Trivia - S1E1
Going Bodmin
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Portwenn Online
A Magical Cornish Village
Doc Martin is IN
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Literary Reference - There was an asylum in Bodmin, that was closed down in 2002, so people in Cornwall will
use the term "Bodmin" for a person who is considered "barmy".  The episode title might be a play on words like
"Going Crazy", "Going Mad", "Going Insane", "Going Bonkers".
Connecting the Episode Title to the Storylines
Just the fact that Martin is leaving his comfortable life in London as a top surgeon to become the GP of this small
fishing village probably seems a bit "Bodmin" to the villagers.  They don't yet understand the reason for his move.
Martin seems to see the whole village as "Bodmin", from the floating car in the harbour, to the antiquated
equipment in the surgery and the crazy receptionist he's inherited, to the fishermen running him off the road, to the
incompetent plumbers who have flooded his surgery, to the "tosh" being passed off as "art" at the village fair, and
to top it off, the first 3 patients he sees (before being officially open for business) are all tied together and creating
their conditions by their foolishness.  No wonder he wants to leave!
There could also be a reference to Daphne du Maurier's "Jamaica Inn" which was set on Bodmin Moor and is
about an outsider coming to the moor and discovering all sorts of strange characters and activities - a parallel to
Martin's impressions of Portwenn?
After the pack of girls (I call the "Greek Chorus") call Martin "Bodmin" he asks Bert and Al if it means "barmy". They
bring up both the old asylum and Daphne du Maurier when they try to explain the local term.
L
R
W
P
Q
S
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.he looooooooooFor S
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QUOTES
Louisa
 You've got a problem
Chris
Martin
 Oh, and Louisa Glasson, the lay member.  Well, shall we, uh, go through.
Yeah.
Louisa
Martin
Louisa
Martin
Louisa
Chris
Louisa
 Sorry, can I just ask… how would you describe your interpersonal skills?
I've been a surgeon for 12 years.  Ran a team of senior registrars at St. John's.  I think that speaks for itself.
The classic image of a surgeon is someone who deals with cases rather than individuals, bodies rather than people.
My work is with the patients.  That's nothing but dealing with bodies...people.
If you want to be a GP in our village, then social skills and a good bedside manner are...really...essential.
Louisa, I, I think that Dr Ellingham is more than qualified.
To alienate people, perhaps.  I'm sorry, but nothing I've seen of him so far convinces me that he's a proper replacement
for Dr Sim.  
Louisa
Martin
Louisa
Martin
Louisa
Martin
Louisa
Martin
Chris
Martin
 You cross the line just once in Portwenn, and… Will you stop that?
Is the vision a little blurred in that eye?
Yes.
Fixed, semi-dilated pupil.  Bit of pain?
Sometimes, what?
It's acute glaucoma.
You're kidding?
No.  You should see an eye specialist today.
Martin.
Excuse me.    
Martin (to dog)
 Go.  What do you want?  Go away.  Go away.  Go!
Elaine
Martin
Elaine
Martin
Elaine
Martin
Elaine
Martin
Elaine
 Are you Doc Martin?
No.  No, I'm Dr Ellingham.
I'm Elaine.
That must be nice for you.
Practice receptionist.
Oh, right.  I'm not hiring yet.
Well, I've come from Delabole.
Is that far?
I've...come…from…Delabole!  There's no point in going then coming back later.  Might as well just start now, innit?
Martin
Elaine
Martin
Elaine
Martin
Elaine
Martin
Elaine
 How are you feeling today?
Fine.
No ringing in the ears? (picks up ringing telephone)  Ellingham.  Hang on.  It's for you.
I'm not here.
Elaine's not here.
Wait, hold on.  Is that Greg?
Are you Greg?  Elaine for you.
(Whispers)  I'm not talking to Greg.  (Martin start to hang up phone and Elaine grabs it from him)  Yeah?  Yeah.  No!  
Look, you're needy and I'm 26, innit? (to Martin) Do you mind?
Elaine
Martin
Elaine
Martin
Elaine
Martin
Elaine
Martin
Elaine
Martin
Elaine
Martin
Elaine
Martin
Elaine
Martin
Elaine
Martin
Elaine
Martin
Elaine
 Is there any milk?
One spore or two?
What?
It had turned to penicillin.  It's in the bin.
Hello?  I need coffee.
Elaine, since you're here, there's one or two things to organize.
Like what?
Well, like a new exam couch for starters.
Wait.  Yeah.
Uh, an examination light.
Yeah.
A functioning sphygmomanometer.
Yeah.  What's that?
It measures blood pressure.
Yeah.  Anything else?
No, that's all for now.
Right.
"Milk, biscuits"?
While you're getting that other stuff.  Oh, and HELLO! magazine.   Write it down.
I'm not your personal shopper.  I want you to find me a medical equipment supplier.
Is that how you treated people up in London?  No wonder you're down here with your tail between your legs.  
Mover
Martin
Mover
Martin
Mover
Martin
Mover
 On behalf of the lads and meself we'd like to wish you every happiness in your new home.
Thanks very much.
So…
So.  You'd like a tip.
Well, if you're offering.
Tell me something.  When the surgeon stitched up your hernia, did you give him a tip?
All right mate.  
Greek Chorus
Martin
Greek Chorus
Martin
Greek Chorus
 You Doc Martin?
Uh, actually, I prefer Dr Ellingham.
Is there a Mrs Doc?
No, there isn't.
Oh, are you lonely?  
Gilbert
Martin
Gilbert
Martin
Gilbert
Martin
Gilbert
 Gilbert Spencer.  Lieutenant Colonel.  Retired.
Martin Ellingham.  Doctor.  Practicing.
May I come in?
No.  I'm not open till next week.  So if you don't mind, unless it's urgent…
The last chap saw you when you needed him, not when it suited him.
Interesting.  Would you like to make an appointment for next Tuesday?
Look... It is...urgent.  
Martin
Gilbert
Martin
Gilbert
Martin
Gilbert
Martin
Gilbert

Martin
Elaine
 Wow.  Right.  Uh, the medical term is gynecomastia.  There can be a number of causes.  Genetic, environmental.
Could it be something with the water?  Well, there've been rumors.
Well, I sincerely hope not or we'll all be needing a bra.  If you'd like to lie down.
Now, look here.  I'm a respected member of this community.  I did not come here to be ridiculed by you.
Oh, come on.
The local man would have known better.
Well, with all due respect, the local man's dead.  And you turned up without an appointment.
For your information, I did have an appointment, which I made myself with the young lady on the telephone.  But I shall
be traveling to Wadebridge surgery in the future, where no appointment is necessary.
Uh, Colonel.  Colonel!  Colonel, please come back.  Colonel, I really think we ought to finish your consultation.
Wow.  You're good.  
Martin
Fisherman 1
Martin
Fisherman 2
Martin
Fisherman 1
 I'm looking for Haven Farm.
You Doc Martin?
No, I'm not Doc anybody, I…
Yes you are.  You're Doc Martin.
I'm just trying to… Oh, never mind.
Yep, definitely Bodmin.
Aunt Joan
Martin
Aunt Joan
Martin
 Little Marty.
Auntie Joan.
Some arse just tried to run me off the road.  Came right at me in a narrow lane.
Are you a man or a mouse?  Those lanes have bags of room.  You'll stay for chicken.
Aunt Joan
Martin
Aunt Joan
Martin
Aunt Joan
 You know I still can't get used to the idea of you as a surgeon.
Well, now you only have to get used to the idea of me as a GP.
Last time you were here you got a splinter in your finger on the beach and you cried.
Well, I was 7.
You were 11!  And you wet the bed.  Not exactly the stuff of which... of which...surgeons are made, hmm?  
Aunt Joan

Martin
Aunt Joan
 You know, I always hoped that you'd grow up not looking like your father, but there you go.  You stubborn as he is too?  
Yes, of course you are.  Have you heard from him?
No.
God forgive me for cursing my own brother, but he's a bloody idiot.  
Aunt Joan
Martin
Aunt Joan
Martin
Aunt Joan
Martin
Aunt Joan
Martin
Aunt Joan
 So, what went wrong?
With what?
Well, swanky surgeon in London one minute, GP in Portwenn the next.
You're here.
Oh, don't be ridiculous.  I've been here for 30 years and I haven't seen hide nor hair of you.  Was it a woman?
No, it wasn't a woman.
Lack of a woman.
I saw two practices, I couldn't decide between them, and then I saw Portwenn.  What?
When you talk to the locals you might try and sound a bit more pleased to be here.
Aunt Joan
 I'll send the Large boys around.  They'll fix up your plumbing for you.  But I'll tell you this for nothing.  No woman will
ever fix your plumbing up, if you go round looking that pale.  
Bert
Martin
 Here Doc, I'm not one to criticize, but, uh, you want to relax.  Down here we just go with the flow.
Right.
Martin (to dog)
 Well, go away!  Go away!  I've nothing for you.  Get!  Go away!   
Greek Chorus
 Definitely Bodmin.
Martin
Bert
Martin
Al
Bert

Martin
Al
Bert
Al
 Bodmin.  That's an endearing local term for "barmy", right?
Well, someone who's Bodmin is…  Well, it's kind of like…  Well, the thing is…  Okay, now, what happens is…
Treat yourself to a noun.
It's someone who goes wandering on the moor.
Auntie Annie, now she went Bodmin, but she never went near the moor.  Do you remember that son?  No, going Bodmin
is...
Yes, I think I get the picture.
Unless it came from the old asylum in Bodmin town.  Or it could be a literary reference.
What are you going on about, boy?  Old Doc Martin don't want a reference.  No, he just want to know what it means.
Daphne du Maurier paints Bodmin Moor as a...a Gothic symbol of murder and madness. All granite skies and howling
winds.
Martin
Elaine
Martin
Al
Martin
Elaine
Martin
Elaine
Bert
Martin
 Elaine, are you going to lend a hand here?
I can't work in this.
Well, why don't you go home then?
Uh, it's Greg for Elaine.
Who left the door open?  Get out!  Whose is this sodding dog?
Tell him you saw me and Barry kissing.
Elaine!
Mouth open, with tongues.
Water damage, now that's a beast all on its own.
Right.  Hold that and shut up!  You, get off the telephone and find the stopcock.   And you, either get back to Delabole,
wherever that may be, and don't come back, or go and find a mop and work out how to use it.  And as for you...
Martin
Mark
Martin
 Stray dog.
Doc Martin.  Nice to meet you finally.
Look, listen, I'm not interested in your opinion as to whether I seem a bit lonely or a bit Bodmin or how far it is to
Delabole.  It's just a dog.  
Susan
Martin
 Shall I tell you something?  You're exactly what this community needs.
Well, there's one, possibly two people might disagree with you.
Aunt Joan
Martin
Aunt Joan
Martin
Aunt Joan
Martin
 Her name is Louisa Glasson, by the way.  The teacher.
Yeah, we already met.
But not successfully.
Why?  Did she say something?
No, no, no.  But you were skulking, and nobody skulks after a successful meeting.  Right, come on.
Well, just for the record, I wasn't skulking.  I didn't know she worked there.  I just spotted her.  
Elaine
Martin
 Did you hurt that dog?  I love dogs.
Yeah, I love them too.  I love the way they smell, love the way they bite you.  Dogs are the best.  
Martin
Bert
Martin
Elaine
Al
Elaine
Al
Elaine
Bert

Martin
 Does Susan Brading know Gilbert Spencer?
Know him?  Only in the biblical sense.
What do you mean, she gave birth to him in a stable?
They got married a few years back.
Lovely wedding.  Whole village was invited.
Yeah.  And Greg offed with a slapper from Dorset.
Will you get over it?
No.
The biblical sense.  Have you not heard of that Doc?  It's like, I love Al, but not in the biblical sense.  Cause he's my son
if you see what I mean.  I'm surprised you've not heard of that Doc.
Shut up.   
Martin
 Right Colonel.  We're going to talk.  Or rather, I'm going to talk and you're going to listen.  Then if you still want to go to
Wadebridge and inflict your dreary ex-military routine on some poor sod there, fine, I'll drive you myself.  But at least I'll
have delivered the diagnosis you asked me for.
Martin
Susan
Martin
Susan
 Listen, I've been updating your patient notes.  Your use of estrogen cream, it's excessive.
Perhaps I use a squidgen more than it says on the pack.  Makes me feel ever so chipper.
Yeah, but there can be side effects.
And, to be honest…How can I put this?  We find it smoothes the works.  
Martin
Elaine
Martin
Elaine
Martin
Elaine
 Afternoon Elaine.  You're looking efficient.  Enjoy your tea.
What's wrong with you?
Nothing.  The day got better.
Patient waiting.
No there isn't, because, as you know, I'm not open for business yet.
There's still a patient waiting.  
Martin
Ross
Martin
 You'd better be dying.
I think I'm growing breasts.
Oh, no.
Martin
Bob
Martin

Vendor
 Oh, that's interesting.
Glad you like it.
It's better than that tosh over there.  A lot of old firewood loosely glued to some litter in the name of arts and crafts.  I
like that.  Somber.
Thanks for looking after my stall, Bob.  
Louisa
Martin
Louisa
Martin
Louisa
Martin
Louisa
Martin
Louisa
Martin
 Your diagnosis was right.  They've got me on drops.
What?
They've got me on drops.
They're beta-blockers.  It should clear up within a couple of weeks.  If not, um, go and see your doctor.
I would, but I got off to a bad start with him.
Oh no, your doctor's a profess... Oh.  Am I your doctor?
Yeah.  I should have told you I lived in Portwenn.  So how are you finding us?
Irritating.  Apart from the, the primary school teacher.  Who's um, a pirate, it seems.
You know, you're not at all like I thought you were.  You're actually...
I've got to go.  
Martin
Gilbert
Martin
Gilbert
Martin
 There's been an unrelated case.
Ah, bloody water.  I thought so.  Who was he?
I can't tell you that.
Local fellow?
A young lad.  Surfer type.  Probably wished too hard for the perfect, ah, swell.
Ross
Martin
 You told him about me.
Well, that's not…Well, at least we know where your tits came from.
Caroline

Martin
Caroline
Martin
Ross
 Here's our new doctor, Dr Martin Ellingham, to award the prizes for the fancy-dress competition.  Give him a hand.  
Doctor.  Your list.  Okay?
Um.  The, um, fancy-dress competition…
Doc.  We are live on Radio Portwenn.
Oh shit.
Ellingham!  You tosser!
Fisherman 1
Fisherman 2
 Was that him again?
Yep.
Mark
Martin
Mark
Martin
Mark
 Doc.  Wakey, wakey.  Everything all right?
Yeah, fine.  I was um, looking for what's-his-name, that surfer boy.
Ross?  Out here?
Yeah.
Yeah, he lives in the village.
Caroline
 You are listening to Radio Portwenn.  And now more on the controversy surrounding Portwenn Lifeboat Day, which for
many villagers was marred when our new doctor, Dr Ellingham, disappointed the boys and girls who…
Mark
Martin
Mark
Martin
Mark
 You should have stopped by the pub last night, you missed a show.
Really?
Gilbert got drunk and tried to kill Ross.
What?  Did you have to intervene?
I took the view that a lobster is not a particularly lethal weapon.  
Martin
Mark
 I thought you were gonna…
I know.  He got out.  Had a good lawyer.  
Martin
Bert
Courier
Bert
Courier
Martin
Courier
Martin
 What the hell's going on?
Ah! Doc Martin, sir.  Now don't worry.  It's all under control.
Delivery for Ellingham.
Sometimes happens when we have to repressurize the system.  But no fear, sir.  It's completely normal!
Medical equipment.  You want it or not?
I don't know.
What?
Sod off.  Go on, sod off.  All of you.  Please.
Chris
Martin
Chris
Martin
Chris



Martin
 Obviously, if this kid decides to make it a formal complaint, there's going to be nothing I can do about that.
I did not breach his confidentiality.  I mentioned no names.
Martin, you led the husband to the scene of the crime.  It's not a pretty story.  Listen, I backed you coming here.
Well, you backed the wrong horse, didn't you?  Because I'm clearly not a GP.
No, I want you to know I'm still gonna back you.  Oh, Martin, let's face it.  You piss people off wherever you go.  Couldn't
stand the sight of you myself for the first few years of med school.  I'm just saying, what are you gonna gain by moving
on?  And how is it going to help the people here if they lose the best medic they're ever likely to see because of some
stupid...  Oh Dan, can you please just...  So why don't we just sit tight and hope all this just blows over, eh mate?
No.  Sorry.  I'll put things right as best I can, but then I'm calling it a day.   
Martin
Susan
Martin
Susan
 What about Ross?
Keeps calling.  I've told him it's all over.  Long letter.  But he won't accept it.
He'll get over it.
Yes.  He's a boy.  Today, he thinks his heart is broken.  Tomorrow there'll be good waves.  He'll surf, he'll forget.  And
then in a month or two, there'll be a sultry 19 year old who'll let him enjoy her breasts without giving him a set of his own.
Martin
Gilbert
Martin
Gilbert
Martin
 Can I say something?
What?
Colonel, you still love your wife, don't you?
Yes.
Well, there you go then.  You love her, she just told me she loves you.  Problem solved.  Mine's a pint.  
Aunt Joan
Martin
Aunt Joan
Martin
Aunt Joan

Martin
Aunt Joan
Martin
Aunt Joan
 One stray punch and you're running away.  Oh, for heavens sake, Marty.
Looks like the lanes weren't wide enough, after all.
What do you expect coming here?
Well, I must say I was hoping for a slightly more hospitable environment.
Rubbish.  If you wanted a chocolate-box village, go to the Isle of Wight.  This is a real place.  You know, I always
wondered, when you stopped coming for the summer, if you, well, if you felt perhaps that you weren't welcome.
Well, no.  I just uh, thought it wasn't so convenient, that's all.
You...you know that he wouldn't send you, don't you?
Dad?  Why?
Oh, doesn't matter now.  Far too long ago.  I just, uh...  I just wanted you to know that, uh... Well, you were always
welcome.  
Greek Chorus
 Doctor, Doctor, I think I'm growing breasts.  Call them breasts?  Pervert.
Elaine
Martin
 So are you gonna pay me for this week or what?
What.
Bert

Martin
Bert


Martin
Bert
Martin

Bert
Martin
Bert
 I was only thinking, um, if you are leaving, I was wondering whether you'd kindly see one or two people just before you
go.
Umm.  Give me their names.  I'll think about it.
Oh.  Thank you.  Well, there's um, there's old Jane Carpenter.  Uh, she's got lumbago.  Um, there's uh, Mary Morris.  
She's got blood pressure.  And then there's Big Lucy Holmes, arthritis.  Little Lucy Holmes, sore throat.  Old Giddens,
arthritis.  Young Giddens, Benny's a lovely boy, diabetic.
Hang on.  How long is this list?
Well...
Wait a minute.  I know what this is all about.  None of you lot can be bothered to travel to Wadebridge to see a doctor,
can you?
Well, it's a long way to Wadebridge.
Yeah.  It's not really good enough, is it?
Well, the way I look at this, Doc, is that you need patients and we need a doc.  Now, we don't all have to love one
another, do we?   
Fisherman 2
Martin
 Evening Doc..
Evening.
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Original Broadcast:  Sep 02, 2004

EASTER EGGS - Elaine refers to a "slapper from Dorset".  Martin Clunes and his wife Philippa (producer of Doc Martin) live in Dorset.

EASTER EGGS - Aunt Joan tells Martin that if he wanted a chocolate-box village to go to the Isle of Wight.  Dominic Minghella who created the
characters and wrote most of the first two series is from the Isle of Wight.

ACTION MARTIN - Martin tries to break up the fight in the pub between Gilbert and Ross and is punched in the nose in the process.

ACTION MARTIN - When Martin decides not to leave, he takes out a handsaw, marches out to the "For Sale" sign on the porch, saws the
wooden pole in half, and throws the sign over the cliff.

CLOCKS - Martin is unpacking boxes in the living room when he removes a wooden mantle clock from a box.  He sets it down on a table and
opens the back, but is interrupted when the dog jumps through the window.

EYE PATCH - Louisa wears an eye patch in three different scenes after Martin diagnoses her acute glaucoma.

FOOD - Chris Parsons' son, Dan, buys an ice cream cone from a truck on the beach while his father talks to Martin about his future.

INTERRUPTIONS - As Martin and Louisa are having their first private discussion (he's diagnosing her acute glaucoma), they are interrupted
by Chris calling him back into the next room to celebrate his hiring.

INTERRUPTIONS - At the fair, Martin and Louisa are finally having a nice conversation, with a touch of flirtation, when Martin spots Gilbert and
he rudely brushes past Louisa to go talk to him.

LOOK BACK - After Louisa changes seats on the plane to get away from Martin, she sneaks a peek back at him.

LOOK BACK - When Martin is called back to the interview room by Chris just as he is telling Louisa to see a doctor that day, she starts to walk
away, but turns to look back at him.  Just as she does that, he also turns back to look at her and runs his head right into the half open door.

LOOK BACK - When Martin and Louisa are having their slightly flirty conversation at the fair, he rudely brushes past her to talk to Gilbert and
she turns around and watches him walk away with an annoyed look on her face.

LOOK BACK - When Martin stops to stare at Louisa through the school window after his car is towed back to the village, she sees notices him
as he is walking away and turns to watch as he strides down the hill.

LOOK BACK - As Martin is staring out his window across the harbour, he makes the decision not to leave.  He marches out to the porch, saws
off the stick holding the "For Sale" sign and throws it over the cliff.  He walks to the front door, looks back over his shoulder at the school
across the harbour, and with a slight smirk on his face firmly closes the door.

MARTIN INJURED - After diagnosing Louisa's eye problem, Chris calls Martin back to the interview room.  As he walks into the room, he turns
to watch Louisa walking away and runs his head right into the half open door.

MARTIN INJURED - Martin tries to stop a fight in the pub between Gilbert and Ross and Ross accidentally punches Martin in the nose.  He
wears a bandage over the bridge of his nose the rest of the episode.

NICE MARTIN - As Martin is driving into Portwenn to move into the surgery, he stops at the beach and smiles when he sees a Volkswagen
floating in the harbour.

NICE MARTIN - Martin drives to Aunt Joan's farm and greets her with a smile and a hug.  When he leaves, he gives her a kiss on the cheek.

NICE MARTIN - Martin has his first nice conversation with Louisa at the fair and makes a joke that the primary school teacher is apparently a
pirate.

NICE MARTIN - Martin is upset that he might be responsible for the break up of Gilbert and Susan's marriage, so he invites Susan to the pub
to apologise and see if there is anything he can do to help.  But he has also invited Gilbert and Ross so that they can all talk it out.  His
intentions were good, but as Gilbert tells him, he knows nothing about relationships.

RADIOS - There is a classic portable radio in the living room at the Applegarth (home of Gilbert and Susan).

RUDE MARTIN - When the mover is finished and hands Martin the receipt, he stands there for a beat.  Martin sneers and asks if he's looking
for a tip and then asks if he tipped the surgeon who stitched up his hernia.        

RUDE MARTIN - Bert is trying to explain to Martin what he meant when he said that Susan knows Gilbert in the biblical sense when Martin tells
him to shut up.
.
.he looooooooooFor S
STORYLINES
Martin and Louisa have an unfortunate first meeting on a flight to Cornwall.
Martin appears before the hiring panel for a GP to replace the late Dr Sim in Portwenn, but Louisa, the lay member, is not impressed.
Martin finds the surgery lacking in modern equipment and the inherited practice receptionist, Elaine, less than capable.
Martin's first patient (days before official opening), Gilbert Spencer, is suffering from gynecomastia from an unknown source.
Martin visits his Aunt Joan who lives on a local farm - a farm he apparently visited as a lad, but hasn't returned since.
Local handymen, Bert Large and his son Al, are brought in to fix the plumbing in the surgery but end up flooding the building.
Martin gives patient Susan Brading a refill for her HRT cream but then discovers that she has been receiving refills for an excessive amount.
Another patient, a surfer named Ross, shows up at the surgery also suffering from gynecomastia.
At the village fair, Louisa seems to be warming up to Martin but she is annoyed when he leaves in the middle of their conversation to talk to
Gilbert.
Martin and Gilbert step into the Lifeboat Station to discuss his diagnosis and discover Susan and Ross in a compromising position.
Martin receives misleading directions from a group of surfers and is run off the road on the moor and forced to spend the night in his car.
After his rough start in Portwenn and then returning to a flooded surgery, Martin tells Chris Parsons that he will try to set things right but he is
moving on.
Martin tries to get Susan, Gilbert and Ross to meeet in the pub to sort out their problems, but when he tries to stop the men from fighting he
takes a punch to the nose.
Bert tries to guilt Martin into seeing some patients before leaving town and gives him some food for thought.
As Martin is packing his belongings, a combination of Bert's words and the view of the school across the harbour (where Louisa is a teacher)
seem to change his mind.
Click photos to enlarge - click again to close
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RECEPTIONIST
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PATIENTS
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Gilbert Spencer
Gynecomastia
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DOC & DOG
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Louisa Glasson
Acute Glaucoma
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Ross
Gynecomastia
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Lady Susan Brading
HRT Cream Refill
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Camelot Castle Hotel
Martin's drive into Portwenn
The Surgery (see Main Locations)
Driving toward Aunt Joan's farm
Aunt Joan's Farm (see Main Locations)
Walking dog to the Police Station
Police Station (see Series 1 Locations)
 School (see Main Locations)
The Applegarth
The Platt - Portwenn Lifeboat Day
Port Gaverne - talking to surfers
Bodmin Moor - car crash and drive back
The Beach - talking to Chris Parsons
Crab & Lobster (See Series 1 Locations)
Car towed onto Fore Street
Links to location websites in green
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Flying along the coast
Camelot Castle Hotel
Martin driving into Portwenn
Port Gaverne - talking to surfers
Bodmin Moor - car crash and drive back
Car towed onto Fore Street
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In the opening shot we see Martin and Louisa on a small plane flying along the coast.  In the screenshots above you
can see places circled in red that match the places circled in red on the satellite images below.  

The first shot was near Treligga (just west of Delabole) and the second one was just east of Port Isaac.
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In the map below you can see the locations of the two shots.

The first one above and the second one below close
to Port Isaac.
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This is the first of several times this hotel in
Tintagel was used as a filming location.

The location of the hotel provides sweeping
views of the sea and the ruins of Tintagel Castle.
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Thanks to Eileen Hurley for
two of the interior photos
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Martin's drive into Portwenn takes place slightly out of order.  See the maps below (the larger one for Martin's drive into
the maps, you can see the screenshots from the episode with the corresponding shots from Google Maps Street View.

Martin's driving in from the north and we see his car first in Port Gaverne, starting up the hill toward Port Isaac (#1 & #2).  
The next shot is actually from a spot a little north, on the road heading toward Port Gaverne.  You see the "Welcome to
Portwenn" sign and can see Port Isaac in the distance (#3).  The real life "Welcome to Port Isaac" sign sits on the road as
you are entering the village (A).   Then we see the car coming down Fore Street just coming up to The Golden Lion
pub (#4).  The car then turns the corner next to the Fearless shop and finally turns onto The Platt.
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A
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road identifies the exact spot where this
shot was taken
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On his way to visit Aunt Joan, Martin stops to ask
directions from two fisherman standing by their truck
along the side of the road.

Thanks to the tip from Helen Wrapson on the other
location, I searched the area south of Crackington Haven
and found the spot where the fishermen's truck was sitting.
Helen Wrapson pointed me to the exact spot where Martin
was stopped by the closed gate across the road.

She took a picture of the spot and I was able to find it on
Google Street View.  Notice in all three shots the red circle
showing the post on the right side of the road.
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See the red circle on the map below for the
location of Martin stopping to talk to the
fishermen.
The red circle on this map is where Martin
was stopped by the closed gate.
The yellow circle is the house that they used
for Shirley Dunwich's house in Series 5
The Platt - Portwenn Lifeboat Day
Driving toward Aunt Joan's farm
The Applegarth
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circle at the bottom is where Martin
talked to the fishermen and the circle
at the top is where he encountered
the closed gate.

Interestingly, Aunt Joan's farm is
significantly south of here!
Walking dog to the Police Station
The Beach - talking to Chris Parsons
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This scene covered several areas of Fore Street.  We first saw Martin leading the dog as he came around the corner by
the Fearless Shop.  He continued up the hill and we next saw him walking along the row of homes called "Canadian
Terrace" before turning into the unit on the end, which was the home of the Police Station for Series 1.  As he walked
through the door, it was obvious from the views through the door that they were using the interior of that building.

On the way back down the hill, he was stopped by Lady Brading right next to the Post Office and Boat Stores (and also
the entrance to the school yard).  After writing out her prescription, he walks past the school (this is actually uphill from
where he met Lady Brading).  After spotting Louisa through the school window, Aunt Joan call him just across the road
where she is delivering produce to the village grocer.
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When this episode was filmed in 2004, the
Post Office and Boat Stores facade had just
a small window above the entrance.  The
building has since been remodeled to add
a wall of windows to take advantage of
sweeping views of the harbourfront.
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Most of the school interior scenes throughout
the entire run of the show have been filmed at
the primary school in Delabole.  But in this initial
epsiode, the dining room of the hotel has been
turned into a classroom.  You can see the
wooden chair rail behind the student.  Later in
the episode (at the bottom of this page) you can
see the shadow of the staircase that is visible
in the lower left of the picture on the right.
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We first see Martin with the dog
coming around the corner of Fore
Street (1) and then walking into the
Police Station (2).

After he leaves the dog with Mark
Mylow, he stops to talk to Lady
Brading near the entrance to the
school yard (3).  We then see him
walking down the hill next to the
school and stopping when he
sees Louisa through the
window (4).

Aunt Joan sees him looking in the
window and calls him across the
road to help her carry her produce
into the shop.  
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The Applegarth was filmed in a
large home overlooking the
sea, sitting next to the public
parking area adjacent to the
coastal path.

It's obvious that the interiors
were also shot in this home.  
Note the circled ground floor
bay window in the above
screenshot.  They match the
windows behind Martin as he is
talking to the couple.  That
window is also visible in the
picture to the left.
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This home appears to
have had major
renovations recently.  
This can be seen in the
picture to the left and
also in the satellite
image below.  The
larger satellite image
is recent and you can
see (in the inset) how
it looked on the
satellite view several
years ago.
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The Platt is the main gathering place for
Portwenn festivals.  You can see in the picture
to the right, that it is also the place for the
real Port Isaac festivals.
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The Platt is level with Fore St right in front of The
Mote, but as Fore Street continues downhill a
short wall is formed to elevate it from the street.
You can see in the pictures to the right that the
wall curves and continues down the slipway
toward the sea.  The festivals usually take place
on this elevated level and spread down to the
beach if the tides allow.
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Below is a photo of the interior of the Lifeboat House.  You can
see the square widow at the back through which Martin and Gilbert
saw Lady Brading canoodling with Ross the surfer.
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This is the spot where Ross was standing on
Roscarrock Hill as he shouted "You Tosser"
at Martin, who was standing on the stage
about to announce the winners of the fancy
dress competition.
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The festival is
taking place on
The Platt (circle on
the right)

Ross is shouting
to Martin from
Roscarrock Hill
(circle on the left)
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Martin is driving past the beach at Port
Gaverne looking for Ross when he sees
the surfers walking up from the beach.

You can see that surfers are walking
toward the Port Gaverne Hotel.
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Martin crashes his car somewhere on Bodmin Moor.  
You can see Brown Willy and Rough Tor (the two
highest hills in Cornwall) in the distance.

When Mark is driving Martin back to Portwenn, they
are driving through the abandoned Davidstow
Airfield.  The production uses this location quite
often to film driving scenes because it is so remote
and it's not a well used road.

If you enlarge the two pictures below you can see the
identical views (circled in red on Street View)
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Looking out Mark's window you can see
the old WW2 control tower for the airfield
and a smaller storage building beyond.
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Through Martin's window you can see the
tree line that runs southwest of the road.

In the Google Street View you can glimpse
Brown Willy and Rough Tor in the distance.
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In the satellite view to the left,
the yellow circle is the spot
where we see the police
vehicle driving along the road.

The black circle is the spot
where we see the old control
tower through Mark's window.

In the red circle you can see
the old control tower and the
smaller storage building.

The blue oval is the where the
line of trees begins.  You can
see those trees through
Martin's window.
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In this wider satellite view
you can see the old airfield in
relation to the two hills.

Rough Tor is circled in red
and Brown Willy is circled in
yellow.

The accident with Martin's car
probably took place
somewhere between the
airfield and the hills.
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Martin tells Chris Parsons that he's not
going to stay in Portwenn as they walk
on the beach.
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Martin's car is being towed back into the
village and they come down Back Hill, turning
left onto Fore Street.  You can see in the
street view below right that the school is
right across from the intersection.

As he passes the school he is distracted by
seeing Louisa through the window.
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Although most of the school interior scenes
are later filmed at the primary school in
Delabole, in this initial episode they did use
the interior of the Old School Hotel &
Restaurant.  You can see the shadow of the
staircase railing in the screenshot below and
the staircase can been seen in the lower left
corner of the restaurant photo.
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..
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..hight green
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WARDROBE
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....
Cufflinks
Tie
Shirt
Suit
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#01
#01
#01
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Cufflinks
Tie
Shirt
Suit
No
#02
#02
#02
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....
Cufflinks
Tie
Shirt
Suit
No
#03
#03
#03
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Cufflinks
Tie
Shirt
Suit
Yes
#01
#01
#04
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....
Cufflinks
Tie
Shirt
Suit
#04
#04
#05
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....
Cufflinks
Tie
Shirt
Suit
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No
#04
#05
#05
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  • Salmon-white camisole
  • Black skirt w/beige circles
  • Light pink textured cardigan
  • Tan trench coat
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  • Orange scoop neck top
  • Orange-green-white striped shrug
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  • Red-white striped top (skull & crossbones)
  • Orange lacy wrap cardigan
  • Blue jeans
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  • Dark rose wrap sweater
  • Brown-white patterned skirt
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MARTIN & LOUISA
In the opening scene of the series, Martin is on a commuter plane flying along the Cornish coast just north of Portwenn.  A beautiful woman,
who we come to know as Louisa, is sitting directly across from him.  Martin's seat appears to be at the front of the plane and faces to the
rear, while all of the remaining seats face toward the front and it's just the two of them sitting in this face-to-face seating arrangement.  Martin
drops his newspaper and begins staring at her, rather pointedly.  She is becoming annoyed and glancing around and finally starts to return
his stare.  He then leans way in to get a closer look at her.  She leans in toward him, clearly annoyed, says, "You've got a problem", stands
up, grabs her bag and moves to another seat a few rows back and across the aisle. His eyes follow her to her new seat and after she is
seated she steals another glance over at him.  He continues to look in her direction for a few seconds, but eventually looks down and returns
to reading his newspaper.
Martin has arrived at a large hotel on the coast for his interview.  He is standing in the lobby being introduced to the members of the panel
when Louisa enters and walks up to the group.  Chris Parsons introduces her as, "Louisa Glasson, the lay member".  Martin turns to shake
her hand and they are simultaneously startled when they recognize each other from the plane.  They are both clearly flummoxed over the
situation.
The panel is sitting in front of a large window in the otherwise empty restaurant.  There is much laughter and it appears that the interview has
gone well and is wrapping up.  Martin asks if there are any further questions, Chris gushes over their good fortune at finding such a qualified
candidate, and Martin stands to leave.  But he is stopped when Louisa pipes up and asks a question about his interpersonal skills.  Martin
responds with a couple of lines of resume, but Louisa isn't having it.  She questions whether a surgeon who deals mostly with cases and
bodies is equipped to deal with individuals.  Martin stumbles a bit by saying "My work is with the patients.  That's nothing but dealing with
bodies...people."  Louisa is not impressed and again states that working in the village will require a good bedside manner.  Chris responds
that he believes Dr Ellingham is more than qualified, but Louisa is still not convinced.  We then see Martin standing in the next room, reading
a newspaper while the panel is finishing up their discussion.  Chris opens the door and calls for Martin to join them.  As he turns to walk into
the room, Louisa is leaving.  She stops, clearly annoyed, and starts to warn him about crossing the line.  He interrupts her by leaning in to
stare at her face again, just as he did on the plane.  Louisa becomes even more annoyed but it changes to confusion when he starts asking
about the vision in her eye.  He puts his hand on her cheek and pulls at her lower eyelid while continuing to question her about symptoms
and then declares that she has acute glaucoma and needs to see a specialist immediately.  Chris again calls him into the room and Martin
excuses himself.  Louisa stands there, slightly bewildered and puts her hand up to the cheek that Martin just touched.  She starts to walk
away but glances back at him.  At that same moment, he glances back at her and runs his head right into the closed half door.
Martin is walking through the village after leaving the dog at the Police Station.  As he walks past the school, he is startled to recognize
Louisa (now sporting an eye patch) through the window.  He stops, backtracks a few steps, and stands there staring at her through the
window.  She turns and notices him and they just stare at each other for a few seconds.  Louisa looks slightly annoyed and she finally turns
her attention back to the students but Martin doesn't move until he hears Aunt Joan calling him from across the street.  Aunt Joan remarks
that he was skulking at Louisa through the window, but he insists he didn't realize that she worked there and had just spotted her as he
walked past.
Martin is walking around the village fair and, as usual, is putting his foot in his mouth.  He spots Louisa, who is with her students (all dressed
as pirates, taking advantage of the eye patch Louisa is still wearing) across The Platt, and they wave to each other.  Louisa walks over to
him and it appears that the antagonism has cooled because she is smiling and tells him about the treatment she is receiving on her eye.  He
remarks that she will need to see her doctor if she has any additional problems and she says that she would, but that she got off to a bad
start with him.  Martin starts to assure her that her doctor would handle it professionally, but the penny drops and he realizes that he must be
her doctor.  Louisa says that she should have told him she lives in Portwenn and asks how he is finding the village.  Martin responds,
"Irritating.  Apart from the primary school teacher, who's a pirate, it seems."  Louisa laughs and appears to be flirting with him.  She starts to
say that he's not at all like she thought he was and that he's actually..., but he interrupts her when he spots Gilbert across the way, says he's
got to go, and rudely barges past her.  Louisa turns to watch him leave and it's clear that the softening of her attitude toward him may have
just swung back in the other direction.
Martin has made his decision not to remain in Portwenn and, while his car is being towed for repairs, he is walking through the village to start
packing up his belongings.  As he walks past the school, he slows and stops to again peer through the window at Louisa.  He stands there
watching her interact with her students and the look on his face grows more and more regretful.  He finally tuns and walks away just as
Louisa spots him.  She turns and watches him walk down the hill.  She has a look of slight annoyance on her face, but her mood is not as
clear.
Martin is in the surgery packing his belongings.  Bert has just left after trying to convince Martin that the village needs him and he pauses
and gazes out the window.  Is he looking across the harbour at the school?  He suddenly seems to make a decision, grabs a handsaw out of
one of the boxes and marches out to the porch.  He quickly saws in half the wooden stake holding the For Sale sign, walks it over to the cliff
and heaves it over the edge.  He walks back to the front door, looks back over his shoulder at the school across the harbour, and with a
slight smirk on his face, firmly closes the door.
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Click to Jump
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