Honestly, by the time we got to Doc Martin season 8, everyone thought they knew the drill. Martin Clunes would scowl at a dog. A local would have a weird rash caused by something remarkably specific. Louisa would look frustrated. Rinse and repeat, right? But 2017 was different. It felt like the show finally stopped poking fun at Martin’s blood phobia for five minutes and actually looked at whether this marriage was going to survive the long haul.
People love Portwenn. They love the narrow streets of Port Isaac where it’s filmed. But for the Ellinghams, the "honeymoon" phase—if you can even call it that for a man who treats a wedding like a surgical procedure—was long over. Season 8 took the focus away from the "will they, won't they" and replaced it with "how on earth do they."
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The Therapy Hangover and a New Rhythm
Coming off the back of season 7’s heavy focus on marriage counseling with Dr. Rachel Timoney, the eighth series opens with a weirdly quiet house. Louisa is back from Spain. They’ve decided to stay together. That sounds like a happy ending, but in the world of Doc Martin, "deciding to stay together" is just the start of a whole new set of headaches.
Caroline Catz has mentioned in interviews that this season was about the "scary" reality of actually trying. No more running away. Martin is actually trying to be... nice? He books dinners. He tries to engage. It’s physically painful to watch him attempt small talk, like watching a cat try to bark. But it’s authentic. The writing in Doc Martin season 8 leans into that awkwardness. It doesn't fix Martin; it just shows him trying to operate within his limitations.
Why the Guest Stars Actually Mattered
We have to talk about Sigourney Weaver. It’s still one of the wildest "how did they get her?" moments in British TV history. Her return as Beth Traywick, the American tourist, wasn't just a gimmick. It happened because she’s been real-life best friends with Selina Cadell (who plays Mrs. Tishell) since the 70s.
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Then you’ve got Art Malik joining as John Rahmanzai. His arrival complicates things for Aunt Ruth (the legendary Dame Eileen Atkins). It’s one of the few times we see Ruth’s composed exterior start to crack. Seeing her deal with the ashes of a former lover while Martin watches with his typical clinical detachment—it’s peak Doc Martin.
The Portwenn Medical Mystery Tour
The medical cases this season felt a bit more grounded. Or as grounded as they can be when you have a guy living in the woods who thinks he has a six-foot squirrel for a roommate.
- Episode 4 ("Faith") is a standout. Morwenna’s missionary parents show up, and it’s a total train wreck. Her mother is convinced she has terminal cancer, but Martin, being Martin, suspects a misdiagnosis. It turns out to be Hydatid Disease. It's a classic example of the show's formula: religious faith vs. cold, hard medical facts.
- The Case of the "Alcoholic" Landlord: Martin thinks Ken Hollister is hitting the bottle again because of liver failure signs. Nope. It’s rats in the cellar. Typical Portwenn.
The Large Family Pivot
While the Doc is busy being miserable in a suit, the Larges are—as usual—trying to not go bankrupt. Bert Large (Ian McNeice) is basically homeless, living in a camper van on Ruth’s property. Al (Joe Absolom) is finally trying to step out of his dad’s shadow by running the pub.
Watching Al try to be a "serious businessman" while Bert tries to sell home-brewed whiskey is the comedic heartbeat of the season. It’s also where we see the most character growth for Morwenna. Her relationship with Al is one of the most stable, "normal" things in the whole show, which is probably why the writers felt the need to throw her parents into the mix to stir up some drama.
Does Season 8 Hold Up?
If you're looking for the high-octane drama of the earlier seasons where people were falling off cliffs every other week, season 8 might feel a bit slower. But that’s the point. It’s a "settling in" season.
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The cinematography of Cornwall is, as always, the secret weapon. They film the exteriors in Port Isaac, but the interior of the surgery is actually a set built in a barn at Roscarrock Manor Farm. The contrast between the beautiful, sweeping views of the Atlantic and the cramped, sterile environment of Martin’s office perfectly mirrors his internal struggle. He lives in paradise but can't help but see the germs.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re planning a rewatch or checking out Doc Martin season 8 for the first time, keep an eye on Buddy the dog. Most fans don't realize that the dog was a huge point of contention for Martin Clunes in real life—not because he hates dogs (he loves them), but because he had to train himself to be mean to the "furry little intruder."
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch for the subtle cues: Pay attention to Martin’s hands during the dinner scenes in Series 8. The physical acting Clunes does to show Martin’s discomfort is masterclass level.
- Check the credits: Look for the directors Ben Bolt and Nigel Cole. They’ve been with the show forever and are the reason the tone stays so consistent even when the plots get wacky.
- Visit the real Portwenn: If you ever go to Port Isaac, the "Surgery" is actually Fern Cottage. It’s a private holiday rental now, but you can walk right past it on the coast path.
The ending of season 8 doesn't leave us with a massive cliffhanger like season 6 did, but it leaves the Ellinghams in a place of cautious optimism. They are a family. A weird, dysfunctional, socially stunted family, but a family nonetheless.
For a show that started as a spin-off of a movie (Saving Grace), reaching an eighth season with 5.8 million viewers still tuning in for the finale is no small feat. It proved that audiences weren't just there for the medical mishaps; they were there for the people.