Acorn Media's Doc Martin - Series 6 (2013) includes the season's eight 46-minute episodes in their original uncut, 16:9 enhanced widescreen format, along with a 64-minute making-of documentary.

(Mild Spoilers) In the picturesque seaside town of Portwenn, Cornwall, astute but abrasively antisocial Dr. Martin Ellingham (Martin Clunes) and schoolmaster Louisa (Caroline Catz) finally wed in the opening scenes of the first episode, followed by a disastrous honeymoon arranged by inept ex-plumber-turned-restaurateur Bert Large (Ian McNeice).

Both Martin and Louisa maintain busy work schedules. Neither is willing to make great sacrifices to their respective careers, and this generates considerable tension in the raising of their toddler son, James. After several disasters they seem to have found an ideal child minder in Mike Pruddy (Felix Scott), this despite his obsessive-compulsive need to rearrange the Ellingham's kitchen. He seems ideal, but Louisa, feeling guilty she's not there to care for James herself, and frustrated by Martin's apparent unwillingness to do his fair share, is obviously troubled.

Meanwhile, Martin's psychologist aunt Ruth (Eileen Atkins) reluctantly agrees to appear on an inane local call-in radio show and moves into town. Al Large (Joe Absolom), Bert's son, rooms with Martin's perpetually lazy receptionist, Morwenna (Jessica Ransom), while Bert rents Al's old room to the village's new chemist, Jennifer Cardew (Annabelle Apsion). (Crazy, lovelorn former chemist Mrs. Tishell [Selina Cadell], also returns, however.)

These various subplots, as well as others in this eight-episode series, are funny and sometimes even quite touching. The on-again, off-again relationship between Martin and Louisa was teased to the point of exasperation by writers who had painted themselves into a corner. To some extent this continues even throughout Series Six, but the show seems to have rediscovered its rhythm.

As always, Clunes's hilarious characterization is at the show's center, almost always scowling fiercely, except on rare occasions when, taken by emotional surprise, a wide-eyed and childlike innocence overtakes him. Martin remains a glowering, aloof presence with no bedside manner or tact. That said, the rest of the cast is fine, too; Catz is charming and a perfect match for Clunes, while McNeice, Cadell, and Absolom are very good also. As with Season Five, the addition of Atkins, who seems to have landed the role after suddenly, unexpectedly departing from Upstairs, Downstairs, doesn't quite work. Where Martin's late Aunt Joan was a hardy, salt of the earth character, grounded in a basic humanity Martin admired but lacked himself, Aunt Ruth is as acerbic and cynical as he is, though less remote and more tactful.

Video & Audio

Doc Martin - Series 6 is presented in 16:9 enhanced widescreen, which again shows the picturesque locations (actually Port Isaac, Portwenn is fictional) to good advantage. The eight 46-minute episodes are on two single-sided discs. The Dolby Digital Stereo is up to contemporary television standards, and the shows include optional English subtitles.

Extra Features

Supplements include an informative and interesting collection of behind-the-scenes featurettes, totaling 64 minutes, photo galleries, and the welcome addition of "next time" previews.

Parting Thoughts

As before, I'd strongly recommend those new to the program watch it from the beginning. Doc Martin - Series 6 is funny and charming. Highly Recommended.

Stuart Galbraith IV is the Kyoto-based film historian and publisher-editor of World Cinema Paradise. His credits include film history books, DVD and Blu-ray audio commentaries and special features.