After developing a sudden fear of blood, successful surgeon Dr. Martin Ellingham abandons London for a general practice in a quiet Cornish hamlet.

Quirky Doc Martin opens his village practice, only to discover that most of his 'patients' enjoy using his waiting room as a makeshift social club.

When a nasty stomach virus hits Portwenn, half the village takes ill, and Doc thinks he has traced the virus's source to the local swimming pool.

After turning down lovely teacher Louisa's invitation to a village dance, the socially awkward Doc treats a park ranger with an unusual problem.

Upon discovering Doc's fear of blood, the village starts buzzing with the news. Bert insists on playing a practical joke, but Doc isn't laughing.