Call The Midwife – Season 13 Episode 3 Recap & Review

Episode 3

Episode 3 begins with Reggie hugging Violet, his mother, delighted that she is planning to run for the position of mayor. Violet is working on her letter of application and asks Reggie to go upstairs and wash up. Later, Fred tries to remove a piece of metal stuck in the lawn mower but accidentally cuts himself.

While submitting her mayoral application, Violet encounters Regan, a rich landlord with multiple properties in the area. Regan suggests that Violet’s running for the position is futile as he believes he is going to win anyway.

Meanwhile, Gillian Baxter arrives at the clinic for a regular check-up. It is revealed that she is a model and is expecting her first child. While Rosaline is examining Baxter, she suspects that Baxter’s baby might be breech.

Sister Jeniene also suspects the same and asks Rosaline to fetch Dr. Turner, who confirms the suspicion. However, he assures Baxter that this is completely normal and asks her to come in the next day so they can attempt to shift the baby’s position.

The next morning, Baxter arrives with her husband and is informed by Mrs. Turner that she will be carrying out the procedure. Mrs. Turner tries her best but is unable to adjust the baby’s position. She informs Baxter that they need to prepare for a breech birth and advises her to come to the clinic if she feels any pain in her stomach.

The next day, Baxter goes into labour and arrives at the hospital, where Turner and others prepare to deliver her baby. Despite the baby being in the breech, the delivery goes well, and Baxter gives birth to a beautiful daughter. However, the baby is found to have a congenital hip dislocation, which Turner explains is common with breech babies.

Baxter visits a specialist with Nurse Crane, who informs them that the baby will have no problem walking if she wears a harness for six months. Nurse Crane offers her support, but Baxter initially refuses.

Feeling overwhelmed, Baxter goes back to the clinic to give her daughter away, claiming she doesn’t deserve to be a mother. Crane and Veronica convince Baxter otherwise and offer to help her, which she accepts. 

At first, Fred’s scar appears to be nothing more than a simple cut, but things take a tragic turn when he collapses in his bedroom. Joyce and Trixie rush to help him and discover that Fred’s wounds are infected, and he might have contracted tetanus. Fred is quickly taken to the hospital and administered penicillin, but Trixie explains to Violet that penicillin cannot cure tetanus. She advises Violet not to lose hope and to let the medicine run its course.

Violet visits Fred and blames herself for not sending him to the doctor for a check-up. She tells Fred that he needs to get better for Reggie. Fred’s condition worsens, and he is moved to the ICU after having trouble breathing. He asks Reggie to look after Violet if he doesn’t make it. Because of this, Violet decides to pull out of the election.

However, Reggie convinces her otherwise, and Violet ends up winning the election. As for Fred, the sisters’ prayers work, and he miraculously recovers.

The Episode Review

Episode 3 took us on an emotional rollercoaster compared to the first two episodes. We witnessed the intense struggle and self-doubt of a new mother, as well as Fred falling seriously ill. There was a moment where it seemed like Fred might not make it, which would have marked the end of Cliff Parisi’s memorable run on “Call the Midwife.”

Thankfully, Fred pulls through, bringing a sigh of relief to fans everywhere. Additionally, Baxter overcomes her own self-doubt, realizing that she is indeed a loving mother who is doing her best for her baby.

Looking ahead, we can expect to see Violet making strides in improving the community now that she is the mayor. Her compassion and dedication are sure to make a positive impact on the lives of those around her.