losingtothejellybeans

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So one take I haven’t seen so far- could the finale of CTM be a back door pilot for the spin off I want to see- the mother house!

It would address so many things that would take it back to the roots and be a refresh:

Return to being female focused and led

Allows for many familiar faces to plausibly drop by for an episode

Plenty of scope for drama and social issues of the week, especially as the order would be picking up the people who “fall through the cracks”

Wouldn’t be locked into motherhouse or Poplar! We could visit some different places with the sisters

Interesting to see rather than hear about some of the wider issues the order was facing and could lead into the final series of CTM or a series break

Beautiful coastline!

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Last minute finale predictions

Light mishaps in the run up to the wedding but ultimately a fitting and happy send off for Nancy.

Trixie confides in her brother about how her own marriage is going. Maybe she’s thinking about her day and then how things turned out, with some of the mishaps making her worry that she was missing omens. Perhaps we see part of a phone call with Matthew.

Wedding leads to a discussion between Rosalind and Cyril on the future. Perhaps he’s uncertain about being married again. Perhaps the subject comes up about telling her family she’s dating- let alone dating someone who isn’t white (and is divorced and is around 10 years older). This could set up to what could happen next series…

Sister Catherine has a lovely day making her vows but we learn more about her back story that led to her family not speaking to her. I wonder if there’s more to the friend she was living with…

Sister Hilda lets us know how some other nuns are getting on in passing. It seems from promo pics she might be helping with dress fitting- comment back to Sr Frances and maybe them trying modern habits please!

And although it’s not what I want, it wouldn’t be an end of series without some sort of threat to the future of NH!!

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Keen for decent actual discussion on CTM! Not that’s there’s anything wrong with any of the below but I miss the days of guess work and gossip too!

Facebook is simple adoration

Reddit is “it needs to end” “does anyone else think a SMJ prequel would be a good idea?” “has anyone else noticed a change around series 8?” on a loop

Here is mainly GIFs and Turnadette fanfics nowadays

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Is it realistic that Joyce would often face racism, yes.

Is it right that it’s her only storylines, no.

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Calling it now Rosalind gets Weils or something false flag and it prompts a decision from Cyril…

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A week late but as someone who grew up as a young carer and still is the episode resonated hard. I don’t want to elaborate because it’s hard to put succinctly, but I felt it captured the love and barriers so well, especially the sense of isolation.

The young actor for Andrew is to be applauded (CTM social media have an interview with him: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15jNfzPP4y/?mibextid=wwXIfr)

One of the things I appreciated the most was the ending. I watched the episode with my Mum and after seeing Andrew look at the Scout we said why doesn’t he join the Scouts, after all we know who the local Scouters are! And it was the ending! Appreciated the characters actually looked at how locally they could have Andrew join in and feel less isolated rather than only hoping for school provision due to a right to education.

I want to give another shout out to the fact for all of the more recent series of CTM characters often being far more progressive/ahead of their time- this could have been time accurate.

Scouting and Guiding have a long history of attempting to have a disability inclusive and adaptive program for many many decades. Search for information about extension units, postal Guiding, Trefoil House, agenory (sic I can’t remember how it’s spelled and internet isn’t proving helpful but adapted camp event). I say attempting because I’m aware of that it has not been everyone’s experience.

My brother was in a Scout group that was specifically for children and young people with advanced requirements disabilities. It’s based in a specialist residential school, members still have the option of joining other units but this was focused on an adapted programme for Scout, Explorer and Network ages 10-25 for those who gain more out of a tailored programme run by volunteers who are experienced and trained vs attending the nearest unit with their age peers. They do join up with other units and it most definitely is not segregation- for context Andrew would be considered the most “high ability” (for want of a better phrase, know it’s not everyone’s choice) if he attended my brothers old group.

Many youth based activities and organisations have a cut off point, even if it’s not formal, where it’s just not seen as “possible” any longer, even if it’s supposed to be a fun social or enjoying movement club. You might get inclusion until around late Primary school but it’s definitely fizzled out by GCSE age. Having the option of just being “alongside” age peers when not being able to fully participate, for many isn’t really being included and neither is being offered to stay with younger ages.

It’s always good to see organisations offering something that isn’t just an offer, it’s a meaningful offer that considers individuals needs. There are options for volunteering with either the Scout Association or Girlguiding that specifically focus on keeping it accessible for young and adult members: from being a 1:1 support to being an inclusion advisor (helping create adjustment plans, form policy, advocate, advice on accessibility considerations) or trainer

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every episode of Call the Midwife

Sister Julienne: I'm worried about Sister Monica Joan, she's barely eating and she keeps talking about her mother

Sister Monica Joan: I am undoubtedly dying!

random woman: I'm eight months pregnant and decades of family drama is coming to a head! Also my husband/mother/sister is ill.

*nuns singing montage*

*Fred pops up out of nowhere* Does anyone want a pork pie? I'm selling pork pies now.

Dr Turner, lighting a cigarette: I'm fine with gay people and I love vaccines

Timothy, smugly: if only they could invent a vaccine for homophobia.

Shelagh, rifling through medical paperwork: I think there's something wrong with random woman's husband/mother/sister. Please don't ask how I ever have time to raise my children.

*sixties pop music montage!*

*random woman gives birth, it's either a girl or a boy*

*family drama is resolved*

*random woman's husband/mother/sister dies/is cured*

*Trixie gets a new haircut*

Old Jenny: and that was how I came to deeper understand the fragility and beauty of life in the East End (she literally wasn't there)

*Sister Monica Joan lives for another ten years*

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Hope the rumours of a 29 Jan for Rep TV are true, I rarely clown and hope she is taking a well earned rest but as Rep is a special album for me I’m really looking forward to it 🖤

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500 posts!

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Thank you to everyone who got me to 500 likes!

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Felt this was the best episode in ages and seemed like a return to form!

Balance between medical stories with a touch of realism and NH. Less superfluous Buckle or Turner scenes and “plot”.

I think little baby June has served as a reminder that although medical advances existed and the family were “comfortable”- people still said (and do today) that they cannot cope.

Rosalind, seems to be hinting that she wants motherhood and (presumably) marriage. Maybe a hint that although Cyril has been on her mind and she’s wistful she won’t pine after him forever? I wonder if Cyril will come back or not, half think he’s going to come back at the end saying he’s separated other half of me thinks based on how characters get on a bus in CTM that he’s said his goodbyes and that’s it, there will be a single scene with a mention about renting out his flat, maybe a letter to Phyllis from Lucille to say her life now feels complete with Cyril staying and their home…

Joyce, I’m glad to hear she got to do some extra training. It would be nice for her to have a storyline of her own unless she’s supposed to be like sister Veronica (and honestly what all the nuns have become, vehicles for a plot/stand ins for the audience rather than getting their own standalone personal interest storylines). Perhaps something in the future about her career ambitions?

Trixie producing a decent evidence based report rather than the scene from an earlier series where her argument was essentially “you’re missing the human names and story” was great. It also better acknowledges the reality of the situation (nuns meet a need and cover a funding gap) . I don’t know if it’s intentional but I don’t dislike the subtle undertones of public services being inefficient vs fabulous benefactors and volunteers…a bit too Big Society for my tastes…..I think a future where Trixie takes on a non clinical role but still a nurse would be interesting and be a better fit for where she’s evolved to.

Excited to see new nun/postulant and what her arrival might bring. I’m curious to see what her calling story might be, especially if she joined late 60s/1970. I’ve always hoped they would do a closeted nun angle, with a woman from a deeply religious family and her own strong faith, with joining an order allowing her security away from marriage etc but also privately confident in who she is, perhaps pushing for tolerance and acceptance without being out.

Do we just assume Nancy got married off screen and is settled??

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CTM S14 predictions and wishlist ahead of the first episode

Predictions

A decision is going to be made on Lucille and Cyril. It would be nice if it’s in character and contextually appropriate but I think it’s more likely she will send a letter saying she doesn’t mind if he continues to live his life…

Ros and Cyril are going to have some tension and maybe a small moral crisis of faith. It would be refreshing to have them not end up together but it seems unlikely.

Joyce has the opportunity to move into hospital nursing and has to make decision…

We have Nonatus House actually marked for closure. Some modernisation of the order occurs as a result, similar to how they looked at modern habits a few series ago. Maybe some of the discussions the real order had about if it was time to leave London.

Tim comes home and maybe has minor conflict/disagreement about best practice with his father.

Trixie permanently moves back, maybe enjoying living in an apartment with her brother. Something tragic happens to Matthew after they make up off screen that allows her “freedom” (writes him off but means she has financial security and stays in good society graces vs divorce) and Jonty is taken care of by his grandparents.

And as per usual everyone but Catholics and doctors who aren’t Dr. Turner get nuance!

Wishlist

Nancy has happy ending and moves on. Her main story arc has ended and it would help streamline the show to have one less character. I think Trixie should’ve moved on too but at the moment it would be sad to have to her leave on a “low” and I think the actress is now in it until the end.

Better balance of the medical story of the week vs the slice of life low stakes cosy interactions that don’t move the plot along. Random Turner family storylines with silly hijinks don’t add anything.

More continuity call backs to acknowledge previous plot points or characters. It makes it feel more real and it’s fun for long term fans.

Please can we stay in some of the more grounded reality of the times, like the earlier series, rather than being too cosy? I don’t mean non stop misery, but small reminders of what it was actually like during the time gives a little more grit.

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Why I think Goodbye my Lover by James Blunt is such a good song:

It feels raw and authentic. It’s not overproduced. It has for me the same sad reflective energy as some of my other favourites like ATW SGA.

It’s not about I want you back, it’s not you’ll be sorry, it’s not a list of faults. It doesn’t dwell on what went wrong, it’s not even mentioned why they are no longer together. It’s mournful of what was and what could have been in a different timeline. The past optimism has been replaced by a loneliness and a hollow feeling. The stage between acceptance that it’s truly over and the brighter days that will surely come.

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I feel that this series is much better quality than the last two. Enjoying it a bit more and feel less like I’m loyalty watching. Unpopular opinion I may know.

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It's my 8 year anniversary on Tumblr 🥳

When I first set this up my bio line was a Adele reference and now it reads as Swift one!

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Thoughts and predictions after watching the first episode:

*New student nurses are a welcome addition and are much better than the last time we had student nurses. Seems like there’s good plot opportunities….It’s fun to see young women having fun again too!

*Interesting to see Trixie to hear the younger nurses having fun, pause and not join them. I hope she finds something for her or a friend, even if it’s becoming closer with Sheleigh. It seems like her life could become very lonely in this new phase of life.

*Cyril is being used well/better than Peter was after Chummy left. As in another separate post wonder if there could be something with Rosalind and him. The moral dilemma it could throw up for him would be interesting and if long running, give a needed edge.

*Interested to see if they keep down the route of NH being an acknowledged unusual and slightly older/out of place. I hope they don’t just brush over Matthew/ownership.

*Glad to see age appropriate Cubs in uniform again rather than a group of random too young kids with red neckers on! (Just a personal bug bear!)

*Still think Nancys character should’ve moved on…

The series has changed since it first started but it still is enjoyable. I know some people who no longer watch because of the change in time. I just see it as a period soap rather than the gritty drama it once was.

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Wondering if there will be something between Rosemary and Cyril? Would make for a very interesting plot line and just a bit daring for CTM!