Ms. Sarah - why are you so angry? New Park has been on this forum since 2011, whereas I see your join date as 2015. For your information, NP was a social science researcher (now retired) and was a clinical social worker (now retired). She has admitted she did not do couples therapy but has some insight because of her background. If you are going to defend your opposition as set forth in your posts , don't just pick the latest series, but go way back to the earlier ones. The Martin & Louisa relationship is complicated and fascinating, which leads me to wonder, now what is next in store for S8!!

It's postings like the last few before yours that have killed this forum in the last year or so. There's constructive discussion and then there's that.

You were at Buckham Fair? Did you get a chance to talk to any of the American contingent? We were all hanging around together.

I am not adverse to opposing opinions regarding the characters and the storyline but the program is called "Doc Martin". The proposition of making the story about Louisa in the village is just irrational. Outlandish things like that detract from our ability to take your posts seriously. I hope that the things you write sometimes aren't a reflection of poor mental health, but if they are I hope you are seeking some help for it. You don't have to live that way.

I think that if indeed they are just "muddling" along in the marriage, and there is some suspense at the outcome, that it will be an outrage, and an insulting slap in the face of fans..

If the show isn't a LOT more light-hearted and fun, DM will go down in the annals of my mind (not speaking for others), as a wonderful show devastatingly ruined by the awful plot whims and ego of those in charge.

Yes, yes, strong words, but good gosh I have disliked nearly everything from Series 5 above, except for a few random episodes here and there. I would like for BP etal to actually start caring about making fans happy again. There are enough of those who have not been pleased with the last three series for them to get the idea to lighten it up, IF they cared to get the idea. If they do not care to bring back some of the joy and fun and hope and acceptance of the characters of DM/LE, then I more and more do not care about continuing to honor them and their show.

We know everything we need to know about DM and LE; now for God's sake, BP, shut up about the psychology and just make them a gently struggling but noticeably happy couple. How can that be too much to ask???

I get your frustration, if not your seeming anger, regarding the prevalent interpretations that seem to pit Martin and Louisa’s characters against each other. I suspect those interpretations are the most facile because they are perpetrated by the logical fallacy of false equivalence that provoke viewers to attribute fault between the two characters as a sort of “his-fault or her-fault” distraction. Unfortunately those simpler interpretations only detract from what are far more fascinating characters and storylines being presented within “Doc Martin”.

To note: toward the end of S6 Martin’s character experiences a psychologically transcendent moment when he is confronted with Aunt Ruth’s challenge of “you don’t believe you deserve her”. Why then should we be surprised that S7 devolves into a depiction of Louisa as standoffish, petty, self-centered, defensive, thin-skinned, touchy, and just plain unlikable– what better way to portray Martin’s besieged ego proving Aunt Ruth right: he doesn’t deserve this. This is, at its most basic level, simply a depiction of the distortion Louisa’s character is being subjected to by the psychological projection of Martin’s character.

Many viewers will have recognized that psychological projection has long been woven into the “Doc Martin” narrative, sometimes subtly and sometimes less so. Its significance is that it is entirely congruous to the underlying narrative structure at work in the storytelling here, particularly as it pertains to the role of Louisa’s character. The narrative structure reveals far greater depth to the complete story arc and the character’s motivations and does explain their often on screen erratic behaviour in the series of late. Let’s hope that the “his-fault or her-fault” distraction, by now just as fatiguing as the “will-they or won’t-they” distraction, will finally go away along with the frustration it induces.

The interpretation of the character of Martin Ellingham as merely intensely socially awkward, or acutely introverted, or as a sufferer of Asperger Syndrome/High-functioning Autism probably doesn’t do justice to the character’s complexity and the compelling story arc of “Doc Martin”, nor to the ongoing contretemps between his and Louisa’s character. Consider that the consistent depiction of the character of Martin Ellingham suggests a very specifically intended symptomatology:

• largely withdrawn and passive in interpersonal relationships
• largely indifferent to either praise or criticism
• interests are of a solitary nature with little or no actual pleasure being derived
• rarely, if ever, forms any warm social relationships beyond first degree family members
• rarely desires or forms any close or intimate relationships, which if sexual are regarded as threatening when it involves any level of intimacy or emotional closeness
• exhibits a pervasive emotional coldness, detachment, and flattened affect
• aloof to any possible need for personal change and is largely unaware of the effect of their behaviour upon others

This symptomatology in fact represents a differential diagnosis for Asperger Syndrome before an early childhood experience of cold, unloving, uncaring, and emotionally neglectful caregiving has been explored. Although Asperger’s and the Autistic Spectrum are neurodevelopmental (biological) pervasive developmental disorders with limited outcomes and potential for change, the disorder described by this symptomatology is not. This disorder is relatively uncommon and is made effectively rarer as its sufferers seldom seek therapy thus making known treatments even more rare. This stems from the greatest difficulty presented by sufferers, which is their own earnest belief that their indifference and apathy toward relationship is not problematic or is essentially a problem for others, despite their own loneliness and longing for attachment and the often comorbid major depressive disorder and presentation of associated disorders. Since most psychotherapeutic treatment options rely upon the establishment of a relationship with a qualified therapist, such individuals usually abandon therapy before any true inroads are ever made.

Schizoid Personality Disorder (SPD) is a distinct personality disorder which should not be confused, despite its name, with schizophrenia as it does not involve any psychosis or hallucinations nor with Schizotypal Personality Disorder which is different and a much more severe disorder. SPD and its characteristics are a matter of degree but generally present serious challenges to the quality of life of the individual, to their family members and their loved ones. The reconstructed sense of an individual suffering from SPD are a simultaneous fear of entrapment with a fear of abandonment.

Viewers of “Doc Martin” who have watched closely will realise that there is still much more to the character: that his childhood emotional experiences with his Aunt Joan in Port Wenn truly were a saving grace; that although the condition of Martin Ellingham’s character means he appears not to care about people, he deeply cares about people’s health and health care– as long he’s in the visage of Doctor Martin Ellingham; that he loves Louisa and James Henry and nonetheless longs to convey it; and in the end, there is an inchoate and still unfinished quality to the character. All these characteristics too remain entirely consistent with the underlying narrative structure. Of course the fictional character of Dr. Martin Ellingham needn’t be attributed with any actual pathology or diagnostic “labels” to make it a compelling story but it may help to understand the ongoing star-crossed romance is more than the “his-fault or her-fault” distraction. On that score, the character himself says it best: “Just avoiding the issue won’t make it better. Never has.”

_DM_ Thank you for your post, particularly para. 3. As one untrained in psychology, I was puzzled that Martin Ellingham did not seek treatment in London for his blood phobia. Although all phobias are complex, my limited experience has been that most can be managed.

Now you persuasively explain that Ellingham suffered from a further development disorder that made it unlikely he would seek therapy and could not sustain a relationship with a therapist. We do not know if he sought treatment in London, but he did resist being treated by the psychologist referred by Edith Montgomery. It was only after Louisa left Portwenn that he began to self-treat his phobia with the videos provided by the psychologist and by practicing surgery with bloody organ meats. His goal was to return to surgery, but he was resistant to seeking therapy from one more qualified to help him.

Even with his new self-awareness in Series 7 and his self diagnosis of attachment disorder (likely only one of his problems), he agreed to see a marriage counselor only at Ruth Ellingham's urging. Perhaps he understood that -- as you pointed out -- he could not sustain a relationship with a therapist.

Of interest, Louisa resisted seeing the marriage counselor until she was jollied along by Ruth Ellingham. Perhaps, she has a similar problem, and that is one of the attractions between the two.

I agree that Martin was in a psychological funk in Series 6, and Louisa bore the brunt of his problems. She was poorly treated by him (i.e., the writers) and tolerated much more than many women. Her transformation in Series 7 into a shrew was a reasonable reaction to one who had been psychologically abandoned by her husband. My sympathies lie with her, but I do understand the emotional problems that caused Martin to be so difficult with her.

To those who characterize Series 8 as one of "muddling through the marriage," I have more hope for the show and trust in Jack Lothian who wrote episodes showing Louisa at her best. I tried to question Philippa Braithwaite about the re-appearance of a psychologist in Series 8 (but got nowhere) because I want Louisa to manage her issues and return to the upbeat, feisty, woman who fell in love with Martin Ellingham despite his issues. As others pointed out, she knew what she was getting into, so why be surprised. Many people know what they are getting into, but don't realize how bad it is until they are in the thick of it. This may be what happened to Louisa. I want her to find her own version of normalcy and then transfer her version of normalcy to one she and Martin can claim as their own.

I may be totally wrong in how I interpreted your comments, but it makes sense to me.

For Shopgirl, we are from the States but have been working on a project in Exeter for the last few years. We did not see an American contingent at Buckham Fair, but I did talk to one couple from Albany, NY, who were Doc Martin fans and made a side trip from Bath to attend the fair. I only saw Philippa Braithwaite, and her mother, for about 5 minutes and they were very gracious. I saw Martin Clunes from afar when he was awarding prizes. But honestly, my fascination is not with Martin Clunes but with Martin Ellingham. I only wish I could understand his psyche as well as _DM_.

I would say that Aspberger's/Autistic Spectrum disorder is not that uncommon. 1% of the world population and 1 in 68 births in the US is all too problematic; right now 3.5 million Americans are considered to have some type of ASD. http://www.autism-society.org/what-i...nd-statistics/

I do not feel it was the ASD that Martin probably has to some extent (even though MC understandably does not wish us to typecast him that way) was the main reason he did not seek therapy for his blood phobia.

I think Martin has always used his intelligence, which is notable, and his amazing capacity to doctor, which is remarkable, as his foundation for self-esteem and as his guiding point throughout his life. He followed in his family footsteps (as he did with fixing clocks), and he excelled in ways that at least his family could not criticize, when he was in London. He received the respect, attention and honor from his colleagues, making no doubt the hospital a kind of family for him. He was even able to have a serious female relationship, which unfortunately ended in emotional catastrophe for him. Nonetheless that no doubt only lead him to continue to focus on his work and continue to climb and succeed--through reputation and financia gain.

When he developed his blood phobia, I think it made sense for him to run away from his medical environment, and seek solace in the boonies, being retrained to a GP and near his aunt again. If he lost his second work family, I think he was seeking to regain his biological one. We've also seen that DM has little belief or respect for psychology, and that is probably due to him knowing, deep down, inside, in a rare unopened closet, that he is one big psychological mess.

It is very important for DM's self-esteem to realize he got where he was on his own, his own brains, his own resilience, his own skills. Having to confront his past, his emotions and so forth was way beyond his desire or capacity then.

But, remember, he did eventually follow that CD meditation by the psychologist he saw once. And, he did get his blood phobia under good control until MC/BP decided to ruin everything with their problematic plot choices. After all, we NEVER really understood why suddenly the blood phobia came back when it occurred and NO ONE can convince me there was good reason it did.

I have entertained this issue and just have a few thoughts. DM, as you say, is likely somewhere on the spectrum but, be that as it may, given his hideous childhood, he developed characteristics to protect himself. One of those was the ability to control and keep a safe and orderly environment. In surgery he could control the situation. Of course sometimes adverse situations develop in the OR, but in Martin Ellingham's world it had to be "controlled chaos" because he was still in his environment and in charge of the situation. His household and personal habits are clear and orderly. His "hobby" of repairing clocks is meticulous and precise.

Then he is suddenly married and has a child. After all, there is some semblance of human being in him that sought intimacy and love. Then, basically his world is blown apart. He has Louisa living in his space, which I dare say he loved and hated at the same time. There was that kitchen scene, which was a tad farcical, but got its point across. There was noise. There was mess. There was Louisa defying his wish to control the situation by turning the radio back on when he turned it off. Any semblance of control he had of his environment was absolutely destroyed.

Martin used control to protect himself, as emotionally he was always vulnerable. In breaking down those walls of protection his "psyche", for lack of a better word retreated and withdrew for his own protection. He became deeply, deeply depressed. His blood phobia is one of the symptoms of any distress and is uniquely and unfortunately his very own. He also experienced weight loss, insomnia and a flatter affect than normal, so he had classic symptoms of major depression. His blood phobia was just along for the ride.

There are numbers of other ways to interpret the story, but loss of control of his environment and life was a huge component IMHO.

Mofromco, what you wrote above is the Main Theory everyone tries to use to convince me season 6 did not suck, which I personally think it did. I am sorry, but I find that debate hard to swallow.

DM was not "suddenly" married and with a child. He dated LG for years, off and on, with huge stress in his life all during that time about the relationship. They had a child, were still on/off. From the end of S5 to the first episode of S6, they had been living together already for months and were getting along very well. Thus, they planned the marriage.

The whole "the house was loud argument" is skimpy at best. Look at the timeline! Remember his blood phobia came back after a nice honeymoon with his wife, where they bonded closer, and he got to save another life. It was a quiet day at the office, no stress, no noise, nothing upsetting his lifestyle, he was simply with a patient when out of the blue the phobia returned. It happened before that idiotic kitchen scene. There is NO explanation for the phobia return. Everything was going well for him.

I call the kitchen scene idiotic because, COME ON, DM is falling apart because 1) he has to feed his child, 2) his wife is cooking dinner, and 3) the house cleaner who is a neat fanatic like him is cleaning up? For anyone to believe that was too much for DM to handle is someone falling prey to, in my opinion, the pathetic plot points BP/MC tried to force upon us.

DM has been much more stressed during his dating time, and his life, with LG then that moment in the kitchen. But, that is the problem with that series--they were trying to do things way beyond their skill level. Can you honestly believe any human being would not notice he had lost 40 lbs before his mother suggests they get on a scale? It's ridiculous. For DM supposedly not sleeping at night we saw his energy during the day was fantastic, he wasn't even needing to drink his coffee all the time, he made no errors, didn't need to nap, nothing. So, what's the point then of him not sleeping? Apparently, he doesn't need sleep, like the rest of us, so the fact that he isn't sleeping (apparently) shouldn't bother the viewer, because it is not played out in any rational plot way.

Ughs. I'm sorry I just really hated S6 aside from episodes 1 and 2. To have the finale also mimic nearly exactly the finale of S4 convinced me that the creativity was gone that season and it was all they could do to put out some episode, no matter the sense or the worth, each week.

I know there are those who loved the series and your discussion of it is how they validate the value of it, and that's fine, although I feel I can debate against many of the foundational aspects of trying to comprehend S6. However, this has all been hashed out before.

Mofromco states what BP meant for us to believe about Martin's series 6 behavior. MMderdekea states what BP failed to explain about his behavior. Sadly, I don't think we will ever get more than that from BP. They dropped things into the storylines almost as a shortcut to explain behaviors. After Martin insulted Louisa's dental hygiene the first time, we knew that each time Martin wanted to endanger his budding romance, he had to make a clunky remark implying she was stalking him, she was emotional because of her period, her perfume smelled like urine, etc. Similarly, when Martin is in an emotional clinch, the bloody phobia is trotted out. Your baby is born - vomit; you operate on your wife - vomit. Luckily, he was able to operate on Louisa's mom and Aunt Ruth without vomiting -- what does that say about his blood phobia?

Blood, I think there is one statement in your post that holds the key to the whole situation. "I don't think we will ever get more than that from BP". I don't know if it's sadly or happily or anything. The product has been written, directed and acted and filmed. It exists in some film canister on a shelf somewhere (we do know they use actual film that has to be developed and processed...a recent interview with PB and MC verified that because Philippa is afraid all of England is down to one processing house). Debating about it, filling in details, posing questions are all interesting activities but basically it's debating in a vacuum. I think that we all have good points...I think you and Mona are dead right. There are holes and inconsistencies. I just think that anger or hostile criticism towards BP is just a waste of time. It's their show...we watch it if we like....I watch it even if I don't like what's going on. All your points are well taken.

By the way, my stupid theory about Martin's blood phobia is that it's volume and exposure related. I thing he could do Ruth's biopsy because he used lidocaine with epinephrine as the local. That can result in a really clean field. Vaginal delivery is a pretty bloody mess. It's hilarious I even think about these things but it's like a hobby. Lol

Hi, Bloodphobia! (great username!) Thanks for sharing your equal fascination with the characters and story of Doc Martin– your devotion which you describe makes me feel less guilty for having watched too many episodes over and over and over! (Ha!). I’m afraid I’m not entirely sure from your post which paragraph you may be referring to– but assuming you meant the 3rd (the last) paragraph of the first post dated 08-09-2016 (#5706) that is what seems I should endeavour to clarify first.

Psychological projection is a common psychological defense mechanism wherein characteristics found to be unacceptable or unpleasant in one’s self are unconsciously projected or attributed to someone else instead. Projection of weaknesses or repressed feelings onto another person or group of people, in its simplest sense, provides psychological protection to one’s own ego and defends it against uncomfortable or unwelcome emotions– particularly in difficult or stressful circumstances or in a particularly susceptible psyche. The result is a distorted and obscured perception of one’s experience (but does not constitute a loss of reality). A garden variety example of this (of which we can all relate) is one readily depicted by Martin’s character where he quite often (and quite humourously) accuses others of being rude whilst being incredibly rude himself (often with the comical immaturity of a 4 year-old’s justification).

Consider a broader, if not more subtle, use of psychological projection in “Doc Martin”: the representation of other medical professionals (including most other professionals as well). They are routinely depicted as buffoonish, moronic, and incompetent idiots whose usually comical encounters are well played that we may more greatly appreciate Martin Ellingham’s extraordinary brilliance, skill, and expertise as a doctor and a surgeon. To viewers this is no doubt attributable to Martin’s singular lifelong utter and complete devotion to medicine as a champion of good health and the higher ideals of life and death (literally). As witnesses to these depictions, we viewers esteem Martin all the more and are readily willing to overlook his horrendous bedside manner and total lack of social skills– not to mention the character’s admirable humility and lack of conceit, if not indifference, to any sort of praise or acclaim.

Consider as well how nearly all the villagers and patients of Port Wenn (a particularly fecund enclave of benighted Cornwall, it would seem) for stupid, crude, bumptious, inbred, and backwards, if sometimes well-meaning, simple folk (a stereotype commonly depicted in one particular region or another in most countries or cultures, it seems). Patients in Port Wenn prove especially adept at being vulgar, nasty, and disgusting with their own ridiculous and bizarre views on health and medicine. Nonetheless we, like Doc Martin, look beyond his hilariously absurd patients utter stupidity by nonetheless treating them assiduously as their doctor– despite also treating them with disdain and demonstrating he really does care about others– if heretofore only in terms of their health-care.

These are examples of the writers’ incorporation of psychological projection in depicting the experience of Martin’s character. They are not examples of the writers merely employing objective irony. They are instead rather exaggerated characterisations that would otherwise exceed the self-coherency of the programme as a “dramedy” despite being an ample source (otherwise sorely missed of late) of the “com-edy” part. Were these in fact not examples of such broad psychological projections, they would be supreme examples of campy comedy reducing the programme to watching an updated British version of “Green Acres” (shudder). Attentive viewers have always had a greater sense that “Doc Martin” is much more than campy comedy and much more than just another “fish-out-of-water” milieu, despite the creators attempt to foist it as such.

Likewise from the narrative point-of-view of Martin in S6E8 when Ruth confronts him with the prospect of his psyche’s greatest fears, “you don’t believe you deserve her, do you?”, and losing Louisa, “...then leave the poor girl alone” it is too much for his besieged ego to bear. Wherein, to repeat from my original post: why then should we be surprised that S7 devolves into a depiction of Louisa as standoffish, petty, self-centered, defensive, thin-skinned, touchy, and just plain unlikable– what better way to portray Martin’s besieged ego proving Aunt Ruth right: he doesn’t deserve this. The psyche, particularly a damaged and beleaguered one– let alone one already susceptible to psychological projection, would sooner deploy a defense mechanisms by projecting its own weaknesses under existential threat onto another– particularly Louisa.

Of course the suggestion that we viewers are meant to experience Martin’s subjective experiences from the same psychological projections he is unconsciously subjected to seems extraordinary. Yet there are extraordinary grounds to do so: firstly by considering what psychological symptomatology makes him as susceptible as he is and secondly, by outlining what familiar narrative structure which underpins the story being told in the first place. I hope I haven’t overwhelmed you by offering up this initial post, to hopefully help illuminate the writers’ intent. I do recognize it is a stark alternative to what we’re meant to understand at first as some form of irony which your post summarises so succinctly, “[Louisa’s] transformation in Series 7 into a shrew was a reasonable reaction to one who had been psychologically abandoned by her husband [in Series 6].” Hopefully we can repudiate such distractions and thereby get on to the great characters and great story here we enjoy so much and to where it leads.

Hello, DM,

I do not believe your paragraph above is fully accurate. Aside from the questionable skills of the deceased Dr. Simms; Dr. Dibbs, the nurse who was pushed into being a physician by her husband; and the inexperienced surgeon suppose to operate on LG, what other physician was projected that way? DM's old student was an "ass" but he was a very capable, serious surgeon and did save Peter Cronk's life. DM's old physician friend, Chris Parsons, now in charge of choosing the surgery physician, seems quite competent. DM's old colleague, whom he visits in London seeking a job at the hospital, is still top of the line of docs. Dr. Milligan, the psychologist he saw was also very competent and created the CD that healed DM. Aunt Ruth is overall a good psychiatrist and well respected.

Many medical practitioners shown in DM are solid, competent practitioners. Nonetheless, DM is at the top of the line of brilliant physicians and surgeons.

Hello mmDerdekea! I’m afraid I may have muddled my earlier post in an effort to be overly sensitive and delicate and thus managed to have the meaning get completely turned around. My actual hope and intention had been to dispel ASD/HFA as a distraction preventing us from truly understanding this fascinating fictional character of Martin Ellingham and to rather draw attention to the symptomatology of Schizoid Personality Disorder (SPD). SPD was the actual symptomatology and description provided in my earlier post (for those who wish to find out more for themselves, Wikipedia provides a decent background https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizo...ality_disorder). I expect that a great many viewers will come to realise that this is the specific symptomatology the writers intended for the character’s consistent depiction.

Your post recites many of the great attributes of the character and the challenges Martin Ellingham has endured and overcame as well as some of his more complicated attributes and interactions that remain difficult to comprehend (the latter sometimes being attributed to flawed or confused writing). Not only does a symptomatology of SPD accord with these great attributes and more, it well explains: his extraordinary medical facilities both as a doctor then as an esteemed vascular surgeon; the how, why, and when of his fated relationship with Edith Montgomery; the upending irruption of his blood phobia and its subsequent cycles of remission and relapse, and resurgence again in S6 (and how it might ultimately resolve); his expatriation to Port Wenn; falling in love with Louisa at first sight; and the ongoing contretemps of Martin and Louisa’s relationship and marriage.

My interest is really not to focus on the psychology of the character, but to rather make sense of the story being told here, which ASD/HFA, as a pervasive developmental disorder with limited outcomes and possibilities for change implies limits to the story too (although individual variability does not preclude tremendous possibilities). On the other hand SPD, to the extent that it is understood, is not so nearly limiting– it constitutes a choice, a choice not to have or to feel or to express emotion, and that is a choice that I propose the programme’s creators intend for us to appreciate. It’s true that such a choice is made long, long ago in the earliest stages of life and would hardly be deemed a conscious one. In Martin’s case, as the current understanding goes, this is strongly supported by a history of cold, unloving, uncaring, and emotionally neglectful environment of caregiving that is not in doubt. “Doc Martin” then becomes an open ended and hopeful story for Martin’s character– which now presents Martin with the means to make a whole other choice– which can be shown to be entirely consistent with both psychoanalytic theory and the underlying narrative structure of the “Doc Martin” story– wherein this is a story that has been told before.

MMDerdekea, I have to disagree with your depiction of how other medical professionals are treated in Doc Martin. True, Dr. Jim Sim was not of the same caliber as Martin Ellingham, but if he were grossly incompetent, I believe the then PCT responsible for him would have stepped in to remove him. Chris Parsons is depicted as a good head of the PCT, and it seems he had to make an effort to get the prickly Mr. Ellingham considered for the post in Portwenn. Ellingham routinely considers the ambulance attendants unqualified from the first attendant who did not have the spare forceps he needed with Peter Cronk to subsequent attendants who picked up Danny Steel, Caroline Bosman, Elinor Glasson, Delph, the girl who crashed into the glass window, Isobel Brown who delivered her baby (interesting that Ellingham had never delivered a baby -- a rarity for anyone who attended medical school) and the attendant who delivered Louisa. Several became exasperated as if they were tired of Ellingham questioning their competency.

The nurse in the care home with Muriel Steel did not ensure that the latter was taking her medication. Molly O'Brien, the midwife, was made to be a feminist buffoon. Adrian Pitts was an "ass" as you pointed out, and Louisa told him off after he successfully operated on Peter Cronk. The physician who examined Peter Cronk at Truro Hospital and did not spot the ruptured spleen. Sandra Mylow was a charlatan because she engaged in alternative medicine. Edith Montgomery, though presumably trained with Ellingham and able to run her own fertility clinic, was incompetent. Colin Westmore who was locked in a closet because he could not rattle off four medical terms was considered incompetent although he had managed to become a surgical consultant given his title Mr. Westmore. The radiographer who missed spotting Louisa's AVM was incompetent. The only medical professional treated with a modicum of professionalism was the attending who treated the child with Kawasaki disease. He hadn't seen the very rare disease but, of course, Martin Ellingham, a surgeon, had.

Robert, Martin's old mentor was treated with respect, but Martin was trying to get a job. Notice the other two men in the London scene -- presumably surgeons - cast wary glances at Ellingham as if they were surprised to see him back and possibly not relishing the idea.

In my opinion, all of the incompetent medical personnel were there simply to highlight either Ellingham's genius or his grumpiness. It would be unusual for a first world country such as England to have so many incompetent people. Or perhaps Martin Ellingham just caught them on their one bad day. Might be similar to Ellingham's one bad day when he attributed the stomach virus that felled Portwenn to the swimming pool water or injected a woman suffering a headache with a rabies vaccine. Or he couldn't determine why the elderly man smelled so bad or the source of stomach problems suffered by Joan's first guest at the B&B. Things happen.

I don't mind any of the medical people being played for fools to advance the plot line, but trying to say they were not is incorrect.

My connecting of the dots is that Martin’s haemophobia is likely derived from semiotics (the study of meaning-making and symbolism) and the writers’ understanding of psychoanalytical theory (which is itself related to semiotics). The writers might have given Martin any debilitating phobia and remained consistent with the underlying narrative structure– and yet they chose to give him haemophobia, or more precisely Blood-Injection-Injury (BII) phobia. Haemophobia/BII, unlike other phobias which are most associated with the basic emotional experience of fear, is rather more strongly associated with the basic emotional experience of disgust.

Although the writers might well have made Mr. Martin Ellingham esteemed in any field of surgery to make his having to deal with blood ironic, their choice to make him a vascular surgeon must have been irresistibly ironic and symbolic. The symbolism was in fact enshrined as the sacrosanct doctrine of medical practice through the latter part of the 19th century known as the Four Humours or Humourism (how’s that for irresistibly funny irony). In essence, the belief was that one’s health was strictly determined by four specific substances within the human body and their being maintained in strict balance. When any of the four humours were out of balance the direct cause would be any and all diseases and disorders.

Each of the four humours was immanently associated with specific sets of emotional and temperamental characteristics that corresponded to the sufferer’s current disposition. Someone with an abundance of the humour of black bile (a product of the gallbladder) would be described as: analytical, serious, despondent, introverted, focused, and can be conscientious and prone to depression. Someone in exactly the opposite balance from black bile, would be described as: emotional, optimistic, warm-hearted, lively, sociable, talkative, pleasure-seeking, and can be changeable and prone to being chronically late and forgetful– in other words someone with an abundance of the humour of blood ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humorism and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_t...ments#Sanguine ).

Whilst such unscientific ideas are no longer with us (nor is the related practice of bloodletting), the meanings are still a part of modern medical terminology and everyday language. Martin’s general disposition corresponding to the aforementioned characteristics may be described as melancholic, corresponding to an excess of black bile. Louisa’s general disposition and characteristics may be described as sanguine, corresponding to an excess of blood (assuming that the composition of the remaining two humours, phlegm and yellow bile are maintained in balance of one another). Thus Louisa’s sanguineness might best describe her predominating quality as emotional, which pertains to the very state and substance that renders Martin so debilitated– an excess of blood, which we may then relate back to the horrible experience of Martin’s early childhood.

Very interesting, DM. I think Schizoid Personality Disorder is indeed a valid interpretation of Doc Martin. I think that fits his picture quite well.

DM Could the SPD that seems to fit Martin Ellingham cause him to defensively diagnose himself with attachment disorder. If he has SPD with some genetic basis he might believe that is a condition he could not change. However, if he has attachment disorder -- obviously attributable to his parents' emotional neglect, that would be something they "did" to him rather than a condition he may have inherited from one of them.

This is likely muddled, but I am fascinated by your expertise, DM.

The reference to “attachment disorder” by Martin in S7 and presented as a “self-diagnosis” was most certainly a mistake by the writers, no doubt unintentional– there is no such legitimately diagnosable disorder for adults. Hence, Martin’s statement to Dr. Timoney that, “You will diagnose attachment disorder”, was misleading and essentially wrong (which might have constituted just a simple uninformed mistake– were it coming from anyone besides Martin Ellingham).

The problem with the term “attachment disorder” is that it is not, strictly speaking, a disorder at all– but to the extent most widely agreed upon is meant to describe the emotional and behavioural problems of young children, wherein the accepted name of the specific disorder involved is known as Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). The bigger problem with the term “attachment disorder” is that it has been co-opted by disreputable and unscientific practitioners who purport to offer what they call “attachment therapy” which involve various controversial and distressing practices directed at young and vulnerable children.

Attachment Theory, on the other hand, is a well-studied and well-established field of child developmental psychology established by the British school of psychoanalysis by John Bowlby and Melanie Klein (principally from studies of maternal deprivation during World War II). It applies to the psychosocial development and formation of interpersonal relationships– although it is distinctly not a general theory on relationships. It focuses, though not exclusively, on the environment and circumstances by which an infant forms a bond by the non-physical exchange of needs with a primary caregiver, typically the mother (or to put focus on the role and not the gender, is sometimes referred to as the “motherer”).

Attachment Theory (not the same as one of several different Attachment Styles) provides a psychological basis to explain how experiences from early childhood to early adulthood can and do constellate into actual disorders– including Schizoid Personality Disorder (SPD). Martin’s description of his childhood to Dr. Timoney (presumably what he can consciously recall if not what he can surmise about earlier stages as well) before his pronouncement of a diagnosis is in fact consistent with an etiology by which Attachment Theory might explain a corresponding symptomatology for Schizoid Personality Disorder (SPD). Of course the worst part of the rather silly depiction of psychotherapy in S7 was that such a patient revelation (accurate or not) never queued Dr. Timoney to any further exploration of Martin’s experience– neither before, during, nor after the distraction which then exclusively became couples therapy.

Nice points in this discussion! Your examples above were very good.

Nice points in this discussion! Your examples above were very good. I agree.

There is an article in the Oct. 3, 1916 The Northern Daily Leader (I assume it's an Australian paper??). MC talks about the Islands of Oz documentary he made -- towards the end of the article the following question was posed about DM:
What's coming up in season 8?
MC: Well, we left Martin and Louisa in a good place, for once. At the end of series 7 they realize they're sort of independent so we'll build from there. They have to sort out where they're going to live. Louisa is gonna look for a change in her career and I'm going to be rude to some more patients.
My questions are: Is DM still going to use the present house as his surgery and look for another place to live? Are they moving out of Portwenn? (Please NO!) Louisa looking for a career change?? Also, the same article states that Sigourney Weaver wants to have another part in series 8 (again, please NO!). I would rather have Elinor and Margaret come back.

I meant to say Oct. 3, 2016. I'm in the wrong century today!