Standing over this wife who has a dangerous brain arterial condition and needs immediate surgery, Clunes' character, who has just unceremoniously locked the primary surgeon in a closet because he seemed incompetent, says to Catz (who just left him with the baby to go to Spain) "I have done this operation 7 times before ...... but I have never been married before." After the operation, there is a scene with Clunes in the washroom where the realization of what almost happened dawns, and there are tears in his eyes. I am not British, I don't understand the award process, but I have been reviewing films and TV for a very long time. Bottom line, they have given Oscars for performances that were less than what Clunes delivered in that one scene. This episode, which I guess could be the last in the series (with British TV you never really know) has themes of redemption that are simply astonishing, all the moreso because the opening episode in this season was a magnificent comedy and this episode is at the other end of the spectrum. Superb.
7 Reviews
Very Touching
Hitchcoc26 March 2018
If the marriage were to end, we would still have the incredible competence of Martin Ellingham. As offensive as his demeanor is, the little village of Port Wenn would suffer greatly without him. Louisa is off to Spain with the little boy to live with her mother. Martin has offended her once again and she has had enough. It's all about him needing to change (which is pretty much the case), but he has serious issues and serious talent. He and the idiotic policeman go on a breakneck trip to the airport because Martin has noticed an abnormality in Louisa's brain X-ray. The conclusion is very touching but leaves us hanging. Subplots involve Al's effort to talk Ruth into opening a B&B and a near fatal electrocution. Also, we see the pure evil of Martin's mother in an intense confrontation.
Standing On The Verge Of ...
anderbilt29 March 2015
This episode was a deeply affecting conclusion to a very transitional series for this show. Series 6 of this show took some heat from longtime fans as being too much of a departure from the story as it had been established over the previous five series. You can read such comments in the reviews linked to the main IMDb page for this show.
It's a dilemma many shows in the U-S face in their later seasons. Do we introduce change for the beloved characters, such as normal people would encounter in their lives, or do we double down our bets on fan expectations and lavish on them more of the things they already love and depend on in the show? Most shows choose to cater to the fan base, to their detriment as plots become more boring and improbable. Some shows choose to embrace change in order to keep their original premise intact, and this is how I prefer to view Series 6 of Doc Martin.
I missed a few of the episodes, but I was glad to see something new in the lives of these characters, changes in their outlooks and attitudes, changes in their situation, such as people encounter. I loved the stories I saw, and I was so unprepared for the final moments of this episode. This season finale was filled with unrest and anger, and decisions and new directions. Changing the most: Dr Ellingham, resolving issues with his mother, building new closeness with his Aunt Ruth, and by the end of this episode, fully knowing the content of his own yearning heart for once.
I have hopes for the next series of this show. I'm glad it's in a place where I can't possibly anticipate what's going to happen. Martin and Louisa are the closest they have ever been to finally getting over themselves and getting it right, and that's exciting.
It's a dilemma many shows in the U-S face in their later seasons. Do we introduce change for the beloved characters, such as normal people would encounter in their lives, or do we double down our bets on fan expectations and lavish on them more of the things they already love and depend on in the show? Most shows choose to cater to the fan base, to their detriment as plots become more boring and improbable. Some shows choose to embrace change in order to keep their original premise intact, and this is how I prefer to view Series 6 of Doc Martin.
I missed a few of the episodes, but I was glad to see something new in the lives of these characters, changes in their outlooks and attitudes, changes in their situation, such as people encounter. I loved the stories I saw, and I was so unprepared for the final moments of this episode. This season finale was filled with unrest and anger, and decisions and new directions. Changing the most: Dr Ellingham, resolving issues with his mother, building new closeness with his Aunt Ruth, and by the end of this episode, fully knowing the content of his own yearning heart for once.
I have hopes for the next series of this show. I'm glad it's in a place where I can't possibly anticipate what's going to happen. Martin and Louisa are the closest they have ever been to finally getting over themselves and getting it right, and that's exciting.
The best episode of the series so far...
planktonrules10 May 2015
This is my favorite of all the "Doc Martin" shows and it delivers so much of what the fans have been waiting for since the shows began. Well worth seeing--it's the final episode of season 6 and it's been announced that there will be a season 7.
When the show begins, Louisa is fed up with Martin and is determined to leave to spend time with her horrible mother in Spain. In other words, she's leaving one emotionally distant person to go live with another emotionally distant person! However, Martin is worried. After all, after Louisa's recent accident, he's seen signs that she might be much more seriously injured than her doctors have told her and his vigilance leads to an exciting and VERY satisfying conclusion. Martin finally deals with his evil mother once and for all and he makes a mad dash to catch up with Louisa and make things right.
There are a lot of surprises and you get to see a more vulnerable side of Martin in this one. Well worth seeing and very well written and satisfying.
When the show begins, Louisa is fed up with Martin and is determined to leave to spend time with her horrible mother in Spain. In other words, she's leaving one emotionally distant person to go live with another emotionally distant person! However, Martin is worried. After all, after Louisa's recent accident, he's seen signs that she might be much more seriously injured than her doctors have told her and his vigilance leads to an exciting and VERY satisfying conclusion. Martin finally deals with his evil mother once and for all and he makes a mad dash to catch up with Louisa and make things right.
There are a lot of surprises and you get to see a more vulnerable side of Martin in this one. Well worth seeing and very well written and satisfying.
Prepare To Shed A Tear Or Two (Bucketfuls).
calvsaxby30 June 2023
I saw this episode when it was first shown ten years ago and it moved me to tears even then. I watched it again with my mum in her care home tonight and I had to stop reading to her because I couldn't stop the tears from coming and choking me up.
As another reviewer suggested, I also believe that Martin Clunes should have been at least nominated for a BAFTA for this series and specifically this episode. The entire cast are incredible, portraying genuine characters that are completely believable and that you can deeply invest in.
As with all episodes, there are events going on in the background (Eileen Atkins & Joe Absolom are utterly magnificent) but the highlight of this episode is the relationship between Martin and Louisa. To witness Martin attempting to say and do the right thing for his marriage and admit how much he loves Louisa (Eileen Atkins again) is enough to make a statue weep. The scene where Martin is on his own in the aftermath of the operation is astonishing. Then how can anybody refuse to be moved as he walks out of the hospital all alone and isolated?
Finally, I would just like to highlight the immense beauty of the music in this programme, particularly in this episode. I have the soundtrack by Colin Towns but that is only from season 1 - the music has grown and blossomed since then and I would dearly love to hear more from this outrageously talented composer. A wonderfully emotional episode of a ridiculously beautiful programme - if you have a heart and like to feel real emotion then this programme and this episode especially are for you.
As another reviewer suggested, I also believe that Martin Clunes should have been at least nominated for a BAFTA for this series and specifically this episode. The entire cast are incredible, portraying genuine characters that are completely believable and that you can deeply invest in.
As with all episodes, there are events going on in the background (Eileen Atkins & Joe Absolom are utterly magnificent) but the highlight of this episode is the relationship between Martin and Louisa. To witness Martin attempting to say and do the right thing for his marriage and admit how much he loves Louisa (Eileen Atkins again) is enough to make a statue weep. The scene where Martin is on his own in the aftermath of the operation is astonishing. Then how can anybody refuse to be moved as he walks out of the hospital all alone and isolated?
Finally, I would just like to highlight the immense beauty of the music in this programme, particularly in this episode. I have the soundtrack by Colin Towns but that is only from season 1 - the music has grown and blossomed since then and I would dearly love to hear more from this outrageously talented composer. A wonderfully emotional episode of a ridiculously beautiful programme - if you have a heart and like to feel real emotion then this programme and this episode especially are for you.
Let her go, Doc...
SamPamBam18 July 2020
Please Don't Come Back....But I Know You Will
snarknado20 November 2022
She's leaving....again. Unfortunately she'll be back. I checked the current season cast list.
I haven't found a more loathsome and repellent female character in all of British TV since Dr. Scorned Foster, the worst of all.
Why do women deal with, much less marry, men who they know well and are dissatisfied with? Has there ever been anyone who changes their fundamental nature and character at the whims, requests, needling or cajoling of another. Why? Why? Why can't women accept this?
You take what you know and either live with it or leave it. You don't keep coming back expecting something different. And whining, whinging and cloying won't mold someone into your ideal man. Has never happened. Never will. But some women never learn that and it is exasperating and mind-numbing watching one try to. And then can't figure out why.
I'm leaving this show for now. Maybe I'll pick it back up when I'm ready for some perverse entertainment again.
After all I did watch all ten episodes of Dr. Scorned Foster. Uggggghhh.
I haven't found a more loathsome and repellent female character in all of British TV since Dr. Scorned Foster, the worst of all.
Why do women deal with, much less marry, men who they know well and are dissatisfied with? Has there ever been anyone who changes their fundamental nature and character at the whims, requests, needling or cajoling of another. Why? Why? Why can't women accept this?
You take what you know and either live with it or leave it. You don't keep coming back expecting something different. And whining, whinging and cloying won't mold someone into your ideal man. Has never happened. Never will. But some women never learn that and it is exasperating and mind-numbing watching one try to. And then can't figure out why.
I'm leaving this show for now. Maybe I'll pick it back up when I'm ready for some perverse entertainment again.
After all I did watch all ten episodes of Dr. Scorned Foster. Uggggghhh.
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