Customer Reviews

Doc Martin: Series 4

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

FUN LOL BRITISH COMEDY. If you've not experienced DOC MARTIN prior, get every series now. Series 4 picks right up with the dramatic falling apart of a wedding ceremony from the ending of Series 3. So what can get worse? Everything. About the only thing that compares to the eccentric characters in Portwenn is way back to Mayberry RFD. Is Portwenn a British Mayberry? May-be! It's Cornwall corny. And also a Cornwall (filmed in Port Isaac) beautiful quaint fishing port.

Every weird local is back for Series 4. Rude, grumpy Doc (Martin Clunes) still gags at blood; Aunt Joan (Stephanie Cole) is poorer thus less sane; teacher Louisa (Caroline Cutz) has an obvious situation; receptionist Pauline (Katherine Parkinson) is outrageously funny wanting a man, maybe Large Jr., son of Bert Large (Ian McNeice)plumber turned chef (ugh, don't order the soup); and newcomer Edith (Lia Williams)in charge of romantic mayhem. That's just the short-list of a crazy cast that keeps a tapestry of sub-plots moving fast.

A great family series, which does have a 'graphic medical scene' warning due to numerous accidents involving some blood for Doc Martin to gag or spew from. A surgeon afraid of blood is just part of the absurd humor. If you love English seaside village views and homespun humor, this will do & make you beg for more. Episodes carry over to the next and all with SUBTITLES. Some of the best British Doctor Comedy/Drama ever produced.

Need more evidence of greatness? Episode details:
1 BETTER THE DEVIL-Louisa left Portwenn & Doc is out-grouching his own sour records. Doc's ex-girlfriend from med school arrives. Will he soon be London bound? His blood phobia may decide.

2 UNEASY LIES THE HEAD-Louisa returns (much heavier) and town tongues tell tales. She doesn't want Martin involved. Edith becomes Louisa's doctor. Aunt Joan sides with Louisa & tells Doc to do right by her. The school headmaster acts stranger than the routine eccentric of Portwenn.

3 PERISH TOGETHER AS FOOLS-Local copper's bro is ill. There is romance all about--but not what you expect. Doc shows a rare sign of tenderness with seeing the baby scan.

4 DRIVING MR McLYNN-Louisa wants to be school head again, Joan needs money, & Doc tells Edith he applied for a surgery position but...what about the blood?

5 THE DEPARTED-Doc falsifies his blood fear problem in a surgery job interview. Doc's newly widowed patient is talking with her departed. A mental problem? Not uncommon for Portwenn. Joan gets sued.

6 MIDWIFE CRISIS-A midwife & Doc disagree on Louisa's care. Joan is told of Doc's new London job but who should tell Louisa? Bert's restaurant has a new cook, followed by an emergency.

7 DO NOT DISTURB-Word gets out the Doc is leaving Portwenn. Doc accompanies Edith to a conference but it ends differently than expected. Joan starts taking in B&B guests-paying guests.

8 THE WRONG GOODBYE-Doc's last day at Portwenn includes abundant patients, too many expressions of affection, Edith wanting an apology, Aunt Joan's on his back over his unborn baby, and...oh dear, an emergency at an emergency.

Bottom line recommendation: By all means watch it, but after Series 1, 2, & 3. Once you see Series 4, if not already owned, you WILL buy the others. Might as well watch them in order. Treat yourself. Laughter is good medicine.

This marvelous 4th season picks up where Season 3 left off and I couldn't be more thrilled. The loons are back in town!

This is British comedy at its best: quirky characters, unique plot twists, and gorgeous scenery leave you alternately chuckling and shaking your head incredulously.

If one egocentric but brilliant physician is good, why not two? An old flame of Doc Martin's surfaces with a predatory gleam in her eye whilst the charming but oft bewildered Louisa faces a new challenge to her love for Doc Martin and an unanticipated complication. Meanwhile, Mrs. Titchell, the chemist (pharmacist), still burns with an unreciprocated crush that's hilariously optimistic.

I could eat this series with a spoon and wait impatiently for each new season. Apparently there are episodes released in Britain that are unavailable here in the States. I saw Martin Clunes on BBC's The Graham Norton Show and learned there are more seasons being filmed even as I write this. So where is Season 5?????

This series is a delightful experience I want to enjoy again and again.

Possible spoiler.

It's not like I wanted a totally happy ending. One of the wonderful joys of this show is how unexpected behavior and plot have been. But the characters personalities were written worse and worse! Auntie has gone from arrogant and abrasive to worse plus a hint of dementia. Also so unfeeling about all Martin has done for her. The PC is crazy, Bert and his son are stale, the pharmacist is making a tedious fool of herself, they've even spoiled Pauline in this series: she's as nasty as the rest now. I don't blame the Doc in the least for giving her a mediocre reference. She got the job anyway, didn't she? Louisa could save the relationship with some humor and love, but instead is either tongue-tied or ridiculously belligerent and incredibly hurtful. Martin gets nastier at the same time he continues his medical miracles.

If I could talk to the show's writers, I'd say enough of the conflicts generated by nasty female behavior! That has been a constant plot device throughout the show, and is common on many shows. I re-watched the pilot last night: give us our old Doc Martin back! The dialogue was much better, funnier. He was an emotional challenge already, and the townsfolk have now driven him mad. His sadness is very hard to watch, and he's not equipped to deal. He doesn't get any relief, and I am all worn out by watching this. My husband feels the same way. We got to dread each episode, but kept hoping it would redeem itself. There were some excellent moments amidst the madness. But no belly laughs at all.

One thing I love about the show is the Doc's consistent honesty, extreme work ethic and intelligence. He takes his job very seriously, and you often see him help someone he detests or who resists treatment or even wishes him harm. However, while it is an excellent device to have a character at once so competent and so easy to humiliate, that can go too far. And is there anyone else in the whole village, beside Louisa, who is intelligent and competent?? Is there anyone there who values intelligence and competence? Perhaps it is more like real life than I want it to be!

I've read that they are going to film series 5 in 2011. I will watch it, and hope they can recover everything wonderful about this show.

Our local library had a couple of individual shows from Season 1. After watching those, we quickly turned to Amazon to purchase the Season 1 compilation. Then, later, also Season 2, 3, and 4. Yes, admittedly, my family and I are addicted. We watch episodes again and again. (Amazon: sign us up to receive seasons 5 thru 999, too, whenever they're released.) Fascinating characters. Great story lines. Beautiful scenery. And, Clunes' "Ellingham" ("Doc Martin") character is brash, offensive, and humorous in a unusual sort of way. (Think of the genius of John Cleese in "Fawlty Towers" -- but, without the self-effacing humor and slapstick.) Hard to describe, really. In short, take a chance: buy it! Suggest you start with Season 1 if only to watch the subtle, but brilliant, character-development unfold. Possibly, one of the best things ever to come out of English TV. Bravo!

Okay, I am addicted to Doc Martin, having purchased the complete series. Season Four does not disappoint. If anything, it's even better than its predecessors (if that can be possible).

With only a couple of changes in casting, the usual zany crew return for this fourth season. In addition to Doc Martin (played superbly by character actor Martin Clunes), who has NO interpersonal relationship skills, there is the lovely Louisa Klassen, played by Catherine Catz, plumber turned restauranteur Bert Large, ably played by Ian McNeice, Auntie Joan (Stephanie Cole) and a list of talented others.

Doc is grumpier than usual since Louisa has departed, but a surprise meeting with a former colleague turns up the heat. Then Louisa returns with a not-so-secret secret. Auntie Joan has financial problems and turns her farm into a B & B which adds to the problem. Doc plans to return to surgery and works to overcome his hemophobia, and Edith (played by Lia Williams) plans a little seduction.

The charmingly bucolic Portwenn (in real life Port Isaac) is a delight.

As with each episode throughout the series, it is highly recommended that you view them in order as one episode builds on the previous.

This is entertainment at its best. Don't miss it!

you will miss it when it is over! Let's hope for a season 5

Martin Clunes / Doc Martin is marvelous, witty and wise and also winsome in a mr potato head fashion.
Initially, I purchased Set 1 to see what all the hoora was about. Instantly, I was hooked.
Immediately,I ordered sets 2,3, and 4 and thoroughly enjoyed each and every incident in each episode.
I have introduced Doc Martin to my sisters, my Husband and my friends. We totally enjoy each character
in village Portwenn and the Beautiful scenery (Portwenn / Port isaac).
I review each episode numerous times each day AND each episode continues to bring forth pleasure and
enjoyment for me and family. !!! WE want SERIES 5 NOW !!! PLEASE continue producing DOC Martin !!!

We feel that DOC MARTIN is the only TV Series that is more enjoyable than "Last of the Summer Wine"
AND will certainly become the LONGEST RUNNING TV SERIES of ALL TIMES.
PLEASE, PLEASE make DOC MARTIN Series 5, 6 and 7 Available in U.S., Now!! *** Sincerely, Joy ***

There is good news and bad news; the bad news is Series 4 wraps up the presently available Doc Martin episodes. The good news is that Series 5 will be produced this year (2011); now what that means as to availability on DVD I do not know but whatever it is I wish it were faster.

If you are new to the Doc Martin series I strongly recommend that you start with Series 1 and work your way through to Series 4; although each episode pretty much stands alone they do progressively reveal Doc and the various people he meets in Port Wenn and develop the relationships.

This series ends on a high note and whets the appetite for more! We have just started over on Series 1; well after all, we've only watched it once!

We eagerly await Series 5!

Was watching and recording episodes, but found them here on AMAZON and ordered every series thereof available. We both want to move to "Port Wen"!! ;-)

Martin Clunes is the quintessential too-busy-to smell-the roses, "by-The-Book" Doctor Martin - One we have run into at one time or another in our own lives. Even his arms-akimbo walking stance reflects the inner up-tight, haemophobic fallen surgeon now relegated to being a GP in a small seaside Cornwall town littered with characters galore.

A welcome and missed addition to BBC TV is his Aunt Joan, played by the grand dame of "Waiting For God" series, Stephanie Cole. Rock On, Steph!

The whole series MUST be watched from Episode 1 to the bitter end - and we hope it continues!

Tom

The question to ponder after Season four (4) is will Doc. Martin stay in Portwenn or go back to London to resume his career as a surgeon. Doc. Martin delightfully played by Martin Clumes in this fourth series tries all kinds of "remedies" (including some very bloody and gross ones) to cure his aversion to the sight of blood in order to be a surgeon in London again. In the meantime he is still the only doctor in the beautiful little seaside village of Portwenn solving all kinds of "medical mysteries" that are plaguing the hysterically eccentric inhabitants (I just adore Mrs. Tichell the pharmacist/chemist who although married to a nearly deaf man is completely besotted with Doc Martin and is very jealous of any woman that comes into his life) of Portwenn--Yes all of the weird folks are back including the hypochondriac plumber (now resturant owner), the very inept police officer along with the highly inept receptionist of the Doc., etc. NO Doc. Martin has NOT acquired any "bedside manners". If anything, Doc. Martin is more surly, irritable and impatient then ever mainly due to his disastrous attempt to marry Louisa in season 3. His gruff manner is not helped when Louisa returns very pregnant by him and filled with the determination to have the baby completely "on her own". Also adding to his extreme frustration is the appearance of an "old flame".

Indeed this series continues to delight me bring to my life a lot of enjoyable entertainment--it is so well written and, most of all, it is so well acted.

Do buy season 4 for it truly is very entertaining. As a previous reviewer, on this board suggested, you should get seasons 1-3 first because all of the episodes are "interconnected".

(I must add that at the end of series 4, we do kind of see Doc. Martin having some almost human emotions and I emphasize that he almost shows that he is really a real human--if the series continues will this "side" of him last? I doubt it and hope not.)