'Doc Martin' rises again to top Monday ratings

Doc Martin easily topped Monday night's (September 30) ratings outside of soaps, according to overnight data.

Doc Martin - Series 6, Episode 5 review

Jessica Ransom gives a charming, understated comedic performance as the self-centred but warm-hearted Morwenna.

Portwenn is agog - Mrs Tishell, the overwrought pharmacist in a neckbrace whose morbid sexual obsession with Doc Martin led her to kidnap his baby son, is back in the village. She's still in a neckbrace, but, apart from worrying an elastic band around her wrist (part of her treatment) she seems reformed and contrite. Louisa and Martin, though, aren't so sure.

This series has exercised even die-hard fans, if RT's letters page is anything to go by, with grumblings particularly about its lame farcical elements. There's more damp comedy tonight in a couple of those Doc Martin sub-plots that can barely summon the energy to lift their heads from the pillow - dim PC Penhale goes all Bear Grylls on a survival exercise, and Al tries internet dating. You won't need a map to follow where the stories lead... Meanwhile, Bert tries his luck with a lady.

Selina Cadell shines as Mrs Tishell returns

Overall, while not the best episode of Doc Martin this series, tonight's instalment definitely wasn't the worst. While I could've done without all of the silly Penhale stuff, Mrs Tishell's return has given us hints of what's to come during the latter half of the series.

Doc Martin rises to top Monday ratings for ITV

Doc Martin topped the Monday ratings once again outside of soaps, according to overnight figures.

Appearing in a highly popular drama series alongside a cast of much-loved actors would be enough to give most performers a dose of paralysing stage fright. But baby James Ellingham isn't fazed at all (well, to be accurate, all eight babies who play him). He plays up to the camera beautifully, stealing every single scene. The little 'un is a perfect foil to Martin Clunes's cantankerous GP who, it turns out, is not the only grump in the village. Ruth's neighbour Mr Moysey (Ronald Pickup) is just as antisocial and ill-tempered.

"Come back in five days," the doctor tells him abruptly after a brief medical examination. "What happens if I drop dead before then?" snaps Mr Moysey. "We'll cancel the appointment."

The humour of Doc Martin isn't subtle and the storylines are either sledgehammer-obvious or ludicrous to the point of surreal, but I laughed out loud more times watching this than I have at many so-called comedies.

Martin Clunes and Ronald Pickup shine in Episode 4

Part of the reason why these scenes were so brilliant is because of the talents of both Martin Clunes and Ronald Pickup.

Doc Martin - Series 6, Episode 4 review

To answer those critics who deem this comedy drama to have run its course, I would point out not just audience figures, but the consistent calibre of the cast, the fast pace and slick interchange of scenes, and the host of excellent characters who all find something comedic to contribute to each episode.

A mystery man is found unconscious on the beach by two improbably bearded fishermen, and Doc Martin (Martin Clunes) rushes to his aid. But what caused his blackout and will he hang around to find out? Meanwhile, Louisa is juggling the new baby while selflessly helping others and blowing her fringe out of her eyes. And Ruth's got a secret admirer. Will the kindly-yet-gruff, big-eared GP be brutally maimed in a frenzied knife attack or will he just sort it all out as usual? Tune in to find out.

An unkempt man is found slumped unconscious on Portwenn's beach and is dragged to Doc Martin's surgery by two well-meaning fishermen. The unfortunate gent is woozy and dehydrated though a sharp slap around the face from the world's most curmudgeonly ministering angel soon brings him round, after which the mysterious stranger wants to talk about the Ellingham family, particularly Aunty Ruth.

She's just accepted a job as a Frasier-type radio psychiatrist on the otherwise terrible Radio Portwenn, but her audience isn't quite what she'd hoped for. Yes, it's another busy week in this twinkling Cornish jewel by the sea, a place that refuses to be darkened by the thunderclouds of its doctor's appalling personality. His miserable aspect is counterbalanced by the cheery locals, like the owner of its awful restaurant who is furious at a schoolgirl's review, and its endearingly stupid policeman.