We’ve made it halfway through the second season of Best Medicine. (Yes, already!) I’ve been pleased with the small-town vibes and humor so far this season. The medical mysteries, local traditions, and laughs were just missing some positive plotting on the shipping front. Well, Best Medicine Season 2, Episode 7 solves that! “Love is a Battlefield” is momentous and funny, making it one of my favorite episodes of this show so far.
MORE: Remind yourself about what happened last time in Port Wenn by reading our review of Best Medicine Season 2, Episode 6!
“You may have lost the battle, but there’s still time to win the war.”
Martin’s (Josh Charles) medical expertise is put to the test in this episode during Port Wenn’s reenactment of the “famous” Battle of Port Wenn during the Revolutionary War. “There was a Battle of Port Wenn?” Martin asks, incredulous, echoing the audience’s thoughts. The reenactment is elaborate and lengthy. Even more so than Port Wenn’s other traditions, this event perfectly captures how committed the town is to things like this. It’s staged every other year, but Port Wenn goes all in for two whole days, with period-accurate costumes and food. That food is what causes the illnesses Martin must cure. It’s kind of fascinating to see the varied symptoms of ergot poisoning.
The reenactment also provides plenty of comedy. In this town, that’s nothing new. And it’s also nothing new that Sheriff Mark (Josh Segarra) is the source of most of the laughter. Check out his “death scene” on the battlefield for proof of that! I swear, one of the things I look forward to before each episode of this show is what Mark might be up to because I know he’ll probably make me laugh. Another hilarious moment comes from Elaine (Cree) and Al (Carter Shimp). They try, in a very unsubtle way, to set up Al’s dad, Bert (John DiMaggio), so he won’t be lonely when they leave for New York soon. Let’s just say they don’t vet this woman. At all.
MORE: The time a traveling magic act came through Port Wenn was emotional to say the least. Recall all the details with our review of Best Medicine Season 2, Episode 5!
“The best you can hope for is a weak imitation of me.”
Another amusing development is Mark’s reaction to Louisa (Abigail Spencer) and Parker’s (Jack Cutmore-Scott) relationship. When it comes to interacting with Parker, Mark is genuinely torn between his friendly nature and his history with Louisa. Watching him stare Parker down is yet another laugh I won’t forget from this episode.
Plus, I think Mark is a little outraged on Martin’s behalf. He saw Martin and Louisa kiss during the first season, and though Mark is a bit goofy, even he must have picked up on the fact that Martin is still interested in Louisa. And Martin is now single again. Mark considers Martin his best friend, so he’s going to be on his side.
Not that Martin needs anyone to fight his battles for him. Especially not when it comes to Parker. Martin has always been blunt to anyone who annoys him, which is pretty much everyone, and Parker annoys him in particular at the moment due to his connection with Louisa. But Martin’s dislike of Parker builds during this episode. Martin notices how Parker is sneakily trying to edge him out as Port Wenn’s doctor, and since he doesn’t shy away from conflict, Martin confronts him. It’s a credit to the writing and acting here that Parker’s turn toward villainy doesn’t feel out of place. It’s not jarring, even though he’d been charming up until now.
MORE: Graduation Day in Port Wenn gave us so many feels! You can experience them all over again when you read our review of Best Medicine Season 2, Episode 4!
“You must be having some feelings.”
Something that is a bit unexpected, but in the most satisfying way, is the progress of the Martin and Louisa ship. WE FINALLY GET ANOTHER KISS! I thought we’d have to wait longer for this, but I am not complaining! Charles and Spencer’s strong chemistry gives the moment its maximum impact. It is paced similarly to their first kiss in season one, with Martin initiating it in response to something Louisa said in an escalating back-and-forth conversation.
It’s one of those “stalk toward her, take her face in his hands, and lay one on her” kind of kisses. So much fun. And did I mention there are fireworks, too? There are fireworks, too. That’s a super-romantic detail that always gets me.
As I said, I thought this would take longer. Martin has been hesitant since he broke up with Eden (Eliza Coupe). Beyond the Parker of it all, Martin clearly felt insecure about whether he could be what Louisa wanted. He even insisted he was happy for her and Parker earlier in this episode. I am so glad the writers took this step now, though, and I hope it sticks. I hope we see Martin and Louisa as a couple. At least for a while. They are obviously endgame, and there’s no way of knowing what TV writers will come up with the longer a show goes on, but I’m taking this shipper joy while I can get it. Best Medicine Season 2, Episode 7 is a series highlight and one of my favorite episodes of the show. Simple as that.
Best Medicine airs on FOX on Tuesdays at 8 PM and streams the next day on Hulu.
