Love is in the air in Portwenn, but ultimately it leaves a bittersweet fragrance. There was a moment early in the first season of "Northern Exposure," the American series with a similar premise as "Doc Martin," when the show locked into place and the viewer became invested in the characters for the long haul, and although the show might continue to sport comedic, even absurdist, flourishes, it had become a relationship drama---with the viewer involved in the relationships with the characters.
"Of All the Harbours in All the Towns" was such a moment for "Doc Martin," with a trio of threads (also a "Northern Exposure" specialty) that solidified the characters' presences, all the more notable because the script was co-written by Kirstie Falkous and John Regier, the series' story consultants whose deep knowledge of "Doc Martin" manages to make this episode endearing. Martin's Aunt Joan gets a big surprise when seafaring ex-lover John Slater (John Alderton) sails into Portwenn after 30 years. Turns out he remembers Martin as a boy, and there is no love lost between them, but John is keen to rekindle his affair with Joan---literally, as Joan was married when they were lovers.
Meanwhile, after getting on the outs with her boyfriend, Martin's receptionist Elaine picks up Al Large as her rebound, much to Al's overeager delight. And when Martin relocates Melanie Gibson's (Stephanie Leonidas) shoulder, the doe-eyed 15-year-old develops an increasingly steamy crush on him. But Martin's diagnosis of John, which forces him to contemplate his mortality, is the somber note to this carefree ballad. Both Martin and Joan gain deep dimension in an absorbing episode by turns amusing and moving, solidifying both the aloof, haughty lead and the sometimes-eccentric locals. "Of All the Harbours in All the Towns" is when "Doc Martin" becomes a keeper.
REVIEWER'S NOTE: What makes a review "helpful"? Every reader of course decides that for themselves. For me, a review is helpful if it explains why the reviewer liked or disliked the work or why they thought it was good or not good. Whether I agree with the reviewer's conclusion is irrelevant. "Helpful" reviews tell me how and why the reviewer came to their conclusion, not what that conclusion may be. Differences of opinion are inevitable. I don't need "confirmation bias" for my own conclusions. Do you?