A Comedy On This Day: Doctor At Large - With A Little Help From My Friends (27 June 1971)

 Dr Upton is temporarily put in charge of a surgery, and Dr Collier and Dr Stuart-Clark spoil things for him. Not every Doctor episode was written by a comedy luminary of their generation, and this one is by the uncelebrated Geoff Rowley & Andy Baker. Its a bit messy, with sources of intended comedy coming from several directions; a nosey cockney charlady, a bevy of teenage ravers (led by Shirley Cheriton); a pair of homosexuals in a pub responding with interest when the Doctors raise their voices; and a bewildering filmed insert with Christopher Timothy as a car salesman in a false moustache. Nothing really sticks, and it’s often annoying.

 Something more interesting happens in the second half when Upton sacks his two friends and appoints a new doctor by letter. And - guess what? Doctor Berrington turns out to be a woman! A young woman played by Tessa Wyatt. The permutations of this situation have a bit more potential that what went before, and its a shame that they don't get enough time to develop beyond Dr Upton getting flustered when he talks to her, mansplaining what the job entails, and complaining to his friends in the pub that she's too competent and trying to take over. It ends with a hint of romantic hopes expressed by Dr Upton. The best bit - because it doesn't have to try to be funny - happens under the credits, with the new Doctor tidying her surgery at the end of the working day and shutting the door. I'm pleased to see that Dr Berrington appears in a couple more episodes, so maybe her character will develop.