Doc Martin Series 6 DVD Review

 ***Complimentary product received in exchange for an honest review***

One of the biggest success stories on public television and a huge international hit returns for its newest season with Doc Martin, Series 6 debuting on DVD on December 10, 2013 from Acorn, an RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: RLJE) brand. Doc Martin is the #1 show for many public TV stations, and the previous season was Acorn’s top-selling DVD of 2012. In the U.K., Doc Martin is ITV’s highest-rated drama series with more than 10 million viewers, and the series has been licensed in more than 70 countries with amusing localized versions. Fan favorite Martin Clunes (Men Behaving Badly) is back as the surly, self-centered Dr. Martin Ellingham. In the sixth series, the doctor tackles fatherhood, his complicated relationship with local teacher Louisa (Caroline Catz, Murder in Suburbia), and the return of his mother (Claire Bloom, Brideshead Revisited). The series co-stars Emmy^® winner Eileen Atkins (Cranford, co-creator of Upstairs, Downstairs), Ian McNeice (Doctor Who) and Joe Absolom (Hatfields & McCoys). The DVD 2-disc set includes eight episodes, plus 64-minutes of behind-the-scenes segments ($39.99, AcornOnline.com). Series 6 aired in the U.K. on ITV in Sept. 2013, and Acorn.TV streamed the exclusive U.S. premiere in Oct. 2013. Through American Public Television, Series 6 will begin airing on public television in February 2014.

Even on his own wedding day, Dr. Martin Ellingham (Martin Clunes) is all scowls. Then following a calamitous honeymoon, he and Louisa (Caroline Catz) must learn to live together, raise a child, and manage two careers. It’s a big adjustment for both, especially Martin, who’s unaccustomed to clutter and noise. And yet he’s still not as picky as their OCD nanny.

Factor in the Doc’s usual string of batty patients—including a hypochondriac, a hoarder, two elderly tattoo artists, and a bumbling constable with a string of self-inflicted injuries—and Martin is soon more ill-tempered than ever. Plus, his crippling blood phobia is back, and his ghastly mother (Claire Bloom) picks a bad time to show up at the Ellinghams’ door. With much at stake, Martin turns for advice to his aunt Ruth (Eileen Atkins) perhaps the sanest person in Portwenn—but it may already be too late.

Filmed in the idyllic Cornwall village of Port Isaac, Doc Martin won the Best TV Comedy Drama at the British Comedy Awards. The series premiered on ITV in the U.K. in 2004 and has aired for six series. Acorn previously released Doc Martin, Series 1 – 5 in individual sets and a Doc Martin Special Collection (Series 1-5 + The Movies). To learn more about Doc Martin, please visit www.docmartinfan.com

Street: Dec. 10, 2013                                     SRP: $39.99                           UPC: 0-54961-2145-9-4

DVD 2-Disc Set: 8 episodes on 2 discs; approx. 384 min., plus bonus; 16:9 widescreen; SDH subtitles

BONUS: Behind-the-scenes segments (64 min.) and photo gallery

 My Thoughts

Doc Martin Series 6 is a great continuation to a fabulous series. Doc Martin is a physician with a phobia of blood. He moves to the little village where his lack of personality makes it hard for him to fit in. The actor who plays Doc Martins is really fabulous. So often he says more with his facial expressions than he does with words--something that takes real talent. This set includes six new episodes: 

• Sickness and Health
• Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
• The Tameness of a Wolf
• Nobody Likes Me
• The Practice Around the Corner
• Hazardous Exposure
• Listen with Mother
• Departure

In this season, there are a lot of great things going on. One of the biggest events is Doc Martin's own wedding. He barely cracks a smile even on the big day! After the wedding and a crazy honeymoon they settle in to juggling a child and their jobs. Trying to find a nanny leads to even more laughs. 

The Doc's patients this season seem to get even more eccentric. He has to deal with a hoarder, tattoo artists, and even a cop who likes to hurt himself. Doc Martin has to try to cope with all these crazy patients, his nasty mother, and the return of his phobia. Not an easy task for someone who isn't the most pleasant of people.  Series 6 was a great addition to the show with tons of laughs and crazy antics. I'll be counting down the days until Series 7!

***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. The opinions expressed in the review are my own and were not influenced in any way.***