Well, it doesn’t feel like long enough. The latest episode of FOX’s Best Medicine is already the season finale, and I’m going to miss Port Wenn! The previous episode ended with a “To be continued…” card. “Norway No How” picks right up where the story left off, with Port Wenn’s Norwegian visitors preparing to ruin the town’s bay with a salmon farm. Best Medicine Season 1, Episode 13 wraps up this story in a satisfying way while also leaving the characters in interesting places for next season.
MORE: Refresh your memory about the first half of the Norwegian visit to Port Wenn with our review of Best Medicine Season 1, Episode 12!
“Medicine never takes sides.”
Let’s start with the town’s predicament. Port Wenn is offbeat, but cozy, and Martin (Josh Charles) came there under duress. However, he takes his responsibility as the town doctor seriously. He continues to, even in the middle of the Norwegian legal threat.
Sigrid (Erinn Fredin) gives birth and doesn’t skip a beat in her ruthless efforts to start her business in Port Wenn. Complications after the birth push Martin’s healing skills to the limit, and beyond. First, Sigrid has a very hairy baby. Mark (Josh Segarra) dubs the little one Chewbacca! Then things get even weirder. Sigrid has a second baby a day later! Rare medical phenomena seem to like this quirky town.
Throughout all this, Martin focuses on treating Sigrid rather than Port Wenn’s legal trouble. The writers do a good job of raising the personal stakes for Martin from every angle in this episode. First, Martin’s ex, Eden Montgomery (Eliza Coupe), shows up eager to date him again, and as a fertility doctor, she helps with Sigrid. Then, when Martin stops the Norwegians, his childhood bully, Glendon (Patch Darragh), gets back at him by reporting him for letting his assistant, Elaine (Cree), draw blood without a license.
Martin has grown a lot over the season. He’s changed into someone who recognizes Port Wenn’s value, and now that is being tested.
MORE: We’re still laughing about certain moments in “Mind Your Own Buboes” and you can relive it all with our review of Best Medicine Season 1, Episode 11!
“I believe children are the future? That’s a lie.”
Martin possibly losing his medical practice is not the only challenge this episode leaves him with. All season long, Martin and Louisa (Abigail Spencer) have gone back and forth over their romantic interactions. Their attraction to each other must necessarily face obstacles, of course, because this is TV.
Louisa’s desire to have a baby is a recent subplot that the writers clearly intend to carry into season two. Near the end of this episode, Martin seems ready to declare his feelings for Louisa, even with that possible responsibility looming in the future. Mark does something else, though. He offers to have a baby with Louisa. This is sweet but unfortunate, because Martin overhears.
This kind of conflict is something viewers expect from a slow burn like Martin and Louisa. Louisa’s goals for her life are entirely understandable, and Martin’s insecurities are, too. It’s natural for Martin to question whether he and Louisa are compatible because they are so different. This is the most useful kind of angst for storytelling, the character-driven kind. Martin invites his ex to his house for a drink at the end of this episode.
Though this is not how we want the season to end, in terms of romance, this is Martin and Louisa’s story, not anyone else’s. We may have to slog through this part of the journey, but we’ll get there. The audience can relate when Martin’s dog growls at seeing Martin with his ex. We agree, Copernicus, we agree!
MORE: If you want to swoon over the ship moments in “Port Wenn-ings and a Funeral” all over again, our review of Best Medicine Season 1, Episode 10 has you covered!
“Many small streams make one big river.”
The reason Martin was in a romantic mood was the surprise wedding the town threw for George (Jason Veasey) and Greg (Stephen Spinella). The two got married in secret years ago, and of course, this town isn’t going to let two beloved citizens go without a celebration. This moment is very touching. It shows what a community Port Wenn is, and it shows that Martin is now a part of that, whether he wanted to be or not.
That inclusiveness is something that makes Port Wenn special. It is part of the reason why the town is so endearing. This benefits the series as a whole because if you like Port Wenn, you care more about what happens to the people there.
Another thing that keeps me coming back to this town every week is the humor. This episode succeeded in this area more than some past installments have, and as usual, Mark carries much of the comedy on his shoulders. I love the movie references from him in this episode. Segarra nails the delivery of all this, as he has in most episodes, and he is the actor I feel like this series helped me discover more than any other.
He is one of the many reasons I’m glad this show is getting another season. Best Medicine Season 1, Episode 13 is a strong season finale in terms of story and acting, and it makes me ready for next season as soon as possible!
Best Medicine airs at 8 PM on Tuesdays on FOX and streams the next day on Hulu.
