The latest instalment of the beloved BBC period drama Call the Midwife delivered an emotional gut-punch within minutes of its airing, leaving devoted viewers across the UK reaching for the tissues.
A Shocking Discovery in Poplar
Returning to screens on Sunday evening, 18th January, for the second episode of its fifteenth series, the show quickly shifted from community cheer to palpable dread. The episode, set in 1971, saw the nuns and nurses of Nonnatus House organising an Easter egg hunt for local children. The festive mood was shattered, however, when a dog was discovered behind a bin, foaming at the mouth.
Panic immediately spread through the fictional Poplar community, with fears of a potential rabies outbreak taking hold. The situation reached a tragic conclusion when Dr. Patrick Turner, played by Stephen McGann, arrived to examine the animal, only to find it had passed away.
Viewers Flood Social Media With Grief
The poignant scene prompted an immediate and heartfelt outpouring from the show's audience on social media platform X. Many expressed that the loss of an animal on screen affected them more deeply than human storylines.
One devastated fan wrote: "I get more upset when an animal dies than a human. I’m so sad for that poor dog." Another reacted with: "The poor dog omg." The sentiment was widely shared, with further comments including "NOT A SICK DOG PLEASE" and simply, "Poor dog."
Romance and Backstory Provide Counterpoint
Elsewhere in the episode, the narrative provided a contrast to the opening tragedy. A significant moment unfolded for Cyril Robinson (Zephryn Taitte), who met the parents of his love interest, Rosalind Clifford (Natalie Quarry), for the first time, seeking their approval.
This romantic subplot continues to develop as Cyril navigates life after the loss of his wife, Lucille. Lucille, played by Leonie Elliott, departed the series during its twelfth run. Her exit storyline involved her character returning to Jamaica to focus on her mental wellbeing following a miscarriage, compounded by depression, homesickness, and the period's growing anti-immigrant sentiment in Britain.
Call the Midwife continues to air every Sunday at 8pm on BBC One, promising more gripping storylines from the nurses of Nonnatus House.
