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
