Clunatic ShazRose

I liked this special episode because I got to learn a little about Louisa and her background. She hasn’t had an easy upbringing either but at least we know her dad loves her. The villagers must think highly of Louisa. Here she is head of the school and trusted with their children while they still don’t trust her father.

Well written interwoven storyline; guns, rare birds and their eggs, Doc investigated by a “friend”, bi-polar schizo crazy patient, explosions, drilling into the baker’s brain, this was a crazy fun and funny episode

This is my all time favorite #1 episode of all Doc Martin episodes. There is so much happening during this episode that I always love a rewatch of Erotomania, and Doc and Louisa are involved in every story thread. Danny proposes to Louisa and you can see she didn’t expect that. We have seen Louisa’s looks and her interactions toward Doc in past episodes which makes us know she still has feelings for Doc. And when Louisa announces to Doc that “he’s gone”, I felt she understood that Doc was avoiding her because of Danny.

The Salvation Army man is trying to track down a missing person. Doc gets into the middle of all this because of Julie being pregnant but Mark finding out he has zero sperm. Very clever how it is all revealed and sorted and it was Louisa that brought it to Docs attention that Julie was the missing person. It is also Louisa that finally helps Mrs. Tishell take her neck collar off only to then have to call Doc to help her. I think Mrs. Tishell liked those lovely big hands holding her neck steady.

I love how the drinking scene opens on the Doc and Louisa through the hallway door, each mirroring eachothers position across the table. That whole scene to the kiss is a heart melter. The rest of the episode makes me laugh out loud. The physical comedy is outstanding. This may be the only episode Louisa actually says “I love you” to Doc…until series 7?

This episode did strike me as all about the men (and boys) of Portwenn but I didn’t pick up on the male greek chorus. You just blew my mind, Kate Kennedy. We have the boys playing tough with the weavers, we have Mark and Al off for a stag camp out…who does a stag camp out? Al moving into his first place and it seems like a manly thing to do because it is a fixer upper. The Doc is acting the gentleman helper for the school fair set up and then he and Stewart are off to the woods to rescue Mark. A very good episode to lead into the season closer.

The episode title makes me think of Willie Nelson’s song. The Doc didn’t treat Louisa the way he should have. He could have at least called her when he couldn’t keep to the appointment.

Right on, Sue and Carole. When he was picking his parents up at the Depot without a wave, smile or hug of greeting and then reminding his dad they hadn’t spoken in 7 years, you knew this was going to be a dramatic episode. His mother was so cruel saying 40 years of her life was wasted because of him. I feel so crushed for Doc Watching this episode.

On top of his parents disrupting his world, Doc has to listen to Danny wanting to make another go at Louisa and telling Doc they have a history. I see the Doc distancing himself from Louisa on purpose now.

There was one moment where the Doc actually smiled! When Roger tells him that Maureen is having twins, Doc smiled. I hadn’t noticed that before.

Doc Martin does not like Danny that is certain with his “tosser” remark toward the radio interview at the beginning of the episode and the “little prick” comment near the end. Sue, you are so right that he gives up too easily but maybe he thinks he already lost his chance with Louisa and is not good enough for her and she wants to be with Danny. Though, we see signs from Louisa that the Doc is on her mind and she does push Danny away.

When Mark Mylo shows Caroline how to blow into the breathalyzer did you notice he sucked in on it? And did he give her the test outside the Cronk’s home location from season 7? It looks familiar. If Caroline just let the Doc help her at the beginning and examine her as he wanted, she could have been spared all her troubles.

I liked this episode with lots of stuff happening around Portwenn. I think I can still smell Mr. Cooke.

Sue, you are so right about the Doc wanting to solve the mystery in this episode. It reminded me of the Doc Martin movies with its story, mystery and humor throughout.

The Bert and Al storyline was very touching and Auntie Joan takes on a mother figure roll again this time helping Al. I teared up when Bert was crying in his truck. Perfect casting of the Flint family, especially the oddly sweet and quirky Wallace. A product of “the moor” (insert small tongue roll).

I thought it interesting that the Doc did not dismiss holistic medicine out of hand. With his Buddhas and eastern decorations in his surgery I wonder if he did a bit of study of Eastern medicines. He seemed to have knowledge of what Sandra Mylo was dispensing, usages and interactions. I suppose that good doctors these days would have to know such things. Sandra was really smug about her work and I thought Doc was too accommodating to her. No “blood thicker” between Mark and Sandra. I was so happy when Mark tossed her out.

Good observations in the above comments. Louisa may be a good listener, but she doesn’t communicate or explain herself very well. Doc and Louisa always leave things unsaid to each other either by jumping to conclusions, interruptions, or just can’t be bothered talking it out.

I like how Doc showed a bit of dark humor when he told the “deaf” boy his head was going to explode and asking Peter if he felt the shot before he gave it. Also the exchange with Louisa about Peters choice of video…
Doc: “He told me it was educational.”
Louisa: “and he just said, virgin’s eyeballs.”
Doc: “That bad?”

I thought it odd that the Doc would cook fish for himself and fish sticks for Peter. Doc strikes me as the kind of person who would not cook processed frozen food, especially when you have fresh so available. Even fresh cooked fish and chips would have been better from Bert!

Defineatly one of my all time favorite episodes with the unforgetable kiss in the taxi at the end. But this time on rewatch I was drawn to how intense the ambulance scene was played. It felt like the Doc took strength from having Louisa by his side, telling her about his blood problem and then having to get past it to help Peter. I was on the edge of my seat even though I have scene this episode a few times already. Amazing acting!

A great start to season 2 with the dream sequence. Poor Louisa, even in her dreams her moments with Doc are interrupted and separated. Martin and Carolyn’s expressions throughout that opening are great, especially Doc at the end saying, “go on, give it to me, you dirty stinking dog.” Absolutely hilarious and unexpected.

The title, “Old Dogs” I think is referring to the saying “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” and some of the story lines seem to touch on that theme of how hard it can be to change ones ways. Mrs. Steele and Auntie Joan don’t like the idea of changing residence to a convalescent home, the Rix couple trying to add “spark” to their marriage but rather painfully unsuccessful, Pauline coming from a vet surgery updating Docs computer and thinking she can help with patients, and Louisa back with her old flame, Danny. No Louisa! Don’t do it! I saw you elbow Danny away and look back at the Doc there at the end of the episode.

I loved Pauline from the start, how she took over the front office and seemed more helpful to the Doc without putting him down like Elaine. I think she brought a more cheerful humor to the show overall.

I am enjoying all the comments and observations from everyone.

The title to this episode makes me think of the quote from Casablanca, “of all the gin joints in all the towns…she walks into mine” Bogart’s character is talking about his old flame showing up after so many years and here in Doc Martin we have John Slater turning up for Joan. Also, love that can’t last as with Elaine and Joe, and the hilarious crush of Melanie on the Doc.

On rewatch I noticed that Slater’s boat was moored at a different port (Padstow) other than Port Isaac. Duh! How many times have I enjoyed this episode and not noticed that before. Also, when Melanie is screaming when she first comes to the surgery it was fun to catch more of what is being said. Doc asks, “what’s your name?” The brother replies, “Brain dead” Too funny!

Melanie’s Dad looks a good couple inches taller than Doc which may be the only time Doc has had to look up to someone while standing. Thank goodness he is an understanding dad.

I always tear up at the ending of this episode. That hug he gives Auntie Joan is incredibly touching.

Such a great episode. I found myself catching Doc’s many wonderful facial expressions more so than one liners in this episode. His face is so expressive especially through the scenes with Stuart and “Anthony”, and the touches of jealousy over Louisa. Portwenn effect, placebo effect, or Louisa effect, the Doc was certainly effected by it all.

Great comments by all. I will just add I loved the scene when he cleared the swimmers out of the pool, Jaws music and all the splashing and yelling.

I really like the reveal of the extent of Doc’s blood problem, the many gorgeous shots of “Portwenn”, and Roger Fenn. A lot of the lines made me laugh out loud. I still can’t fathom what Louisa is thinking of the Doc in this episode, especially the look at the end. At first she is smiling with everyone else at the wedding when they are singing “for he’s a jolly good fellow”, but then she turns to look at the Doc and the smile turns to mad or concern or confusion? Hmmm. I thought it odd when I first saw this episode that anyone would describe their parents as vile. I realze now that it was another clue into the Doc’s personality