Docteur Foster

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.

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.

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.

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

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