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Doc Martin: Series 7 (TV)
R2 - United Kingdom - Acorn Media Review written by and copyright: Megan Parker (4th December 2015). |
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The Show
 Doc Martin (Martin Clunes), the notoriously grumpy doctor, returns to the TV screens once again, prescribing to the audience moments of bitterness, healing and forced laughter. Set in the congenial Cornish village of Port Wenn, we follow the routine life of the village doctor, whose lack of compassion for his patients leads them out of the surgery feeling better in health yet highly unamused in character. Awkward relations with his wife (Caroline Catz) are almost as strained and as broken as the arm of his last patient and just as the sly frown on the Doc’s face suggests, things couldn’t really get that much worse. Balamory- style stereotypes are prevalent amongst the village community, with a day dreaming policeman, a whining local ‘wise guy’ and a gossiping, prying secretary; all seeming privileged to be breathing the same air as the superior doctor. For a man of little words and very little joy, it is also difficult to fathom the existence of not one, but two admirers of his. The first: A middle-aged chemist with a constant neck brace and capturing, beady eyes. And the second: A dog of luscious white hair and an elegant walk. Okay, maybe the second isn’t necessarily valid, but for such a pain-faced fella he’s done pretty well for himself. Within the seemingly peaceful setting, the stock of drama never runs out and the village is never short of injuries or disaster. The Doc finds himself chasing after patients here and there, with the responses of “NEXT!” and “SHUT UP!” still present as his ultimate catchphrases. Such frequency of injury would lead one to question ‘why hasn’t anyone actually fallen off a cliff yet?’ Perhaps they thought that would be too cliché. Despite my apprehension towards watching a series I initially thought was to be mundane beyond belief and out of my easily unimpressed age range, I warmed to it quickly. Reminding me of my precious childhood holidays in Cornwall, I was brought back to a cohesive village of joy, sea and sunshine. Also, dare I say it, I found it rather humorous.
Video
The picture is presented in a 1.78:1 (16:9) ratio format, which is suitable enough for a small screen. Otherwise, the picture quality can best be described as broadcast quality.
Audio
The audio takes the form of an English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo mix. With the soundtrack being the most distinguishable feature of sound, the audio obtained the capability is providing effective layers and therefore, depth. The dialogue is explicitly clear the majority of the time, with the occasional line being merged in with the background noise of the noisy Cornish sea.
Extras
Disc One Character Profiles Disc Two New Characters and Favourites – An insight into the new characters and favourites appearing and reappearing in the brand new series, introduced by the actors themselves. A Welcoming Set – This is a chance for the audiences to see how the actors originally settled into the set, showing behind-the- scene secrets and the stories of how they got to where they are now. Making a Scene – A glance behind the cameras and how scenes are formed and developed. Here, the director explains the process of acting alongside filming. Producing the Show – This portrays how the popularity of the show effects the choice of a next series and how the process of writing and producing follows.
Overall
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