Ep 1. Episode 1

In Call the Midwife season 8 episode 1, viewers are transported back once again to the 1960s in the heart of Poplar, East London. The show opens on a poignant note as the characters attend the funeral of a beloved East End resident. While the loss of such a vibrant member of the community leaves many of the local residents feeling bereft, Nurse Trixie Franklin, who has recently returned from an extended stay in Italy, begins to adjust to the changes that have taken place in her absence.

As the episode progresses, we see that the midwives and nurses of Nonnatus House are as busy as ever, with new challenges and joys at every turn. One of the show's central storylines revolves around the introduction of two new midwives, Lucille Anderson and Valerie Dyer. As they begin to take on cases, we see how they cope with the unique challenges that come with working in such a deprived area of London. Both are warmly welcomed by their colleagues, but we soon realize that they have plenty of difficult cases to contend with.

Alongside this, the show explores a series of other storylines. One of the most memorable is the story of a local couple who are expecting their fifth child. As the mother, Mrs. Cooper, approaches her due date, she and her husband begin to fret about the cost of raising so many children and whether they will be able to provide for them all. Meanwhile, Nurse Crane is called out to help a young woman who has been involved in a car accident and who has gone into premature labor. There are also scenes featuring Sister Julienne, who finds herself drawn to the cause of a young woman who is trying to track down her long-lost mother.

Overall, Call the Midwife season 8 episode 1 is a moving and enjoyable installment in this much-loved series. The attention to detail is, as always, impeccable, and the direction and performances are top-notch. Whether you're a long-time fan of this heart-warming drama or a newcomer to the show, this episode is sure to entertain and offer a poignant glimpse into what life was like for women in working-class communities in the 1960s.