The essential episodes of Doc Martin
Watch these 15 in order and you've got Doc Martin — each pick states its reason.
- 01
Learning a vacancy has arisen in the sleepy Cornish village of Portwenn, Martin promptly applies and gets the job, despite opposition from local schoolteacher Louisa.
- 02
An influx of holiday-makers to Portwenn annoys Martin, and his efforts to point out the dangers of sunbathing to a scantily clad woman prove unpopular. He is also the target of a practical joke in the pub after his fear of blood becomes common knowledge, and grows closer to Louisa when one of her pupils has a serious accident that lands him in hospital.
- 03
The doctor is surprised when his parents visit out of the blue, but they bring unwelcome tidings for all, especially Aunt Joan, who may be driven from her home. School secretary Maureen receives better news when what she thought was her thyroid problem turns out to be a pregnancy. Louisa calls Martin after Danny collapses - but the ambulance is delayed and emergency surgery must be performed to save his life.
- 04
Pauline grows increasingly frustrated with her role at the surgery and starts to interfere with Martin's work, much to the GP's annoyance. The former surgeon talks to Bert, who is feeling down after his son Al's decision to go travelling, before coming face to face with the village's new police officer.
- 05
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.
- 06
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.
- 07
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.
- 08
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.
- 09
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.
- 10
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.
- 11
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
- 12
Martin finds himself in a very unusual situation: trapped by Annie Winton, who desperately wants him to try and save her husband, Jim, despite Jim having been recently diagnosed as having terminal cancer. Ruth and Bert have a proposition for Al regarding the whisky and the B & B. Louisa is worried that the breakdown in their therapy may lead to Martin leaving Portwenn for good. Will Martin be able to save Jim, and more importantly, will he be able to save his marriage?
- 13
Martin is left holding the baby when Louisa has to take Year Six pupils sailing. He has to collect James from nursery every afternoon, but with surgery hours Martin is constantly late.
- 14
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.
- 15
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.
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