‘St. Denis Medical’ Boss Previews Emotional Finale With Dr. Ron as Patient

Three out of four doctors recommend having tissues ready for the Season 2 finale of the comedy on April 6. That is actually not true, but this is the Internet and you can apparently say anything you want. Still, Season 2 of NBC’s tremendously lovable St. Denis Medical is signing off this week with a heart-tugging episode that puts the adage “Physician, heal thyself” to the test. And along the way, David Alan Grier once again proves to be a National treasure capable of getting us to crack up and choke up in the span of a single scene.

“He has so much range,” agrees showrunner Eric Ledgin. “I think about what a fan I was of his sketch comedy from when I was very young, and then the most recent thing I had seen him in [before St. Denis] was The Patient, where he was totally playing a dramatic role. I think there was something about his role on that FX show that clicked with me and I went like, ‘This guy can really do everything.’ And that’s what we’re asking him to do here.”

Following up on last week’s news that Grier’s Dr. Ron needs a triple bypass — stat! — emotions are high as the curmudgeonly doc becomes the hospital’s most important patient. Never mind that he’s often been the one making everyone else’s jobs harder anyway.

Greg Gayne/NBC

“Despite how much s**t Ron can give other people, they are bonded,” says Ledgin of the St. Denis staff. “When one of them goes down in some way, that is moving to the rest of them.”

But while head honcho Joyce (Wendi McLendon-Covey) tries to keep her longtime colleague distracted with her chaotic idea of care, charge nurse Alex (Allison Tolman) finds a way to really treat Ron’s concerns with a conversation that is sure to leave viewers with a lump in their throats. “I hate to admit it,” Ledgin says with a laugh, “but that was the goal.”

“The crazy thing is both of them, David and Allison, are so talented that I could show you takes of totally different ways that they played that were equally effective … in some ways more, just in different ways,” Ledgin continues. “But there was something I think really beautiful about David’s restraint in that scene and Allison’s response and just the way they come together, you get it very much from what they’re giving.”

And they’re not the only ones. As Ron’s nearest and dearest try to pass the time waiting for the results of his surgery, this comedy’s top-tier ensemble taps into an emotional vein many viewers may find familiar and maybe not so comfortable.

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“Look, I’ve been in that waiting room with people and it’s such a weird space to be in because it almost feels like — when it’s real life — you’re in a movie or a TV show because you’re in this elevated space,” explains Ledgin. “You’re sometimes making dark jokes and sometimes getting sincere and sometimes getting bored and sometimes getting nervous. There’s so much going on.”

“And I want to give the writers room a lot of credit and the actors, too, everybody figured out exactly how their character would be reacting to this situation. Val’s reaction felt very Val…and God bless Kaliko Kauahi,” he notes, carefully avoiding why the surly nurse’s surprising take on the whole situation throws her coworkers for a loop. “It makes sense when you think about it.”

As does a single line that is uttered right before the credits close. So pay close attention!

St. Denis Medical, Season Finale, Monday, April 6, 8/7c, NBC