Remaking a beloved show must be daunting. Striking a balance between retaining what made the original popular and making something distinctive can’t be easy. The new FOX series Best Medicine begins with a pilot episode that takes steps in the right direction. Thanks mostly to the actors and the comedy, Season 1, Episode 1 ‘Docked’ is off to a start that makes me want to watch more.
In 2004, the British dramedy Doc Martin premiered. It has since gained fans all over the world, lasted for 10 seasons, and spawned multiple versions, particularly across Europe. Now, America gets its turn. The basic premise is the same as the other iterations. A skilled surgeon from a big city moves to a small town to be its doctor, while dealing with a new phobia of blood.
The doctor is antisocial. The locals are quirky. You can guess the laughs and character growth that ensues. Best Medicine features Josh Charles as Doctor Martin Best, who moves to Port Wenn, Maine, where he spent summers as a child. The medical mysteries start immediately, but the healing of Dr. Best has just begun.
The premiere episode of Best Medicine establishes the characters efficiently, provides some laughter, and creates interesting interactions that will deepen as the show continues. And the continuing story is one I’m looking forward to.
MORE: Before diving into the show, read Everything We Know About Best Medicine!
“You’re a real charmer, aren’t you?”
The thing that makes every version of this story unique is the lead character. Sure, we’ve seen plenty of anti-heroes, but specific details about Martin set him apart. He is more of a misanthrope than other, similar characters. They usually come across as arrogant rather than anything else, but that is not Martin’s flaw.
He is abrupt and abrasive. He has absolutely no patience for foolishness, small talk, or any kind of incompetence. That’s why when he specifically says he doesn’t like people, it’s kind of relatable. This attitude can result in moments that seem unkind. However, his drive to make people well again overrides that.
Charles plays all this perfectly. He makes Martin’s exasperation at others clear while somehow keeping him from being off-putting. Then there’s the blood phobia (hemophobia). Aside from the physical performance of these moments, Charles easily conveys the emotional conflict Martin feels about it.
His frustration and fear are palpable. This phobia could be debilitating to the job he loves, and that’s a problem that’s not easy for him to solve. Martin is clearly not familiar with the feeling of needing help to do his job. This episode already makes strides toward developing his character in this way, and it’s engaging to watch.
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“If there’s one thing that’s real, it’s magic.”
Charles is also good at something else that will become more important as the series goes on. Viewers of Doc Martin will remember that Martin has a love interest named Louisa, and here she’s played by the terrific Abigail Spencer. She is the first character Martin meets when he arrives in Port Wenn for his job interview.
We learn she just called off her wedding to the local sheriff, and during a later conversation, she opens up to Martin about why. She says a person should marry someone whose kiss “makes you go weak in the knees.” The look on Charles’ face as she says this is just a microexpression, really, but it says all we need to know about what will eventually happen between the two of them. Bring on the shipping!
The other characters deserve some attention, too. The premise of this show means that there has to be a wide array of supporting characters to fill up the town, providing comedy and helping to establish a sense of place. Viewers get a great cast to do this. Aside from handsome and engaging Josh Segarra as Louisa’s ex, there’s national treasure Annie Potts as Martin’s aunt Sarah.
That alone might be enough to get you to watch! But there are more actors to enjoy, too, like appealing newcomer Cree as Elaine, Martin’s assistant, and a fantastic guest turn from Wendy Makkena. (You’ll recognize her from the Sister Act movies and tons of other TV work.) These actors already make Port Wenn a place you’ll want to visit every week.
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“This place won’t let you hide.”
Besides the town itself, Martin’s medical cases are another significant part of the show’s plot. This episode kicks off with one that involves gynecomastia and an affair. It’s much funnier than it sounds, I promise, and it’s not as dark as it sounds either. Procedurals satisfy a special kind of itch if they’re well done.
Just like the original British show, this series presents the cozy version of a medical procedural, which isn’t overdone like some other types of the genre. It’s more inviting and endearing than intense and frenetic. I think that makes for a good fit with a weekly series. If you’re going to invest your time every week, this tone is more welcoming.
Which leads me to another thing I want to mention. The potential for this series to grow in the future is high. As we get to know Martin and the supporting characters more, the viewing experience will become deeper and richer. At least, if the writers are successful. Also, there is already an intriguing hint about why Martin is the way he is.
When he tells Aunt Sarah that he froze while operating on an 8-year-old girl, she responds that’s understandable, “given what happened to Rosemary.” Who is Rosemary? I want to find out. Best Medicine has delivered a premiere episode that makes me want to give it the space to continue. And I’ll keep watching.
Best Medicine airs at 8 PM on Tuesdays on FOX and streams the next day on Hulu.
