BEST MEDICINE
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Best Medicine is a a warm, quirky small-town comedy where the “patients” feel like neighbors and the biggest emergency is whether Dr. Martin Best can survive casual conversation.
He Said / She Said
“I went into Best Medicine fully expecting the usual doctor show, and instead I found myself enjoying a charming comedy that had me genuinely laughing. Martin Best is so rigid, so socially allergic, and so wildly unsuited for small-town life that watching Wenn, Maine gently (and sometimes aggressively) chip away at him is half the fun. The show knows exactly what it is: warm, quirky, and low-stakes, with jokes that you can enjoy because the characters feel lived-in rather than cartoonish. My only worry is the long game — once we’ve met all the townsfolk, will it start to feel like the same beats on repeat? Also, the music and opening make it feel oddly dated for something brand new.”
“I chuckled more than I expected too. It’s a quirky little town full of eccentric characters and customs, and the contrast with Dr. Best’s stiff demeanor does most of the work and hilarity ensues. It does feel a bit limited (how long can quirky carry the show?), but so far I’ve enjoyed it. It’s fun and I don’t mind watching… I’m just not sure I’d actively seek it out.”
Critical reception (so far)
Critics have mixed reviews about Best Medicine.
- Strong lead performance: Many reviews point out that Josh Charles anchors the show well as Dr. Martin Best, bringing nuance to the grumpy-but-vulnerable doctor at the center of the story.
- Quirky characters and small-town chemistry: The ensemble cast and the interactions between characters (particularly Martin, Louisa, and Elaine) are often cited as highlights that lift the tone and make the show enjoyable.
- Tone too mild or formulaic: Some critics feel the show plays its cards too safe, charming but not especially funny or insightful beyond surface-level comfort, making it feel predictable or “cuddly” rather than bold.
- Supporting cast and writing depth: While individual performances are praised, a few reviews note that some of the townspeople can feel like caricatures and that the writing doesn’t always give them the depth needed to sustain long-term interest.
What it’s about
A big-city surgeon, Dr. Martin Best, takes a hard left turn into small-town life, trading Boston intensity for Wenn, Maine, where everybody knows everybody and privacy is basically a myth.
Martin’s problem: he’s stiff, formal, and openly allergic to people… plus he’s developed a phobia of blood, which is an awkward trait for a doctor. The town, meanwhile, is packed with eccentric-but-likable characters who are more than happy to (lovingly) steamroll him into becoming part of the community.
Overall vibe
It’s a heartwarming, quirky, and comfortably steady, fish-out-of-water comedy with medical moments, not a high-stakes hospital thriller. The humor comes from contrast: Martin’s rigid awkwardness versus the town’s lovable chaos.
It’s the kind of show you can throw on and keep watching without feeling emotionally wrecked. It’s more “cozy comedy” than “dramatic procedural.”
Episode-by-episode (1–3)
A big-city doctor lands in Wenn, Maine, and immediately looks like he’d rather be anywhere else. Martin Best is stiff, antisocial and lost in a town full of quirky customs and even quirkier people.
Dr. Best discovers a contagious illness that causes him to cancel a beloved town tradition.
Martin tries to diagnose why a young man broke a bone so easily, benching the star athlete and making him very unpopular in town.
Content warnings
- Medical themes
- Medical procedures (non-graphic)
- Emotional distress
Who will love it / who should skip it
Will love it if:
- You like feel-good, funny shows with a small-town vibe
- You enjoy “fish out of water” stories where the community slowly wins
- You want low-stakes TV that’s easy to binge
- You like quirky characters that feel odd-but-likable (not mean-spirited)
- You’re here for warmth and humor more than plot twists
Should probably skip if:
- You want a serious, gritty medical drama
- You need intense cases, high tension, or heavy realism
- You get impatient with gentle pacing and “cozy” storytelling
- You don’t enjoy quirky small-town ensembles
- You hate shows that might start to feel repetitive once the town is established