[cc.cookie]

I got this from Wikipedia: I didn't know only 3 of the actors in the original movies have had parts in DM.

Also Dominic Minghella didn't write the prequel movies he was brought in to revamp the movie premise and characters. I think I knew that but it was entirely MCs idea that DM should be gruff, monosyllabic and rude.
From wiki:
Martin Clunes originally played a character called "Dr Martin Bamford" in the 2000 film Saving Grace and its two made-for-TV prequels, Doc Martin and Doc Martin and the Legend of the Cloutie, which were made by British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB).

The prequels show Bamford, a successful obstetrician rather than surgeon, finding out that his wife has been carrying on extramarital affairs behind his back. After confronting her with the news, he escapes London and heads for Cornwall, which he remembers fondly from his youth. Shortly after he arrives, he is involved in the mystery of the "Jellymaker" and, following the departure of the village's resident GP, decides to stay in Port Isaac and fill the gap. In these three films the village is not known as Portwenn.

The original deal was to produce two such television films per year for three years, but Sky Pictures folded after the first two episodes were made, so Clunes' company tried to sell the franchise to ITV. ITV felt the Martin Bamford character should be portrayed as a "townie", out of his depth and uncomfortable in the country. They also wanted something edgier, so Clunes suggested the doctor be very grumpy and socially inept.

The new doctor's surname was to be Ellingham, an anagram of the last name of the new writer, Dominic Minghella, who was brought in to rework the doctor's background and create a new cast of supporting characters.

Along with Clunes, the only actors to appear in both versions of Doc Martin are Tristan Sturrock (danny) and Tony Maudsley.(dave the postman).

[dmbesotted]

Originally Posted by cc.cookie

I got this from Wikipedia: I didn't know only 3 of the actors in the original movies have had parts in DM.

Also Dominic Minghella didn't write the prequel movies he was brought in to revamp the movie premise and characters. I think I knew that but it was entirely MCs idea that DM should be gruff, monosyllabic and rude.
From wiki:
Martin Clunes originally played a character called "Dr Martin Bamford" in the 2000 film Saving Grace and its two made-for-TV prequels, Doc Martin and Doc Martin and the Legend of the Cloutie, which were made by British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB).

The prequels show Bamford, a successful obstetrician rather than surgeon, finding out that his wife has been carrying on extramarital affairs behind his back. After confronting her with the news, he escapes London and heads for Cornwall, which he remembers fondly from his youth. Shortly after he arrives, he is involved in the mystery of the "Jellymaker" and, following the departure of the village's resident GP, decides to stay in Port Isaac and fill the gap. In these three films the village is not known as Portwenn.

The original deal was to produce two such television films per year for three years, but Sky Pictures folded after the first two episodes were made, so Clunes' company tried to sell the franchise to ITV. ITV felt the Martin Bamford character should be portrayed as a "townie", out of his depth and uncomfortable in the country. They also wanted something edgier, so Clunes suggested the doctor be very grumpy and socially inept.

The new doctor's surname was to be Ellingham, an anagram of the last name of the new writer, Dominic Minghella, who was brought in to rework the doctor's background and create a new cast of supporting characters.

Along with Clunes, the only actors to appear in both versions of Doc Martin are Tristan Sturrock (danny) and Tony Maudsley.(dave the postman).

Odete the wife of the fisherman Billy May, played by Tony Maudsley, is played by Rosie Ede, also appears in DM as Mrs Paris in the episode with Peter Cronk, In Loco. I actually haven't gone back and picked her out, but that is in her filmography credits on IMDB

[dmbesotted]

Here is a link to a blog about the French Doc Martin and the link to the YouTube trailer for the Greek version. In case the YouTube link does not work it is called Kliniki periptosi

http://tattard2.blogspot.com/2011/11...disorders.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZnH_k3Xyks

I see that I was not able to get either of these in as direct links- will work on that for future

[Shop Girl]

Originally Posted by dmbesotted

Odete the wife of the fisherman Billy May, played by Tony Maudsley, is played by Rosie Ede, also appears in DM as Mrs Paris in the episode with Peter Cronk, In Loco. I actually haven't gone back and picked her out, but that is in her filmography credits on IMDB

You can see her here. Looks different without her boobs about to burst out

http://www.flickr.com/photos/3558457...7631954855967/

[Shop Girl]

Originally Posted by SusieSagitarius

Absolutely adorable picture of him and the Clydesdales. All three are fantastic! What a great interview and great press pack as a whole to read. Thanks, conniej, once again.

I know, right? I think my new favorite picture of him. And I love the names Ronnie & Bruce. They seem like the last names you would think of for a pair of Clydesdales but they also seem perfect for his teenage bad boys

Oh, and I think I know exactly where this picture was taken. Love that Google street view!

[whale]

Originally Posted by Conniej

Apparently the file was deleted from my computer. I can't find it. If I remember correctly, it wasn't a very long interview and the host made some really rude remarks about MC's looks.

Thks Connie some hosts are so rude to the point it would put you off going on these shows and promoting the programs. Having said that, I am sure MC has heard it all before, but it becomes tedious after a while for the viewers. That's why I like Paul O'Grady who brings out the best in his guests, lovely outtake of Mary misbehaving, I bet he misses her a lot.

[ReneeBird]

If I lived close to port Isaac, I'd like to open a shop in the spring. Maybe I'd sell hobo purses, and cute cardigans.
And maybe Shop girl would come down and join me. Cause she knows practically All the filming locations. Or anyone else who wanted to come. And we could open a DM tour business together. We'd have a small bus with big windows (not a van like Bert's!)

[statesidefan]

Originally Posted by ReneeBird

If I lived close to port Isaac, I'd like to open a shop in the spring. Maybe I'd sell hobo purses, and cute cardigans.
And maybe Shop girl would come down and join me. Cause she knows practically All the filming locations. Or anyone else who wanted to come. And we could open a DM tour business together. We'd have a small bus with big windows (not a van like Bert's!)

[cc.cookie]

Dominic Minghella says on his blog that he had no input into casting he just shuts himself in a room and writes.
He's said before he knew nothing about the Buddha. I wonder if he knows anything about the dogs?

Are these things more the production crew? Or the props people? Or is there a secondary "stage" writing crew?

I've been reading about episode writing :

What you're going to be writing is a typical episode. It's not your job to write the show you think it should be; it's your job to write the best possible version of the show that is. You need to prove that you can mimic the style and feeling of a show while still letting your unique voice and vision shine through

Buy Dominic Minghella did the overall architecture if the show plus most if the episodes in s1 & s2 so why doesn't he know about the Buddha?

[mmDerdekea]

Originally Posted by NewPark

Such an interesting discussion. I think maybe we are being led astray by the word "redemption" whether used by the blogger or PoorRichard. In my mind, we are watching the story of a closed-off, inhibited, man of science and logic, one who has attempted to live with minimal human connection and intimacy -- and his being thrust into a situation where his continued happiness requires him to acknowledge and integrate the more emotional part of himself, that desires (and deserves) connection with others and intimacy. The blood phobia is a reaction to the anxiety his encounter with an emotional reaction to a person, in this case, his patient and her family, provokes.

I think that his strong attraction to Louisa has always aroused a certain anxiety in him -- and in the first two series we see him longing for her but really afraid to act on it. And when he does get into an intimate place with her, he can only sabotage it with acts of spectacular clumsiness. But his growing, real relationship with a real Louisa, not an idealized one, and above all, his immediate and deep bonding with his son, is leading him to a place where he can reclaim parts of himself that he has had to shut down, for a variety of reasons rooted in his childhood.

As he is able to deal with his strong connection with Louisa and James Henry, he may become less anxious about experiencing emotional reactions to others, and his phobia gradually disappear.

As for the Asperger's versus bad parenting issue -- i think of this almost as chicken or egg issue. Some children are just more difficult for parents to bond with -- if indeed he was born with Asperger's -- and I am agnostic about this --- one could imagine that his selfish and narcisstic parents would have little tolerance for this and their emotional and physical abuse would have worsened or hardened the Asperger traits.

As cc.cookie has pointed out, Martin Clunes himself has gone through a radical life change, which he readily attributes to his relationship with his wife. I continue to feel that in some ways we are watching a mirror image of Martin Clunes, or an upside down version.

Nicely written, NewPark.

[SusieSagitarius]

Originally Posted by cc.cookie

Must have been a bit of radical speeding if the UK laws are anything like ours. You usually only lose it for 3 months in Oz. I know this because I confiscated my son's car for three months just Incase he felt tempted to drive it : )

When I looked up about driving bans under totting up rules, I found this:

"How does the totting up procedure work?

The number of penalty points varies according to the nature of the motoring offence. The more serious the driving offence, the higher the number of points. The minimum number of points for the most minor offences is 2 points, whilst offences such as failing to comply with a traffic light carry a non–discretionary 3 points, other offences have a range of points which allows the Magistrates to vary the punishment depending on the severity of the incident. For example, speeding ranges from 3 to 6 points. Speeding offences dealt with by Fixed Penalty Notices will have a standard 3 points, whereas more serious speeding cases which are dealt with at Court, can result in up to 6 points being endorsed on the convicted driver's licence. Another common offence, driving without due care, ranges from 3–9 points, again dependent on the circumstances of the case.

Should a driver reach 12 points in a 3 year period, the Court guidelines are an automatic disqualification of 6 months should be imposed.

How long does a totting up ban last for?

The recommended mandatory period of disqualification for a totting up ban is 6 months. Some Courts do exercise discretion and there are examples of 3 months being imposed but in theory, if you reach 12 points and cannot convince the Court that you should be allowed to keep your licence, you are off the road for 6 months."

I believe I remember reading that he got nicked for 3 points on 4 different times (over 3 years), hence 12 points. And 6 month ban. Since he only got the minimum 3 points each time, it doesn't sound as though it was anything particularly more serious.

[SusieSagitarius]

Originally Posted by Shop Girl

I know, right? I think my new favorite picture of him. And I love the names Ronnie & Bruce. They seem like the last names you would think of for a pair of Clydesdales but they also seem perfect for his teenage bad boys

Oh, and I think I know exactly where this picture was taken. Love that Google street view!

I do, too, so love that picture. Woke up this morning with that image in my mind. I might have to hang it in my closet.

Know the Gstreet view??? Wow! Love to see that.
When we were in Beaminster last spring, we stopped at the local pub and got some directions that led us up to Buckham fields, but didn't actually get any closer. I am not quite in the total stalker category! Anyhow I am just happy to know I probably traveled the same road to town.

And I found out later that the time I was in Beaminster, he and Philippa were at a heavy horse riding place in the north. Which made it understandable when a lady in the pub who rides up that way, said she hadn't seen him around for a few days. Their trip was a birthday gift for him from Philippa.

See one of the articles here: http://www.nwemail.co.uk/home/tv-sta...ferrerPath=afc

[Blue-Eyes]

Originally Posted by SusieSagitarius

When I looked up about driving bans under totting up rules, I found this:

"How does the totting up procedure work?

I believe I remember reading that he got nicked for 3 points on 4 different times (over 3 years), hence 12 points. And 6 month ban. Since he only got the minimum 3 points each time, it doesn't sound as though it was anything particularly more serious.

The 3 points penalty ( plus £60 fine ) is usually for exceeding the speed limit by a small amount eg doing 37 in a 30mph zone.

This offence is very common ( especially when speed limits change in an area you are familiar with ). An initial 3 points does not alter your car insurance charges.

MC has obvously incurred this penalty 4 times in 3 years so has had a 6 months ban imposed to remind him...

[cc.cookie]

Originally Posted by SusieSagitarius

When I looked up about driving bans under totting up rules, I found this:

"How does the totting up procedure work?

The number of penalty points varies according to the nature of the motoring offence. The more serious the driving offence, the higher the number of points. The minimum number of points for the most minor offences is 2 points, whilst offences such as failing to comply with a traffic light carry a non–discretionary 3 points, other offences have a range of points which allows the Magistrates to vary the punishment depending on the severity of the incident. For example, speeding ranges from 3 to 6 points. Speeding offences dealt with by Fixed Penalty Notices will have a standard 3 points, whereas more serious speeding cases which are dealt with at Court, can result in up to 6 points being endorsed on the convicted driver's licence. Another common offence, driving without due care, ranges from 3–9 points, again dependent on the circumstances of the case.

Should a driver reach 12 points in a 3 year period, the Court guidelines are an automatic disqualification of 6 months should be imposed.

How long does a totting up ban last for?

The recommended mandatory period of disqualification for a totting up ban is 6 months. Some Courts do exercise discretion and there are examples of 3 months being imposed but in theory, if you reach 12 points and cannot convince the Court that you should be allowed to keep your licence, you are off the road for 6 months."

I believe I remember reading that he got nicked for 3 points on 4 different times (over 3 years), hence 12 points. And 6 month ban. Since he only got the minimum 3 points each time, it doesn't sound as though it was anything particularly more serious.

Still a bad boy at heart.

[statesidefan]

The KCET coffee warmers finally arrived! They're laminated and sturdier than I expected. I need mailing addresses for everyone who wants one. I've promised three and have three more to give out. Just PM me.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/77001171@N08/

[NewPark]

Originally Posted by mmDerdekea

Nicely written, NewPark.

Thanks, Mona.

[dmbesotted]

Technical questions... for season 6

I am already having panic attacks thinking about this fall when the S6 episodes air way across the pond. I am doing some research on streaming ITV on my computer and see that there are a number of ways to go about it. I just wondered if members of the group would be willing to share the options they have used. Well informed is well armed.

[cc.cookie]

Originally Posted by NewPark

Such an interesting discussion. I think maybe we are being led astray by the word "redemption" whether used by the blogger or PoorRichard. In my mind, we are watching the story of a closed-off, inhibited, man of science and logic, one who has attempted to live with minimal human connection and intimacy -- and his being thrust into a situation where his continued happiness requires him to acknowledge and integrate the more emotional part of himself, that desires (and deserves) connection with others and intimacy. The blood phobia is a reaction to the anxiety his encounter with an emotional reaction to a person, in this case, his patient and her family, provokes.

I think that his strong attraction to Louisa has always aroused a certain anxiety in him -- and in the first two series we see him longing for her but really afraid to act on it. And when he does get into an intimate place with her, he can only sabotage it with acts of spectacular clumsiness. But his growing, real relationship with a real Louisa, not an idealized one, and above all, his immediate and deep bonding with his son, is leading him to a place where he can reclaim parts of himself that he has had to shut down, for a variety of reasons rooted in his childhood.

As he is able to deal with his strong connection with Louisa and James Henry, he may become less anxious about experiencing emotional reactions to others, and his phobia gradually disappear.

As for the Asperger's versus bad parenting issue -- i think of this almost as chicken or egg issue. Some children are just more difficult for parents to bond with -- if indeed he was born with Asperger's -- and I am agnostic about this --- one could imagine that his selfish and narcisstic parents would have little tolerance for this and their emotional and physical abuse would have worsened or hardened the Asperger traits.

As cc.cookie has pointed out, Martin Clunes himself has gone through a radical life change, which he readily attributes to his relationship with his wife. I continue to feel that in some ways we are watching a mirror image of Martin Clunes, or an upside down version.

Have you seen the hero's journey (google it) I'm on my phone and can't post link w/out great difficulty. It is a structure that you can apply to all good books and movies. Amazing.

They call the "redemption" the "resurrection" which is even more emotive. However, if you set aside religion it still applies. Just a revelation about your life / your journey / your current situation / your problem.

Redemption doesn't have to mean in a religious sense it is just deliverance or rescue from something. So DM is rescued from his old life which wasn't fulfilling in anything but a financial sense and a hollow social one (his peers, his father, Edith) and he knew it subconsciously but he's still fighting the revelation that took him from London to Portwenn.

Hope this isn't repetitive, I can't see what I wrote before without scrolling back on this tiny screen : )

[NewPark]

Originally Posted by dmbesotted

Technical questions... for season 6

I am already having panic attacks thinking about this fall when the S6 episodes air way across the pond. I am doing some research on streaming ITV on my computer and see that there are a number of ways to go about it. I just wondered if members of the group would be willing to share the options they have used. Well informed is well armed.

I am sending you a private message (PM)

[statesidefan]

Personal jewelry generally means something. Has anyone scoped in on the Doc's cufflinks? I think he wears squarish ones, but can't tell anything beyond that. And does he wear the same set day-to-day for all the series?

[NewPark]

Originally Posted by cc.cookie

Have you seen the hero's journey (google it) I'm on my phone and can't post link w/out great difficulty. It is a structure that you can apply to all good books and movies. Amazing.

They call the "redemption" the "resurrection" which is even more emotive. However, if you set aside religion it still applies. Just a revelation about your life / your journey / your current situation / your problem.

Redemption doesn't have to mean in a religious sense it is just deliverance or rescue from something. So DM is rescued from his old life which wasn't fulfilling in anything but a financial sense and a hollow social one (his peers, his father, Edith) and he knew it subconsciously but he's still fighting the revelation that took him from London to Portwenn.

Hope this isn't repetitive, I can't see what I wrote before without scrolling back on this tiny screen : )

Thanks for this -- I thought it was so apt that it deserved a link: http://www.thewritersjourney.com/hero%27s_journey.htm

And there is also this, for you reading pleasure: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DocMartin

[dmbesotted]

Originally Posted by NewPark

Thanks for this -- I thought it was so apt that it deserved a link: http://www.thewritersjourney.com/hero%27s_journey.htm

And there is also this, for you reading pleasure: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DocMartin

I am like a dog with a bone so forgive, ignore, or indulge me.

Most often redemption does have its origins in theology as was being used in the blog that we were discussing -

I found this in one of the online dictionaries as I was having a hard time with "redemption"

Noun
1.redemption - (theology) the act of delivering from sin or saving from evil
salvation -deliverance, rescue, saving, delivery - recovery or preservation from loss or danger; "work is the deliverance of mankind"; "a surgeon's job is the saving of lives"
remission of sin, absolution, remittal, remission - the act of absolving or remitting; formal redemption as pronounced by a priest in the sacrament of penance
spiritual rebirth, conversion, rebirth - a spiritual enlightenment causing a person to lead a new life
atonement, expiation, propitiation - the act of atoning for sin or wrongdoing (especially appeasing a deity)
theology, divinity - the rational and systematic study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truth
2. redemption - repayment of the principal amount of a debt or security at or before maturity (as when a corporation repurchases its own stock)
corp, corporation - a business firm whose articles of incorporation have been approved in some state
quittance, repayment - payment of a debt or obligation
3.redemption - the act of purchasing back something previously sold
buyback, repurchase
purchase - the acquisition of something for payment; "they closed the purchase with a handshake

And just basic definitions:

1. an act of redeeming or the state of being redeemed.

2. deliverance; rescue.

3. Theology . deliverance from sin; salvation.

4. atonement for guilt.

5. repurchase, as of something sold.

I can accept the concept of #2 above - deliverance; rescue. But I still have issue with it because it carries with it some sense of an original act for/from which one must be rescued.

And I am now retiring this soapbox

[umbrellagirl]

Before "Heavy Horse Power," there's another new ITV program with MC. "Secret Life of Dogs," narrated by Martin Clunes, airs on Thurs, Jan 31 at 9 pm. (Apparently he won't appear on camera.)

[cc.cookie]

Originally Posted by dmbesotted

I am like a dog with a bone so forgive, ignore, or indulge me.

Most often redemption does have its origins in theology as was being used in the blog that we were discussing -

I found this in one of the online dictionaries as I was having a hard time with "redemption"

Noun
1.redemption - (theology) the act of delivering from sin or saving from evil
salvation -deliverance, rescue, saving, delivery - recovery or preservation from loss or danger; "work is the deliverance of mankind"; "a surgeon's job is the saving of lives"
remission of sin, absolution, remittal, remission - the act of absolving or remitting; formal redemption as pronounced by a priest in the sacrament of penance
spiritual rebirth, conversion, rebirth - a spiritual enlightenment causing a person to lead a new life
atonement, expiation, propitiation - the act of atoning for sin or wrongdoing (especially appeasing a deity)
theology, divinity - the rational and systematic study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truth
2. redemption - repayment of the principal amount of a debt or security at or before maturity (as when a corporation repurchases its own stock)
corp, corporation - a business firm whose articles of incorporation have been approved in some state
quittance, repayment - payment of a debt or obligation
3.redemption - the act of purchasing back something previously sold
buyback, repurchase
purchase - the acquisition of something for payment; "they closed the purchase with a handshake

And just basic definitions:

1. an act of redeeming or the state of being redeemed.

2. deliverance; rescue.

3. Theology . deliverance from sin; salvation.

4. atonement for guilt.

5. repurchase, as of something sold.

I can accept the concept of #2 above - deliverance; rescue. But I still have issue with it because it carries with it some sense of an original act for/from which one must be rescued.

And I am now retiring this soapbox

DM's original act or problem that he needs to be rescued from is his subconscious reaction to blood. That is the premise for the show. Without that happening to him he wouldn't have moved from London and he would be ok in his own little world. But the act (reaction) necessitated a call to action on his part a movement out of his own little world.

[mmDerdekea]

Biff and rewatched the S3E5 episode with Holly. I'm not sure who wrote a comment before, but when LG says he is an amazing man as he is leaving her bungalow, DM absolutely says "No, I'm not". I think someone else thought he said something else, but it's very clear that this is what he says.

Also, we looked up "Lord Muck", Mrs. Lamb's little snide remark about DM, and learned it is "Informal an ordinary man behaving or being treated as if he were aristocratic". You know, for Mrs. Lamb being so stupid, she really did peg DM's presentation in the village in a very astute manner.