Following the finale’s major cliffhanger, fans couldn’t be more thankful that NBC renewedSt. Denis Medicalfor a second season. Co-created by Eric Ledgin and Justin Spitzer, the sitcom is “a mockumentary about an underfunded, understaffed Oregon hospital where the dedicated doctors and nurses try their best to treat patients while maintaining their own sanity.” Wendi McLendon-Covey, David Alan Grier, Allison Tolman, Josh Lawson, Kahyun Kim, Mekki Leeper, and Kaliko Kauahimake up the main cast.
Matt has held a torch for Serena since starting the job, but she spends the first season oblivious to his feelings. However, the rest of the staff are well aware of Matt’s crush, and Val becomes fed up with what’s been playing out before her eyes. She spills the beans to Serena, with Bruce chiming in to confirm the revelation. “This Place is Our Everything” ends with Matt wondering if it’s time to move on, while Serena is taken aback by what she just learned.
I caught up with Josh Lawson and Kaliko Kauahi about theSt. Denis Medicalfinale’sbig reveal, Bruce’s growth, Val’s favorite co-worker, and their characters' relationship.
“She tried to ignore it, but the frustration of having it infiltrate her work life took its toll.”
Kaliko Kauahi as Val in St Denis Medical
ScreenRant: Bruce and Val spilled the beans about Matt’s feelings for Serena. Kaliko, what made Val reach that point?
Kaliko Kauahi: Val had been seeing this “will they/won’t they” play out in front of her for too long and she just couldn’t take it anymore. She tried to ignore it, but the frustration of having it infiltrate her work life took its toll, and she needed it to end or at least morph into something else. More of the same was not an option.
Josh, do you feel Bruce has grown at all this season, or is he the same surgeon we met in the pilot?
Josh Lawson: In terms of his relationships with each of the characters? Yes. For example, with Matt. Bruce went from a sort of reluctant tolerance of Matt to taking on an unwanted, self-appointed mentor role with him as the season progressed.
That sort of evolution is true with everyone in the hospital. But has Bruce changed internally? Yes and no. I don’t think he’s fundamentally a different person, but I do think his character traits have become more complex and nuanced.
Do you want him to evolve, or do you think it’s funnier to leave him as is?
Josh Lawson: There’s absolutely more to explore with Bruce, and plenty of room for evolution. There’s still so much we don’t know about him. The more pieces that get added to a puzzle, the more interesting the end result becomes.
Bruce Is Still Hyper-Fixated On Val’s List In St. Denis Medical
“Val and the Nutrageous bar are just two of the many things that keep him up at night.”
Kaliko, there’s something I’m really curious about since Val is just so no-nonsense. Who do you think is her favorite person to work with, or maybe just the one she tolerates most?
Kaliko Kauahi: I think she likes working with Serena because they both have a straightforward nature to them. That’s why Val eventually has to confront Serena about Matt’s feelings for her. She is so annoyed that someone who is typically so aware is clueless about something this obvious.
I mentioned this to Kaliko before, but Bruce became very attracted to Val when he realized he wasn’t on her list. Has he moved on or is that still lingering?
Josh Lawson: Bruce can’t move on from anything! Once he gets hyper-fixated on something, which happens often, he won’t stop until he’s declared “the winner”. Val and the Nutrageous bar are just two of the many things that keep him up at night.
More About NBC’s St. Denis Medical
Created By Eric Ledgin And Justin Spitzer
Devoted nurse Alex has just been promoted to Supervising Nurse in the emergency department at St. Denis Medical Center in Oregon. She works alongside an eclectic team of underfunded yet dedicated doctors, nurses and hospital staff, including her boss, Joyce, who wants nothing more than to turn the hospital into an international medical destination, and Dr. Ron, who’s done it all, seen it all and is pretty much over it all. They’re all doing their best not to lose their patience in a hospital overrun with patients – while caring for everyone who comes in the door, including each other.
St. Denis Medicalseason 1 is available to stream on Peacock.
St. Denis Medical
St. Denis Medical follows a diverse team of doctors and nurses at an underfunded Oregon hospital as they manage patient care and maintain camaraderie amid challenging circumstances.
