As Doc Martin finishes up with Chippy Miller, Ruth shows up at Martin's office and tells him to wrap up his patients and ensure he makes it to the Christmas program on time. "Martin, you need to wrap it up here with your patients. Ensure you leave the office in enough time to make it to the Christmas program on time. You don't want to miss James Henry's performance."

Doc Martin bluntly responds, "What is the deal with all this 'Christmas nonsense'? Who has time for Christmas trees and annoying Christmas singers and a performance of my son just lying in a manger through the entire program?"

Ruth begins to lecture Doc Martin, "Let me give you a little Christmas advice, Martin. You need to slow down and cherish this time with Louisa and James Henry. If you don't take the initiative to spend more time with your family on Christmas, there will come a time when you want to spend time with your family but you'll be 'visited' by patients that will 'deter' you from enjoying Christmas."

Morwenna gets up from her desk about this time and exclaims, "I'm leaving with you now Ruth to go with you to the Christmas program. Later Doc!"

Doc Martin interjects, "You're going? Who's going to assist me with my patients in my surgery?"

Morwenna defends her decision, "It's Christmas Eve, and I miss a good Christmas program for no one."

Doc Martin counterattacks, "Bob Cratchet had to work Christmas Eve."

Morwenna, sarcastically responds, "Bob Cratchet didn't live in the 21st century. Merry Christmas and Bah HumDoc, Scrooge!"

Ruth responds to Doc Martin in a whispering tone, "Remember what I said, Martin. Really think about it."

Doc Martin mockingly replies, "OK, Marley."

Ruth chuckles, "Merry Christmas, Martin, I hope to see you at the Christmas program."

Doc Martin seems indifferent to Ruth's advice at first, but then he has a slight change of heart and decides he might want to attend the Christmas program after all, since it seems there are no more patients waiting for him.

However, Doc Martin is then deterred by a surprising patient who enters his surgery...Pauline.