Less than the Best: A Review of 'Best Medicine'

"Best Medicine," a latest addition to Fox's comedy lineup, has received lukewarm reviews despite the excitement over Josh Charles starring as the lead. Charles, adored by fans for his role in "The Good Wife," plays Martin Best, an adaptation of the popular ITV show “Doc Martin.” Though promising on paper, the reality is a somewhat disappointing sitcom that stretches to an hour per episode.

Martin Best’s character is a successful city doctor who returns to his childhood summers’ small town, Port Wenn, Maine - taking on the role of a lovable yet brusque medical professional. Against the backdrop of a picture-perfect town that appears untouched by bigotry or crime, Best clashes with everything, including the town's restaurant and high school baseball team. While straining believability, his fearful aversion to blood adds a comical tilt.

However, "Best Medicine" falls short in encapsulating the appeal of its predecessor. It retains the basic plot structure but misses out on infusing the warm humor or charm. The weekly medical mysteries that unfold in the story seem contrived, and the portrayal of a utopian community feels rather unidimensional.

The show does attempt tackling the issue of class divide; the town’s affluent character stands as the main antagonist, and Martin's love interest, Louisa Glasson (played by Abigail Spencer), tries to open his eyes to real-world financial struggles. Yet, these attempts feel shallow and out of touch due to their superficial handling.

Impressively, "Best Medicine" manages to avoid problems like low-wage work and other economic concerns prevalent in most small American towns. Main characters, including a doctor, teacher, and sheriff, coexist harmoniously alongside supporting characters, all seemingly well-off. Yet, the public financing of Doctor Best's medical practice remains unexplained, adding a touch of incoherence to the story.

Despite its triviality, an overly simplistic plot, and missed opportunities in presenting a nuanced representation of small-town life, “Best Medicine” may still cater to those searching for light and fluffy shows. However, as it stands, it feels like a disjointed reenactment of the original series, and thus fails to capture the heart and humor of its British counterpart. "Best Medicine" was premiered on Fox on January 6, 2026, with four episodes screened for review.