This episode will make viewers grateful for pixelation, because of the patient who intended to propose to his girlfriend by putting the ring in a rather private place, where it got stuck. Normally, Dr. Bruce is insufferably cocky, but this case maximizes his capacity for sympathy. Still, his katana sword still seems like the wrong approach.
In a way, Dr. Ron can also almost empathize with this week’s other problem patient, Bob Klein. He was admitted after a nasty fall, but it turns out St. Denis also cured his leukemia—because he never had it in the first place. However, he asserts his patient-doctor confidentiality with Dr. Ron and Alex, the supervising RN, because he so enjoys all the attention from his family.
Feeling somewhat abandoned by his grown children, Dr. Ron almost sort of gets it, even though he still finds it horribly slimy. Instead of his real-life namesake, this Robert Klein is portrayed by the perfectly cast David Paymer, who makes a perfect foil for series stars David Alan Grier and Allison Tolman.
Okay, maybe there is a little bit of Christmas spirit in there, but it only comes briefly towards the end. However, the writers and cast never waste our time trying to teach us the true meaning of Christmas, or Heaven forbid, make some kind of political statement regarding the state of our health system. Luigi Mangione probably hates this show too, which again, means it is very funny. Highly recommended, “Ho-Ho-Hollo” airs Tuesday night (12/17) on NBC (and streams the next day on Peacock).
