Docteur Foster

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.

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.

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 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.

This show gives me bad anxiety so beware. Intense feelings, suspenseful, keeps you on the edge of your seat. That's just season 1, now on to season 2.....