Home › Forums › Doc Martin Rewatch › Doc Martin Rewatch – Series 4 › Episode 1 – Better the Devil
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SueThis is another episode that I did not view in real-time (having only discovered the DM show in 2013), but can only imagine what those viewers may have thought about it at the time. They had followed Martin and Louisa for three series, only to see them break up right before their wedding. The viewers had to wait two long years to learn what would happen next. Then, they were promptly introduced to Edith, who, through fine writing and acting, was immediately unlikable. We wonder if Martin is going to take up again with an old girlfriend instead of Louisa whom we have come to know and like. Then, in the final minutes of the episode, Louisa returns and the stage is set for the rest of S4. There is a potential for numerous story lines with Martin, a pregnant Louisa and Edith, a former fiancée who has a much different personality from Louisa.
The storyline of patient Barbara Collingsworth that leads to the reconnection between Martin and Edith is entertaining. There is plenty of good dialogue related to her case and physical humor as well, as in the hospital, Martin is rude to the woman in the wheel chair and then commandeers her chair in order to take Collingsworth for the omitted CT scan. As Edith says when she finds them in the CT lab: “It wasn’t hard to find you Ellingham. I just followed the trail of outraged people.” Before that, when Martin spoke with Edith on the phone about the initial diagnosis, he says “You didn’t order a CT scan. How did you rule out diverticulitis? Woman’s intuition?”
We also quickly get the impression that Martin and Edith know each other quite well. When she comes to his office, she acknowledges the presence of the golden Buddha, so we assume there is some history between them regarding that. Then, when Edith arrives at the surgery in the evening after Martin has made his point about the misdiagnosis, we are aware that each understands the other with nothing being said. He opens the door, she waits silently, he eventually says “I accept your apology.” and invites her in. He pours water for both of them and they drink as if they may have done this many times before.
This episode introduces us to another character who will have a long-running part in the series…Buddy.
The storyline with Clive and Sally Tishell is another great one, providing lots of humor. Both of those parts are well-written and superbly acted, especially Mrs Tishell. Martin provides some great facial expressions as he first meets Clive at the chemist’s shop. “I assumed he was dead.” says Martin. “No…, he is here.”, says Mrs Tishell. Then, we learn of Clive’s hearing problem as they are all shouting. The second meeting in the chemist shop, when Doc tries to convince Clive he needs treatment for his hearing, is funny, as they are again shouting at each other.
Clive: “There is no need.”
Doc: “I’m trying to help you.”
Clive: “I don’t need help.”
Doc: “The very fact that we are all shouting surely proves that you do!”Sally’s frustration with Clive’s actions comes out quite noticeably when they are at the pub. Clive prepares to order some more drinks and asks:
Clive: “Same again”.
Sally: “Oh, just an orange juice.”
Clive: “Sorry?”
Sally: “Orange juice.”
Clive: “Come again?”
Sally (shouting loudly): “Brandy! I’ll have a double brandy!”We also learn that Martin has been missing Louisa, but he has decided to try to move on. He is attempting to overcome his blood phobia and find a position doing surgery, so he can leave Port Wenn, since there has been no other reason for him to remain. Many more story lines to come on that topic too.
S4 will be full of tension.
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SueSorry, that got a bit lengthy.
In the future I shall try to be more concise…pithy…taut…succinct…laconic…-
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