Ep 3. S.W.A.L.K.

Dr. Martin Ellingham, famously known as Doc Martin, is back in the beautiful seaside town of Portwenn for season 9, episode 3 titled "S.W.A.L.K." The episode opens with Martin and his wife, Louisa, in bed discussing the challenges of parenting their toddler, James Henry. Louisa mentions that she received a postcard with the letters "S.W.A.L.K." on them and wonders what it means. The postcard was sent by her mother, who is visiting her friend on Valentine's Day.

Meanwhile, Martin is called to the school to check on a student who has a strange rash. Martin suspects that the student has scabies and informs the staff to take necessary precautions to prevent an outbreak. Additionally, Martin finds out that the school's art teacher, Danny Steel, has a hearing impairment that may be causing him to make errors in judgment. Martin recommends that Danny gets tested for hearing aids.

Next, Martin's neighbor, Al Large, comes to him with back pain, and Martin prescribes him muscle relaxants. Martin also formally introduces himself to the new physiotherapist in town, Julie Mitchell, who replaces his previous therapist, who quit due to a fear of physical touch. Martin is skeptical of Julie's use of acupuncture as a treatment method but agrees to work with her.

In another storyline, Ruth Ellingham, Martin's aunt, is tasked with selling the estate of her deceased friend, Valerie. While going through Valerie's belongings, Ruth discovers a love letter dated back to 1961 with "S.W.A.L.K." on it. Ruth is a romantic and becomes fixated on discovering what the acronym means. She enlists Martin's help and gets upset when he suggests it might not stand for anything at all.

Moreover, Morwenna, Martin's receptionist, is struggling to keep her personal life separate from her job. Her ex-boyfriend Alastair is persistent in trying to win her back, but she is hesitant after their previous relationship mishap. Martin tries to help Morwenna navigate this situation whilst dealing with his own marriage issues.

As the episode progresses, Ruth continues her search for the meaning behind "S.W.A.L.K." This leads to a humorous scene in which Martin and Ruth attend a dance class. The rest of the town can hardly keep a straight face as they watch Martin, who is typically rigid and awkward, attempt to dance the cha-cha-cha. The episode concludes with the mystery behind "S.W.A.L.K." finally being revealed and a touching moment between Louisa and Martin on Valentine's Day.

Overall, season 9, episode 3 of Doc Martin titled "S.W.A.L.K." presents another entertaining and heartfelt storyline that viewers of the show have come to love. Between the medical cases, romantic entanglements, and humorous antics, Doc Martin continues to be a cherished series for its quirky small-town charm and beloved characters.