A doctor in the family - Season 1

First aired: 12/6/1998 52 episodes

Lele Martini, a general practitioner with Rome's experimental local health authority, moves to a new home in Poggio Fiorito, a residential area just outside the Italian capital. He's accompanied by his father, Libero, who recently retired, and their children, Maria, Ciccio, and Annuccia. Maria is opposed to the move, but changes her mind when she meets Reby, a classmate who becomes her best friend.

← Back to A doctor in the family

Episodes

1. The new house \ The mystery of Cetinka

Aired: 12/6/1998

The Martini family moves to Poggio Fiorito, a residential area on the outskirts of Rome. Lele faces all the problems that the move entails. Luckily, his sister-in-law, Alice, is there to help him. The family's new housekeeper, Cetinka, causes chaos: as soon as she's hired, some money goes missing, and suspicion falls on her. But could this really be true? And are we sure she's from Poland?

2. A cousin on the run / Happy birthday, Maria!

Aired: 12/13/1998

Alberto, Lele's only grandchild, runs away from home and takes refuge at the Martini house because his parents are divorcing. Meanwhile, Grandpa Libero, to save money, starts selling musical pillows. Maria's birthday is coming up and she asks her father if she can celebrate alone with her friends. Lele agrees but is reluctant. Around the same time, Maria gets her period, and Rebby is the first to know.

3. Lele, meet Irene / A question of image

Aired: 12/20/1998

Alice and Giulio, Lele's best friend, are worried because the doctor hasn't dated women in years, so they decide to set him up with a 35-year-old doctor named Irene. Lele's salary isn't enough to cover his family expenses. So his ex-father-in-law finds him a job at a private clinic that performs plastic surgery. Will this be the right fit for him?

4. Heartbreaks / Wounds old and new

Aired: 12/25/1998

Barbara, a young intern who courts Lele, arrives at the local health authority. Meanwhile, Giulio is admitted to the hospital after suffering a heart attack; will Lele's timely intervention save his life? Ciccio is struggling with his first love and would like to ask his father for advice, but Lele has other things on his mind at the moment. The trial regarding the accident that killed his wife Elena has begun.

5. Forty-four cats / Missteps

Aired: 12/27/1998

Due to a sudden flood in his home, Giulio finds temporary shelter at the Martini house. Lele is obviously happy to lend a hand to his best friend... but only up to a point. Alice convinces Lele to sign up for a tango class with her. Sparks fly between them and they realize they're attracted to each other. But just then, Sergio, Alice's ex, arrives.

6. Let's go... slowly / Loves... and non-loves

Aired: 1/3/1999

Grandpa Libero, attracted to piano teacher Maritè, takes some piano lessons from her, and Alberto and his friends start smoking against Lele's wishes. Laura, a colleague at the local health authority, is having problems with her ex-husband, and so Lele decides to help her, pretending to be her boyfriend. But it seems only Lele is pretending: Laura seems to have genuine feelings for the doctor.

7. The great fear / Love means jealousy

Aired: 1/10/1999

Alice has an unusual mole appearing on her skin. She'll have to undergo surgery, and she wants only Lele by her side. This will trigger intense jealousy in her current boyfriend, Sergio. Sergio and Alice's relationship is becoming serious. Lele decides to openly confess his feelings to his sister-in-law, but the results aren't what he hoped for.

8. Alice is getting married / This wedding won't happen

Aired: 1/17/1999

Sergio and Alice set a wedding date. At the Martini household, no one is happy about Alice getting married, and they're right: one evening, in fact, after returning home drunk, Sergio savagely beats Alice. Alice's wedding is annulled: fortunately, she has truly seen who she's dealing with. So, distraught, she moves into the Martini household. Meanwhile, an old flame of Lele's arrives at the clinic.

9. Libero in name and deed / Scandal at the park

Aired: 1/24/1999

Grandpa Libero argues with his in-laws who want Maria to enroll in a very exclusive private school. Although things aren't going well, she's rather focused on her crush on a boy from her school. Irene's reappearance creates a lot of confusion in Lele's mind, so much so that he doesn't realize how unhappy Alice is. Meanwhile, Grandpa Libero's romantic relationship seems to be progressing.

10. Reunited / The allure of the circus

Aired: 1/31/1999

Lele organizes a weekend reunion at the Martini house with all his childhood friends, offering them room and board, but over the years his friends seem to have changed significantly. Ciccio is sad because he didn't bring a good report card to his father, who scolded him. He meets Gus, a boy who lives and works at the circus, and decides to go with him and run away from home.

11. Doubts and suspicions / The other side of the coin

Aired: 2/7/1999

Great jealousy swirls in the air: Irene is angry with Lele because no doctor at the local health authority can resist his advances, while Maria is dealing with her first heartbreak. Not all the flirtations are welcome. Grandpa Libero tries to contain Marite's advances, while Alice must curb the editor-in-chief's "attentions." A surprise ending to Irene's birthday party.

12. Finally... Lele! / Brothers

Aired: 2/14/1999

Lele finally manages to spend a passionate night with Irene, but things get complicated when he decides to introduce her to his family. Meanwhile, Giulio is grappling with a serious problem. Lele's relationship with Irene has begun, but not everyone is happy about it. Especially Maria. Uncle Spartaco's arrival from America is welcomed as something to celebrate, but the visit hides a bitter surprise.

13. Drawings and projects / When the cat's away

Aired: 2/21/1999

Maria continues to hate Irene, hoping that Aunt Alice will fall in love with her father, because to her they seem like a perfect match. Meanwhile, Cettina rejects her boyfriend's offer to live together. Lele discovers that Irene has hidden the news of her scholarship to Boston from him. She also doesn't intend to follow him to a friend's wedding in Milan. It's there that Alice and Lele meet again in Lele's room, alone.

14. A head-stopping / Let's go! Let's go!

Aired: 2/28/1999

Ciccio wears a hat lent to him by his girlfriend Susy, but it's full of lice, and the whole family becomes infected. Meanwhile, Alice and Giulio plan a night out, but it turns out to be a disaster. Lele and Irene argue after Irene discovers that Lele spent the night with Alice during the wedding in Milan; Irene is involved in a car accident, while Grandpa Libero's motorcycle is stolen.

15. Guests / The Martinis conquer Venice

Aired: 3/7/1999

A new doctor arrives at the local health authority: Dr. Oscar Nobili. One day, a gunshot is heard from the new arrival's room; it's a man attempting to commit suicide in front of Oscar. Lele will discover a secret. The Martinis go to Venice to visit Grandpa Libero's brother. After visiting the city, the Martinis separate. From this moment on, the trip turns out to be full of unexpected events, hidden just around the corner.

16. Fire! Fire! / Guilt

Aired: 3/14/1999

While Lele and Irene browse the stalls at the neighborhood festival, where Libero, Giulio, and Giacinto are also selling modern antiques, the Martinis' house catches fire. Lele is very worried: the insurance, having expired, doesn't cover the renovation costs of the burned house, and Ciccio confesses to having started the fire by playing with firecrackers.

17. Confidential... diagnosis / The announcement

Aired: 3/21/1999

Alberto hopes his mother has finally found the man of her life. Unfortunately, she has decided to resume her relationship with her ex-husband, which leads to a heated argument with her son. Alberto will remain at the Martini home. Irene, due to the expiration of her contract with the Rome Local Health Authority, must request a transfer. Lele tries to save their relationship and asks her if she wants to marry him.

18. A jewel... of a husband / Dad Dongiovanni

Aired: 3/28/1999

Grandpa Nicola finally returns from Brazil, and Grandma Enrica decides to look in his suitcase and discovers a beautiful necklace. The unpleasant surprise, however, is that her husband returned three days early: he lied to her! Ciccio suspects an affair between his father Lele and his friend Susi's mother. Meanwhile, Alice is becoming famous, but her career seems to be jeopardizing her family's affections.

19. Engaged at home / Old grudges

Aired: 4/4/1999

While Lele and Irene spend the weekend in Bologna, their new neighbors arrive, with whom Ciccio is having some problems. Meanwhile, Cettina argues with Alberto over his snobbish friends. At the Martini house, it seems like a maniac is stalking Cettina, but in reality it's just a misunderstanding. Meanwhile, Alessia Merz shows up at the local health authority, apparently interested in Lele.

20. Christmas letters / Christmas at the Martini house

Aired: 4/11/1999

A group of children from an orphanage arrive at the clinic for vaccinations. Among them is Robertino, a boy with Down's syndrome who mistakes Lele for Santa Claus and asks him for a new bus for the orphanage as a Christmas gift. Grandpa Libero has organized a show with Orietta Berti, but it looks like a scam. Alice and Irene will also have to work on Christmas Eve, and the magic of Christmas is struggling to arrive at the Martini house.

21. Old lonely hearts / Thank you, dr. Lele!

Aired: 4/18/1999

Ciccio searches for a girlfriend for Grandpa Libero in a lonely hearts magazine. Ricky, Jessica's boyfriend, ends up in a coma after a car accident. Maria, on the other hand, is invited by a boy she likes. At the radio station where Alice works, there's a health program. Lele and Alice are convinced the host is a charlatan, and even the local health authority is starting to worry about the show's success.

22. Dad, will you send me to the concert? / The awakening

Aired: 4/25/1999

Alice gives Maria tickets to the Backstreet Boys concert, but Lele, worried, refuses to let her. Luckily, Grandpa Libero intervenes! Giacinto is fired, and it's up to Cettina to resolve the situation. Meanwhile, Jessica and Lele go to Ricky, who has woken up, but there's a nasty surprise lurking.

23. The law of silence / Cettina's dilemma

Aired: 5/2/1999

Ciccio steals from Grandpa Libero's wallet and, along with his friend Filiberto, skips school to go to the mall. But there, the two are threatened by other kids, who force them to give up the money. Lele finds a pregnancy test in Irene's locker and hopes for a child. But things aren't going to be like that, and in fact, Irene has been arrested at a doctor's office in Milan. This changes everything.

24. Leonardo or Johnny? / Alice superstar

Aired: 5/9/1999

Maria hears the news of Leonardo DiCaprio's arrival in Rome to shoot a movie and goes to Cinecittà, where she meets Johnny, his bodyguard, and develops a crush on him. Meanwhile, Giulio decides to leave for Africa. Alice has been spotted with Tiberio Timperi, and Lele becomes jealous. Meanwhile, Giorgi discovers he's suffering from kidney failure, and everyone at the local health authority is worried, while Lele and Irene continue to argue.

25. Long live the countryside! / Love has no age limit

Aired: 5/16/1999

The Martini family relaxes in the countryside, where Maria meets a boy who invites her to a party. But things go haywire: the boy becomes too insistent, to the point of becoming violent. But someone is ready to intervene. Grandma Enrica returns from Ponza with news: she's fallen in love with the owner of a fruit and vegetable supermarket, whom Alice doesn't like. Meanwhile, Lele decides to buy a ring.

26. ...and I among you

Aired: 5/23/1999

Alice meets François, a doctor and friend of Giulio's who helps find families to take in African children for a while, and she decides to go with him to make a reportage. And Lele?

27. A love caught on the fly

Aired: 5/30/1999

Lele and Alice spend the evening together celebrating their departure, but he can't bring himself to confess his feelings. But when he learns from François that Alice is in love with him, he decides it's time to confess.

28. Partiam! Partiam!

Aired: 2/28/1999

Lele and Irene argue after the latter discovers that Lele spent the night with Alice during their wedding in Milan; Irene is involved in a road accident, while Nonno Libero's motorbike is stolen.

29. Ospiti

Aired: 3/7/1999

A new doctor arrives at the ASL: Doctor Oscar Nobili. One day a shot is heard from the newcomer's room, it is a man who is trying to commit suicide in front of Oscar. Lele will discover a secret.

30. I Martini alla conquista di Venezia

Aired: 3/7/1999

The Martini family goes to Venice to visit Nonno Libero's brother. After visiting the city, the Martinis go their separate ways. From this moment on the trip turns out to be full of unexpected events hidden just around the corner.

31. Al fuoco! Al fuoco!

Aired: 3/14/1999

While Lele and Irene visit the stalls of the neighborhood party where even Libero, Giulio and Giacinto sell modern objects, the Martini house catches fire.

32. Sensi di colpa

Aired: 3/14/1999

Lele is very worried: the insurance, which has expired, does not cover the costs for the renovation of the burnt house and Ciccio confesses that he caused the fire by playing with firecrackers.

33. Diagnosi riservata

Aired: 3/21/1999

Alberto hopes that his mother has finally found the man of her life. Unfortunately the woman has decided to resume the affair with her ex-husband, who comes to a strong clash with her son. Alberto will still remain at the Martini house.

34. L'annuncio

Aired: 3/21/1999

Irene, due to the expiry of her contract with the Asl of Rome, has to ask for a transfer. Lele tries to save their relationship and asks her if she wants to marry him.

35. Un gioiello di marito

Aired: 3/28/1999

Grandpa Nicola finally returns from Brazil, and Nonna Enrica decides to peek into his suitcase, discovering a beautiful necklace. The bad surprise, however, is that her husband returned three days before her: he lied to her!

36. Papà Don Giovanni

Aired: 3/28/1999

Ciccio suspects a relationship between his father Lele and his friend Susi's mother. Meanwhile Alice is becoming famous, but her career seems to compromise her family affections.

37. Fidanzati in casa

Aired: 4/4/1999

While Lele and Irene spend the weekend in Bologna, the new neighbors arrive, with whom Ciccio has some problems. Meanwhile Cettina argues with Alberto because of his snobbish friends.

38. Vecchie ruggini

Aired: 4/4/1999

At the Martini house, it seems that a maniac is pursuing Cettina, in reality it is just a misunderstanding. Meanwhile, Alessia Merz shows up at the local health authority and seems interested in Lele.

39. Letterine di Natale

Aired: 4/11/1999

A group of children from an institution for orphans arrive at the polyclinic for vaccinations. Among them is Robertino, a kid with Down syndrome who mistakes Lele for Santa Claus and asks him for a new bus for the Institute as a Christmas gift.

40. Natale in casa Martini

Aired: 4/11/1999

Nonno Libero has organized a show with Orietta Berti, but it would appear to be a scam. Alice and Irene will also have to work on Christmas Eve, and the magic of Christmas is struggling to reach the Martini house.

41. Vecchi cuori solitari

Aired: 4/18/1999

Ciccio is looking for a girlfriend for Nonno Libero in a magazine for lonely hearts. Ricky, Jessica's boyfriend, ends up in a coma after a car accident. Maria, on the other hand, is invited by a boy she likes.

42. Grazie, dottor Lele!

Aired: 4/18/1999

On the radio where Alice works there is a column dedicated to health. Lele and Alice are convinced that the presenter is a charlatan, and even the ASL are starting to worry about the success of the show.

43. Papà, mi mandi al concerto?

Aired: 4/25/1999

Alice gives Maria tickets for the Backstreet Boys concert, but a worried Lele doesn't want to give her permission. Luckily grandfather Libero intervenes!

44. Il risveglio

Aired: 4/25/1999

Giacinto is fired, and it's up to Cettina to resolve the situation. Meanwhile Jessica and Lele go to Ricky who has awakened, but there is a nasty surprise lurking.

45. La legge del silenzio

Aired: 5/2/1999

Ciccio steals from grandfather Libero's wallet and together with his friend Filiberto skips school and goes to the mall. But there the two are threatened by other kids, who force them to give them the money.

46. Il dilemma di Cettina

Aired: 5/2/1999

Lele finds a pregnancy test in Irene's locker, and hopes for the arrival of a child. But things are not like that, and indeed Irene was taken to a clinic in Milan. This changes everything on the table.

47. Leonardo o Johnny

Aired: 5/9/1999

Maria heard the news of Leonardo Di Caprio's arrival in Rome to shoot a film and goes to Cinecittà, where she meets Johnny, the bodyguard, and develops a crush on him. Meanwhile Giulio decides to leave for Africa.

48. Alice superstar

Aired: 5/9/1999

Alice was seen in the company of Tiberio Timperi and Lele gets jealous. Meanwhile, Giorgi discovers that he has kidney failure and everyone at the ASL is worried, while Lele and Irene continue to argue.

49. W la campagna

Aired: 5/16/1999

The Martini family relaxes in the countryside, where Maria meets a boy who invites her to a party. But the situation takes a turn for the worse: the boy shows too much insistence, until he becomes violent. But someone is ready to intervene.

50. L'amore non ha età

Aired: 5/16/1999

Grandma Enrica returns from Ponza with some news, she has fallen in love with the owner of a fruit and vegetable supermarket that Alice doesn't see kindly. Meanwhile Lele decides to buy a ring.

51. E io tra di voi

Aired: 5/23/1999

Alice meets François, a doctor friend of Giulio's who is in charge of finding families who can take in African children for some time and decides to leave with him to make a report. And Lele?

52. Un amore preso al volo

Aired: 5/30/1999

Lele and Alice spend the evening together to celebrate their departure, but he is unable to confess what he feels. But when she finds out from François that Alice is in love with him, she decides it's time to come out.