Complete first and second series' of the popular television comedy starring Martin Clunes as eccentric and irascible doctor Martin Ellingham, who has to give up a lucrative surgical career to take a position as a rural GP in Cornwall after he develops a phobia about blood. Martin and Pauline exchange angry words when she discovers a letter offering him a job at Imperial College London, with Martin incensed that she opened his mail in the first place. Pippa, the new headteacher at the local school, is enthusiastic over the – albeit unsanctioned – garden she has set up, when she develops a rash, and her health suddenly declines at an event at the school when learning many of the children have also. Janice Bone (Robyn Addison) gets cozy with PC Penhale, who is offered a transfer to Exeter in recognition of his hard work.

Elaine has resigned and moved away with her boyfriend Greg and has been replaced by her cousin, Pauline Lamb ( Katherine Parkinson). Martin diagnoses him with sleeping sickness, the result of having been bitten by Tsetse flies while in Africa. Penhale decides to have a police open house to raise community awareness, but local farmer Hannah Butler ( Yolanda Kettle) arrives to file a complaint about theft of her sheep.Martin allows Louisa's former student 15 year old Peter Cronk to shadow (assist) Doc Martin at the clinic. Vernon Cooke ( Hugh Lloyd) is inexplicably emanating a horrible stench and consults Doctor Ellingham. Danny tries to seduce Louisa to leave Martin, telling her that she deserves better, but Louisa is not the least bit interested.

His idea of a perfect Christmas Day is to remain steadfastly alone and catch up with back issues of The Lancet. Martin Ellingham and Pauline are surprised by the number of patients coming to see him on the last day before his Surgery closes and he moves to London. Martin's sleep patterns make it difficult for Louisa to get a good night's sleep, so upon the advice of Jennifer, she sprinkles lavender around.

Janice has a change of heart about marrying Joe, and walks out on their wedding, leaving Joe with a broken heart. In the same year, Martin Clunes won the "Best TV Comedy Actor" award, primarily for his portrayal of Doc Martin. Martin also sacks Elaine ( Lucy Punch) as his receptionist for her general attitude and incompetence after she inaccurately takes down the name or phone number of a boy with suspected appendicitis. Beth invites the letter carrier Dave ( Tony Maudsley) in for a cup of tea, and Janet berates Beth for doing so, hinting that she might have Beth put away in a hospital. PC Mark Mylow plans to spend his stag night sleeping rough in the woods with Al Large, but gets bitten by an adder.