A Very Robust Personal Life – Episode 2 begins with Alex (Allison Tolman) and Serena (Kahyun Kim) observing one of Bruce Schweitz’s (Josh Lawson) pre-surgery rituals. Alex sarcastically notes that if Bruce eliminated the ritual, the hospital could squeeze in three more surgeries a week. Sometime later, Executive Director Joyce Henderson (Wendi McLendon-Covey) finds herself in a similar situation when she discovers Alex on a personal call during work hours. Joyce casually expresses her irritation while also philosophizing about maintaining a healthy balance between personal and business life.
While Doctor Ron Henderson (David Alan Grier) thinks one of his younger, more aesthetically pleasing patients, Lisa (Kourtney Bell) is hitting on him, Matt (Mekki Leeper) learns how St. Denis deals with organ donors. Being that he comes from such a religious background the whole process is appalling to him and when he off-handedly mentions this to Val (Kaliko Kauahi) and Serena (Kahyun Kim), he learns that his views are his own. During a later interview portion, he considers changing his views in hopes of getting closer to Serena.
The footage returns to Bruce and his savior complex as he explains how his work saves people so that they can then go out and save others. Little does he know that his most recent save, Mr. Williams (Jim Garrity) is a ruthless foreclosure agent. In an attempt to redeem himself with Serena, Matt only makes things worse when he returns to tell her that he’s changed his view on organ donation. He only gets a brief moment to do this because their conversation is soon interrupted by Ron, who can’t resist sharing the news of Lisa’s attraction to him.
Joyce is strategizing her conference call with Alex when she learns from a passing Harriet (Dayna Beilenson) that her marimba teacher, Alan has passed that morning. As Joyce digests the loss, Ron returns to discover that she was, in fact, interested in his current marital status, but only because she wants to set him up with her grandmother.
Matt is still clearly grappling with his views on organ donation when he visits Bruce. Matt asks him if he would be more prone to let him die if he knew he was an organ donor. As Matt explains his theory for thinking this way, Bruce becomes uncomfortable and practically rushes him out of his office. Things are equally awkward for Ron as he attempts to identify himself as an adrenaline-chasing adventurer when Lisa introduces him to Barb (Lynn Whitfield).
Matt takes his organ fascination even further by overseeing the procedure firsthand. What he doesn’t know but soon learns is that the donor is Joyce’s marimba teacher, Alan. When Matt attempts to discuss the process with her, it’s clearly too much for her to bear. Alex only makes the situation worse when she attempts to offer some comforting words.
Although they have different views, both Serena and Val are stunned to learn that Ron is going to be too bullheaded to pursue a possible relationship with Barb due to his fears of recognizing his age. They don’t get long to discuss this with him due to Bruce’s interruption. By this time, Alex has inadvertently made things so bad with Joyce that she has to stick around to guide her through the conference call, which doesn’t begin so bad but quickly spirals out of control. Things don’t go any better for Ron when he realizes that he and Barb might actually have a good time together and asks her out. He’s unfortunately painted himself as too much of an adrenaline junky.
With the conference over, Joyce is further inspired to gather the staff in the break room for an impromptu meeting where she drops the steel wall between her personal and work lives. Matt also uses the opportunity to unveil himself as an organ donor. The episode ends with Joyce playing a marimba piece in dedication to Alan.
St. Denis Medical Review
This was a good episode, despite some of Joyce’s outlandish antics. After just two episodes I am beginning to admire how the series seems to comedically yet respectfully approach serious issues. The theme of death and organ donation was especially interesting and Matt’s obsession with Serena offers a new interesting plot line. That said, I wouldn’t be opposed to having a main plot introduced. I understand it’s not common in these types of mockumentary shows but it would be nice.
Take The Office, for instance, there was Jim and Pam’s relationship. I am growing a bit fonder of Bruce’s character and his Beastie Boy routine wasn’t half bad. I’d give this episode a 5.7 out of 10.
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