Call The Midwife...I'm Completely Hooked!

Yes, I am truly hooked on this show now. I kept seeing things about it, and hearing fellow bloggers raving over it, and it all convinced me to start season one last year. I started the first few episodes and then life got really, really chaotic and I never finished it! (Crazy, I know.)

But then a few weeks ago, something made me decide to start it again. First with season one, and then of course, I had to find out what happened, so I borrowed season two from the library. Well, needless to say, somehow in the midst of watching, life once again got crazy and after overdue fines (twice!) from the library, I took it back and promptly went out and bought seasons two and three. Then proceeded to basically marathon both seasons in a matter of days. (Yes, I'm silly like that. ;)

So! Here I am, a little sleep deprived, but very much a devoted fan of this series. Which is why I had to write about it! My thoughts just wouldn't stop. :D

I admit, it did have to grow on me. The first episode was very intriguing and had my attention. But then came episode two and Chummy arrived.

Oh my gracious, I LOVE Chummy!

And that's where this show completely sucked me in. The characters. Yes, the birth of the week stories are interesting and amazing, but where this show really succeeds (at least in my humble opinion) are the characters. They're all so fascinating and real! What I initially thought of them, and then how they change and grow into characters that I love and care about is very well done.

I'll start with the regular nurses/midwives: there's Jenny, I enjoyed watching her learn to really find and feel her emotions. And Trixie, she comes across as pretty shallow at first, but I loved getting peeks into her serious side in season three. Then Cynthia, watching her realize her abilities and learning new things is very fun. She's definitely a wonderful friend to have!

And of course, I will not forget Chummy. Watching her learn to ride the bicycle, fall in love, figure out what her true calling is, and just her very "Chummy-ness" is absolutely wonderful! I know for certain that I'd want her as my nurse. :)

As for the nuns/midwives themselves, Sister Julienne is so very good. She knows just how to take care of every single person under her care. Always with a kind word, a hand on the shoulder, or simply knowing that she's there right behind them, supporting them. Sister Evangelina is tough as nails, let me tell you! But her heart is so kind and she has much love to give. Her softer insides don't show very often, but they are certainly there, no doubt about it.

Sister Bernadette's storyline is so compelling! I could get glimpses, starting in season one, of where they may be heading with her and I wondered how they would handle it. (My compliments to the writers for a job well done.)  I truly enjoyed watching her journey in season two. (Of course it does help that I'm a sucker for romance. ;) Her struggle was real and heartfelt, and I wanted so badly to give her a hug several times.

And lastly, Sister Monica Joan. I couldn't help but fall in love with her as well. Watching her battle with her failing mind feels so real and the writers give such care to her story. Plus it's great fun when you never know what she's going to say! I do enjoy all her literary references.

Of course there's Fred and several other characters who come and go and they each are so wonderful and have such fascinating backstories. I also appreciate how the storylines are handled carefully. There's several that are sensitive subjects, and the writers handle each one thoughtfully and splendidly.

This show is just so very real! It balances the struggle of the poor, the hopes and dreams of the young and old alike, the diseases they dealt with, the fear and doubt they battle, and yet the heartfelt moments, and the exciting and happy moments. The time period is one of change, and everybody feels it, from the nun, to the midwife, to the child on the street.

I'm pretty sure there's more loveliness to come. I'm excited to see where season four is going to take us! (Even if we did have to say goodbye to one of the characters.)

Have you watched the series? What did you think? (And thanks for reading my rambling thoughts all the way to the end! :)