Ep 5. The Practice Around the Corner

In the season 6 episode 5 of Doc Martin titled "The Practice Around the Corner," the small coastal town of Portwenn is buzzing with excitement as a new medical practice is set to open up in the nearby town of Delabole. Doc Martin makes the decision to attend their opening party, curious about who will be running the practice now that the old doctor has retired.

As expected, the party is filled with members of the medical community from both Portwenn and Delabole. Doc Martin meets the new doctor, Dr. Rachel Timoney, who appears to be confident and competent. However, Doc Martin is somewhat put off by her informal and friendly approach to patient care, as it contradicts his own formal and professional style.

Dr. Timoney is very keen to learn about Doc Martin's practice and is eager to see some of his patients despite his refusal to allow her to see them. She manages to forge a relationship with Louisa and volunteers to help her get things organized for the local school fete. During the process, Louisa becomes intrigued by Dr. Timoney's alternative approach, particularly when it comes to calming the children's nerves before an exam.

On the other hand, Doc Martin is uncomfortable with the attention Dr. Timoney is receiving from the locals in Portwenn and is reminded of how much he doesn't fit in with them. It begins to unsettle him, and he starts to question his own abilities.

Meanwhile, Ruth and Bert decide to take part in a local photography competition, but quickly realize they have no idea how to take pictures with the correct exposure time or aperture. They persuade Al to lend them his camera, but struggle to get it to work with the settings.

As the episode progresses, Doc Martin's patients start to experience successes with Dr. Timoney's alternative approach, and it becomes clear that she genuinely has their best interest at heart. However, Doc Martin is still skeptical and not fully convinced of her practice.

The town of Portwenn is hit with a shocking event, which has profound effects on Doc Martin. It leads him to question his own role as a doctor and prompts him to reconsider his own approach to medicine. He realizes that, to be truly effective in his work, he must learn to be more flexible and open-minded, while remaining true to his own beliefs.

In conclusion, "The Practice Around the Corner" provides an interesting look at the contrast between traditional and alternative medical practices. Additionally, it highlights the importance of maintaining an open mind to effective patient care. The episode is filled with entertaining and thought-provoking moments, making it a must-watch for fans of Doc Martin.