In a roundabout way, the latest episode of St. Denis Medical returns to the core message that sometimes we all just need to show a little more kindness towards ourselves and others.
The unexpected team-ups made for interesting storylines that are easy to get invested in, though some were easier to watch than others.
But overall, the balance between cringe-worthy and sensitively sweet moments keeps the engagement steady.
Yet again, Matt definitely wins with his himbo personality serving as reliable comedic relief, but Serena and Alex also have great moments that showcase their flaws.
Additionally, it was great to see St. Denis Medical Season 2 finally bring a few of the doctors out of the workplace context and into the broader world.
Ron and Bruce, A Match Made in Misery
The sitcom took a big swing by pairing Bruce and Ron, two men with arguably the biggest egos in the workplace.
At first, it’s a bit frustrating to watch them both fumble their way through social situations at the conference, as it’s tough to root for either Bruce or Ron.
However, there is satisfaction in watching the characters get a taste of their own medicine and see how their behavior affects the people around them.
The scene of Bruce making a fool of himself by falling from the closet might be a hit with people who enjoy physical comedy, but it mainly serves as a sad reflection on how his self-obsession led to his downfall.
But at the end of the day, Bruce and Ron’s friendship proves that, whether they’d like to admit it or not, they still care deeply for each other.
Arts and Crafts with Joyce Goes Wrong
Joyce often has her heart in the right place, but doesn’t always know the best way to express it.
This rings particularly true when her efforts to make the doctors feel valued go unappreciated.
Even though throwing away a rock might not seem like a big deal, the reveal of how much love and effort Joyce put into making each decorated rock for the doctors makes the situation even sadder.
But the contrast with Serena’s unwillingness to admit that she was the one who disposed of the gift in the trash is wonderfully hilarious.
Additionally, watching Serena do everything and anything she can to avoid taking responsibility really plays into the comedy of escalation.
The final reveal of her crying and pretending that a coalition of nurses teamed up against her to plot her downfall is both unexpected and possibly the funniest part of the episode.
Compared to previous episodes, Serena really gets to show her vulnerability here by revealing that she’s not immune to feeling guilty, unlike the usual nonchalant face she puts on.
I would love to see more storylines like this to give us viewers insight into Serena’s character and personal growth.
And The Gentle Heart Award Goes To…
Val truly steals the spotlight in every scene she’s in.
She keeps Alex in check and intentionally plants ideas in Alex’s mind that the doctor should admit she deserves the award most for all the work she’s done.
The caveat that Val getting involved in the Gentle Heart Award voting so she can sell cruise ship packages to Matt makes the situation all the more laugh-worthy.
Though the show doesn’t outright say it, the need for self-appreciation and for being willing to recognize your own hard work is a theme that runs through Alex’s storyline.
Particularly given the season premiere, Alex has always deserved more praise for her role in the workplace, and it’s refreshing to see her finally realize this herself and cast the final vote that earned her the reward.
Matt being utterly oblivious to the undercurrent of the award-related tension is also so great, as he’s genuinely just along for the ride and to have a good time.
The show made great calls with the stories they chose to focus on this episode, and hopefully, we get to see more interesting pairings as the season progresses.
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St. Denis Medical airs on NBC at 8/7c on Monday nights.
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