Series 7 blog is up and running...sort of!

If you're looking for links to heaps of articles that all tell you the same thing about Series 7 in a slightly different way, then look no further! The Doc Martin Series 7 Blog is up and running. On the blog you'll find absolutely no original content! It's all links! It's a bit like using Google to find out about Series 7, without actually having to use Google, cause I've done that bit for you. Enjoy!

Here's the link!

docmartinseries7.blogspot.com

The page ain't pretty, but it's functional!

Martin Clunes March 26 One Show

Martin Clunes - This Morning - March 26, 2014

Doc Martin star Martin Clunes says...

Actor reveals more about new documentary, Martin Clunes & A Lion Called Mugie, and series 7 of Doc Martin......

.....When asked about Doc Martin, the star said series 7 - which will return in 2015 - will see the lead character try and work things out with wife Louisa.

He said: "We're going to try with couple counseling. In the series' we usually bring the couple apart and back again."

The series 6 finale involved a big climax with Martin peering at Louisa’s CT scan, which reveals an arteriovenous malformation, which lead to her staying as his patient and wife.

Read the whole thing HERE at the Mirror.

Be part of Series 7!

On the 18 March The Haven, Breast Cancer Support Centres, is hosting a special evening with Martin Clunes at The Mint Leaf Restaurant, Haymarket. The evening will consist of a welcome drink, a sit-down interview with the Doc Martin star, with an opportunity for questions from the floor, followed by a drinks and canapé reception. Martin will be discussing his long and varied career, from his antics filming Men Behaving Badly to his most recent success playing a nation's favourite, Dr Martin Ellingham.

Here you will find exclusive silent auction prizes which have been kindly donated and exclusively chosen for this event. Do not miss out on the opportunity to bid for a walk-on part on the upcoming series of Doc Martin, a suit personally donated and worn by Martin Clunes and a two night's stay at The Bay Hotel in Port Isaac which has been featured on the set of the highly acclaimed British TV series.

If you are still interested in coming to this event, then do not fret as there are still a small number of tickets left. We are urging people to buy them as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.  

Do get bidding and good luck! 

Source: HERE

Tipster: SimplyRed

Just because...

Source: HERE

Strike a pose

 

Copyright Radio Times. Original Source unknown.

5Qs on Friday: Martin Clunes

For five seasons spread out over 10 years, actor Martin Clunes has descended on the fictional seaside town of Portwenn as its brusk but, deep down, loving and lovable Dr. Martin Ellingham on Doc Martin.

On the show, the doc is a one-time surgeon whose disdain for blood and gore had him hightailing it from the big city to the town where its quirky characters' ailments are often decidedly less bloody. But Doc Martin is much more than a comedy about an ill-mannered doctor. It's about a quaint town - in the real world, Port Isaac, Cornwall - that's so comfy cozy you just want to wrap yourself in it. It's about the townspeople who are nosy, but nosy because they care about their town and their neighbors.

And it's about a doctor whose bad temper can't mask his love for Louisa (Caroline Catz) and their baby son James.

Martin spoke with TVFirstLook about Doc Martin's sixth season starting in February, the doctor's wedding to Louisa - and their explosive honeymoon, and the likelihood of there being a seventh season.

Keep reading HERE.

Caroline Catz on DCI Banks, Doc Martin and training with the Army

"I love playing Louisa and it's brilliant being in Cornwall but it's great to have the opportunity to play a different role. When I'm playing Louisa, I spend most of my time trying to educate Martin into how he can be a little more approachable, so it's nice to have the tables turned and play the tricky, difficult one."

Given that home is London, it's fair to say Catz knows the country's rail links well, and her kids do too.
"Obviously I get back as soon as I can every weekend, but they've come up to Leeds and they spend a lot of time in Cornwall."

It's not been confirmed whether Doc Martin, which is filmed every two years, will return for a seventh series.
"It was brilliant to do series six because we didn't think we would," says the actress, who admits she's due some time out after a manic year. "I'm tired and ready for a rest," says Catz.

She can also indulge her guilty pleasure – Twitter browsing, saying "I've got a Twitter persona but not as me. I just like following people I'm interested in."

Read more: HERE

Copy Cats

Rather amused to see that KCTS9 has lifted the little blurb from the top of this page to use for their Viewer Guide. Word for word! 

Source: HERE

Syndication of Doc Martin bolsters viewership, fundraising for pubTV stations

Through science you can predict when water will boil or the effect of gravity on a falling object; but in television, trying to forecast when a particular program will become a hit with viewers is impossible, as the commercial networks learn anew every year.

To break through on public television, a program must first traverse a maze of obstacles just to reach air. Fundraising and commissioning decisions, co-production and licensing deals, marketing strategies and fundraising tactics — some combination of these are required to bring shows into the PBS schedule or into syndication on local public TV stations from San Francisco to Chicago and Bangor, Maine.

This case study focuses on what it took to create a hit with Doc Martin, the most popular syndicated program airing on public TV stations.

Read the rest HERE.

Series 7 seeming more likely...

The following paragraph is taken from an article with Martin Clunes, featured in The New York Times.

The show will shoot a seventh season in 2015, but Mr. Clunes said that is likely to be the last one, given the challenges of not repeating story lines. “As much as I’d love to keep on doing it, I just don’t know if we can. It might become a soap opera.”

Read the rest of the article HERE.

Series 6 in Australia

Series 6 is set to hit Australian television screens (ABC1) on Saturday 1st February 2014 at 7.30pm.

One of ABC’s most popular dramas, Doc Martin, returns in early February. It’s back on Saturday nights in February. This season premiered in the UK in September, but it isn’t clear if the show will be renewed for 2014.

Keep reading HERE at TV Tonight.

Doc Martin Outtakes Series 6

Doc Martin Series 6 Behind the Scenes Joe and Ian Pitching in Boston

Fab Photos @ Doc Martin Online

Some more amazing photos from Series Six have been added to DOC MARTIN ONLINE! Check the whole kit and caboodle out HERE!

An old one, but a good one...

Found on Caroline Catz New and Talk Facebook page HERE.

Way to go Idaho! Ron's Pick - Doc Martin Revealed

Chat with Bert and Al Large from ‘Doc Martin’ Thursday, Nov 14

Attention Doc Martin fans, have we got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you! Ian McNeice and Joe Absolom, a.k.a. Bert and Al Large from Doc Martin, will be answering your questions LIVE on Thursday, November 14 at 2:00pm CDT/3:00pm EDT in celebration of the release of season 6 of Doc Martin to public television, your home in the U.S. for Doc Martin. FYI, series 6 will begin airing on KERA-TV on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at 7:00pm and on public television stations around the country beginning in February so check local listings. The live Facebook chat will take place from Boston, MA and the APT Fall Marketplace today. The chat will be hosted by APT and Acorn Media on the Acorn Fan Facebook page. The chat is open to all audiences so, Tellyspotting readers, get your head right with ball and be ready. Both Ian and Joe will be answering all your long-awaited unanswered questions. You have waited almost two years for this…you don’t want to miss it when it returns!

Source: HERE

Fancy a bit of Memorabilia?

Thanks to Biffpup for finding this Order of Service booklet from the wedding of Martin and Louisa, on Ebay.

Check it out HERE.

On Location with Doc Martin

 Doc Martin fans will have recently seen the sixth series of the hit comedy drama conclude on ITV with scenes involving the show's hero rushing to the airport. For some fans, just seeing the programme on the telly isn't enough though - when Doc Martin is being filmed, a sizable crowd forms on location. Philip Bates headed to Cornwall in June 2013, and this is what he experienced...

"Bang!" The Lexus collides with a fruit stall, swerving away from a red van. The air bags explode into life. Part of the stall collapses and a wave of oranges roll down the steep hill - past the school and into the idyllic village of Portwenn.

It's all gone according to plan.

The Cornish fishing village, Port Isaac, has been invaded by the cast and crew of ITV's award-winning comedy-drama, Doc Martin - and its legion of fans from around the world. The crowd has gathered on Fore Street and a wonderful mixture of accents mutter excitedly as Dr. Martin Ellingham himself, aka actor Martin Clunes, storms out of his car, stumbles over the wrecked stall and playfully air-punches the other driver.

"Ooh, he's hitting him!" one woman exclaims. Her husband reassures her: "I think they're just messing around."

Thankfully, this is just a rehearsal. When Martin swerved his car, a shocked gasp went up from the crowd. "Can we not gasp so loudly when the cameras are actually rolling please?" a runner begs, laughing.

They have to let traffic through; a few cars, vans and lorries, then some walkers. A lorry that's been instructed to circle around the block for the past 20 minutes explains that he's actually destined for filming. Clunes sits down on a low wall while the crew set the scene up again. Some walkers pass between the two crowds with an array of dogs - Clunes can't help but fuss over them as he chats to their owners. His genuine love for the animals shines through.

It's been a long day for him already: he's been filming outside the Doc's house since 7am. It's now mid-afternoon and he's still got to shoot this one scene from three different angles, run down a very steep hill numerous times then relocate to the harbour to act opposite John Marquez, who plays the bumbling PC Penhale. He stopped for a coffee at local cafe, May Contain Nuts, and was swamped by fans looking for a chat and a photo.

Nonetheless, you never see him without a big grin on his face.

A gaggle of girls walk past and giggle as the Doc slams his car door, stumbles over the wrecked fruit stall and storms over. The other driver is astounded when Martin demands use of his former-Royal Mail van. With the air bag deployed, he can't use the Lexus - and it's an emergency.

The crash is a surprisingly complex scene, so quite a while passes in between takes.

The runners use this time to organise the amassing crowds and address complaints that people can't freely move about this part of the village. Sightseers filter through (some genuinely interested in filming regardless; others annoyed by the disruption to their day). The majority are here just to see Clunes & Co working on their favourite show.

The production crew have got it down to a fine art now: Doc Martin has been filmed in Port Isaac and the surrounding area since its debut in 2004. "They're saying this will be the last one," one runner says, "but I don't think it will be. It's still as popular as ever."

Fans never seem to tire of the grumpy GP who suffers from the fear of blood, haemophobia: the first episode was watched by 9.93 million people, and its audience has stayed steadily around 8 million ever since (huge numbers in this multi-channel age). The international fanbase is even bigger.

It's an incredible achievement, but then, Doc Martin is an incredible show.

Perhaps its success is due to its stunning vistas: an American watching filming from the sidelines says she has an Australian friend who travelled to the UK last year just to see Port Isaac. The locals all have different opinions on it, of course, but none deny the amount of tourism it has brought in. Meander around the shops and you'll see an array of Doc Martin postcards, bags, magnets, t-shirts, mugs... and then some. Rental properties are well-stocked with DVDs, and a walking tour sets off from the Fish Cellars every Friday.

The harbour-side confectioners (which doubles as Portwenn Chemist) is extremely proud of its association with the show, selling magazine article prints for charity and a guide to filming locations. Signed photos of the cast are framed on the wall.

"Port Isaac has changed dramatically since we first started filming in the village," Martin says. "On a fine day there are thousands of people who come to watch us. The number of people who come to see us now is phenomenal, particularly people from America."

I visit one of the local shops and ask the owner how she feels about missing out on filming because she's stuck behind the counter. She just shrugs her shoulders and confesses that it's got a bit boring now: yes, it brings in tourism, but it effectively shuts the village down for a couple of months every two years. Thankfully, all the interior scenes are shot in studios just over the grassy knoll behind Fern Cottage (aka the Doc's surgery).

You can see the good as well as the bad, however: traffic delays are an obvious side-effect, but the owners of Fern Cottage have had to install metal posts and a makeshift barrier to stop tourists having their photos taken on the Doctor's doorstep. These are taken down when filming commences, but it looks as if the house, overlooking the peaceful village, is empty whilst all the commotion continues.

It may be an emergency, but the Doc's been lording it over them all for too long. This is where the van driver draws the line. "Oh, I haven't got time for this!" Martin yells and rushes off down the hill.

A chorus rises up from the runners: "Rolling." The crowd falls silent as the Lexus ploughs into the fruit stall once more. The oranges roll down - caught by one member of the production team simply holding a plank of wood across the road.

Now it's Martin's turn to go down the hill and he sets off on his run.
 

"Cut." And everyone relaxes. A few vehicles are let through again, then the crowd sets off on a mass pilgrimage up the hill as the cameras change direction.

They redress the scene, this time with the cameras facing down the slope. It looks so bare, now that the crowds have been moved out of the way. All this work for a scene that appears on screen for less than a minute! But seeing the final, seamless episode, it's worth it.

Despite running slightly behind time, the take has to be re-done, namely due to Clunes tripping over the oranges and bursting into laughter. Nobody envies him, running down the hill then rushing back up to do it all again and again.

He doesn't do things by half and runs the full length of the hill, just in case.

They have to do it once more, with the camera looking up Fore Street this time, so it's time for the crew and onlookers to relocate again. We're pushed so far down, we can hardly hear any dialogue. But soon, Martin's heading towards us - at a fair speed! He grimaces at us all, cheekily; he's built up so much momentum, he can't stop and someone has to grab him. "Awww!" Martin says, laughing and embracing him in a hug.

Far from his onscreen persona, it's obvious that Martin has true affection for the show and its fans. And that's certainly one reason for its continuing success.

Source: The British Comedy Guide HERE

Tipster: Simply Red

A Day on Set with Doc Martin

Philip Bates attended a full day's filming of Doc Martin on the 25th June 2013, as they filmed scenes for the final episode of the sixth series. Here's what he witnessed...

It's early morning in Port Isaac, which has doubled for Doc Martin's fictional village since the popular show made its debut in 2004. There aren't many sightseers around, but the locals have been up and about for a fair while now: the small hours of the morning are punctured by the screeches of seagulls as the fishermen come in after a hard night's work.

Nonetheless, crowds heading up Roscarrock Hill are held back by a film crew. People are pulled safely back into alleyways and shops because there's an emergency in Portwenn and the Doc rushes to his car. The door slams, his engine revs and he speeds down the narrow road, sticks whipping at his wing mirrors.

The camera swoops high over the village following his journey down and cuts when the Lexus stops at the bottom and a smiling Martin Clunes gets out. It takes a lot of bravery to go at that speed down the tight slope, but he's had plenty of practice. It's just the start of a long day's filming for both Martin and the perfectly-tuned crew.

That scene continues later, just across the harbour on Fore Street, where Martin crashes his car into an already-assembled fruit stall. But while Clunes disappears, walkers are let through before filming begins again, this time with Joe Absolom and Jessica Ransom (better known as Al Large and Morwenna Newcross, respectively). Fans are pushed up and down the hill as the camera changes angles, and it's soon 'in the can'. Joe attempts to leave - but is mobbed by holidaymakers looking for a photo and a quick chat. He doesn't seem to mind, though he's supposed to be learning how to ride a scooter he's never been on before for a scene at the end of the day.

The mass pilgrimage up the confined and steep Dolphin Street is torturous, especially for the crew who has to lug heavy equipment around. Martin has a very brief scene a quarter of the way up, just outside the idyllic Homelands Cottage, the new home of his Aunt Ruth (Eileen Atkins). Homelands is, in fact, a self-catering holiday cottage, but for now, a camera stares out as the crew rehearse the scene.

A hush falls across the crowd and a chorus rises from the runners, indicating the scene's start: "Rolling". Martin runs up the hill and bashes on the door. He calls for his Aunt, peering through the windows. A shout comes from his right, informing him that she's gone to the farm - and he rushes off.

The take ends and the onlookers applaud. Martin smiles and takes an exaggerated bow, jokingly.

He hangs around, tapping a tune on the property's fence, as the crew re-dress the scene. The crowd builds, those at the back desperately trying to catch a glimpse of the show's leading man, and children even hang out the windows of their rented properties. "You can take pictures during rehearsals, but can everyone lower your cameras when we're actually filming please", the runners beg. The crowd concede, but a much more troublesome element is the seagulls. With their constant cawing, it's a miracle they can film any exterior scenes at all!

 EXT. THE FISH CELLARS - DAY.

Much of the day is taken up on a complex scene on Fore Street, in which Doc Martin crashes his car and has to run up and down the arduous hill numerous times.

 Elsewhere in Portwenn, the villagers strut their stuff in fancy-dress. PC Penhale (John Marquez, pictured) has donned an impressive moustache and seems to be channelling the Village People.

The fans obviously love the cast and the cast obviously love the village: they can be seen wandering around on their days off. Joe Absolom temporarily moved to the village during filming and was seen every morning walking his kids to school; a very brave Eileen Atkins effortlessly strolled up Roscarrock Hill and onto the glorious expanse of field that overlooks the stunning coastal village; and Ian McNiece (Bert Large) could often be seen having a pint and sharing stories with the locals.

Martin Clunes is spotted chatting to set visitor Julia McKenzie at the harbour front. Ian and Joe even accompany Dodger the Dog to a charity do at the local Stowaway Tea Shoppe.

The cameras start rolling again. PC Penhale's jeep is parked outside The Slipway Hotel and Restaurant, opposite Portwenn Pharmacy (actually a very proud local confectioners), and as the comedic copper approaches the vehicle, some of the crowd don't even recognise the disguised policeman. The attention to detail is admirable: onlookers have been parted to either side, cars and vans trying to approach have been stopped and the restaurant is entirely populated by supporting artists. It's all to make sure nothing goes wrong. It's almost tempting fate...

With the air bags in his own car deployed, Martin is in a hurry and gets in the jeep, closely followed by a wary Penhale. The jeep roars into life and the two speed off. Everything's worked out perfectly.

EXT. HARBOUR - DAY.

 With the lead man heading back to his home in the Lexus, many of the crowds disperse, but the day's filming is far from over. Joe rounds the corner of Roscarrock Hill on his bike; he's clearly nervous as they plan out the scene: as he drives down past the Fish Cellars, a pile of paper slips off the back and Jessica Ransom, as the Doc's loveably sarcastic receptionist Morwenna, calls after him and gathers up his copious notes. The two then sit down on a raised platform at the harbour front and have a heart-to-heart.

The devotees have crowded around the local pub and at the entrance to Middle Street, opposite all the action. Joe's family are all there too, his kids running up to him and giving him a big hug. Jessica also spots a friend in the crowd and gives a thumbs-up. Dodger the Dog sits to one side with its owner, wagging his tail excitedly.

Location manager Johnny Bamford and director Nigel Cole check out all the angles and go through the script with them one final time. Cole directed Saving Grace, the 2000 film starring Martin Clunes which inspired Doc Martin, but his first actual episode for the series was this year's Sickness and Health, in which Martin and Louisa finally tied the knot. Bamford, however, has worked tirelessly on the ITV hit since its very first episode. Needless to say, he knows Port Isaac inside out!

The rehearsal goes well - though the strong wind means that the paper flies everywhere. They re-set the scene, with Joe getting on the bike once more and disappearing around the corner. Sound levels are checked and the cameras start filming.

 It doesn't all go smoothly: the bike's kickstand keeps slipping from under Joe's shoe so it takes him some time to get to grips with it; he comes around the corner too fast and misses his mark; once, the bike even spins from underneath him and he does an impressive wheelie. They carry on regardless - true professionals.

The team go through numerous takes; each time the paper has to be saved from flying into the darkening sky. The supporting artists, whose job it is simply to stroll past and make Portwenn appear a real place, have to find their positions again. By the end, Joe's getting used to that bike. The still-considerable mass of watchers has to breathe in and squash against walls and into doorways as vehicles ebb through.

There's a flurry of excitement as the runners announce there's only ten minutes left. One final take - and the day is at an end. It's 7pm and the team have all been working tirelessly since 7am. In the end, as we discovered when the episode aired in October, the bike scene didn't even make it through the edit!

Everyone disperses: Joe and Jessica disappear into their cars; a few crew members pop into the local fish and chip shop; the extras head up Fore Street and pile into a mini-bus; the equipment is all packed away into a lorry. A rainy haze falls on Port Isaac, but the locals still congregate at the pub, the seagulls play their insistent tune and the village is a warm haven once again. Within 30 minutes, the Doc Martin crew have disappeared completely - like they were never even there.

Until tomorrow.

Source: The British Comedy Guide HERE

Tipster: SimplyRed

Facebook Photos

There are some nice behind the scenes shots on the Facebook page of Philip Pitson. You can find them HERE.

Doc Martin: ‘Departure’ – Series 6 Episode 8

Spoiler alert: This review assumes you have already watched Episode 8 of the current series.

Despite the title to this episode, viewers can be relieved that nothing hints at a real-life departure from the Doc Martin cast. Apart from Claire Bloom as the wicked grandmother, that is… Martin finally summons the strength to have ‘that talk’ his mother has been waiting for, and sees straight through her scheming. She did make a basic medical error in her dishonest account of his father’s passing, after all.
Writer Jack Lothian delivers a gripping finale to the current series, even weaving in new suspense with an unexpected medical condition for Louisa. Something has to stop her flying away, since the exchanges between her and Martin are as futile as ever. But her departure for the airport triggers some sensation in Martin Clunes’ obdurate doctor who, possibly confusing emotion for illness, strides off to seek advice from Ruth. She is apparently now the village go-to person for all manner of problems.
Down at the Large’s, the story continues of Al’s quest for his own source of income and, with it, independence from his ‘know it better’ father. Ian McNeice manages to make Bert endearing even while he rains unreasonable demands on his son. Later he proposes “BAR” (Bert, Al and Ruth) as the name for Al’s business, then claims to be just winding Al up. Not always been the case, eh Bert?
But the awkward Al, played for sympathy by Joe Absolom, must scamper down a grassy bank in scooter helmet, suit and tie, to pitch his business idea to Eileen Atkins’ implacable Ruth. Has Alan Sugar tried that on his protégés? As the camera sweeps along the overgrown lakeside, Al suggests a barbecue with the freshly caught fish – and I’m sold. The lake may not be the largest, but I’m prepared to believe.
Ruth and Al’s two encounters are my favourite of several heartfelt one-on-one scenes this week. I trust there will be more such odd couple moments in the next series.
Comic sketches include a running gag with the New York cops outfit chosen by Penhale (Joe Marquez) as his fancy dress for Bert’s party – of course. This culminates at the airport where, surprise surprise, he cannot convince the official that he actually is a policeman. Best comedy line comes from Martin, objecting to the travel agent down the phone: “No I won’t hold!”
Ruth gives Morwenna (Jessica Ransom) cause to pause, as she lets slip her perception that Morwenna and Al are “involved”. Nope, they’re still getting there… Morwenna then engages in a wonderfully straight exchange with her pal, that Ruth working in psychiatry is not the same as being psychic.
The big climax commences with Martin peering at Louisa’s CT scan, which reveals an arteriovenous malformation. This is an unstable link between blood vessels at different pressures. Yes, these can bleed and do need treatment, but there’s no rush for emergency surgery, especially in early autumn when experienced surgeons may be on holiday and the new intake not yet up to scratch – clearly the case in Truro. And just because you have an AVM doesn’t mean your headache following a row with your husband comes from a bleed.
Such quibbles aside, Catherine Catz has her chance to show a different side to Louisa at last, as she and Martin have a very weird conversation. Martin has taken on board Ruth’s advice to say how he feels, and Louisa is woozy from the pre-med. She smiles and makes fun of the situation, hurrah! But the episode finishes on the brink again when she warns, perfectly sensibly: “This doesn’t change anything” and Martin can only think to say: “You’re my patient and you’re my wife” before turning away.
So what do viewers think? Back in 2004 over nine million tuned in to enjoy Doc Martin, since when the numbers have fluctuated by only 10 per cent. And that despite the two-year wait for the start of this recent series – which certainly tempted fate. Yes, a strong fan base for gentle situational comedy drama persists in the UK however much some critics may mock. And we are not alone. Apart from the overseas following for Doc Martin itself, this form of comedy drama – ‘fish out of water’ or ‘collection of eccentrics’ – is common in the States and elsewhere. The final curtain came down on the inordinately successful Desperate Housewives only 18 months ago.
TV commissioners may listen at their peril to those critics who want only the edgy and the innovative. Because on Mondays the nation will yearn to put its feet up and chuckle at an archetypal English eccentric’s attempts to cope with his own and his flock’s problems in a sadly no longer typical English village.

Source: HERE

Doc Martin Episode Eight – Departure: Martin Clunes and Caroline Catz shine in the final instalment of Series Six SPOILERS!!

In my review of last week’s Doc Martin, I claimed that it was my favourite episode yet due to the fact that it focused on the core group of characters. That feeling is definitely carried over to this week’s instalment, which essentially continues last week’s story involving the deterioration of Martin and Louisa’s marriage. Indeed, tonight goes further to look at why Martin is such an obstinate character and how the return of his mother has brought back a lot of his childhood anxieties.

It is indeed these anxieties that are plaguing Martin when we rejoin him as he is checking his heart-rate to see what is truly wrong with him. As Martin is a man of science rather than one of feelings, he doesn’t understand that his troubles are to do with Louisa leaving for Spain. Martin is being even more short with his patients than normal and his problems means that he gives a woman a rabies injection when she’s come in complaining of a headache. It’s up to Ruth to give her nephew some advice, telling him he has to change if he’s to ever win back Louisa. In addition, Ruth blames Martin’s childhood as she feels he was raised by a remote father and a cold mother neither of whom nurtured his abilities. Ruth feels that if he’s never going to open up to his wife then he should simply let her go. Instead, Martin tries to turn over a new leaf, but first he has to deal with his mother. Martin finally confronts Margaret over her reasons for coming to visit and she initially claims that she doesn’t want to leave Martin on bad terms, just like his father did. However, when she talks about Martin’s father deathbed repentance, he realises she’s lying as his father’s speech would’ve been slurred following his stroke. Eventually Margaret comes clean, asking to borrow money from Martin as she has been left with little capital following his father’s death. In that moment, Martin realises where all of his problems stem from and he kicks his mother out of the house without giving her a penny.

After getting rid of Margaret, Martin’s next move was to book a trip to Spain but predictably he began to get frustrated with the automated booking line. While on hold, Martin received the results of Louisa’s latest scan and spotted an unseen malformation. Realising that Louisa could suffer a serious brain haemorrhage if she were to get on the plane, Martin attempts to stop her leaving. But, when Louisa receives the phone call, she believes Martin is simply trying to win her back and puts the phone down. Martin then crashes his car and has to enlist the services of Penhale who escorts him to the airport in his police van. Meanwhile, Louisa’s condition appears to be getting worse as she forgets she’s holding her boarding pass and continues to suffer with a throbbing headache. This isn’t helped when Louisa runs into Margaret at the airport and chastises her for not being there for her son. Though Martin eventually arrives at the airport, it may be too late to save Louisa.

Elsewhere, Portwenn is preparing for a party and Bert tries to rope Al into helping him set up the electrics. But Al has other things on his mind, namely his latest business idea which involves offering holidays to fishermen. Al’s idea is to use Ruth’s farm as B&B, as it has an adjoining lake that the fishermen could use in the day. The only problem is that Al bungles his pitch and mislays the figures that Ruth wants to see, though Ruth doesn’t give Al an answer straight away he feels like he’s blown it. Al finds consolation with Morwenna and there is a slight hint that their bond could go beyond friendship at some point. Meanwhile, and rather predictably, the electrics blow at the party, causing one town member to be electrocuted. And, because Martin is on his way to the airport at this point, Al and Morwenna have to save a life and in doing so become the heroes of the hour.

Having now watched one full series of Doc Martin, I can definitely say that the series is at its best when it focuses purely on the primary set of characters. I was personally getting sick of tired of the patient of the week scenario and am glad that these final two episodes have focused on why Martin acts like he does. I really felt tonight that I got to know the character and understood that his reserved nature is due to his unhappy childhood. Jack Lothian’s script was well-balanced between Martin and Louisa’s troubles and the rest of the villagers enjoying their party. For once the subplot, this week involving Al, was itself fairly engaging and I was willing Al to finally strike out on his own. In fact I only had a couple of issues with the plot; one being the well-worn set piece of the faulty electrics leading to an electrocution and other being the convenient meeting between Louisa and Margaret at the airport. Apart from those minor niggles, I would say that this was probably the best-written episode of the series to the extent that even Penhale didn’t annoy met that much.

As well as great script, all of the cast were on the top of their game. Martin Clunes was absolutely amazing as he portrayed Martin’s attempt to change his personality. I’m glad that Clunes only gave us a hint of what we can expect from Martin and he and Louisa’s tearful final conversation was a joy to watch. Similarly, Caroline Catz’s performance in this episode was stunning and she really made you worry about Louisa’s health. Both actors share great chemistry and throughout the instalment I was just hoping that Martin and Louisa could sort their issues out. Elsewhere Eileen Atkins was on form as usual while Claire Bloom’s cold performance of Margaret was absolutely perfectly judged and I’m sure she’ll return to cause problems in the near future.

Overall, this was a well-written and well-played final instalment of series six of Doc Martin. The script wrapped up some long-running plots while at the same time gave us some stories to look forward to if the show does indeed return. At this stage, it looks series seven will feature Martin’s attempt to change his personality in order to save his marriage, but what’s the betting that he has trouble adjusting to being kind to those around him?

And don't forget this...

Great Photos at Docmartinfan.com

There are some great Series 6 photos at docmartinfan.com!

Here are just a few.

Click HERE to see even more!

Slightly different Picture

Source: HERE among other places

Then of course there was this....

Metro - Doc Martin ITV 9pm

It was too good to last. Once they’d got Doc Martin and long-suffering Louisa (Caroline Catz) hitched, the only thing left was to rend them asunder once more, as that’s the emotional heartbeat of this oddball medical drama. So prepare for a bumpy emotional ride as this on-off-on-off couple climax the series with a helter-skelter crisis. Luckily, there’s some quirky comedy – PC Penhale sporting a Freddie Mercury moustache – to ease the tension.
 

Source: HERE

Doc Martin series finale sees a marriage at breaking point and a textbook last-minute airport dash

This current series began with Martin and Louisa’s dismal wedding day and even more ­catastrophic honeymoon and it ends in the same vein.

Let’s face it, it was never the happiest of marriages, was it?

This current series began with Martin and Louisa’s dismal wedding day and even more ­catastrophic honeymoon and it ends, fittingly, with Louisa about to take baby James to Spain for a ­well-earned break.
Her husband is so emotionally bunched up he can’t even muster the good manners for a proper goodbye, muttering ­something about his first patient having arrived instead.

But a long overdue confrontation with his dreadful mother prompts him to finally try and behave like a normal human being for once in his life.

The frantic last-minute dash to the airport has long been a reliable ­set-piece of film for TV dramas, but this is one race against time that has more at stake than simply a relationship.

Doc Martin may be colder than a prawn ring in an Iceland freezer cabinet, but this finale proves to be ­surprisingly touching.

Source: HERE at The Mirror