Louisa's hippie mother Eleanor arrives in the village, immediately taking over Martin's kitchen to prepare a herbal tonic, which she later gives to the baby to stop his crying. A culinary rivalry develops between Bert and Mark Bridge, the landlord of the Crab and Lobster pub, at Portwenn Fun Day with both keen to take advantage of the event by providing food for the spectators.

Maggie gets the all-clear from the doctor and decides she will return to Bude, forcing PC Penhale to take desperate measures to persuade her to stay in Portwenn. Ruth uncovers a raft of family heirlooms while clearing out a barn at the farm, and the mounting tension between Martin and Louisa peaks when she discovers he has booked a date for James Henry's christening without consulting her.

Al welcomes his first fishing guests, but an uninvited one means that a good review is definitely not guaranteed, while Bert decides to try to rejuvenate trade at the restaurant by joining an online voucher scheme. Morwenna asks Martin for a pay rise, and Louisa has to find a new babysitter to look after James Henry and reluctantly decides to offer Janice a trial. Penhale is excited to receive his new police issue Taser, but Portwenn does not exactly offer him plenty of opportunities to try it out.

When a nasty stomach virus hits Portwenn, half the village takes ill, and Doc thinks he has traced the virus's source to the local swimming pool.

After turning down lovely teacher Louisa's invitation to a village dance, the socially awkward Doc treats a park ranger with an unusual problem.

After reaching breaking point with being followed around by Buddy, Martin resolves to find a vet to have it put down, while Ruth finds out that Bert has been trying to make his own whisky. Clive is suspicious of Mrs Tishell and who she might be cooking meals for, Penhale makes a hash of asking Janice out, and Louisa and Martin's therapy homework results in a picnic on the beach, where they are interrupted by local vet Angela Sim - who appears to be hallucinating.

Louisa helps out her ex-boyfriend Danny when he brings seven children from London to camp on Ruth's farm - supervised by Al and Bert - while she and Martin plan a date on the advice of Dr Timoney. However, their night at the restaurant is interrupted when Danny calls saying one of the youngsters has gone missing. Things get worse for the couple when Martin uncovers a health scare at James's first birthday party that makes all the guests leave very quickly.

After developing a sudden fear of blood, successful surgeon Dr. Martin Ellingham abandons London for a general practice in a quiet Cornish hamlet.

Quirky Doc Martin opens his village practice, only to discover that most of his 'patients' enjoy using his waiting room as a makeshift social club.

Dr Martin Ellingham is shocked to find Louisa and Aunt Joan knocking at his door before the Surgery has opened. Louisa has had a medical scare and wants Martin’s reassurance that everything is fine.

Dr Martin Ellingham is called to Louisa’s new home after she has a dizzy spell while shifting furniture. Martin urges her to slow down, but is shocked to learn that Louisa has applied to be her school’s headteacher again.

PC Penhale is shocked by the unexpected arrival of his ex-wife Maggie, who appears to have forgotten that they separated years ago and wants to know why he left her. Eleanor goes on a date with local fisherman Paul Hale, an old friend she has not seen since school, while Martin and Louisa finally agree on a name for their baby

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 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 and his son Norman for the repayment of £1,000 they gave him to clear his debts, warning of repercussions if he doesn't pay up.

The irascible medic decides to move out of the Surgery to give Louisa space, leaving Mrs Tishell concerned he will not be able to look after himself on his own. Elsewhere, PC Penhale helps Janice babysit, and Al is very concerned when he finds out about Bert's behaviour and hears there are bailiffs at the restaurant.

Martin and Louisa search for a nursery now that Janice has left, and Mrs Tishell is shocked to find out that Al has very high blood pressure. Louisa also helps with the diagnosis of a pupil, which spurs her on to explore the possibilities of a change of career. This is not welcome news for Martin, who dislikes any kind of change, even if it could be for the better. Elsewhere, Ruth is approached about selling her farm.

When one of his Aunt Joan's former beaus comes back to Portwenn to woo her, Doc must butt in after discovering the man has a serious heart condition.

Mrs Wilson, the hypochondriac owner of the Wilson hotel, forces her attentions on a very indifferent Martin, which makes Louisa jealous anyway. Joan dates a much younger man than her, much to Martin's surprise.

Dr Martin Ellingham struggles to deal with Louisa’s news. But Louisa is adamant she does not want Martin involved.

Dr Martin Ellingham is in London to meet with Robert Dashwood, who is leading the selection process for the prestigious London surgeon’s job that Martin has applied for. Robert can tell that Martin is excited to be back in the world of surgery, and is pleased that Martin has finally conquered his debilitating blood phobia. Robert is confident that Martin will get the job.

Dr Martin Ellingham meets Portwenn’s new midwife, Molly, who will be looking after Louisa. Martin is dismissive of her profession, and the two of them do not hit it off.

The GP returns to his former post at the surgery after the departure of Dr Dibbs, agreeing to stay until a replacement is found. He persuades a reluctant Louisa to move into his house so he can help raise their son, and suggests they could all move to London together in the future. Martin then delivers the eulogy at his aunt Joan's funeral and speaks to her sister Ruth, who proves to be just as cantankerous as he is.

New receptionist Morwenna Newcross gets off to a bad start after arriving late on her first day, and her hyperactive behaviour leads Martin to believe she is high on drugs. Ruth tries to deal with an intruder on the farm who has stolen the hub caps from her car, and the sleepless nights begin to take their toll on Martin and Louisa, who are running out of ways to comfort their constantly wailing baby.

With Louisa visiting her mother in Spain to get some perspective on their marriage, Martin knows he needs to try to change for the sake of their relationship, so he endeavours to keep his promise to her to see a therapist. Aunt Ruth arranges an appointment for him with Dr Rachel Timoney, but a lifeboat training exercise causes problems for the doctor. Will he get back in time for his first session?

Louisa is not best pleased when her new art teacher Erica wants to try out some rather alternative ideas on the children, while Dr Timoney is involved in a car accident outside the school. Penhale is confused when he is offered a transfer to Exeter, Bert decides to go back to being a handyman, and Louisa and Martin are intrigued when Dr Timoney invites them for an additional therapy session. Plus, an American tourist seeks help from the GP.

Doc Martin is struggling to maintain his life as a GP, after his wedding day disaster with school headmistress Louisa. She has left the village, and he is starting to question whether this is where he wants to stay, until an old friend turns up.