I was just saying that the final episode of Doc Martin could attract a huge number of viewers as I believe the final episode of "MASH" did. Lots of people who wouldn't normally watch would tune in out of curiosity and sentimentality. I suppose it was the same for MBB although I thought the MASH example was adequate...that's it

Good list, indeed, but for Elaine. I could not STAND the character, at all. If she hadn't left the show I would have had to. Thank goodness they got rid of her.

I agree that series 1-4 were totally enjoyable, and for me, series 5-7 have not been aside from one random episode here and there. I do believe they can get back to the type of show they had at the beginning, with DM and L married, but I'm not sure they want to fully do that. I'm not losing sleep over what series 8 will be like, but I hope it's a series where I like more than 1 episode.

^^ I agree with most all of this. Thanks Bloodphobia and mmDerdekea, you pretty much nailed it.

I do cut BP some slack on the continuing of secondary supporting cast (villagers) story lines, though. At only 8 episodes per series it seems a difficult task. Also the writing-out of characters is probably multi-faceted. That is, some actors likely exited voluntarily, Stephanie Cole being a notable one. I *would* like to know why Stewart "PC Mylow" Wright and Katherine Parkinson left. Two good members of the cast, IMO.

Both became hot properties and moved on to other projects. Stewart Wright got his own sitcom and Katherine Parker moved to another of her own. She's always busy now. Filming every two years puts rebooking these actors at risk, but the good ones are always moving up to supposed "greener pastures".

Thanks for that. I wonder if their shows are on Acorn? Have to check it out...

Another poster said "one can expect an 'ending to MASH' type of turnout."

I pointed out that was not likely as MASH's final episode had around 50 million viewers. Doc Martin generally has around 6 to 7 million viewers. I pointed out that Doc Martin would have numbers similar to the last episode of Men Behaving Badly. British TV shows do not have the same viewership as shows in the States simply based on the differences in population.

Sorry Blood...that's not the point...I'm saying it would have a "Mash" style turnout of course in British numbers...like maybe 10 million. I am drawing and analogy, not saying that they would get 50 million viewers. I assumed people would realize that from the context. It was not literal.

Boo. Neither SW's "Love and Marriage" nor KP's "The Kennedys" or "In The Club" are there. However, KP's "Humans", a British/American sci-fi series, is on AMC.

"Love and Marriage" only lasted 6 episodes before ITV axed it. Too bad, it was another "drama-dy" and the trailers looked kind-of good. How does one find the 6 episodes of a cancelled ITV show, view-able from the United States? I don't think one does!

Actually, I did post all 6 eps of Love and Marriage on my Dailymotion page. If you scroll through the pages, you should find them all.

http://www.dailymotion.com/Mclunesfan

THANK YOU!! <3 <3 <3

I already spotted two other DM alumni in the cast: "The Colonel"'s wife and (I think) the vicar. Speaking of which, other recent sightings include "Mr. Rutledge" on Downton Abbey and "Gavin Peters" as a NASA employee in "The Martian".

Anyway, thanks again, Conniej. Watching E01 tonight!

I felt they missed the rare opportunity to use the hour that Martin Clunes & Philippa Braithwaite gave to better advantage. When LindaG asked about the Buddha, they used their stock answer of we won't tell. Why didn't they expand - why did Edith recognize it when she went to the surgery? Why did the doc put it in the back seat of his car with a seatbelt across it instead of a box in the boot? I was quite surprised to hear that their favorite part in an episode was between the doc and Clive in the chemist shop about Clive's loss of hearing. I would never have put that on my 10 best loved episodes. I'm sure the Clunes like to hear a little gushing about themselves - who wouldn't? But it was valuable time wasted,

It could be the statue was just thrown in on a lark without any particular meaning intended, and they're delighting in how it's taken on a life of its own. I've seen lengthy discussions on the Internet speculating on its meaning. There are examples in music, notably John Lennon's "I Am the Walrus" in which nonsense lyrics were strung together by the writer and were subsequently parsed and analyzed to death for their meaning.

PB and MC's reluctance may be a way of not admitting "That was just thrown in there for no particular reason."

It could also be an inside joke that no one would get, hence it would be a letdown to viewers.

I thought that they explained the Buddha was set dressing and has since gotten a life of its own. I can go with that....I think the whole "secret" thing was just a tease, but maybe not. Did you notice how surprised Philippa was when they said the hard of hearing Clive/Doc Martin scene was the favorite too? She was funny. Oh well.

On another matter...

An odd thing about S7's writing to me is that it often sounds as if the characters are LESS developed than they were in the early seasons.

I'm reminded of the popular sitcom "Seinfeld". When it was first aired, the main characters and their trademark traits had yet to be developed, and their conversations many times had a forced or stilted tone about them. Jerry was more timid, George more whiny than cynical, Elaine sweet rather than assertive, Kramer just a generic space-case instead of a quirky hipster doofus.

For example, listening to DM go to great lengths to explain to Peter C. why he shouldn't mix St John's Wort with other meds, or even that whole scene, just seems so forced and stilted. Almost like it was the first time MC ever played the part. Dialogue in early seasons seemed to flow more naturally and was more believable and entertaining. It's as if everyone has disregarded the feel of the show that came before.

Or maybe it's a case of high expectations on my part? I don't know. To me, the characters of S7 have always felt disconnected from the rest of the series.

I just have some random thoughts about this. You raise an interesting point. I'm not able to give chapter & verse references, but to keep the conversation going...

Louisa is different, too. Her scene with her first visit to the therapist, she was, I don't know, just different. Her mannerisms and gestures.

Also, her dresses were so different this year from previous seasons. I liked the retro dresses, but I'm not quite convinced that they worked. They were too severe, and made her look old. I guess the character was feeling old because she made all those references to Dr. Timony's age. But still. I think that actors' costumes should fit them well, and drape the way they are supposed to, even if they are casual or whatever. Caroline's costumes didn't always fit her well, in my opinion, and it distracted me.

I found it odd the way Louisa was placed with her back to him when they were in the kitchen right after she returned from Spain. It's like it was an Ibsen play or something. "THE RETURN" scene or whatever. It doesn't reflect previous styles.

Ruth was great. Her character grew and changed, but also stayed the same. She is a great actress. The same with Ian. We saw a different side of Bert. But he was still Bert. It was nice to see them grow and change and still remain in the style of the show.

I liked Martin's early scenes with Peter. He was really into having that kid there with him to share his knowledge with. He was really disappointed when Peter hit the lady with the book, and then when he was drugging his mother. Martin wouldn't want his son acting like that, and of course Martin wasn't disobedient when he was a boy. I liked the Peter Cronk episode.

Janice brought some authenticity to the show. She seemed to be a more worldly and naturalistic character and not as provincial as a lot of them. I can see that she could have been married twice! The style of the character was a bit of a departure from previous seasons, but she worked for me. I hope that character returns.

Thanks for raising an interesting topic!!

I agree about Louisa's changing..I don't know if it's just aging..or being underweight...or working out too much...but she seemed sharp, not tender. Perhaps it's just her evolution but it wasn't a pleasant change. In her initial visit to the therapist she was weird and I don't know if it can totally be chalked up to her character's guardedness. She was....ok...really smarmy. To me it heralded back to the scene where she was gossiping with Mark Mylow's sister about Martin's blood phobia. Martin must have been totally drop dead smitten with her to have forgiven that. It was ugly.

I think BP was feeling that they had to go back to DM's original modus operandi with the Peter Cronkite episode...Doc figuring out some strange medical mystery. Holding those bottles of Meds was exactly the same as the posture he took when chastising the funeral director for giving his son protein shakes and Vitamin D. It seemed a step backward.

So, going back to the "glorious" series 2 through 4 is what some people want. The characters are too well developed and have so much water under the bridge experiences to do that. That is why the Peter Cronk episode felt strange. I loved it as I loved S7 in total, but I have liked everything these characters have gone through. Heck, I like S6 because it was such a departure from simplistic humdrum medical mystery stuff. I'm hoping that they will take these well developed characters into new places, not devolve them. And...I predict Bert will be dressed as a dandy in S8...just a feeling. BP and the writers have a task ahead of them, no doubt. I don't even want to think of S9........

Peter Cronk....edit wouldn't let me change the name....sorry

Maybe it's just the actors playing them differently and not so much the writing. It's difficult for me to put a finger on it. Yes CC really changed LE's character a lot. Very reserved and even caustic at times. mofromco I see where you're coming from, though. It may not be realistic to play the characters as innocent and/or naive after all of the break-ups and make-ups.

Assuming that three weeks had passed from the previous series, I'm not sure how much felt out of synch, really. Martin was sad. Louisa was guarded. It was believable and I think their first dinner scene was a good representation of a wounded/broken marriage and the steep hill that lay ahead . Morwenna (the spoon-fed character) was essentially the same. This is the character that has the writers' neon sign above her head that reads *like her-like her.*

Ruth was weary. Bert was despondent. Al was motivated (and then crashed). It wasn't a huge departure, was it?? Although, I am enjoying the developing story with Ruth and Bert.

Louisa was motivated in her school scenes and (as always), protective of Martin when needed. In this series, she showed more empathy for Martin in subtle ways. The way look she'd "glance back" with worry or when she gave him the picture. She was cautious with Danny. The Therapy scenes were the best of the series. An unusual departure for both characters. I think they played well. Martin, (for me) was more out of character. He normally would have been more of a "challenge" for the professional. CC did well to show LG's reluctance and then a gradual assent. Kudos CC.

The Tishell's were the surprise of the series. I enjoyed the scene with Mrs. T and Ruth. Adored the scene with Louisa and Ruth in the coffee shop (??). Beautifully played by both actresses.

The disconnect for me is obvious. It was the RE-WRITE of all re-writes. Louisa Glasson is more intolerant than Martin?!? Lousia is obsessed with normal?!? Whateverrr. She wanted her husband to engage, to be present in their marriage. Save the discourse - its all horse****.

Louisa looked old? She should. There was no "life" in that marriage. The man never touches her. He never smiles. He doesn't enjoy anything. What would you look like after years of being used as his stooge.

The wardrobe? I'm slowly changing my original opinion.. The navy jacket and the shorter little yellow-flowered dress. Cute. The dress she wore ( in the therapy: date) that was a soft blue. Nice. As idiotic as the dress she wore to have a day at the beach, it was lovely. She looked lovely and especially the scene when she "teased" Martin about being lonely. She looked lovely at dinner/date. The date he ruined by accusing rather than "courting" her. What an ***. I loved many of her scenes with the baby.
Loved the morning when she entered the kitchen - what a gorgeous smile.

I think CC was dead-on. Very believable. He hurt her terribly. He let her down. He admitted it. The one that needed to change was Martin. He did. Nicely played by MC. It wasn't the "essence" of the Doc that disappointed Louisa, it was his lack in the marriage. Enough said.

Again, the huge disconnect was the last scene. It may have tarnished (for me) the whole of the show. (there were laudable scenes throughout the series but sadly a story abandonment of sorts, and some of the continuity suffered.)

No time to edit...Louisa was "caustic"? I wanted her to confront him. She did (and the writers failed) in his "new" home. He should have apologized to Louisa and explained why and what happened to him in previous months of the marriage. She needed and deserved an explanation - the writers failed big time. They failed her, in the end, but for a bigger cause and (of course) the greater good. Mr.Clunes says it quite succinctly: the Doc is fantastic just the way he is. This series was about rehabilitating his character. Yawn.

Will I watch another series? Don't know - don't care. They stayed too long at the fair. I'm sure most of the viewers of this show will know that tune - its an old one. I know it because of my music studies. Heehee.

Kudos to Caroline Catz. Imagine if she were paired with a vibrant character. Imagine that!

I miss her gorgeous smile. Its a shame that she will not have another significant screen partner with a character that will engage and enchant her. The "babies" were the only screen partners that "enchanted" her this series (actually for several)

They could pair him with the screwy vet. Perfect match.

They have to bring on another male character for her. I'd watch that.

Best line of the series: Well, you're only 32!

Friday fun:
Louisa looked old? She should. There was no "life" in that marriage. The man never touches her. He never smiles. He doesn't enjoy anything. What would you look like after years of being used as his stooge.

The above a repeat of my prior post. He's old and constipated. Bombastic and rude. He isn't a brilliant doctor. Anyone from outside the village would appear brilliant. His patients are stupid. A perfect set-up for the actor. Yawn.

The schtick is old. Yawn.

There were some good performances in series 7

Rachel Timoney. Her casting and part were brilliant. The actress had a "quietness" about her that all good therapists possess. Her looks and age were totally irrelevant to Martin, he cared only that she had trained at Bart's and was recommend by Ruth.
Louisa seemed to have the typical pretty girl dislike of another pretty girl who seemed smarter than she and also able to gain her husband's confidence and trust. Louisa felt she had neither after Martin's treatment of her in series 6.

With that said, it was a bit of a rehash of the Edith Montgomery character who Louisa seemed to view in the same light. It reminds me of something a women told me about working with the US military in Iraq -- you are a 4 when you go to Iraq, a 10 when you are there because there are so many men, and a 4 when you return to the States. Louisa was Portwenn's 10 and she did not like Timoney or Montgomery to infringe on her number.

Janice/Janis - I had my doubts, but she really evolved as a character. I ended up liking her better than Morwenna. The writers gave J only tidbits but she made them work. Hope she is back for series 8 -- even if we have to endure Penhale fluttering about her.

Aunt Ruth - she finally got through to Martin and he has the relationship with her he could never have with Joan. Martin Clunes once said that the good actors who came on the show make him "pull up his socks." Eileen Atkins made him pull up his socks to his chin. His best acting was with her.

Bert Large - he is finally back to being Bert and not the bungler he became in series 5 and 6. Ian MacNiece is another great actor who used each bit of screen time to his advantage. The scenes between him and Ruth could be a master class in acting.

Clive and Sally Tishell. The best performances from each of them this year, even though BP allegedly thought the Clive Tishell through the stethoscope bit was the best thing since sliced bread. Okay, then.

Selena Cadell for acting circles around her pal, Sigourney Weaver. Weaver needs to take a master class from Selena. Weaver was also the biggest 4 minutes waste of time in the show. It was a cameo that did nothing for the story and little for the ratings. A bad call from BP on the order of dismissing Rachel Timoney.

Martin was better because he actually spoke in declarative sentences and more than three at a time. He had almost heart to hearts with Aunt Ruth.

Louisa -- This isn't about her performance but more Caroline Catz. When I saw her several times during filming, I had the sinking feeling that she and Jessica Ransom/Morwenna had both fallen into the bad ways of the too thin American actors. She looked almost gaunt and her gray roots were clearly touched up -- but very well. There may have been some relastin in use, not that I care. Morwenna was absolutely boney with protruding shoulder blades and ribs. You can see it on the screen too. Being too thin ages a woman, and I think that might have been what we saw, especially with Louisa. When you see her in the earlier series -- particularly after she had her own daughter -- she was of a more normal weight and had curves. The current dresses were too large for her, maybe to make her look smaller. But she was like the Euro equivalent of a 2 at best. With Catz becoming a serious collector of vintage clothing, I wonder if she has become like the other too thin fashionistas.

I agree totally Blood...I alluded to the thinness above..it's what made Edith Montgomery an unlikely romantic figure for Martin Ellingham. Those hip bones would hurt.

With regard to vintage clothing and weight -- women and girls were definitely curvier and less weight conscious in the 40's and 50's. I was there, and I remember it! So I don't think that's why she's slimmed down, if she has. I think generally she is sharper-edged, physically as well as interpersonally.

I'm glad someone is of the same view as me that Louisa was instinctively a little jealous of Rachel Timoney, and that was one of the things that put her on edge, although maybe not to the same degree as being confronted with the possibility that she had a role in their marital difficulties. Not only was Rachel younger, pretty, and a professional equal, Martin seemed to have no difficulty trusting and confiding in her, in contrast to his reticence with her throughout S6.

In a way, he related to Rachel somewhat the same way he related to Edith -- not really as male to female, but as intellectual peer to peer. I can see why Louisa might resent being left out of that loop -- but very few marriages are based on being able to talk shop.

Hello, Bloodphobia,

Yes, good analysis of the actors. I think the weakest character in S7 was Al--his role was nearly useless. His B/B is not successful and for whatever reason he is not making any forward motion on his own with Morwenna. I think the writers have given up on him at this point, and it's sad as in the early seasons he was good with computers and making music tapes, and he wanted to better himself, which DM supported by having him be the IT guy for his clinic. The shows decision to have Al become nearly useless to himself and to the show was sad. He apparently has no desire to love or date or marry or settle down, and we've seen him lead by all of his other girlfriends who quickly grew tired of it and left him. I imagine Morwenna, a more and more self-aware and sparkling woman, will, too.

Martin's communication in S7 was very good. It was most enjoyable when he was kidnapped, I think! That showed clear growth of character.

Mona