The episode opens with Violet Buckle (Annabelle Apsion) greeting Reggie Jackson (Daniel Laurie). When Fred Buckle (Cliff Parisi) mentions Violet is running for mayor of Tower Hamlets, Reggie says it is a position for men only. She describes his statement as a fairy tale.

Sister Julienne (Jenny Agutter) urges the pupil midwives to attend the postnatal classes. Pupil Midwife Kathy Downes (Rachel Nicholson) attributes the low attendance to the heat. Sister Veronica (Rebecca Gethings) suggests serving refreshments. Julienne announces that Pupil Midwife Rosalind Clifford (Natalie Quarry) will be the first of the pupil midwives to lead the class beginning this week.

Fred shows Reggie a site for a fundraising project for Reverend Cyril Robinson (Zephryn Taitte). He says Cyril donated the beverages leftover from the summer fete.

Gillian Baxter (Mia Gill) arrives late for her appointment. Millicent Higgins (Georgie Glen) says it can be excused because not every expectant mother is a fashion model. Gillian recalls playing Baby Pearl 20 years ago. During the examination, Rosalind detects the baby is breech. Julienne comes up with the same conclusion and asks for Dr. Patrick Turner (Stephen McGann).

At the project site, Fred cuts his hand while working on a reel mower. Back at the clinic, Patrick informs Gillian that her baby is breech. He explains the techniques utilized to turn the baby before setting up her next appointment for tomorrow. Back at the project site, Fred stresses the need for them to support Violet during the mayoral campaign. Elsewhere, Elsie Sweeney (Patricia Franklin) complains about her landlord. Violet says it is Bill Regan’s (Steven Hartley) responsibility to repair the plumbing. Later, she tells Matthew Aylward (Olly Rix) that several complaints were filed against Regan who is a counselor for Stepney Ward. He stresses the need for a strong mayor who can oversee slumlords like Regan.

London Borough Council – Violet hands in her application for mayor. The mayor’s secretary (Samantha Lane) says she is the first to apply when Bill Regan approaches with his application. He sarcastically asks if it is a “one horse raise”. Violet informs him that she entered the race. He assures her that she is wasting her time because she is a woman. After giving him Elsie’s complaint, she decides to hand deliver the complaint to the Housing Department. Elsewhere, Nurse Trixie (Aylward) treats Fred’s wound.

Nurse Shelagh Turner (Laura Main) is unable to turn Gillian’s baby. Gillian refuses to go to the hospital. Shelagh assures her that she can give birth at the maternity home. Elsewhere, Violet urges Matthew to stand for council. He says his father’s estate is taking up much of his time. Later, Violet and Fred decide it is time to start paying Reggie for working in the paper shop.

Gillian goes into labor during a photo shoot. Elsewhere, Mrs. Wallace (Linda Hargreaves) contributes a load of dry cleaning to Violet’s mayoral campaign. At the maternity home, Gillian is five centimeters. Shelagh and Rosalind help her walk around to help her dilate faster. Gillian refuses to let Liam Baxter (Ryan Quarmby) into the maternity ward.

Feeling under the weather, Fred suggests he skip Violet’s mayoral campaign event. She stresses the need for the people of Tower Hamlets to see them as a whole. Reggie reminds him of the gardening. Fred promises to catch up with him. Later, Reggie is working in the garden when the clock strikes three. At the maternity home, Gillian’s labor continues. Elsewhere, Fred struggles to get dressed. Back at the maternity home, Nurse Phyllis Crane (Linda Bassett) tries to calm Liam with a chocolate lime. Gillian gives birth to a baby girl. Liam gets to see his daughter for the first time.

Regan introduces his wife, Nora, to Violet. He asks about Fred. Violet assures him that Fred will be there soon. At home, Reggie discovers a very sick Fred on the floor. He races to get help. Violet checks her clock. Pupil Midwife Joyce Highland (Renee Bailey) informs Fred that the ambulance is on the way. Trixie says Fred’s temperature is 103 degrees and his pulse is racing. Reminding him that he claimed his immunizations were up to date, she fears he has tetanus.

Patrick and Phyllis diagnose baby Stephanie with congenital hip dislocation. He notifies Mr. Saunders (John Sackville) and orders an x-ray. At the Town Hall, Violet presents her campaign speech when the secretary says she has an important call. At the maternity home, Patrick informs Liam and Gillian of Stephanie’s condition. Phyllis explains the condition. Liam and Gillian voice concern for their baby’s future. Patrick stresses the importance of early intervention. Violet arrives at the hospital to learn Fred has tetanus which is incurable. Violet regrets shouting at him for getting blood on her dress. He apologizes for missing her event. He has a painful tetanic contraction. She urges him to get better for Reggie.

Rosalind tells Gillian that they are utilizing two diapers to help keep Stephanie’s legs in the right position. Gillian is frightened she will hurt Stephanie. Rosalind says Stephanie’s appointments are scheduled at St. Cuthbert’s. Elsewhere, Violet informs Higgins and Reggie that Fred is critical but stable. Reggie says Fred injured his hand helping him. Violet recalls how he helps others. At the hospital, Fred has shortness of breath. A nurse puts his oxygen mask on. Gillian admits to not liking the hospital. Phyllis says she will go with her. Elsewhere, Trixie pulls Matthew to a furniture store to pick out a sofa.

Concerned about the number of patients behind on their tetanus shot, Higgins suggests passing out fliers. Patrick says posters would be more effective.

St. Cuthbert’s Hospital – Saunders assures Gillian that Stephanie will walk if she receives the proper treatment. Reggie and Violet visit Fred who is having shortness of breath. When Violet leaves the room, Fred asks Reggie to take care of her. The medical staff transfers Fred to the ICU. Saunders informs Gillian that Stephanie has bilateral hip dislocations. He orders her to wear a Sage Harness for six months. Fearing it makes her look like a cripple, Gillian asks if it can be hidden under her clothes. He stresses the need for the harness to be worn over her clothes at all times to avoid immobile. Dr. Alexander (Elizabeth Conboy) orders Fred to be put on a ventilator. Nurse Williams (Maureen Hibbert) teaches Gillian how to put Stephanie’s harness on. Gillian says she hates it. Williams assures her that she will grow accustomed to it. Later, Gillian refuses to return to the maternity home. Phyllis orders home visits.

Patrick tells Violet and Freddie that Fred is on the ventilator because he developed aspiration pneumonia. At home, Gillian leaves Stephanie with Liam to rest. Elsewhere, the Turner children make Fred a get-well card and fairy cakes for Reggie and Violet. At the hospital, Violet expresses her love for Fred. She orders him to get well. Phyllis and Rosalind pay Stephanie a home visit. Liam says their family desperately wants to meet Stephanie but they prohibit it. Phyllis assures him that they encourage it because family support will be a great benefit. Seeing the harness, Sylvie (Jane Slavin) cancels Stephanie’s bookings. Gillian assures her that she can continue to work. Sylvie says she will be busy with Stephanie.

Veronica urges the sisters to accept Fred will not recover. Julienne says his condition gets worse by the day. Sister Monica Joan (Judy Parfitt) suggests praying for his soul. Elsewhere, Violet tells Trixie that Fred is not going to recover. Trixie comforts her. Gillian cannot get Stephanie to stop crying. The sisters pray for Fred’s recovery. Matthew finds Trixie writing a check to the furniture store. He reminds her that he never approved it. She says life is too short. Phyllis urges Gillian to take care of herself. Gillian claims Liam’s mum is planning Stephanie’s christening. She tells them that her mum died last year.

Regan tells Violet that he is sorry she had to withdraw from the mayoral race. Reggie says Regan is horrible and it isn’t fair. She stresses the need to be there for Fred. While out for a stroll, Gillian removes Stephanie’s harness because she won’t stop crying. Violet asks Monica to take Reggie to visit Fred while she attends the mayoral vote. Monica and Phyllis agree to take him. At the Laundromat, Gillian gets upset with Mrs. Wallace when she picks up Stephanie. Violet informs Regan that she is still in the race with Matthew’s support. Gillian tells Rosalind that she cannot do it before handing her Stephanie.

During her mayoral speech, Violet explains why she should be mayor. The committee chair (Simon Davies) calls for votes. Violet wins the vote. Gillian believes she is a terrible mother. Phyllis assures her that she is only a mother who had a difficult birth. Gillian vows to never remove Stephanie’s harness. Phyllis points out that she is no longer crying. Fred wakes up. Gillian invites Rosalind to Stephanie’s christening. Violet and Reggie are at his bedside. Monica informs the sisters that he is awake. Stephanie is christened. The episode ends.

 

Call The Midwife

A fashion model, Gillian learns her baby is breech. Every effort to turn the baby fails. Things only get worse when the baby is born with bilateral hip dislocations. Gillian and Stephanie are scheduled to appear on a poster. Sylvie cancels when she sees Stephanie’s harness. Gillian refuses to let Liam’s family see Stephanie. She later turns to the Nonnatus House for support. Before long, Stephanie grows accustomed to her harness and Gillian to being a mother.

Fred cuts his hand while working on a lawnmower. He tells Trixie that his tetanus shop is up to date. He develops a wound infection and tetanus. Violet drops out of the mayoral race to be with Fred. Reggie convinces her to change her mind. She wins the committee vote.

 

The episode deserves a 4.5 out of 10. Get more Call The Midwife recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Learn how advertising with us can help build your brand awareness. Join our newly established forum to discuss movies, TV series, sports, celebrity happenings, and more.