Ep 5. Remember Me

Doc Martin season 5 episode 5, titled "Remember Me," follows Dr. Martin Ellingham as he faces a new challenge in his medical career. The episode starts with Martin receiving an unexpected phone call from a former patient. Louisa insists that Martin visits her father, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and is struggling to cope with his declining health. Despite his hesitation, Martin eventually agrees to visit Louisa's father and see if he can offer any assistance.

Upon his arrival, Martin notices that Louisa's father is in a serious state of confusion, forgetting even who Martin is. As he begins to investigate the possibility of intervening, Martin discovers that Louisa's father has been self-medicating in an attempt to control his Alzheimer's symptoms, which is leading him to become increasingly ill. Martin quickly determines that the medication he has been taking is responsible for his condition, and he sets out to devise a treatment plan to address the problem. As he works to help Louisa's father, Martin is drawn back into his own memories of his mother, who also suffered from Alzheimer's disease.

Meanwhile, Martin's wife, Louisa, is struggling with her own issues. She is dealing with the loss of her job and trying to find a new purpose in life. Louisa is also feeling increasingly disconnected from Martin, who seems to be more focused on his work than on their relationship. She tries to reach out to Martin, but he is too preoccupied with his own problems to connect with her fully.

As the episode progresses, Martin becomes increasingly involved in Louisa's father's care. He starts to understand the emotional toll that Alzheimer's disease can take on not only the patient but also their loved ones. With all the drama, the episode ends with a beautiful message of hope, lessons learned and love.

Overall, "Remember Me" is a poignant and powerful episode of Doc Martin that explores the devastating impact of Alzheimer's on the patients, their families, and the medical professionals tasked with caring for them. The episode highlights the importance of supportive relationships and underscores the need for empathy and understanding within health care.