Plot: What’s it about?
Doc Martin (Martin Clunes) was a successful doctor in London, a sought after surgeon with high level skill. But then he developed an aversion to the sight of blood, which forced him to abandon his own practice. He hasn’t given up on medicine however, as he moves to a small, rural town called Portwenn. He starts up a new practice there and since he is the only doctor in the area, his success seems certain. But his personality soon clashes with the locals, who don’t appreciate his rudeness and lack of social tact in delicate matters. The townspeople don’t have much love for their new doctor, but he is still a doctor, so they have to live with his quirks, just as he does theirs. Can Martin manage to assimilate himself at least somewhat, or will he remain on the town’s bad side as long as he remains a resident?
This fish out of water concept had promise, but I was left unimpressed by this first season. I don’t think Doc Martin is a bad show, but it seems like it should have been better. The main issue is that the show is driven by how the doctor interacts with the locals, but these first six episodes don’t handle that premise well. The humor is rather forced, thanks to characters that are one note or situations that aren’t used to the fullest comedic potential. A lot of times it feels like the writers took the easiest path, instead of developing ways to make the most of the characters. Martin Clunes is a solid lead and he is more than capable, but he can only perform as well as the material allows. I hope that in future installments are able to add some depth to the locals and create more unique interactions with them and the doctor. In the end, Doc Martin provides some good moments, but these six episodes are inconsistent. Even so, this first season is still worth a rental.
Video: How does it look?
The episodes are presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen. The show looks excellent here, the lush visuals shine and I was quite impressed. The scenery looks terrific in this treatment, with rich greens and browns, while all hues look solid. The contrast is sharp, so black levels are accurate and no detail is lost. Speaking of detail, the print looks clean and the image has superb clarity, no real softness in the least. Great work from Image here.
Audio: How does it sound?
This show has basic audio needs, with no call for flash or dynamic presence. As such, the included stereo soundtrack is more than capable. The sound effects are well handled and sound natural, while the music has life, but isn’t as expansive as you’d find on some other material. The real focus is on dialogue and that’s how it should be, as vocals are the main element here. I found the dialogue to be clean and clear, with no errors to report. Not the kind of soundtrack that will have you on the edge of your seat, but one that is true to the material.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This release includes no bonus materials.
