What's Worth Watching: Doc Martin on Acorn TV for Monday, October 5

Doc Martin, "Rescue Me" and "The Shock of the New" (available Monday, Oct. 5, on Acorn TV)

Stuck in Portwenn, the quaint seaside town he considers "the village of the idiots," with his wife off in Spain (with baby son) to get some distance to sort out their relationship, is it any wonder that Doc Martin's (Martin Clunes) bedside manner is particularly gruff? His bark has more bite than usual as Season 7 of the gently comedic drama gets underway. (The first two episodes of the popular British import are available Monday exclusively on the Acorn streaming service, with the remaining six episodes rolled out on successive Mondays. In January, American Public Television will distribute the episodes to local PBS stations.)

With the doc's strained love life the #1 topic for local gossip, Martin decides to take the plunge and see a therapist, a task from which his equally prickly Aunt Ruth (the wonderful Eileen Atkins) wisely recuses herself. She's a silent partner (but "not dumb," she snaps) in the B&B that bumbling Al Large (Joe Absolom) is frantically trying to get ready for customers. As luck would have it, two of Al's workers become patients of Doc Martin, who's distracted by being unable to reach the absent Louisa (Caroline Catz) on her retreat.

Keep reading HERE at TV Insider.

Doc Martin Episode Two: Martin Clunes continues to shine in a somewhat overcrowded instalment (Spoilers)

Last week in my review of Doc Martin I commented on how the quaint comedy drama is a consistent ratings winner for ITV. Whilst the series seven opener did indeed win that evening’s slot, it was down two million on the first episode of series six back in 2013. It seems odd to me that the ratings dipped quite so dramatically and unless the same audience decided to watch the documentary about The Queen on BBC One then it appears that people may have tired of Doc Martin. Indeed, tonight’s episode does follow the format of most of Doc Martin’s prior episodes and my suspicion is that people are switching off due to the formulaic nature of the show.

I did find this week’s Doc Martin particularly muddled with five storylines occurring throughout the episode three of which intersected with the instalment’s only memorable set piece. The big news this week was the return of Louisa who came back from Spain at possibly the most inopportune time. After settling back in, Louisa reveals that she needs to create some space between her and Martin, making the eventual decision to move out. I personally felt that Martin and Louisa’s separation should have had more time devoted to it even if it was only temporary. Indeed, as it seemed that the split was being rushed, I thought that in the end Louisa would decide not to make the move and try to work at her marriage. There were at least a few little hints that Louisa and Martin would resolve their differences however ultimately it seems that the writers are going to keep them apart for now.

Keep reading HERE at Unreality TV.

Get set everybody!

Episode Two - The Shock of the New - is nearly upon us! Boil the kettle, grab your knee rug and settle in for the return of Louisa. Keep in mind that the course of true love never did run smooth.

Picture found HERE.

The Shock of the New - Tonight 9pm ITV

If anyone can help the curmudgeonly doc (Martin Clunes) change his ways, it's Dr Rachel Timoney. Louisa's return further raises questions about her and Martin's relationship and Al welcomes his first fishing guests, although an uninvited one means a good review in not guaranteed. Meanwhile Bert tries to rejuvenate business at the restaurant by joining an online voucher scheme and offering two-for-one lobster specials with the help of local fisherman Gus.

Found HERE.

Talk Talk

Doc Martin

The Shock of the New

Al welcomes his first fishing guests, but an uninvited one means that a good review is definitely not guaranteed, while Bert decides to try to rejuvenate trade at the restaurant by joining an online voucher scheme. Morwenna asks Martin for a pay rise, and Louisa has to find a new babysitter to look after James Henry and reluctantly decides to offer Janice a trial. Penhale is excited to receive his new police issue Taser, but Portwenn does not exactly offer him plenty of opportunities to try it out. Comedy drama, starring Martin Clunes.

 

Found HERE.

Series 7 Episode 2 - The Shock of the New (Spoilers)

Martin Clunes returns to play the nation’s favourite grumpy medic in a brand new series. After Martin’s first session with Dr Rachel Timoney (Emily Bevan), he realises that if anyone is going to be able to help him change, then Dr Timoney seems well qualified. The return of Louisa (Caroline Catz) raises more questions around their relationship – in order to stay together, perhaps they need to spend more time apart, living in separate houses until they have worked through their issues.

Meanwhile, Al (Joe Absolom) welcomes his first fishing guests, but an uninvited one means that his good review is not guaranteed. Bert (Ian McNeice) decides to try to rejuvenate trade at the restaurant by joining an online voucher scheme offering a 2-for-1 lobster special. Morwenna (Jessica Ransom) thinks her responsibilities in the surgery have increased and asks Martin for a pay rise. With her return to school imminent, Louisa has to find a new babysitter to look after James Henry, and reluctantly decides to offer Janice (Robyn Addison) a trial. Aunt Ruth (Eileen Atkins) has to face up to the fact that there is no escaping the ageing process, but does not want Martin to be constantly making her accept her health limitations. PC Penhale (John Marquez) is excited to receive his new police issue taser, but Portwenn does not exactly offer many opportunities to try it out.

9:00pm, Monday, 14 September 2015, ITV

With Louisa back in town, can the grumpy GP finally find happiness?

'I think that happiness is overrated,' the Doc (Martin Clunes) tells his relationship therapist, who's surely earning every penny of her fee dealing with the grump. Still, at least Louisa is back and hinting that perhaps the pair could have a future together, but their marriage still looks in need of serious repair. The Doc also has other worries, namely the health of his Aunt Ruth (Eileen Atkins), who he catches buying a load of medicine at the chemists. Meanwhile, Pc Joe is delighted when his new taser gun arrives, although not everyone else is so pleased! Plenty of laughs can be had here, though sadly none for the Doc.

Found HERE at What's on TV.

Doc Martin Series 7 Episode 2 - The Shock of the New Trailer

Series 7 - 2. The Shock of the New (SPOILERS)

Al welcomes his first fishing guests, but an uninvited one means that a good review is definitely not guaranteed, while Bert decides to try to rejuvenate trade at the restaurant by joining an online voucher scheme. Morwenna asks Martin for a pay rise, and Louisa has to find a new babysitter to look after James Henry and reluctantly decides to offer Janice a trial. Penhale is excited to receive his new police issue Taser, but Portwenn does not exactly offer him plenty of opportunities to try it out. Comedy drama, starring Martin Clunes.

Found HERE at Radio Times.

Doc Martin - Series Seven - Episode Two (SPOILERS)

After Martin’s first session with psychotherapist Dr Rachel Timoney (Emily Bevan), we see he may have met his match: if anyone is going to be able to help Martin change, then Dr Timoney seems well qualified. 

 

Louisa’s return further raises questions around their relationship: in order to stay together, perhaps they need to spend more time apart, until they have worked through their issues.  

 

Meanwhile, Al (Joe Absolom) welcomes his first fishing guests, but an uninvited one means that a good review is definitely not guaranteed.  

 

Bert (Ian McNeice) decides to try to boost trade at the restaurant by joining an online voucher scheme, and offering a 2 for 1 lobster special with the help of Gus (Jason Baughan), a local fisherman.  Morwenna (Jessica Ransom) thinks her responsibilities in the surgery have increased, and asks Martin for a pay rise.  

 

Louisa, her return to work at school imminent, has to find a new babysitter to look after James Henry, and reluctantly decides to offer Janice (Robyn Addison) a trial.  

Aunt Ruth (Dame Eileen Atkins) has to face up to the fact that there is no escaping the ageing process, but doesn’t want Martin to be constantly making her accept her health limitations. 

 

PC Penhale (John Marquez) receives his new police issue Taser, but Portwenn does not exactly present opportunities to use it.

 

Found HERE at ITV.