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Best Medicine S1E12: Auto Brewery Syndrome & Martin's Mysterious Ex | Podcast Portwenn · Podcast Portwenn: Doc Martin & Best Medicine

• Chesla Wechsler: It's good to see you guys again. Thanks again for joining. We're going to join right in with Patty. Why don't you take us away on how you would rank this episode? Here's a warning right up front. If you do not want Doc Martin spoilers stay far, far away from the second segment, there will be a clear segue, but I wanted to emphasize the point. In the show notes, there will be a link to a survey. I would love it if you guys would fill it out. It'll help me come up with new ideas for the podcast and also gauge how much you're enjoying it what I could do to make it better. Today's pod discusses Best Medicine, season one, episode 12, A Tale of Two Sister Cities. Chris Olszewski: and Chesla Wechsler: This is probably the most spoiler-filled segment we've done so Please, you to watch Doc Martin or Best Medicine with fresh eyes, do not continue after this break. This is my final warning. Patty V: I think I would make it about in the middle of the episodes, not the top, not the bottom. I did find parts of it ⁓ amusing and ⁓ of it touching. it was a little, why it was lower is I thought it was a little formulaic where Martin notices something and everybody disagrees with him ⁓ so I mean I looked at my husband and said he's gonna be right that this couple from Norway is not gonna be, ⁓ not as friendly as they seem, he's gonna be right ⁓ to me ⁓ not that smart, I'm not a TV writer so ⁓ I can predict it that easily it's getting a little too formulaic ⁓ what I think. Chesla Wechsler: And Doug was called away for work. So joining me are Patty, Erica and Chris, who will keep his Doc Martin knowledge in abeyance. So welcome back to Podcast Portwenn. Chris Olszewski: Mm. Patty V: But there were some things I liked and I definitely liked the potential foreshadowing maybe because there is ⁓ Martin's I will finally learn more about the blood thing. ⁓ Chris Olszewski: Mm. Ha ha ha! Chesla Wechsler: Could be, could be. Erica, what about you? Erica Susko: was not one of my favorite episodes for sure. I'd put it in the lower half or maybe right in the middle. For me, know it in a humorous way, but potty humor is just my thing. They could have, I loved the idea that came out of it and like the reasoning, you know, what happened, but. Chesla Wechsler: We have another unique plot, albeit with some hat to Doc Martin. So Chris is back to discuss the Doc Martin aspects of Best Medicine, Season Episode 12. A Tale of Two Sister Cities? That's the title. So why don't we just start out with arcs that we recognize from Doc Martin? well, ⁓ the biggest plot arc is the auto brewery that certainly seems to go through the whole episode of Best Medicine of Mark acting drunk, although he has not Erica Susko: Just that, I don't know, that doesn't entertain me too much. However, ⁓ agree with Patty on the formulaic side, but this was a different version in my mind because it wasn't about like a sickness. Usually the formula there's somebody sick or there's something spreading around town and he's got to shut everything down. This was more about people and everyone assumed. you know, was because he's so grumpy that he must just not like these people. I agree it was formulaic, but I ⁓ mind as much this time around because I thought it was in a different way. And felt like he was doing it because he cared about the town and the people not being right. So I did like it for that. Chesla Wechsler: drunk anything alcoholic, or very little alcoholic. Right. One sip of Aquavit. Right. So yeah, and ⁓ that's certainly a plot arc that came ⁓ directly from Doc Martin. Yeah, and also you said it goes all the way through the episode. It goes all the way through the episode of Doc Martin too. It's small here and there because the who has the autobrewery syndrome is like Mel's husband ⁓ and he's a major character. Good point, yeah, yeah. I like both of those points. Chris. Chris Olszewski: thought the episode was good. ⁓ enjoyed it. It my favorite episode, but it's on the ⁓ And I I put a lot of the beginning episodes towards the bottom when Mark was definitely acting a little bit over the top. Here, I think he was acting more consistent with his character, less goofy. Chesla Wechsler: So Mark is a major character, therefore I think we more of it. But was pretty much the same of... Well, actually, no. was differences. I think Martin Ellingham, the guy was the whole time. Right. ⁓ And Martin Best? Well, Martin Best Mark. ⁓ Chris Olszewski: So I thought it was a pretty good episode. Mark's characterization ⁓ in episode ⁓ I was pretty good for the most part, although I think he was sort of pushed along by the need to develop the ⁓ auto brewery But other than that, ⁓ a little bit formulaic, but did enjoy it. Chesla Wechsler: ⁓ So he's familiar with him and that Mark is a fairly upstanding guy and is not likely to be drinking. ⁓ yet he's showing signs of having drunk or being drunk. So sort of asking Mark if drunk anything, I think he generally believes him that he's not, hasn't been drinking anything. So what the ⁓ Yeah, for me, it was about number four. So top third, basically the bottom of the top third. still like last week's and then ⁓ and then. I guess it was like 11, nine, 10 and 12 is sort of my rank ordering. So to me, what's good is it seems to be clustering. It's getting better over time. I the idea that it was it was formulaic, but in a different way, because I didn't even grok onto what the heck is going on with him? And you know, Mark ⁓ than Mel's husband. I because Martin is saying we got to get this guy in hospital and put him on an IV drip, right? So his alcohol level is through the roof. And that wasn't the in Doc Martin. ⁓ Yeah. So that was Yeah. else do we the idea that there was a formula. I thought it was different. And I think it's because I was thinking more like Erica. And I kept trying to predict why these people were here. Like I kind of was with Martin that there's something fishy about them, but I was like, okay, she wants her child to be born here or, you know, just trying to throw out ideas of why this was Well, in Best Medicine, to get Martin Best ⁓ into the town council, at on a temporary basis, they need a body. ⁓ And ⁓ he's got a, he's respectable And he wears a suit. And he wears a suit. and in Doc Martin, suspicious. did not think that they were going to have a salmon farm. But I'll tell you, art imitates life. Port Isaac and Port Quin over in Cornwall have been sort of battling against a seaweed farm that they want to put in their beautiful bay that's going to mess up their fishing industry and their views and stuff like that. So it's kind of interesting that they've got this, this kind of common plot. I would like to talk, Chris, and you had started talking about Mark. ⁓ they try and get him on the board of directors of the school. Right, I think they called him the governors or the board of governors to hire a new headmistress. Right. And he doesn't want to be on either one in either show, so that's consistent. He acquiesces Chris Olszewski: Hmm. Chesla Wechsler: easily in Best Medicine, that is, is, Martin Best is One thing that I found was I just rewatched it because I thought this when I was watching it, the Mark prior to the opening sequence of the show, I felt like that's the Mark I wanna see because even he was doing the drunk scene, he was just, he was goofy, but he was normal. ⁓ And wasn't sort of an ⁓ affect He's more a normal person. Yeah, doesn't keep himself outside of the village as much as Martin Ellingham. Right. Martin Ellingham has got his own way of doing things and he do them ⁓ his way, damn it. But Martin Ellingham says he'll do it when he finds out it's whether they're hiring Louisa or not. So in both, it's kind of like the presence of Louisa that... Chris Olszewski: Mm-hmm. Chesla Wechsler: an affected I guess, which I think is something that we all kind of like the sort of weird way of talking. So I think we could all take goofy, just a different kind of goofy. And obviously, Josh Segarra can deliver it because he was doing it. So creative that are going on there. What did you guys think? pulls him in, whether it's her asking him to be on town council or, it's ⁓ impacting future. There was one more that I found, one other fairly major plot arc. Dr. yes, of course. ⁓ Yeah, Dr. ⁓ who ⁓ have first name of Edith in Best Medicine. don't know yet. But yeah, Dr. Montgomery, who has Chris Olszewski: Well, I'll just agree and amplify that thought, yeah, in show, he does seem to be less goofy. So he's talking in a less goofy manner, less over the top. And I think that contributes to ⁓ my thinking about the evolution the show, agreeing with you that it is better. Chesla Wechsler: the history with ⁓ Martin Best. Dated med school for years and for years afterwards for years afterwards which is which is different yeah well i think because Edith Montgomery in Doc Martin they dated in med school and he wanted to marry her right they were engaged right but they weren't she didn't accept she didn't accept okay but she leaves Chris Olszewski: that it's sort of finding its own voice as opposed to just echoing Doc Martin. Chesla Wechsler: follow for her career. So it almost seemed like at the end of med school, Edith went off elsewhere. I get the sense this Dr. Montgomery and Martin Best dated in med school and then they were both in Boston as practicing doctors, ⁓ married ⁓ their but still together for some period. Mm-hmm. Okay, how about you, Erica? I'm just picking on you because it looks like your mic is on. Erica Susko: But. Yeah, yes, so I actually can't say that I enjoyed Mark in the episode because we all know how I feel about him, but I tolerated him significantly more than I ever have in ⁓ past. And I think it was because his behavior was finally equal the task at hand. I mean, we know he wasn't officially drunk, but the behavior in us thinking that he was drunk was coincide how he actually acted. Chesla Wechsler: But she still, she had a very severe haircut. Yes, as in Doc Martin. a little not the best bedside manner. Erica Susko: And I don't mean the person acting, just meaning Mark as a character, behaving, I should say. I found it more reasonable. know, his ⁓ voice, ⁓ stumbling, his goofiness was in this manner. So I enjoyed him than I ever have before, ⁓ if that something. ⁓ Chesla Wechsler: Mm-hmm, you're right. Abrupt, very abrupt. ⁓ Snarky, I think that's the word certainly has a sense of humor. ⁓ Yeah. In both Medicine and ⁓ Doc Martin. I think we'll see again. We'll probably see her in the next episode too. Well, in the previews she was there. ⁓ true. Yeah. I forgot already. Yeah. I don't know. Is special knowledge? Everybody gets to see that if watch Fox. ⁓ Chris Olszewski: A low bar. ⁓ Chesla Wechsler: That's good. No, that's good. That's good. Patty, what did you think? Erica Susko: Yeah, is a low bar, but. Patty V: I would say he bothered me less than in other episodes. He's still not my favorite. But if they, ⁓ you know, ⁓ town everywhere has people you like and people you don't like as much. So he may stay someone that you don't like as much, but if they make him a little bit more than just one dimensional, I would like that. And that seems like maybe they're going to. ⁓ whole ⁓ DUI thing was like, whoa, for me, because a couple months ago ⁓ served on a jury and it was a DUI case. Chesla Wechsler: those ⁓ the three very plot arcs. But we get Peter Cronk back, which is nice. Peter Cronk, ⁓ yeah. I mean, a character in both ⁓ Best and Doc Martin. Who certainly has an affinity for Martin. Yes. So in Best Medicine. I think we find out a little bit more about Peter. ⁓ clear that Peter, I don't know that ⁓ he Martin, but he certainly looks up to him and thinks he's a good person. He wants him to be his father. That's pretty idolizing. At least ⁓ he'd to call him his father for who knows what purposes. And we didn't know in Doc Martin whatever... Patty V: Interestingly enough, the guy's blood alcohol content on the jury was 0.16 and he was not acting like Mark. It was hard to imagine that this other guy was drunk, but those tests don't lie. anyway. Chesla Wechsler: Yeah, and also, I mean, people have different tolerances, right? So how they act, depending on how much they've had. And Mark, of course, not someone who, Louisa says is someone who drinks a lot, right? Patty V: I actually liked Chesla Wechsler: What the story was with Peter's father. mean, he just was married to Mrs. Cronk, Joy Cronk, who had the chippy had asthma attacks. And burned her hand severely. Yep. I don't think... Have we met Mrs. Cronk in this? I think have. Maybe early on? Earlier on. ⁓ I think the first time we meet Peter ⁓ or maybe that episode we meet his mother. Patty V: the fact that even though it was sort of over the top, but I kind of liked the fact that he was like, whoa, I could have hurt somebody. You got to put me in the jail cell overnight. You know, that he he did something wrong, even though it wasn't really his fault as it turned out. He had no idea that his blood alcohol level would be that high. But ⁓ I kind of liked the idea that a sheriff took it seriously and it wasn't, you know, do as I say and not as I do kind of thing. I, I, that me him Chris Olszewski: Mm-hmm. Chesla Wechsler: Yeah, but I love the little actor. I think that's a cute kid. It's nice to see him walking Copernicus tending to him and all that. Yeah, in Best Medicine, Martin Best has, it's clear that has a lot of sympathy and empathy for Peter. Peter is bullied at school. Patty V: a little bit more in a way. Chesla Wechsler: Erica? Erica Susko: I have to piggyback on that. I really liked that moment that we actually saw Mark being a sheriff. So we know now he can do his job. He doesn't just give out parking tickets. He knows the law. He knows what he's doing. He did make mention that he's pulled other people over for DUI. So I don't know. This episode really humanized him more for me and made it real like that maybe he is better at his job than his goofiness leads to believe he is. Chesla Wechsler: And with the amount of sympathy that Martin Best shows him, I would be at all surprised if Martin Best doesn't have a similar background. That he might have been bullied by his classmates because he was a bright guy growing up. And you know he bullied in the summers by Glendon. We know that for a but that was in Port Wenn which... And I've been reading some things online because I would love to get somebody... I've asked out in the listening world and folks, if you're listening, I would love to talk to somebody who really finds Mark a lot of fun because I think there is a demographic thing with us and it's an age group thing as well because we had some comments on last week's pod about how the teenagers don't need to be reprimanded and ⁓ think that maybe Martin even has a soft spot for the teenagers because he doesn't seem to take them to task or kick them out or yell at them or anything for their behavior. I don't get the sense that Martin grew up there. He parked there after Rosemary died. Right, during the summers. And he visited Aunt ⁓ during the summers. Yeah. Doc Martin, Martin Ellingham also shows some of empathy Peter, ⁓ but... So, you know, might just have a poor opinion of these guys and and but a completely different generation than ours thinks that they're pretty hilarious and I would love to talk to such people because I want to give some love to these characters that maybe we don't like just because you know, they're we're never gonna like these guys, know, or We're I'm trying not to say that I never feel I am NOT old I will never be old Ellingham is a much more reserved, much more straight-laced, more severe character, more severe person. that empathy that he has for Peter ⁓ is not expressed very much. Not much. I mean, we see it in the ambulance when he's going to be... Patty V: We're old and crotchety. Chris Olszewski: I'll say it. Patty V: Just nod. Erica Susko: Speak for yourself, I am not old. Chris Olszewski: You Chesla Wechsler: Yes, I am not old. will never be Patty V: Right, that's what I said the arc is not. Chesla Wechsler: taking care of Peter, especially when Peter says, you'll tell it to me straight, which is in both series. But Martin starts to explain back at the school what I was saying, and that's when Peter, his eyes roll up and, but yeah, yeah. So thing that we see here is, ⁓ and I thought might a fun exercise, is put the Doc Martin character the Best Medicine plot. Chris Olszewski: I will further extrapolate this point say I really liked the scene towards the end when goes to the tree house and you ⁓ Mark and Louisa ⁓ and Martin ⁓ I thought was a nice scene. It seemed ⁓ sort of real. Mark was going off to like ... Chesla Wechsler: If we were to take Martin Ellingham put him into this plot, let's just take Greg pooping little men. ⁓ Chris Olszewski: sort of finding strange things happening and just trying to get away. Yeah, I thought Martin was very relatable that scene. He doesn't to go up the tree house, but he does, because that's where his patient is. ⁓ And yeah, thought that was a good scene with ⁓ all three them. Chesla Wechsler: Yeah, Martin, Martin Ellingham would have been, this guy is delusional. manufactured somewhere. He would attend to the constipation issue, but the pooping, little men. That's ridiculous. That's ridiculous, From a dynamic perspective, know, Louisa and Mark obviously have been tight for years and Martin is trying to get closer to Louisa and Mark is trying to get closer to Martin. wonder if we're gonna see those three have a very interesting friendship going forward because of the whole romantic thing, you know? And now we've got this Dr. Martin Best has so much more compassion for Greg. Greg is obviously feeling embarrassed by whatever is wrong with him, which Martin has no idea what it is at this point. ⁓ And so like, so you're constipated. It happens all the time, you know? ⁓ Martin Ellingham be just like, constipation. this is what do. is symptom. ⁓ So you need laxatives. And if those don't work, come back to me and I'll give you a prescription. Whereas Martin Best writes him a prescription already. person thrown into the mix. So what did you guys think of Dr. Montgomery? Patty V: She was radically different from Louisa, that's for sure. ⁓ I found the whole thing kind of interesting because I believe she said they dated in med school, right? So that was quite, but that was, they dated quite a while ago. It wasn't very recent. Chesla Wechsler: Patty. Yeah. and for some years afterward. If the OTC stuff doesn't work, fill this. Martin Ellingham would be like, I'm not going to give you ⁓ for anything until you've tried the over-the-counter thing. exactly how you tried the basics? Are you hydrating? Did you have any Metamucil? But he said little men, he'd be like, I think need to section this guy. I'm trying to think of other things that... Patty V: it seemed like. And was he a different guy then? he, because he just seemed like he was so uncomfortable and didn't know how to talk to a woman he was romantically interested in. And so I was kind of surprised that that doctor was his ex. So ⁓ maybe relationship just turned him off and he just totally shut down. I don't know. ⁓ I curious to find out more, ⁓ not about the, if she knows the blood story, but also their relationship ⁓ and what he like back then? Because was it really different from now? Chesla Wechsler: maybe we could stick him into. Well, let's see. mean, the whole business about the Norwegian company taking over signing the contract with them. Martin Ellingham would say, that's fraud. He'd say, you can't get with that. This person was misled by ⁓ you. We have tons witnesses here that will swear to that. Yeah. She could give us some insight on that because I guess they dated in med school, she said, and for some years after, but it's not clear how many years and it's, you we don't really know his age. I mean, you can look up Josh Charles's age. I think he's in his 50s, Abigail Spencer's in her 40s. So yeah, he's been out of med school for a while. will never hold up in court. Or you, you, whatever name is. You're a lawyer, right? You know, you've seen This can't possibly be legitimate. know, we did not deputize Geneva to sign a business contract for this town. Yeah, just a sister city agreement. That's right. That's right. And they would kick Glendon out of town. mean, everybody should be off at Glendon right now. Yeah, ⁓ absolutely. What about... ⁓ Patty V: Yeah. All Chris Olszewski: they met in med school. Chesla Wechsler: and they dated in med school and for some years after. Erica Susko: Well, if you think about it in relation to was he a different person, the doctor seems to be very similar in mannerisms to Martin, but ⁓ she did say as Louisa was leaving, tell ⁓ I said hello. Chesla Wechsler: when Aunt Sarah gets hit by the drone, let's just imagine if that were Aunt Joan getting hit in the head. Okay, well, Ellingham would make sure she didn't have a concussion, probably some tests to see whether or not she was concussed. ⁓ He probably her head, make sure that there was no broken bones. And Martin Best barely looked at the wound, which had been taken care of by Elaine, the administrative assistant, right? So this is not somebody who's trained in wound care. And Martin Best just puts, let's put that ice pack on there, because he can't look at the blood, because he actually has a worse problem. mean, he's passing out from the get-go, whereas Martin was just gagging a bit. So, that seemed, yeah, I with Auntie Joan, he'd be shining the light and saying, follow my finger, and all those sorts of things. ⁓ Erica Susko: As we see here, if ⁓ referencing him as Marty, that seems like a more of relaxed relation. Chesla Wechsler: Maybe he'd prescribe CT scan or MRI Truro. Right, right, something like that. And now Mark is him Marty too, did you notice? Certainly Marty, it indicates a more intimate relationship. Patty, go ahead. Patty V: Yeah, I was gonna say, he doesn't seem like a Marty to me at all. And that seems very different. wanted to respond to something that Erica said about, I make sure I heard her right. You thought that, I'm sorry, what was the ex's name ⁓ again? did you, you thought she was like Martin? Is that what she said? Chesla Wechsler: Dr. Montgomery? Chris Olszewski: Dr. Montgomery. Erica Susko: Well, when she was, yes, when she was interacting with Louisa, she was just as Martin does, very like direct when she made the joke about "so is it still, was there air flowing through or is it gate closed?" And she's like, there's a possibility. ⁓ there, I like she was just a very structured, straightforward thinker and not very emotional and wasn't connecting ⁓ or that like... Chesla Wechsler: this is the second to last episode. Since we do know Doc Martin, what are our predictions for how this season ends? Yeah. Well, this is episode 13, Patty V: Yeah, I it was just direct. Chris Olszewski: Mm. Patty V: Yeah. ⁓ Yeah. Erica Susko: bedside manner connection, which is very similar to ⁓ Chesla Wechsler: No 12. is episode 12. Sorry season 2 episode 6 which is 2 off actual end season 2 and 3 off when you count the Christmas episode 'On the Edge.' Hmm. So at the end of season 2 that was 'Erotomania'. So that's when they actually have the drinking scene. Patty V: Yeah, see that and I kind of agree with you there, I thought she was really conceited about, she said, I don't think he ever got over, I bet he never got over me. And ⁓ I wanted to slap her then, you know, I mean, like, I don't mean really. ⁓ Chris Olszewski: Right. Chesla Wechsler: the thing is, I mean, you figure she doesn't know Louisa at all, right? And she's saying this to her. I don't see that. I don't. There might be something. Plus, we just had Edith introduced. Right. There's got to be an Edith thing. I Edith is a Dr. Montgomery. Will serve a catalyst. Yeah, maybe. So, now, what would ⁓ Martin... Patty V: Yeah, well, no, she doesn't, has no idea that and she came close to having a thing or whatever. So it's not that it's just that she's just sitting there thinking, this guy's been pining for me for how many years, you know, get over yourself, lady. I don't know that. So I very turned off by that, by her saying that. And I don't think she would say something like that. So that's where I. ⁓ Chesla Wechsler: And two- and to a virtual stranger, right? I mean, Dr. Montgomery is telling this to a virtual stranger. Patty V: Yeah, would, he didn't even mention to Louisa that they ⁓ been a thing. ⁓ and he knows Louisa. So yeah, I don't, I don't think he ever would say anything like that. ⁓ Chesla Wechsler: I think he would offer to help and support Louisa through whatever she's going to choose to go through, having a child, but just from what has happened, I don't see much beyond that for the two They need more time together to sort of gel. Chris Olszewski: And it was certainly news to Louisa that Martin went out with this woman for a long time, because you can see her eyes wide open, saying, you went out with Martin? So she was very surprised at that. I thought that was a nice ⁓ bit of characterization too, so showing her character. Chesla Wechsler: We don't have that same, I don't drink, Martin. Like Martin Ellington was like, I don't drink. I don't drink and you don't really hear why not he says, because I just fall asleep. But you also have a sense ⁓ that he doesn't drink because alcohol is terrible for the liver and it's terrible for the brain. from a health perspective, he kind of rules it out. And then when he does it on times that he has drunk, he also has this. And what we learn at the, if we look back at what we know from the very first episode when Louisa is so fried and frazzled over the breakup with Mark and she asks Martin, like, did you never have your heart broken or whatever? And he says he's never really had any experience with that. You kind of, I certainly, to me, it's like, I don't know, I wouldn't say he's, ⁓ would say, Patty V: Yeah, that's what I thought. ⁓ he blocking this out? Chris Olszewski: Hmm Chesla Wechsler: That made me think he'd never really dated anyone or had a real close relationship with partner type person. Bad habit of just conking out. yes, after he says some very very nice But Martin Best I don't he has not been rabid against drinking matter of fact didn't we see him with a glass of wine or something? Yeah I don't know I kind of think Mm-hmm. Yeah, they they can't end season one the two of them getting together No, because otherwise there would be no cliffhanger-ey aspect and you people to come back for season two ⁓ Patty V: That's what I thought at the time of that episode. So now that we learn he has this ex, is she overplaying what the relationship really was? Is he underplaying it? Or ⁓ he realize that he, ⁓ know, they dated, but he realized he never loved her? Or did the writers just say, ⁓ wouldn't it be fun to give him an ex? And I don't ⁓ Chesla Wechsler: I don't really think I buy what Erica's theory was, which is she ends up being pregnant after a one night thing. Cause you know, there's not enough time in one episode to like sleep together and find out that she's pregnant. I don't think that's going to happen. Yeah. I just Martin Best pledging his support for Louisa going forward. yeah, Louisa, Erica Susko: Or is she that conceited that she thinks so highly of herself that he must still be, you know, it might not have been anything, but the way she kind of responded was, you know, well, obviously it's me. So he would never be over me. And it could have been a, you know, light dating experience. Patty V: colleagues. Chris Olszewski: She did say it was years, so they met in med school and for years afterwards. And then they were married to their careers. So it's sort of unclear how they or why they actually separated or broke up. Erica Susko: true. Chesla Wechsler: She was very surprised to hear that Martin Best had Dated anybody, right? Yeah, years. So she may decide that not going out Martin Best is a good idea. Or she may get a little jealous because maybe she thought that he was not going to be contended for, and Edith. I keep calling her Dr. Montgomery is clearly planning... Could be Edith. To come to Port Wenn. Because she even says in that... Chris Olszewski: It seems to have taken place a long time previous. Chesla Wechsler: Yeah, yeah. Thinking about Martin, Now that I remember the preview, I'm here to date you, right? So pretty straightforward. I'll make other predictions. All right, go ahead. Yeah. So Elaine in original ⁓ Doc Elaine was not around very long. True. And in ⁓ Best Medicine, wants to go to New York City, become an actress. So I'm predicting that she's going to... Martin seems to me compassionate and caring. I'm to think if he's grown during the season so far dealing with Greg when Greg comes in with his constipation, Greg is obviously concerned, you know, that he thinks he's insane. He's seen this really wacky thing that he knows should not be occurring, that he's pooped a little man. And he really seems very worried and Martin, he's not saying anything yet, so Martin doesn't really know what's coming. So he just says, I haven't had a bowel movement in five days. And Martin's like, it's okay. I've heard it all. is, know, he's very warm and caring. And I just, it seemed to me like that was... get her wish and won't see her next season. That's my prediction. My prediction is that whether or not she gets accepted to Juilliard, we see her next season. yeah? My thinking about Elaine is she is ours for the whole show. okay. And she's going to grow through her Pauline phase and her Morwenna phase. I really think so I think, you know, she'll... as indicative of some growth in Martin. And we certainly see him better to Mark. What do you guys think? Maybe Juilliard turns her down and she has to figure out something else to do with herself and she realizes that she actually has a bit of a knack and an interest in medicine. So maybe she does a little phlebotomy since she's already drawing blood with no training, which seems odd. And she already seems genuinely fond of Martin in a way. In a It comes and goes. And Pauline- Erica. Erica Susko: So I think that goes back to of my comments I made about the pattern the show for this particular episode. ⁓ We finally saw Martin ⁓ caring the situation happening in town, ⁓ not it was medical, ⁓ not he was to be mischievous or ignoring anything, not trying to get out of a festival of any sort. ⁓ Chesla Wechsler: didn't really ever seem fond of Martin. I mean, she was, she could be solicitous. Like when he was, when he had gotten drunk, she canceled the appointments. It was like, just get some air or go lay down or whatever. So she could be kind to him, but she also took the pictures and spread them around town. And so she wasn't, but then Morwenna is genuinely fond of Martin. Erica Susko: He really was concerned that these people from Norway here to do something negative. And ⁓ personally think that's the first time that I've observed him ⁓ caring about the town and its people in a real way. Chesla Wechsler: So I think Elaine is going to grow through her phases. So she'll be there. Yeah. Okay. Now it took two seasons and we're almost through the equivalent of two seasons of Doc Martin to switch out one constable for another. would Mark Mylow be, would be saying goodbye to Mark Mylow? What is your prediction? My prediction he'll be back for another season. Yeah. I also think Mark is going to be here for the duration. ⁓ he also, one thing that I, there are two other things that I noticed with him is he asks George and Greg, like how they've sort of maintained their relationship, which I think was, for him to educate himself on relationships. And he also came to Peter Cronk's presentation, which was sweet. Patty, you have any ideas about that? I just based on how they've, know, been writing him. He sort of the naivete of Mark Mylow, interest, romantic interest Louisa of Mark. And the more than that, Yeah, they were engaged and lived together for years. But they they made him a goofball the jump. Which is Joe, Joe Penhale. Patty V: I kind of thought he might went, you know, his first reaction when Peter asked him was no, but then you figured he would show up. I he's the maybe the of Louisa, the and maybe his aunt, that's the person he can relate to and connect with in the entire town of any adult, kid, whatever. ⁓ And so. Yeah, think he and I think he's just totally shocked that that kid looks up to him the way he does. Chesla Wechsler: So I think Mark is there for the duration. My hope there is that they can find a middle ground that ⁓ him amusing and ⁓ to younger generations. I for the demographic that is like the ⁓ 20s and 30-somethings. Yeah. Chris, you have any thoughts on Peter Cronk and Martin? Chris Olszewski: Peter definitely looks up to Martin and I think Martin sees a lot of himself in Peter. I expect that he was very bright as a kid, Martin, and Peter gets picked on in his school and expect Martin... Chesla Wechsler: and potentially make him less annoying to who are just a little older than that, like us. Yeah. my cane... Yeah. ⁓ No. ⁓ predictions. hope they do with Bert, more with Al. I'd like to see Yeah, and Geneva. Yeah, I Geneva. Chris Olszewski: probably got picked on as being a bright kid when he was growing up. So could see that Martin has a little bit of sympathy or empathy for Peter. And Peter obviously to, well, to learn. And he's certainly hanging around to do that. ⁓ Chesla Wechsler: And Sarah, I'm glad we see as much of Sarah as we are. I'm just thinking of how often we saw Aunt Joan. I Sarah's, I think we'll have Aunt Sarah the whole series too, the whole show. As long as it's on, I think we have Aunt Sarah. I hope But who knows, you know, maybe, cause this Martin doesn't need his psychiatrist aunt as much as... ⁓ Chris Olszewski: He doesn't seem to have a father around that often. So he can actually look up as Martin, Martin as a ⁓ of ⁓ figure. So. Chesla Wechsler: Yeah, I guess we don't know anything other than his father lives in New Hampshire. So we don't know the relationship between his father and his mother. I thought Louisa seemed a bit more self-assured this episode. Did you guys agree with that, Erica? You're nodding. Martin Ellingham needed his psychiatrist aunt. Sarah, Aunt Sarah does give some of that advice, sort of practical advice. But that's Aunt Joan. That's right. So he, I mean, I don't think they need an aunt switch. I know they switched from Aunt Joan to Aunt Ruth. Ruth. ⁓ think a combination was they had this remarkable actress in Stephanie Cole and Erica Susko: I thought we saw her a little bit more focused. Less, ⁓ she ⁓ to be, I want to say manic. I think that's too aggressive of a term, but she seems to kind of sometimes bounce off walls. And I think consistently through the episode, she was very even keeled. She was focused. She was helping the Norwegian group. She was giving feedback to Martin. She was helping Mark. Chesla Wechsler: didn't feel like they were using her enough and she had an opportunity to go be in something that was more regular because Doc Martin was filmed every other year. But you you from Stephanie Cole to Eileen Atkins, mean, wow. ⁓ mean, just just, you two excellent, excellent actresses. ⁓ really. ⁓ way scripts were written that Aunt Ruth is who Martin needed later on versus Aunt Joan. yeah, I was. Erica Susko: She was supporting Mark, which she does always support him, like defending him, I guess, is a better way to say it. So ⁓ enjoyed the balance of her as well, because sometimes she can ⁓ of ⁓ off kilter there. Chesla Wechsler: Yeah, yeah. The one comment that she made that I thought was informing Martin, making him feel like he doesn't have a chance, who knows? But when Martin asks Louisa, has Mark ever turned to drugs or alcohol when he's been depressed or anything? And she says, no, he's always been basically upbeat and positive. And Martin says something about how nice it must be to have been with somebody who was always positive. And she's like, we're talking about Doc Martin. Yeah, I was really disappointed when ⁓ they had Aunt Joan die. Yeah, that was very sad. Aunt Ruth? Good. Yeah, good add. Good recovery. Yeah, good add. She was ⁓ And just right off the bat when we meet her and she's in the funeral and she tells Louisa, I'm either awkward or I share too much. ⁓ now. It is, and I'm sure he thinks he's like Debbie Downer. So maybe that was not good news for him. don't know, Patty, you're smiling. Patty V: He is Debbie Downer. yeah. ⁓ don't mean, but she didn't stay with Mark. So that doesn't mean that she is for someone who's always, always positive. I found that comment kind of interesting because it made him seem more human, not as caricature, that he just was this positive, upbeat person, and so thrown by when she left that he, you so maybe he wasn't a caricature before. Chesla Wechsler: we see him do very many nice things. Like, you he brings the sandwiches when the plague has broken out. He even, he's angry at Doc Martin, but... He's even saying, would you like me to close the door when I leave? Martin says that we really have to find Mark, his blood alcohol content is way off the charts, that was done before he started driving. So even though we know he's got a 0.16 alcohol, he's very responsible to, ⁓ my gosh, I almost hurt you guys, holy cow, you need to like lock me in the cell, I need to be taken off the streets. So if you've been enjoying the podcast, please like the episode, subscribe to the podcast, ⁓ send it off to your Please comment. We've been developing a nice little community in the YouTube comments. are multiple Facebook groups out there for Best so you can participate that way. I always post links to the episodes there in the very responsible. I've been trying to think about the whole idea of ⁓ Cutie and the Blowfish and the Goldfish, right? And the whole idea of how could Louisa ever be with this guy who believed that his Goldfish ran off? And I decided to throw this out into the universe of writers Mark can be redeemed for me if some point they write in something along the lines ⁓ of, three that I currently belong to. But anyway, thanks again for joining folks. ⁓ Take Bye bye. I knew my goldfish didn't run off to join a band, but Geneva's just been my mom's friend for so long and I knew that she was just trying to make me feel better. So I just didn't want to give away the fact that I knew that that wasn't the case. Like you could see him being so nice that he's carrying this ridiculous thing in an embarrassing way in front of other adults in order to keep this little old lady happy. So. Any any writers out there feel free to use that. Erica Susko: Amen to that, honestly. It could definitely redeem a big chunk of him in my brain if they kind of turned it around to be like, you know, he just doesn't want to hurt his mom's feelings or Geneva's feelings. Doesn't want to, you know, he's just trying to be nice to everyone. And if that kind of came out of like, I'm not an idiot. I know that would be great. I would love it, honestly. Chesla Wechsler: Right, yeah, yeah. And I kind of feel like there is a middle ground in how this character is written, directed, and acted that can keep all the demographics happy. Because I think he can absolutely be and the tool in the shed, but not be ⁓ so over top. Because I think we've seen glimpses of that. So if that little lightning in a bottle could be captured, I really think you could keep the existing people who are happy happy bring along some crotchety folks. Or ⁓ I this is the Gen Zers. So is anybody here a Gen Zer? I am not a Gen Zer. Okay, so Gen Z likes him, non-Gen Z, ⁓ there's a of us. Let's try and bring us along too. Chris. Chris Olszewski: I did. I did want to ⁓ sort of ⁓ and agree with something said about Louisa, that in the previous episodes, several of them, where she ⁓ acts flighty, really knowing where she's ⁓ And I guess you could of see that she doesn't know where her life is going. She doesn't have a kid, but she wants to have a child. And in this episode, yeah, she's sort of more directed. Yeah, she wants to have a kid. She's going to see a ⁓ about that. She's concerned about the town. She's on the council. Yeah, and she's concerned about Mark. She tries to help out. So ⁓ yeah, she's more assured, more self-assured in what it is that she's doing. So. ⁓ I don't know if that's her character developing. It could be. It could be. Chesla Wechsler: oh, Patty, do you have a point? Patty V: Yeah, I had a point about Louisa, just in case any of the listeners out there have a different point of view. I have never found her quite as flighty as the rest of you. I feel like, you know, she's this school teacher, loves teaching and is a good teacher and is at home doing that and good at it. And I think that she was really, really thrown by and feels guilty about breaking up with Mark because she had been with him for so long and she knew how much it hurt him. And, you know, it's not like he cheated. He did this. He did that. He just wasn't right for her. And I think in some ways that made it even harder. It's easier to leave somebody who's a jerk, you know? So I felt like some of her behavior that was a little flighty or scattered was kind of temporary. And I don't really see her as in general a scattered person. So. of a slightly different viewpoint than the rest of you. Chesla Wechsler: Good, no, that's good. That's good, that's why we're all here. One thing that I was thinking of when Chris and I had been talking about the episode, there's a real contrast of characters, and I'm gonna look at some notes here because I made a list of them. I think there's a contrast between groups that I find to be somewhat jarring. So there's one ⁓ group which includes Martin, Al, Aunt Sarah, George, Franklin, Peter Cronk, Glendon, Coffee Carla, Robert, Vanessa, and Joe Bruck. So I just tried to pull a whole bunch of characters. They all pretty much play it straight. So they seem like just real people living in a town, acting the way we're all used to people acting. And then there's another crew like Mark and Bert and Sally Mylow, the teens, right? That are very much over the top. And then we've got Elaine who seems to have a foot in each camp. Sometimes she's like crazy over the top and sometimes she's extremely, you know, normal, like being upset about her mother marrying Dum Dum and how that makes her feel with respect to, you know, her father's not existing and that. And then I didn't know where to put Geneva who... to me seems like the one character in town that I would call, and Chris and I were talking about this, authentically quirky. So whereas we've got some really very real people and then we've got some very over the top people who maybe the point is to try to make them be quirky, we just have to us, Geneva is the one person who really seems authentically quirky. What do you guys think about that? And I'm not gonna talk to you first, Chris, because you and I kinda chatted about this first. I wanna see the other Anybody wanna go first? Patty. Patty V: I would agree that Geneva is, there's something about her that I think, yes, a quirky person. She's not over the top. of the other characters, I just feel like it's too much. so I ⁓ agree with you. There's something authentic about her quirkiness. Chesla Wechsler: Yeah, but does it seem like they're sort of two groups in a way? Like very normal and very different? Erica, you want to answer that one or did you have a point on the other thing? Erica Susko: Bye. Yeah, no, I think that the town is very chunky in, as you're saying, it's, we've got the the top kind of characters where we don't understand why the are just so mean. Even though teenagers can be mean, but like they're overtly aggressively mean. You know, we've talked about Mark and he is kind of quirky and over the top that way. But then we've got the straight shooters ⁓ like Martin ⁓ Sarah. and all and you know Greg and George and all that I like I think ⁓ she's ⁓ anchor she's one that's that's the center ⁓ grounding all to make sure we just whatever camp you like better. Some people love the quirkiness and that craziness, and some people want serious characters that are believable. She's anchor in the middle that keeps us all still watching. Because she's what's ⁓ her ⁓ Geneva, so let me re-say that so you can, so I think Geneva is the anchor between the two courts to say that, Chesla Wechsler: And who's the anchor? Geneva? Or a lo- Erica Susko: we can take a little bit of both, because she's a little bit of both. that's my point of view. Chesla Wechsler: Yeah. And I think it's the authenticity issue for me. the over-the-top people don't seem authentically quirky. They just seem... too much. Chris did you? Erica Susko: Well, right, but so we have the too much camp and there seems to be people that comment on several of the podcasts that like that, that enjoy that. Then you've got the other side of the watchers that really just want more direct and serious and believable characters. And then you have Geneva, who's authentically quirky, but still believable and genuine. So that's why I say like, she's that. Chesla Wechsler: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Erica Susko: that anchor that grounds us all into the show. Not that she's the key character by any mean, I'm just saying she makes the show one way or the other believable. Chesla Wechsler: Okay. Right, right. For me, I actually, I don't even think I'm looking for serious people versus over the top people. I think I'm just looking for authentic people or people who seem realistic to me, whether they're quirky or serious. I just want them to feel like they could possibly exist in the world. Chris Olszewski: I was just going to say that Geneva's kind of emblematic of the sort of mix, what they're going for in the show. That yeah, you have some quirkiness, but yet some heart there. yeah, she's one of my favorite characters. Chesla Wechsler: So maybe, I really, think you had said last week in the Doc Martin section, and this isn't giving a spoiler away, that she's just sort of like a little bit of spice ⁓ really adds to the show. So there's a lot of sort of untidied things, right? So we've got what's gonna go on with Aunt Sarah's house? Are we gonna learn any more about Rosemary? Are we gonna learn any more about the blood problem? What's gonna happen with Martin and Louisa? Any other, what about this Dr. Montgomery person? We never heard more about whether Bert is really Al's biological father, right? We've got a lot of, is the school gonna close? So I just threw out a whole bunch of things that are up in the air, pick any of the ones you want and tell me what you think is ⁓ gonna happen. Erica Susko: and the salmon farm. Chesla Wechsler: Yeah, right, which is the whole to be continued, right? I don't think, I'll just throw out there, I don't think we're gonna have time for Louisa and Martin to have a one night stand and find out that she's pregnant. I don't think that, we're gonna have to have the salmon farm wrap up, which is gonna be very real time, unless they do like six months later, this is what happened, which I hope they don't do. But does anybody have any theories? Patty V: Thank She, ⁓ did you see the look on her face when was ended up recommending the fertility doctor, but she didn't know what he was gonna say about that baby. Yes, like are you volunteering to be the dad? ⁓ Chesla Wechsler: Didn't she- Didn't it seem like she was looking for something? Patty V: Yeah, it definitely did to me by the look on her face. I don't have a prediction, but of those things that you rattled off, I feel like the one that maybe we'll get some information on next week is at least more, if not the whole story about the blood. I don't think we're gonna get all the other answers, and have no idea what the blood thing was. I still think ⁓ he okay, and then something made him not okay with blood. Yeah, my prediction is that we might learn more about that one and maybe part of one or the other things that you mentioned, but that was a long list and there's no way there's a season two. They have to leave. I think the Martin and Louisa thing is going to drag out for a long time. Chesla Wechsler: Yeah. If they wrapped that up in this episode, would we have to look forward to? Are thinking that we would learn more about the blood from Dr. Montgomery? Patty V: Probably, I figure she has to know at least some, well, maybe she doesn't have to know some of the story, because if they broke up and then it happened later, then maybe she doesn't. But I'm hoping that she knows something about it. And even if she doesn't tell it, maybe her being there or something will cause him to explain a little bit more. don't Chesla Wechsler: How about you, Erica? Do you have any theories? Erica Susko: So I'm really disappointed they didn't have their tryst this episode that I was really looking forward to. However, doesn't mean that next ⁓ which is the last of the season, that they ⁓ with them doing something and maybe ⁓ just don't even know. She could end up starting next season already pregnant or maybe even with a baby if they want to jump timeframe. So I'm not ⁓ saying changing my approach. I do think that this is going to be Martin's baby. I don't know why. have no clue. Don't tell me I'm right or wrong, but ⁓ have feeling it's his baby. I feel like we're going ⁓ get, ⁓ I the salmon thing is gonna end up ⁓ resolving in next episode. Chesla Wechsler: Okay. Erica Susko: but I also think the house thing is gonna carry over. I don't think we're gonna find a wrap up of that this episode. I don't think we're going to have the Al and father wrapped up. almost kind of, yes, I okay. I want to say that Elaine gets accepted. I know that's a long shot, but ends up coming back for the next season and we're going to find out she Chesla Wechsler: ⁓ and Elaine. Does Elaine get accepted to Juilliard? Erica Susko: dropped, failed out, dropped out, hated it, couldn't leave home. Something with mom and she's got to stay in town. So don't see Elaine leaving, but I feel like they're gonna maybe make it look like she's leaving. Chesla Wechsler: I never even thought of that, like characters, do we think we'll have all of our characters back next year? Chris, did you think of any what's gonna wrap, what's not gonna wrap? You gotta remember, you gotta keep your Doc Martin knowledge on the shelf. Chris Olszewski: ⁓ yeah, I don't think... completely separate, completely separate, just based on what we've seen so far. Just how the relationship between Martin and Louisa has developed or failed to develop, don't think we're going to see any big quantum change there, quantum leap. ⁓ maybe another step Martin say that he'll be supportive with whatever Louisa as far as having a baby, like that. Yeah, that's my prediction. Chesla Wechsler: Mm-hmm. Chris Olszewski: So it's not gonna, it'll develop a little bit, but not much. Elaine, I think she's gonna go to New York. So maybe she'll come back, but I'm thinking she'll go to New York. And maybe Al goes with her. don't know. And house, Aunt Sarah's house, maybe they have sell the house and she moves in with Martin. Yeah, so those are first thoughts. Chesla Wechsler: Okay, all right, good. Well, this has been fun. I always appreciate your guys' time. ⁓ Folks, if enjoyed the episode, please like the episode, subscribe to the feed, tell your friends about it, send them the link. There's going to be a survey in the show notes ⁓ to help me understand what you like and what you don't like about the show and how we might be able to make it better. So I would definitely appreciate if you would fill that out. And thanks again, once for spending your time with me.