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 5, Episode 4 - Mother Knows Best

It's Portwenn Fun Day and the village is buzzing with excitement about this major fund raising event. PC Penhale is in his element rallying the runners and whipping up support.

Further details

Doc Martin. Image shows from L to R: Mark (Tom Goodman-Hill), Dr Martin Ellingham (Martin Clunes). Copyright: Buffalo Pictures / Homerun Productions

It's Portwenn Fun Day and the village is buzzing with excitement about this major fund raising event. PC Penhale is in his element rallying the runners and whipping up support.

The event sparks culinary rivalry between Bert Large who runs Large's restaurant with son Al and Mark, the landlord of the Crab and Lobster pub. They are both keen to take advantage of the day to boost their takings by providing food for the runners and spectators.

The 'seafood soiree' and cut price drinks at the Crab and Lobster look set to win the culinary competition. Bert smells a rat. He suspects Mark is selling duty free booze, and calls in PC Penhale to investigate.

But the doc puts paid to Mark's enterprise when he diagnoses an infection which means he must not handle food, and bans him from going into the kitchen. Bert seizes the opportunity to take over the 'soiree'.

Louisa's mum Eleanor arrives in Portwenn unexpectedly. Louisa is far from happy about her arrival. She hasn't seen her mother for years, so why the sudden interest?

Martin is even less pleased to see Louisa's hippyish mother, who takes over his kitchen to cook up a herbal tonic. Eleanor takes great delight in her grandson, and offers to babysit.

Martin and Louisa are puzzled to find their previously wailing baby is sound asleep, and continues to sleep through his feed times. Eleanor confesses she gave him a drop of her herbal brew to soothe him. Martin points out that the concoction has alcohol content, which explains why the baby has been sleeping so much.

Louisa asks her mother to leave. But Eleanor manages to win her round, and she relents.

Broadcast details

Date
Monday 3rd October 2011
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
Eileen Atkins Aunt Ruth Ellingham
Jessica Ransom Morwenna Newcross
Louise Jameson Eleanor
Guest cast
Tom Goodman-Hill Mark
Richard Hainsworth Mr Price
Rory Wilton Chippy Miller
Bradley Hall Finbar
Writing team
Chris Hurford Writer
Tom Butterworth Writer
Robert Leedham Script Editor
Production team
Ben Bolt Director
Philippa Braithwaite Producer
Mark Crowdy Executive Producer
Nick McPhee Editor
Anthony Ainsworth Production Designer
Jane Broomfield Production Designer
Colin Towns Composer

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