Doc Martin is a quirky story about an unusual and undeniable medical genius with a socially devastating case of anti-social Asperger's. His thwarted childhood left him self-involved and detached, and, as far as relationships go, they're practically doomed before they even begin. Even more so complicating is his crippling fear of blood (hemophobia) that unfortunately caused him to retire his prominent position as head of vascular surgery at the Imperial College London. So, in a placid little fishing village called Portwenn, where as a child the good doctor spent his summers, he came to permanently setup his surgery to assist the local Cornish seaside townspeople.
Prior to Doc Martin: Series 7, we have watched the doctor marry the lovely local schoolmistress Louisa Glasson (Caroline Catz, Murder in Suburbia), and become the proud father to a healthy baby boy. But life has not been easy for the couple. Martin has a huge struggle communicating his feelings not only to Louisa, but anyone else for that matter. Although he doesn't casually fit into the village with his brusque mannerisms, curt comments, and his polished suited attire, everyone knows that his diagnostic skills are brilliant. And even though the local teens call him names, he's always available for the emergency call, and seems to save a life in the nick of time and at every bend of the road.
The opening of Doc Martin: Series 7 unfortunately finds Martin and his wife separated, with Louisa and baby James visiting her mother in Spain. While Martin runs the surgery solo on the homefront, he awaits some sort of message, if any, from his estranged wife on the direction of their future. Throughout this series, Martin tries to focus his attention on his wife, child and marriage because he truly and deeply loves his beautiful Louisa and precious child. On his Aunt Ruth's (Dame Eileen Atkins, Cranford) advice, he determines to see a therapist to help him open up to his past so he can make a better future for his family.
But Doc Martin: Series 7 has so much more to offer. As you pan through the supporting cast, you'll find a bevvy of activities and life-changes confronting the inhabitants of this peaceful village. For instance, the Large family, Al (Joe Absolom) and his father Bert (Ian McNeice) are considering vocational changes. Al's anxiously trying to get his cozy bed and breakfast up-and-running in time for the arrival of his first guests, while Bert's restaurant is seeing problems with seafood suppliers on a 2-for-1 lobster night. Doc's Aunt Ruth is considering moving to London to accept a position there, but is suffering from polymyalgia rheumatica and Martin predicts a move to be unwise. And even the local haphazard PC Joe Penhale has some important decisions of his own.
When Louisa returns with her son, she and Martin have a future to set straight before them and they decide that independent living quarters would better accommodate their decision-making. So, Martin leaves the familiar home to Louisa and he takes up residence in an inadequate flat. Louisa attends therapy sessions with Martin with Dr. Rachel Timoney (Emily Bevan, The Casual Vacancy), but is not all too happy with the homework.
Louisa resumes her teaching position at the school, and fills another position for an art teacher with a lady who has moved in Martin's apartment area. However, this proves not to be such a great idea since she wants to explore the children's creativity with alternative teaching methods that are not approved by school policy. The therapist gives Louisa homework of selecting an area of Martin's behavior to control and plans a picnic for the family. However, Martin, in his typical, all-encompassing preparation, goes outside his boundaries ... much to Louisa's dismay. However, when he's asked to participate in a new radio venture on "Healthy Eating," his medical expertise is called upon, and on the air he saves a life. Louisa is listening to the show, and this sparks one of the grand reasons in her heart why she so fell in love with Martin and admires his purpose in life. One complication arises when an old friend causes Martin to suspect his intentions when he brings visiting children to a class function with Louisa's school.
There's many unexpected surprises in this series that do not need mentioning here, but all are entertaining, and will keep you in love with all the characters in the show. You'll find Sigourney Weaver (Alien films, Avatar) as a American tourist visiting Portwenn. The picturesque village is stunning with sea gulls, blue waters, quaint buildings and a lively but pleasant atmosphere. Filming was done in the historic fishing village of Port Isaac on the Atlantic coast of North Cornwall, England, United Kingdom.
As a bonus, there are nine behind-the-scenes featurettes entitled "Doc Martin Profiles" beginning with "Producing the Show" in which Dame Eileen Atkins describes the show as "delightfully charming." "A Welcoming Set" has a backdrop of scenes being shot and interviews with cast and crew members, while in "New Characters & Favorites," cast and crew describe their initial interviews, characters, and relationships in the series and personally as a "family." And speaking of which, as a note, Martin Clunes and producer Philippa Braithwaite are married. In "New Characters & Favorites," we'll see McNeice influencing others to name his character, Bert Large, as the most favored on the set. Behind-the-scenes filming takes place as a backdrop to the Profiles. In "Martin & Louisa," cast and crew talk about the great love these two characters have for each other, but how they are not a good fit for each other, and how challenging it is to keep the relationship fresh and funny. However, I must caution that the series contains graphic medical scenes which may be inappropriate to some viewers.
Doc Martin is one of my very favorites of all the Clunes' adventures that I have seen, and it seems like an eternity before the next series is available. Doc Martin: Series 7 is great entertainment for your library!
