If you haven't heard of Call the Midwife, you may go to Netflix Instant and see the first four seasons. I'm not sure there has ever been a more wonderful television program. Because I have Tunnelbear I just saw the first episode of season 5. It deals with a baby born with truncated limbs. I expect you have heard of thalidomide, and season 5 is going to address the subject. I cannot praise this show highly enough.
Have you read the books? I picked them up during a trip in the UK a few years ago, before the series was made for TV. I LOVED them! Then I saw the series! LOVE LOVE! Both are good in their own way! We're kindred spirits!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read them. Ah, yes, we are!!
DeleteOh wow. I guess that makes sense because that is the time period for that tragedy. I have really enjoyed Call The Midwife. So gripping and emotional. And, of course, my girl loves it. Wonder why? LOL
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful series. Each episode is so rich with detail, feeling, intelligence. Just perfect.
DeleteWe're on the same page, er screen, once again! To me, this is absolutely one of the best series ever. The depth of subject matter,emotion, and wonderful acting is - in my opinion only - far ahead of the other series that is so lauded. Love it!
ReplyDeleteMary
Yes we are!!
DeleteThey touched on thalidomide last year and I remember as a child watching the awful result of that drug. I'm so thankful my grandchildren weren't born in that time as my daughter suffered terribly from sickness throughout her pregnancies and would have been grateful for any relief as I'm sure the mothers were who took it.
ReplyDeleteI just re-watched the whole series. They stick so well to how things were in that time (I grew up in London during that period and remember going to the clinics - loved the orange juice) I was surprised when they were "knitting" a quilt when chummy's baby was born though and it turned out to be crochet squares (they even had crochet squares stuck on knitting needles).
Ann
How wonderful that you lived then and there! I'm surprised about the knitting mistake, too, because they are so good about the smallest details.
DeleteBest show on tv - I love it and cry practically every episode. So good!
ReplyDeleteI agree!
DeleteNan, if you enjoy the show you should enjoy the books as well. I read Call The Midwife a few years ago, talked my book discussion group into reading it, and we had such a lively conversation. Most of them then saw the series.
ReplyDeleteI cannot wait for the next season, which I will view on PBS. I was pleasantly surprised when our younger daughter picked up the first episode a few years ago and couldn't wait to tell me, though I had seen it, we had some interesting conversations both then, and still.
When Billy Joel's song We Didn't Start the Fire, was a hit, our older daughter's school musical used it as one of their songs. I remember her coming home asking "Mom, what is thalidomide?". I can still remember reading about it in the newspapers.
If you type the word into a search, you will find that it is still in use. There's a timeline here: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/sep/01/thalidomide-scandal-timeline
DeleteOne of the things I love about the show is Vanessa's words. She has the most perfect voice. Oh, and the music at the beginning is wonderful. I love every single minute of this show.
It's a great series, I agree! The books have been around for years, and more than once, I looked at them in bookshops in Yorkshire but always had so many others to take home with me that I decided against buying them. Some months ago, I happened to come across a few episodes on TV and was pleased to discover some actors in it I really like, such as Miranda.
ReplyDeleteYes, she is wonderful, though she hasn't been in it for a while.
DeleteI need to get back to this series. I watched the first few episodes, but got distracted by something else. Maybe Fringe or Parenthood. Anyhow, thanks for the reminder! I could watch Netflix all day! :)
ReplyDeleteI just love it!
DeleteI completely agree! One of the best shows ever on television.I read the books first and thought that a series couldn't do them justice. I was wrong. It is perfect. I laugh and cry in every single episode, even on repeats. You can look up some BBC spoofs on YouTube for some fun. Love the actors!
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is simply perfect!
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