the rumours
about the Beatles splitting up.
I didn't know you liked the Beatles.
I thought everybody did.
Don't you?
Well, I wouldn't turn them off
if I heard them on the radio.
I keep thinking about the work we do.
And the way we try, and
..fail.
The Beatles sing,
"All you need is love."
But that isn't really true, is it?
SHE SOBS
MATURE JENNIFER:
The decade was scarcely newborn
at Nonnatus House,
but it was already marked and measured.
Every day was made to count,
despite the fever of a changing world
and the unruly actions
of the human heart.
Which is the stronger - life or love?
Life persists in the face
of all rejection, all despair.
And so does love.
The wounds all bleed,
and they are not divisible.
Love, like life,
unfolds and flowers as it will.
It too carries its own secrets,
its own power.
And like life, it will make
its own decisions.
CHEERING
Love laughs in the face of dictation.
Do not try to pin it down,
do not attempt to label it,
because love will have none of it,
and love knows best of all.
VERONICA: We found
in the brothels of Poplar
the smorgasbord of venereal disease.
Sometimes when you get lucky,
you get unlucky.
This isn't a place for a lady.
There is no-one else!
I swear on my life!
All right?
Arlene Brewer's
on a new drug called lithium.
TRIXIE: Arlene!
Sub extracted from file & improved by
MATURE JENNIFER:
Life unfolds as fates decide.
It carries within its own secrets,
its own power,
its own incontrovertible decisions.
Life does not appear
to accept dictation.
And so we seek to pin it down,
to label it,
to assign to it weights and measures
and predicted likelihoods.
But life will not submit to this.
Life thinks life knows best.
I come bearing gifts!
We really ought to put a ban
on ketchup bottles!
They can't possibly get
washed out properly.
Mrs Affori left her sample on the bus.
I've sent her to the ladies'
to try again.
I'm taking advantage of a brief lull
in clinic proceedings
in order to draw your attention
to the forthcoming
1970 Birth Cohort Study.
The designated seven days
commence on the 5th of April.
If you're looking for the pasty
you left on the side,
it has been removed
to the refrigerator.
DR TURNER: I can't wait.
There have been surveys
of this and studies of that
ever since
the National Health kicked off.
But this is going to be
teaching us things for 80 years.
So, what will we actually do
during the designated seven days?
Every birth of every child
in the country,
including those that we deliver,
must be meticulously annotated.
Prepare yourselves by perusing
the materials provided.
Mrs Martin!
How nice to have you back with us
again!
This is number three, isn't it?
For my sins!
I'll have a bottle each
of the orange juice
and the Delrosa for the boys
and all the milk tokens and whatnot.
I'll have some cod liver oil an' all.
Nobody likes it in our house,
but at least it's free.
Well, it's certainly discounted.
I'll just work out what you owe.
I beg your pardon?
I don't think I owe you anything.
Your circumstances have changed,
Mrs Martin.
Now your husband is working again
your entitlements have been revised.
That's exactly seven shillings.
Don't need the cod liver oil.
Or the orange.
You know, I sometimes wonder
what the last war was for!
How far is the airport?
Depends whether you mean
New York or Heathrow.
Trixie's coming back this afternoon.
The afternoon is from now
until teatime,
and you've only just had your lunch,
Reg.
Look, why don't you go round
the corner and wait for her taxi?
You don't want me
to look at the rude magazines.
No, I don't. Your mum would kill me,
and even I'm supposed to
do this looking the other way.
Mother is 30 years old.
This is the second baby.
Obstructed labour
in the first pregnancy
resulted in delivery by Caesarean
of a live infant weighing 10lb 3oz.
Have we any idea
why this might have occurred?
Gestational diabetes, sir? Correct.
But but I've been all right
this time.
There's not been anything wrong
with me at all.
Have we any observations to make
about Mother's abdomen?
Long, vertical incision, sir?
High, vertical,
classical Caesarean scar.
Meaning natural delivery is precluded
in this and all future labours,
due to?
Risk of death, sir?
Risk of uterine rupture.
One of the most serious
adverse events in obstetrics.
Mother will be admitted
in advance of her due date -
no trial of labour.
I will reopen this scar and conduct
a second surgical delivery.
I-I don't reckon it's even
that big a baby this time.
Given your history, that is immaterial.
Big baby, small baby,
we will do what's best.
I brought you a cuppa
and some ginger nuts
to keep you going while you unpack.
What's all this?
Those sheets were clean on.
I brought my own.
Your own sheets?
Well, the weather
will be warming up soon
and I'm not sure I can face three
months cocooned in flannelette.
This is the bedding Matthew and I
use in our apartment.
Well, I suppose if it reminds you
of him
It does.
WOMAN SOBS
What's all this, dear?
Is someone looking after you?
I'm waiting for a blood test,
for diabetes.
But I don't have diabetes.
SHE SNIFFLES
Mr Parry says
I've got to have a Caesarean.
Come on.
Dry your eyes, blow your nose.
This is really clean.
I'm a trained professional -
I wouldn't offer you a mucky one!
I wouldn't contradict anything
Mr Parry says either,
but I can tell you, if you aren't
happy with your consultant,
you can talk to your GP.
I've never even met my GP.
He's called Dr Turner,
that's all I know.
Tell me your name
and we'll start from there.
We are so grateful to you for giving
us your time, Nurse Aylward.
The gratitude goes both ways.
The business in New York
is really going very well.
But we'll be home within the year
and I don't want to let
my registration lapse.
I may be asking rather more of you
than keeping up your midwifery skills
and taking on refresher courses.
The Board of Health have declared
war on Nonnatus House.
War?!
They do not like that the Order are,
by definition, religious sisters.
They do not like that we wear
the habit.
They do not like that we pray.
They do not approve of us delivering
contraceptive advice,
um, sexual education,
or even, one suspects, babies.
SHE SCOFFS
And they do not like
that our first obedience
is to God and not to them.
FOOTSTEPS APPROACH
I've just been called out
to Sira Patel.
It's her first baby, isn't it?
You may be up for a long night.
I shall relish it.
Now Nurse Aylward is back,
I doubt I'll be called upon
for night duty for a while.
What are we going to do, Sister?
We are going to fight back,
with every weapon at our disposal.
And that, my colleague and friend,
includes you.
Praise the Lord, O my soul
And forget not all his benefits
Who forgiveth all thy sin
And healeth all thine
infirmities ♪
SHE GRUNTS, EXHALES SHARPLY
SHE GROANS
We're almost there, Sira!
You've almost made it!
CAT MEOWS
BRAKE SQUEAKS
INDISTINCT CHATTER
No, no, no, it's
Whoa! What you doing?
BOYS SQUABBLE
BABY CRIES
CRYING CONTINUES
- What are you doing?!
- What are you doing?
Attention, please!
Mr Buckle has just telephoned
after his emergency trip
to the warehouse,
and he has managed to locate
the missing papers.
Hands up everyone who normally delivers
the Express or the Mirror.
And Paula.
Ooh, thank you, Reggie.
Where is Paula?
SHOP BELL RINGS
Paula, we have a plan.
Are you all right, dear?
You look ever so pale.
Oh!
Oh, you poor pet!
I'd better walk you home.
I'll probably be all right now.
Ow! Ow!
It's full of knots, May.
It hurts!
It'd hurt less if she cut them out
with scissors.
DOOR OPENS
Good morning!
Patrick! Biscuits for breakfast?!
While the cat's away,
the mice will play!
- I've made fresh coffee.
- Oh!
How was it?
Oh long labour.
Posterior presentation.
Tears for the mother,
aching knees for yours truly.
And it was everything.
Everything this job is meant to be.
Winnie Welch and her family
were indeed transferred to us
in January,
when Dr Kinloch's practice
closed on the Isle of Dogs.
You do wonder how many amenities
the Isle of Dogs can lose.
It's madness, when the council
are building more flats there
all the time!
I'll ask one of our midwives
to call in on her.
DOOR OPENS, SHOP BELL DINGS
Oh, good afternoon, Mrs Cunningham.
Did my Paula leave her jumper
here this morning?
- Is it blue?
- That's it.
I couldn't tell if it was hers
or one of the paper lads'.
Oh, your magazines are in, by the way.
Er, Reggie, can you get
Mrs Cunningham's,
er, Gospel and People's Friend.
SHE CHUCKLES
Mrs Cunningham, may I have a word?
But I saw Paula at dinner time.
She always comes home for her dinner.
There's too much monkey business
in that school canteen.
But she didn't say anything
about being sick.
Um, she told me
it had happened a few times.
And it was such a nasty, bright yellow.
Well, do you think
it was a bilious attack?
I think she needs to see a doctor.
Every single day!
CAR HORN TOOTS
They don't care about us!
It's our children,
it's their futures! We need
to stand together, all right?
Excuse me, Constable.
How long is this going on for?
I'm a midwife,
trying to make a house call.
Is somebody having a baby?
Sorry, Nurse Crane, but the only way
you're going to get to deliver
a baby this morning
is if you jump in and swim.
Is the bridge up again?
That bridge has been up and down
like a stripper's drawers since
they built it last autumn!
And every time it's up to let a ship
in, we're all trapped on the island
till the ruddy thing's unloaded.
SHIP'S HORN BLARES
Oh, chocks away!
BRIDGE MECHANISM RUMBLES
LOUD THUD
Cyril!
- Mr Robinson. Hello.
- Hello. What brings you here?
I'm dropping off this month's forms
for the mother and baby homes.
I expect they probably end up
on your desk.
They do.
What's this?
HE SIGHS
I don't have as much time
to spend in the homeless shelter
as I did.
They could do with a new volunteer
or two.
I might put my name down.
If I don't find something
useful to do with my evenings,
Nurse Crane and Miss Higgins
will have me helping with the Cubs.
THEY CHUCKLE
THEY LAUGH AWKWARDLY
GULLS CAW
KEYS JANGLE
I was in hospital for three weeks,
Nurse.
I was in so much pain,
I couldn't even feed the baby.
And they kept him in the nursery
for all that time.
The important thing to remember
is that once you're discharged,
the district midwives
will be looking after you
exactly as if you'd had Baby
in our little maternity home,
or even in this bed.
I had a dream once,
that I had it in this bed.
My mum was sitting where you are
and she was holding my hand
and she was egging me on
as if she was still alive.
It's funny because this is the bed
she had me in.
Well, you do surprise me!
- This feels like a top-notch mattress!
- Oh, it's almost new.
Me and Lance treated ourselves
when we got married.
Winnie, most of the time,
birth is just a normal, natural
messy event.
But once you've had to have
one Caesarean,
it does make sense
to follow suit the next time.
It might make sense in your head.
But it doesn't make sense in my heart.
It's like my body is burning to do
the thing that it was made for.
But sometimes, nature must be
overruled by science.
All done, thank you.
How many hamsters have you got, Paula?
Three, in two cages.
Mum wanted me to call them Shadrach,
Meshach and Abednego,
like from the Bible.
But I called them Rosemary,
Parsley and Sage.
Think Rosemary might be a boy, though.
It's cystitis, isn't it?
All the women in our family
have trouble with our
waterworks.
We've got narrow tubes.
I'll certainly take
a urine sample away with me,
so we can see what's what.
Paula, have you started your periods
yet?
Not really. I had one
a couple of months ago.
She's been a bit of a late developer.
But I always say to her,
"You'll catch up.”
Come on, time for your toast
and peanut butter.
I got a new jar, crunchy this week.
Sister Veronica said that this
came in the afternoon post.
Hmm!
Where are you going
with Uncle Roger tonight?
Er, his company are giving a party
for the sales reps.
"Curry buffet and dancing,"
according to the invite.
They must have sold
a lot of tranquillizers.
That's why Uncle Roger
got promoted, isn't it?
- SHE COUGHS
- Yes, it is.
Now, come here, you're coughing.
I need to rub some menthol
on your chest.
Pregnancy test?
Well, that's going to be negative.
She's 13 years old.
Mrs Cunningham, Paula is showing
every sign of being pregnant.
No, Doctor.
No.
I'm sorry.
We know what's what in
the modern world.
And we've brought Paula up
the right way.
I know you go to church, Mr Cunningham.
We don't just go to church,
we live church.
It's as the Lord says in Deuteronomy,
"And these words thou shalt teach
diligently unto thy children
"and shalt talk of them
when thou sit test in thine house"
BOTH: "..and when thou walkest
by the way
"and when thou liest down,
and when thou risest up.”
When they had sex education
at school last year,
I wouldn't even sign the letter.
We discussed it, didn't we, Philip?
We agreed there were things
she didn't need to know.
Kids learn soon enough, though,
don't they?
Yes. They do.
I'm running my gimlet eye over you all,
from the soles of your shoes
to the top of your hats.
Please note I'm wearing
fully fashioned stockings.
If the pay rise is going
to be announced today,
I want to be as well presented
as it's possible to be.
SHE SIGHS
DOORBELL RINGS
Let me answer it!
Uncle Roger!
Do you have any science homework
for me to do?
Only the evaporation experiment.
Still the evaporation experiment?
It's like watching water dry!
SHE CHUCKLES
INDISTINCT CHATTER
POP MUSIC
One more dance, one more onion bhaji,
then we're making our excuses.
I'll keep dancing, and you can keep
your onion bhaji!
SHE CHUCKLES
It is with the most profound pleasure
that as a direct result of
our campaign,
I am now able to announce
the following:
a two-year, two-part settlement
comprising a 20% pay rise
from the 1st of April 1970,
with an additional 2%
from the 1st of April 1971.
MURMURING
A total wage increase of 22%!
EXCITED CHATTER, CHEERING
We did this, not by allowing our
profession to be sentimentalised,
not by tugging at government's
heartstrings,
and not by claiming to be an army
of Florence Nightingales
in short skirts.
We did it by acknowledging
our own worth
and persuading society to do the same!
Would you not give Indian food
another go, Nance?
I wasn't mad keen on beer
when I first tried it,
but I persevered.
And the rest is history!
All I've had tonight is grape juice,
cos I'm driving back to Surrey.
My mother would be ecstatic.
Has she really never drunk alcohol
in the whole of her life?
That's Presbyterianism for you.
Does she know you're
walking out with a Catholic?
All I've said, so far,
is that your name is Nancy.
Roger, there's something
I have to tell you.
Oh, don't get all serious on me.
It's scary!
That campaign taught me all kinds of
things I didn't know.
Phyllis! Should we stop and get some
fish and chips to celebrate?
That's "Nurse Crane" to you
when we're in uniform!
And no eating in the street!
We're to take them back
to Nonnatus House.
ALL LAUGH
I may be more modern,
but I'm not that modern!
The speaker was right about
not being sentimental, though.
We can emote all we like, we can
cite our vocation all we like,
but nothing gets through to those
in power like cold, hard facts.
Netherditch Hospital?
I've seen signs
for Netherditch Hospital.
It's right in the middle
of my sales patch!
I was offered exactly the same job
there 18 months ago,
and I turned it down.
The same job is vacant again. The
same little house is vacant again.
You have to take it, Nancy.
You'll be nearer to me,
until we get married.
And Colette will be able
to breathe clean air
and go to a better school.
You want all that for her
just as much as I do, don't you?
She's going to be my daughter.
THEME TUNE
DOORBELL RINGS
HE SIGHS
Who on earth can that be
at this hour of the night?
Someone needs emergency
knicker elastic!
THEY LAUGH
REGGIE SIGHS
Colette first.
Nuns next.
Then I'm going to phone my mother
in the morning
and I'm going to take you both
to meet her over Easter weekend.
Grand.
So, where's the ring?
It's in my jacket pocket.
It's been there
since the day we chose it.
SHE LAUGHS
SHE LAUGHS EXCITEDLY
Perfect.
I love that it's an opal.
It's got so many
different colours in it.
Like yellow and pink and turquoise,
flashing like stars,
or little electric flowers.
It's like you.
HE WHISPERS
I love you.
I'm sorry to spring it on you
when you're
in your rollers and everything.
MAN CHORTLES
But you are the mayor.
I most certainly am the mayor,
Mr Southwell.
And please be advised
that you cannot just make
a unilateral declaration
of independence
on behalf of the Isle of Dogs.
Did it in Rhodesia.
Ah, Rhodesia's a country!
The Isle of Dogs isn't even a borough!
It's more of a bulge into
the Thames.
And 11,000 people live there.
We're underfunded, overlooked,
starved of resources
Fed up to the back teeth.
That's a very stirring statement,
Mr Southwell,
but you aren't an elected politician.
As of midnight, I am President
of the Island.
SHE SIGHS
And I am Prime Minister.
HE CHUCKLES
Course, it's about time
old Harold Wilson got
a run for his money!
And there's eight more men
in our committee.
You are a tug boat pilot.
And this is a gimmick.
It's a silly,
attention-seeking gimmick.
I'm not giving you my support.
It doesn't matter.
This was only a courtesy call.
Come tomorrow, we're all free men.
ALL: ..to do always that is
righteous in thy sight,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Uh, Sister Julienne, may I have a word?
LAUGHTER
Are you going to miss us,
Sister Julienne?
Our sadness at your departure
is completely eclipsed by
our happiness for both of you.
I can't put it as elegantly as that,
but
good on you, lass.
Ah, you'll make me cry!
Save the tears.
There's a wedding to plan!
Yes. When is it going to be?
Yes, when, and where?
In six months' time.
In Poplar.
Why would I want to get married
anywhere other than home?
Dr Turner has asked me
to look after Paula,
the little pregnant girl.
The 13-year-old?
He said he needs a midwife who can
be gentle with the child
and firm with the child's mother.
Adolescent pregnancies
are notoriously difficult.
She's at increased risk
of eclampsia, anaemia,
preterm delivery
and antepartum haemorrhage.
One saw it far too often
in times gone by.
A half-budded body
that should be little and limber
warped and swollen
out of all tolerable shape.
And the infants of such children
were usually so very small,
as though they scarcely dared admit
that they were made.
Just because a body can conceive
a baby,
doesn't mean that it can bear it
easily.
At such a young age, I mean,
can a mother even understand
what's happening?
We can bring Paula in in a minute.
But ideally, I need to speak
with her mother too.
Would a home visit be more convenient?
My wife doesn't want to talk to you.
This sort of thing doesn't happen
in families like ours.
Or churches like ours.
According to Dr Turner's notes,
you attend Habitation Chapel?
I know it.
Habitation Chapel has been
saving lives since 1859.
It says, "Saving souls since 1859,"
above the door,
but I reckon it does more than that.
My life wouldn't have been worth living
if I hadn't gone in there
and pledged myself to Jesus.
I always say, I met God
and I met Grace there.
Grace is my wife.
Everything else, it just, well,
it just sort of followed.
Mr Cunningham
questions will have to be asked
about the baby's father.
Who he is and whether any offence
has been committed.
It's not me.
I-I promise.
It's not me.
I've even had one of them vasectomies,
er, Dr Turner'll tell you.
Have you any idea
whether Paula has a boyfriend?
We wouldn't allow it.
Is this picture right?
Can your baby burst
out of your body like that?
This is a medical textbook, Mrs Welch.
It was written to train and educate
people like Nurse Clifford and me.
That's why it doesn't pull any punches.
This one frightens me,
and I'm a midwife.
It doesn't happen often, I promise you.
Why didn't anybody tell me
that my womb could burst open?
Did Mr Parry not think I was
clever enough to take this in?
Mrs Welch, has seeing this
changed the way that you feel
about having a surgical delivery?
Too ruddy right it has!
I'm scared of the operation, but I'm
terrified of the alternative.
I'm happy, Sister Veronica.
But I'll miss you doing this.
I'm happy.
But I will miss this too.
I was just about to leave.
I thought there was no-one home.
Cast your eye upon my visage.
Have I the untainted complexion
of youth?
Not really.
Then it will not surprise you to learn
that I am halt in my antiquity.
And I can no more run to this door
than I may fly.
The supply of hot beverages to callers
is no longer within my purview.
This must suffice.
I'm surprised the Pope
even let you have a television.
You'd think he'd encourage
self-discipline if nothing else.
Dr Turner never did this.
Now we know for sure
you're going to have a baby,
he wants to make sure
you have all the usual checks.
Is this all right, honey?
It feels a bit funny.
I'm sorry.
It's one of those things
us girls have to get used to,
if we're going to look after
our bodies properly.
This won't take too long.
I'm going to get you a tissue.
You might see a tiny bit of blood.
Am I having a period?
No. I don't think it's that.
Angela and May hope
they'll be bridesmaids.
They've never been asked
by anyone before.
Ah, have they not? Well, they might
be getting a nice surprise!
- Really?
- I'm going to talk to Auntie Violet
about making all the dresses.
Hello.
My name is Esther Noble.
And I take it you're the young lady
whom my son intends to marry?
Paula's hymen is still there, Doctor.
To the point where I think
I tore it slightly
when I tried to examine her.
Sometimes the hymen
doesn't completely stretch
across the vagina.
An intact hymen isn't unheard of
in a pregnant patient.
But in this case,
it's just totally unhelpful.
He implied you were respectable.
I am completely respectable.
You're an unmarried mother!
I was also reared by nuns
and I still live in a convent.
It is of no consolation to me
that you're Roman Catholic.
These nuns are Anglican.
The distinction is immaterial.
Question one - where were you baptised?
Two - where will you marry? Three
where do you go to worship God?
Question one -
you'd have to ask my mother,
who's been dead for 20 years.
Two - the registry office.
Three - I don't.
I see.
Roger had a very different upbringing.
And it's clear to me that he is
making the most terrible mistake.
I told you.
And my daughter told you.
And now her body has told you.
She is a virgin.
She is also expecting a baby.
If that child is expecting a baby
and her hymen,
or whatever you call it,
has never been broken,
there are only two ways
this can have come about.
She's either pregnant
by the Holy Spirit
Are you saying this is
an immaculate conception?
or she's been interfered with
by the Devil.
Nurse Corrigan! Nurse Corrigan!
Your fiance's on the phone!
COIN RATTLES
Roger? Your mother's been here.
What? In London?!
She told me nothing!
Well, she told me plenty.
What do you do in a case like Winnie's?
When the mother is so scared
and so desperate?
Well, sometimes, just
hearing them out is as good
as talking them round.
But what I could never say
to Winnie Welch
is that the worst thing I ever
witnessed was a woman dying
of exactly the complication
that this second Caesarean
is aiming to avoid.
- Uterine rupture?
- Hmm.
It's as if it's branded
into my mind's eye.
The mother had
the most beautiful tummy,
not a stretch mark on it.
And you never forget a thing like that.
But during second stage,
there was this rippling
underneath the skin.
I could see the muscles
contracting, contracting, contracting,
into this sickening hourglass shape.
The other thing I never forget
is the way she screamed
before she died,
as though animals
were tearing her apart.
She'd bought a beautiful new nightie
for wearing afterwards.
Turquoise nylon,
with a little lemon frill.
I had it warming on the
fireguard.
But I had to lay her out in it, dead.
With the baby tucked
into the crook of her arm.
Oh, Phyllis
I felt such a fraud,
sympathising with Winnie
over Mr Parry and his scalpel.
But the fact of the matter is,
if there is any risk at all
of uterine rupture,
the knife is the only way ahead.
CLAMOUR OUTSIDE
Yes, I am aware that the Isle of Dogs
has declared itself
an independent republic.
This has not been put
to any sort of vote,
and as Mayor of Tower Hamlets,
I neither acknowledge nor condone it.
Men are filming outside.
What?!
Oh
Don't let anyone in!
Where's Fred gone?
I had to catch an aeroplane.
And the only boarding house available
is like the United Nations!
I am in love and I'm getting married.
It's not a crisis, Mother.
I'm nearly 30!
You're 27 years
and eight months old tomorrow.
If we're to have a helpful
conversation about this,
it would be best if we adhere to facts.
The principle facts being
Nancy is a Catholic,
and has a child outside
what you would call wedlock.
And you don't want me to marry her.
I don't want you contracting a
marriage that will end in tears!
Yours, or mine!
What about Nancy?
She doesn't deserve
a day's more unhappiness
than she's already overcome.
Because, in spite
of all of that she has endured,
she is the brightest, lightest spirit
and she and her little girl
HIS VOICE BREAKS
..shine on me, like sunlight.
She has turned your head.
And she's turning you away from
all that you have ever known.
You're the one who's turning me away.
If you carry on like this,
there'll be no coming back!
She tore Roger to shreds.
I don't want a mother-in-law
that hurts her son like that.
Tinned salmon, with just a suspicion
of salad cream.
I want to go and fight her.
But that would just hurt him more.
And he wants to go and fight her,
but that would hurt everyone.
You need someone to vouch for you,
Nancy.
Someone who can bring
a supplementary point of view.
Yeah, I've no-one, Miss Higgins.
You know perfectly well
that that's not the case.
MAN: Right, come on, you lot, let's go!
No-one passes
until our demands are met!
INDISTINCT SHOUTING
Win? Winnie!
Can you please stop cleaning?
The place is filthy.
And it doesn't help that the
immersion heater's bust again.
I wish you'd give over
with them banners -
there was nothing wrong
with the last ones.
I forgot the "the".
There was only room
for "we are people”,
and that's a foregone conclusion
in anybody's book.
You don't look comfy, Win.
I'm not comfy.
Maybe the midwives would have
something to treat wind?
Reviewing these accounts, Sister,
it's clear that the council's
budget only works because
the Order does a great deal of work
for nothing.
We are sisters of charity.
That's always been our way.
That was your way before the
National Health came into being.
But there's no reason why it should
have continued afterwards!
Well, there may be no reason,
but there is need.
The council are using you
so that they can save money.
Is this going to be
awfully contentious?
Yes. It is.
Sometimes things happen in this life
which appear to be inexplicable.
Do you know what inexplicable means,
Paula?
Does it mean there's no reason for it?
It means that there seems to be
no reason for it.
But, Paula, there is always a reason
for everything that happens
on this Earth.
Because God in heaven has decreed it,
or because the Devil is trying
to make things otherwise.
By striving to make us alter
our behaviour.
Do you believe in God, Paula?
And do you believe in the Devil?
No, I don't.
But if you don't believe in him
that means you don't fear him.
And that is very, very dangerous.
SHIP'S HORN BLARES
SHE SCREAMS
Mummy! Don't hit me!
Paula, I've never, ever hit you.
Not even a smack on the legs
when you were little
and you were naughty,
but this this is not you!
This is not something you have done.
Can't you see that?
Would it be better
if I had done something?
Would everyone stop shouting at me?
If you'd done something
that would be even worse.
INDISTINCT CHATTER
LAUGHTER
CAR HORNS TOO
Excuse me! Do you have a spare balloon?
We'll tie it to the wing mirror!
Why are you encouraging them?
HORN TOOTS
By all accounts, they've
occupied the Blue Bridge
and they're blocking this one.
HORN BLASTS
My apologies, madam,
but we're not allowing
any more through traffic
until after the President arrives.
The President?
What do you mean, the President?
Tom Southwell,
President of the Isle of Dogs.
He's on his way back from the BBC,
- he's been giving interviews all morning.
- I see.
And who are you - his press spokesman?
Well, I, as a matter of fact,
am the Prime Minister.
And I'm Home Secretary.
Well, if you're Home Secretary,
then you're responsible
for law and order.
So I suggest that you allow me to pass
before I perform a citizen's arrest!
Mrs Cunningham?
I need to see your daughter.
She requires regular appointments.
Paula!
This is Joyce. Joyce Highland.
I am the nurse who came to see you.
You can telephone me
at Nonnatus House at any time.
We're in Wick Street.
No-one can force you
to face this alone.
DOOR OPENS
She isn't facing anything alone.
She has parents that love her
and a church that is praying
for her soul.
THROUGH LOUD-HAILER:
What do we want, citizens?
We want doctors! We want schools!
We want buses! We're no fools!
- Excuse me
- Nurse Crane, that lady's on our books!
She's five months pregnant.
Oh, yes, Ingrid Martin.
No show without Punch.
Excuse me!
We're no fools!
This is our home.
Our Island of Dogs.
Mrs Martin? Ingrid?
I really don't think that's
an awfully safe place to stand.
Thank you, Nurse,
but I'm not in any danger.
I'm standing firm,
along with the people
of the Independent Republic
of the Isle of Dogs!
CROWD CHEERS
AIR HISSES
The little rascals!
They're letting the tyres down
on that bus!
Oi!
It's about time we showed them
just what we're made of!
DOOR CLOSES
SHIP'S HORN BLARES
Winnie, there's two of them.
It's just as well!
I reckon I'm in labour.
Proper labour.
What was that awful noise?
The people have occupied the bridge,
so there's a cargo ship
locked outside of the dock.
I feel I'm going to burst open.
Sh-sh. No, no, you're not.
Mr Welch, could you go to the
telephone box
and ring for an ambulance?
I can't have it here!
If I do, I'll rupture!
Tell them an emergency
maternity transfer is required,
due to risk of uterine rupture.
CHURCH MEMBERS:
We beseech thee, O Lord.
Be this child's protection
against the wickedness
and snares of the Devil.
Be this child's protection
against the wickedness
and snares of the Devil.
O Prince of the Heavenly Host,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell all evil spirits
who wander through the world
seeking souls to feed from
and innocence to ruin.
SHE WHIMPERS
When will I know when
it's time to start pushing?
Try to stay calm, Winnie.
SHE CRIES SOFTLY
Deep, slow, breaths are better
than fast, shallow ones.
Deep and slow now.
Deep and slow.
I'm going to have it here, aren't I?
Yes. I believe you are.
I can't breathe.
There's no sign of the ambulance.
She needs to be in hospital.
This baby needs to be delivered
by Caesarean.
Go back to the kitchen, Mr Welch,
and keep boiling water.
Nurse Crane, we might have better luck
if you call them this time
and state that
this is a medical emergency.
When I start to push,
is that when I'm going to tear open?
No, Winnie. It is not.
CHURCH MEMBERS: Be this child's
protection against the wickedness
and snares of the Devil.
Look at me! Look at me!
Say it, Paula!
Say, "I reject you!"
I don't know what you mean!
Say, "I reject you!"
Help me, Daddy! SOBS
That's enough! Come on, Paula!
Run to Nonnatus House!
Run! Run!
BREATHES RAGGEDLY
HORN BLASTS
PROTESTERS: We shall not,
we shall not be moved ♪
I'm sorry, but this is
unacceptable, Mr Southwell.
They called me Mr President at the BBC.
You are not improving people's lives.
You are disrupting them.
We shall not, we shall not be moved
We shall not ♪
And you've no business going on the BBC
saying that council tenants
will not be paying rent
to Tower Hamlets any more!
All rents will be going direct
to the Citizens Council.
And who decided that?
The Citizens Council.
This is democracy.
No, this isn't democracy,
this is a farce!
Who voted for you?
Who are your supporters?
OTHERS: We are!
WOMEN: Not us. We didn't.
Fred!
We shall not, we ♪
You want to come over here
and calm your missus down?
Hello, Vi.
SHE WAILS
SHE SOBS I'm scared!
I feel like I shouldn't be pushing,
and then I can't help it.
Baby wants to be born, Winnie.
But we are going to make sure
that happens safely and smoothly.
- Do you hear me?
- But I'm really scared.
We are going to do this together.
They said the ambulance is en route.
But the the street's blocked
by protesters.
I keep thinking about my mum.
When she died,
me and my brothers and sisters
put an obituary in the Gazette.
And there was this poem in it,
and it said, er,
"If there were phones in heaven, Mum,
"we'd ring you every day"
I can't remember the rest of it
but there were some lovely rhymes
That's a lovely sentiment.
Many's the time I've wished
I could nip to the phone box
and call my mother.
If you could ring her,
what would you say?
I would say, "I'm in your bed, Mum.
"I'm giving birth
to your ninth grandchild.
"Every time I push, the midwife
says that she can see its head.
"And I think about you
and what you would have heard,
"when you were having me
"and Sally and Errol and Dawn.
"Hanging on to these bed rails,
"like Granny Annie did before us.
"Cos I'm not having a Caesarean, Mum!
"I'm going to do this myself."
SHE STRAINS
SIREN BLARES
SHE GASPS
Come in.
SHE GROANS
SHE PANTS AND GASPS
BABY CRIES
SHE LAUGHS
No rupture?
ROSALIND: No rupture. And no Caesarean!
All your own work!
Oh, lass
Oh, lass!
Oh, both of you!
How about all of us? It's a girl.
Is it a girl?!
Agh!
Go into the kitchen, stand by the sink
and run the cold tap
over your feet one at a time.
Your wife just had a baby
and we've got work to do.
Yes!
Oh
Here comes the placenta.
Gentlemen, we have a baby girl!
We also have a scalded father.
Your attendance would be appreciated.
Those scones were as light
as a feather, Miss Higgins.
I was taught to always combine
the mixture
using a bone-handled knife.
The logic was the blade stayed cool,
preventing the warmth of the hands
from affecting the butter.
I was taught to make pastry
with a bone-handled knife.
CHUCKLES SOFTLY
I'm sorry your son's engagement
is so hard to come to terms with.
I do appreciate that the religious
differences run very deep.
It's bred into the sinew,
where we come from.
You are who you are,
from the day you're born.
It was bad enough
before all this new carry-on.
So-called civil rights demonstrations
all across Belfast,
and fighting in the streets.
But Roger has a career
and a life in England now.
Like his wife-to-be.
Roger is hobbling himself.
The girl has a child in tow.
And how will they run a decent home,
not knowing what side
of the divide they're on?
I think they will run a decent home
by not accepting
there is a divide of any kind.
I don't mean to be rude, Miss Higgins.
You're a woman of rectitude
and discretion.
And it was very kind of you
to invite me into your home.
But what can you know
about this sort of mess?
About illegitimacy?
About religions getting
all mixed up with one another?
Mrs Noble
| know more than you might think.
Bodies are strange things, honey.
We feed them, we clothe them
and we live inside them,
but we don't know them
quite as well as we may think.
And sometimes,
they take us by surprise.
And sometimes,
our bodies want things
that we don't understand,
but can't run away from.
I couldn't run away from Lenny.
Lenny?
He does nearly the same
paper round as me.
Sometimes we walk back
down the towpath together.
So, you are friends?
We have a laugh.
And play fight.
All the lads do that.
Lenny always says I'm one of the lads.
And would you be alone,
on the towpath?
And is that where
you did your play fighting?
I liked it.
He liked it.
When we was alone,
it was different.
Honey, if you want to tell me
to stop asking questions, you can.
It's all right.
Did Lenny ever
interfere with your clothing?
He interfered with his.
But I didn't see anything!
I don't even know what we did.
I didn't mind it.
We was just laughing.
Laughing and fighting.
Paula, do you think
you had sexual intercourse?
I don't know!
My mum wouldn't sign the note
when we did facts of life at school.
Oh, honey.
SOBS: And now
I can never go home again.
You're a brave woman,
telling me about your son,
telling me your private story.
Tolerance and compromise
are such gentle things.
But like everything worthwhile,
they can take so much courage.
How old are the others,
in this mother and baby home?
Most are older.
Some are in their twenties
and will only be there for six weeks.
But Arbury House has
a 15-year-old and a 16-year-old
who will stay longer, so they
would be company for Paula.
I don't want her
coming under the influence
of girls like that.
Grace Paula is a girl like that.
Until we get her home
and the baby's adopted,
she's a girl like that, and we
are going to have to accept it.
I can't accept it.
I can't accept
that this is what God wants.
This is nothing to do with God.
KNOCK AT DOOR
SHE SNIFFLES
This is about
the way we brought her up.
I've come for the hamsters.
What?
Joyce rang the mother and baby home.
They said Paula can take them with her.
Come inside.
Thank you, Mrs Buckle.
Ooh, hello, girls!
We're going to have so much fun
choosing these dresses!
I've got this idea that they could
all wear different colours.
Maybe three shades of pink,
or one yellow, one blue, green.
I like lilac.
Maybe we should ask Miss Higgins.
Oh. When I was a girl,
we used to call mixed colours
at a wedding "sweet pea shades".
Fred! Stand by with the pastel taffeta.
NANCY: What are you doing up there?
I thought you were
running round the island,
crusading for the free world?
It fizzled out.
President and Prime Minister resigned.
Possibly because we all have
better things to do with our time.
I think we will start with the Wedgwood
and then we will work our way through.
Aw! Yes
How much did Baby weigh?
7lb 20z. No intervention required.
Other than a single
perineal stitch from me.
Congratulations, Mother.
I couldn't have done it
without the midwives.
But you did do it without me.
You know, um
HE CLEARS THROA
sometimes it's, er, it's rather
splendid to be wrong.
I keep crying.
I had to tell Nurse Crane
it was because of the rumours
about the Beatles splitting up.
I didn't know you liked the Beatles.
I thought everybody did.
Don't you?
Well, I wouldn't turn them off
if I heard them on the radio.
I keep thinking about the work we do.
And the way we try, and
..fail.
The Beatles sing,
"All you need is love."
But that isn't really true, is it?
SHE SOBS
MATURE JENNIFER:
The decade was scarcely newborn
at Nonnatus House,
but it was already marked and measured.
Every day was made to count,
despite the fever of a changing world
and the unruly actions
of the human heart.
Which is the stronger - life or love?
Life persists in the face
of all rejection, all despair.
And so does love.
The wounds all bleed,
and they are not divisible.
Love, like life,
unfolds and flowers as it will.
It too carries its own secrets,
its own power.
And like life, it will make
its own decisions.
CHEERING
Love laughs in the face of dictation.
Do not try to pin it down,
do not attempt to label it,
because love will have none of it,
and love knows best of all.
VERONICA: We found
in the brothels of Poplar
the smorgasbord of venereal disease.
Sometimes when you get lucky,
you get unlucky.
This isn't a place for a lady.
There is no-one else!
I swear on my life!
All right?
Arlene Brewer's
on a new drug called lithium.
TRIXIE: Arlene!
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