St. Denis Medical (S2, Ep. 13) "A New Best Friend"

 

Grab your popcorn: "A New Best Friend" earns a glowing 8.5/10 for mixing shameless workplace feuds with heart, making this one of St. Denis Medical’s funniest, most relatable episodes yet. Can your husband be friends with your most narcissistic coworker? For Alex, the answer involves a harebrained scheme and a massive order of grass seeds. Here's my recap and review of "A New Best Friend."

Bruce, smitten with Tim, kicks Matt off his Trivia Night team to make room for his new "BFF." Alex and brokenhearted Matt, studying encyclopedias to prove his worth, plan to keep Tim busy with a fake grass seed order. The episode mocks social jockeying at work, where inclusion in activities reflects the true pecking order at St. Denis Medical. Alex and Matt's scheme is more than petty mischief; it’s a response to workplace power games and the universal fear of exclusion and recognition.

When Alex brings her husband, Tim (Kyle Bornheimer), into the ER for a knee injury, she expects a quick exam. Instead, she witnesses a "meet-cute" between Tim and the cocky Dr. Bruce (Josh Lawson). The two immediately bond over obscure pop culture and a shared sense of humor, much to Alex’s horror.

The plan backfires when Alex realizes the fake order harms their family income. She confesses to Tim, while Bruce changes his mind after seeing his trivia partner, Chaplain Steve, being rude to Matt about Serena. Bruce then chooses the "dorks" over the "jock," reinstating Matt. This moment highlights that true belonging comes from accepting others, not just winning or impressing, turning a trivia team reshuffle into a lesson about prioritizing genuine friendship over ego.

In a classic "hospital accident," Joyce accidentally eats a mushroom chocolate bar belonging to a patient. Suddenly, under the harsh ER lights that seem to pulse and stretch in her vision, her pupils widen to the size of quarters. Serena finds herself on "trip-sitter" duty as Joyce enters a psychedelic wonderland, marveling aloud at how her own hands appear to have rainbow halos. In her altered state, Joyce bonds deeply with a patient named Jerry, leading to a surprisingly emotional "therapy session" where she finally starts to process her failed engagement to Sanderson.

Ron shows up in expensive new leather shoes that squeak with every step. Val uses the noise as psychological warfare, getting in Ron's head until he’s driven to madness. Her motive? Cold, hard revenge for Ron making fun of her scrub-wearing habits seven years ago. Val plays the long game, and she plays it well.

"A New Best Friend" is a fantastic episode that really showcases how well this talented cast works together, especially when they find themselves paired in surprising ways. What makes it stand out to me and earns it an 8.5/10? The episode is packed with humor, with sharp punchlines sprinkled throughout nearly every scene, and it never forgets to develop its characters. For example, Joyce’s psychedelic journey adds depth to her story, and both Bruce and Alex show meaningful emotional growth. The writers skillfully balances silly side plots, like squeaky shoes, with heartfelt ensemble moments, giving each character a chance to shine without slowing the story. It’s a great reminder that at St. Denis, the staff is just as chaotic and lovable as the patients they care for.

Wendi McLendon-Covey’s "High Joyce" truly shines as a comedic masterpiece. The way she blends silly dialogue with heartfelt moments about her breakup is beautifully done. Kaliko Kauahi’s deadpan delivery continues to be the show's hidden gem. The reveal that she held a grudge for seven years over a simple comment about a scrub is such classic Val. Watching Bruce break the mold by picking Matt over the "cool" Chaplain Steve was a special moment of real growth for the hospital’s most ego-driven surgeon.

While Alex's scheme was funny, the show tends to lean on her jealousy quite a bit. It was nice to see her own up to it quickly this time, showing some growth of her own.

What did you think of this week's episode of St. Denis Medical? Do you see yourself rooting for the "Trivia Power Trio," or are you hoping Alex finds her way onto the team? More importantly, do you think jealousy can ever be a healthy motivation at work or in relationships, or does it always end up causing more trouble? Where do you draw the line between friendly rivalry and going too far? Share your thoughts and join the debate in the comments.

You can catch up on more of my recaps and reviews of St. Denis Medical. 

You can catch St. Denis Medical Mondays at 8/7c on NBC and streaming the next day on Peacock.