Call the Midwife season 8 episode 1 spoilers: Prince Edward’s birth & more

Occasionally, Call the Midwife affords us the opportunity to hear about specific historical events through the series’ lens, and that is precisely what is happening as we move into season 8 episode 1 next week (premiere date January 13th in the UK). We’re going to have a chance to see how much of Poplar reacts to the birth of Prince Edward, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II. The series is set in 1964, which means that this has to be the story that is being told at this particular moment.

So what sort of story will surround this moment? Well, the Call the Midwife season 8 episode 1 synopsis hints at some big stuff for a returning Mother Mildred, who will be sending some Sisters down to Nonnatus House amidst a good bit of other notable events. We’ll have some reminders of the past, but also some new cases that force some characters to think almost entirely in the present:

It’s spring time and with extra help needed in Poplar, Mother Mildred (Miriam Margolyes) decides to send Sister Frances (Ella Broccoleri) and Sister Hilda (Fenella Woolgar) to Nonnatus House, where they will live and work.

Everyone is excited for the impending arrival of the Queen’s baby. Violet (Annabelle Apsion) is holding a Teddy Bears’ Picnic and raising funds through a sweepstake on whether the Queen will have a boy or a girl.

The midwives are introduced to their new midwifery bags, but Sister Monica Joan (Judy Parfitt) is distressed when she sees Fred (Cliff Parisi) burning the old leather ones.

Lucille (Leonie Elliott) is caring for heavily pregnant Lesley White (Jordon Stevens), whose sister Cath (Emily Barber), an aspiring model, has been feeling extremely unwell. Back at the maternity home, Shelagh (Laura Main) has to step in to help Trixie (Helen George) with a birth that takes a surprise turn.

This is an episode that should offer up an opportunity to dive right back into this world in the grandest fashion possible. That means getting a chance to get into some emotional stories and also better understand where some of these people are in their lives. While times are changing in Poplar, some things are going to remain the same — these are still the same people who you know and love, but they are going to experience more highs and lows.

Remember, there are eight episodes across season 8 and we have a chance to take on a number of emotional stories over the course of that. We think the series is going to do its best to make sure that it takes on as many different fascinating stories as possible within that time.

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What do you want to see when it comes to Call the Midwife season 8 episode 1? Be sure to share some of your thoughts right now in the attached comments. (Photo: BBC.)