I thought maybe the actor who plays Tom wanted to stay on the show and as the Barbara actress wanted to leave this was a way to get him back.
^^Right, but if he is going to stay on the series what are they going to do with his character? He will play the tragic, grieving widower for while, and then what? This being television, the logical plot development after that will be a romance. And who better than his broken-hearted old flame Trixie - newly dried out from her stint in rehab?
That’s why I think Consolation’s proposed plot twist may not be too far off the mark.
I definitely think it is on the mark and it is the first thing that popped into my mind 2 episodes ago when Barbara became gravely ill.
I wondered about the Tom/Trixie re-coupling myself (especially since the actors are together in real life), but it seems it would only work if Tom left the clergy. I cannot imagine Trixie ever accepting that life. Also, I really liked Christopher. 
Maybe Tom will start drinking himself and go all Sidney Chambers (“Grantchester”) in the future. That could be entertaining! 
Maybe Trixie will “discover religion” during her drying out period and embrace the wife of clergy lifestyle.
Speaking of the very hunky Sidney, I saw recently that Grantchester got renewed for a 4th season. I am not only rooting for Trixie & Christopher, but I am still holding out hope for SIdney & Amanda.
I was looking to see if there was a Christmas special for Midwife, but couldn’t find that info. What I did find was that seasons 8 and 9 were ordered, and they said that meant they could have some story lines that would be more developed because they have another 15 or so episodes to let things grow.
You can buy the Christmas special for 2017 via Amazon Prime for $3.99. While I hate to pay for things that I can eventually get for free, I think it’s worth it:)
I’m used to tearing up while watching Call the Midwife but this most recent episode was too much. I did keep wondering where Barbara’s father was since it had been mentioned more than once that he was a vicar in some rural parish. I don’t remember anything about his dying so why would he not be at her bedside?
Am I the only one who remembers this part of Barbara’s backstory? I don’t think I imagined it.
I think the timeframe from onset to death was fairly quick. I remember the episode with the dad. It was when Barbara was getting married and the dad was somewhere far away. I googled it and he was in New Guinea.
I seen to remember they brought the wedding forward so her dad could marry them before he left for an overseas posting.
On Call the Midwife’s Facebook page, they mention tours of the location area.
<<the historic=“” dockyard=“” in=“” chatham,=“” kent=“” has=“” played=“” host=“” to=“” many=“” of=“” call=“” the=“” midwife’s=“” most=“” iconic=“” screen=“” moments=“” since=“” very=“” first=“” series=“” 2012.=“” this=“” year,=“” public=“” museum=“” and=“” naval=“” yard=“” marks=“” its=“” 400th=“” anniversary=“” –=“” mark=“” special=“” producers=“” neal=“” street=“” have=“” partnered=“” with=“” create=“” official=“” midwife=“” tour=“” which=“” launches=“” formally=“” today!=“”>>
http://thedockyard.co.uk/whats-on/call-the-midwife-location-tours/
Now if only I had trip to England planned…
Oh gosh, I am spending just a few days in London with my brother this before and after our trip to Zambia. I need to see if I can arrange to do this. Thanks for posting it.
We will be expecting a full report, @swimcatsmom 
doesn’t look like it’s available on the dates I’ll be there
I’ve just finished watching season 1 and the Christmas special on netflix. Really enjoying it but need to try and limit myself to one episode a night. It’s 1.30 and I have work in the morning (or should I say later in the morning!)
No comments after last night’s season finale? I sat down without a tissue - big mistake! I think this may have been the best season yet. On a minor note, I loved Trixie sending Sister Monica Joan birthday wishes via home movie!
I did not find last week’s episode all that sad, but last’s night was. The photo easy was very good and sad.
The season finale got Barbara’s funeral “out of the way” by dealing with it at the beginning of the episode. The rest of the episode was a bit more upbeat, thank goodness.
Yes but when the young girl named baby Barbara I so lost it.