Doc Martin is an enjoyable, often funny show set in a beautiful fishing village in Cornwall UK (called Portwen, it's filmed in Port Isaac). The lead character Dr. Martin Ellingham (called "Doc Martin" by the locals which he doesn't like) is a former surgeon who's become a GP because of his blood phobia. He's also brusque, uptight, often rude and lacking in social skills. (It only eluded to in several episodes but this character is probably on the autistic spectrum). He's also a dedicated doctor who cares deeply about his patients and is very good at diagnostics. I personally think his rudeness (which is the source of a lot of the humour in the show) often comes from his lack of social skills rather than deliberate meanness. When he's overwhelmed with emotion, he often resorts to lecturing people on medical matters. Martin Clunes plays him brilliantly. If you watch any of Martin Clunes' other shows (especially his travelogues where he's himself), you will see when he's in character as Doc Martin, his mannerism, his posture and his gait are completely different. It's enjoyable watching him interact with the other characters including Louisa, Aunt Joan and Aunt Ruth. (I also enjoyed these characters.)
Why did I give a rating of 7 instead of 8? For me, there were several reasons. Firstly, the show is occasionally medically inaccurate (eye injections cannot restore sight in someone with age related macular degeneration, they can only slow its progress.) Apparently the show had a medical advisor but there were occasional slipups (such the inaccuracy about macular degeneration.) Sometimes the plots are over the top and stretch the bounds of believability. Within the show's long run, it felt like there was a lot of repetitiveness. In my opinion, the show ran too many series and ran out of ideas. In particular 2 of the secondary characters began to grate on my nerves the way they were written; specifically PC Joe Penhale and Bert Large. Both became very annoying and I came to dread every time they were on the screen (which seemed to be a lot).
Why did I give a rating of 7 instead of 8? For me, there were several reasons. Firstly, the show is occasionally medically inaccurate (eye injections cannot restore sight in someone with age related macular degeneration, they can only slow its progress.) Apparently the show had a medical advisor but there were occasional slipups (such the inaccuracy about macular degeneration.) Sometimes the plots are over the top and stretch the bounds of believability. Within the show's long run, it felt like there was a lot of repetitiveness. In my opinion, the show ran too many series and ran out of ideas. In particular 2 of the secondary characters began to grate on my nerves the way they were written; specifically PC Joe Penhale and Bert Large. Both became very annoying and I came to dread every time they were on the screen (which seemed to be a lot).