A starry but sleepy series finale: Doc Martin, review

This ever-popular, televisual equivalent of a hot water bottle returns for a ninth and final series next year. It's so gentle that it could end by simply nodding off.

Much like ITV's Doc Martin, this Welsh valleys-based comedy starring Ruth Jones is a reliable source of gentle laughs, U-rated drama and the odd celeb cameo. Indeed, while Martin Clunes and pals were joined by Sigourney Weaver last year, Robert Plant rocked up in the fictional south Wales town of Pontyberry last week. Things are a little less starry tonight, as the winners of forgotten reality contest Last Choir Standing come to Aunty Brenda's aid. Elsewhere, Stella tries to contact on/off flame Rob, and Michael is forced to compromise.

Even by his own grim standards, Martin is being spectacularly grumpy. But he has good reason to be unhappy, what with therapist Dr Timoney advising Martin and Louisa to consider parting. "Accepting separation is a success in itself," she reckons. Elsewhere, Martin has a new neighbour, Erica the arty art teacher (Kelly Adams of Hustle fame); and a visiting American - in one of the more unlikely TV cameos of recent years - turns out to be Sigourney Weaver. Undemanding fare, at least until a final scene that may floor you.

Radio Times review

Sigourney Weaver makes a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo when she strides into Portwenn's chemist. An American tourist with ancestral connections to Cornwall, she wants to buy eye-drops to treat her glaucoma, so inevitably she meets Dr Ellingham. "Your accent is very thick. I can't understand what you're saying," he snaps when she suggests a smile would help. Maybe his curmudgeonly manner is the reason for the brevity of her visit.

Another new arrival is young teacher Erica (Kelly Adams), who upsets the children with her unorthodox approach to art. When she's not fainting, that is. Meanwhile, Martin and Louise are still having marriage counselling with Dr Timoney (who's behaving rather strangely herself) and there's a real "ahhhh" moment when Joe is offered a transfer to the big city. Well, to Exeter. Will anyone care if he goes or if he stays?

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Radio Times review

"Urine! Dipstick! Move!" barks Dr Martin Ellingham at his understandably alarmed receptionist Morwenna. Clearly, despite being heartbroken that his wife Louisa has taken their son James to live in Spain while she works out their marital problems, Martin's bad-tempered demeanour hasn't softened at all since we last saw him. On a more positive note he does agree to see a therapist, although Dr Rachel Timoney (Emily Bevan), while being young and attractive, is almost as acerbic as he is.

There's no sign of Sigourney Weaver or Caroline Quentin yet, both of whom make guest appearances in this series. There's Daniel Ryan as a local lifeboat hero in this episode. But the Cornish scenery is gorgeous, Portwenn is bathed in sunshine and Martin Clunes is as engaging as ever. Around nine million people will be very happy to see this doctor again.

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