Doctor Foster

Let's start with what's flawed with the show. It takes some liberties with the truth and with the rules we're used to in real life situations similar to those depicted in the drama itself. But doesn't all fiction? I look at it more as being so strongly told from the points of views of the lead characters that they are unreliable narrators, remembering things differently from how they may have played out. The fourth episode is a little slow/uneven with the pacing and has a few superfluous scenes, although it does build the characterisation up. The overall plot relies a little too much on convenience, i.e. everyone knows everyone else either as neighbours or old friends/colleagues, but it's so tightly written I can't see another way that would have worked without weakening the story.

This is a serious drama with the odd hint of black comedy. I found all the breaks from reality served the plot rather than detracting from it, which is important. The script is very strong - barely a wasted word, not overflowing with exposition as often seems to be the case these days, which allows plenty of breathing room through which the characters and audience can reflect on what has happened. Even the minor characters get enough screen time and backstory to be believable rather than being underwritten footnotes, a hard trick to pull off.

The subject matter is handled with maturity, even when the characters may act with poor judgement or display immaturity themselves. In the way it portrays the differences in genders it spares neither, showing the strengths and weaknesses of both, what we're all capable of, what we're afraid of if we lose the foundations on which our lives are built. The maturity of age, the carelessness of youth, those caught in the middle of an uncomfortable situation who know they should speak out but just can't because they'd hate to be the bearer of life-changing bad news - it's all here.

Throughout it all the performances are almost uniformly excellent, with particular praise directed towards Suranne Jones. For a character like Gemma Foster you need an actress that can say a lot with only expressions when there isn't dialogue (show, don't tell) and she can do this with an expert level of skill. What she holds back is almost as impressive as what she says and how she says it. Finding herself on the receiving end of infidelity turns her into something she hadn't expected - a detective, a possible reference to her role in Scott & Bailey. She cleverly puts all the clues together, bides her time, does more than a few ethically questionable/devious things in the process and puts her husband where she was emotionally with her actions, a little more each episode. There's the sense that deep down beneath her somewhat smug and condescending exterior and seemingly impulsive actions she cares about those in her life, making decisions for them that they might not have been strong enough to make on their own. She becomes cold and calculating only because she has to, so I'd say she is sympathetic even when she's being morally ambiguous. Her first priority is the motherly instinct to support her son, and in this she succeeds even though first she must step back and consider the dangers of a work/life balance that focuses too heavily on work.

In conclusion, a few critiques aside, I would say this is one of the best drama series the BBC has commissioned in years. It takes a long, hard look at the consequences of couples trapped in flawed relationships, and which actions they take to keep it all together or end it entirely. There's guilt, passion, denial, painful retribution, webs of deceit and lies. Everything you'd expect when dealing with a multi-faceted matter such as infidelity. It's a grown-up study of what happens when marriages become stale and people cheat which happens to make compelling viewing.

Thoroughly recommended. 8/10

Weak storyline. Gemma is beyond irritating. She's fickle and foolish but thinks she's cunning and bright. Bratty son runs away any chance he gets. It's just all so messy and boring.

One of a kind relationship-horror with strong Shakespearean elements of personas and duplicity, betrayal, obsession, jealously, revenge, conniving and plotting, and distrust.

As the viewer we are constantly made extremely paranoid and horrified by the protagonist's life. Constant threats from every side and not a single person to trust. Suranne Jones is absolutely terrific as the two faced doctor who is highly composed and calculating, while a seething wreck inside.

It also portrays the curse of the professional woman -- of how she's "unlikeable," a damnation that often means her doom.

There is no sympathetic character, no hero and villain. And just as how some people hate Hamlet, while others are fascinated by him, so will many viewers hate Gemma, while others will be glued to the screen to watch her every move and expression.

It's also in sorts almost a semi-Lynchian small-town mystery, where everyone has a secret, everyone is very close, yet no one can be trusted.

An amazing and gripping show that makes a intense and horrific portrayal of something as domestic as marriage and it's complications (an understatement). Carrying strong tones of paranoia, calculated revenge, depiction of "natural" misogyny, and with undertones of misanthropy, this show will give you knots and chills and keep you hooked.

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 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.