‘St. Denis Medical’ Recap: ‘Welcome to St. Denis’ & ‘A Very Robust Personal Life’

11/13/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

ST. DENIS MEDICAL -- "Welcome to St. Denis" -- Pictured: (l-r) Allison Tolman as Alex, Kahyun Kim as Serena -- (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Series Premiere of ‘St. Denis Medical’.

It is definitely safe to say that medical sitcoms, struggle to find something that their dramatic counterparts have in spades. Specifically, a genuine sense of humanity and it makes sense as to why. After all, sitcoms are all about the laughs, so they tend to lean toward that over anything else, and while this isn’t a bad thing by any means… it does often deny us that sense of the human condition we require to deeply connect with a show in this vein. In fact, to date, really only a handful of medical sitcoms have figured out that formula and even then… they have to lean heavy into drama to capture what the audience needs.

Which leaves one to wonder, will there ever come a medical sitcom that makes us laugh but also connects with us on a deep level in a seamless manner? And well, the answer to that question is yes and that show has arrived at last. For St. Denis Medical arrived on NBC last night and it truly does accomplish that incredible feat. Courtesy of some simple and satisfying storytelling devices, such as the fact, that this is not the traditional medical sitcom, it’s handled in a mockumentary style. Wherein we step into the world of the fictional St. Denis Medical to meet its staff in ‘Welcome to St. Denis’ and ‘A Very Robust Personal Life’ in an intimate manner. Which allows for us to quickly get to know them, and what they stand for, and yes, enjoy some serious laughs along the way.

After all, this is… a very quirky staff. One full of personalities and proclivities that truly entertain, and what other medical show features a talented surgeon that is eager to get the day started with a little ‘Intergalactic’ from the Beastie Boys, or an administrator that is looking far ahead to the future, regardless of how ready or not ready her building is for upgrades. Not to mention, it’s always hilarious to see a rookie go wrong end up for an epi pen and fear medical procedures that are commonplace. Because those are all, in some capacity, relatable moments that we can easily connect to. Because we too have our weird start of day rituals and ambitions and do and say silly things at work, and those moments bring forth the quality comedy in question, the kind that really does leave one in stitches.

ST. DENIS MEDICAL -- "A Very Robust Personal Life" Episode 102 -- Pictured: (l-r) Lynn Whitfield as Barb, Kourtney Bell as Lisa, David Alan Grier as Dr Ron -- (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC)

But truly, it is the heart that this show exhibits that makes it special and makes that perfect medical sitcom, one we can deeply connect with, and that comes courtesy of two key moments in both episodes. For instance, in the pilot tale, Alex really surprised all of us. Because she was so desperate to get home and get to the play to see her little one wow the crowd. But a sick woman in the parking lot, prompted her to just worry about that person, in that moment, and show us the amount of heart, her, and so many medical professionals have and how someone else’s well-being truly comes first for them. Not to mention, the value of that care was put on display at the end with that beautiful thank you at the end.

Not to mention, the next episode took the time to ponder upon something rarely discussed in medical sitcoms. Specifically, the psychological impact of what these folks see and have to deal with on a daily basis. Because they do see suffering, they do see pain, and they are human beings. Who yes, have to compartmentalize and bury at times. But that doesn’t mean it goes away, and it was just lovely and just powerful to see them all feel something in the second episode from last night, and deal with death and understand the career path they’ve chosen requires more from them from an emotional standpoint. And we really don’t see this in medical dramas or sitcoms in the raw manner we saw it here, and that all made for a brilliant series premiere.

One that informed us that Justin Spitzer and Eric Ledgin have another hit on their hands, and that they are the true masters of creating this kind of sitcom. Where we laugh, cry, and outright desire more and truly, we all want more of this charming new series. Because it really is wonderful and fun, and it really does connect with us on a fundamental level. Thanks in large part also to its talented cast, who sell the moments in question with a gravity that is rare to find in sitcoms. And well… all we can do now, is wait patiently for next week’s episode for more of the heart, charm, and outright hilarity that this series is going to send our way… as season one of this refreshing new sitcom, continues along. Until next time.

Watch ‘St. Denis Medical’

0 Comments