Departure - Season 06, Episode 08
By Karen
Louisa is on the mend so she continues with her plans to leave for Spain with James. Saying goodbye to his wife--and especially his son--hits the Doc hard. Desperation sets in and he runs to Ruth for perspective. She lays it on the line for Martin and so he makes his own plans to leave for Spain to be with Louisa and James. While making airline reservations, though, he reviews Louisa's brain scan from the recent accident and sees something startling. Now it's a race to get to the airport to stop her from getting on her flight.
Martin's mother watches the whole scene of Louisa and James leaving in the taxi for the airport with sheer delight. She's after something and those two out of the way make her feel a bit powerful. After speaking with Ruth, Martin comes home for a quick discussion with his mother and promptly decides it's time for her to leave. Not seeing her forever isn't long enough.
Al's business pitch to Ruth doesn't go so well, but she senses some good bones about it so she tells him she'll look it over. After making a decision she heads over to the beach party Bert's throwing for the whole town. Thanks to faulty wiring, while spinning the tunes local shock-jock Caroline touches a mic that nearly kills her.
The Doc successfully gets Louisa off the flight (thanks to PC Penhale!) takes her to the closest hospital, and after careful consultation with the attending surgeon, performs the surgery himself. But what now? Words were exchanged before the surgery, but is it enough to save this marriage and family life together?
Will they find the answers they both need to make this work? Can Ruth and Al actually build a successful business together--and will Bert subconsciously sabotage their efforts? Does Bert have his happily ever after with Jenny? And will Clive finally come back to Portwenn for his Sal?
An annoying cough, tearful goodbyes, wicked mothering, "we don't need no stinkin' grounding", Y-M-C-A, and a little DIY-surgery.
They're a hearty bunch those Portwennians, aren't they? Must be the sea air. In any case, we can't wait to see where they'll be in Series 7...
Enjoy Departure...
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I don't think the conversation with Ruth happened, not only because it ws a tv show, but because the intensity of what was happening between them came to a head and yes, Martin was so desolate that he was able to listen to her. I think Martin did agree with her, his silences in vulnerability are more powerful than most of the words he says. You can tie someone down, but unless someone really FEELS something is wrong, not just knows it in a cerebral manner-it won't work. That was my 2nd favorite scene-the first being the scene where he finally is able to ask for Louisa's help. I think there is a time in all relationships where it feels like work, and it is work. But those are phases, not the painful everyday feelings of disconnection that Martin has. I loved that he kicked his selfish mother out-finally. Each step for Martin in this episode was one towards growth as a man. A man with emotional, not just mental, intelligence. It will be a hard road-I hope he can keep on that journey.
ReplyDeleteI found the theme with Joe and the Doc to be separating from the past-from the child-and trying to become a capable adult in many ways. I loved that Joe is trying…
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of loving the quirkiness, and the series turning "darker"-I believe this had to happen to his character to preserve the integrity of the subplot of Martin (and Martin and Louisa) and a capacity to change-which is the only way that he can become whole in certain ways and the only way he and Lousia's relationship can work. If they continue to go in that direction, and dig deeper. They can always continue to do the funny because each of the characters are intrinsically funny and much can continue to be mined from that. But from the first episode, it has always been about Martin and Louisa. What they do with that-well-a shame we have to wait until Season 7 to find out! Thanks for the podcasts-they are fun!
ReplyDeleteRegarding the lake: Do you remember in the episode where Al is trying to find out if Burt is his father. There is one short scene where Burt is fishing and Al comes to talk to him about getting a copy of his birth certificate. This is the same lake as in this episode but at the time I did not know it was on the farm.
ReplyDeleteA difficult series to watch. The way it ended convinced me that we will have another series but I have to say as I was watching it the first time and thinking it was the end of the show for good I was holding my breath waiting for some good things to happen between Martin and Louisa and it wasn't happening.
The last scene was very touching and until the last scene and iIt took me watching it a second time and listening to your podcast before I was convinced they won’t let it end here and we will have at least one more series – I really could see it going longer and hope it does.
Like your comment when Burt and Al are arguing: IT’SLIKE TWO GIRLS FIGHTING IN A BOX.
Some of my favorite quotes from this episode:
Lady to Doc: Will you hold, sir. Doc: No, I won’t hold. (Of course they put him on hold anyway -Don’t you just want to say that every time you are asked that question and if they aren’t really giving you a choice then why do they ask.)
Burt: It’s all free –apart from some of the wine.
Morwenna: Pretty sure that’s still a psychic you're talking about.
My favorite scenes:
Doc talking to Louisa before her surgery.
Doc talking to Ruth. They need more of these conversations. DOC you have to listen to Ruth. She can help.
Louisa telling Margaret what she REALLY thinks of her. THANK YOU LOUISA. And I agree: NO WAY did he give it to her. I think Louisa and Joe will get it back for Martin.
Al talking to Mowenna after his meeting with Ruth. So glad he is taking charge of his life and glad they are getting these two together.
Lastly: I sure hope they change Joe’s character. I like when he helps Doc in this episode. He can still have some funny lines but he has to have a more professional role – no more Barney Fife – never did like that character. Also surely there most be someone in Portwenn for Joe.