Pauline grows increasingly frustrated with her role at the surgery and starts to interfere with Martin's work, much to the GP's annoyance. The former surgeon talks to Bert, who is feeling down after his son Al's decision to go travelling, before coming face to face with the village's new police officer.

New neighbours look set to disturb the tranquillity of Portwenn, upsetting the locals with their unconventional lifestyle and even managing to gatecrash an intimate dinner between Martin and Louisa. Meanwhile, a car vandal strikes the village - but agoraphobic village copper PC Penhale is too scared to leave the station and investigate.