? Call The Midwife S07.E08: Episode 8

The citizens of Poplar are preparing to say goodbye to their beloved Barbara. And it's terrible. Tom, alone in his flat, looks at loose ends, while the ever-practical nurses of Nonnatus House get themselves ready. Valerie brings tea to Lucille and Phyllis's room. "This time last year," says Phyllis, "there was a wedding dress hanging from that picture rail." And, like, YES, there was! And now there are funeral clothes. That's what makes this the absolute WORST. I hate that they chose death for this character -- someone who had realized her purpose and was getting better and better at carrying it out. It's evil, really. I know Charlotte Ritchie was ready to move on, but Barbara and Tom could have easily gone ANYwhere, never to be seen again, rather than this. Jack Ashton could even have stayed around somehow. Now, would we all have hated it and complained just as we did with when Chummy left? Yes, but...hell, maybe Barbara could have gone to work with Chummy! I'm saying there were scenarios that could have been made to work. For example: don't you think Barbara and Tom would have made fine Canadians? Why not send them there?! ANYWAY. I'm clearly ranting as an avoidance tactic now, so let's get on with it. I have many thoughts about this episode's many lovely moments, and a few more things to be angry about...but we'll get there.

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