Doc Martin (2004)

After a first half that's sleepy even by Doc Martin standards, this episode ends with two fine comic set pieces: first, a diagnosis battle with a vet (Caroline Quentin, reunited with her Men Behaving Badly co-star Martin Clunes), and then a layered misunderstanding involving a knife wound. Bloody good fun.

Cream was prescribed in lashings on Doc Martin (ITV), as two goat farmers went down with an itchy infection that left one paralysed in hospital - all because he wouldn't apply the ointment as the doctor (Martin Clunes) instructed.

After a couple of weary seasons, this long-running show has found its rhythm again. That's chiefly because the doc and his wife Louisa (Caroline Catz) are happily reconciled and devoted to their toddler, James... a boy who is showing all his father's obstinate lack of interest in other human beings.

Doc Martin fans are happy to see villagers stricken with respiratory crises caused by an allergy to gulls. They're positively disappointed if a patient with mildly raised blood pressure isn't incubating a plague of boils. Even a case of ebola would be acceptable. But this is entirely the wrong show for marital hostilities.

Doc Martin, episode 2 review

This grumpy GP's diagnostic skills are unlike any other.

Doc Martin review

It's been two years since we were last in the village of Portwenn, but in a ninth series, Martin Clunes's doctor is as grumpy as ever.

Doc Martin review

Overall, the whole thing is like an advert for Ginsters pasties, and just a bit too twee and Cornish, like Poldark with a stethoscope.

Martin Clunes interview

The Doc Martin star tells Susan Griffin how it is.

Martin Clunes: Doc Martin has helped cancer patients

Martin Clunes receives letters from cancer patients who say Doc Martin has helped them through their treatment "every day".

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.

The curse of the penultimate episode in a comedy-drama season: setting up the big storyline that will power the finale means there is too much dramatic legwork and not enough comic relief. The supporting players in this show are too good, however, for there to be no pleasure. Everything John Marquez says as dumb copper Joe Penhale is funny, so pressing him into service as an umpire-commentator for Portwenn's annual, injury-plagued gig race is gold.