I can never get through Call the Midwife without crying.

[nolabear]

What an amazing show.

[Betsy Ross]

1. I didn't cry tonight

But I did get riled up over the racism. Nice that there was a happy ending, but then it is fiction.

[nolabear]

3. Sometimes people do change.

[Still Blue in PDX]

12. Since it is "based on" Jenny's memoirs, I wonder how much is fictionalized.

I like to think that some of the happy endings are real.

I'm not a Brit, but the fairly recent revelation of my being a baby who was given away (as opposed to actually adopted) in the 1950s, the plight of sometimes very young poor pregnant women strikes a chord with me.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My husband and I are watching Season 1 on Netflix, streaming.

It is so good.

So nuanced, so beautiful. The issues are compellingly portrayed.

I'd really forgotten how life was before birth control was widely available.

I normally tear up too....esp. at the endings.

[nolabear]

4. It hasn't flagged a bit. Beautiful and unflinching.

LORD those people were poor! Makes choice and a good healthcare system look like heaven.

[Fridays Child]

5. The only TV show I set an alarm for.

[Jeff R]

6. Never seen it.

I have never even seen it advertised.
Guess I'll have to check listings and give it a look.

[nolabear]

8. PBS, though Season 1 might be on Netflicks and is out on DVD.

If you love British television this is it at its best.

[Jeff R]

10. Great:

Thanks for the info on the show.
I do enjoy most British tv I have watched.
Will give it a look see, have a feeling I am going to like it.

[Phentex]

7. Haven't watched this week's yet but yes

I know the feeling!

[olddots]

9. As good as Doc Martin ?

What's it about ? drama or comedy ? current or historical ? We love English TV for the most part .

[nolabear]

11. 1950s East London, Nuns and nurse midwives and families with 5,000 children.

There are great characters, both among the nuns and nurses and the denizens of the East End, where there's no birth control and National Health Care has just come into play. The families and situations are incredibly moving and human. And it doesn't hurt that it's a love poem to health care for the poorest.

[elleng]

15. Yes, at LEAST as good as Doc Martin,

2 of my several 'must sees' every week.

[Boomerproud]

13. Paul McCartney has mentioned that he loves the show because it reminds him of his mother

who was a midwife in the 50's. His strongest first memory of her is watching out the window at 3 am as she's riding her bike up the road to go deliver a baby in deep snow.

[nolabear]

14. Awwwww. I didn't know that.

Nice.