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 4, Episode 5 - The Departed

Martin is in London to meet with Robert Dashwood, who is leading the selection process for the prestigious London surgeon's job that Martin has applied for.

Further details

Doc Martin. Image shows from L to R: Dr Martin Ellingham (Martin Clunes), Louisa Glasson (Caroline Catz). Copyright: Buffalo Pictures / Homerun Productions

Robert can tell that Martin is excited to be back in the world of surgery, and is pleased that Martin has finally conquered his debilitating haemophobia. Robert is confident that Martin will get the job.

On the train back to Cornwall, Martin is annoyed to be seated next to one of his patients, a sheep farmer named Jim Selkirk. Jim is a noisy eater, and when he falls asleep, he slumps on to Martin's shoulder. But when Martin tries to rouse him, he discovers that Jim has died of heart failure.

On his arrival in Portwenn, Martin is immediately summoned to Aunt Joan's farm. Louisa has taken some schoolchildren there on an educational trip, but one of the boys, Theo Wenn, has been naughty behind her back, and Aunt Joan has punished him by locking him inside the chicken coop. The boy, Theo, is having a panic attack.

In his Surgery, Martin is visited by Jim's widow, Mrs Selkirk. She is looking for emotional comfort, but Martin is not the person to provide it.

When Theo falls ill in Louisa's class, and is taken home, Theo's parents - Juliet and Richard Wenn - are certain that their child picked up the illness in Joan's chicken coop, and Martin cannot deny it is a possibility. The Wenns announce their intention to sue Aunt Joan.

Despite what he allowed Robert to think, Martin has not fully conquered his blood phobia, and he must visit Dr Milligan, a highly-rated cognitive behavioural therapist recommended by Edith. The session does not go according to plan, but Dr Milligan is charm personified, even when Martin walks out.

Mrs Selkirk returns to Martin's Surgery, and tells him she is now seeing visions of her dead husband. Martin orders her to get some rest.

Joan receives a threatening letter from the Wenns' solicitor and, on top of all her other financial difficulties with the farm, it causes her to collapse. Martin attends, but once he has left, Joan hurries to the Wenns' home to try and make things right. The Wenns are unsympathetic, and Joan - on the spur of the moment - lies to them about Theo's medical test results clearing her of any responsibility for his illness. Martin is furious with Joan when he discovers she has lied.

Martin receives a CD recording by Dr Milligan to help overcome his phobia.

When Mrs Selkirk is found collapsed in her sheep pen, Martin is able to uncover the medical reason behind her hallucinations, and when he receives Theo's test results, they do point to Joan's innocence and Martin is finally able to identify the real source of Theo's sickness.

Broadcast details

Date
Sunday 18th October 2009
Time
9pm
Channel
ITV1
Length
60 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Martin Clunes Dr Martin Ellingham
Caroline Catz Louisa Glasson
Ian McNeice Bert Large
Joe Absolom Al Large
Selina Cadell Mrs Tishell
John Marquez PC Penhale
Stephanie Cole Joan Norton
Katherine Parkinson Pauline Lamb
Lia Williams Edith Montgomery
Guest cast
Nicholas Le Prevost Robert Dashwood
Gwen Taylor Mrs Selkirk
Dave Hill Jim Selkirk
Sylvestra Le Touzel Juliet Wenn
Anthony Calf Richard Wenn
Andrew Byrne Theo Wenn
Paul Ready Dr Milligan
Sian Brooke Claire
Writing team
Jack Lothian Writer
Robert Leedham Script Editor
Production team
Minkie Spiro Director
Philippa Braithwaite Producer
Mark Crowdy Executive Producer
John Stothart Editor
Andrew Purcell Production Designer
Colin Towns Composer
Mark Hadfield Conductor

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