Thanks....
I agree, it has helped him but he did sound frustrated with Ruth the day of the party. This was after the dinner (?) so he may have second thoughts how that played out. MnL's interactions have improved but I am still hoping for one uninterrupted conversation where they really open up, etc.

Yes, I appreciate his openess with Ruth and his concern for her and he had the a similar relationship with AJ. It is puzzling that he is able to foster a seemingly normal relationship with the aunts; confide in them, express himself, and even show affection. Why then is so difficult for him to relate to Louisa in this way. He keeps her at arms length physcially and emotionally. It is a mystery.

Btw: I don't believe Martin was trying to curry favor but it could explain Louisa's reaction. Imo, Louisa has never felt that Martin respected her or her career choices. We probably will not hear anything in that regard, either.

Wow, Blood, I also noticed that hint of discomfort on Dr. T's part when Martin showed her the article. That was brilliant, subtle acting on the actresses part if it was intentional. In order to disarm the awkwardness she decided to acquiesce and accept Martin's recommendation of the article. It was actually a bit of naïveté on Martin's part, not recognizing therapist/ client boundaries. But then Martin isn't good with the subtleties of etiquette. She did the best thing by sealing the issue. Great pick up...I noticed it but couldn't put it in words. However, Martin just thought it was professional interaction...not flirtatious or to make Louisa jealous. Just Martin.

I can see where this may be your perception, Sarah, but it seems to me that Dr. T has made a preliminary diagnosis and just is following her therapeutic instincts. When she has asked Martin a question..."What is it you want from this relationship?" Martin's answer is pure Martin..."to be with Louisa...I miss her." End of questioning...what else can be pursued. Louisa, however, is very evasive and requires more cajoling and feinting back and forth. This may appear to be bothering Louisa and favoring Martin, but it is just what is necessary to attempt to get to the truth...and, I must add, I'm not sure she has reached it at all. Hence, the suggestion of splitting up at the next visit. She wasn't good enough to crack Louisa's nut. I feel it's a reflection of the labor it takes to attempt to get the truth out of either of them, not flogging Louisa, because her truth is still hidden.

Re. The journal article. I believe it was total sexual jealousy on Louisa's part. Martin was offering a sharing of a professional journal, which in its way was not appropriate. In fact, I think it may have been an attempt to preserve some professional status on his part, but Louisa didn't like seeing him administering to any other woman. It will be interesting to see what the writers decide to do. After all...it is their story...and we are all the recipients. I can't wait for Monday.

Just a thought (as someone who is looking forward to an "end")

Louisa finally breaks down and says something to Martin as the party abruptly ends and
for those of us that are waiting to "hear" something from Louisa (what does she want, etc), we should pay close attention to what she says in that moment. It cues something deeper, an intensified pain or struggle within the relationship that she is battling. Its been discussed here in some manner (NewPark) but I don't think we know the breadth of it. I think the toll of this relationship on her (and him) is something I haven't fully appreciated. I don't know just what the "end" will be but I think I have a better sense of it now.

It also makes me question if there will be a Series8 and how the show will proceed. (a different show, different cast, different location?)

Hey, Mofromco! Obviously, I didn't put you on any "ignore" list. You're just too entertaining to ignore
I'll get back to this (maybe) - I'm good with your take on it. (did I just say that)

So, they "split" the therapy. Do you mean they each have time with her this next eppy? I'm reading quickly as I'm off to work...later.

Yes, the stress of her internal conflict, is really weighing on her. She's been struggling against a reconciliation until he becomes less difficult. But she is deeply drawn to him, and she's trying to withstand that pull (and him) but it's taken a lot out of her. I now think that she's focused on the blood phobia, not because it's so problematic per se, but if that's resolved, she can have more confidence that Martin has really changed.

I'm pretty sure this will be resolved in E8 and in S8, it will be time for something new.

I'm not aware there is an "ignore" list, but good try. Lol

Maybe I missed the discussion about this, but according to Wikipedia, Richard Stoneman has written E7 and Jack Lothian has written E8.

After feeling disappointed with the dragging-of-feet pace of E5 & E6, this gives me a bit of hope that we'll end the season with some emotional depth (relatively speaking, of course - this is Doc Martin after all!).

On a side note, I really missed Morwenna in E6. After her storyline in E1, she seems to have slipped off to the shadows this season, and I, for one, am sad about that.

We should have 2 great episodes to finish with. Jack Lothian has written final episodes from S3 on, and they are usually the peak drama ones.

They could have used two more episodes it seems to follow side stories...oh well.

It surprised me that anyone looks forward to another "emotional" or "revelation" ending in E8. We had that in S4, S5, S6 and what came of it; essentially nothing. They are chimeras and nothing more (although yes, DM is going to counseling). I'm sorry they feel they need to continue with slow paced, not very likable seasons feeling the last 5 minutes of E8 can make up for it.

I also want to share that, hey, it usually takes more than a therapist saying a one-liner explanation of your entire life (Louisa, do you want relationships with those who will abandon you), for people to truly hear it, think about it, and have it make any meaningful impact on them. If every time some therapist gave an interesting one-liner summing up a key point of a patient's life, and the patient was magically cured of their personality flaws, foibles, judgments, past traumas, and present emotional blocks, therapists would go out of business! We never seen Louisa process, mention, discuss anything outside the therapy room, unlike DM discussing things with Ruth. We have no idea, really, what she thinks about things directed at her.

I thought the DM/Dr. T exchange, when Louisa got jealous, as no doubt it clearly reminded her of DM/Edith relationship--two equals in medicine and intelligence--was a precursor to her dabbling with Danny moments later, in a dull, uninteresting way. However, as far as we can tell, neither of them learned much about those moments, and at the end of the episode all we get is Louisa crying that things are always hard for them (even though up to that last episode they had not been interrupted as they had been in the past and as they were in that episode).

Without connection episode to episode its hard to interpret what people really feel or think. We get our biggest understanding of DM when he talks to Ruth--its like a pause to explain what's going on--but we never get that with Louisa.

No doubt we will in the last 5 minutes of E8. But, they can no longer erase the frustrations of the rest of the season doing that, at least for me.

I agree that one discussion in therapy isn't going to cause a big change in a patient. Especially the first mention of it. But movies and television often take license with that and characters have major breakthroughs with one thing/event that happens to them. I guess I don't need them to make it that realistic. I would rather have the information affect her right away so they can move on to other parts of the story.

Louisa tried to engage when he first brings out the magazine. He immediately stands up and excludes her from the conversation. I think there is jealousy, but also a sense of being left out. I guess jealousy and the feeling of being left out can be considered the same thing, but there is a subtle difference for me.

And right, I have hope, but no expectation, that they will pick up in series 8 from where they leave off in series 7. There was a bit of that from 6 to 7, but not enough for me.

I have heard from a reliable source that there will definitely be a series 8. Apparently all the sets are still in the barn, which he says is expensive to rent. It's a friend who lives in PI who has had some walk-on roles in the show. He posted it on Facebook, which is not anonymous, but I will keep his name confidential on here, and allow him to post it himself wherever he wants to.

I agree. If they are going to get together - just do it and move on and develop the characters and story. If this story limps to another weak 'will they/won't they'? conclusion (as I suspect it will), I will not waste my time watching the next series.

I like to be entertained if I have invested in following characters' lives. DM just frustrates me now!

Terry, you and I are on the exact same page!

Ok...hear me out. I despise Rush Limbaugh. Forget about his politics...I think he is a crude, misogynist excuse of a human being. This being said, I haven't the time or inclination to go onto a Rush Limbaugh fan site and dump on everything and everyone about what he is saying. It is so far from my consciousness to do that, it would never happen. I offer this to you, dear readers, that if what you think about Doc Martin is so frustrating and heinous, then there is a great solution....turn it off and forget about it. Most of us here really appreciate the intelligence and the talent of those who create the show. We have issues about "Why does Louisa say that?" Or "What the therapist is trying to bring out is this", but underlying we love to watch the program. If you are over it, move on to another passion. It is fatiguing to have to read all the rubbish that naysayers present. I won't even argue anymore because the solution is so evident. If everything is so bad, don't watch. If you watch and still think it sucks don't make me listen to your tirade. I don't go onto Rush Limbaugh's site to bitch and challenge his followers. I have more class than that. If you hate my favorite program, show some class and withdraw. It's very tiring and makes you look ridiculous.

WOW.

You do know this is a discussion forum for a TV show and people will like it and people will hate it but you will also get people that liked it and can see it's going down hill and would like to discus this on this discussion forum.

Your answer to those people is to tell them to F off. nice.

WOW!! Very classy!!

It's an open discussion board for people to discuss and exchange views not an appreciation society where everyone has to agree. The forum has been going for years and used to be very light hearted and fun. Yes over the last few years it has got more in depth and serious and that is fine by many but I'm sure you've noticed numbers contributing have dropped considerably - ever thought why??

Some of your comments are very condescending and week by week getting ruder and ruder. Its very tiring and makes you look ridiculous. You obviously see yourself on a higher plane - maybe its time for you to start your own 'appreciation' board and leave the minions alone.

And may I say that this post is the very reason most people don't post here and I won't be bothering any more. If you're opinion differs (i.e. you don't like things happening on screen) then you get shouted down and you're deemed as 'wrong'. In other words you're told to F off. Other parts of the forum are on fire with posts and good discussions. This one? Not so much and it will stay that way if the above post is any indication to go by.
Sorry we're not discussing things to your liking. I like Doc Martin but to a point. He's a good character, as is Louisa, that has been ruined in recent series. This will they/won't they storyline is ridiculous and I can't see any progress happening with the conclusion of S.7 and the continuation into S.8. (if that really happens). But if you're happy then go for it. Have a good day.

To ASH2, RubyRedi, Mono2: As Mofromco said upthread thee is not an "ignore" button on this Forum, but I have chosen to do just that with her postings her and on Facebook. One of the reasons I have enjoyed this Forum, it the varying opinions from many people. I was sad as it dwindled to a few people who were so firmly in the Marin Ellingham camp that no divese opinions were allowed.

The show appeals to people for many reasons. I may not agree with each opinion but I will never tell people to leave a forum or that their opinion does not matter. I was very happy when series 7 began and posters, particularly those from the UK, appeared and provided fresh opinions. You were the founding members of this forum, and I have appreciated from a UK point of view.

Please continue to contribute as you please. Unlike the above referenced "Rush Limbaugh," I believe that every opinion is important and interesting to contemplate.

Thank you for being part of this forum.

I disagree. It is a discussion group where we exchange ideas about characters and plot lines regarding the program. It has just gotten to a point where the wholesale complaining leaves me wondering, "Why is this person even watching the show if they hate it so much?"..."Why are they even wasting their time?" That's the bottom line. And why are people leaving? All my acquaintances that left did so because there were folks on here that would pounce on anything they wrote and they got tired of all the negativity and complaining like what's going on here lately. We can disagree about the characters and the scripts but when the gist of the post is "this show sucks and I don't think I'll watch a series 8" my first reaction is "Do it!". I didn't use profanity and try not to be rude, but I will challenge a person whose point of view is askew and debate with them. THAT is the point of the discussion group.

So that's my opinion and I have aright to express it. Isn't that what you said?

PS The only thing I am displeased with is my IPad which drops letters, but I believe you have the gist of my post ----

For anyone interested...

What are the buddy and ignore lists?
The buddy list is used to keep track of the friends you have made on this forum. By going to your "Open Buddy List" in "Quick Links" menu of the navbar, you'll be able to see which of your friends are currently online and send them a private message. Adding people to your buddy list also allows you to send private messages to multiple forum members at the same time. You may add any member of the forums to your buddy list by viewing their profile or by going to "Buddy / Ignore Lists" in your "User CP".

Ignore lists are used for those people whose messages you wish not to read. By adding someone to your ignore list, those messages posted by these individuals will be hidden when you read a thread

I Agree!

I want to read all comments about this season of Doc Martin. Good, bad and indifferent.

Well, I love the "Doc Martin" program. It's witty and more intelligent than almost everything on American television, so I won't be leaving this forum much to your chagrin. They do write things in the scripts and manipulate characters in ways that are far fetched and ridiculous sometimes, but it's their story, not mine to write. I'll take it as it comes, but I still generally enjoy it. And everyone knows I'm an unabashed Martin Clunes fan.

All I am saying is why, say, would I watch "The Adventures of Honey Boo Boo", hating every minute of it...the characters, the plot...everything....and then go to the "Honey Boo Boo" discussion forum and complain about the characters, the plot, the quality of the writing? After a while I would realize I didn't like the show anymore and stop watching it. It would be a waste of time. I just wonder why people do that with Doc Martin? It must be the magic...it is addictive after all. Even if you hate it you can't look away.

you are using the wrong analogies these are programs you hate so I can well understand you not watching them or posting on there forum pages

BUT

If you LOVED a program , watched it for over ten years and halfway through the latest season you thought "hold on - this is just getting painful to watch." should then stop watching or maybe go to a forum and see if your missing something and discuss the decline of the writing.

I watch about four things a week that I don't want to miss and Doc Martin is one of them,
I want it to be great again not finish in a whimper.