Fifteen episodes, each representing an hour in the Trauma hospital of Pittsburgh.
Are you interested in experiencing a shift alongside the medical team in the emergency room?
Join me today as I discuss The Pitt
It’s been a while since I wrote a review like this, so please be patient!
Ready to dive in?
Let’s go!
The Plot
The series, produced by Max (HBO), immerses us in contemporary Pittsburgh, where we experience a shift in the Emergency and Trauma department.
This is where the series truly shines.
In a post-COVID era, the writers capture the essence of healthcare systems around the world, all teetering on the brink of total collapse.
No matter where you are, you will feel the anxiety of the patients in The Pitt.
If you work in healthcare, you will see yourself reflected in every situation.
Throughout these 15 hours (episodes), we witness the emotions and challenges faced by healthcare personnel during their shifts.
Personally, I find the first two episodes to be the slowest (but not less interesting). If they manage to capture your attention, the rest of the season will leave you completely captivated.
This is one of those series that, if it only had one season, fans wouldn’t complain because it is truly exceptional.
The second season is already confirmed and, according to some sources, it will take place during the 4th of July celebrations. We still have to wait!
But let’s return to the first season, which boasts a spectacular cast.
The Cast
The Chief: Robby Rabinavitch
Masterfully portrayed by Noah Wyle, Robby is the head of the shift. His performance is so authentic that it’s hard not to identify with his character. From his role as a mentor to his internal struggles, his acting is award-worthy.
Many of his gestures and questions remind me of my tutors and great teachers. Always with a smile and a lesson behind every word, his character leaves a profound mark.
The Interns
More than once, I’ve felt like the interns.
Intern Santos
Dr. Trinity Santos (Isa Briones) embodies the ambition and desire of every medical student. Many times, we fall into arrogance, believing we know everything. However, the reality of patients is always more complex.
Depending on your perspective, you might see her attitude as positive or negative. In my case, I’ve had my moments of arrogance, but with time, learning comes.
Student Javadi
On the other hand, we have Javadi (Shabana Azeez), a prodigy under the pressure of a maternal figure.
I’m not sure if I’ve been lucky or unfortunate, but I don’t know this kind of pressure, which can be suffocating. Disappointing your role model is a heavy burden.
This character contrasts with Dr. Santos, presenting an intriguing conflict: What kind of doctor would you be?
The reality is that it’s not so simple, and at different moments, you can be one or the other, or even both.
Both young women portray the roles of medical students exceptionally well.
Intern Whitaker
Dr. Dennis Whittaker (Gerran Howell) perfectly captures the feeling of a first day on the job. That mix of curiosity and fear, not knowing what to do or where to go, is universal.
This character represents what could be a bad day in any emergency system.
Although I’ve highlighted these characters, the cast is filled with outstanding performances, especially from incredible women who show that true heroes and heroines don’t wear capes (but med coats)
But I’ll let you discover that for yourself.
Three Reasons to Highlight
If I haven’t convinced you yet, I hope to do so quickly.
1- It Breaks the Mold of Medical Series.
Unlike other medical shows that exalt rare cases and super-doctors (like The Good Doctor).
The Pitt shows that the real heroes aren’t those exceptional doctors. A shift is filled with common cases, which hold equal or greater value than the rare ones.
Throughout the season, you will see everyday situations from any hospital, reflecting true reality.
2- The Reality
We can’t talk about reality without mentioning the healthcare system.
In a hospital where metrics for patient satisfaction are prioritized over staffing, the series reflects a sharp critique.
Don’t get me wrong: the patient always comes first. But without adequate staff, it’s impossible to meet basic needs for providing proper care, resulting in dissatisfied patients.
The series illustrates this, showing how patients can wait up to four hours for a minor injury.
3- Humanity
A value that today’s society seems to forget and that other series overlook (because it doesn’t sell)
In The Pitt, doctors are people before they are professionals.
The series is so rich that it leaves small details without needing to make them the main argument, such as respecting a transgender woman in her medical history or supporting patients who have lost a loved one.
I’m sure this series will receive few nominations for major awards, but it has already won the biggest prize: global audience engagement.
The Pitt brilliantly portrays every aspect of current medicine and what needs improvement.
For proof, check out this tweet
Highly recommended
As a medical student, I can assure you that the procedures and medical content are more accurate than in other medical series. Shifts are lived this way.
If you don’t like this genre, that’s okay; I’m not particularly fond of it either (even being in the field). But The Pitt goes beyond, and I think you should give it a chance.
If you’ve already seen it, let me know what you thought!
Tell me what else you would add to my review.
And that’s it for this recommendation in a different way.
Read you soon!
[dahpilot]
Image sources were provided
