Chronicling the hilarious highs and devastating lows of his tumultuous life, this blackly humorous drama follows Patrick from his childhood trauma at the hands of an abusive father and neglectful mother, to the peak of his heroin addiction, and his attempts to stay sober and support his family.

England in the early 1900s. Christina is sent to live with her domineering, crippled Uncle Russell and her cousins Mark and William at Flambards, a rambling, decaying mansion. Life at Flambards is a conflict of cultures, with Mark and his father clinging to a traditionalist obsession for horses, whilst William dreams of a career in the new technology of aviation. When Christina arrives, her presence generates a changing pattern of events and relationships....

All is not well for brilliant but boorish Dr. Martin Ellingham as the hit British dramedy returns. To Martin's utter disgust, his medical practice remains under official scrutiny because of his pre-existing blood phobia, and he is forced to attend refresher courses starting with phlebotomy. His wife, Louisa, and aunt Ruth urge him to take this risk to his career seriously, but events conspire against him.

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.

As Martin and James wait patiently to see Santa in his Grotto, Martin spots a medical concern that has him shut it down and send Santa packing-- until he's sure he isn't infectious. Louisa is determined not to let Martin ruin Christmas.