As the third episode of Maternal begins, Helen Cavendish (Lisa McGrillis) talks to a therapist about spending more of her energy keeping the three children healthy and happy while keeping the house running just about chaos. She is exhausted now that she is back at work so she doesn’t know what Guy expects. Helen confesses that she feels irritated and angry when she looks at her husband. Lars gets Catherine (Lara Pulver) to sign the paternity document to give Elis Swedish citizenship. Since the document is in Swedish, Catherine signs it without reading it.

Lars and Brigitta take Elis to the playground. Catherine’s mother talks to her about the cost of putting the baby in daycare. Catherine admits they can’t keep coming there because they have the girls to look after. Her mom finds it worrisome that she hasn’t talked to a solicitor about the arrangement or document. Raz and Maryam (Parminder Nagra) arrive for their appointment with Clare. While they wait, Maryam says they shouldn’t rush into any decisions today. She receives a call from work and mentions the meeting with Quality Care and Patient Safety. She agrees to leave the meeting schedule before they’re calling in to talk to Clare.

Helen goes to work and learns about a 48-year-old male patient from Tessa Joseph (Jennifer Macbeth). He was in fast atrial fibrillation and had signs of heart failure. Helen learns that the patient went out with friends last night to celebrate one of them becoming a father. She checks on Mr. Massie who says he is feeling better. Massie admits he thinks his night out with friends could’ve caused the symptoms. Although he was expecting a hangover, this wasn’t right and he had to call in sick. Helen is told that he does haulage as an HGV driver. Mr. Massie says he lost count after five although he had some shots as well.

Helen has to step out when she gets a call about Maggie before returning to work. Catherine tells Jack that she is working on a gallbladder removal today. He tries to get her worried about the upcoming interviews. Clare tells Maryam and Raz that the mother’s circumstances haven’t changed since they removed Sami. They’re delighted that they’re keen to welcome the baby into their family, but Maryam says they have some questions. Clare admits that they prioritize putting siblings together. Raz worries the child could go into care if they don’t take it. Clare thinks Sami will be excited about being a big brother.

They tell her that he already is since they had a baby and another baby. Maryam complains about getting a lack of sleep so Clare asks what kind of support they have nearby. Raz mentions that the grandparents have been great. Although he says they’ve had quality time with the kids, Maryam reminds him that he has been at work. Helen tries to get in touch with Guy. She asks Louise (Elizabeth Dulau) if she has seen Guy. Louise asks if he is still teaching. Helen explains she has to go get Maggie even though she is in the middle of a shift. Tessa agrees to stay and cover for her while she is away. Catherine works with a patient who reveals she is a solicitor for a big family law firm.

Catherine sees an opportunity so she sits down next to her. Raz accuses Maryam of trying to sabotage their chances, but she argues that things haven’t been doing great. Maryam says they can’t take responsibility for the mother since she might have ten more babies removed. She would give anything to be ignorant about what might be in store for Sami and that baby. Raz gets upset and refuses to get into the vehicle with Maryam. When Helen picks up Maggie, she learns that she has been coughing consistently and her temperature was 38.1. Helen notices that Maggie is bouncing up and down. She asks if Maggie can be isolated in sick bay or something, but the teacher doesn’t think so.

Maggie ends up throwing up. Catherine learns that the paternity document gives Lars rights to equal custody and to apply for full custody. She is assured that the bias still benefits the mother. They’d have to prove that Elis is significantly better off with them. Catherine is advised to draft something to ensure that all parties are working toward the same understanding of share custody. They’ll need a clear framework since they may believe Elis can just go to school in Sweden. Catherine is informed that the framework can be whatever they want. The patient asks Catherine to call her later to discuss it. Catherine tells her she won’t have a horrible scar if she is in charge of the procedure.

Maryam meets with Steve. He waits for her while she tries to get them drinks. Once she returns, Steve explains it is his job to liaise between the family and any staff involved in or impacted by the incident. When she asks if she could speak to the parents, Steve quickly says no. Maryam wants to tell them how sorry she is. Steve argues it is in her best interest not to do that. Maryam questions when the panel will make a decision on culpability. He explains that they usually don’t try to blame one individual and instead recommend changes to the system. Steve doesn’t think she is going to get struck off. They should decide in a few weeks, but they may want to interview her about the disagreement with Simon.

Steve asks if she has ever attended an assertiveness course which is a training course that is often offered in this is kind of situation. Maryam asks if there is a course for arrogant pricks who can’t take instructions from a woman. Steve lets her know that they’re here for her before she returns to work. Catherine prepares for the procedure. She walks the others through it. She successfully removes the patient’s gallbladder. Susan tells Simon (Dean Ridge) and Maryam that one of their frequent flyers, Jakub Wozniak, has interstitial lung disease. He is still recovering from a serious COVID infection but is there now with a chest infection.

Maryam agrees to handle him while Mae Zhang (Naomi Yang) is asked to take bay four. Simon tells Maryam that Dr. Fisher says he has to come with her. Maryam introduces Simon to Jakub (Dylan Hughes), his sister Zoya, and his mom Katarina. The mother explains that he has been struggling for breath and the nights are really bad. Jakub reminds them that he is there before saying he was in ITU for two weeks and was lucky to get out alive. After listening to Jakub’s chest, Simon says there are fine crackles bilaterally. Maryam reminds Jakub that his recent tests show that his lung function has deteriorated significantly. Another chest infection isn’t good news.

Maryam wants to admit him and they’ll take him up to the Rainbow Ward. When Jakub complains about the Wi-Fi, Simon says he has data left on his mobile that he can use. As they leave, Simon talks to Maryam about her ability to speak Ukrainian. Maryam can only say a few things but learned since she has been seeing them since she was his age. She makes Simon read his notes back to her. He asks how much longer she is going to make him do this. Maryam questions how much longer he is going to be with them. She notices that Mae seems sick in the distance. Susan tells her that Raz is there and he has a young lad with him.

Helen finally catches up with Guy who asks about Mags. She asks Guy if he can speak to bed two about his heart failure so she can make some calls. Helen remembers they’re double dating with the guy he never has time to play tennis with. When she says she is setting him up with Catherine, Guy doesn’t think he is her type considering he is a nice guy. Helen isn’t sure they should be judging other people’s romantic choices. She returns to Tessa and tells her to go home because she can sort out care for Mags. Maggie mentions that Louise is the prettiest lady she has ever seen. Helen calls Callum to see if he is free to look after Maggie today.

Catherine approaches Sarah to tell her everything went well. She soon learns that Sarah is having the baby. Catherine manages to get the baby out while asking about the crash team. Once they take the baby, Catherine remembers that she didn’t deliver the placenta. Guy speaks to Mr. Massie and urges him to stop drinking. Mr. Massie just wants to go home and see his kids. He says Guy can just give him some pills and he’ll calm down. Once Guy learns he is an HGV driver, he says Mr. Massie will have to inform the DVLA that he has a heart condition and that he has a problem with alcohol. Callum goes home with Helen so he can watch Maggie for a while.

He sits down and begins playing the piano. His mom is off somewhere at the minute, but she’ll come back eventually. Helen gives him money to watch Maggie. Maryam takes care of Jayden who got mad and punched the greenhouse. They’ll have to wait for surgery to see if there is any damage to the tendons. Raz decides to get checked in A&E since they’re busy. Helen tells Guy to give Mr. Massie a chance to fix his drinking problem, but Guy thinks he has had too many chances. Guy says he is as bad as her sister. Helen tells him that she left Maggie with Debbie’s son Callum. In private, Raz tells Maryam that Jayden was shouting at nobody in the greenhouse and put his fist through it.

He put his father in the hospital and made three attempts on his own life. Raz asks what it is going to take to get him some help. Maryam says she can treat his hand and follow up with CAMHS since she knows the wait time is unacceptable. That is all she can do. Maryam has to go to the bathroom to collect herself before finding that Mae is sick. Jakub asks Simon if he has always known he was gay. Simon says yes and his mom just always knew. Jakub questions if he thinks his mom knows. Although Simon doesn’t speak Ukrainian, he thinks she does. When Jakub asks if he is going to get better, Simon admits he doesn’t know what to say.

Simon promises that they’re going to do everything they can for him. Maryam talks to Mae about her morning sickness. Mae reveals she isn’t going to continue with it. Maryam urges her to take care of herself. Guy and Helen join Jack in the elevator and talk to him about their double date with Catherine. Catherine sits with Sarah who tells her why they said it wasn’t her fault. Catherine tells her how Elis’s birth was awful because she was in a coma for two days. Sarah can’t believe she thought she was going back to work after six weeks. While they wait for the others, Helen and Guy talk about Jack who Helen says is a twat. Maryam asks Zoya if she is still volunteering at the children’s charity.

She asks about getting special treatment. When Catherine makes it to the restaurant, Matt (Joe Thomas) and the others are waiting for her. They hang out and drink. At one point, Helen says they only talk about children and work because they have nothing else. At the hospital, Maryam tries to convince Jayden to talk to someone. He admits inside his head is much scarier than broken glass. She says he better let someone help him with it then. Matt tells the others he isn’t used to being the last person people see. Guy wants more wine, but Helen believes he has had enough. Guy complains that she is always policing him. Catherine invites Matt to get coffee back at her place.

Guy gets mad at Helen and tells her not to apologize for him. Once they leave, Matt asks Catherine if that was just an exit strategy. She asks why he doesn’t have kids before suggesting her baby would be better off with someone else. Catherine kisses him before saying they should get that coffee. She takes Matt back to her place only for Lars to find them kissing downstairs. Maryam finds Raz sleeping while waiting in A&E so she decides to take care of his wounds. Maryam says she can’t adopt the baby just because she feels guilty or because she is worried she’ll break his heart.

After them, Sami, Savi, and the hospital, she isn’t sure if she wants to do it. She isn’t sure if there is enough of her left for anyone else. Lars reminds Catherine that she is a mother now and suggests this isn’t an acceptable environment for Elis. Catherine says he isn’t her father before telling them to get a hotel next time. Lars says she’ll be coming with them to Sweden next time. At home, Helen texts Callum asking him to let her know when he hears from his mother.

 

Maternal Review

Maternal has improved significantly since the first episode, but some episodes are going to be better than others. When Maternal is focusing on the drama at the hospital, it tends to be more effective. The personal dramas of the characters don’t always hit home. The performances remain good with the three leading ladies doing well in their respective roles.

The personal scenes may improve as viewers develop a deeper connection with the characters, but the show shines when it focuses on the patients and their difficulties. On the other hand, it is clear why the maternity angle was added because the show wouldn’t be original otherwise.

In future episodes, Maternal could hit some very high notes and transform into an emotional roller coaster. There is plenty of potential for Maternal although some viewers may enjoy it more than others. The episode scores a 6 out of 10. Recaps of Maternal can be found on Reel Mockery here. Want to support us? Find out how to do so at this link. Learn more about advertising opportunities on Reel Mockery here.