NBC’s St. Denis Medical opens with a strong start, diving headfirst into the chaos and quirks of an underfunded hospital through a comedic mockumentary lens. Set in a small-town medical center where big-hearted, questionably qualified staff tackle the daily grind of healthcare, the first two episodes introduce us to a cast of characters whose mix of incompetence and earnestness makes for a fresh spin on workplace comedy.
The series does an excellent job setting the tone early on, blending the fast-paced intensity of a hospital setting with awkward, slice-of-life humor reminiscent of The Office or Parks and Recreation. This familiar format allows St. Denis Medical to dive into the funny, relatable moments of healthcare that are usually glossed over, with patients and hospital staff both adding to the comic chaos. From tech mishaps to over-the-top fundraising schemes, the series captures the absurdity of running a medical facility on a shoestring budget, exposing the unfiltered humanity and well-meaning mistakes of everyone involved.
| “Welcome to St. Denis” – ST. DENIS MEDICAL. Pictured: Wendi McLendon-Covey as Joyce. Photo: Ron Batzdorff/NBC ©2024 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. |
David Alan Grier also makes a memorable impression as Ron, an old-school surgeon whose attitude feels comically out of place in the modern healthcare setting. Grier brings a confident, deadpan delivery to his scenes, adding dry humor and a sense of detachment that play well against the hospital’s more frazzled personalities. His reluctance to adapt to the changing world of medicine and his often-blunt takes on patient care create some of the funniest moments.
Allison Tolman, as Nurse Alex, brings warmth and a touch of groundedness to the chaos. Tolman, known for her roles in Fargo and Good Girls, manages to anchor the absurdity of St. Denis Medical with a more relatable, compassionate character. She portrays Alex as the one truly competent staff member trying to hold it all together, and her scenes show the softer side of the hospital’s struggles, giving the show emotional depth amid the laughs.
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| “Welcome to St. Denis” – ST. DENIS MEDICAL. Pictured: Allison Tolman as Alex and Kahyun Kim as Serena. Photo: Ron Batzdorff/NBC ©2024 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. |
With this talented cast, St. Denis Medical kicks off with strong character performances that bring its mockumentary style to life. Each actor embraces their character’s quirks, creating a lively and dysfunctional workplace that feels both chaotic and strangely lovable.
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| “Welcome to St. Denis” – ST. DENIS MEDICAL. Pictured: David Allan Grier as Dr. Ron and Josh Lawson as Dr. Bruce. Photo: Ron Batzdorff/NBC ©2024 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. |
Overall, St. Denis Medical starts strong, finding the humour in the highs and lows of healthcare without losing sight of the real challenges behind the laughs. If the first two episodes are any indication, this series could be a refreshing, feel-good addition to NBC’s lineup, offering a lighthearted but heartfelt look at the people behind the scrubs.
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