Exactly and why didn't he ring ahead? It was an enjoyable but pretty daft chase to the airport.

It was filmed at Newquay airport, 24-25 miles from Port Isaac, according to google maps.

I didn't know there was one? do they fly to Spain and Portugal? Ryanair probably call it London.

No idea if in reality there are flights from Newquay to Spain or Portugal. Here's their website.

http://www.newquaycornwallairport.com/

Well, Shop Girl, your crystal ball is in fine working condition. Your prediction came true. Your prize is...

a clock!

In series 3, the morning after Martin proposed to Louisa, they woke up together in Louisa's bedroom. After that, in the interlude between the proposal and the non-wedding, we know they spent some nights together.

It's true though that they don't seem able to talk properly to each other, just one of their problems as a couple and one of the things Martin will have to work on if he follows through on his plan.

[quote=Blue-Eyes;69345942]
I heard it that way too, but when I re-watch I will pay close attention. Good point that although Louisa may not remember, he said things he needed to say and asked for her help so he can learn, which hearkens back to JH's birth. The thing is, she needs to know that he asked for her help. It is TV, so I guess we can assume she'll remember (but in reality, no way!) or that he will tell her again at some point between this episode and S7.

Yes, I believe there will be a S7. In fact, MC has intimated that there will be a S7 (got to feed the horses, that kind of thing).

We saw him in hero mode once again, like in S5 when he came through and got rid of the loan sharks. I much prefer this incarnation of Penhale over the cartoon version. I guess the fact that he's usually just plain goofy makes his occasional moments of capability and heroism more remarkable. I just wish in S7 they would modify this character a bit.

Doesn't look as if they fly to Spain or Portugal.

what a feeble ending. Do you think they are trying to milk another series out of DM?

what a feeble ending. Do you think they are trying to milk another series out of DM?

Thanks for this. I guess it was only two series that I watched then since I don't remember the proposal or non-wedding.

I do think that the writers seem to have boxed themselves into a corner with his character though. It seems incredible to me that after all these series they still act as strangers to each other.

I can understand that he might have a thing for her (even if he struggles to articulate it) but what on earth would be his appeal for her after all this time with no real development in their relationship.

Yay! I want THAT clock!


I thought this last episode was quite different than the final episode from any previous series. Martin had his epiphany early in the episode and not in the the last five minutes. He also had that ephiphany without the benefit of a scare (car accident, kidnapping). The scare happened as he was making plans to go after her, and I like that he wasn't going to try to run after her and stop her getting on the plane (which we now know he had time to do). He was letting her go to Spain and following her there the next morning (and perhaps having the long weekend she desired?) (Plus - how about "Action Doc"? Just get me to southern Spain and I will do the rest!) He asked Louisa for help instead of just declaring that he was wrong. There was no wrapping it up with a bow like we hoped, but a hopeful ending with lots to accomplish in S7 and not just watching to see if "Happily Ever After" works out for them. We can now expect to see those conversations we have hoped for for so long. We can now expect to see him learning about how to act like a husband (touching, glances across a crowded room). We can now expect to see him try even harder to be a good husband in social situations (that should provide the writers loads of ammunition for comic relief). And there is lots to look forward to from Aunt Ruth & Al, Al & Morwenna, Bert & Jenny. Never before have we ended a series with so much clear direction for the next series. Can't wait!

And as for Martin's attempt to find a physical cause for his problems. I don't have Mona's or Mofromco's expertise as a doctor, and I have never had any serious emotional problems, but I have to believe that even a smart guy like Martin would have a difficult time coming to terms with such deep emotional problems. I'm sure he would recognize these problems in a patient much more easily than recognizing them in himself. He had to have a mirror thrown up in front of him, and much like the fishmonger in S5, Aunt Ruth provided that mirror. He took it much more seriously his time because Aunt Ruth is his family, knows more than he does about he roots of his problems (apparently something happened around age 5), and is a mental health professional. Plus, as we all know, you can't really take advantage of help until you are ready to accept it. The fishmonger provided some help to move him at the end of S5, but he hadn't sought that help yet so it didn't really stick.

Yes, the more hours I get from the end of the finale, the more amazing I see the whole vision of S6 (and S7). I was enjoying the ride and BP didn't let me down.

Oh - and another thing. I have to say that Martin broke my heart for most of the episode. The tears from him in the bathroom! For a minute I thought that Louisa had died. Thank goodness the very next scene showed her sitting up in bed! Another heartbreaking moment was when he picked up the toy from the stairs. That one really got to me - especially because it had a smiley face looking up at Martin. And so symbolic that instead of just setting it down on a table, or carrying it into the living room or kitchen to put with other toys, he stuffed it into his pocket as he strode into the kitchen to have the showdown with his mother. Almost like a little comfort/security blanket - something that he never got from his parents, but got in spades from his young son.

About the only time he wasn't breaking my heart was in the scene when he was dressed in the scrubs and quizzing the surgeon. My did he look capable - and yummy!

I admit I got a chuckle in the middle of all of the tense medical events as I watched E8 because I couldn't get MC's statement that by law in the UK medical shows must be accurate, unlike in the US where they "make things up". I'm not a medical professional and even I could see that some of what took place was bizarre and no way could it happen in reality. Funny description, conchie, that it bordered on science fiction.

It started with my question of how on earth did Martin end up about to assist the surgeon. And then how could the surgeon be so incompetent? And then how could the others in the operating room just simply accept DM's statement that he will perform the surgery? Aren't they thinking, "Who in the heck is this guy, especially when he then proceeds to walk up to the patient and start a conversation with her which clearly indicates he's her husband?

But, like many of us, I happily suspended my disbelief as I enjoyed the episode so much. There's been a theme running through this show that is finally being addressed. Is it possible for people to change? We've heard both AJ and AR (and others too, I think) say people can't change. Now AR says Martin can change, but it will take hard work, and finally he appears ready to face the reality that he needs to change. I couldn't help but think of his attempt in S3 to be friendly and nice, but he ended up being "smarmy", at least in Louisa's opinion. I've been waiting all this time for him to ask for her help. I think NewPark mentioned this too, that finally we got to hear the speech we've been waiting for.

Aha. I thought I recognised that poor surgeon, although he might have felt at home in the cupboard.

Richard Dempsey, played Peter in the 1998 version of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

It was en route to Newquay by plane ( from London ) that Martin & Louisa met for the first time, in the very first few minutes, remember ?

That was totally ridiculous and couldn't possibly happen in real life.

I thought the series ended on a strange note. Why could Martin just tell Louisa that he loves her? That's all she wanted to hear. It was very annoying.

Kudos to Shopgirl! You should get the clock. I noticed it but it was totally peripheral to my consciousness. You nailed it.

Just a few more comments. Doctor Ellingham would have had privileges at Truro Hospital. They also would have been aware he was a surgeon. He may have been quite well known because he would have to go and do rounds on his hospitalized patients so his credentials wouldn't have been the issue in the operating room. The change of surgeon would have been irregular and would have possibly been questioned, but maybe not. That young surgeon probably invited him to assist.

So, getting to do the surgery would not have been the problem. What they did in the surgery was far fetched as to some procedural issues. And no, there is no absolute denial to a relative doing surgery on another family member. It's avoided however, and I certainly wouldn't want to do it. In an emergency though.....

There's a sense in which that's all along, at every turn, been what she wanted and needed to hear. Not sure, at this point, that she would feel it was enough. I think one of the reasons she was so sad throughout the episode was that she knows he loves her and it hurts her to hurt him, but she doesn't know what else to do. But maybe it would have helped to hear it.. I guess we'll see in S7.

I admit that for me Series 6 started with a bang, then I was disheartened by the slow slide into madness, sadness, and depression.

But I think Episode 8 was marvelous. Too many things to list, but all the acting was superb, the writing was just right, and we learned not to stick a nail in the fuse block.

Also, my MD wife says it is always a bad idea for any doctor to treat a family member, but I digress.

Once again Buffalo Pictures pulls off a miracle with this production, IMO.

On to Series 7, I am sure. No, no facts to put on the table, but ITV will see the large viewership and press on.

Rob
Last edited by robspace54 : 22-10-2013 at 19:22

I'm not quoting your entire post, but wanted to thank you for it. I agree completely, totally, and had almost exactly the same reaction.

It's going to be interesting as we wait and wonder during the two year gap. Will we see Martin in therapy with the person Ruth recommended to him? It's interesting to consider Ruth's statement that it will take hard work, probably harder for Martin than for most others, to change and heal. Or will we skip forward in time a few years? Will Martin and Louisa begin S7 separated or together, working through their problems? I have a distinct feeling that S7 will be "it", the series that wraps it all up.

Finally hearing the words made all the difference at the end of S5. It was what she had waited for. Unfortunately, Martin just wasn't able to back up his words with the behavior she needed from him. He tried, especially early on, but he failed, and then descended into a depression, which made it all worse for both of them.

Hey, NewPark, I can't find it now, but I know you have commented two or three episodes ago that the story was beginning to look like a two-series arc. You were so right! I'm not sure if this is good or bad in the impatience department.

Sorry, Shop Girl, but your list of "We can now expect" has me a bit concerned. We were expecting most (if not all) of those things to happen in S6, but they didn't. After the last 3 seasons, I think we need to be careful about what we "expect" from a new season. MC has stated unequivocally many times that DM will "never be cured," and these last two seasons, I think, are proof that not only will he not be cured, but they have no intentions of allowing even minimal improvement.

But yes, he did look really "capable and yummy" in the scrubs!

Yes, I share your sentiments to a great extent. S6 felt to me like S5 on steroids. The S5 opener was so sweet, the S6 opener exceeded expectations. Then S5 went downhill, S6 had an avalanche. S5 ended with heroics by DM and declarations of love, S6 ended with heroics by DM and . . . pleas for help. Also let's not forget that the openers and closers of both seasons were written by the same writer.

I have a lot more thoughts about all this that are going to have to wait until later.
Last edited by Zarwen : 22-10-2013 at 19:50

Terry, I alluded to this as well---check my post #477.