Louisa and Martin agreed to drop therapy and divorce at the close of the previous episode, and plan to discuss terms over dinner. But then, of course, Martin doesn't turn up. However, uncharacteristically, he doesn't call to explain, so Louisa becomes concerned. Has he finally lost his composure after being rejected once too many times by someone he loves?
My favorite episodes tend to be written by Jack Lothien, as this one was. An earlier episode contained a "Bodmin" man, Stewart James, with a six-foot-tall squirrel friend named Anthony. Clearly, and hilariously, a reference to James Stewart and his friend Harvey, but with a Doc Martin/Portwenn twist!
This episode featured at least three references to classic plots that have repeated this over time. For example, threatening to kill the medical professional unless they do something to alter a terminal diagnosis in someone they love. For another classic reference, the number being held hostage grows from one, to three, to five. Soon, everyone's having a party at gunpoint!
I have felt since episode one an affinity for Dr Ellingham, having lived and compensated for four-plus decades before getting professionally diagnosed with neurodiversity and surviving childhood trauma. I've predicted next lines of dialogue or what would happen in the plot before the episode's conclusion so many times, I feel like I could write my own episode!
I can't help seeing that Doc Martin loves people. He has a difficult time expressing it in words but does it exceptionally well in actions. He saves lives all the time. Someone who doesn't like people couldn't possibly care about going out of his way to ensure their well-being, even as he complains about it or points out that stupidity increased the danger in the first place. He is right! Of course! "Normal" people, as Louisa observes, are not so honest and direct, so they have a hard time figuring him out or knowing how to respond. "Average" people also couldn't diagnose so accurately nor treat so efficiently!
I like that the show plot for season 7 pointed out his need for and acceptance of counseling. I also like that he found a friend who loves him and accentuates his positive qualities, though it's a struggle, because it helps others be more fair. The writers insightfully show that Louisa fails to see her own "social" or relationship ineptitudes, and this has led up to an end of her marriage. The conclusion of this episode is satisfying because it is what would happen if the person who feels most "wronged" in a close friendship admits their own need for personal growth.
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