[Glomper]

Did anyone else notice the (false) clock tower wobble as Doc Martin was on the roof talking down the caretaker, several times, just a little, as he leant against it, but enough to notice ?

[Glomper]

Originally Posted by matchmaker

I've just Googled Images for Julie Graham.

She has been a very naughty girl on screen

She is, and always has been sex on legs, gorgeous.

[cc.cookie]

Originally Posted by mmDerdekea

Hello, all,

I agree with others that Louisa is a big problem in their relationship, as well. Frankly, Louisa is very self-centered, also has no sense of humor, is ridiculously weak-spined (S3E3-letting her annoying neighbors ruin her evening with Martin), and at times viciously nasty (sharing DM blood phobia to Mark Mylow's sister, S2E3).

Mona

Hi Mona,

Don't forget poor LG was smarting after being rudely insulted by DM about her bad breath - that's why she went to Mark Mylow's sister in the first place.

[simplyred]

Originally Posted by mmDerdekea

Hello, all,Just found this Forum and am enjoying it immensely. I discovered Doc Martin several months ago and am a addict.
This is a complicated show about complicated characters. Yes, Doc Martin had a horrific childhood and overcame it as much as possible by becoming an extraordinary physician, and also a clock fixer. As a physician myself, I want to let folks know that being a surgeon with a "Midas touch" AND being an amazing GP and diagnostician AND knowing emergency medicine is incredibly rare in medicine, almost non-existent. So, we have to realize that DM has achieved a pinnacle that he uses as the foundation of his self-awareness and worth. The previous comments here have been wonderfully astute--his blood phobia was clearly associated with seeing his female patient as a human being surrounded by people who loved her dearly, and not related just to blood. I agree ME was an extremely sensitive boy who craved love and affection, and only received that from AJ, while his other relatives continually abused him, emotionally damaging him severely. That brings out the sympathies of any caring viewer! He is an introvert, does not have social skills, has no sense of humor. One concern I have is that MC continually calls DM "vile", and DM is not a vile man. Yes, grumpy and rude, but also very caring. He so far has excelled as a father--he earns the money they live on, runs around buying groceries and baby products, changes diapers and clothes, lets Louisa take breaks from mothering to sleep and go out with a friend, is kind and gentle to the child, cooking meals for Louisa, doing much cleaning up....do all our male partners do all that in real life? He is an active father regularly helping out. Yes, he has alpha male tendencies, as medical folks can, and is a bit of a control freak, as medical docs can be. He makes decisions behind Louisa's back, such as painting his apartment (which is really no big deal as you can always repaint), registering the child's name (as Louisa would like it to be), and organizing the baby christening (with everything else he is doing, such as running a practice, and which Louisa apparently was not doing herself; and he checked her diary to ensure it was a good day for her). He is not really being that awful and certainly not "vile". Some snide comments are unhelpful (Louisa losing weight), indeed! I agree with others that Louisa is a big problem in their relationship, as well. Frankly, Louisa is very self-centered, also has no sense of humor, is ridiculously weak-spined (S3E3-letting her annoying neighbors ruin her evening with Martin), and at times viciously nasty (sharing DM blood phobia to Mark Mylow's sister, S2E3). She takes nearly everything the wrong way and has as equal an incapacity to share and communicate important things in a healthy way as DM. But, on the other hand she is a romantic and can risk being open and DM tends to shut that down immediately, a la Erotomania. So, yeah, two dysfunctional people naturally make a dysfunctional relationship. I like Ruth more than Joan as it's nice to see one well-adjusted person in Portwenn. AJ was a tempestuous woman, who spent her life in love with one man while living with another (a la Mrs. Tishell). She made hurtful statements to DM many times, reminding him of wetting his pants and such; that's just mean. No wonder she had hypertension and passed away from a heart attack. I like Ruth and her calm, psychological mind. Oddly, there are very few happy, healthy families in the village, so maybe DM and LG fit right in. The baker and dry cleaner went through nasty divorces, PC Penhale went through one he did not want, the woman with five kids has a husband who left her, Wallace and Paddy's mom left their home and their dad dresses as her. AJ was adulterous, as was the woman in the Going Bodmin first episode, as perhaps was Bert's wife. The two strange sisters (one a "spooky old bat") had an unhappy love triangle and wound up spinsters. We see several dysfunctional households, including the bickering parents of the son left in AJ chicken coop, and the arsenic poisoning mother/son. Of loving relationships we have a blind and paralyzed elderly couple, a fisherman and his wife engaging in sadomasochism, a methanol poisoned taxi driver/wife, and a new Age couple whose child is experiencing a "disastrous upbringing". When we consider the village, perhaps DM is not that outrageously bizarre a character.
As for the last two episodes, given some foreshadowing which the show always loves to do, with DM dreaming of his unhappy past and finding those unsmiling photos of him, perhaps he will strive to change; as I hope Louisa can do as well. We saw in S4E8 he mentioned he could learn to hold a baby, and right away in S5E1 he is holding the child in the hospital room effortlessly. All in all, I just want that "happy ending"! ;-)Mona

Welcome to the thread Mona Great post

[simplyred]

Originally Posted by Glomper

Did anyone else notice the (false) clock tower wobble as Doc Martin was on the roof talking down the caretaker, several times, just a little, as he leant against it, but enough to notice ?

Yes -

[madmother]

Welcome to the forum, Mona.

[madmother]

I think it's easy to forget that LG had a horrible childhood too. Her mother abandoned her which is not an easy thing to get over and her father is addicted to gambling so was probably neglectful too. And then her father abandoned her too. So, she has emotional issues too, particularly trust issues and I think she finds it hard to believe that anyone will love her enough to stay with her. That's why she didn't try to convince DM to stay with her in S4 - everyone leaves her so it was to be expected.
I do find it odd that the teacher inside her hasn't reacted more strongly to the fact that DM was abused as a child but she may find it too upsetting to think about.
I think that DM has been completely hopeless and LG's reactions have been fairly normal exccept that she should have found a way to say to him, 'Do this, not that', by now.

[Hod]

A couple of promotional photos for Episode 7 of Bert and Al have been added to the blog (not very exciting sorry) - docmartinseries5.blogspot.com

The latest episode was a cracker. Things needed to come to a head. Two episodes to go - they can't possibly wrap this up in a happy little package in time!

[simplyred]

Originally Posted by Hod

A couple of promotional photos for Episode 7 of Bert and Al have been added to the blog (not very exciting sorry) - docmartinseries5.blogspot.comThe latest episode was a cracker. Things needed to come to a head. Two episodes to go - they can't possibly wrap this up in a happy little package in time!

Thanks Hod. It was agood ep wasn't it? It left me with the same sinking feeling as THAT ep

[penny1234]

Im wondering if we have carried away with the romance thing, I know we are meant to think they are in love but we havent had much concrete evidence, one kiss since the end of season 3(it was a good one, end of season 4) just hope they can make it up because if you were a casual viewer you might conclude that their really wasnt any romance.!!Im hoping for a spectacular end, followed by season6

[simplyred]

Originally Posted by penny1234

Im wondering if we have carried away with the romance thing, I know we are meant to think they are in love but we havent had much concrete evidence, one kiss since the end of season 3(it was a good one, end of season 4) just hope they can make it up because if you were a casual viewer you might conclude that their really wasnt any romance.!!Im hoping for a spectacular end, followed by season6

hmm....and I'm wondering if the Doc may be right and Miss Glasson just isn't the type of woman who can cope with a baby and a high pressure job She does seem to be fairly chaotic after all. I would have been delighted if I'd come home from work to find that my husband had prepared the dinner

[cc.cookie]

Originally Posted by simplyred

hmm....and I'm wondering if the Doc may be right and Miss Glasson just isn't the type of woman who can cope with a baby and a high pressure job She does seem to be fairly chaotic after all. I would have been delighted if I'd come home from work to find that my husband had prepared the dinner

It seems to me that it is always the most on top of it all career women that fall in the biggest heap after the baby is born. This could be it with LG combined with the fact that she's been labeled as hopeless by MrsT for not having nappies, AR for not having back up babysitter, DM for being fat, her mother for acting like a teenager and again her mother for not choosing the right man. Poor thing isnt having an easy time despite all the help she's getting from DM.

[dcdmfan]

I realize in the real world that he could possibly get over his blood phobia. But that is one of the primary reasons for the show. I miss it. I think it is a big mistake for them to have him get over it. It is very confusing to me when he doesn't react to the blood. I always admired him for getting through in spite of even when he was an ass in other ways. I wish BP would address the reasons he is over the blood. He is uppity about it, all the more reason I want to see him react. He threw up when his son was born.

[bob up and down]

Blimey you lot - this isn't a TV review thread it has turned into a psychologists debate and discussion forum!

[cc.cookie]

Originally Posted by dcdmfan

I realize in the real world that he could possibly get over his blood phobia. But that is one of the primary reasons for the show. I miss it. I think it is a big mistake for them to have him get over it. It is very confusing to me when he doesn't react to the blood. I always admired him for getting through in spite of even when he was an ass in other ways. I wish BP would address the reasons he is over the blood. He is uppity about it, all the more reason I want to see him react. He threw up when his son was born.

Just watched an interview with MC (you tube) before s4 and MC said that phobias can be overcome. Apparently according to MC the focus of s4 was to get him cured of the phobia. It would be pretty strange if he hadn't got over his phobia and still wanted to moveto London.

[CopperHill]

Originally Posted by mmDerdekea

For me, it was kind of mean-spirited gossip to share with the alternative practitioner in the first place, I thought. And, she must have known DM heard her; we could see by his face how upset he was hearing LG laugh at him. Later, in the bar, in public, she also is fairly mean again mentioning his problem with what seemed to be a caustic tone in her voice. It seems unjustified she throwing his phobia in his face, given that she was right there seeing DM overcome it to save Peter Cronk's life. We also know that LG is fairly conscientious herself of being in public and talking about personal problems, so it all took me by surprise to hear her being insensitive in that regard. I hope that is clearer and not so harshly written as earlier. Again, sorry about that!

Mona

Good points all, and no apologies needed.

Although I miss the blood phobia, that is a hopeful point that perhaps they are using it to show us that DM can change. Maybe it will come back if he starts to open up more emotionally which would definitely take him out of his comfort/control zone.

[dcdmfan]

Louisa says that he isn't going to change. What does she say about herself? That must be significant. Can someone post her lines in that bit? I am getting hopeful (very rare occurrence for me, btw) that we will see Louisa reflecting on her situation. They only need a short scene to show this.

[dcdmfan]

Originally Posted by CopperHill

Good points all, and no apologies needed.

Although I miss the blood phobia, that is a hopeful point that perhaps they are using it to show us that DM can change. Maybe it will come back if he starts to open up more emotionally which would definitely take him out of his comfort/control zone.

Right. I guess we're not going to see it until S6. It's obviously a very specific decision on BP's part to have him get over it for now. I am impressed at how he has bonded with his little buddy James. You can tell he is enjoying feeling something new in his love for his son and he wants more of it. Good acting, as usual.

[NewPark]

Originally Posted by dcdmfan

Louisa says that he isn't going to change. What does she say about herself? That must be significant. Can someone post her lines in that bit? I am getting hopeful (very rare occurrence for me, btw) that we will see Louisa reflecting on her situation. They only need a short scene to show this.

"This is how it's always going to be, isn't it. You being you and me being... ..you know."

[simplyred]

Originally Posted by bob up and down

Blimey you lot - this isn't a TV review thread it has turned into a psychologists debate and discussion forum!

LOL It's because it's that sort of show

[dcdmfan]

Originally Posted by madmother

I think it's easy to forget that LG had a horrible childhood too. Her mother abandoned her which is not an easy thing to get over and her father is addicted to gambling so was probably neglectful too. And then her father abandoned her too. So, she has emotional issues too, particularly trust issues and I think she finds it hard to believe that anyone will love her enough to stay with her. That's why she didn't try to convince DM to stay with her in S4 - everyone leaves her so it was to be expected.
I do find it odd that the teacher inside her hasn't reacted more strongly to the fact that DM was abused as a child but she may find it too upsetting to think about.
I think that DM has been completely hopeless and LG's reactions have been fairly normal exccept that she should have found a way to say to him, 'Do this, not that', by now.

She seems to be sad for him in the shed and then she mentioned that he was never smiling in the other photos to Ruth. That may be all we get about it this season, but it was something in an otherwise crowded field of scenes to get through. It would be good if she could learn to just be matter of fact with him rather than getting upset at him. It is kind of getting tiresome and I hope BP recognizes that.

[Piper E]

Originally Posted by ReneeBird

It is common to say "oy" in Cornwall? I was watching "case discoveries" the other night with Jason Isaacs (love him! Draco Malfoy's father). And heard him say, "oy" too. But, I don't know where he was supposed to be from.

"Oi" Is quite common around anywhere in the UK really, as a way of angrily getting one's attention, or I've heard it used in an "Oi oi" context which either means "She's attractive" Or "Go on then!!" in a rugby lad kind of way. It's most commonly used I suppose with lower middle classes and working classes. So it's pretty common everywhere really.

[kernow19]

Originally Posted by bob up and down

Blimey you lot - this isn't a TV review thread it has turned into a psychologists debate and discussion forum!

Just do like I do Bob, scroll quickly through those bits and concentrate on the posts that really matter - like the wobbly scenery.

[kernow19]

Originally Posted by Piper E

"Oi" Is quite common around anywhere in the UK really, as a way of angrily getting one's attention, or I've heard it used in an "Oi oi" context which either means "She's attractive" Or "Go on then!!" in a rugby lad kind of way. It's most commonly used I suppose with lower middle classes and working classes. So it's pretty common everywhere really.

There is also a very well known chant at Cornish rugby matches that goes:-

"Oggy, Oggy, Oggy Oi! Oi! Oi!"

[Paperchase]

Originally Posted by bob up and down

Blimey you lot - this isn't a TV review thread it has turned into a psychologists debate and discussion forum!

Guilty as charged. It helps us to understand behaviours if motivations are understood and behind that is intent ( or past patterns!)
The questions have all evolved about CHANGE.
How does a person change past habits? The challenge is all about pain, it is never about the carrot.
With DM we have witnessed change. Of course he is not going to change that exterior personna he puts on for his patients/public. That has taken years for him to develop. The ''Papa doc" character, blossomed before our eyes. From the guy who could barely hold the baby, to now the efficient dad who feels quite good at clothing, outing, changing and starting to have a relationship with his son.

In doc's mind, pain would be separation from JH, but now we see that separating from LG has created and will always create pain.

Where is LG's pain?
We talked about LG's abandonment issues. In her mind, she still feels her mother abandoned her because she was unlovable. Everytime she walked into a classroom, she had 14-16 adoring children( depending on the age) giving her the love she missed as a child. When LG birthed JH, she realized she was capable of giving and receiving great love. The love missing when she was a child. In LG's mind, pain is separating from JH. This why going to school has created angst. Her career is not her top priority because she feels more love in one minute with JH than she does with any of her students/colleagues. She was totally unprepared for this.

Having her mother around, LG has regressed into adolescence: being unappreciative (the dinner), picking fights (at the dinner table), contrariness, inattentively listening (DM explains about checking calendars) and storming out( to mother's). These are not the behaviours of a rational adult.
She is living the adolescence she never had. Most women after the birth of their babies, will rebond with their mothers. EG's not the best role model: "shady" "cigarette" "narcissistic" "alcohol to baby" but LG is willing to live with these faults knowing that her mother has returned and "will take care of her."

What will make LG change?
Obviously, if something happened to JH. She will discover her career never gave her the love she so badly sought.
EG will never be the mother LG wanted her to be. Once LG sees this, she'll realize the empty space she has created within her own life. This will be cause of deep pain.