Last week the local PBS (Public Broadcasting) station quietly introduced me to the UK's Doc Martin program for the first time.  Shortly I found myself watching the ENTIRE five "series" back-to-back nonstop over 48 hours.  I also watched the movie that started it all and the first few minutes of one of the prequel movies, but as I had read the character was radically different.  I identify strongly with the character in the series, as reinvented by Martin Clunes, and am just as smitten with Louisa as is the character.

I have read that Martin Clunes himself reinvented the character to make him more "edgy" in order to win approval for a series production contract, which had initially been refused.  I didn't see any mention of Asperger's Syndrome or quotes that he had intended the character to have those traits, but regardless the outcome is essentially the same.  I think it was a series 3 episode that alluded directly to the coincidence by having a psychologist mention it to Doc Martin.  In that or another episode there was also mention of vaccines and autism, etc.

I'm saving my money now so I can buy a plane ticket and become Caroline Catz' first intercontinental (ballistic?) stalker.  I'm the same age as Martin Clunes but more handsome, so perhaps they'll kill him off and I can replace him.  I'm coming, Louisa!