Doctor Martin Ellingham made his first appearance as a minor character in the film Saving Grace (his name was Dr. Martin Bamford then, always portrayed by Martin Clunes). Sky Pictures made two “prequel” television films which took the successful doctor from London to a small fishing village in Cornwall. After Sky folded, Martin Clunes’ production company sold the franchise to ITV, who spiced it up a bit and gave Dr. Ellingham his new identity and location.
Series One, which is currently playing on Wednesday nights on my cable network, introduces Doc Martin to the village of Port Wenn, and recreates his back story. He is a successful London surgeon who has developed a terrible blood phobia which causes him to leave the surgery to others and take on the role of general practitioner in Cornwall. His irascible – well, downright rude – personality alienates the townsfolk, but his expert diagnostic skills see him through time and again. In Season Two it’s the local radio presenter who appears to have a problem with alcohol, but has a different issue altogether; or the two brothers who live with their dad (who practises taxidermy); the local constable who has problems with the ladies. There’s Martin’s aging Auntie Joan, Pauline the ditzy (but capable) office receptionist, Mrs. Tishell the local pharmacist, and the Large boys, father and son, who run a plumbing business. Oh, and then there’s Louisa, the town schoolteacher, who sees beyond Martin’s gruff exterior and falls in love with the shy boy inside. It’s the stuff of soap opera, and yet it is so real in its portrayal of small town life.
Doc Martin is filmed in Port Isaac, Cornwall and part of the charm of the series is the incredible beauty of the Cornish countryside and seaside. The opening credits are in time lapse photography, and show the tide receding and starnding the fishing boats on the sand. I never tire of watching these credits, as this image is particularly striking. But the programme is wonderfully written as well. These people are ordinary people going about their business. The stories are warm, sometimes shocking, often funny, and the actors playing the roles are perfect. Caroline Catz is headmistress (she is promoted in the second episode) Louisa – she’s attractive if not classically beautiful. Her affection for Martin is tempered by her disbelief that he can be so callous and unthinking. Auntie Joan (Stephanie Cole) offers the wisdom of the ages as Martin’s one loyal relative. Stewart Wright’s portrayal of PC Mark Mylow balances between incompetence and senstivity, and when he’s worried about ever finding true love, or about the size of…you know…you feel for him. Ian McNeice and Joe Absolom as Bert and Al Large act as comic foils although Al gets to spread his wings a bit when he falls for Pauline (Katherine Parkinson) the Doc’s playful (and sexy) receptionist.
But the programme is called Doc Martin and Martin Clunes is the star. He is one of the weirdest looking lead actors I’ve ever seen, from his jug ears, big lips and awkward stiffness to his always suited figure. And Clunes manages to make you care about this “fish out of water” even at the same time you’re thinking “What does Louisa SEE in that guy?” It’s a remarkable portrayal.
There is a third season of Doc Martin already broadcast, and filming is beginning very soon on the fourth season. Until then, I’ll catch up on Season One on my local cable channel, and re-watch Season Two as many times as I want. It’s well worth viewing. More than once!
(Acorn Media Group, 2009)
