The Pitt’s Next Shift

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Warning: Spoilers ahead for the first season of The Pitt, up until the season finale “9:00 P.M.”, which aired on Max on April 10.

After a harrowing 15-hour shift filled with groundbreaking medical feats, heartrending setbacks, and the cacophony of IV insertions that haunt my dreams, the team at Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center can finally bid goodbye to their temporary home. The gripping finale of The Pitt, titled “9:00 P.M.”, leaves me pondering a poignant question – who among them will return?

As a devoted fan, I’m eagerly anticipating the second season of “The Pitt” since I heard that the creative team is already hard at work. In conversations with Vulture this year, the show’s creator R. Scott Gemmill, executive producer John Wells, and lead actor Noah Wyle hinted at a potential time leap. Noah even suggested that viewers might find it uninteresting to revisit these characters within just three months, given the intense trauma of Pitt Fest.

With the ever-changing nature of hospital staff and the aftermath of such a dramatic event, any time jump would undoubtedly bring new faces to PTMC and potentially see some familiar ones return. Even for established PTMC employees, as Noah pointed out, the show’s direction will introduce entirely fresh characters, shaped by the experiences they’ve gone through. I can hardly wait to witness these changes!

Stepping into my role as a movie critic, let me set the scene: The narrative leap is undeniably clear – a full ten months will pass between seasons one and two, with the second season unfolding over the vibrant Fourth of July weekend. Brace yourselves for an abundance of firework mishaps, perhaps even some unfortunate BBQ skewer incidents!

Reflecting on the dramatic events of “9:00 P.M.” and considering the usual pace of life for residents and medical students, it’s time to indulge in a bit of speculation. Which cherished members of our beloved Pitt crew will continue their tireless work in the ER after this ten-month leap? (For the record, I hope they all return!)

Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch: The show wouldn’t be the same without Wyle, and Dr. Robby will definitely return. But I can understand if he feels the need to redesign the pediatric wing of the ER. After all, those animals have witnessed a lot, and Langdon’s final jab about Robby talking to cartoon animals might linger in his mind more than he cares to acknowledge.

Dr. Frank Langdon posed the question: Isn’t ten months an appropriate length for rehabilitation from your benzodiazepine addiction? Perhaps, after getting sober, Langdon left his residency program, and if PTMC would allow it, he could return to complete his training. However, considering Robby’s hostile “FUCK YOU” message in “9:00 P.M.,” I have my doubts about their reconciliation. My worries are high regarding the reappearance of Dr. Ken!

As a passionate film enthusiast, I can’t help but express my anticipation for the potential return of Dr. Heather Collins in “The Pitt.” The abrupt departure of her character during the final act has left many of us eagerly speculating about her future appearances. To me, the storyline feels far from complete, especially given the intriguing ambulance-bay scene between Collins and Robby that could potentially set the stage for a captivating will-they-or-won’t-they-again dynamic.

If “The Pitt” intends to explore this tantalizing possibility, it’s worth considering that Dr. Collins is likely to have completed her residency at PTMC within ten months. However, her potential as a full-time attending seems far more promising than Langdon’s.

Moreover, the prospect of seeing Dr. Collins interact with Dr. Parker Ellis is one I eagerly look forward to. I can only imagine the juicy gossip about Robby that Collins might have shared with him in private. Fingers crossed for their on-screen encounter!

Nurse Dana Evans, it seems, has reached the end of her tether. Despite her longstanding dedication to the ER and the admiration she garners from her peers, the recent incident where she was assaulted by a patient may have taken its toll. Her decision to pack up at 9:00 PM and distance herself from workplace drama suggests a desire for a break. I can only imagine how much we’ll miss Dana, but given her years of service and accrued PTO, she certainly deserves this respite. It’s not inconceivable that she might return to PTMC in the future, perhaps as a volunteer or even just to drop by with some beers for those late-night get-togethers.

Dr. Mel King: Actress Taylor Reardon told Vulture that she will reappear in season two, and it’s hardly surprising, right?

King, a second-year resident, moved to PTMC following a two-month stint at the VA. However, we understand that her decision wasn’t due to dissatisfaction with her prior residency placement. Instead, her sister requiring special care in a Pittsburgh facility was the driving force behind her relocation. As long as King’s sister remains there, she intends to stay put as well. “I don’t need much sleep, and I have a quick metabolism” – what an inspiration!

Dr. Cassie McKay: As a second-year resident and with family connections in Pittsburgh through her son and father, McKay is firmly rooted here. However, let’s hope this permanence isn’t due to the ankle monitor; Chadwick Harrison Ashcroft III should make every effort to persuade “Bonus Mom” to lift that restraining order soon (and get rid of that T-shirt).

Dr. Samira Mohan presents an intriguing scenario due to her ongoing conflicts with Robby throughout the series, as he frequently criticizes her for spending too much time with patients and perceives her as uncertain and lacking confidence. Initially, I thought Mohan might be moving to a different residency program because of Robby’s less-than-supportive guidance. However, in the final episodes, she demonstrates remarkable skill by saving several patients and receiving commendation from Abbot for performing a daring maneuver that he coached her on. It’s possible that McKay’s comment, “This job can’t be your life, Samira,” foreshadows Mohan finding romance instead of being consumed by work. Alternatively, she might embrace Abbot’s philosophy, “fuck standard of care,” and continue treating patients according to her judgment under his tutelage, perhaps even switching shifts. There are several possibilities!

Dr. Trinity Santos presents a complex character. On one side, she earns respect from Abbot and Ellis, gaining validation that seems important to her. Yet, her accusations against Langdon concerning the drug supply lead to friction with Dr. Yolanda Garcia and potentially Robby, making her questionable in their eyes. I predict she’ll return for the next season as a first-year resident leaving the program would reflect poorly. Moreover, inviting homeless medical student Dennis Whitaker to live with her suggests a long-term living arrangement. However, even after ten months, I can imagine her ongoing conflicts with ER colleagues if she continues pursuing cases that spark her interest over attending to patients who need her first.

In simpler terms, Victoria Javadi is uncertain about returning to the ER, as a third-year medical student, her ER rotation usually lasts four weeks. However, if she’s still around, it might be because she’s doing rotations in other PTMC departments or due to her mother working there. But overall, Javadi didn’t seem to enjoy her time in the ER. Despite some positive moments like standing up to her mom and flirting with Mateo, she appeared quite exhausted by the end of her shift. Given her youth (20 years old), she has time to decide whether to pursue a clinical medicine career or switch to research after earning her medical degree.

Dennis Whitaker, known for his affinity towards rat-extermination and falsetto singing, is a fourth-year medical student. Unlike Javadi, his ER rotation occurs in the fourth year instead of the third, which isn’t unusual according to the Emergency Medicine Residents’ Association. However, any time gap longer than four weeks would make him ineligible for ER duties, similar to Javadi’s situation. Exceptions include potential rotations in other PTMC departments and his residence with Santos, keeping him within The Pitt’s sphere. A ten-month time jump allows Whitaker to graduate medical school and, if matched at PTMC, start a residency in emergency medicine there, possibly realizing his season-one goal of aiding the street team caring for homeless individuals. Regardless of future events, let’s all agree that we need Whitaker back for a scene where he instructs a junior trainee on operating the scrubs machine.

This season on The Pitt, it was repeatedly emphasized that there’s a significant nursing shortage across the nation, a situation that existed prior to COVID-19 and has only worsened since. The entertaining banter between Princess and Perlah over Gloria’s reluctance to hire more nurses was a highlight of the season. In theory, this staffing shortage gives nurses the power to switch jobs or move from one hospital to another for improved pay, hours, or benefits. However, the close-knit bond among the ER team makes me hope that they all remain. I find their conversations in Arabic and Tagalog, especially those between Princess and Perlah, consistently entertaining throughout the series.

Dr. Jack Abbot: We’re eager for a spinoff of The Pitt: Night Shift, featuring our beloved doctor carrying a go-bag. Let Casey Bloys know immediately! Combine Dr. Abbot with fellow night-time attending doctor, Dr. John Shen, senior resident doctor, Dr. Parker Ellis (who could potentially become a permanent staff member after a ten-month leap), and charge nurse Bridget. That’s a fresh team to root for!

Doug Driscoll: Indeed, the list primarily focuses on health-care professionals at The Pitt. However, let’s bend the rules for this specific patient who appears to be the typical candidate for a Fourth of July fireworks mishap. Let’s have him return so Mateo can give him a well-deserved facial punch!

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2025-04-11 06:03