Ep 1. Episode 1

In the first episode of Call the Midwife, we are introduced to the bright-eyed and eager-to-help Jenny Lee. Fresh out of nursing school, Jenny arrives in the East End of London in the 1950s to begin her midwifery training with the Sisters of Nonnatus House.

It's immediately clear that Jenny is in for a challenging and eye-opening experience. Nonnatus House is a convent that serves as a clinic and home base for the midwives who venture out into the surrounding neighborhoods to attend to pregnant women and deliver their babies. The living quarters are cramped and outdated, the patients come from all walks of life, and the living conditions in the East End are often bleak.

As episode one unfolds, we see Jenny making her first rounds with the experienced midwives Trixie, Cynthia, and Chummy. They quickly demonstrate their impressive skills and knowledge of midwifery, and we get a sense of the respect and trust they have earned from the women they serve.

At the heart of the episode is the story of Conchita Warren. Conchita, a mother of 24 (yes, you read that right), has gone into labor with her 25th child. She's determined to have a natural birth at home, but when complications arise, the midwives must act quickly to save Conchita's life and the life of her baby.

Throughout the episode, we also get glimpses into the lives of the women in the East End. We see the struggles of young newlyweds who can barely afford to buy food, let alone prepare for the arrival of a new baby. We meet an older woman who is pregnant for the first time, and we see the impact that a history of poverty and malnutrition can have on a developing fetus.

The show doesn't shy away from the intense emotions and physical struggles of childbirth. We see women in the throes of labor, screaming and writhing in pain. But we also see the joy and love that comes with new life, and the incredible strength and resilience of the human body.

Throughout it all, Jenny serves as our guide, navigating the challenges of her new life with humor and grace. She's clearly out of her depth at times, but her determination and empathy make her a natural fit for this work.

By the end of the episode, Jenny has earned the respect of her fellow midwives and the women of the East End. We can tell that her journey will be both rewarding and difficult, but we're left with a sense of excitement and optimism for what's to come.

Call the Midwife's first episode sets the tone for the series perfectly. It's warm, compassionate, and unflinching in its depiction of the realities of childbirth and poverty in 1950s London. But it's also full of hope and joy, reminding us of the power of love and community in even the bleakest of circumstances.