Radio Times

• Episode 1/7

  After Louisa passes out in front of her class, Martin examines her for signs of anaemia - but fails to pick up on her attempts to discuss their relationship. Meanwhile, school dinner lady Alison Lane is struggling to control her hyperactive teenage daughter Delph. Martin dismisses Delph's behaviour as delinquency, until he discovers she may have been taking Alison's diet pills.

  RT Choice (Alison Graham, 24 September 2007)

  Doc Martin's a strange thing, largely because so little ever actually happens. Tonight, in a highly unconvincing story, [the doc is] asked to treat an apparently hyperactive schoolgirl by her desperate mother. It all feels underwritten and Clunes deserves more meat on a role that's too thin.

• Episode 2/7

  Bert Large's new restaurant isn't an immediate success. On the opening night, Martin makes a scene after discovering a spot of blood on his plate. The following day, the surgery is inundated with patients showing symptoms of food poisoning - and all claiming to have eaten at Bert's restaurant. Louisa is among the victims, leading to embarrassment for Martin when he's forced to treat her in her bedroom.

  RT Choice (David Butcher, 1 October 2007)

  Tonight, Dr Ellingham (Martin Clunes) and Louisa (Caroline Catz) finally share a night of passion: they cavort wildly by a roaring fire before plunging naked into the Cornish waves under a full moon, roaring sea shanties at the stars.

  All right, they do no such thing. And if they ever did, fans of this deliriously uneventful romantic comedy would choke on their chardonnay. Because the whole point of Doc Martin is its raging inconsequentiality. To give you an idea, the dramatic flourish that ends part one tonight is our starchy doctor instructing his new receptionist not to give the patients hot drinks: "We don't serve tea!" he grumps, as we cut to the ad break. Phew, that's what I call a cliffhanger.

• Episode 3/7

  Louisa's new neighbours don't make the best first impression when they move into Mrs Averill's old house. Anthony and Terri Oakwood and their son Sam manage to gatecrash an intimate dinner Louisa has prepared for her and Martin. Her plans for a romantic evening are ruined as the doctor makes a hasty exit. Meanwhile, Mrs Averill has lost her cat in the move, but she won't get any sympathy from Doc Martin.

• Episode 4/7

  Glamorous divorcee and hotel owner Carrie Wilson is flirting with Martin, and Louisa is struggling to contain her jealousy. Can she find a way to stake her claim to Martin before Carrie's tactics make an impression? Meanwhile, Aunt Joan has an admirer too. Local painter Edward Melville may be 30 years her junior but that's not stopping either of them - as Martin discovers when he walks in on them.

• Episode 5/7

  Martin and Louisa are on their first proper date. When the romantic surroundings prove too much, Louisa seizes the opportunity for a kiss, but Martin ruins the moment with a typically inappropriate remark. It's the final straw for Louisa, who ends the affair. Her decision hits Martin harder than he would have anticipated. But there's a final chance for him to redeem himself when Louisa's friend Holly has an accident.

• Episode 6/7

  As an excited Portwenn digests the news that Martin and Louisa are engaged, it's business as usual for the doctor. Beth Sawle's knee wound is not responding to the treatment he's prescribed, and when Martin visits the remote cottage where she lives with her strange sister Janet, he makes a disturbing discovery. Meanwhile, Bert's restaurant is in financial trouble, prompting son Al to take decisive action.

  RT Choice (Ruth Margolis, 29 October 2007)

  Yes, it's twee, safe and meandering, but Doc Martin is also soaked with playful, witty charm. It's instantly likeable, probably because it doesn't take itelf seriously, and the uncomplicated plotting means that it's safe to be a dip-in, occasional fan.

  Martin Clunes refuses to be anything short of excellent as dour GP Martin Ellingham, while Katherine Parkinson (as Pauline the receptionist) squeezes gentle laughs from her lines.

• Episode 7/7

  It may be Martin's wedding day, but that doesn't stop him opening the surgery as usual. Among the patients is Louisa's best friend Isobel, who has been hit in the eye with a party popper during a prewedding toast. The doctor prescribes eye drops and a patch - not a good look with a bridesmaid's dress. But there's worse to come. The drunken vicar's injured in a fall, leaving Martin with just three hours to find a replacement.

Go to Series two