Doctor Foster: A Woman Scorned

Have found myself watching the BBC less over the years, mainly because of being too busy and also not a lot that airs regularly interests me. Programmes that were watched religiously when younger are now only watched sporadically or not watched anymore, having lost interest. There are though a fair share of treasures, like their literary period dramas and the David Attenborough nature documentaries, and unexpected gems.

While not without its drawbacks, 'Doctor Foster' is one of those flawed but better than expected winners. It won't appeal to all tastes, the criticisms are understandable, and it's not quite one of the best BBC dramas/series in years. To me on the other hand, 'Doctor Foster' when it first aired in 2015 was something that personally didn't expect to be as good as it was. And its second season this year was one of the better BBC programmes airing in the latter part of this year.

'Doctor Foster' to me isn't perfect. Do agree about the truth and credibility being stretched, Gemma especially making some rash and unrealistic decisions. Some events also happen and are resolved all too conveniently. The final episode of Season 1 also felt somewhat unbalanced and absurdly melodramatic and sees Gemma's unrealistic actions at her worst and most extreme, almost erratic.

On the other hand, 'Doctor Foster' is very well made visually, stylish and audaciously with a fluid way of how it's shot. The music has presence but has moments where it isn't too intrusive, though it can be prone to being melodramatically overbearing.

The script is thought-provoking and continually smart and gripping, with some genuine pathos, tension and a little dark subtle humour. The storytelling is not always perfect in balance but has plenty of twists and turns and its depiction of flawed relationships and such can be quite chilling. The same goes for Season 2 in both the script and story, except that it takes a darker and more emotionally turbulent tone, as well as even more twisted. There are still the same faults that the first season did, except the ending of Season 2 is more of a nail-biter and more emotional.

Direction keeps things controlled, the storytelling never gets dull and the characters are interesting even if their behaviour is uneven and are largely unsympathetic with the exception of Tom. A huge part of 'Doctor Foster's' appeal is Suranne Jones, who is in nearly every scene and dominates them all in an outstandingly nuanced turn that says so much whether saying anything or being reliant on expressions without saying anything.

Bertie Carvel is also excellent and Tom Taylor is wholly credible as the most sympathetically, realistically and consistently written character (one does relate to him). All the supporting cast do very well, with Robert Pugh in Season 1 being one of the most memorable ones.

In conclusion, flawed but still a winner. 7.5/10 Bethany Cox

The 7 stars are for Season One. For Season Two; 3.

If you go into this BBC Series with low expectations you will find it very entertaining. Somewhat above the 'soap opera' level of drama but still it does have that genre to thank for its plot, its themes. Again, this ain't Albee or Tennessee Williams. It ain't great theater. But Season One does entertain. Season Two turns out to be another thing completely. Here we do have the soap-opera melodramatics, in plot, in dialogue, in character. Worse still, there's no one to like.

Doctor Foster, played by Suranne Jones, believes her husband has been unfaithful. In Season One she believes she knows with whom. And it's driving her crazy. Making matters worse, it seems that everyone knew or knows about the affair. Everyone but her. So. Who can she trust? To whom can she talk? And, if her husband has kept the affair a secret, what else about him - or others - does she not know?

Let me tell you this. Over the course of the First Season's five episodes, you, the viewer, will find out. Though there is a Season Two, at the end of Season One I did not feel as though the writers had baited me into needing to watch Season Two. And that, of course, is a good thing. Though watch it I did. All the way to its conclusion. A long way to go for a conclusion not worth the trip.

Suranne Jones' portrayal of Doctor Foster, is superb. She is a beautiful woman. You cannot take your eyes from her. But what wins me over is that I actually believe her pain; her face shows that pain, the sadness, the anger, even fury. Though she is far from perfect - either as a wife, mother, or physician - I rooted for her throughout Season One.

And then came Season Two.

I get it when people gush about a show, "Oh it's sooooo good, I really loved it so much, you have to watch it!" The statement is rubbish to me, as useless as an empty ink cartridge. The only think I learn out of that is that the person doesn't know how to articulate why they thought the film (or whatever) was "good."

Well, I'm not going to do that to you. I will try to be pithy but also support my declaration that this is a show worthy of your undivided ten hour attention. Yeah, only two seasons each with five episodes... and just think I had to wait three years for the second season, you can just power on through on a Sunday binge... just do yourself a favor - before you start: clear the next ten hours because you will not want to miss out by sleeping or bothered with work... no this will be difficult to turn off.

Why?

Because the characters are so wonderfully rich and intricately woven into each other's storylines. This is about a relationship, the main one being a smaller town doctor, her husband, her son, her practice and how she deals with handling betrayal on all sides of her life. The strong acting lends to the believability of the characters actions and the lengths they go to be heard, understood and ultimately loved. Just when you think you know the characters and think you have it all figured out another delicious tidbit is doled out to the viewer leading you to think the character just might...

It is highly relatable... anyone who has ever been in a relationship of any kind might be able to recognize the blatant manipulations, but honestly this is a simple story with very clever twists. Extremely satisfying for those going through a breakup, however, I think the biggest flaw -if there was one to point out- a smart, resourceful woman would have never looked back. Despite getting her hand burned several times, Doctor Foster can't help but put her hand back on the stove over and over again.

There are rumors of a third season, completely up in the air as of April 2018... but I'm hooked and waiting. Just hope it's not another three years in the making.

I don't normally write reviews but after reading the others I got bored.

This is good. If you like nail biting drama watch this.

The other women around me loved it and I discussed at length all the possible outcomes with them. It keeps you guessing throughout.

If you haven't already watched this and don't want spoilers do not Google this as there are many forums that have people talking about this.

Block out 5 hours of your life and get comfy. You won't want to leave the telly! (please don't search for it in between episodes because you will find out what happens)

I was screaming at the TV which is something I haven't done in a long time. If your a woman you will love it and if you're a guy you probably won't be bothered unless you like that sort of thing.

Gemma, the main character, does and doesn't do some of the normal things that you would expect her to do and you do route for her throughout. I definitely recommend it.

I previously reviewed this show (deleted) after the first series. Had they left it after the first series it would have remained in my opinion a slightly flawed, but compelling example of TV drama.

Having just watched the final episode of the second series, I wish that Suranne Jones had been given her way and the whole thing had been left at the end of Series One, which had a satisfying ending without leaning too much towards melodrama.

Without disclosing anything of the latter series, I can only say how disappointed I am at how the story line became more complicated and unrealistic as the show progressed. Acting in this was, as in the first series, excellent, if a bit OTT at times, but I regret to say that this was spoiled by the plot, which was increasingly all over the place. A huge disappointment in almost every way.