Doc Martin: Series 1

I can't forget that at his last acting gig he was plying an overly exacted character

The acting is terrific. Anybody who loves to see a character tell the truth, and not care about people’s reactions to the truth will love this series. Of course, speaking your mind is rude, and that’s one of the themes of the series. He gets to do that and almost always gets away with being honest. The difference between him and other characters in our world is that he truly loves his job and loves to do the right thing. Everything else is secondary. There are delightful, relationship interactions, and very colorful characters as well so this series appeals to the scientist and the romantic alike. I’m surprised I haven’t stumbled upon it earlier. We watched the whole series. I recommend it to many people.

Especially liked the character development of each person and the messages sent about life and what’s important.

Love this show!

My husband and I - as well as our closest friends - have become dedicated to BBC series for their quality and subtle story/character developments. Conversations between characters tend to be verbal and non-verbal, with inflection and innuendos not commonly seen in US television.Together with our friends - we've created "libraries" of these series on DVD sharing them back and forth - and turn to these when "scheduled" television offers nothing on a given night...That said - Doc Martin is one of the very best of these series. Combining drama and humor - it at times seems to faintly reinvent the BBC classic - "All Creatures Great and Small" - although with the 'patients'(including the doctor himself) being HUMAN this time round. At other times - you might be reminded of Northern Exposure at its best - but with more focus and with the ongoing interest of the medical challenge facing the doctor in each episode. The characters all have depth and foibles - and over time you come to see that the community of Portwen (where the series is set) is a reflection of real towns - and friends - and families - anywhere. This is suggested early in the series - when the inevitable clash between the "arrogant" Doc Martin - and the "unsophisticated" villagers comes to a head - one villager steps in as mediator and points out the obvious - despite all their differences - the villagers - including their new doctor - need one another. They are in fact - the sum of their parts. And then you get it. The series is not one-dimensional - the plots of each episode generally turn not on one story - with key players and a back up cast - but rather on the development of circumstances - which likely involves multiple characters and their personalities. For this reason the show somehow remains fresh - season after season - episode after episode.Highly recommended for anyone over 14 (there are some adult situations and medical situations in some of the shows that in my opinion are not appropriate for younger children)

If anyone has read my reviews on this board, it is obvious that I am a great fan of British television programs; however, being in kind of a rut, I decided to try something new to me--the "Doc Martin" series. I am so delighted; it is just what my life needed.The "Doc Martin" comedy series is a funny delight. Doc Martin is a wonderful character. Martin was a successful surgeon in the "big city" of London. After developing a dislike for blood, he becomes a General Practitioner and the only doctor in a small picturesque seaside town that is filled with rather odd and eccentric people that includes a plumber and his son that just don't seem able to repair any faulty plumbing with disastrous results; his rather surly receptionist that is very incompetent that she and the townsfolk won't "let" him dismiss plus a host of very interesting patents for him to treat that have all kinds of ailments from men growing breasts to the extreme bowel problems to a man that has an imaginary six foot grey squirrel as his best friends that he needs meds for.Doc Martin has NO "bed side" manners and tends to speak what he is thinking even if it's not too nice. Nevertheless, he is very intuitive solving medical mysteries that are plaguing the little town.This series is extremely well written and is filled with loads of rather "black" humor that the British can do so well. It is also very well directed. I love it and intend to purchase more of the series

This medical drama about a surgeon who decamps to a small Cornish town as a lowly GP after he develops an aversion to blood is absorbing and entertaining. In fact, I am riveted to the screen if only because it's filmed in a town where my family once rented a house on vacation. My favorite crab shack is in almost every shot taken by the cove!The characters are endearing and quirky (but not overly so, which can be annoying... although I'm glad Elaine is gone after the first season), even Doc Martin, who is actually abrasive and even unpleasant at times. But you come to understand him somewhat, and of course he saves the day on a regular basis.My only complaint about the show is that some of the story lines are overly dependent on sexual themes. I dislike when TV writers distrust their audience with tamer matters. Everyday life is fascinating enough; there's no need to try to dress it up with salacious (and patently ridiculous) matters, in my opinion. My favorite U.S. show at the moment is  Royal Pains , another medical drama that has a  MacGyver -like main character who can be a little much at times, but at least the story lines don't reach so low for viewer attention.

Having watched this series on TV, I simply had to buy the DVD. Although this storyline was very unconvincing (no doctor would last five minutes with an attitude like Doc Martin's!) it was a good fun, very watchable movie and I enjoyed every minute of it. It was unusual to see a lovely actor like Martin Clunes playing the part of a grumpy, unapproachable G.P, but being the brilliant actor that he is, he played the part so convincingly that you started to feel sympathy for him after the first few scenes. The absolutely beautiful Cornish scenery complimented the storyline superbly, and made this a film that I've watched again and again. Thoroughly worthy of five stars.

Myself and my husband just love the series and prefer to skip it on tv and watch the dvd so we can watch as many episodes as we please in one sitting ( I have since bought them all ). Martin Clunes is so funny and his character is very easy to fall into . The scenery is beautiful and shot very well . All the actors in it act well and i havent found anyone annoying in it to date . We tended to watch it to unwind , a good family all rounder . Good hardcase and good artwork.

I bought this as a present for my mother, who has dementia and can't cope with complicated plots. She likes comedy and has watched these shows on TV for years (before the dementia really appeared) so Doc Martin is a familiar friend and she is very happy watching him on DVD - it doesn't matter how many times she sees these programmes. Given that one has to sit and watch them with her, I am glad this is so well written, acted and produced. I wouldn't really watch this when broadcast - I really don't have time to watch much TV, but I am very happy to see it with my mother

I think Martin Clunes is a great actor who can play any part be it funny or straight. This series is extremely good and I feel it will remain a favourite for years to come.Fast free delivery and cheaper than anywhere else.Amazon, my favourite place to shop and never lets me down.

It is hard to imagine a funnier entertainment. The whole cast is exceptional, led by Martin Clunes. Clearly, the script is the foundation and vital but the building on the script is what we see. Both are exceptional. I cannot recommend these DVD strongly enough. Good viewing!