FOX’s Best Medicine is back, and it’s bringing back the charm — along with a mermaid, a lighthouse, and a love pentagon. The medical dramedy, based on the UK series Doc Martin, has returned with its second season, and the five-month wait between seasons is finally over. The show follows Dr. Martin Best, played by Josh Charles, who moved from Boston to the small fishing town of Port Wenn, Maine, because of his crippling blood phobia. Now, Season 2 picks up with Martin’s career in jeopardy, a love triangle that keeps expanding, and a restaurant booming thanks to a sea urchin discovery.
The Setup
Best Medicine Season 2 opens with a handy recap of what happened in Season 1 — and then jumps straight into Dr. Best looking into a child’s ear as his concerned mother rattles off potential diagnoses. The show is based on the UK series Doc Martin, but it has its own identity. It’s been compared to Royal Pains, Scrubs, MASH, Northern Exposure, and Hart of Dixie* — a personal favorite comfort watch, according to Decider’s review.
The show’s creator is Liz Tuccillo, who also worked on Sex and the City, Divorce, and Sweetbitter. She’s the showrunner and executive producer. The town of Port Wenn is full of characters. Martin’s Aunt Sarah, played by Annie Potts, is described as spunky. His administrative assistant Elaine is played by Cree, and the sheriff, Mark Mylow, is played by Josh Segarra. Louisa, played by Abigail Spencer, is Martin’s love interest and the town’s crush.
The Main Plot
The season picks up five months after Martin learned his medical license was at risk for having Elaine take blood to help him manage his phobia. The good news is that Elaine got licensed so she can legally assist. The bad news is that Martin has to be professionally assessed by a series of monitors, including Jack Cutmore-Scott’s Parker, who will determine the fate of his career. Despite his feelings for Louisa, Martin is still dating Eden, played by Eliza Coupe. And after Mark’s generous offer to co-parent Louisa’s child, she’s still deciding if she wants to have a baby on her own.
The show brings Judith into the mix, played by Andrea Marin, a sassy, stubborn friend of Aunt Sarah’s. A mermaid named Ellen Soraya Nikbakht mysteriously washes up on shore, adding to the guest star lineup. An epic Crate Race episode rounds out the season, while Al is planning an impending trip to New York.
The Love Triangle
The review describes the show’s romantic plot as a love triangle, or a love square, and eventually a love pentagon. That’s a lot of people. Louisa’s IVF journey and her single motherhood journey are a big part of the season. The review calls it refreshing to see such a relatable, weighty issue explored so thoughtfully.
Louisa’s struggle to decide what she wants comes through clearly in Spencer’s performance. The review suggests Martin will take on a major personal transformation in Season 2, looking closely at what matters most to him and trying to grasp his own emotions. Even with the space they’ve put between themselves, the two still share an undeniable connection.
The review isn’t mad that Eden is still around, even though they want Martin and Louisa to be endgame. Coupe plays Eden with socially awkward, buttoned-up humanity. She’s delightfully entertaining.
The Supporting Cast
Mark is described as a lost puppy at the start of Season 2, but Segarra is sweet, soulful, and silly as ever. The review calls him one of the show’s strengths. The show’s restaurant, The Salty Breeze, is booming thanks to Aunt Sarah’s sea urchin discovery. The show’s new series regulars are Jason Veasey and Stephen Spinella, who remain fabulous scene stealers.
What the Review Says
Three episodes from Season 2 were made available for review, and they demonstrate the show raising the levels of comedy, drama, and small-town appeal. The program comes back with remarkable confidence in its own abilities. It knows that laughter serves as the finest remedy, yet manages to strike a fine balance between wit and warmth in every episode.
This season gives viewers deeper looks at character development, new and exciting dynamics, and a larger set of clever and quirky town events and medical emergencies. The guest star list is stacked, with Judith joining the show and the mermaid washing up on shore.
Our Call
With a charming cast and warm, welcoming setting, Best Medicine Season 2 is a wacky, wild, hilarious escape that isn’t afraid to get serious when the moment calls for it. The review recommends streaming it. The town of Port Wenn is worth watching.
The Review’s Own Words
The review describes a parting shot where Martin stands alone, looking up at a lighthouse and exhaling as though a weight’s been lifted off his shoulders. That’s the image that closes the review, and it’s a good one.
The season is ambitious. It’s trying to expand the show’s world with Al’s trip to New York and the Crate Race episode. The mermaid is a fun addition, and Judith joins the show as Aunt Sarah’s sassy, stubborn friend.
The Season’s Strengths
- A stacked guest star list, including Judith and the mermaid
- A love pentagon that the review describes as a big part of the season
- A mermaid washing up on shore
- A lighthouse scene that closes the review with Martin exhaling as though a weight’s been lifted off his shoulders
- Al’s trip to New York and the Crate Race episode
The review’s own words are worth quoting. It says the show “isn’t afraid to get serious when the moment calls for it.” That’s the core of the recommendation.
A fair question ends the review. The show has arrived, and the answer is plain: the people of Port Wenn are watching.
Source material: “Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Best Medicine’ Season 2 on FOX, Where Josh Charles And Cast Turn Up The Small-Town Charm,” Decider.
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