I really loved this week’s episode of Best Medicine, it was such a heartbreaking episode but I believe it gave us so much more depth to Martin than we have ever seen before. The episode had some of it’s usual small town funny charm but this was definitely the most developmental and strong episode of the season so far.
I have to admit normally I am good with how the town act because they are generally just ridiculous but this episode was next level rudeness towards Martin, I really felt for him at the end of the episode when everyone was making fun of him and how similar he was to the man found in the bog. I’m surprised that even his aunt was happy to join in on the belittling of Martin, that whole scene was not a happy watch.
I do think that over time we have to see the town adapt to how Martin is especially when it has been clear over the last 8 episodes that he has been adapting how he is to fit in a bit more. I would just like to see a more even keel of them getting along harmoniously each week with a little bit of annoying each other but I don’t really want to see them be this horrible to Martin again. I really felt for him when he was on the verge of tears saying “I don’t want to be the bogman”, it was an absolutely incredible portrayal by Josh Charles. You just wanted to give Martin a hug.
This whole episode was a full journey for Martin in opening up and I loved that we got to go through every stage with him. I was genuinely panicking when he fell into the water but the scene after where he was petting the dog after slumping down on the stairs was so emotionally raw. It just showed how alone Martin was in that moment, to the point where he was finding comfort in something he has repeatedly denied his care for. This was all before the town made fun of him as well.
They showed pretty early on that Bert isn’t Al’s biological father which I wasn’t expecting, the OG show had that unfold in the second season but I feel like this was a perfect place to have Al find this out. I’m interested to see how long it takes him to own up to Bert about this new information.
I adored that we got some progress for our two main couples. I think it was great to watch the development of Elaine becoming Al’s girlfriend. It was a true portrayal how messy young love can be but also that even if Elaine is thinking of leaving it doesn’t really matter because all she wanted in that moment was to be with Al.
Then we got to finally see Martin admit his blood phobia to Louisa, I have been waiting for that moment since he nearly confessed it in episode two. I am such a fan of how they are gradually getting to know each other’s quirks and pitfalls, and that their tension turned into argumentative tension which was so cute. They were both just frustrated at the unspoken words between them that the wrong ones came out. I think this is going to be a really beautiful relationship to watch unfold.
