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 8, Episode 7 - Blade On The Feather

Martin wakes up to an empty bed. When he goes looking for Louisa he discovers she is trying to write her resignation letter.

Further details

It is the annual Portwenn versus Port Carran gig race and school gig festival. Penhale is the umpire, and Morwenna is the Portwenn team captain. Penhale notices that the Port Carran team captain, Alice has something wrong with her leg and sends her up to see Martin. Morwenna needs to find a replacement rower when Eric dislocates his finger.

Since Bert has gout, Al tries to get out of the race as he'll need to look after the pub. But Bert lands him in it, as the pub will be closed during the race, and Bert has plans of his own.

Martin diagnoses Alice with a Baker's Cyst; he needs to drain the fluid from the cyst in case it bursts. Alice has a fear of needles and passes out, knocking her head on the medical tray as she falls. Martin rushes to her assistance but passes out himself when he sees the amount of blood on her head.

Mel Hendy goes to see Martin at the surgery about a rash that could be infectious, but she opens up about her concerns over her husband's drinking. Martin encourages Mel to get Graham to come and see him.

Louisa wants to buy a car from Mel's husband Graham, the local garage owner. Graham promises to drive down to the school play later on. After Mel and Graham drop off the car at the school they watch the performance and the race.

Graham seems to be very drunk, though he claims he hasn't touched a drop. When an embarrassed Mel reprimands, him he decides to leave. Graham accidently reverses the car, and hits Bert's trestle table. Despite Penhale's positive breathalyser test on Graham, Martin thinks Graham is telling the truth and he could have 'auto-brewery syndrome'.

Before Penhale can make any arrests they hear from the gig race that Alice has collapsed. Martin rushes down to help, but Alice makes it very clear she wants nothing more to do with him. As Martin and Louisa arrive back at the surgery, Chris Parsons is waiting for them: Alice has made a formal complaint about Martin's blood phobia and his passing out during her procedure.

Broadcast details

Date
Wednesday 1st November 2017
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
Ella Ainsworth Becky Trevean
Buffy Davis Pippa Woodley
Noah Frucella-Tildesley James Henry
Luca Frucella-Tildesley James Henry
Rosie Ede Mel Hendy
Guest cast
Vincent Franklin Chris Parsons
Angela Curran Caitlin Morgan
Stephen Ventura Eric the Fishmonger
Emma Handy Samantha Trappett
Olivia Elsden Ellie
Richard Lumsden Graham Hendy
Pippa Nixon Alice Taylor
Julian Seager Local Man
John Macneill Mr Cleveland
Maggie Tagney Female Patient
Dash Cole Boy at Fair
Writing team
Richard Stoneman Writer
Lindsay Sharp Script Editor
Production team
Nigel Cole Director
Philippa Braithwaite Producer
Mark Crowdy Executive Producer
Sandy Poustie Associate Producer
Nick McPhee Editor
Anthony Ainsworth Production Designer
Jane Broomfield Production Designer
Toby Whale Casting Director
Giles Gale Costume Designer
Simon Archer Director of Photography
Lorraine Hill Make-up Designer
Colin Towns Composer
James Blackwell 1st Assistant Director
Jack Lothian Creative Consultant Producer
Evie Bergson (as Evie Bergson-Korn) Script Executive

Press

The curse of the penultimate episode in a comedy-drama season: setting up the big storyline that will power the finale means there is too much dramatic legwork and not enough comic relief. The supporting players in this show are too good, however, for there to be no pleasure. Everything John Marquez says as dumb copper Joe Penhale is funny, so pressing him into service as an umpire-commentator for Portwenn's annual, injury-plagued gig race is gold.

Jack Seale, The Guardian, 1st November 2017

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