Although St. Denis Medical is a comedy, the series effectively addresses the most real-life topics that arise in the medical field. We saw this in St. Denis Medical Season 1, Episode 15, ‘Sometimes It’s Good to Be Cautious,’ as Alex clashed with Bruce about performing an experimental procedure on a young patient. We also witnessed the difference of opinion between Serena and Matt in dealing with an unexpected incident involving one of their patients.
Stay In Your Lane
The medical professionals at St. Denis work very well together. When they team up, they accomplish things. That doesn’t mean there are always easy days. Nor do they always get along. In St. Denis Medical Season 1, Episode 15, ‘Sometimes It’s Good To Be Cautious,’ Alex was the nurse managing a young patient named Dominic. Dominic, who is a young baseball player, tore his rotator cuff and needed surgery to fix it. Bruce was the surgeon tasked with taking this on. Bruce, who is always looking to be the best, recommended an experimental procedure to repair the injury.
Alex, being the nurse taking care of this patient, wasn’t too happy with what she was hearing about Bruce’s approach to explaining the procedure to Dominic. In her opinion, Bruce wasn’t being entirely honest with the patient, and he had a nonchalant attitude about it because Dominic was young. Somehow, Bruce convinced Dominic to undergo the procedure without even consulting his parents who were in El Salvador, for input, nor did he fully inform him of all the necessary details, including the risks.
MORE: Do you love nurse Alex and her advocacy? Relive one of our favorite moments in our review of St. Denis Medical, Season 1 Episode 11, ‘Nobody Even Mentions The Brownies!’
Bruce doesn’t understand why Alex is so bothered by his handling of the patient and his diagnosis. But I did. As Alex told him, he seemed more focused on the notoriety he would gain from performing the procedure than on the potential outcome. And that’s why I was not mad at her when she talked Dominic out of it. Nurses are patient advocates, and I think people sometimes forget that. Even doctors. Alex broke it down in a way that resonated with me, and I found it incredibly powerful.
We Owe It To Our Patient’s To Tell Them The Truth
Bruce was downright nasty to Alex. He was probably the rudest I have ever seen him. He was condescending, so Alex’s frustration was warranted. As she put it, she is the one who takes care of patients when they return to the hospital in pain or worse, and she is the one who handles the aftermath of what the doctors do. Allison Tolman is an exceptional actress, and the emotion she brought to this scene was palpable. I felt the anger and the underlying pain and fear that Alex had for Dominic. Any nurse can understand everything she said to Bruce. Nurses spend a lot of time with patients, and it’s time that some, not all, doctors understand.
Alex just wanted Bruce to take a step back and think before acting for a change. It was evident that she had gotten into his head, as reflected in his demeanor and even his fear, as he scrubbed in after Dominic ultimately decided to go through with the procedure. Bruce has a hard time admitting when someone is correct, but this time around, he did, and we were glad to see that Alex was able to get him to see things from her perspective.
Patients Appreciate Honesty
Matt and Serena have been working together as a team quite a bit lately on St. Denis Medical. So far, they have had a good dynamic. But on St. Denis Medical, Season 1, Episode 15, ‘Sometimes It’s Good To Be Cautious,’ they struggled to get on the same page. After dropping a patient (because that’s what happened, and you know it did, Serena. Sorry, girl) who was still unresponsive after a procedure, Matt felt the need to tell him once he woke up. Serena, on the other hand, did not want to.
For Serena, telling the patient what happened would have led to them getting in trouble, so she wanted them to keep it quiet. Matts is a good guy; he’s a new nurse, and he always wants to do the right thing. I can’t fault him for that. While I understand Serena’s desperation to keep what happened a secret, I know her fear of getting in trouble. But Matts’s position on the situation was wiser. Lying to the patient was not going to help. Also, isn’t the staff being followed around by a camera all the time? I think he would have found out eventually. That being said, Matt’s honesty backfired on him, but not in the way you think.
Matt has been trying his hardest to get Serena to see him as more than a friend, but that hasn’t happened yet. Each time he thinks he may have made steps to get her attention, it turns out a bit different than he had planned. And we saw that yet again on St. Denis Medical Episode 15 when Serena and the guy they dropped hit it off. Now, I personally wouldn’t try to date my patients, but do you, Serena! Also, sorry, Matty. Better luck next time. I’m still rooting for you.
Other Thoughts
- Joyce getting all dolled up for a Zoom interview only to find out it’s off camera… been there, girl.
- Ron trying to watch the game all shift was hilarious and very real.
- “There was a bonk.”
- I’m glad Serena and Matts’s situation with their patient ended well. Sometimes they don’t. They got lucky.
- “I’m speaking.” You go, Alex!
- But for real, the audacity of Bruce in this episode!
- “If 1% is nothing, take a chance!”
- Alex not going to Costco after 3pm because the parking lot is scary is accurate. Costco late afternoon, pass. HARD pass.
- “I take care of them. You don’t have to worry about when they come back in pain, hooked on pills, or worse. You take the risks. I handle the aftermath.”
St. Denis Medical airs Tuesday Nights at 8/7c on NBC.
