Ep 6. Haemophobia

Overview: Doc Martin is a British television series that follows the life of Dr. Martin Ellingham, a successful London surgeon who moves to the quaint village of Portwenn in Cornwall after developing a phobia of blood. The show explores the adjustment of a highly skilled and straightforward surgeon and his relationship with the village's inhabitants, who are not always welcoming to him. In episode 6, titled Haemophobia, Dr. Ellingham faces a medical emergency that puts his phobia to the test.

Plot: The episode opens with a sunny day in Portwenn, and Dr. Ellingham is enjoying a rare moment of leisure time with his girlfriend Louisa Glasson. However, their idyllic moment is interrupted when Bert Large, the owner of the local restaurant, collapses at the harbor. Dr. Ellingham rushes to Bert's aid, but his phobia of blood prevents him from performing a blood draw to determine Bert's condition.

As Dr. Ellingham struggles to keep his composure, Louisa takes charge and uses her knowledge as a schoolteacher to help assess Bert's condition. Eventually, the doctor is forced to confront his phobia and draw blood to help save Bert's life.

Meanwhile, Bert's son, Al, has a heart-to-heart conversation with his father and admits he wants to follow his dream of being a photographer. Bert initially dismisses his son's ambition, but eventually comes around and offers to help Al pursue his passion.

Elsewhere in the village, a group of tourists arrive and are eager to see the local sights. However, things quickly go awry when one of the tourists, a young woman named Emma, falls and injures her leg. Dr. Ellingham is again called into action, but his bedside manner leaves much to be desired, and he rubs Emma the wrong way. Despite this, Dr. Ellingham diagnoses Emma and prescribes a treatment plan.

As the episode draws to a close, Dr. Ellingham and Louisa share a tender moment on the beach, and she expresses concern about the effects that his medical phobia is having on his practice. Dr. Ellingham acknowledges the issue and promises to take steps to address it.

Conclusion: Haemophobia is a key episode in the first season of Doc Martin, as it explores the central premise of the show - Dr. Ellingham's struggle to adjust to life in Portwenn and confront his phobia of blood. The episode also highlights the relationships between the inhabitants of the village and their willingness to support each other in times of need. Overall, Haemophobia is quintessential Doc Martin - a warm, charming, and witty portrayal of life in a small English village.