The worst episodes of Doc Martin
Ranked by viewer rating, lows first. Lit marks on the season rail place this list across the run. Vote on a placement to back it or contest it.
- 01
Mark has an unusual idea for a stag night, which involves camping under the stars rather than going to the pub. However, the jaunt ends in disaster when he becomes lost in the woods and is bitten by a snake, leaving Martin with the task of locating the clueless copper and saving his marriage before it has even begun. Meanwhile, the teenagers of Portwenn provoke the doctor's wrath by inventing a deadly game that threatens one boy's life.
- 02
A nasty stomach bug sweeps through Portwenn and the doctor suspects the local water supply is to blame, taking to the airwaves in a bid to warn everyone. Meanwhile, Al remains determined to leave the plumbing business and attend college, prompting an argument with Bert.
- 03
The medic struggles to dissuade the locals from using his surgery as a drop-in centre and finds himself forced to deliver bad news to a former teacher already bitter at losing his job to Louisa. Adding to his woes, the decision to sack incompetent receptionist Elaine results in the entire village ostracising him.
- 04
Dr Ellingham visits an elderly patient - but ends up having to contend with her irate son. To make matters worse, the man turns out to be one of Louisa's ex-boyfriends. However, trouble is not just confined to the doctor's daily routine as the villagers find themselves forced to deal with the threat of a mystery mugger.
- 05
Al discovers that Bert may not be his father and goes in search of the truth. The members of an odd family with poor hygiene and a passion for taxidermy contract salmonella poisoning, but Martin has difficulty persuading them to accept treatment. PC Mylow's bossy sister arrives in Portwenn and sets up a herbalist business in his flat. However, the doctor is forced to take action when her remedies increase his patients' many ailments.
- 06
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.
- 07
Louisa tries to help one of her pupils, a bright 10-year-old who finds it hard to fit in and responds to stress by running away from home. Mark seeks advice on how to remedy his lack of success with the opposite sex, while Martin encounters a delusional park ranger with an unusual imaginary friend - a giant squirrel called Anthony.
- 08
Of All the Harbours in All the Towns
One of Joan's old flames comes back into her life and proceeds to woo her all over again, but Martin discovers the man in question has a life-threatening heart condition, presenting him with a difficult decision. The irascible doctor's problems do not stop there, as a schoolgirl develops a crush on him, leading to a confrontation with her irate father. Meanwhile, romance is also in the air for Al and Elaine.
- 09
Louisa is eager to be promoted to head teacher, but her chances are threatened by a spate of sickly children and a frosty relationship with the board of governors, including a surly Martin. Mrs Cronk scalds herself at the fish and chip shop and has to put Bert in charge. To everyone's amazement, the business does a roaring trade - but Al suspects his father is cutting corners.
- 10
The GP tries to figure out why one of his patients smells so badly that nobody can bear to be in the same room as him. He also saves a life and a marriage when he realises a local radio presenter's strange behaviour is due to diabetes and not alcoholism. Meanwhile, PC Mylow hopes his luck with the opposite sex will improve when a pretty blonde shows an interest in his driving ability.
- 11
After their failed date night, Dr. Timoney asks Martin and Louisa to consider the advantages of living apart. Martin has a new neighbor: an ambitious art teacher who shakes things up at the school. Bert tries to make it as a handyman, and PC Penhale considers a transfer.
- 12
Following the complaint to the medical authorities by a patient the Doc was treating he has been advised by Chris Parsons (Vincent Franklin) not to practice for a week before his hearing. However this does not stop patients asking for his help. Bill Potter, a local potter, approaches Martin with a suspected ganglion. Martin sends him to a surgery in Wadebridge, but Bill decides against it – he has too much work on.
- 13
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.
- 14
Pauline is all set to achieve her ambition when she is given the chance to join the Portwenn lifeboat crew. However, her joy is short-lived when she discovers the chauvinistic tendencies of her shipmates. Martin is accused of murder by the husband of a woman who died in his care. The irate man resorts to sabotaging Aunt Joan's crops in retaliation but an unexpected twist reveals the true motivation for his ire.
- 15
After their tumultuous time last series, Louisa has gone for a break to visit her mother in Spain: to have some time to think and get some perspective on her marriage. Martin has promised to see a therapist but as usual, life in Portwenn transpires to get in his way in the shape of a Lifeboat training exercise. Will Martin be marooned at sea, and will he miss his first therapy session with Dr Timoney?
- 16
After Martin's first session with Dr Rachel Timoney, we see he may have met his match: if anyone is going to be able to help Martin change, then Dr Timoney seems well qualified. Louisa returns but decides she and Martin still need some space. Al welcomes his first guests to his new Bed & Breakfast. Morwenna asks for a pay rise, and PC Penhale gets his brand new police issue Taser.
- 17
Education, Education, Education
Louisa and Martin have their first therapy session together, though neither of them was expecting that they would be given homework. Morwenna is not happy when Peter Cronk, now 15, starts work experience at the Surgery. Mrs Tishell's husband returns and wants to give things another go, and Bert starts looking around for new opportunities after losing the restaurant.
- 18
Martin reaches breaking point with being followed around by Buddy: he resolves to find a vet to have him put him down. Morwenna and Louisa manage to persuade him that it isn't quite that simple and instead assist with finding Buddy a new home. Clive is suspicious of who Mrs Tishell is cooking for. PC Penhale finally asks Janice to a BBQ, and Martin and Louisa start their therapy homework with an ill-fated picnic.
- 19
The new midwife in the village persuades Louisa to take a natural, holistic approach to treating an infection, infuriating Martin, who insists on conventional medicine. Meanwhile, Bert is smitten with the flirtatious new cook working in his restaurant, and the doctor hears good news about the job in London.
- 20
Bernard Newton is leading the surgery, which puts Martin at ease given he was his tutor, colleague and old friend. Wedding bells are ringing in Portwenn with the preparations for Morwenna (Jessica Ransom) and Al's( Joe Absolom) wedding. But some last minute hitches threaten to jeopardise their big day. There's an awkward meeting for PC Penhale (John Marquez) when his ex fiancé Janice Bone, (Robyn Addison) returns for the wedding. She left him standing at the altar, and he now wonders if she's back because she still has feelings for him.
- 21
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.
- 22
Mark is forced to investigate his fiancee's past when a stranger arrives in the village with a mysterious photo. Mrs Tishell finally removes the neck collar she has worn for years, and suffers a prolapsed disc as a result. Martin reveals his true feelings for Louisa over a few glasses of wine, but he drinks too much and wakes the next morning to a waiting room full of giggling patients, a raging hangover and a distinct feeling of uneasiness.
- 23
Martin and Louisa don't seem to be having much success with their therapy, so Dr Timoney advises that they should try and take things back to the beginning of their relationship, and plan a date, and try not to let their busy lives get in the way, even though Louisa is also trying to plan James Henry's First Birthday party. The arrival of Louisa's ex-boyfriend Danny, with seven kids in tow, does nothing to help their troubled relationship.
- 24
Penhale decides to have a Police Open day to raise community awareness. The only genuine visitor he has though, is an angry farmer, Hannah Butler. Another three of her sheep have been stolen and Penhale seems to be doing nothing about it. Louisa has arranged to get a lift with Tina a classmate on her course. Louisa is questioning her decision to go back to studying – can she fit it all in as Tina does?
- 25
Martin has decided he will be the one to move out of the Surgery to allow Louisa the space she needs. Louisa is intrigued to meet Martin's therapist, Dr Rachel Timoney, but is not quite so happy when Rachel suggests that they should have therapy as a couple. Bert disappears after a disastrous lobster special evening at the restaurant, and Mrs Tishell decides that she is the perfect person to look after Martin now he's living on his own.
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