EPISODE GUIDE....MAJOR SPOILERS !!

Below you will find the ITV Synopsis for Episodes one through eight.

BE FAIRLY WARNED...

THE EPISODE GUIDE CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILERS !

If you do not wish to know what happens, do not read the Episode Guide!

A link to the entire ITV Press Pack, including the synopsis for each episode can be found below:

• ITV Press Pack

Series 5 - Episode 1 (SPOILERS)

Dr Martin Ellingham (Martin Clunes) is struggling to come to terms with fatherhood. The baby boy born to him and his estranged partner, Louisa Glasson (Caroline Catz) , is about to change their lives dramatically.

The curmudgeonly GP with no bedside manner planned to resume his highflying career as a consultant in London. He had packed his bags and moved out of the surgery to make way for the new GP, Dr Di Dibbs (Joanna Scanlan).

But the arrival of ‘baby’ - neither the doctor nor Louisa can agree on a name for their son - means Dr Ellingham has to adjust his plans. He moves into Louisa’s house to help with the baby, but it is an awkward situation for both of them.

Dr Dibbs is newly qualified and excited at the prospect of moving into her first surgery, with husband Gavin (Robert Daws) as the practice manager. However Dr Ellingham begins to have serious doubts about the competency of the new GP after she misdiagnoses a patient, and dishes out prescriptions for totally inappropriate drugs. She even misdiagnoses her own illness, which almost proves fatal.

Her confidence is waning fast as Dr Ellingham, in his familiar brash manner, makes clear he doesn’t think she is up to the job.

Dr Dibbs realises she has to go, and Dr Ellingham agrees to resume duties at the surgery until a replacement GP can be found.

With all the upheaval the doc is unprepared for a devastating personal blow. He hears that his Aunt Joan has died after having a heart attack at the wheel of her car.

Series 5 - Episode 2 (SPOILERS)

With the departure of Dr Dibbs, Dr Ellingham moves back into his old surgery, agreeing to stay for a couple of months until a replacement can be appointed.

Determined to get to grips with fatherhood he asks Louisa to move into his house so he can help to raise their child. He even suggests that Louisa and ‘baby’ could move to London with him.

Louisa reluctantly agrees to move into the doc’s house, and offers to help with reception duties, as the previous receptionist, Pauline has left. But Louisa is none too sure about the move to London. She had hoped to resume her career as headmistress of the village school.

Villagers pack the village church for the funeral of the doc’s Aunt Joan. They are shocked when Martin’s eulogy becomes a health warning about the dangers to the heart of eating the wrong food.

Aunt Joan’s sister Ruth Ellingham (Eileen Atkins) attends the funeral and demonstrates the same cantankerous character as her nephew. She has no more intention of staying in Portwenn than Martin does. But Joan has left her the house and farm.

Series 5 - Episode 3 (SPOILERS)

Sleepless nights are taking their toll on Dr Martin Ellingham and Louisa Glasson. Tempers are frayed as they try to find ways to comfort their constantly wailing baby.

Just as they manage to get him off to sleep, Buddy, the dog who thinks Martin is his best pal, barks and wakes the baby. Exasperated Martin scoops up the little dog and takes him to Aunt Ruth.

Aunt Ruth has problems of her own: She is dealing with an intruder on the farm who has stolen the hub caps from her car. The thief is identified as Michael Dunwich (Andrew Lee Potts), who lives with his mother Shirley (Miriam Margolyes) on a neighbouring farm.

She decides to pay a visit to mother and son. As a psychiatrist it soon becomes clear to Ruth that Michael is a bit odd. He has a collection of metal objects strewn around the garden. Ruth catches him taking pot shots at her hubcaps.

Shirley makes an appointment with Martin to discuss the crippling stomach pains she has been suffering. When her son is out of the room, Shirley tells the doc she thinks her son is trying to poison her so he can have the house to himself.

New receptionist Morwenna Newcross (Jessica Ransom) fails to make a good impression on the doc by arriving late on her first day. Her grandfather William (Peter Vaughan) gives her some ‘magic pills’ to make sure she is on time, and bright as a button at work.

The pills make Morwenna hyperactive and the doc sacks her alleging she is high on drugs.

It is only when William collapses with a suspected heart attack that the doc discovers the ‘magic pills’ he and his granddaughter have been taking are actually methamphetamines which were given to soldiers during the war to keep them alert. William appeals to the doc to give Morwenna another chance.

The results of the tests on Shirley Dunwich show a heavy concentration of arsenic in her system. The doc immediately calls PC Penhale (John Marquez) suspecting that Shirley is actually being poisoned by her son. There’s a real crime for Penhale to deal with at last, but he seems less than confident about how to proceed.

When they arrive at the Dunwich farm they find Ruth trying to help Shirley, and Michael wielding a gun. The gun goes off and Penhale thinks he has been shot. It is the doc who manages to calm the situation and seize the gun.

Martin also notices the odour from old wallpaper in the house. He realises the copper arsenate from the old wallpaper which Michael had started to strip had produced deadly fumes and caused Shirley’s illness.

Series 5 - Episode 4 (SPOILERS)

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 (Ian McNeice) who runs Large’s restaurant with son Al (Joe Absolom) and Mark (Tim Goodman Hill), 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 (Louise Jameson) 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.

Series 5 - Episode 5 (SPOILERS)

PC Joe Penhale (John Marquez) has an unexpected visitor- his ex wife Maggie (Julie Graham). She appears to have completely forgotten that they split up a couple of years ago.

When he tries to tell her they are no longer married she accuses him of over-reacting, and wants to know why he packed his bags and left her.

Joe struggles with a mixture of distress and elation at seeing Maggie again. He has thought about her every day since they parted.

He realises she is clearly not well, especially when she tells him she thinks it is April 2008, and that she woke up to find him gone, when she has actually been living with another man since their split. He tries discreetly to ask Dr Ellingham about her symptoms without telling him that he is talking about his ex wife.

Joe is terrified of losing Maggie again, and wants to make the most of every moment of being back together. He arranges a romantic evening for them at the local restaurant, Large’s, only to find Dr Ellingham and Louisa there. When Louisa invites Joe and Maggie to join them, the doctor quickly spots that Maggie has a problem, and is showing symptoms of transient global amnesia. He tells Joe and Maggie he will arrange urgent brain scans for her to determine the diagnosis. For Joe his hopes of their marriage working again are dashed.

It looks as if romance may be in the air for Louisa’s mother Eleanor. She meets an old school friend, Paul (John Duttine), a local fisherman who takes her out on a date.

But the relationship is strictly business, as Louisa discovers when Paul collapses on his boat and falls overboard. Paul has stopped breathing and the doctor has to give mouth to mouth to resuscitate him. Eleanor shows such a lack of compassion for the poor man’s condition she is forced to explain to her daughter that she’d struck a deal with a Spanish company to supply seafood, and Paul has been working all hours to meet the demand.

Morwenna arrives at work with blood dripping from her foot after standing on a nail. The doctor grimaces at the sight of the blood and fights the nausea rising in his throat as he treats the wound. He is about to give Morwenna a tetanus injection when she disappears from the surgery. She confesses she’s scared of needles.

Martin and Louisa’s baby still doesn’t have a name, and PC Penhale warns them that time is running out. If they don’t register a name for the baby soon the State will step in and name the baby. After protracted discussions the couple finally reaches an agreement; their baby son is named James Henry.

Series 5 - Episode 6 (SPOILERS)

PC Joe Penhale is desperate to keep Maggie and show her he’s changed; that he’s the macho husband she wants. But once she has the all clear from the doctor, Maggie plans to return to Bude.

Penhale resorts to desperate measures to convince her to stay, including surreptitiously paying people to be nasty to her so he can step in and assert his authority, and show her he can be tough. His subterfuge almost works. But a final effort at bravado in trying to climb a ladder to rescue school caretaker Mr Coley (Brian Pettifer) from the roof fails miserably. When he is frozen with fear half way up the ladder, Maggie is very disappointed, and Penhale knows he has blown it with her.

Mr Coley has become increasingly muddled, and has put the children at risk by spraying poisonous fertiliser. He becomes so confused that he decides to climb onto the school roof, and doesn’t know why he’s there. Seeing Mr Coley swaying precariously on the roof, Dr Martin Ellingham bravely scales the ladder to rescue him. The root of Mr Coley’s problem lies in his potting shed where a paraffin heater has been giving off toxic fumes.

Aunt Ruth uncovers a chest of family heirlooms when she clears out a barn at the farm, including photos as Martin as a six year old schoolboy. The photos bring back poignant memories of an unhappy childhood for Martin.

It prompts Martin to think of registering James Henry for boarding school. But Louisa is horrified at the thought of sending their son miles away to school.

Tension is mounting between Louisa and Martin. They can’t seem to agree on anything, from the schooling for their son, to what to cook for supper. The final straw for Louisa comes when she discovers Martin has set a date for their baby’s christening without even consulting her. Louisa decides she has had enough. She packs a bag, and takes the baby back home to her mum.

Series 5 - Episode 7 (SPOILERS)

Bert Large’s restaurant business is financial trouble. He can’t even afford the food and drink for a charity event to raise money for Florence Dingle’s (Anne Reid) cat sanctuary. Mrs Dingle is distraught. She desperately needs the money to continue to look after the cats and kittens in her care.

Bert is also being chased by loan sharks Alastair Tonken (Alan Williams) and his son Norman (Marcus Cunningham) for the repayment of £1000 they gave him to clear his debts, warning of repercussions if he doesn’t pay up. Al is furious with his father for losing all their money and bringing them to the verge of bankruptcy. Bert blames Al for spending too much time working for Ruth instead of helping him with the restaurant.

When Ruth gives Al £800 to pay for the fencing on the farm he decides to use the money to pay back the some of the loan, even though he is wracked by guilt. Bert and Al manage to scrape together another £200 and present the cash to the Tonkens. But Alastair Tonken tells them they still owe him another £350 for interest and late payment charge.

Al says it is time they stood up to the loan sharks and refuse to pay - but just to be on the safe side they want to enrol the help of village police officer Joe Penhale. But PC Penhale says he can’t help them, it is a civil not a criminal matter.

Bert and Al confront the loan sharks just as they are approaching Mrs Dingley to pressure her for the money they loaned to her. But Mrs Dingley has fallen off her bike and is lapsing in and out of consciousness, with the doctor and Penhale in attendance.

The row between the Tonkens and the Larges becomes so heated that Penhale has to step in to break them up. Summoning up all his authority Penhale tells the Tonkens to leave the village and never come back.

Eleanor comes to Bert’s rescue with a plan to boost custom at the restaurant. She tells him she used to run a very successful bar in Andalucia, and suggests they have a Spanish theme night to attract customers.

She rolls up her sleeves and begins preparing for the Spanish feast. But she begins to feel very ill and Louisa insists she must see the doc. He diagnoses a strangulated hernia, and says she needs an urgent operation. Morwenna calls an ambulance, but when it goes to the wrong village, the Doc decides there is no alternative: he must operate now on Eleanor in his surgery or she could die.

He deftly demonstrates his expertise as a surgeon. Without doubt his swift treatment saves Eleanor’s life.

Dr Martin Ellingham is planning to leave Portwenn in a week’s time to resume his career as a surgeon, leaving Louisa and their baby son James Henry in the village.

They have their baby’s christening to organise before he leaves. But as usual the doc shows little interest in the event, leaving it all to Louisa.

Series 5 - Episode 8 (SPOILERS)

Mrs Tishell’s (Selina Cadell) long standing crush on Dr Martin Ellingham takes a dramatic turn in this final episode in the series.

Fuelled by a cocktail of drugs Mrs Tishell can no longer hide her unrequieted love for the doc, and decides she must take drastic action. Her husband Clive (Malcolm Storry) arrives back unexpectedly from his work on the oil rigs announcing his intention to retire so they can spend more time together.

It’s now or never for Mrs Tishell to make her romantic notions of a relationship with the doc come true. With baby James Henry in her care, she boards a bus out of the village leaving an enigmatic message for Dr Ellingham to meet them at the castle.

Her husband Clive is furious to think his wife has been having an affair with the doc. But Dr Ellingham doesn’t have time to worry about Mr Tishell’s fury. He has to find his baby.

Dr Ellingham is joined by Louisa, who is beside herself with worry, and his Aunt Ruth, as they go off in search of Mrs Tishell. PC Penhale is called in; he can barely contain his excitement at having a real crime to deal with.

They race to the Castle Hotel where they think Mrs Tishell is, but there’s no sign of her. Mrs Tishell then phones him, but refuses to say where she is. All she will say is that he sent a couple to her to tell her where to meet him.

Martin guesses she is referring to a honeymoon couple who had sought treatment from him earlier in the day. A hasty call to Morwenna reveals the couple were staying at Pentire Castle, a magnificent house perched high on a cliff edge with spectacular views of the sea. The perfect romantic rendezvous.

Mrs Tishell is watching from a window high up in the castle when Martin arrives. With the baby in her arms she looks perilously close to jumping out of the window.

With her background as a psychologist Aunt Ruth urges her nephew to stay calm, and not do or say anything to make Mrs Tishell do anything dangerous. With Louisa urging him to pretend he does love Mrs Tishell, Martin launches into a heartfelt appeal to Mrs Tishell about how he can’t leave the village because of her, he loves her, and begs her for another chance.

It is soon apparent that his words were not meant for Mrs Tishell at all, and that he was actually directing them to Louisa. But Mrs Tishell falls for it and rushes to kiss him. He snatches the baby from her, leaving her shocked to see Louisa and Ruth beside him.

PC Penhale who has been trying to scale the wall to try out his negotiating tactics on Mrs Tishell, eventually arrives to arrest her. But Aunt Ruth insists Mrs Tishell needs psychological help, and gently leads her away.

From Man Behaving Badly to Devoted Dad...

A couple of articles are popping up in the press. Follow the links if you'd like to have a read:

• From Man Behaving Badly to Devoted Dad...
• Martin Clunes' Baby Trouble

Tipster: Lambs

Episode One Trailer...Yeeha!

A big thanks to littleguinea for uploading the ITV Trailer for Episode One so quickly for all of us to enjoy!

Here's the same trailer from SimplyHealth.

ITV Press Pack

The ITV Press Pack for Series 5 has materialised! I've not read it (how long will that self control last?), but apparently it is laden with spoilers. In the next few days, I'll post the Series 5 Episode Guide. You have been warned though - SPOILERS!

Tipster: Lambs

Series Five Promo Photos

Some excellent promotional photos for Season 5 have surfaced. These ones were found on the Simply Television Blog here and here. A whole lot more can be found on the site!

Tipster: fable1

Cheaper by the dozen...

The following article is taken from "This is Cornwall". The original can be found HERE.

Martin Clunes will grace television screens again this winter as the new series of Doc Martin returns – this time with a full brood.

The former Men Behaving Badly star returns to his title role as the loveable grumpy doctor of the fictional Westcountry village Portwenn.


The new series begins with the doctor struggling to cope with fatherhood as he embarks on the next part of his career, which is due to take him away from the small Cornish village. While filming for the new series, in and around Port Isaac, Clunes had to rediscover his paternal side as he cuddled, rocked and burped no less than 12 different babies as his character adjusted to life as a father.

"Having babies around took me back to when my daughter Emily was born," he said.

"At this stage they're adorable – you can strap them in and they just gurgle and smile. When they stopped I handed them back. I wasn't charged with getting them to sleep, feeding or changing them so it was great – they were just like props, albeit very cute ones – and when one was broken I gave it back."

Although the Dorset-based actor isn't as new to fatherhood as his character, the four-and-a-half-months of filming with 12 different babies was not without its problems.

He said: "There's a scene on Bodmin Moor where I fall asleep in the car with the baby, only to be woken up by a farmer roaring a Land Rover.

"We shot my reaction and then set up the lights and cameras on the baby and tried to wake him up. But he was sparko. I whispered his name, shook the seat, turned on the radio, but nothing stirred him. We tried everything short of slapping him round the face. In the end I had to hold his nose, but I can assure you no babies were harmed during filming," said Clunes.

The series is due to screen in September.

Tipster: fable1

Radio Times Article...

The new Radio Times, featuring Doc Martin, is out! Thanks to littleguinea for the tip off and to Griffin Star for the scans!

Click on the image to enlarge!

Radio Times Magazine...

Check out the up coming issue of Radio Times magazine. Cute! The babies aren't bad either.

Radio Times Magazine

Tipsters: SimplyRed & Lambs

Listen up people...

The press promotions for Series 5 are finally beginning to appear! Huzzah! Below is a link to an audio conversation on NPR:

• A Kinder, Gentler 'Doc Martin'

Tipster: lost-the-plot

TV Times Magazine...

Here's a little piece taken from TV Times magazine...


After taking a two year break from playing Cornwall's grumpiest GP, Martin Clunes returns as Dr Martin Ellingham alongside Caroline Catz as his on-off love interest, headmistress, Louisa. Martin explains:"The doc is trapped in Portwenn with a baby and Louisa and they have to negotiate their way through their conflicting interests. They find it so hard to agree but people seem to enjoy watching that!

Tipster: littleguinea

What's up Doc?

What's going on here then? You be the judge!

Stagecoach agency member Elliot Quinn appears in Doc Martin

Young Stagecoach agency member Elliot Quinn who attends Stagecoach in Orpington appeared recently in Doc Martin, the popular ITV drama.

The ten year old really enjoyed playing the part alongside Martin Clunes.

A new series of Doc Martin is due to air before the year is put with eight exciting new episodes, with the full cast of the best loved characters set to return, too.

Tipster: Han96

The Kindess of strangers...

Here's another great fan photo, taken during filming in June, with the kindly Mr McNeice!

The Final Countdown...

Series 5 is creeping up slowly! If you want to know exactly how much longer you have to wait, check out Sendibo's countdown!

• Countdown to Series 5

Going Potty...

Word is Andrew Lee Potts (best known as Connor Temple in Primeval) will be guest starring in Series 5. At a Primeval press promo in May, he told our source that he'd just come back from filming for Doc Martin! Now just who will he be playing?

Source: Tracy
Image: IMDB