Ep 1. Preserve the Romance

As the newest season of Doc Martin begins, we find the titular character, played by Martin Clunes, in a very different place than where we left him. After losing his medical license due to a blood phobia, Martin has been forced to reevaluate his life and career path. He has started taking some courses to try and help him overcome his fear, but the progress has been slow. His wife, Louisa, played by Caroline Catz, has been trying to be supportive, but it's clear that their marriage is strained.

While Martin is focused on his own struggles, the village of Portwenn is abuzz with excitement over a new romance. The town's pharmacist, Mrs. Tishell, played by Selina Cadell, has started dating someone new, and everyone is eager to see who has captured her heart. Meanwhile, Bert Large, played by Ian McNeice, and his son Al, played by Joe Absolom, are trying to keep their business, a restaurant called Large's, afloat by offering cooking classes to tourists. However, their efforts are complicated by a group of eco-protesters who have set up camp near the restaurant to protest the use of fossil fuels.

As usual, Martin is not the most romantic of husbands, and Louisa is growing increasingly frustrated by his lack of enthusiasm for their relationship. When he fails to remember their wedding anniversary, she becomes fed up and decides to take matters into her own hands. She enlists the help of her mother, Eleanor, played by Louise Jameson, to plan a romantic surprise for Martin. However, things don't go quite as planned when Martin's blood phobia unexpectedly resurfaces.

In the midst of all this drama, Martin is still trying to maintain a professional relationship with his patients. In this episode, he sees a young woman named Emily, played by Katie Moore, who is experiencing chronic fatigue. Martin's initial diagnosis is that she is suffering from a lack of sleep, but when her condition worsens, he realizes that there may be something more serious going on.

Despite his struggles, Martin remains committed to his patients and continues to work tirelessly to diagnose and treat their ailments. It's clear that he still has a long way to go in terms of his personal growth, but his dedication to his work and the people of Portwenn is unwavering.

Overall, the season 5 premiere of Doc Martin, titled "Preserve the Romance," sets the stage for what promises to be another season of drama, humor, and medical intrigue in the quaint village of Portwenn. With new romantic developments, business ventures, and medical mysteries, this episode is sure to please fans of the series and newcomers alike.