Doc Martin (TV Series) The Practice Around the Corner (2013) User Reviews

A bit wackier than usual giving others a chance to shine

[TheDudeReviewsStuff · 9/10 · 26 June 2023]

A bit out of the ordinary Doc Martin with a primary story line of Mrs. Tishell coming back to the village after her treatments and the concerns of the Doc and Louisa about James Henry's safety, and secondary story lines of Al and his internet dating travails, Bert and Jennifer's budding romance, and PC Penhale attempting to "rough it".

Penhale's utter incompetence as a PC brings back memories of Barney Fife and other famous police.officers who really should have taken up other positions. Most likely fast food or domestic service. They can't be trusted with guns and struggle with their relationships with others. Still, I think he does a commendable job and at times can be quite funny. A bit annoying at times, yes, but no more than many characters attempting similar roles.

I feel for poor Al and his problems finding a girlfriend. He is a nice bloke with a warm heart who genuinely cares for others. Sadly growing up with Bert as a dad he was not necessarily taught how to be a friend without wanting something in return. Here's hoping he finds someone.

Bert and Jennifer try to get a relationship going, but as all things in Bert's life it goes sideways.

Mrs. Tishell comes back to the village and as expected is looked on with some concern. She seemingly has tried to correct her past issues, but it will take time for the villagers to forgive and forget. She realizes her desires of the past are not reciprocated and has to deal with it.

Overall an enjoyable episode with some solid laughs.

Sometimes It Doesn't Work

[Hitchcoc · 6/10 · 24 March 2018]

Doc Martin and his fear of blood is getting worse. He has a deep form of insomnia. It appears that this is the underlying fear that is causing his affliction. Penhale stupidly tries to do something that he is utterly incapable of, ends up shooting himself in the foot, and needs rescuing again. Meanwhile, the erstwhile neckbraced pharmacist comes back from her psychological treatment. This conflicts with Bert Large's new love, who is responsible for watching the former proprietor. One of the highlights of this episode is the final scene, a closeup of Martin.

Will someone just euthanize Penhale and end our misery?!

[planktonrules · 5/10 · 8 May 2015]

This is a very, very weak episode. Much of it is because so much of it depends on Police Constable Penhale--the world's most pathetic and incompetent policeman. This is because his character is by far the least realistic in the show and his stupidity can get a bit annoying--and he's best in small doses. Here, he's given a much larger plot than usual--and proves to be MUCH stupider than usual. It seems that the policeman has inexplicably decided to go on some personal survival training (??). During the course of his living off the land, the idiot ends up shooting himself. And, like a total idiot, he tries to treat himself! A little of this goes a long way- -too bad so much of the show is based around this.

The other plots involve Mrs. Tishell returning from the psychiatric treatment center to resume her life. There's also an odd redhead who has come to Martin because of a cut in her foot. Additionally, Al is lonely and decides to try his hand at computer dating. These three plots are much more interesting--mostly because they seem much more real and don't rely heavily on stupidity. Overall, a rather bad episode--something I never thought I'd see from "Doc Martin".