‘Call the Midwife’ season 5, episode 1 reaction (PBS): Trixie’s transformation

A new season of “Call the Midwife” has officially begun in America, and that marks another season of emotional stories, fascinating character studies, and seeing how the times are beginning to influence Poplar and the residents of Nonnatus House.

Much as we did during season 4 when the show aired on PBS, we’re going to be releasing spotlight reactions throughout the season. You can view our full review for this episode over here, as it was published back when the show aired on BBC One. Warning: There are spoilers ahead. Don’t read on unless you are fine getting some information regarding this episode before watching it.

Changes for Trixie – Going into this season, it was hard to see where the fan favorite character was going to go. While she was at one point a bubbly beacon of light, she slipped on this past season into addiction and alcoholism, and spent the majority of it working to battle her demons. It was not an easy journey for her, and we wondered if she was going to still be in that place in this premiere.

Luckily, it seems to be that she has found another calling as a keep-fit instructor … or, as you could say, a keep-busy instructor. In watching the premiere, it does strike us very much how this could be a move to help fill the hours of the day, mostly so that she could forget about some of her past problems with Tom or with her addictions. You could argue that fitness can be an addiction of its own. Is it a far better one to have than alcohol? Sure, but Trixie will have to keep track all season of how much work she is putting into this, and that she does not lose any part of herself in the process of doing it.

For now, we’re happy for the character being that she is seemingly in a much better place. Helen George does routinely a wonderful job with this character; you see that optimistic exterior, but simultaneously you know that there is this edge, and she could slip under at any moment and become someone else entirely.

If you are so inclined as to get some further news on “Call the Midwife,” be sure to head over to this link right away! Also, sign up over here to secure some further TV news on almost everything we cover, sent right over to you via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: BBC.)