The opening credits of The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy unspool over a chaotic ER bay where a patient’s tentacles are flailing, a nurse’s robotic arm malfunctions mid-suture, and the soundtrack swells with a synth-heavy cover of an old disco hit. It’s a mess, but it’s alive—a perfect microcosm for Cirocco Dunlap’s adult animated sci-fi comedy, which premieres on Prime Video with more ambition than polish.

Dunlap’s premise—two alien surgeons (Stephanie Hsu’s Dr. Sleech and Keke Palmer’s Dr. Klak) navigating a galaxy of absurd medical emergencies—is a clever twist on the workplace sitcom. The show leans into its sci-fi trappings with gusto, from anxiety-eating parasites to deep-space STIs, but it’s grounded by Dunlap’s personal touch: the series weaves in themes of anxiety and burnout, lending emotional weight to the zany antics. The second episode’s standout sequence—a patient trapped in a time loop (a callback to Dunlap’s inspiration, Groundhog Day)—uses slapstick humor to explore cyclical despair, with Hsu and Palmer’s chemistry elevating the material.

Yet for all its inventive worldbuilding, the series stumbles in execution. The animation, while solid overall, betrays budget constraints: static shots where characters stand motionless against a backdrop of swirling stars or bustling alien markets feel cheap compared to the more elaborate set pieces (like the time-loop episode’s frantic visual gags). Dunlap’s writing is sharpest when focusing on Sleech and Klak’s dynamic—Hsu’s deadpan delivery as the control-freak med-bot specialist contrasts perfectly with Palmer’s laid-back, morally ambiguous alien surgeon—but the supporting cast often feels underutilized. Maya Rudolph (who also executive produces) and Natasha Lyonne bring star power, but their roles are reduced to one-note jokes.

The humor, too, is hit-or-miss. Some gags land with cosmic force—a patient’s illegal time loop is a standout—while others feel like retreads of Rick and Morty or Solar Opposites. The show’s attempt at meta-comedy occasionally falters when it tries to be edgy for the sake of it, rather than serving the story.

Where The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy truly shines is in its willingness to tackle darker themes beneath the surface. The series doesn’t shy away from exploring the toll of burnout on healthcare workers, even as it leans into absurdity. A standout moment comes in Season 1’s finale, where Sleech and Klak confront their own professional limitations—Hsu’s voice work here is particularly nuanced, conveying exhaustion and resolve in equal measure.

Ultimately, Dunlap’s series has the bones of something special: a fresh sci-fi setting, bold thematic ambitions, and a duo worth rooting for.

Tags: animation, Prime Video, Keke Palmer, Maya Rudolph, Stephanie Hsu, The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy