Martha Speaks

"Martha Speaks" is an American-Canadian children's educational animated television series based on the 1992 children's book of the same name by Susan Meddaugh.

The series is produced by WGBH-TV in Boston, along with Canada-based animation studios DHX Media Vancouver and Oasis Animation. It debuted on September 1, 2008 and ended on November 18, 2014, lasting for six years. Some episodes of this television series were available for limited theatrical release on January 3, 2009. The show focuses mainly on synonyms and vocabulary, with each episode featuring an underlying theme illustrated with (usually informal) keywords. The show also occasionally focuses on introducing preschoolers to different concepts of science, history, astronomy, and other learning concepts, such as the Spanish language, through passing mentions.

The second season began airing on September 14, 2009. The third season of Martha Speaks premiered on PBS Kids on October 11, 2010, and the fourth season began airing on February 20, 2012. The fifth season premiered on June 24, 2013. The sixth and final season premiered on March 31, 2014.

Since the series' cancellation, reruns aired on PBS Kids.

Summary
The series revolves around a talking dog named Martha (voiced by Tabitha St. Germain), who is owned by 10-year-old Helen Lorraine (known in the books as Helen Finney). Whenever Helen feeds Martha alphabet soup, the pasta letters somehow travel to her brain instead of her stomach, giving her the ability to speak human words. The show takes place in the fictional town of Wagstaff City, likely referring to Flagstaff, Arizona or even a fictionalized version of Flagstaff, Maine.

Why It Speaks

 * 1) While the Talking Dog trope has been used many times before, this show manages to stay original.
 * 2) Very good episode plots.
 * 3) The cast is likable, too.
 * 4) The theme song is a jam.
 * 5) Great voice acting.
 * 6) The animation is really well-done.
 * 7) Some funny moments.
 * 8) Whenever this show gets educational, it does a good, and excellent job.
 * 9) Unlike most shows for a younger audience it uses comedy to teach and it is very smart.

Bad Qualities

 * 1) The show treats cats too harshly to the point where it could be considered rude to cat owners.
 * 2) At first, Mrs. Demson was a big stereotype of elderly people, but she has become completely flanderized into hating every human being, being cruel to animals, even patients. Imagine what she would do to someone who is suicidal! There are times where she gets her comeuppance such as being discharged from a hospital for her constant harassment and faking a rash.