British Comedy Guide
Doc Martin. Image shows from L to R: Louisa Glasson (Caroline Catz), Dr Martin Ellingham (Martin Clunes). Copyright: ITV
Doc Martin

Doc Martin (2004)

  • TV comedy drama
  • ITV1
  • 2004 - 2022
  • 79 episodes (10 series)

Comedy drama following the trials and tribulations of a socially challenged surgeon turned GP working in Cornwall. Stars Martin Clunes. Also features Caroline Catz, Ian McNeice, Joe Absolom, Selina Cadell, John Marquez and more.

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Series 3, Episode 1 - The Apple Doesn't Fall

The children of Portwenn primary school are being read a fairy story by headmistress Louisa as the grumpiest doctor in the West Country marches through the fishing village but will they need his help?

Further details

The children of Portwenn primary school are being read a fairy story by headmistress Louisa Glasson as the grumpiest doctor in the West Country marches through the fishing village. Suddenly Louisa feels faint and passes out in front of her class.

Although she insists she is okay, Dr Ellingham is concerned she may be anaemic and asks her to see him at his surgery. Later on at the surgery she feels uncomfortable talking to him because of their shared personal history and requests a transfer to another doctor.

Louisa tries to talk about their relationship but, as usual, Dr Ellingham fails to pick up on the personal signals. He is as blunt as ever and has no words of reassurance. Any chance of romance seems doomed.

Meanwhile school dinner-lady Alison Lane is struggling to control her adolescent daughter Delph who is constantly in trouble. Alison is convinced Delph has a medical condition. But the doctor disagrees and is quick to dismiss her without treatment because, in his opinion, Delph is a delinquent in need of good parenting.

But he re-thinks his diagnosis when he begins to suspect the cause of Delph's hyperactivity might be the diet pills Alison has been buying from the pharmacist Mrs Tishell.

Delph is nearly killed when she jumps from a moving trailer and crashes through the glass door of village shop. As Martin treats Delph, he's overcome by his phobia of blood. Help is surprisingly at hand from his receptionist Pauline Lamb.

Pauline is becoming increasingly frustrated by the limitations of her job and is continually overstepping the mark by interfering with the doctor's duties.

Broadcast details

Date
Monday 24th September 2007
Time
9pm
Channel
ITV1
Length
60 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Martin Clunes Dr Martin Ellingham
Caroline Catz Louisa Glasson
Ian McNeice Bert Large
Selina Cadell Mrs Tishell
John Marquez PC Penhale
Stephanie Cole Joan Norton
Katherine Parkinson Pauline Lamb
Guest cast
Debbie Chazen Alison Lane
Patrick Godfrey Mr Cleary
Maggie Tagney Mrs Lumsden (Shopkeeper)
Jaimee Colmer Delph Lane
Writing team
Richard Stoneman Writer
Production team
Ben Bolt Director
Philippa Braithwaite Producer
Mark Crowdy Executive Producer

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