Doc Martin

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.