Friday, February 2, 2018

"the most extraordinary thing..."

2 February 2018: “Because I’ve hardly ever felt comfortable anywhere. And when I have, it’s been with you. It has been the most extraordinary thing. I felt small. And in my proper place and not at risk of breaking anything precious.” –Chummy, to Peter, in the first season finale of Call the Midwife.

The always excellent Extra Hot Great reminded me of this episode, as Tara brought it forward to Canon consideration. Tara played the clip above and, as I listened to it this morning, I felt myself tearing up at Chummy’s vulnerability here, as she (temporarily) pushes Peter away to keep what has been so wonderful—their relationship, the comfort she feels with him—from being tainted. That feeling of comfort is just everything, isn’t it?

And her comment about feeling “small” with him (a reference to her height and general discomfort fitting into places) is such smart writing. The show’s creators will make it clear that they really aren’t as interested in the personal lives of their main characters as they are in telling the stories of their work in Poplar, but that makes these kinds of finely-rendered moments all the more important (they have to do a lot of work) and precious.

So starting the day thinking about the gift that is this show? Not bad!

[Another reason to check out this week’s EHG? It discusses a show I love almost as much: One Day at a Time. Oh—and a fun Game Time! And even more hilarious banter than usual…]

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