Dr Foster follows the life of what starts off to be the perfect family. We’re introduced to Dr Gemma Foster (Suranne Jones) and Mr. Simon Foster (Bertie Carvel) showing their love for each other in the rawest sense. We are then introduced to their 14-year-old son Tom Foster (Tom Taylor) which altogether paints “the perfect family”.
Throughout the first episode, we follow Gemma Foster (Suranne Jones) as she first begins to suspect her husband of cheating. To begin with, she seems to have what can only be described as the perfect life. The series then quickly propels us into watching Dr Foster’s psychological warfare as she not only finds out her husband is having an affair but comes to shocking revelations about her husband’s secret life. On top of this, her career and personal life unravels just as she does.
You’re so gripped by this storyline it doesn’t take much for you to work out what Gemma is feeling, what she is thinking. When multiple women show kindness to her husband, Simon, before it comes to light that there is indeed an affair, no dialogue is needed to know that Gemma is seething on the inside. You can yourself feel the wave of paranoia hit you as you try and piece together what is happening. The series grabs you more and more as the sordid details of the affair come to light, as the best friend, the mother in law, the neighbours and the receptionist are all found to be accomplices to Simon’s secret.
The only downfall this series has is that it becomes a little unbalanced towards the end. Gemma ends up in a complete frenzy and her choice of actions seem too unrealistic. At one point she deliberately implies that she has seriously harmed her’s and Simon’s son, Tom, just to get back at him.
Despite the unbalanced last portion of the series, the pinnacle point of this show comes when Gemma herself reveals her husband’s affair to the few left who don’t know. The feeling of righteousness you get makes up for the crazy parts.
Although this series has its problems I would seriously recommend this. Not only is it smart but it’s also gripping.
