The best episodes of Doc Martin
Ranked by viewer rating, highs first. Lit marks on the season rail place this list across the run. Vote on a placement to back it or contest it.
- 01
While at the surgery Angela comments on Buddy, the dog, not being himself. Buddy's condition worsens and Martin rushes him to Angela's surgery. He discovers Angela can barely see and diagnoses cat scratch fever. But her condition means she can't operate on Buddy, and that the Doc must carry out the surgery himself, under her guidance, to save the dog.
- 02
The curmudgeonly GP struggles to come to terms with his new role as a father, having planned to resume his career as a consultant in London before the arrival of his and Louisa's as-yet unnamed son. To make matters worse, he begins to have serious doubts about the competency of his replacement Dr Di Dibbs when she misdiagnoses a patient as well as herself. Martin is then dealt a devastating personal blow after hearing his aunt Joan has died.
- 03
New receptionist Morwenna Newcross (Jessica Ransom) gets off to a bad start after arriving late on her first day, and her hyperactive behaviour leads Martin to believe she is high on drugs. Ruth tries to deal with an intruder on the farm who has stolen the hub caps from her car, and the sleepless nights begin to take their toll on Martin and Louisa, who are running out of ways to comfort their constantly wailing baby.
- 04
Louisa's hippie mother Eleanor (Louise Jameson) arrives in the village, immediately taking over Martin's kitchen to prepare a herbal tonic, which she later gives to the baby to stop his crying. A culinary rivalry develops between Bert and Mark Bridge, the landlord of the Crab and Lobster pub, at Portwenn Fun Day, with both keen to take advantage of the event by providing food for the spectators.
- 05
PC Penhale has an unexpected visitor in the shape of his ex-wife Maggie. Louisa's mother Eleanor goes on a date. Morwenna arrives at the surgery with an injured foot.
- 06
Joe goes to extreme lengths to persuade Maggie to stay. Tensions grow between Martin and Louisa. Martin steps in when the school caretaker puts the children at risk.
- 07
When baby James Henry is left in her care, Mrs Tishell boards a bus out of the village leaving an enigmatic message for Dr Ellingham to meet them at the castle.
- 08
The GP is left holding the baby after upsetting the new childminder, but luckily Mike agrees to look after James at short notice. However, Louisa is not happy with the arrangement and an argument erupts between the newlyweds just as their guests, Dennis and Karen Dodds, arrive for dinner - and that's only the first of the evening's problems. Meanwhile, Ruth is roped into taking part in a phone-in programme on Radio Portwenn and unwittingly answers a call from PC Penhale, who wants to know how to make friends in the village
- 09
A secret admirer makes Ruth feel a little uncomfortable when he places a red rose on her car windscreen and then leaves a birthday cake on her kitchen table while she's at the radio station, and when matters take a turn for the worse, Martin has no choice but to take drastic action. Meanwhile, Bert is furious when one of Louisa's pupils writes a damning review of his restaurant in the school newspaper, and a new pharmacist arrives in the village.
- 10
Louisa wants Martin to engage more with James, so she arranges for him to take their baby to playgroup, where he has to pair up with a mother and daughter and sing songs. Meanwhile, Al signs up to a dating website, Bert is suspicious when he catches Jennifer in the bathroom with a needle, and Ruth moves into a cottage in the village, but soon has trouble with a grumpy new neighbour (Ronald Pickup).
- 11
The Practice Around the Corner
Obsessive-compulsive Mrs Tishell returns to the village, and her affection for Martin quickly disappears when he refuses to pass her fit for work. As if he didn't have enough on his plate, the grumpy doctor must also face his fear of blood when tests show that Lorna has a high level of ferritin, which is placing a strain on her heart and liver. Meanwhile, PC Penhale hopes to be selected for an elite police squad by taking part in a survival training course - but ends up shooting himself in the foot.
- 12
Hypochondriac Malcolm Rayner is struggling with his breathing and Martin asks him if he has ever worked with asbestos. Penhale then causes pandemonium by putting up warning notices about the substance's harmful properties throughout the village. Meanwhile, Bert pops the question to Jennifer, and Ruth finds fault with Al's business proposal.
- 13
Mrs Tishell falls head-over-heels in love with Martin again. Mike has a shady revelation from his past. Louisa has shocking news for Martin.
- 14
The villagers throw the Ellinghams a farewell party and Ruth helps Mrs Tishell deal with the news and encourages her to attend, but it seems that Martin and Louisa aren't going to make it because a farmer has spotted their lost dog.
- 15
Martin's medical career remains under scrutiny, as a GMC representative has come to assess him and his surgery. Meanwhile, Al accidentally proposes to Morwenna, and Mrs Tishell has a new lease on life.
- 16
Dr Martin Ellingham's GMC report has arrived. He's required to pass three refresher courses, which will then decide whether he is deemed fit to practice, starting with a phlebotomy course.
- 17
Ruth is concerned about becoming increasingly forgetful, and is even more perturbed when Martin offers to perform a mini mental state examination. It confirms she is showing early signs of dementia. Meanwhile, Louisa plans a special evening to celebrate Martin's birthday, and Al decides to throw Morwenna a surprise engagement party on the same night. There are also problems when Louisa's class tutorial ends in disaster.
- 18
Martin and Louisa have their first fertility consultation with Dr Emma Ryder. Well aware that Martin is able to perform the tests himself, she reminds him that he is the patient now, not the doctor.
- 19
This time, Martin has his second GMC assessment - mock surgery - and Buddy is missing. Meanwhile, Ken's arrival does not bring good news for Al and Bert, and Penhale unhappy with the arrival of his predecessor, Mark Mylow, who tries to take charge of his investigation.
- 20
Martin investigates after local farmer Dennis Thorpe shoots at Robert for taking some of his eggs. Meanwhile, Emily returns to the surgery to see Martin after her acne medication caused a bad reaction, a secret bidder buys the Crab and Lobster pub, and Louisa ponders if she should see a fertility specialist.
- 21
Since calling off his marriage to Louisa, Martin has begun to question what keeps him in Cornwall and realises that if he is ever to escape, he must conquer the blood phobia that ended his surgical career. Encouraged by aunt Joan's friend Barbara he tackles his fear, but after an accident the pair end up in hospital, where he bumps into his girlfriend from medical school. Later, the return of a familiar face shakes him up even more.
- 22
PC Penhale is delighted by the arrival of his older brother Sam, but their reunion turns to misery when Martin delivers bad news to one of them. Louisa searches for a new home in the village and visits Edith for a check-up, where she reveals an embarrassing piece of information, and Al makes his situation with Pauline worse by trying to act on advice from Bert.
- 23
Al tries to raise some quick cash, and offers to sort out all Louisa's household and plumbing problems if she can pay him before the weekend. The teacher gets good news on the employment front, and Martin accidentally inflicts a minor wound on an elderly patient - who responds by walking out of the surgery and vowing never to return.
- 24
The GP returns to his former post at the surgery after the departure of Dr Dibbs, agreeing to stay until a replacement is found. He persuades a reluctant Louisa to move into his house so he can help raise their son, and suggests they could all move to London together in the future. Martin then delivers the eulogy at his aunt Joan's funeral and speaks to her sister Ruth, who proves to be just as cantankerous as he is.
- 25
Bert's restaurant is in trouble and he is chased by loan sharks. When Eleanor has a strangulated hernia Martin has to operate himself - is surgery his true calling?
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