Real-Life Adventures in Fictional Portwenn aka Port Isaac

Who doesn’t let a person finish a love letter?! Louisa finally gets to know the contents of Martin’s love letter. This week Carol, Mel, and Gabriela join me for Best Medicine Season 2, Episode 5, “Hare Today, Gone Tomorrow.” (Doug is off on a special Podcast Portwenn assignment.) Folks, we could NOT wait to talk about this one. When a traveling magician’s wife (Megan Li Wang) dies at the Salty Breeze, Martin Best (Josh Charles) looks for every physical explanation for her husband’s behavior. Doh! It’s not physical, Martin! Aunt Sarah (Annie Potts) knows better, because she’s seen it before… Sheriff Mark Mylow (Josh Segarra) has his own theory. It’s always the husband, right? We tip our hats to Jack DiFalco as Paul the magician, and give big kudos to the writers for knowing when less is more. Also on the table: Eden Montgomery (Eliza Coupe) finds the letter and thinks it’s for her. Cue Louisa Gavin (Abigail Spencer) panicking on the inside. In walks Parker (Jack Cutmore-Scott), Martin’s new medical monitor. Gabriela calls him the Hallmark Man. Carol calls him a kiss-up. Charming or smarmy? A playful boat date, a hoodie out the window, and a missing belt. Continuity slip, a convenient purse item, or a clue? Al Large (Carter Shimp) and Elaine Denton (Cree) at cross purposes over dorm sheets, paint colors, and showing up when it counts. George Brady (Jason Veasey) and Greg Garrison (Stephen Spinella) talk over each other so fast that Carol turned on closed captions. Why did the Best family never talk about Rosemary? I share a bit of my own family history. See full description here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTp7sP0m5y8&t=1929s Eden’s last stop on the way out of town. IYKYK. Savannah’s back in the previews! How long IS exotic-animal prison? Your turn: Is Parker charming or smarmy? Or something else? A night of sleep after recording, Chesla is starting to think he’s the pits. Tell us in the comments, and feel free to reply to each other too. Just keep it kind! No new Best Medicine episode next week, so we’ll see you after the hiatus. Thank you to Becky, Lisa, Landree, Lisa McConnell, Katrina Ann, and all our new commenters and subscribers! Please like, subscribe, and comment. Chapters [0:00] Who doesn’t finish a love letter? + welcome [1:41] Eden, Martin & the letter [5:43] In walks Parker [9:47] Smarmy? The Salty Breeze & the boat date [11:31] Al & Elaine’s strange standoff [15:14] Martin vs. a grieving husband [18:27] Radical honesty & the Bests’ silence [23:43] Martin’s safe person [26:24] It’s always the husband + Jack DiFalco [27:19] Eden leaves town [28:14] George & Greg’s bar scene [29:53] Favorite episode? Cryogenics & Colorado [30:41] Viewer predictions [31:47] Rebounds, flings & what’s next [33:39] Martin vs. Parker [35:03] Savannah returns [36:56] One magic trick at a time [39:55] Hiatus & thank yous

Carol missed our “No Place Like Om” taping thanks to a power outage. Now the lights are back on, and she’s watched both the episode AND our panel. So what did the rest of us miss? In this Best Medicine Season 2, Episode 4 bonus, Carol and I dig into the moments that tugged at her heart, starting with Mark Mylow (Josh Segarra) walking the graduation stage while Sally Mylow (Clea Lewis) looks on. Carol connects it to a Season 1 callback you may have forgotten: Louisa Gavin (Abigail Spencer), a bottle of vitamin C, and a crack about “couples counseling.” What we get into: The Happy Grove retreat: Martin Best (Josh Charles) says “no shenanigans,” and Mark is instantly drawn to Yuzu. Squirrel! Is Martin actually eager to get to Boston and Eden (Eliza Coupe)? Carol noticed something missing at the end of those phone calls Aunt Sarah (Annie Potts) and Eddie McCroy (Terrence Mann): George Brady (Jason Veasey) calls it “hot goss.” Is Eddie really breathing too loud? And did Martin learn his commitment issues from his aunt? Robert (Martin Clunes) and Vanessa (Judith Ivey) have a long marriage. Why has Martin never found “the one”? Is it related to Rosemary or something else? Martin and Louisa as a team with Fred (Barry Pearl), plus some gentle teasing on the dock. Is the new arrival, Parker (Jack Cutmore-Scott), about to stir things up? Glendon Roth (Patch Darragh): grown-up bully, richest guy in town, and maybe not the last word on Martin’s past Mark and Sally after graduation. Can Mark grow up and stay a little goofy? George, the lobster rolls, and “the genius of AND” Your turn: Is Sarah protecting her independence or just making excuses? Should Mark keep his goofiness? Tell us in the comments and remember to subscribe and like on whatever platform you prefer. Catch the full panel episode with Mel, Gabriela, and Doug, then come back for Carol’s take. Chapters [0:00] Carol’s power is back! [0:25] First impressions: an emotional one [1:05] Mark & Sally: the couples counseling callback [2:12] Happy Grove “shenanigans” & is Martin eager to go? [4:57] Aunt Sarah & Eddie: like aunt, like nephew? [6:18] Rosemary, the blood phobia & Martin’s love life [7:30] “Hot goss” & breathing too loud [9:05] Louisa, Parker & Martin [9:42] Fred, the happy place & teasing on the dock [10:58] Glendon the bully [13:33] Mark & Sally’s next chapter [15:46] George & the lobster rolls [16:32] Community & wrap-up

Martin Best (Josh Charles) has one goal this weekend: get out of Port Wenn and meet Eden Montgomery (Eliza Coupe) in Boston. A busted windshield, a missed bus, three patients behaving very strangely after a meditation retreat... Does he make it? You’ll have to watch. This week Mel, Gabriela, and Doug join me for Best Medicine Season 2, Episode 4, “No Place Like Om.” The gang agreed this one runs more on heart than comedy. (Did it try to cram in one storyline too many? I have opinions.) What we get into: The Happy Grove retreat: Martin flexes some authority, a mud bath, a $100 bribe to Saffron, and Sheriff Mark Mylow (Josh Segarra) finds his zen at exactly the wrong moment Louisa Gavin (Abigail Spencer) juggling an IVF test and her first graduation speech as principal, with Elaine Denton (Cree) as roommate, cheerleader, and editor. Plus my science rant on “shoot for the moon.” Sorry, not sorry. Sally Mylow (Clea Lewis), a neck brace worn for 35 years, and Mark’s “I never grew up.” Gabriela brings the codependency research Aunt Sarah (Annie Potts) and a very cleaned-up Eddie McCroy (Terrence Mann). Commitment issues? Gabriela thinks so, as does Geneva (Didi Conn) George Brady (Jason Veasey), Greg Garrison (Stephen Spinella), and what lobster rolls really mean to Port Wenn Fred, played by Barry Pearl. Yes, Doody from Grease! Two-word Tim, the colorblind pill sorter. How the heck does he have this job? Commenter Almerita Galeone asks: is Al’s mom still alive? Predictions: can Louisa resist Parker (Jack Cutmore-Scott) or is she a sucker for an accent? Eden finds THE letter. What should she do with it? Plus we rank this episode against the rest of Season 2 and pick our favorite major and minor characters. Your turn: Was it really the timing? Was Louisa’s cliché-filled first draft a setup for the speech that followed? Mel and I see Eden’s next move differently. Whose side are you on? Tell us in the comments. Thank you for getting us past 200 YouTube subscribers! Please like, subscribe, and comment. [0:00] Cold open: the "shoot for the moon" rant & welcome [0:41] First impressions: what's up with Aunt Sarah? [2:16] More heart than comedy [3:04] Martin tries to leave Port Wenn [5:39] Fred, Barry Pearl & Martin's happy place [6:56] Martin, the villager [7:48] The Happy Grove retreat [12:02] Is Martin excited about Eden? [13:37] Louisa's IVF test & graduation speech [19:31] Sally's neck brace & Mark's codependency [21:29] "I never grew up" [22:54] Ranking the episode [25:05] Predictions: Parker & the letter [31:02] Eddie cleans up [32:05] Is Al's mom alive? [35:01] Wild theories [36:49] Favorite major & minor characters [39:45] Two-word Tim & the pill mix-up [42:52] Thank you, subscribers!

Mel, Carol, and Gabriela join Chesla to dig into Best Medicine Season 2, Episode 3, “Crate Expectations.” It’s karaoke night in Port Wenn! Eden Montgomery (Eliza Coupe) grabs the mic, and the gang splits on whether her singing is comedy gold or something to watch through your fingers. Sheriff Mark Mylow (Josh Segarra) throws himself into it, but is the town’s teasing of Eden a welcome or a warning? Martin Best (Josh Charles) has her back, though nobody’s sold on how he says “girlfriend.” And Greg Garrison (Stephen Spinella) and George Brady (Jason Veasey) prove once again that they hold the town together. When Lorenzo (Malachi Nimmons) keeps fainting, Chesla suspects the “Mary Hart effect,” but the real cause surprised everyone. Meanwhile, a positive pregnancy test among the male sea urchin workers, including Blake (Brandon Gilpin), sets off a testicular cancer hunt. Is Glendon rehabilitated, or still the bully who won’t let Martin forget his childhood crate race? The group digs into their history. Aunt Sarah Best (Annie Potts) coaches Peter Cronk (Ben Lewis Doherty), who then coaches Martin. Chesla (nerd!) wonders if that makes it transitive coaching, while Gabriela sees Peter as Sarah’s similar-to-Martin second chance. So why did Peter run right past Martin’s open arms? There’s also a family of fibbers, some fixed crates, and “Marty One Crate.” Louisa Gavin (Abigail Spencer) and Mark both have dates out of town. IVF becomes a first-date icebreaker, and “now you made me be mean” divides the group, with Gabriela as Louisa’s number one defender. Then there’s that hug after the crate race. Elaine Denton (Cree) gets to show her character’s depth plus gives Al Large (Carter Shimp) a much-needed talking-to about Bert Large (John DiMaggio). Plus: guest actors celebrating their TV debuts, how well the writers capture Gen Z humor, Chesla feels good about a GOAT coincidence, and predictions about whether Martin makes it to Boston. Thanks to HeyJude1963, Amis1887, and Elizabeth Washington for the comments we worked in! We’re just seven (now six!) subscribers from 200, so like, subscribe, and keep the conversation going. Chapters [00:00] Cold open: Gen Z humor done right [00:29] Welcome and intro [00:45] Karaoke night: Eden sings, Mark goes all in [02:06] Lorenzo’s fainting and the Mary Hart effect [03:18] The teens and Copernicus the dog [04:28] Guest actors’ TV debuts [05:17] Is the town teasing Eden or being mean? [08:11] Greg and George to the rescue [09:17] Eden’s red light blanket and gold mask [11:07] Why did Eden keep singing? [12:10] Marty One Crate and Aunt Sarah’s coaching [13:10] The fibbing Best family [14:24] Peter’s hug goes to Aunt Sarah [15:15] Louisa and Mark’s dates [16:20] “Now you made me be mean” [19:54] IVF as an icebreaker [21:02] The hug [22:37] Louisa and Mark: friends or more? [23:46] Peter Cronk and Aunt Sarah [24:17] Elaine’s mom, and Elaine sets Al straight [27:47] Free Bird and Geneva [28:56] The pregnancy test mystery and the urchin business [30:50] Martin and Glendon’s history [35:00] Mark’s mother and Aunt Sarah’s “nooner” [35:50] Can Aunt Sarah handle Eden? [36:27] Eden’s vulnerable side [37:59] Chesla’s fan fiction coincidences [38:37] Predictions: will Martin make it to Boston? [41:42] Thanks and the road to 200 subscribers

Best Medicine Season 2, Episode 2, "Breakin' In Is Hard to Do": the Port Wenn pharmacy gets robbed, Louisa's time-sensitive fertility medication is among the missing items, and the town gives Martin Best (Josh Charles) a "welcome" he did NOT ask for. Teasing as a love language, or just plain mean? We argue. A lot. Two panels this week. (I couldn't get everyone in one room, and yes, I forgot to hit record the first time. Doh!) Carol and Chris share a theory that had me saying "I hadn't thought of that": did Eden Montgomery (Eliza Coupe) have a hand in the prank? Then Mel, Gabriela and Doug fight it out over whether Eden is a sweet, misunderstood girlfriend or a woman who brings her own cutlery to lunch, carries a switchblade, and thinks a Friday the 13th-style summer camp massacre is funny. (Chesla askes, “Dexter, anyone?”) Also in this one: - A pharmacy, bistro, and doctor’s office robbery mystery. Sheriff Mark Mylow (Josh Segarra), Louisa Gavin (Abigail Spencer), and Martin as "Sherlock and Holmes" and an unforgettable fertility quip. - Gina (Nadia Dajani) rolls a Brooklyn pizza truck up next to Greg Garrison (Stephen Spinella) and George Brady (Jason Veasey) at the Salty Breeze. Hot dog cart vs. half-off pizza, and a town with zero loyalty. - Aunt Sarah (Annie Potts) tries to bond with Eden. It lasts about half a second. - Old Man Collins and his adult diapers. Trust us. - Elaine Denton (Cree) and Al Large (Carter Shimp) raise cash, but at what cost? - Robert Best is coming back, played by Martin Clunes (yes, THAT Martin Clunes, which we're still gleeful about), plus Sally Mylow (Clea Lewis) and a bigger role for Bert Large (John DiMaggio). - 80s movie references that sent Mel back to rewatch, and a debate about Louisa's baby plan we're still not done having. So tell us: is Eden a force for good or for evil? Was the teasing affection or cruelty? Will Elaine really stay in New York? Drop your thoughts in the comments. We work your comments into the episodes now, and UK viewers, we'd love to hear from you too. If you're enjoying the show, please like, subscribe and share. We're closing in on 200 YouTube subscribers! CHAPTERS [0:00] Cold open: I forgot to hit record [0:39] Carol & Chris: five plot lines in one episode [2:15] The teasing: love language or mean-spirited? [3:34] Carol's theory: did Eden have a hand in it? [6:11] Eden's cutlery, switchblade & the Friday the 13th line [8:27] Mark's best lines (and his mom) [10:14] Aunt Sarah vs. Eden: "Not today, Satan" [11:40] Old Man Collins & the adult diapers [13:01] Season 2 digs deeper into Port Wenn [15:26] Gina, the hot dog cart & the pizza war [17:27] Where this ranks among our favorites [18:54] Mel, Gabriela & Doug join the panel [20:01] Is Eden sweet or sinister? Your comments [21:06] The 80s movie references (Cocoon, Moonstruck) [23:22] Teasing debate, round two [26:01] Aunt Sarah stirs the pot with Eden [29:04] Gina, George & Greg: the food truck standoff [31:44] Best lines: Port Wenn meets The Pitt [32:46] Martin & Mark, the crime-solving duo [33:24] Martin, Louisa & Eden: the triangle heats up [35:14] Predictions for Eden [38:38] Mark is growing on us (and Sally's mothering) [42:10] Bert's bigger role & Martin's response [44:01] Robert Best is coming back [46:29] More Old Man Collins love [47:26] Eden's red light therapy mystery [48:20] Al & Elaine: will they go to New York? [51:17] Louisa gets some love [53:07] Louisa's baby plan: still not sold [54:49] Wrap-up