I am so not sure about tonight's episode....I felt that it had crossed a line from honest (if emotional) storytelling to a cynical manipulation of the viewer's emotion....
I found myself watching the actors acting. It was strange. The curate and his wife and the doctor and his son. They didn't appear natural, and i was conscious it was 'pretend' instead of being drawn into the story. I always watch Call the Midwife and have never felt this before.
The actress who plays Nurse Crane, is, imo, a very, very fine actress.
Having read some of the comments on this thread, I find I am agreeing with the posters who suggested it was contrived to have the audience sobbing.
At the time of watching, when Babs' fingertips turned black, I said to Mr Alba she was on her way out.
Still went through a few paper tissues tho :-)