Best Medicine Season 1 | "I Cannot And Will Not." — Unpacking the Best Family Secrets

Doc Martin Season 1 Fresh Eyes: A Best Medicine Know-It-All Watches Doc Martin for the First Time

Podcast Portwenn Season 2 kicks off with a fresh twist on the Doc Martin newbie experience. Chesla is joined by Patty, a familiar face from the Best Medicine playlist but this time, Patty has just finished watching Doc Martin Season 1 for the very first time. Having already seen all 13 episodes of Best Medicine, Patty brings a uniquely informed perspective: she knows the American adaptation inside and out, and now she's meeting the gold standard original. Patty shares her first impressions of Doc Martin (Martin Clunes), describing him as oddly familiar: her background in high-tech workplaces has left her well-acquainted with brilliant people who struggle with social graces. She's immediately drawn to Aunt Joan (Stephanie Cole), appreciating how Joan holds Martin accountable with love rather than excusing his rudeness. The conversation digs into the memorable and sometimes uncomfortable moments of Season 1: the ketchup prank that crossed a line, the cringe-worthy halitosis comment that derailed Martin and Louisa's (Caroline Catz) first kiss, the dream sequence that fooled everyone (including the dog), and the awkward teenage crush that stretched believability. Comparing the two shows, Patty and Chesla examine how the characters translate across the Atlantic. PC Mark Mylow (Stewart Wright) comes across as shy and endearing in Portwenn, a contrast to his more blustery Best Medicine counterpart Sheriff Mark Mylow (Josh Segarra). The Elaines, Elaine Denham (Judy Punch) and Elaine Denton (Cree), share a knack for snark, but Best Medicine's Elaine showed a softer, more redeeming side much earlier. Al Large (Joe Absolom) in Doc Martin is nerdy and insecure, whereas Al Large (Carter Shimp) in Best Medicine struck Patty as warmer and more self-assured. They also explore the blood phobia backstory, laid out early and plainly in Doc Martin versus the slow, tantalizing drip of clues in Best Medicine, and debate whether Robert Best (Martin Clunes) and the writers can afford to keep audiences waiting much longer. The social geography of the two Portwenns gets a look too: Cornwall feels genuinely working-class and rural, while the Maine version reads as considerably more upscale, narrowing the gap between the doctor and his neighbors. Patty's predictions for Season 2: a rocky but progressing Martin-Louisa relationship, Mark as a temporary obstacle, and hopefully some growth from Elaine. She'll be back — and so will we. ⚠️ This episode contains Best Medicine spoilers throughout. Doc Martin viewers who haven't seen Best Medicine may want to take note.

Season 2: Gearing up for Best Medicine and Doc Martin Podcast Content

Podcast Portwenn is back! Host Chesla Wechsler kicks off Season 2 of the podcast with a preview of what's ahead for both the Doc Martin and Best Medicine playlists. On the Doc Martin side, Chesla has already begun recording with a brand-new Doc Martin newbie with a twist. Also in the works: a special episode featuring Doc Martin fanfiction authors. If you've ever wanted to hear from the creative community writing in the Portwenn universe, that episode will be up your alley. For Best Medicine Season 2, Chesla has assembled a fresh-ish panel of Unspoiled fans (i.e., viewers who haven't seen Doc Martin) to react to the new season as it unfolds. Returning panelist Doug will be back, joined by Mel and Carol, who appeared in individual Season 1 episodes and are set to become regulars. Jennifer and Mackenzie may also contribute bonus content when their schedules allow. Chesla also highlights the Buckham Fair short, now on YouTube, discussing a fundraiser sponsored by Martin Clunes and Philippa Braithwaite, the team behind both Doc Martin and Best Medicine. The fundraiser supports the Dorset Hospital Emergency and Critical Care Departments, with donations accepted through August 2nd. Have ideas for the podcast? Want to be a guest? Have questions for the fanfiction authors? Reach out at chesla@podcastportwenn.com [chesla@podcastportwenn.com]. New episodes are available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Subscribe on your favorite platform and join the conversation in the YouTube comments.

Sea Urchins, Blood Phobias & Sheriff Mark Deserves Better — Carol's Best Medicine Season 1

Podcast Portwenn welcomes Carol to the panel — a Best Medicine fan from the Western U.S. who has watched every episode of Season 1 multiple times (including a recovery watch after shoulder surgery!). Carol is Unspoiled, meaning she has never seen the original British series Doc Martin, and she brings a refreshing first-generation fan perspective to everything from the humor to the heart of Port Wenn. Carol also arrives with a soft spot for Sheriff Mark Mylow (Josh Segarra) — and host Chesla is glad to have her. Season 1's panel didn’t show Mark a lot of love, but Season 2 is going to be different. Carol sees what others may have missed: under the goldfish-in-a-rock-band silliness is a genuinely good soul who would do anything for anyone, anytime. Consider this his podcast character rehabilitation arc — starting now. Together, Chesla and Carol dig into what makes Best Medicine stand out: the humor, the small-town community feel, the fish-out-of-water charm of Dr. Martin Best (Josh Charles), and the warmth of characters like Aunt Sarah Best (Annie Potts), Elaine Denton (Cree), and Geneva (Didi Conn). They also unpack the big unresolved questions heading into Season 2: What really happened in the Rosemary accident — and was Martin's father Robert Best (Martin Clunes) behind the wheel? Will Louisa Gavin (Abigail Spencer) allow Mark to be in her baby's life? What was Eden Montgomery actually doing showing up uninvited? Can the town survive economically without the Norwegian salmon farm — and what about those sea urchins the Aunt Sarah spotted? And will Martin ever get his medical license back after Glendon Ross (Patch Darragh) interferes? Carol is joining Chesla, Doug, and Mel as a regular on the Season 2 Unspoiled panel. You'll want to get to know her now. ⚠️ Unspoiled segment only — no Doc Martin spoilers in this episode. 🎬 Watch Best Medicine on Fox (live) and Hulu (on demand) 🎙️ Podcast Portwenn covers Best Medicine and Doc Martin on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. 💛 Love the show? Consider donating to Buckham Fair: https://buckhamfair.com [https://buckhamfair.com].  See the short video describing the fundraiser.

Buckham Fair!

Podcast Portwenn throws its support behind Buckham Fair, a fundraiser hosted by Martin Clunes and Philippa Braithwaite Clunes. Please, consider supporting them as a way to say thanks for the entertainment and educational content they've given us. Doc Martin, Best Medicine, and Podcast Portwenn don't exist without them.

Best Medicine Season 1 | "I Cannot And Will Not." — Unpacking the Best Family Secrets

⚠️ Spoilers for Best Medicine Season 1. Mel has been one of Podcast Portwenn's most engaged commenters all season — and now she's finally in the chair. In her first appearance on the podcast, she brings sharp new theories and observations about Martin's past that will make you want to go back and rewatch. What really happened to Rosemary? And does Robert Best carry guilt — not just grief? Chesla and Mel dig deep into Martin's complicated family history: his cold, critical parents Robert and Vanessa, the warm but tough Aunt Sarah, and the return of ex-girlfriend Eden. They also explore why Martin's blood phobia may never heal until he confronts the trauma underneath it — and the reasoning behind Robert's "I cannot and I will not talk about her." 🎙️ Topics include: the Rosemary accident theory, Robert's guilt vs. grief, Vanessa's radical honesty as a coping mechanism, Eden's role in Season 2, and the one person Martin actually lets touch him. 📺 Best Medicine | Fox | Season 1 Recap | Martin Best | Rosemary | Robert & Vanessa | Aunt Sarah | Eden | Blood Phobia | Podcast Portwenn | TV Discussion Podcast | Medical Drama