As a gamer with over 20 years of experience in navigating through the labyrinth of television shows, I must say that Justin Spitzer’s latest creation, St. Denis Medical, is like discovering an old-school RPG in a sea of battle royale games. It’s refreshing and nostalgic, yet it leaves me yearning for more depth and complexity.
Justin Spitzer is similar to Armando Iannucci, but with a gentler demeanor. If the producer behind shows like Superstore and American Auto infused his work with 25% more anger and 75% more profanity, maybe his growing body of comedic social commentary on deteriorating institutions would receive even greater recognition.
Indeed, Spitzer manages to create something reminiscent of Chayefsky’s style within the more light-hearted realm of broadcast television. This territory is typically reserved for shows like spinoffs of The Big Bang Theory, family sitcoms with mismatched characters, and the occasional hit like Abbott Elementary. However, ABC has yet to produce any follow-ups to this elusive success.
Developed alongside Eric Ledgin, who previously worked on Superstore, Spitzer’s newest NBC comedy, St. Denis Medical, moves the satirical lens from Midwestern retail employees and auto industry managers to a mid-sized hospital situated outside of Portland, Oregon. Similar to the initial episodes of Superstore and American Auto, the first three episodes of St. Denis Medical shared with critics have a less biting edge, choosing to sidestep harsh critique of our often problematic healthcare system in favor of familiar storylines involving arrogant doctors, overburdened nurses, and eccentric patient escapades.
Nevertheless, the collective acting talent is swiftly impressive enough to warrant a look at St. Denis Medical, if not initially, then perhaps later, once it has had the chance to refine its unique style.
St. Denis serves as a community hospital, offering care to all individuals regardless of their financial situation. This facility is overseen by Joyce, previously an oncologist who transitioned into administration, played by Wendi McLendon-Covey. Despite facing challenges due to insufficient staff and limited finances, Joyce is resolute in her efforts to elevate the hospital’s reputation on a national level.
A significant portion of our days revolves around the emergency department, managed by veteran doctor Ron, portrayed by David Alan Grier, and his head trauma surgeon Bruce, who seems to have adopted a diagnostic style reminiscent of the TV show House. The newly promoted chief nurse is Alex, a mother grappling with work-life harmony. Under her leadership stands Kahyun Kim’s character Serena, a spiritually inquisitive deputy. The most recent staff member is Matt, a greenhorn nurse hailing from a deeply religious background.
As a devoted fan, I’d like to highlight that Kaliko Kauahi, with her witty charm as the new intake nurse, and the enigmatic Nico Santos (whom I haven’t seen in the episodes I’ve watched so far), are fantastic additions to the Superstore cast.
Ruben Fleischer, who often directs on “Superstore,” establishes the visual style for “St. Denis Medical” which heavily draws upon the mockumentary traditions seen in shows like “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation.” (The opening credits sequence might seem like it’s borrowing ideas from a genre that’s already quite familiar.) This format works well for a medical comedy, as it allows for short bursts of intense, handheld footage during emergency patient scenarios, and creates an immediate bond between the characters and the camera during the necessary confessional interviews.
The task becomes more manageable when you’re working with such personable cast members. Tolman skillfully portrays the everywoman leading this group of eccentric medical professionals: she’s both exasperated and compassionate, deeply committed to her profession while slightly bewildered by the unusual events she’s witnessing. Grier masterfully combines gruff and nurturing qualities, displaying a healthy dose of skepticism alongside unwavering devotion, without slipping into tired stereotypes.
In other parts of the story, the balance between character development isn’t as carefully crafted. For instance, in the initial episode, the show St. Denis Medical appears to struggle with the notion that while a comically clumsy rookie like Matt (Leeper) can be hilarious in an office setting, such humor doesn’t translate well to medical situations where lives are at risk. However, as the story progresses, Matt’s quirks become more refined, and his innocence works better when the stakes are lower – say, when he challenges the hospital chaplain’s beliefs or tries to mediate conflicts between prisoners.
To be honest, I’m not convinced that any other character is quite as broad as Lawson’s ever-oblivious Bruce. However, nothing I’ve encountered thus far has had me laughing as uproariously as his performance in the episode where we discover his phobia of needles.
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but appreciate the quirky narrative twists in this series, from the doctor’s fear of needles to the nurse missing her kid’s school play. These moments certainly bring a smile to my face. However, it’s undeniable that there’s a gentle, lighter approach to the storytelling, which sometimes leaves me yearning for more profound explorations.
Is “St. Denis Medical” still the most daring sitcom set for the fall season? I’d say so, but with room for improvement. Could a clearer perspective develop over time? It’s possible. Is it unreasonable to expect quicker growth due to Spitzer’s past use of TV for subtle commentary reflecting national trends? Perhaps. However, there seems to be potential in the show. Currently, it has elements that could generate a humorous and somewhat productive subplot from Matt struggling to find a pulse, similar to the series itself. For a new comedy on broadcast TV, this might be enough.
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2024-10-30 16:55