After all their ups and downs as a couple, Dr. Martin Ellingham (Martin Clunes, Men Behaving Badly) and his wife, Louisa (Caroline Catz, Murder in Suburbia), are finally living together with their son, James Henry, but their problems are far from over. With Louisa's encouragement, James Henry has grown attached to Buddy the dog, but Martin is disgusted by the four-legged friend. In need of a new nanny, Louisa finds herself juggling too many responsibilities and considers switching careers, causing a rift with Martin. Meanwhile, Portwenn is abuzz as the residents prepare for a wedding. The Larges hope to profit from the festivities, but when Martin's aunt Ruth (Emmy® winner Eileen Atkins, Cranford) considers selling the family farm, her decision causes trouble for their business endeavors. As some relationships bloom and others falter, can Martin cope with all the changes-or will he risk the fragile accord he's forged with his family? Guest stars in Series 8 include Caroline Quentin (Dickensian) and Sigourney Weaver (Avatar).
After successfully rekindling their relationship, Louisa and Martin are living together again, but Louisa finds herself juggling too many responsibilities at once. As Portwenn prepares for a wedding, Bert hopes to profit from the festivities.
With Janice's departure, Martin and Louisa need to find a day care for James, and they settle on Portwenn Tots. Ruth considers selling her farm, and Mrs. Tishell's pharmacy receives a new blood-pressure monitor.
Louisa's stress is compounded when she must take a group of students on a sailing trip. Ruth's decision regarding the farm causes trouble for the Large family enterprises, and so Morwenna and Al throw an event to help save their business.
Morwenna's missionary parents pay her a surprise visit and are taken aback by her relationship with Al. As Louisa starts her new counseling course, Penhale investigates a break-in at the school, in which nothing was stolen.
With James teething, Martin and Louisa are desperate for more sleep. In an unusual display of mourning, Mrs. Tishell closes the pharmacy, inconveniencing everyone. Meanwhile, Al needs Bert's help to get the whisky business back on track.
Penhale decides to have a police open house to raise community awareness, but the turnout is not what he hoped for. James goes through a biting phase, and Morwenna leaves the surgery for a weekend away with Al.
Penhale and Morwenna participate in the annual gig race against another town. Louisa buys a new car, and Martin's blood phobia causes a disaster with a patient.
Martin stops practicing the week before his hearing, but patients continue to solicit his advice. An American tourist asks Mrs. Tishell for help, and Penhale commissions a bust of himself.