I had finally got the 5th series of Doc Martin from the library. Martin Clunes plays the Doc who has put his return to London as a surgical consultant on hold. He's got a new son but no wife, the woman to took over his practice isn't doing a very good job, and his Aunt Joan has died while visiting relatives. I'll miss Joan, she was an interesting character, but her sister Ruth, played by Eileen Atkins. turns out to be another interesting character. She's a psychiatrist with developmental issues too. The Doc uses Ruth's funeral to point out that the heavy mourners are in danger from health issues. He's a guy with no idea how to act with people. I blame his parents, they're douchebags. Caroline Catz plays Louisa, the mother of the Doc's baby, and the Doc invites her to movie in with him so he can be more involved with his son. They aren't best at getting along.
When the replacement doctor leaves, Doc Martin takes over the practice again. Jessica Ransom plays the new receptionist Morwenna Newcross. She's highly entertaining and she has a delightful accent. The Doc doesn't take to her fairly well at first but he keeps her on after she gives first aid to her sick grandfather. There's plenty of other medical problems going on around the area. An artistic moody guy steals Ruth's hubcaps and that leads to his sick mother. She'd gotten sick from eating wild game that had spoiled. PC Penhale gets a visit from his ex-wife and she seems to believe they hadn't broken up and divorced. Poor Joe, he's got a bunch is problems but he is good comic relief. Bert has financial trouble with his restaurant. Mrs Tishell, the pharmacist, has an infatuation with the Doc. She kidnaps his child and runs off with the baby. Don't worry they get the baby back and he's ok. The drama helps the Doc profess his love to Louisa. It takes a lot to get an emotion out of the Doc.
The writing remains really good and there's plenty of comedy mixed in with the emotional dysfunction. I'm still having a good time watching the show and will get series 6 from the library next.
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