Best Medicine S1E13 — "Norway No How" | Season Finale Deep Dive | Podcast Portwenn
The Podcast Portwenn crew breaks down the Best Medicine Season 1 finale in two parts: unspoiled fans Patty, Doug, and Erica react to the wild finale, then Doc Martin superfans Kathy and Chris weigh in with spoiler-filled comparisons and Season 2 predictions.
[00:00] Quick Note
[01:08] Unspoiled Best Medicine Fan Takes
[45:00] Segue
[45:21] Doc Martin Fan Takes
This episode covers everything: Martin lying to save Port Wenn, the shocking medical board complaint, the truth about what Eden is really doing at Martin's house, whether Louisa will let Mark father her baby, and how Martin could possibly get his medical license back. Plus — the surprise celebration nobody saw coming, Copernicus the dog as relationship barometer, and Glendon whistling "In the Hall of the Mountain King" on his way out the door.
Martin's Medical License — Is He Finished? Glendon reports Martin to the medical board for letting unlicensed receptionist Elaine draw blood all season. The unspoiled panel thinks town loyalty may be his best defense — no videos exist and nobody's likely to testify against him. The Doc Martin-savvy panel predicts a probationary period and Elaine being pushed to get formally licensed as a phlebotomist — Chesla's theory is that Elaine is entering a new phase, the beginning of a long evolution toward trusted colleague.
What Is Eden Really Doing at Martin's House? The panel is divided. Doug suspects Eden showed up uninvited and her "I knew you'd call" was wishful thinking. Erica wonders if Martin called her for professional advice about his license — not romance — pointing out he didn't exactly look lovesick when she walked in. Kathy and Chris predict Eden returns for Season 2 as a full love-triangle player. Patty also raises the possibility that Eden — who dated Martin during the Rosemary era — may know more about his blood phobia origin than she's revealed. Martin & Louisa: Will They or Won't They? Martin is about to confess his feelings when he overhears Louisa considering letting Mark father her baby — and walks away. The panel is skeptical Louisa will go through with it. Is the Martin-Louisa pairing the show's central romance? Best Medicine has surprised us enough that nobody's ruling anything out.
Martin Lies for Port Wenn Martin's fake U.S. Senator bluff against the Norwegian salmon farmers shocked even the most attentive panelists. The whole panel sees it as the season's biggest character moment — a straight-shooting doctor lying convincingly, for the good of a town he'd have dismissed in Episode 1. Chris notes Martin Ellingham would never have done anything remotely similar.
Other Highlights: George and Greg's surprise wedding and the ringwarming ceremony, Copernicus as relationship barometer, Elaine coming clean about Juilliard, Aunt Sarah's sea urchin discovery as a Season 2 economic storyline, and Glendon whistling "In the Hall of the Mountain King" on his villain exit.
Season 2 Predictions: Martin survives the board investigation with Elaine pursuing phlebotomy licensure. Eden returns and complicates everything. Robert and Vanessa come back to explain Rosemary. Al may leave Port Wenn temporarily. Mark's baby offer creates ongoing drama.
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🎙️ Podcast Portwenn covers Best Medicine and Doc Martin with fresh-eyed reactions and deep-dive comparisons. Want to be a guest? Email chesla@podcastportwenn.com [chesla@podcastportwenn.com] — unspoiled viewers, Doc Martin superfans, and first-timers all welcome.
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