Call the Midwife continues to provide a deeply emotional and uplifting respite for viewers on BBC One on Sunday nights, but in recent times the stories have become more heartbreaking.
And last season of the 1960s BBC drama was even more devastating as Nurse Barbara Hereward (played by Charlotte Ritchie) was killed off after contracting a bout of septicaemia.
Reverend Tom Hereward (Jack Ashton) also lost his wife, and Call the Midwife fans were desperately hoping the show would never deliver such a twist again.
But viewers may have noticed tonight’s episode saw a storyline with Nurse Phyllis (Linda Bassett) bubbling away in the background.
Growing closer to the local police officer, the maternal figure finally seemed to be taking some time to focus on herself for once.
And as the instalment came to an end, Nurse Crane could be seen going off on a date with the man.
“Where are you off to in your next best two-piece?” Nurse Valerie Dyer (Jennifer Kirby) teased her superior.
“An exhibition of photography,” the embarrassed nurse revealed.
And as the footage showed Phyllis on her date, she asked the police officer: “What are horizons for if not to be expanded?”
The gentle policeman appeared nervous at the boldness of his date, but could the show be setting up Nurse Crane’s exit from midwifery altogether?
Even if Nurse Crane stays in Poplar, she may decide to remove herself from her harrowing business once and for all.
What’s more, Phyllis was particularly affected by the death of Barbara in season seven – so has she been harbouring a secret wish to embark on new endeavours over the last several months?
Elsewhere in the London hamlet, Doctor Turner (Stephen McGann) and Shelagh (Laura Main) have been struggling with their new, larger family and their immense work commitments.
Earlier this season, the pair adopted a baby girl, Angela, before Shelagh discovered she was pregnant with her own child, who she later named Teddy.
In a recent interview, the actress spilled all on a behind-the-scenes secret about the character’s new brood.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, Laura said: “We’ve got little Teddy who is so young… am I allowed to reveal that there is more than one Teddy this series?
“Because the first one didn’t really enjoy filming so we won’t see much of hands on with Teddy.
“Not because they don’t love Teddy – Teddy doesn’t love them!” the star giggled.
Laura went on to say Shelagh may want to house even more children as the series develops.
She explained: “I think certainly Shelagh is more vocal in wanting that, I think deep down Dr. Turner feels the same. She’s sort of mentioned that some people foster for years so I think maybe she does hope that she’ll always know May.”
Call the Midwife continues Sundays at 8pm on BBC One.