"The Pitt" - Season Two: Where the Character Development is More Shocking Than the Medicine

I’ll be the first to say that the water in every Emergency Department I’ve been in has tasted kind of weird, but what in the sweet heavens are they drinking on HBO’s “The Pitt”? 

We’re just two episodes into The Pitt, and we have been entertained by gory, open fractures and young ER residents who apparently spend their spare time being skilled cardiothoracic surgeons. 

As maggots squirmed on our TVs, I must admit that I am taken aback more by the character development in The Pitt than any of the medicine. 

Whitacre - or What-the-__-re?

This season takes place in the first week of July - notoriously the first week of residency for new interns. So you’re telling me this former timid scrawny med student who spent most of the first season changing contaminated scrubs is somehow a very knowledgeable day 3 intern? He leads a team of medical students like he’s a senior resident leading the team? He performs significant procedures fairly independently? In reality, Whitacre would be calling IT trying to get his log-in credentials for the computer, learning how to page the hospitalist, and painfully churning through differential diagnoses as he presents to his Attending. But sure, go ahead and be a legend, Whit.

Incomprehensible Interim Interruptions

I now introduce to you a character no one has ever needed: Dr. Robby’s interim replacement as department chair, Dr. Al-Hashimi. The viewers will also need to join Dr. Robby on a peaceful sabbatical after trying to wrap their heads around the believability of the interim appointment. Dr. Al-Hashimi, an experienced ER doctor, who supposedly understands the culture of emergency medicine and the inner workings of multiple departments - is a trailblazer in this new season. In her first days, she tries to rename the department, makes the intern/med students do sim-lab codes during a busy shift, and installs a “passport” system to help with patient logistics before her official start as interim chief. She’s as emotionally empty as her AI interests, offering the cold shoulder for a nervous resident named in a malpractice lawsuit. Are we really supposed to believe that a leading hospital in Pittsburgh with a vibrant graduate medical education program would hire someone like her? In reality, Dr. Robby would be part of the process of interviewing an interim replacement, and Dr. Al-Hashimi would not be welcome. 

Dr. Langdon’s Return: Good for TV but Not Too Likely for Reality

Dr. Langdon was pretty much the star resident in Season 1, and his storyline was important to highlight the significant issue of addiction which unfortunately affects physicians across the world. My understanding is that it is quite difficult to fire a resident; however, this is a case of a resident stealing benzos away from a patient. It would be pretty hard to come back from being under the influence of a controlled substance that you stole from a patient. That’s a criminal issue. It is also a medical board issue. You can have a sympathetic residency administration, but the medical board can decide to not license you in your current capacity as a resident and disqualify you from obtaining a full Attending license. 

I’m looking forward to the rest of the season (and Season 3, congrats!), but the show would benefit from bringing these characters back into orbit.