Pregnancies
Jodie is still in a coma, but her doctors say she’s slowly waking up. She’s not responding to any of the treatments they’re giving her, but they’re hopeful that she’ll eventually wake up and be able to communicate. Deborah was always very close to Jodie, and it’s been hard for the family to accept that she’s not going to make it. But something about the coma has drawn Jodie back into Midwich.
Zoe and Sam are elated when they learn they are pregnant, but their joy quickly turns to dread when they are taken into town hall with all the other women and learn the shocking truth: that all of them were raped during the blackout. ..
Every woman of child-bearing age has fallen pregnant who was within the blackout range. This happened because they were all forced to sign an NDA to make sure they don’t tell people what happened.
Susannah, the estate agent, comes to the village and tells the people that she has not had sex in years and that some of the kids from the disco are also pregnant. After this revelation, everyone stands up and signs their agreements.
Susannah is brought in by the authorities for an alternate proposition. Mr Westcott want her to help with the “mothers’ journey” through pregnancy, which includes Jodie and Mary-Anne. While some of the mothers are contemplating terminating their babies, it’s fair to say the ones who don’t are going to be watched carefully.
Stewart and Amrita’s relationship takes an awkward turn when they find out there’s no evidence of paternal DNA whatsoever. Although it’s not technically Stewart’s, he talks Amrita out of aborting their baby and decides they should keep it. After all, prior to arriving in Midwich they were given less than 1% chance to conceive. Oh, and Amrita is also pregnant too, messaging Stewart and telling him she’s missed two periods.
A recent study has shown that those who decide to terminate their babies are stopped from doing so. When it comes to following through, they’re somehow and inexplicably entranced and leave the clinic, heading back out into Midwich. “It’s happened again,” Bryony says grimly, as it would appear this has affected multiple women. ..
Zoe tries to leave Midwich but something binds her to the town, unable to move on the platform and board a train. Spooked, Zoe visits Susannah and explains what happened. Zoe admits that whatever this child is, it seems to have a will of its own and is binding her to the village.
As the women labor, they all experience a strange light that changes colors according to their baby’s health. Some babies are healthy and glow a bright yellow, while others have glowing eyes but are still in danger of dying. As the light fades, each woman wakes up with her baby safe and sound.
The Episode Review
The show has managed to create an eerie and strange atmosphere in its story, which I must confess I haven’t read the original novel but the story is developing really nicely with a great blend of eerie and strange occurrences accompanying strong character work.
The Midwich Cuckoos manages to juggle all of that with a good deal of elegance and confidence, switching between each of them and allowing us to understand their plight. Whether this will continue when the kids grow older and we have more characters to juggle remains to be seen.
Episode 1 hinted at a time jump, and we’re probably going to have one. However, the ride there is going to be strange and surreal, with plenty of drama to come. Bring it on! ..
