The Story:
Nurse Jenny Lee (Jessica Raine) and her cohorts return to ring in 1958 in Season 2. Still narrated by Vanessa Redgrave, this season seems to veer into much more dramatic moments (how is that possible??!!) than the first series. Starting with a Christmas episode that isn't very cheery, life on London's East End for our favorite midwives is about to change dramatically.
So at this point, it's hard to say if the memoirs of Jennifer Worth are expounded upon, changed completely or altered significantly, but Season 2 seems to be much more... preachy? Pushy? I'm not sure what the change is, but it's much more noticeable this go-round.
Jenny seems much more judgmental of her patients this season, as they push the new maternity room because the pregnant women are living in less than ideal conditions.
In fact, many of the episodes seem to go for the controversy this go round. Stealing babies. Abortion. Contraception. Mysterious death blamed on the nurses. Again, based on actual events, but to what extent? This almost seems to swing too far into the dramatic territory this season.
It doesn't help that much of the fun from the first season is missing.
Chummy (Miranda Hart) heads to Africa with her hubby and they are gone for almost the entire season. Their fun and exuberance is sorely missed.
She is replaced by nursing assistant Jane (Dorothy Atkinson) who is void of all personality, possibly (hopefully) by design?
Cynthia (Bryony Hannah) is blamed for the death of a child, and spends the rest of the episode doubting herself and ready to pack it in.
The other overarching storyline is the story of Sister Bernadette (Laura Main) who has been harboring feelings for the Doctor Turner (Stephen McGann). When she is diagnosed with tuberculosis, it all culminates with the biggest change for her of all the characters.
By the season's end, the whole gang is back together, just in time to learn that the convent is scheduled for demolition.
That should mark a cheery beginning to Season 3.
Still good, but not quite up to par with the first season.
Available to stream instantly on Netflix as of this writing.
We'll see what happens in the third...and final(?)... season this winter.
Final Grade: B
Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I think once will turn out to be enough for this series. Looking forward to seeing what they come back with in Season 3, but the bloom is off the rose. ;)
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