St. Denis Medical’s Best Character Pairing Isn’t The One You’d Expect
Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for St Denis Medical season 1, episode 10, “People Just Say Stuff Online.”
While St. Denis Medical has paired off many of its characters to explore their dynamics, an unlikely duo has emerged as the show’s best pairing. St. Denis Medical’s cast of characters includes sitcom veterans from hit shows like The Goldbergs, Superstore, and In Living Color. As such, it comes as no surprise that the workplace sitcom is the best new mockumentary show since Abbott Elementary began airing in 2021. Fortunately, St. Denis Medical’s season 2 renewal means viewers can look forward to a lot more antics from the titular hospital’s staff.
A fusion of Scrubs and The Office, St. Denis Medical balances the dramatic reality of hospital work with the levity and goofiness of workplace comedy. Whenever there is a particularly moving moment with a patient, characters like Wendi McLendon-Covey’s absurd administrator Joyce are always on hand to provide comedic relief. Like any new sitcom, St. Denis Medical is still working out how best to pair off its cast members, but one duo has proven themselves to be particularly compelling. As surprising as it seems, St. Denis Medical’s most interesting dynamic doesn’t involve its main character.
Ron and Joyce Have St. Denis Medical’s Best Love/Hate Relationship
The Cynical Veteran And Over-Ambitious Administrator Need Each Other
Allison Tolman's perpetually overworked nurse, Alex, is the main character of St. Denis Medical. However, the show’s breakout stars are David Alan Grier’s Ron and Joyce. Ron and Joyce have quietly established the best dynamic in St. Denis Medical, as the taciturn, deadpan Ron constantly finds himself working with the over-zealous, earnest Joyce despite his best attempts to avoid her. St. Denis Medical’s hidden strength comes from the show's ability to touch on serious themes like death and illness while maintaining a fun, accessible tone, and Ron and Joyce perfectly embody this delicate balance.
Ron needs Joyce’s reminders to treat people like human beings, while Joyce needs Ron to bring her back down to earth.
Although Ron is a talented doctor, he makes no secret of the fact that he can be bristly and standoffish toward coworkers and patients alike. In contrast, Joyce is always eager to please and ready to go the extra mile, but this often means that she overstretches and her grip on reality isn’t too tight at the best of times. Ron needs Joyce’s reminders to treat people like human beings, while Joyce needs Ron to bring her back down to earth from her flights of fancy. This is perfectly embodied in episode 10, “People Just Say Stuff Online.”
St. Denis Medical Season 1 Episode 11 Highlighted This Dynamic
Joyce and Ron’s Argument Over A Yelp Review Was Surprisingly Nuanced
As Bruce hunts down his old high school bully and Alex tries to disprove an anonymous Yelp review that called her “Snippy,” Ron and Joyce become embroiled in a battle over Ron’s comments towards a patient. This patient felt Ron body-shamed him, leading Joyce to demand an apology. Ron maintained that his comments were not only warranted but helpful, leading to a lengthy battle of wills.
It is easy to see why St. Denis Medical’s ratings have been so successful when watching “People Just Say Stuff Online.” Joyce initially seemed to be overreacting to an inconsequential review, but Ron eventually realized he had been treating patients poorly and ended up revising his bedside manner as a result. Both characters seemed to genuinely grow thanks to seeing things from the other's perspective, proving just how effective St. Denis Medical’s character writing is.
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St. Denis Medical
- Release Date
- November 12, 2024
- Network
- NBC
- Directors
- Ruben Fleischer
- Writers
- Eric Ledgin
Cast
Wendi McLendon-CoveyJoyce
David Alan GrierDr. Ron
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