Ep 2. The Shock of the New

In season 7 episode 2 of Doc Martin titled "The Shock of the New," the storyline follows Dr. Martin Ellingham, a brilliant yet tactless physician, as he adjusts to fatherhood and his ongoing relationship with Louisa. The episode opens with Martin struggling to balance his new role as a father and a doctor, with a crying baby that he cannot seem to soothe.

As the storyline progresses, Martin is called to investigate a mysterious illness that has affected a group of people, all of whom have a history of visiting the same beach. With Louisa still on maternity leave, Martin is left to deal with this baffling medical conundrum on his own.

Alongside this main plot, we see Martin interacting with the residents of the village and attempting to come to grips with his own emotional issues. We see him struggling to confront his own vulnerabilities, whilst trying to balance his professional and personal life.

As the episode continues, we see Martin under pressure to provide answers regarding the beach-related illness, whilst at the same time his fatherhood skills are being tested with a challenging baby. We see Martin trying to figure out the root cause of the disease, even turning to his new replacement nanny for help.

Meanwhile, the rest of the village is experiencing its own problems, and Martin is called upon to help. He tackles everything from mediating a noisy dispute between two neighbours, to helping an eccentric inventor figure out the cause of his recent feelings of disorientation. Through it all, Martin continues to be his usual blunt self, leading to a few comical but awkward interactions with the villagers.

Throughout the episode, we see Martin struggling to find the balance between his career, being a new father, and his relationship with Louisa. As he becomes more and more invested in the illness that has swept the village, we see him neglecting both Louisa and his child. Martin ultimately has to come to terms with the fact that he can't solve every problem on his own and that he needs to learn to rely on others for help and support.

Overall, "The Shock of the New" provides a captivating glimpse into the life of Dr. Martin Ellingham as he struggles to navigate his new role as a father and confront his own emotional issues. The storyline is engaging, with some comical moments, but it also has a deeper emotional depth that keeps audiences invested in the characters. The episode serves as a strong start to the seventh season of Doc Martin, and it's sure to leave viewers eagerly anticipating what's next for this talented but prickly physician.