I think that Martin is a horrible instigator....he loves to exaggerate and put ideas in our starving DM imaginations. I think those Spaniards will get their second baby and from his reports of DMs breakdown I thought he would end up institutionalized or something. He's a big goof and loves to string everyone along. I bet he does that in real life too. Just my thought.
Makes me wonder if it isn't CC that doesn't want to stay with the show. She's such a mystery, you just don't see a whole lot of her on the talk show circuit and even then, she doesn't say much. Seems to have enough other work on her plate too. Even MC doesn't talk much about her. I can't see MC paired with anyone else on DM if CC were to leave the show. Seeing what happened in S4 w/E was more of a turn-off than a turn-on. Good thing L reappeared in S4E2 but for a while I thought she was gone for good.
One more add this week. Our hero, ConnieJ, agreed to let me link to her videos, so she has her own page on the site. Connie and I worked together to identify all of the clips in her compilations. One of the reasons for deciding to create this site is because neither YT nor Flickr really give you good tools to organize your content. With this site I can do just about whatever I please ;-). You'll find Connie's videos on a page linked from the "Links" page. And, of course, the S6 favorite episode survey continues...
Makes me wonder if it isn't CC that doesn't want to stay with the show. She's such a mystery, you just don't see a whole lot of her on the talk show circuit and even then, she doesn't say much. Seems to have enough other work on her plate too. Even MC doesn't talk much about her. I can't see MC paired with anyone else on DM if CC were to leave the show. Seeing what happened in S4 w/E was more of a turn-off than a turn-on. Good thing L reappeared in S4E2 but for a while I thought she was gone for good.
I never thought that. I think she chooses to let MC be the spokesperson. If you see S5 series on dvd, at the end there are several interviews with some of the supporting actors, CC being one of them. She remarked that she is given a lot of imput in her thoughts and ideas about how LE should be played; MC's interview gave high phrase for her role in this series, too.
Going back to series 5 and the blue onesie that Joan bought for the baby that Martin finds at her house. It is disappointing that we never saw the baby in that outfit.
With a 2 month old, I know they grow quickly. That was a small sleep suit and James may have outgrown it quickly. But I agree that there should at least be a photo of the newborn in the outfit. Maybe in a double frame with a photo of Joan on one side and of James in the outfit on the other side. Funny, too, that there are no photos of Joan at the surgery residence or of the baby or wedding. That may be too common for Martin, but I think Louisa would have photos
Did anyone hear, or take part in an Acorn Q and A with Ian McNeice and Joe Absolom? I tried to find it at the correct time and emailed them...they said it was at 3pm. I had emailed them at what would have been 3:15 pm with the time correction. Did this just "go away?"
One more add this week. Our hero, ConnieJ, agreed to let me link to her videos, so she has her own page on the site. Connie and I worked together to identify all of the clips in her compilations. One of the reasons for deciding to create this site is because neither YT nor Flickr really give you good tools to organize your content. With this site I can do just about whatever I please ;-). You'll find Connie's videos on a page linked from the "Links" page. And, of course, the S6 favorite episode survey continues...
Hi everyone! I'm a newbie, having just discovered this forum and am enjoying everyone's comments and POV - so many are like my own!
ShopGirl: Over the past day or so I've been checking out your new site, and it's awesome! A big THANK YOU to you (and Connie) - such a lot of work you've put into it. Checking out all those links will certainly keep me busy during our long cold Minnesota days/weeks. And I absolutely can't wait for S7
Marchand. Agreed that BP left many holes in Margaret's "story." Margaret may not have been in Christopher's life when he died, she heard of it from old friends, but had no details. She may have tried to exploit his death to obtain money from Martin or to do more psychological damage to him. Or she could have faked the death for the same reasons. I also wonder why Aunt Ruth wouldn't have heard of the death. She made a recent trip to London for her book, and it is likely that someone would have mentioned the death. The name "Ellingham" is not the most common, so her medical colleagues would have heard of the death.
Margaret's motives for taking the clock are equally nefarious: Martin insulted her and she is seeking revenge by taking something of either sentimental or monetary value to him. Although I don't think he cares as much about the money as the history of the clock.
I don't think Margaret is without money. She probably still has the villa in Portugal and just wants to grab more money while she can. I also think -- despite her reaction -- that she knew Martin was married, had a child and thought she could soften him up through Louisa. Remember the comment she made about whose side Louisa was on?
I would be surprised if Margaret doesn't re-appear in Series 7 and be the ultimate key to unlocking Martin's problems. He has not vanquished her or his problems yet.
I agree that Christopher probably has died (it would be too easy to confirm if he wasn't). However, I doubt that they got back together before his death. i think Margaret was told of his death as they were probably still married, if living apart, or was still listed as his next-of-kin. She immediately ran to his side for the reading of his will and there found out he's been living off of whatever settlement Martin gave him. I think she followed the money. (She had probably been expecting to inherit whatever her husband left and was shocked to find it zero).
I also think it was her plan to be a wedge between LG and DM. He has a family to support and can't be spending money on his alienated (and alienating) mother. However, a divorced son with a clear child-support payment can easily spend the rest of his money on his only remaining family, aka mummie dearest. Hence the grin from the window as Louisa'a taxi drives down the hill. (BTW, the way she stood there grinning reminded me of Mrs. Danvers in a movie production of Rebecca...just as creepy.) I think taking the clock was her way of getting her inheritance - I came back to England for my share of Christopher's property and if this is it, then I'm at least taking this much.
I think we've milked the Ellinghams enough - they were awful, selfish people who only see people as steps to their own desires. The relationships I would be curious about now are LG's parents. Eleanor, as annoying as she was, seemed to have soften a bit on Martin before she left. She even seems to have invited them down as a family. I also wonder how Terry would react to Louisa having a family now. Also, I imagine they once loved each other, since they were able to clearly love their daughter, but couldn't live together which would be more interesting to look at in terms of our story. (Although if I had to place my bet, DM and LG stay together. Those franchise fees pay for a lot of horse feed and I can't image the Germans, Brazilians, etc will want to keep forking over money for scripts if they end up splitting.)
Going back to series 5 and the blue onesie that Joan bought for the baby that Martin finds at her house. It is disappointing that we never saw the baby in that outfit.
Mazzieblue. We may be rid of the Christopher Ellingham storyline, but I think Ruth Ellingham and Margaret Ellingham (at least by reference) are going to be a big part of season 7. I think Terry Glasson and his daughter got along well. Each seemed to understand the other's foibles. Bringing Terry and Eleanor back might help Louisa address her childhood issues with her parents available for explanations. Maybe the same for Margaret and Martin, but she would have much more to explain
Hi everyone! I'm a newbie, having just discovered this forum and am enjoying everyone's comments and POV - so many are like my own!
ShopGirl: Over the past day or so I've been checking out your new site, and it's awesome! A big THANK YOU to you (and Connie) - such a lot of work you've put into it. Checking out all those links will certainly keep me busy during our long cold Minnesota days/weeks. And I absolutely can't wait for S7
Welcome..Igike...it is fun to find people who think like you do...I started watching all of Doc Martin because of my drop dead serious crush on Martin Clunes...which still is in high gear...what is it about this man?....but the more you watch the more you start picking up subtleties and clues and connections in the story. The writers and production people put out a product that is far more intelligent than what is usually made in the US...welcome welcome
I agree that Christopher probably has died (it would be too easy to confirm if he wasn't). However, I doubt that they got back together before his death. i think Margaret was told of his death as they were probably still married, if living apart, or was still listed as his next-of-kin. She immediately ran to his side for the reading of his will and there found out he's been living off of whatever settlement Martin gave him. I think she followed the money. (She had probably been expecting to inherit whatever her husband left and was shocked to find it zero).
I also think it was her plan to be a wedge between LG and DM. He has a family to support and can't be spending money on his alienated (and alienating) mother. However, a divorced son with a clear child-support payment can easily spend the rest of his money on his only remaining family, aka mummie dearest. Hence the grin from the window as Louisa'a taxi drives down the hill. (BTW, the way she stood there grinning reminded me of Mrs. Danvers in a movie production of Rebecca...just as creepy.) I think taking the clock was her way of getting her inheritance - I came back to England for my share of Christopher's property and if this is it, then I'm at least taking this much.
I think we've milked the Ellinghams enough - they were awful, selfish people who only see people as steps to their own desires. The relationships I would be curious about now are LG's parents. Eleanor, as annoying as she was, seemed to have soften a bit on Martin before she left. She even seems to have invited them down as a family. I also wonder how Terry would react to Louisa having a family now. Also, I imagine they once loved each other, since they were able to clearly love their daughter, but couldn't live together which would be more interesting to look at in terms of our story. (Although if I had to place my bet, DM and LG stay together. Those franchise fees pay for a lot of horse feed and I can't image the Germans, Brazilians, etc will want to keep forking over money for scripts if they end up splitting.)
I love your comments about Margaret wanting to drive a wedge between Martin and Louisa. So much of her behavior points to that. I'm sure that was her plan as soon as she realized they were married. I also like your theory about Margaret and Christopher's relationship and the will. That is very plausible to me.
I also think we won't see Margaret in series 7. She is gone and that story is done. It might be interesting to see Louisa's parents, although I don't want them to come back for more than one episode. It would be a distraction from the story if they are there for very long. I want the story to be squarely on Louisa and Martin along with the disease of the week. Other stories will be Al and Morwenna, and Bert and Jenny will have some story lines as well. I do not think Mrs Tischell will come back. I think it was a mistake to bring her back in series 6.
I, too, believe that Martin and Louisa will remain together. I think they will be together for the whole of series 7. The final scene showed me that they are both on the same page in terms of their relationship. Series 7 will show us the ups and downs of them trying to make it work. It will be two steps forward and one step back. Slow progress, but progress nonetheless.The will they - won't they is finally over. They will.
He is wrapped in a blue blanket for most of the funeral, but he does have it on when they move into the surgery. Thank you for pointing that out, it has bugged me for quite a while.
Did anyone hear, or take part in an Acorn Q and A with Ian McNeice and Joe Absolom? I tried to find it at the correct time and emailed them...they said it was at 3pm. I had emailed them at what would have been 3:15 pm with the time correction. Did this just "go away?"
I did. Due to the time difference, I got on at 12 noon west coast time, and asked a question and got it answered by Joe. Doing it through FB was a bit hectic as everyone could ask questions faster than they could answer. I finally asked a second question, but it was over in 30 minutes, so it didn't get answered. Was fun anyhow.
I loved the ending of this series. It was definitely a new direction for BP. I almost feel like the creative team is hitting their stride. Not to carry the maturity theme too far, but I feel the production values in series 6 are more sophisticated than in previous years. The style of the writing is more consistent as is the directing. It is more cohesive. I thought as I watched it from week to week that the program itself is more mature. It focuses on its intent and is clearer about the story it wants to tell. Each episode builds on the previous ones more than it did in some of the earlier series. I thought S2 and S3 did it well, but now I feel S6 has done it the best of all of them.
For a season which many of us disliked and found major flaws with, your over the top praise of the entirety of it is a bit surprising. At least, it makes me wonder, honestly, how many would wholly agree with your laudatory pronouncements.
I mean, LOL! It really sounds like you're on the Buffalo Productions PR/Marketing payroll.
For a season which many of us disliked and found major flaws with, your over the top praise of the entirety of it is a bit surprising. At least, it makes me wonder, honestly, how many would wholly agree with your laudatory pronouncements.
I mean, LOL! It really sounds like you're on the Buffalo Productions PR/Marketing payroll.
In viewing the series as a whole again, I'm good with it, too. It isn't perfect, but neither have any of the others been in my eyes. But it is so much better than anything I could have dreamed of and it entertained me, and still allowed me to think analytically and be fascinated at how they do it.
Dcdmfan, pick up my check for me while you're at it!
For a season which many of us disliked and found major flaws with, your over the top praise of the entirety of it is a bit surprising. At least, it makes me wonder, honestly, how many would wholly agree with your laudatory pronouncements.
I mean, LOL! It really sounds like you're on the Buffalo Productions PR/Marketing payroll.
Well, I for one am really enjoying series 6 - I am 2/3s of the way through on Acorn. This is the first time I've watched on a lap top, up close and personal - i wonder if this colors the experience.
Do I care about the characters of Portwenn - yes I do
Do I care about ME and LE s little family - yes I do
Do I watch each episode several times - yes I do
Do I think about families, change, happiness, can one really live without sex - yes I do
I love the discussion on this forum - the good, bad and the cranky - everyone cares about this show
In viewing the series as a whole again, I'm good with it, too. It isn't perfect, but neither have any of the others been in my eyes. But it is so much better than anything I could have dreamed of and it entertained me, and still allowed me to think analytically and be fascinated at how they do it.
Dcdmfan, pick up my check for me while you're at it!
I did a rewatch of S6 and found after all the hysteria died down and getting used to the way Martin looked, the shows, as a series and continuing piece of work held together much better than I thought it did at first. And I loved it at first so I like it more now.
Oh yeah, Dcdmfan, could you pick up my check too? There actually may be two.
I did a rewatch of S6 and found after all the hysteria died down and getting used to the way Martin looked, the shows, as a series and continuing piece of work held together much better than I thought it did at first. And I loved it at first so I like it more now.
Oh yeah, Dcdmfan, could you pick up my check too? There actually may be two.
I'm actually quite sorry to say that I won't be re-watching any of it. I really did not like the plot line, and I will try and probably fail, to avoid watching S7, at least until I hear from reliable sources that all is once again well (enough) in the Ellingham household.
I'm actually quite sorry to say that I won't be re-watching any of it. I really did not like the plot line, and I will try and probably fail, to avoid watching S7, at least until I hear from reliable sources that all is once again well (enough) in the Ellingham household.
New Park. Please tell us more. You have always been a good observer and analyst of the show. I am still grappling with my feelings about S6 and your insight would help. Thank you
For a season which many of us disliked and found major flaws with, your over the top praise of the entirety of it is a bit surprising. At least, it makes me wonder, honestly, how many would wholly agree with your laudatory pronouncements.
I mean, LOL! It really sounds like you're on the Buffalo Productions PR/Marketing payroll.
And good morning to you, too.
Your comment reminds me of the Eminem song "Without Me". The refrain goes "Now this looks like a job for me so everybody just follow me, cuz we need a little controversy, cuz it feels so empty without me."
Bodmin, may I ask you to explain "martial home"? I know what "martial" means, but I do not understand the term "martial home" as you have used it here.
New Park. Please tell us more. You have always been a good observer and analyst of the show. I am still grappling with my feelings about S6 and your insight would help. Thank you
I think my feelings about this won't be very edifying -- in fact, I think they're quite childish.
From the moment I read MC's off-hand remark that, since they had a child together, DM and LE would have a relationship, even if they weren't a couple, I started dreading what I was pretty sure was going to happen, in S6. That is, a long down-hill slide into pain and misery for both, followed by a two year waiting period to see how and if they resolved things so that they were once more a couple.
I think the odds are that they will resolve things mostly positively, basically for the reason that it just would not be a good business decision to do otherwise. And also, I strongly feel that it would make nonsense of all that has gone before. But I think a part of MC flirts with the idea of proving once and for all that this is not a "cosy" show, and choosing the edgy, painful ending over the comforting one. I can imagine that the way this tension might be resolved is to end S7 on a hopeful, but still somewhat ambiguous, note. So I don't entirely trust BP in this respect.
I know that, with some lapses,it was artistically done, and beautifully acted. Also, I do think DM's downhill path, and LE's inability to understand or deal with what was happening, are quite plausible really, given their general levels of emotional maturity and dysfunction. And a friend has just emailed me with a comment very similar to the one that triggered my post == that when she watched the series originally, episode by episode, she was still seeing it through the veil of all the pleasant scenarios her imagination had built up over the last couple of years, and on first watching, was disappointed. But then, watching it as one piece and knowing the ending, she liked it much better. She also believes, though, that the ending strongly points to a positive resolution in S7. And I understand that point and am glad that is the case for some people.
Still, all that being said, I guess I just feel that there are a number of alternate Portwenn universes, in which different and less painful, but still entertaining, scenarios might have played out. Did they really have to go right to the one that would inflict maximum pain to their characters and viewers (well, OK, they didn't kill Louisa off, as some feared). I feel that it was more than a little manipulative, but then, I also understand that's the name of the game in good drama -- to hook people and keep them dangling as long as possible!
I don't even want to think about what weakness in me that it reveals, but I get way too caught up in this narrative, and probably have way too much sympathy for each of them, and so I just found it very, very painful to watch, and I'm not sure I want to put myself through that again, at least without being convinced that ultimately, they will come through this in a stronger and better relationship.
It used to be, maybe still is, that in the U.S. "two weeks" was not uncommon for a honeymoon period for a newly married couple. (That was when people were marrying in a traditional way, I guess.)
Is it that way in England? Because I am thinking now of that "two week anniversary" moment in E2, when DM is working on his clock instead of attending to his bride.
I think that was the writer's way of saying to us, OK, the honeymoon is over. Now we get down to business.
It used to be, maybe still is, that in the U.S. "two weeks" was not uncommon for a honeymoon period for a newly married couple. (That was when people were marrying in a traditional way, I guess.)
Is it that way in England? Because I am thinking now of that "two week anniversary" moment in E2, when DM is working on his clock instead of attending to his bride.
I think that was the writer's way of saying to us, OK, the honeymoon is over. Now we get down to business.
I don't think the honeymoon ever started. DM wanted to go back to his surgery after the reception until Bert arranged for the married couple to spend an overnight at the lodge. As soon as DM started the fire in the fireplace and they both ran out for some fresh air, that was the end of the honeymoon!!
On your previous post, you mentioned about S6. Well, I liked S6 in its mature writing, the different feel to it, deeper thought about each episode (apart from the one with Penhale, which I think we agreed he stepped in to draw it out when MC was recovering). I am convinced one thing this series is NOT going to give us is contentment of DM-LE relationship. Yet, despite this, I feel their relationship is stronger and more loving--does that make sense? I suspect most of us are looking forward to S7 and where it takes us. I think alot of the appeal of this series is MC the actor, his outdoor image as a real person, and who he is in this role. Also, I like the fact that he gives his wife Philippa alot of credit on a number of ocassions for her smarts and getting him interested in the world of horses and how he can unwind with them.
Comments
Makes me wonder if it isn't CC that doesn't want to stay with the show. She's such a mystery, you just don't see a whole lot of her on the talk show circuit and even then, she doesn't say much. Seems to have enough other work on her plate too. Even MC doesn't talk much about her. I can't see MC paired with anyone else on DM if CC were to leave the show. Seeing what happened in S4 w/E was more of a turn-off than a turn-on. Good thing L reappeared in S4E2 but for a while I thought she was gone for good.
Thank you for your work and dedication to this site. It will be fun to see where it goes in the future.
I never thought that. I think she chooses to let MC be the spokesperson. If you see S5 series on dvd, at the end there are several interviews with some of the supporting actors, CC being one of them. She remarked that she is given a lot of imput in her thoughts and ideas about how LE should be played; MC's interview gave high phrase for her role in this series, too.
Hi everyone! I'm a newbie, having just discovered this forum and am enjoying everyone's comments and POV - so many are like my own!
ShopGirl: Over the past day or so I've been checking out your new site, and it's awesome! A big THANK YOU to you (and Connie) - such a lot of work you've put into it. Checking out all those links will certainly keep me busy during our long cold Minnesota days/weeks. And I absolutely can't wait for S7
I agree that Christopher probably has died (it would be too easy to confirm if he wasn't). However, I doubt that they got back together before his death. i think Margaret was told of his death as they were probably still married, if living apart, or was still listed as his next-of-kin. She immediately ran to his side for the reading of his will and there found out he's been living off of whatever settlement Martin gave him. I think she followed the money. (She had probably been expecting to inherit whatever her husband left and was shocked to find it zero).
I also think it was her plan to be a wedge between LG and DM. He has a family to support and can't be spending money on his alienated (and alienating) mother. However, a divorced son with a clear child-support payment can easily spend the rest of his money on his only remaining family, aka mummie dearest. Hence the grin from the window as Louisa'a taxi drives down the hill. (BTW, the way she stood there grinning reminded me of Mrs. Danvers in a movie production of Rebecca...just as creepy.) I think taking the clock was her way of getting her inheritance - I came back to England for my share of Christopher's property and if this is it, then I'm at least taking this much.
I think we've milked the Ellinghams enough - they were awful, selfish people who only see people as steps to their own desires. The relationships I would be curious about now are LG's parents. Eleanor, as annoying as she was, seemed to have soften a bit on Martin before she left. She even seems to have invited them down as a family. I also wonder how Terry would react to Louisa having a family now. Also, I imagine they once loved each other, since they were able to clearly love their daughter, but couldn't live together which would be more interesting to look at in terms of our story. (Although if I had to place my bet, DM and LG stay together. Those franchise fees pay for a lot of horse feed and I can't image the Germans, Brazilians, etc will want to keep forking over money for scripts if they end up splitting.)
I think he wears it to Joan's funeral, no?
Welcome..Igike...it is fun to find people who think like you do...I started watching all of Doc Martin because of my drop dead serious crush on Martin Clunes...which still is in high gear...what is it about this man?....but the more you watch the more you start picking up subtleties and clues and connections in the story. The writers and production people put out a product that is far more intelligent than what is usually made in the US...welcome welcome
I love your comments about Margaret wanting to drive a wedge between Martin and Louisa. So much of her behavior points to that. I'm sure that was her plan as soon as she realized they were married. I also like your theory about Margaret and Christopher's relationship and the will. That is very plausible to me.
I also think we won't see Margaret in series 7. She is gone and that story is done. It might be interesting to see Louisa's parents, although I don't want them to come back for more than one episode. It would be a distraction from the story if they are there for very long. I want the story to be squarely on Louisa and Martin along with the disease of the week. Other stories will be Al and Morwenna, and Bert and Jenny will have some story lines as well. I do not think Mrs Tischell will come back. I think it was a mistake to bring her back in series 6.
I, too, believe that Martin and Louisa will remain together. I think they will be together for the whole of series 7. The final scene showed me that they are both on the same page in terms of their relationship. Series 7 will show us the ups and downs of them trying to make it work. It will be two steps forward and one step back. Slow progress, but progress nonetheless.The will they - won't they is finally over. They will.
He is wrapped in a blue blanket for most of the funeral, but he does have it on when they move into the surgery. Thank you for pointing that out, it has bugged me for quite a while.
I did. Due to the time difference, I got on at 12 noon west coast time, and asked a question and got it answered by Joe. Doing it through FB was a bit hectic as everyone could ask questions faster than they could answer. I finally asked a second question, but it was over in 30 minutes, so it didn't get answered. Was fun anyhow.
For a season which many of us disliked and found major flaws with, your over the top praise of the entirety of it is a bit surprising. At least, it makes me wonder, honestly, how many would wholly agree with your laudatory pronouncements.
I mean, LOL! It really sounds like you're on the Buffalo Productions PR/Marketing payroll.
In viewing the series as a whole again, I'm good with it, too. It isn't perfect, but neither have any of the others been in my eyes. But it is so much better than anything I could have dreamed of and it entertained me, and still allowed me to think analytically and be fascinated at how they do it.
Dcdmfan, pick up my check for me while you're at it!
Well, I for one am really enjoying series 6 - I am 2/3s of the way through on Acorn. This is the first time I've watched on a lap top, up close and personal - i wonder if this colors the experience.
Do I care about the characters of Portwenn - yes I do
Do I care about ME and LE s little family - yes I do
Do I watch each episode several times - yes I do
Do I think about families, change, happiness, can one really live without sex - yes I do
I love the discussion on this forum - the good, bad and the cranky - everyone cares about this show
I did a rewatch of S6 and found after all the hysteria died down and getting used to the way Martin looked, the shows, as a series and continuing piece of work held together much better than I thought it did at first. And I loved it at first so I like it more now.
Oh yeah, Dcdmfan, could you pick up my check too? There actually may be two.
I'm actually quite sorry to say that I won't be re-watching any of it. I really did not like the plot line, and I will try and probably fail, to avoid watching S7, at least until I hear from reliable sources that all is once again well (enough) in the Ellingham household.
New Park. Please tell us more. You have always been a good observer and analyst of the show. I am still grappling with my feelings about S6 and your insight would help. Thank you
And good morning to you, too.
Your comment reminds me of the Eminem song "Without Me". The refrain goes "Now this looks like a job for me so everybody just follow me, cuz we need a little controversy, cuz it feels so empty without me."
You sound tan, rested, and ready. Welcome back.
Sorry, late reply. I meant marital. Just a typo.
I think my feelings about this won't be very edifying -- in fact, I think they're quite childish.
From the moment I read MC's off-hand remark that, since they had a child together, DM and LE would have a relationship, even if they weren't a couple, I started dreading what I was pretty sure was going to happen, in S6. That is, a long down-hill slide into pain and misery for both, followed by a two year waiting period to see how and if they resolved things so that they were once more a couple.
I think the odds are that they will resolve things mostly positively, basically for the reason that it just would not be a good business decision to do otherwise. And also, I strongly feel that it would make nonsense of all that has gone before. But I think a part of MC flirts with the idea of proving once and for all that this is not a "cosy" show, and choosing the edgy, painful ending over the comforting one. I can imagine that the way this tension might be resolved is to end S7 on a hopeful, but still somewhat ambiguous, note. So I don't entirely trust BP in this respect.
I know that, with some lapses,it was artistically done, and beautifully acted. Also, I do think DM's downhill path, and LE's inability to understand or deal with what was happening, are quite plausible really, given their general levels of emotional maturity and dysfunction. And a friend has just emailed me with a comment very similar to the one that triggered my post == that when she watched the series originally, episode by episode, she was still seeing it through the veil of all the pleasant scenarios her imagination had built up over the last couple of years, and on first watching, was disappointed. But then, watching it as one piece and knowing the ending, she liked it much better. She also believes, though, that the ending strongly points to a positive resolution in S7. And I understand that point and am glad that is the case for some people.
Still, all that being said, I guess I just feel that there are a number of alternate Portwenn universes, in which different and less painful, but still entertaining, scenarios might have played out. Did they really have to go right to the one that would inflict maximum pain to their characters and viewers (well, OK, they didn't kill Louisa off, as some feared). I feel that it was more than a little manipulative, but then, I also understand that's the name of the game in good drama -- to hook people and keep them dangling as long as possible!
I don't even want to think about what weakness in me that it reveals, but I get way too caught up in this narrative, and probably have way too much sympathy for each of them, and so I just found it very, very painful to watch, and I'm not sure I want to put myself through that again, at least without being convinced that ultimately, they will come through this in a stronger and better relationship.
Is it that way in England? Because I am thinking now of that "two week anniversary" moment in E2, when DM is working on his clock instead of attending to his bride.
I think that was the writer's way of saying to us, OK, the honeymoon is over. Now we get down to business.
I don't think the honeymoon ever started. DM wanted to go back to his surgery after the reception until Bert arranged for the married couple to spend an overnight at the lodge. As soon as DM started the fire in the fireplace and they both ran out for some fresh air, that was the end of the honeymoon!!
On your previous post, you mentioned about S6. Well, I liked S6 in its mature writing, the different feel to it, deeper thought about each episode (apart from the one with Penhale, which I think we agreed he stepped in to draw it out when MC was recovering). I am convinced one thing this series is NOT going to give us is contentment of DM-LE relationship. Yet, despite this, I feel their relationship is stronger and more loving--does that make sense? I suspect most of us are looking forward to S7 and where it takes us. I think alot of the appeal of this series is MC the actor, his outdoor image as a real person, and who he is in this role. Also, I like the fact that he gives his wife Philippa alot of credit on a number of ocassions for her smarts and getting him interested in the world of horses and how he can unwind with them.