More fine British television comes our way from the folks out Acorn Media (who sent us a review copy) comes our way with The Doc Martin Collection. This one brings us seasons (or series, as the Brits prefer) one through four. And if you remember our earlier go-round with Martin Clunes, Dirty Tricks, you’ll be eager to hear that he’s back in yet another bit of fine form.

Doc Martin follows the title character, Dr. Martin Ellingham, as he finds himself looking for a new line of work. He’s developed an aversion to blood and burnt flesh, so he starts looking for work in smaller environs, where he’s more likely to diagnose aches and pains than actually cutting. The town of Portwenn, a seaside village, seems ideal for the blood-averse surgeon, but he’ll have to learn a whole new style to be a proper doctor. Not easy for a man best described as “Dour and even irascible”, but as he comes to accept the town of Portwenn, and its bizarre inhabitants, he’ll quickly learn how to get along.

Martin Clunes was a perfect choice for this role, frankly. He’s got an incredible way of projecting his feelings. Sometimes his facial expression will actually look like he’s making an exasperated cough of “harrumph!” for him. And watching him, a refined, staid, even a bit uptight London (former) surgeon try to get used to the locals from the English equivalent of Podunk is actually both hilarious and compelling.

Doc Martin is some terribly good stuff, frankly. It’s like one part Frasier mixed in with one part House; think Northern Exposure as set in England, and the end result actually comes off a lot better than you think. Seriously, it’s actually quite a bit like that, complete with lots and lots of eccentric townsfolk and a receptionist who probably shouldn’t have that job, and yet, somehow, does. Better yet, the collection will give you a hefty nine discs with thirty episodes total, so you’ll get your money’s worth and then some on the lot.

If you’re looking for a medical drama with plenty of laughs thrown in, if medical dramas are just a little too serious for you, then The Doc Martin Collection will be just the place you want to be.

The Screenhead Ten Scale gives Doc Martin an eight out of ten for bringing laughs and medical drama in nicely set up proportions, and both sufficient to keep most anyone occupied for a good long while.