Get ready for a thrilling twist as The Pitt takes a step back in time! The show's latest season has been a real eye-opener, showcasing the integral role technology plays in modern healthcare. From the moment we saw the trailer, we knew this cyberattack-induced shutdown was coming, and it's been fascinating to witness the first half of the season unfold. The ER is usually a tech-filled environment, with electronic patient boards, computer charts, and instant digital results. But as the older doctors, Robby, Abbot, and Al-Hashimi, guide the younger ones through an analog crash course, we're transported back to the good old days of healthcare. It's a refreshing change to see the paper-based systems and human effort that once kept hospitals running before the computer age.
Whitaker's heroic attempt to capture the patient board's details leads to a funny mix-up with a selfie and a blurry photo. But Joy steps up as the real hero, revealing her photographic memory and recreating the entire board! Meanwhile, Princess takes charge as the acting charge nurse, and Dana stays with Alana's rape kit as part of her crucial SANE duties. It's the older doctors, though, who truly shine in this analog setting, navigating the abbreviations, chart racks, and old-school systems they're familiar with from their early days in medicine.
The tech crisis certainly shakes things up at PTMC's emergency room. There's a fair share of mishaps and confusion, sending the ER into a semi-comedic frenzy. Even Langdon's Back to the Future-inspired pep talk falls a little flat. However, our dedicated healthcare professionals rise to the challenge, maintaining a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos. Once the younger staff grasp the paperwork flow and the importance of ballpoint pens, the show continues its semi-normal tone, which has become a hallmark of this season.
This hour emphasizes the importance of providing patients with a sense of normalcy, especially those who are often sensationalized or marginalized by society. Santos, for instance, has struggled to communicate effectively with her deaf patient, Harlow. Frustrated by the communication barrier, Santos was ready to order unnecessary tests, only to realize it was a simple tension headache caused by Harlow's laptop usage. It's a powerful reminder for Santos to truly listen to her patients.
The show also tackles weight bias through the character of Howard, a patient with abdominal pain and fever who weighs 474 pounds. Ogilvie, the resident 'asshole doctor,' demonstrates the all-too-common mistakes doctors make with overweight patients, offering snarky comments and random weight-loss advice. In contrast, the hero doctors show Howard the respect and empathy he deserves, treating him with dignity and providing attentive care. It's a continuation of the show's anti-fatphobia theme, reminding us that everyone deserves compassionate healthcare.
The ongoing storyline about Jackson, the troubled college student, finally gains momentum this week. After repetitive delays, psych finally deduces that Jackson likely suffers from bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. It's a scary revelation for his parents, especially with no simple test to differentiate between the two. However, the addition of a parent support advocate from psych adds an emotional depth to the storyline, offering a glimmer of hope in the midst of panic. When Nicole Steadman shares her personal experience of having a daughter diagnosed with schizophrenia at 20, it provides Jackson's parents with a much-needed anchor.
Dana's work as a SANE keeps her away from the immediate cyber crisis, but her presence is felt when Alana tearfully expresses gratitude for Dana being there. It's a beautiful moment, but it's followed by a tough reality check: the rape kit Dana processed two weeks ago is still sitting in the locked box, despite police being required to pick it up within 72 hours. The show balances last week's SWAT copaganda with Dana's fierce phone call, standing up to an officer over the delay.
On a brighter note, the episode's focus on making patients feel normal gives Samira a chance to shine. With her mom caught up in cruise fever, Samira no longer needs to move to New Jersey for a job. Instead, she can apply for a fellowship at PTMC. Al-Hashimi suggests geriatrics as a potential specialty, and this episode beautifully showcases Samira's sweet relationship with her former blood-clot patient. She handles his medical anxiety with empathy and reassurance, guiding him towards the care he needs.
PTMC's staff navigate this tech shutdown with impressive resilience. The simmering chaos at the episode's end hints at the delicate balance of their new normal, especially with the possibility of another 24 hours before their cyber systems are restored. But for now, they've weathered another hour of this challenging shift.
Stray observations:
- Langdon and Santos' reunion is as tense and awkward as expected, but McKay shares a sweet moment with Langdon, connecting over their shared sobriety.
- This week's comic relief comes from a drunk party girl with a bitten tongue, requiring some gruesome shots and stitches. The prosthetic work is impressive!
- A new storyline unfolds with a patient experiencing sudden onset blindness, agreeing to take medication with a 37% chance of improvement and a 1% chance of death. Al-Hashimi assigns Mel to monitor her closely.
- Ellis bends the rules to give Mel a heads-up about the deposition, which revolves around the measles kid who received a spinal tap last season. The mom blames the procedure for her child's intellectual decline, despite Ellis knowing it was low oxygen.
- Abbot's plan to join a SWAT mission, work a half-day shift, and then his night shift seems like a tall order!
- A heartwarming moment: Digby leaves his bed to say his final goodbyes to Louie, ringing a bell and giving him his wings.
- The gnarliest moment: Howard's awake nasal trachea is an intriguing but slightly disturbing procedure.
Caroline Siede, a contributor to The A.V. Club, brings us this insightful recap of The Pitt's latest episode.
