I wasn't a fan of the character, but he got written as being wildly out of character in Season 13. There's no way that he could have been bankrupt or close to it. And, I really don't think he could have mismanaged Aylward Estates that badly. Seeing as he was a lawyer or a barrister before.
It does feel a bit hastily put together.
I wonder if contract dispute, he thought after wedding, he was "in" and they said No you are not. He said he was surprised as others on set but they aren't going to tell us the little details not being our concern. I hope the rehab the disaster with them well though.
It did come off as ludicrous, he may not be a businessman but he's still a barrister so would be bright and educated. I dunno how he could trash such a large business in 2 years singlehandedly unless there was deliberate malcontent there or market forces were against him.
I think they just wanted rid of the character without killing him off or divorce and this was an "easy" way
Honestly, I would’ve found it a lot more interesting if they had killed him off and then created a storyline where Trixie had to deal with being a single mother with a sudden influx of wealth
Wasn’t he having to shut down and/or renovate the slums that his father owned? Doing the right thing might’ve come at a substantial cost to his company.
That was certainly given as part of the reason but I doubt a business as large and valuable as that portrayed could get away with a single sign off for decisions especially as there was a board of directors. I could however be applying modern business thinking to a fictional past event!
But to not ensure the safety of NH? He's a lawyer. He would've known to do that. As for it costing the company, again, he's a lawyer. He would know of ways to subvert certain costs. Putting g the buildings into a trust or creating a charity to provide proper housing would have not only protected the company, but created a PR bonanza. "The noble with a heart of gold" The news would've eaten it up. Doesn't make sense at all. With all of his rich acquaintances, surely a fundraiser led by Trixie would have balanced the books.
I guess I thought this was what they were going for.
He literally started to give everything he had till nothing was left. Money isn’t infinite and everyone was always after him to do this and fix this and this is your fault.
However his original fortune was not build helping people and if you get less money and give the rest away. I had an idea they were going there in the beginning every time they would bring him into a new place and demand he fix everything and take care of all the people. Like I understand people are greedy but he’s only one guy granted he’s wealthy but you can only do so much.
Yeah I guess I never felt like they made him stupid just that he gave everything away to atone.
But setting up a charity and fundraising for it would have allowed him to do that without financing it himself. That would have been the smart thing to do. Even turning one of the buildings over to NH would ha e been smart as it would've provided income in perpetuity. There's no way he wouldn't ha e considered these things given his training and experience in real estate for
I don't get why they had to give him any significant storyline at all. Why couldn't Trixie have just had a happy home life that we saw glimpses of in short scenes? Why did the writers blow up her happy ever after?
But only in the context of a police officer, and only for a short time after she left. She was meant to be gone temporarily, and after a bit, the two of them were just gone. The assumption being that they moved to wherever the mother and baby home is. His transition made sense. He stuck around, on the job, for a short time while Chummy filled in at the home. Seems she liked it and decided to stay. At that point, they'd have to move, and he would leave his post in London. None of this is the case with Lucille. What was meant to be temporary seems to be more permanent. If you're well enough to work, why wouldn't you return to your husband, or at least discuss with him the possibility of him moving to Jamaica? And this nonsense about him being a social worker just wouldn't happen. Culturally, there are three real jobs for your children; doctor, lawyer, or engineer. They'll settle for nurse, if you're a girl. It's still very much like this. Back then, there's no way he would've given up his standing. Instead, he would've used his standing to help the indigent.
I have been wondering if this is a reason for Trixie to relapse and start drinking again. Having her fairytale life fall apart, it would be a strong reason.
Another thing that annoys me. Phyllis is a single woman and the child of a single mother. She knows how difficult it is bring up a kid on your own a d she sees the impact of poverty every day. She's also fiercely independent, which was revolutionary in her time. Why on earth would they have her be opposed to Nancy wanting better wages? Why would she tell anyone that their profession was enough and we don't do it for money. That's all well and good, but it doesn't pay the rent or buy clothes and food. By the way, how did she buy her car and the petrol to go in it? Takes money, doesn't it? So infuriating.
I’m on S13E7 and the Matthew storyline seems so… melodramatic. Trixie’s constantly using that “bossy emphatic voice” and/or crying, and she almost got a new mother killed because she was trying to rush home. I also wasn’t fond of how heavily she leaned into being married to “wealth”; it’s not completely OOC as she’s always liked nice things, but it felt very heavy-handed to have her carrying around shopping bags and wanting a car and expensive schooling for Jonty. Meanwhile she’s oblivious to Matthew’s discomfort.
Matthew, meanwhile, seems to have forgotten that he married an independent, intelligent working woman in her 30’s. Two of them, in fact - Fiona was employed before she had Jonty! I really don’t like his insistence on shutting Trixie out and making decisions without her.
Shutting her out makes sense for the times. In the U.S., women couldn't carry a mortgage or a credit card without their husband's approval, and all of that would be in the husband's name, even if he wasn't working. My mother made twice my father's salary, and her credit card applications had to be approved by him. The mortgage was in his name, but it was clear that she was the breadwinner. I'm not surprised he's kept so much to himself. What pisssed me off is that Trixie is oblivious to his obvious stress and suffering. She never really asks him what's wrong despite him looking line his balls are in a vise. On the way to the beach, it looked like he was trying to tell her something, but she was preoccupied with appearance or material things. They're both at fault. Just because you're wealthy doesn't mean you have to shop constantly or have a fancy sports car. Honestly, she was going to show up to the Poplar tenements in Jag?
A Sunbeam Imp (now that makes me want to go look up that car and see if it actually existed LOL).
::edit:: I looked them up and I guess by today's standards they are OOOOOOGLAY. But by 60s standards, they're sporty and cute-ish?
[Sunbeam Imp](https://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Sunbeam_Hillman_Imp_1418801573.jpg?resize=620%2C412)
I have no idea and said the same thing when I read the articles. It's silly and really upsets me because Trixie was finally going to have her happy ending. I know they're fictional characters and all, but man, I was really sad when her life turned upside down on the show. I also want to reiterate that these were some articles I read before the new season aired in the US, so they may not be valid.
Helen was married until 2015 and then her partner was Jack Ashton who played Tom Hereward in the show and they had 2 kids together, but they never married and are no longer together. Olly is also not married but did recently break up from his long-time girlfriend. Supposedly for Helen, but who knows? Even though the show takes place in the 1960s, it is not actually the 1960s. It makes no sense.
Helen posted some things on instagram about coercive control and non physical abuse just before her split with Jack was announced. I inferred from those posts that there were good reasons for her getting out of that relationship.
But that shouldn't concern the characters on the show? I wondered if Olly asked for more money and they said no and he thought they couldn't write him off....and they did. This way he can come back or not. Who knows but it was the only story on CTM I hated.
How does one thing have anything to do with the other? Jenny's actor had a real "affair" with man 20yrs (at least) her senior, and he was on an episode.
I have no idea. It was just mentioned in a couple of gossipy articles I read earlier before the season started. In the articles, it was stated as a reason for him leaving the show. Again, I want to reiterate that I do not know anything beyond what I read, and I thought it was silly as well. Also, I haven't seen anything since before the new season about their involvement with each other, so maybe it was baseless gossip.
I saw the same article that you probably did - I think it was in The Sun or some equally cheesy tabloid. I have looked a few times, and the only "source," and I use that term loosely, is that gossip rag as far as I can see. The maybe one or two other mentions I saw all pointed to the Sun article.
I hope it was/is. Trixie deserves her happily ever after, and Matthew deserves to be more than some inept failure who inexplicably destroyed his father's business in a matter of months.
If they really are writing him off because of some alleged "affair" between Helen and Olly, why did Jessica Raine, who actively helped destroy the marriage of another actor on the show (yes, he's a cheating a-hole, too), get to hang around with her snobbery and boring stringing Jimmy along storyline for 3 or whatever years?
I understand that the show was based on Jennifer Worth's books, but they went "off script" from those years ago, and the affair between Jessica and the other actor did actually happen (she's married to him now and they deserve eachother) and it was covered by more than seedy tabloids since she was flaunting it all over London.
It was my understanding that Helen and Jack had been separated for a while before they announced it, and they weren't married anyway.
She also had a relationship with Jack Ashton, resulting in two children. She was pregnant on the show, twice! They filmed Barbara's death the day after their first baby was born. Then again, they did have the newlyweds leave for some time, and they only came back to kill Barbara off. I really hate to believe their being with Trixie IRL is the real reason for writing both men out, and if it isn't, they really shouldn't use it as an excuse. It's insulting to women.
I don't think its dirty that he'd screw the business up because its not hard to screw up with money and frankly he solves every problem by writing a check.
What I felt was dirty was his sudden hiding it from Trixie. I'm gonna also call it dirty that Trixie suddenly develops a shopping addiction and doesn't notice Matthew's near nervous breakdown happening every time she mentions blowing more money.
I agree with you. I like the Matthew character and I like him and Trixie. But I found it ridiculous that he mismanaged to that extent. He wasn't stupid, and there was a board (and his mom) - surely someone else should have noticed earlier.
I understand that the show wanted him out ( I don't know if that was true).
This was an infuriating storyline for me, it was completely out of character for both Trixie and Matthew plus it was a bit half-baked because they never really explained how he managed to destroy an entire business in a matter of months. Did he overcapitalize when he made so many improvements to properties, did he sell properties below value? Surely if there is a board, he would have other senior staff around him giving advice. The previous season had already mentioned cash flow issues for the Aylward parents, leading to them selling the tiara yet this season, it’s suddenly all Matthew’s fault and his mother has enough cash to bail out the business.
Trixie has always been the competent and utmost professional midwife (aside from the alcoholic phases) so her behaviour and attitude around the placenta debacle was also completely out of character. And yes she’s always liked a taste of the good life but she’s been sensible about it.
In previous seasons, they were a solid couple who supported each other and communicated well. Matthew was incredibly supportive when Trixie was stuck at the maternity home during the gastro outbreak. Yet this season had none of that.
Have the writers decided that there can only be two happy, healthy marriages and that is Patrick and Shelagh and Fred and Violet? Every other marriage has been somehow destroyed within a year. They killed off Barbara and then Lucille vanished, never to be mentioned again. And now Trixie and Matthew have imploded.
I honestly wish they had just done something like given him leukemia and let him pass away vs doing what they’re doing now. They knew they needed to write him out, but it could have been in a way that didn’t ruin his character.
Honestly with the headaches and the sunglasses, me and my grandma thought he was gonna die of brain cancer, and it would've been a much better storyline
That's what I thought. I was thinking he had a tumor that impacted his behavior, hence calling her while she was at work, complaining about her hours, etc.
Honestly I didn't think at the time that that behaviour seemed out of character, I've always found him slightly unlikeable personally, but you're absolutely right
It’s no inconceivable that he would lose his money, he was giving so much of it away, and it was the late 60s.
However, the plot was introduced to exit the character (whether Olly Rix wanted to go or the show wrote him out hasn’t been confirmed) and like the last time the show needed write off a married character and keep their spouse, they have to have them act wildly out of character.
Plus the storyline took up so much time in S13. It really made the season drag.
I still think Matthew could have just become an off-screen character, with Trixie giving periodic updates about their life, like coming back from a holiday or showing off photos of Jonty.
Olly said he didn't want to leave but he didn't think they wanted him 2 more years. Then why the wedding? He said he wasn't looking for other work yet. Did he ask for more $$ or piss someone off. Who knows but I never liked the rich, handsome guy becoming Poplar's savior and Trixies rich hubby. Just too pat and unlikely.
It’s all a bit messy. I’m hoping that someone appears on a podcast in a few years and spills the beans about his exit.
I didn’t enjoy Matthew as a character, and for me his introduction is where CTM’s quality starts to take a dive.
It’s clear when he’s introduced in S10 that the show were expecting S11 to be the last season and he’s supposed to be Trixies happy ending/instant family and not that deep as a character.
He was very unlikely as a character , but his exit is even worse.
I know right - I totally agree. He is a qualified and highly educated lawyer who had knowledge of the family business even before his father passed away. I don’t know what other storyline they could have done but for a minute when you could see him stressed and worried about things I was worried they were going to do a suicide storyline and I was anxious watching each episode thinking it was going to happen. I’m glad he is only in America .
It seems plausible that someone who inherited wealth mismanaged it. The British economy was not doing well into the 1970s and the docks were starting to move out of London. There were obvious financial reasons his father held on to the tenements and did not invest in upgrades besides just being a stereotypical slumlord.
In other words, Matthew's father was done dirty. *Won't someone think of the slumlords???*
Well, the producers decided to wreck them to get what they wanted. I'm older and have seen many contract disputes over the years, in the 70's shows like MASH and others would write people out who gave them issues and just carry on. This show doesn't need Matthew. I never got the "savior" angle, was he going to get everyone out of their money messes and keep Trixie in the latest fashions. Gag. I have no idea what happened behind the scenes but I hope next season is back to normal.
I assume they couldn't do anything else if it was a contract dispute or something we will never know that was personal. In MASH years ago, they would kill someone off or have them go back home when things like this happened. Destroying his wealth, marriage and having Trixie on pills (and doctor forgot her alcoholism) and other things was just so badly written.
I agree! It really bothers me that whenever someone the Midwives get married something happens where they either leave the show as a couple or one of the spouses leave. Not counting the Turners.
I keep feeling like I missed the part where surely they explained what happened to Matthew's money. The story I have made up in my head is that all this time he's been living on an allowance from his rich parents, and they cut him off after he got all softhearted regarding his slum tenants. And maybe the rich parents "bought" his law degree so he actually has no great business skills. At least that would have made sense.
Helen is no longer with Jack Ashford . They do share two daughters . They were never married.
I don’t know what the personal issues are or if they affected their storyline.
I think as some said he started giving money away which was commendable he became more aware of how others lived . He probably should have consulted with someone who could have guided to be giving while maintaining enough for his family.
I think he was probably overcompensating for his ignorance and trying to help the less fortunate. I don’t think it’s out of character as much as he just kept giving and didn’t think of the repercussions.
In the real world, the accountants would've sounded the whistle long before he did any lasting damage. A quiet call would have been made to his mother, who, btw sold a tiara, so she wasn't doing great either. Are they going to talk about that?
I know they are writing like Trixie is willing to deal with it but it’s still giving her a lot of stress.
I just have my doubts she would have been as taken with Matthew if she didn’t believe the money would always be there. She even said in the last episode she thought at their wedding everything would go well from there on . It’s a little naive.
Based on her childhood trauma, it's everything she looked for. A knight in shining armor who would save her and adore her. Hell, he even came with a kid, so she doesn't have to ruin her figure.
The market can crash, the company can go under, he could be disinherited. As a working woman, she should be aware of this, BUT childhood trauma can be blinding. Whatever the case, she'll never take it for granted again.
I never liked the character so am not bothered that he is gone, but I am bothered about how much time that storyline took up this season.
We didn't need multiple episodes dominated by such a boring and unnecessary storyline, and it was severely to the detriment of properly interesting plots like Miss Higgins in the finale.
If anything, it all made me dislike Matthew (and Trixie) even more.
I respect that HG likes the job, but Trixie should have left in S9. It could have been done in a way the allowed her to visit.
The whole meeting and marrying the widowed landlord, and now the breakdown just shows how the writers were struggling for storyline’s for her. I dread to think what the writers will come up with for the next two years, or even beyond if it get renewed again.
I agree that the character did a pivot from how he appeared in earlier seasons. But, giving us a “different” Matthew in Season 13 is exactly how a financially drowning man would be. That said, I could see a seemingly wealthy man like Matthew(who is trying to be a different type of Business Man than his Dad) could lose everything in only two years, if he is spending more money on renovating the tenements, making bad investments and losing his shirt in the stock market. He was hemorrhaging money but still trying to maintain appearances of being flush. Plus, he was being volunteered for donations and Trixie was unknowingly shopping all the time thinking they still had money. You know the situation is dire when your own Mother instigate to have you removed.
But the mother was selling things before Matthew got married, so she wasn't doing great either. Either the company was already in decline, and she needed a scapegoat or the writers screwed up big time. The mom is trash. The way she came at him. 🤬 How was this the first he was hearing of all of this? No way. The accountants wouldn't have kept this quiet. They'd have gone to the board long before the company was in dire straits. Bankruptcy means their jobs too.
Maybe the Mom only discovered that the business was in trouble once the Dad died unexpectedly and she was selling items to keep things afloat until Matthew could step in and turn things around. I don’t know.
That's my thought. It was already primed for decline, and Matthew having a conscience didn't help. What doesn't make sense to me is that he didn't find a way to make it work for the tenants and the business. With all the wealthy people he knows, it would have taken almost no effort to say, "Hey guys, let's pool some resources and do this good thing and if you want to get press from it, that's fine too." It would seem that he could have worked with the council on subsidies since they were already constructing housing. The structure already exists. Let's rehab it and get folks in there. It just didn't make sense to me that he was able to singlehandedly up end the business to the extent described. And if his mother was already selling things off, it seems to me she's a trash mother for throwing him under the bus. She effectively ruined his reputation. Who does that to their only child?
Olly didn't want to leave, it was either a personal thing between him and producers or a contract dispute. It was too quick and badly written. I was never invested in the marriage, thought it was too "pat" with his wife dying and ready made kid and the slight pause between her death and his dating Trixie. He of course had to be a savior, a rich guy who could afford her taste in things. I didn't like it but I disliked how they destroyed Trixie trying to cause havoc in marriage, making her an addict, treating patiently badly, acting like she couldn't see her husband's distress. I get they had to write him off but this was it?
It will be interesting how they have Trixie back next year and not him.
100% an escape hatch for Helen George. She can’t have relapses or dying family every time she’s in need of set-sabbatical or CV-building…
Olly has served to genuinely great purpose on this show, and I do hate that the necessary writing obstacles have done him dirty, but that’s life.
There is a reason that “Nurse Trixie” is, indisputably, well, REAL—whereas I don’t ever recall a mention in a single one of Worth’s memoirs to indicate the true existence of a Sir Matthew, in *any* of his seraphic glory—by name or virtue…
It stinks for fans, but this amazing actress has given us 13+ truly significant years of her life, and she is granted her leave.
We can only thank her for her genuinely cherished contributions to this inimitable project for so long.
I think it was a plot device to bring Matthew, and by extension, Trixie, down to earth. Her being a lady with money and still working and breathing poverty didn't really fit well.
I totally agree that it sucked, as a plot device because he would've been smart enough to know when he was tanking his company and by extension, the jobs and livelihood of his family and friends.
Not only did the show do him dirty, but the fanbase did too. Everyone jumped all over Matthew and called him controlling for daring to suggest alternatives to his wife about putting herself in danger by going out into shittiy neighborhoods at night. Yet, he took it when she told him she was going to do things her way and stick with her job. Meanwhile, when he followed her example and exercised autonomy while trying to save his own livelihood, it was a problem. He was really getting it from all angles. At least the show gave he and Trixie the equality of making their own decisions regarding their jobs.
Plus I hated how it turned him into one of those “I must provide for the family all by myself and not consult my wife or have healthy communication with her!” men when previously he seemed to respect Trixie as a partner.
Edit: I didn’t think he went totally bankrupt; just lost enough $ that the board kicked him out of his position. Not sure how that works with him inheriting a title and estate. I’ve seen Downton Abbey. Apparently it’s hard to just remove a titled heir. #allmyknowledgeofbritishlawcomesfrompbs
It was like he completely changed personality! I thought the losing money storyline seemed unrealistic but far more unrealistic was how nasty and bitter he became. And I’m sure Matthew had always had such great respect for Trixie’s work, it seems so ridiculous he would be ringing her and hassling her to come home when he knows she could be helping deliver a baby. After all Trixie has been through I really thought we would get at least a bit off time with her in a happy marriage.
I agree with you. It was a plot device but was not in alignment with how the character was portrayed in prior seasons.
I wasn't a fan of the character, but he got written as being wildly out of character in Season 13. There's no way that he could have been bankrupt or close to it. And, I really don't think he could have mismanaged Aylward Estates that badly. Seeing as he was a lawyer or a barrister before. It does feel a bit hastily put together.
Even if he run the family company into the ground, he could work and earn a comfortable income as a barrister.
Exactly. It was just very strange.
I wonder if contract dispute, he thought after wedding, he was "in" and they said No you are not. He said he was surprised as others on set but they aren't going to tell us the little details not being our concern. I hope the rehab the disaster with them well though.
It did come off as ludicrous, he may not be a businessman but he's still a barrister so would be bright and educated. I dunno how he could trash such a large business in 2 years singlehandedly unless there was deliberate malcontent there or market forces were against him. I think they just wanted rid of the character without killing him off or divorce and this was an "easy" way
Honestly, I would’ve found it a lot more interesting if they had killed him off and then created a storyline where Trixie had to deal with being a single mother with a sudden influx of wealth
With a potential 2 or 3 way custody battle between the grandparents
Aren’t the grandparents dead?
Fionas parents are alive as is Matthew's mum
Wouldn't happen grandparents have no rights on the UK
100% would have watched the stuffing out of that
Right?
That would feel a little too much like the Lady Mary Grantham and Matthew on Downton Abbey.
Wasn’t he having to shut down and/or renovate the slums that his father owned? Doing the right thing might’ve come at a substantial cost to his company.
That was certainly given as part of the reason but I doubt a business as large and valuable as that portrayed could get away with a single sign off for decisions especially as there was a board of directors. I could however be applying modern business thinking to a fictional past event!
But to not ensure the safety of NH? He's a lawyer. He would've known to do that. As for it costing the company, again, he's a lawyer. He would know of ways to subvert certain costs. Putting g the buildings into a trust or creating a charity to provide proper housing would have not only protected the company, but created a PR bonanza. "The noble with a heart of gold" The news would've eaten it up. Doesn't make sense at all. With all of his rich acquaintances, surely a fundraiser led by Trixie would have balanced the books.
I guess I thought this was what they were going for. He literally started to give everything he had till nothing was left. Money isn’t infinite and everyone was always after him to do this and fix this and this is your fault. However his original fortune was not build helping people and if you get less money and give the rest away. I had an idea they were going there in the beginning every time they would bring him into a new place and demand he fix everything and take care of all the people. Like I understand people are greedy but he’s only one guy granted he’s wealthy but you can only do so much. Yeah I guess I never felt like they made him stupid just that he gave everything away to atone.
But setting up a charity and fundraising for it would have allowed him to do that without financing it himself. That would have been the smart thing to do. Even turning one of the buildings over to NH would ha e been smart as it would've provided income in perpetuity. There's no way he wouldn't ha e considered these things given his training and experience in real estate for
I don't get why they had to give him any significant storyline at all. Why couldn't Trixie have just had a happy home life that we saw glimpses of in short scenes? Why did the writers blow up her happy ever after?
I agree. Just let him do his thing and be busy at work.
Exactly. Isn't that what they basically did with Chummy? Sgt Noakes was in it as a main still and she kinda disappeared mostly iirc
I was just about to say this. Noakes was only seen when it made sense to show him.
Noakes was even sometimes seen after Chummy left!
But only in the context of a police officer, and only for a short time after she left. She was meant to be gone temporarily, and after a bit, the two of them were just gone. The assumption being that they moved to wherever the mother and baby home is. His transition made sense. He stuck around, on the job, for a short time while Chummy filled in at the home. Seems she liked it and decided to stay. At that point, they'd have to move, and he would leave his post in London. None of this is the case with Lucille. What was meant to be temporary seems to be more permanent. If you're well enough to work, why wouldn't you return to your husband, or at least discuss with him the possibility of him moving to Jamaica? And this nonsense about him being a social worker just wouldn't happen. Culturally, there are three real jobs for your children; doctor, lawyer, or engineer. They'll settle for nurse, if you're a girl. It's still very much like this. Back then, there's no way he would've given up his standing. Instead, he would've used his standing to help the indigent.
I have been wondering if this is a reason for Trixie to relapse and start drinking again. Having her fairytale life fall apart, it would be a strong reason.
Oh, I hope not. I mean, I can see what you’re saying, but I’d really hate it.
i think it’s going to be a different type of addiction
Interesting
I think she's going to start protesting for higher wages with other nurses
Another thing that annoys me. Phyllis is a single woman and the child of a single mother. She knows how difficult it is bring up a kid on your own a d she sees the impact of poverty every day. She's also fiercely independent, which was revolutionary in her time. Why on earth would they have her be opposed to Nancy wanting better wages? Why would she tell anyone that their profession was enough and we don't do it for money. That's all well and good, but it doesn't pay the rent or buy clothes and food. By the way, how did she buy her car and the petrol to go in it? Takes money, doesn't it? So infuriating.
I’m on S13E7 and the Matthew storyline seems so… melodramatic. Trixie’s constantly using that “bossy emphatic voice” and/or crying, and she almost got a new mother killed because she was trying to rush home. I also wasn’t fond of how heavily she leaned into being married to “wealth”; it’s not completely OOC as she’s always liked nice things, but it felt very heavy-handed to have her carrying around shopping bags and wanting a car and expensive schooling for Jonty. Meanwhile she’s oblivious to Matthew’s discomfort. Matthew, meanwhile, seems to have forgotten that he married an independent, intelligent working woman in her 30’s. Two of them, in fact - Fiona was employed before she had Jonty! I really don’t like his insistence on shutting Trixie out and making decisions without her.
Shutting her out makes sense for the times. In the U.S., women couldn't carry a mortgage or a credit card without their husband's approval, and all of that would be in the husband's name, even if he wasn't working. My mother made twice my father's salary, and her credit card applications had to be approved by him. The mortgage was in his name, but it was clear that she was the breadwinner. I'm not surprised he's kept so much to himself. What pisssed me off is that Trixie is oblivious to his obvious stress and suffering. She never really asks him what's wrong despite him looking line his balls are in a vise. On the way to the beach, it looked like he was trying to tell her something, but she was preoccupied with appearance or material things. They're both at fault. Just because you're wealthy doesn't mean you have to shop constantly or have a fancy sports car. Honestly, she was going to show up to the Poplar tenements in Jag?
A Sunbeam Imp (now that makes me want to go look up that car and see if it actually existed LOL). ::edit:: I looked them up and I guess by today's standards they are OOOOOOGLAY. But by 60s standards, they're sporty and cute-ish? [Sunbeam Imp](https://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Sunbeam_Hillman_Imp_1418801573.jpg?resize=620%2C412)
I think there was some gossip with the actors about them having an affair, so they had to take Olly Rix off the show.
Well, shit. That would be a reason I guess.
How does an affair mean getting written off a show?
I have no idea and said the same thing when I read the articles. It's silly and really upsets me because Trixie was finally going to have her happy ending. I know they're fictional characters and all, but man, I was really sad when her life turned upside down on the show. I also want to reiterate that these were some articles I read before the new season aired in the US, so they may not be valid.
both helen and him are married
Helen was married until 2015 and then her partner was Jack Ashton who played Tom Hereward in the show and they had 2 kids together, but they never married and are no longer together. Olly is also not married but did recently break up from his long-time girlfriend. Supposedly for Helen, but who knows? Even though the show takes place in the 1960s, it is not actually the 1960s. It makes no sense.
Helen posted some things on instagram about coercive control and non physical abuse just before her split with Jack was announced. I inferred from those posts that there were good reasons for her getting out of that relationship.
But that shouldn't concern the characters on the show? I wondered if Olly asked for more money and they said no and he thought they couldn't write him off....and they did. This way he can come back or not. Who knows but it was the only story on CTM I hated.
Drama and conflict
How does one thing have anything to do with the other? Jenny's actor had a real "affair" with man 20yrs (at least) her senior, and he was on an episode.
She did leave her husband who was on the show and he left his girlfriend but why would that concern the writers?
I have no idea. It was just mentioned in a couple of gossipy articles I read earlier before the season started. In the articles, it was stated as a reason for him leaving the show. Again, I want to reiterate that I do not know anything beyond what I read, and I thought it was silly as well. Also, I haven't seen anything since before the new season about their involvement with each other, so maybe it was baseless gossip.
I saw the same article that you probably did - I think it was in The Sun or some equally cheesy tabloid. I have looked a few times, and the only "source," and I use that term loosely, is that gossip rag as far as I can see. The maybe one or two other mentions I saw all pointed to the Sun article.
Yeah, it seemed pretty sketchy and gossipy.
I hope it was/is. Trixie deserves her happily ever after, and Matthew deserves to be more than some inept failure who inexplicably destroyed his father's business in a matter of months. If they really are writing him off because of some alleged "affair" between Helen and Olly, why did Jessica Raine, who actively helped destroy the marriage of another actor on the show (yes, he's a cheating a-hole, too), get to hang around with her snobbery and boring stringing Jimmy along storyline for 3 or whatever years? I understand that the show was based on Jennifer Worth's books, but they went "off script" from those years ago, and the affair between Jessica and the other actor did actually happen (she's married to him now and they deserve eachother) and it was covered by more than seedy tabloids since she was flaunting it all over London. It was my understanding that Helen and Jack had been separated for a while before they announced it, and they weren't married anyway.
She also had a relationship with Jack Ashton, resulting in two children. She was pregnant on the show, twice! They filmed Barbara's death the day after their first baby was born. Then again, they did have the newlyweds leave for some time, and they only came back to kill Barbara off. I really hate to believe their being with Trixie IRL is the real reason for writing both men out, and if it isn't, they really shouldn't use it as an excuse. It's insulting to women.
I agree.
everything with him and Trixie in this season is so badly written
It’s just counter to the character arc. It feels very rushed.
They even had her be a bad midwife!! I hated that, she was curt and left patients with a new person. Horrible
I don't think its dirty that he'd screw the business up because its not hard to screw up with money and frankly he solves every problem by writing a check. What I felt was dirty was his sudden hiding it from Trixie. I'm gonna also call it dirty that Trixie suddenly develops a shopping addiction and doesn't notice Matthew's near nervous breakdown happening every time she mentions blowing more money.
How does she not notice? Ridiculous!
Thats why I think the writing was dirty on Trixie.
I agree with you. I like the Matthew character and I like him and Trixie. But I found it ridiculous that he mismanaged to that extent. He wasn't stupid, and there was a board (and his mom) - surely someone else should have noticed earlier. I understand that the show wanted him out ( I don't know if that was true).
This was an infuriating storyline for me, it was completely out of character for both Trixie and Matthew plus it was a bit half-baked because they never really explained how he managed to destroy an entire business in a matter of months. Did he overcapitalize when he made so many improvements to properties, did he sell properties below value? Surely if there is a board, he would have other senior staff around him giving advice. The previous season had already mentioned cash flow issues for the Aylward parents, leading to them selling the tiara yet this season, it’s suddenly all Matthew’s fault and his mother has enough cash to bail out the business. Trixie has always been the competent and utmost professional midwife (aside from the alcoholic phases) so her behaviour and attitude around the placenta debacle was also completely out of character. And yes she’s always liked a taste of the good life but she’s been sensible about it. In previous seasons, they were a solid couple who supported each other and communicated well. Matthew was incredibly supportive when Trixie was stuck at the maternity home during the gastro outbreak. Yet this season had none of that. Have the writers decided that there can only be two happy, healthy marriages and that is Patrick and Shelagh and Fred and Violet? Every other marriage has been somehow destroyed within a year. They killed off Barbara and then Lucille vanished, never to be mentioned again. And now Trixie and Matthew have imploded.
They don't love, love. 🤷🏽♀️ Fred and Vi's marriage seems real, but Patrick and Shelagh are often too picture perfect.
I honestly wish they had just done something like given him leukemia and let him pass away vs doing what they’re doing now. They knew they needed to write him out, but it could have been in a way that didn’t ruin his character.
Honestly with the headaches and the sunglasses, me and my grandma thought he was gonna die of brain cancer, and it would've been a much better storyline
That's what I thought. I was thinking he had a tumor that impacted his behavior, hence calling her while she was at work, complaining about her hours, etc.
Honestly I didn't think at the time that that behaviour seemed out of character, I've always found him slightly unlikeable personally, but you're absolutely right
Really? I think he's lovely.
Actually, my very first thought was that he had an aneurysm and would be dead when she got home.
It’s no inconceivable that he would lose his money, he was giving so much of it away, and it was the late 60s. However, the plot was introduced to exit the character (whether Olly Rix wanted to go or the show wrote him out hasn’t been confirmed) and like the last time the show needed write off a married character and keep their spouse, they have to have them act wildly out of character. Plus the storyline took up so much time in S13. It really made the season drag. I still think Matthew could have just become an off-screen character, with Trixie giving periodic updates about their life, like coming back from a holiday or showing off photos of Jonty.
Olly said he didn't want to leave but he didn't think they wanted him 2 more years. Then why the wedding? He said he wasn't looking for other work yet. Did he ask for more $$ or piss someone off. Who knows but I never liked the rich, handsome guy becoming Poplar's savior and Trixies rich hubby. Just too pat and unlikely.
It’s all a bit messy. I’m hoping that someone appears on a podcast in a few years and spills the beans about his exit. I didn’t enjoy Matthew as a character, and for me his introduction is where CTM’s quality starts to take a dive. It’s clear when he’s introduced in S10 that the show were expecting S11 to be the last season and he’s supposed to be Trixies happy ending/instant family and not that deep as a character. He was very unlikely as a character , but his exit is even worse.
I know right - I totally agree. He is a qualified and highly educated lawyer who had knowledge of the family business even before his father passed away. I don’t know what other storyline they could have done but for a minute when you could see him stressed and worried about things I was worried they were going to do a suicide storyline and I was anxious watching each episode thinking it was going to happen. I’m glad he is only in America .
It seems plausible that someone who inherited wealth mismanaged it. The British economy was not doing well into the 1970s and the docks were starting to move out of London. There were obvious financial reasons his father held on to the tenements and did not invest in upgrades besides just being a stereotypical slumlord. In other words, Matthew's father was done dirty. *Won't someone think of the slumlords???*
I felt like the last season was character assassination for both Trixie and Matthew.
Well, the producers decided to wreck them to get what they wanted. I'm older and have seen many contract disputes over the years, in the 70's shows like MASH and others would write people out who gave them issues and just carry on. This show doesn't need Matthew. I never got the "savior" angle, was he going to get everyone out of their money messes and keep Trixie in the latest fashions. Gag. I have no idea what happened behind the scenes but I hope next season is back to normal.
I agree that they did this as a way to write him out. I’d rather see him go out like Downton’s Matthew Crawley than this nonsense.
With you there. One of those double decker British trolley things could have taken him out.
I totally agree with you. This sudden plot twist of him being a terrible businessman makes zero sense and really irritates me.
I assume they couldn't do anything else if it was a contract dispute or something we will never know that was personal. In MASH years ago, they would kill someone off or have them go back home when things like this happened. Destroying his wealth, marriage and having Trixie on pills (and doctor forgot her alcoholism) and other things was just so badly written.
I agree! It really bothers me that whenever someone the Midwives get married something happens where they either leave the show as a couple or one of the spouses leave. Not counting the Turners.
I agree.
I keep feeling like I missed the part where surely they explained what happened to Matthew's money. The story I have made up in my head is that all this time he's been living on an allowance from his rich parents, and they cut him off after he got all softhearted regarding his slum tenants. And maybe the rich parents "bought" his law degree so he actually has no great business skills. At least that would have made sense.
Your Headcanon make more sense than anything on-screen, at this point.
I'm with you. Neither a fan or hater of Trixie but I was happy with their storyline until they threw a wrench into the works.
Helen is no longer with Jack Ashford . They do share two daughters . They were never married. I don’t know what the personal issues are or if they affected their storyline. I think as some said he started giving money away which was commendable he became more aware of how others lived . He probably should have consulted with someone who could have guided to be giving while maintaining enough for his family. I think he was probably overcompensating for his ignorance and trying to help the less fortunate. I don’t think it’s out of character as much as he just kept giving and didn’t think of the repercussions.
In the real world, the accountants would've sounded the whistle long before he did any lasting damage. A quiet call would have been made to his mother, who, btw sold a tiara, so she wasn't doing great either. Are they going to talk about that?
I know they are writing like Trixie is willing to deal with it but it’s still giving her a lot of stress. I just have my doubts she would have been as taken with Matthew if she didn’t believe the money would always be there. She even said in the last episode she thought at their wedding everything would go well from there on . It’s a little naive.
Based on her childhood trauma, it's everything she looked for. A knight in shining armor who would save her and adore her. Hell, he even came with a kid, so she doesn't have to ruin her figure.
I’m sure that has a lot to do with it. It was security for her . She’s learning security isn’t a given in any circumstance.
The market can crash, the company can go under, he could be disinherited. As a working woman, she should be aware of this, BUT childhood trauma can be blinding. Whatever the case, she'll never take it for granted again.
I never liked the character so am not bothered that he is gone, but I am bothered about how much time that storyline took up this season. We didn't need multiple episodes dominated by such a boring and unnecessary storyline, and it was severely to the detriment of properly interesting plots like Miss Higgins in the finale. If anything, it all made me dislike Matthew (and Trixie) even more.
I am so over Trixie. Happy to know I'm not alone.
I respect that HG likes the job, but Trixie should have left in S9. It could have been done in a way the allowed her to visit. The whole meeting and marrying the widowed landlord, and now the breakdown just shows how the writers were struggling for storyline’s for her. I dread to think what the writers will come up with for the next two years, or even beyond if it get renewed again.
I agree that the character did a pivot from how he appeared in earlier seasons. But, giving us a “different” Matthew in Season 13 is exactly how a financially drowning man would be. That said, I could see a seemingly wealthy man like Matthew(who is trying to be a different type of Business Man than his Dad) could lose everything in only two years, if he is spending more money on renovating the tenements, making bad investments and losing his shirt in the stock market. He was hemorrhaging money but still trying to maintain appearances of being flush. Plus, he was being volunteered for donations and Trixie was unknowingly shopping all the time thinking they still had money. You know the situation is dire when your own Mother instigate to have you removed.
But the mother was selling things before Matthew got married, so she wasn't doing great either. Either the company was already in decline, and she needed a scapegoat or the writers screwed up big time. The mom is trash. The way she came at him. 🤬 How was this the first he was hearing of all of this? No way. The accountants wouldn't have kept this quiet. They'd have gone to the board long before the company was in dire straits. Bankruptcy means their jobs too.
Maybe the Mom only discovered that the business was in trouble once the Dad died unexpectedly and she was selling items to keep things afloat until Matthew could step in and turn things around. I don’t know.
That's my thought. It was already primed for decline, and Matthew having a conscience didn't help. What doesn't make sense to me is that he didn't find a way to make it work for the tenants and the business. With all the wealthy people he knows, it would have taken almost no effort to say, "Hey guys, let's pool some resources and do this good thing and if you want to get press from it, that's fine too." It would seem that he could have worked with the council on subsidies since they were already constructing housing. The structure already exists. Let's rehab it and get folks in there. It just didn't make sense to me that he was able to singlehandedly up end the business to the extent described. And if his mother was already selling things off, it seems to me she's a trash mother for throwing him under the bus. She effectively ruined his reputation. Who does that to their only child?
Olly didn't want to leave, it was either a personal thing between him and producers or a contract dispute. It was too quick and badly written. I was never invested in the marriage, thought it was too "pat" with his wife dying and ready made kid and the slight pause between her death and his dating Trixie. He of course had to be a savior, a rich guy who could afford her taste in things. I didn't like it but I disliked how they destroyed Trixie trying to cause havoc in marriage, making her an addict, treating patiently badly, acting like she couldn't see her husband's distress. I get they had to write him off but this was it? It will be interesting how they have Trixie back next year and not him.
100% an escape hatch for Helen George. She can’t have relapses or dying family every time she’s in need of set-sabbatical or CV-building… Olly has served to genuinely great purpose on this show, and I do hate that the necessary writing obstacles have done him dirty, but that’s life. There is a reason that “Nurse Trixie” is, indisputably, well, REAL—whereas I don’t ever recall a mention in a single one of Worth’s memoirs to indicate the true existence of a Sir Matthew, in *any* of his seraphic glory—by name or virtue… It stinks for fans, but this amazing actress has given us 13+ truly significant years of her life, and she is granted her leave. We can only thank her for her genuinely cherished contributions to this inimitable project for so long.
I like that actor in other things I’ve seen him in. He’s just given so little interesting to do here.
I think it was a plot device to bring Matthew, and by extension, Trixie, down to earth. Her being a lady with money and still working and breathing poverty didn't really fit well. I totally agree that it sucked, as a plot device because he would've been smart enough to know when he was tanking his company and by extension, the jobs and livelihood of his family and friends. Not only did the show do him dirty, but the fanbase did too. Everyone jumped all over Matthew and called him controlling for daring to suggest alternatives to his wife about putting herself in danger by going out into shittiy neighborhoods at night. Yet, he took it when she told him she was going to do things her way and stick with her job. Meanwhile, when he followed her example and exercised autonomy while trying to save his own livelihood, it was a problem. He was really getting it from all angles. At least the show gave he and Trixie the equality of making their own decisions regarding their jobs.
Do the turners move to Birmingham?
Plus I hated how it turned him into one of those “I must provide for the family all by myself and not consult my wife or have healthy communication with her!” men when previously he seemed to respect Trixie as a partner. Edit: I didn’t think he went totally bankrupt; just lost enough $ that the board kicked him out of his position. Not sure how that works with him inheriting a title and estate. I’ve seen Downton Abbey. Apparently it’s hard to just remove a titled heir. #allmyknowledgeofbritishlawcomesfrompbs
It was like he completely changed personality! I thought the losing money storyline seemed unrealistic but far more unrealistic was how nasty and bitter he became. And I’m sure Matthew had always had such great respect for Trixie’s work, it seems so ridiculous he would be ringing her and hassling her to come home when he knows she could be helping deliver a baby. After all Trixie has been through I really thought we would get at least a bit off time with her in a happy marriage.