KUED Programs

Despite his disastrous introduction to life in the sleepy village of Portwenn, the former surgeon has decided to stay and give it a go. The waiting room is full with patients enjoying tea and biscuits served by Elaine. It seems the previous doctor allowed his patients to treat his office as a drop-in cafe to share their ailments, but not necessarily to seek medical treatment. Elaine's inefficiency pushes Martin over the edge and he fires her. News of her dismissal spreads around the village like wildfire, and Martin becomes universally disliked. The cafe won't serve him, and patients are canceling appointments and Elaine leaves town and will miss her father's wedding. Martin confides in a patient, telling him about the phobia that prevented him from continuing his surgical career. Elaine returns in time for the wedding and Martin asks her to return to work, but on the strict understanding that she adheres to his ground rules.

As Martin moves in and meets the locals, he realizes that adjusting to village life is not going to be smooth sailing. In his sharp suits and flashy car, he's a fish out of water. His first patient is Sir Gilbert Spencer, a retired lieutenant colonel, with an embarrassing problem - he's grown breasts. Meanwhile, it's Lifeboat Day in Portwenn, and the harbor is alive with stalls, fairground rides and a jazz band, but Martin has become the butt of jokes among the bevy of teenage girls from the village. Just when he thinks the day couldn't get any worse, Martin is forced off the road and into a ditch on his way out of the village. He's rescued by local police constable, Mark Mylow, who takes him home. But as Martin opens the door, he finds the hall ankle deep in sludgy water. It's the final straw. Martin decides he is not cut out to be a village GP, and decides to tender his resignation. Can any thing or any one change his mind?

Mrs. Tishell's (Selina Cadell) long-standing crush on Dr. Martin Ellingham takes a dramatic turn in this final episode in the series. Fuelled by a cocktail of drugs Mrs. Tishell can no longer hide her unrequited love for the doc, and decides she must take drastic action. Her husband Clive (Malcolm Storry) arrives back unexpectedly from his work on the oil rigs announcing his intention to retire so they can spend more time together. It's now or never for Mrs. Tishell to make her romantic notions of a relationship with the doc come true. With Doc and Louisa's baby in her care, she boards a bus out of the village leaving an enigmatic message for Dr. Ellingham to meet them at the castle.

Bert Large's restaurant business is in financial trouble. He can't even afford the food and drink for a charity event to raise money for Florence Dingle's (Anne Reid) cat sanctuary. Mrs. Dingle is distraught. She desperately needs the money to continue to look after the cats and kittens in her care. Eleanor comes to Bert's rescue with a plan to boost business at the restaurant, suggesting they have a Spanish theme night to attract customers. She rolls up her sleeves and begins preparing for the Spanish feast. But she begins to feel very ill and Louisa insists she must see the doc. Morwenna calls an ambulance, but the Doc decides there is no alternative: he must operate now on Eleanor in his surgery or she could die. Dr. Martin Ellingham is planning to leave Portwenn in a week's time to resume his career as a surgeon, leaving Louisa and the baby in the village. They have the christening to organize before he leaves. But as usual the doc shows little interest in the event, leaving it all to Louisa.

P.C. Joe Penhale is desperate to keep Maggie and show her he's changed; that he's the macho husband she wants. But Maggie plans to return to Bude. Penhale resorts to desperate measures to convince her to stay, including surreptitiously paying people to be nasty to her so he can step in and assert his authority, and show her he can be tough. Aunt Ruth uncovers a chest of family heirlooms when she clears out a barn at the farm, including photos as Martin as a six-year-old schoolboy. The photos bring back poignant memories of an unhappy childhood for Martin and it prompts him to think of registering their son for boarding school. But Louisa is horrified at the thought of sending him miles away to school. Tension is mounting between Louisa and Martin. They can't seem to agree on anything. The final straw for Louisa comes when she discovers Martin has set a date for their baby's christening without even consulting her. Louisa decides she has had enough. She packs a bag, and takes the baby back home to her mum.

P.C. Joe Penhale (John Marquez) has an unexpected visitor - his ex-wife Maggie (Julie Graham). She appears to have completely forgotten that they split up a couple of years ago. When he tries to tell her they are no longer married she accuses him of over-reacting, and wants to know why he packed his bags and left her. Joe struggles with a mixture of distress and elation at seeing Maggie again. He has thought about her every day since they parted. He realizes she is clearly not well, and tries discreetly to ask Dr. Ellingham about her symptoms without telling him that he is talking about his ex-wife. Meanwhile, Martin and Louisa's baby still doesn't have a name, and P. C. Penhale warns them that time is running out. If they don't register a name for the baby soon the State will step in and name the baby. After protracted discussions the couple finally reaches an agreement.

It's Portwenn Fun Day and the village is buzzing with excitement about this major fund raising event. P.C. Penhale is in his element rallying the runners and whipping up support. The event sparks culinary rivalry between Bert Large (Ian McNeice) who runs Large's restaurant with son Al (Joe Absolom) and Mark (Tim Goodman Hill), the landlord of the Crab and Lobster pub. Louisa's mum Eleanor (Louise Jameson) arrives in Portwenn unexpectedly and Louisa is far from happy about her arrival. She hasn't seen her mother for years, so why the sudden interest?