Even Gerran Howell Was Surprised by That Moment in The Pitt

by

In the second-to-last hour of what Gerran Howell from “The Pitt” calls the “nightmare shift,” Dennis Whitaker, a farm boy turned medical student, stumbles upon a chance to demonstrate his abilities in an unexpected situation. While searching for blankets in the ER’s temporary morgue, Whitaker encounters a heartbroken Dr. Robby (played by Noah Wyle), who has just lost his girlfriend of his unofficial stepson and is still grappling with PTSD on the anniversary of his mentor’s death from COVID. Whitaker assists Robby to his feet, reminding him that there are still shooting victims in need of rescue, and later they share a moment over prayer. During this exchange, Whitaker echoes the guidance he received from Robby in episode 3: Learn to cope with loss, learn to accept it, and strive for balance.

This is a significant juncture for young Huckleberry, whose initial work experience has been marked by minor embarrassments (constant scrub exchanges), difficult trials (losing his first patient), and occasional triumphs (receiving applause for eliminating a stray rat). Meanwhile, it’s also a significant moment for Welsh actor Howell, who, like many of his colleagues, holds respect for Wyle. “It felt very authentic,” Howell shares, “because Noah functioned as a mentor to us all and me in particular, and it somewhat mirrored the character dynamics. We were working off each other, and it flowed smoothly. The scene where he pushes me away wasn’t scripted.

In the “8:00 P.M.” scene from the script, it was surprising yet fulfilling for me when I found myself assisting Dr. Robby to stand again after his breakdown in the morgue. Filming that moment left a strong impact on me because I hadn’t expected Whitaker to be the one needing help in such a situation. However, seeing him rise to the occasion and provide support during this challenging time was truly inspiring. He demonstrated his worth as a doctor and as a person who cares deeply about others, reflecting Robby’s words back to him with empathy and understanding.

In that particular scene, Noah didn’t provide explicit directions. However, as a significant character in the series, he will be your guide throughout. Yet, our rehearsals for this episode were kept to a minimum.

To begin with, both EP John Wells and Scott Gemmill provided me with an extensive character description for Whitaker. This isn’t something you get all the time. We discussed various aspects of his personal life, such as his family background, childhood romances, and farm struggles. Some details were even kept confidential. With that foundation laid, we dived straight into the production.

In their discussion later in this episode, we discover that Whitaker had majored in Theology as an undergraduate, although his feelings towards religion are complex and strained. Interestingly, it becomes a shared interest between him and Robby, serving as a source of solace for both when life gets overwhelming. Despite any outward expressions of their personal beliefs, the importance of this aspect of their lives cannot be overlooked.

It sounds like you’re suggesting that he pursued theology primarily because of parental influence but later found a different path for himself. He yearned to make a practical impact and believed that his skills might be more beneficial in another profession, possibly even benefiting his hometown community. Given that Broken Bow, Nebraska only has one doctor, he may aspire to bring these new skills back there at some point.

Was the atmosphere during the filming of those episodes as intense and chaotic as the scenes themselves? Indeed it was. The last few episodes were like a rollercoaster, with tension building up to almost unbearable levels. It felt like we were living a real-life horror movie, pushing us to our limits. In between the high-pressure situations, there were moments for characters to develop, but even then, everyone was on edge due to the extreme stakes and pressure. It was exhausting, yet the set was incredibly supportive. To maintain the authenticity of the scenes, all long-term background actors were replaced with fresh faces, creating an environment where we felt we had no choice but to deliver our best performances. The lines between reality and the show blurred significantly, making it all feel very real. It was a terrifying yet exhilarating experience. [Chuckles]

As a movie enthusiast, I find it challenging to convey significant character development within a single day’s shift, but it seems like Whitaker has been undergoing a transformation lately. It feels like he’s been through a trial by fire, gaining self-assurance and demonstrating remarkable resilience. His role appears to be about more than just surviving; it’s about standing tall amidst adversity without succumbing to pressure, no matter the circumstances. I believe it takes time for such traits to become second nature – for every character, dealing with a mass-casualty incident like this one requires processing and adaptation that unfolds gradually over time. The upcoming season will be intriguing as we witness how these experiences shape Whitaker’s evolution, with the most significant changes occurring between seasons. It will be a captivating journey for the audience as we catch up on the choices made to endure in this profession, many of which will unfold behind the scenes – an aspect I find quite intriguing.

It seems like this season has laid the groundwork for Whitaker to potentially join the Street Team in the future. We’ll find out whether he stands by his promise or falters and backs down. This will be intriguing given McKay’s involvement too, creating a fascinating interplay between them.

In the series, Whitaker’s dynamic with Dr. Mohan significantly impacts his character development. Initially, she prompts him to consider the importance of empathy towards patients. As a result, we observe Whitaker demonstrating empathy frequently throughout the season, even towards characters like Dr. Robby. This is about finding your own approach when confronted with harsh realities in this profession – one can either become detached or maintain an empathetic stance. In this narrative, Whitaker grapples with the possibility of becoming more distant and cold-hearted following a distressing event involving Mr. Milton. However, his encounters with Mohan serve as a reminder to preserve that delicate balance between empathy and non-judgmentalism. These moments are captivating because they offer a refreshing change of pace. They also signify that each interaction provides characters with new insights on how to maneuver through their experiences.

The Pitt series isn’t overly focused on romance, but there’s an undercurrent of flirtation between Whitaker and Nurse Kim that might suggest a lack of self-awareness in Whitaker, as well as his impact on others. As for me, I often felt like I was unintentionally leading her on. However, it’s rarely something he considers. Perhaps in the future, these interactions could develop into something positive for Whitaker, showcasing his worth and attractiveness to others. [Laughs] Who would have thought?

How did it feel training alongside actual medical professionals? It was like attending a two-week intensive medical course where seasoned medical technicians guided us through the process. I spent a significant amount of time with Isa Briones and Shabana Azeez, and we were grouped based on our level of experience. Generous patients allowed us to perform ultrasounds on them. The learning experience was reminiscent of high school biology lessons, but on steroids. Suddenly, a TV would appear, displaying an eye being dissected or someone’s thumb inserted in a cadaver’s main artery. [Laughs] It was intense, yet exciting and crucial. At first, it could feel overpowering, and I questioned, How much of this will I remember? However, when we were on set, the knowledge came in handy. By the end of each day, we were not only performing these procedures but also acting and trying to portray a character. Without that real-life experience, we would have been struggling to keep our heads above water.

Did any scenes prove challenging from a logistical standpoint during filming?

For me, each medical procedure was both emotionally taxing and intimidating. By the end of the day, it felt like a well-rehearsed dance. The tonsillectomy scene, however, proved to be particularly difficult. With our gifted guest actor and a young protagonist, we had several crew members doing different tasks: suction, clamps. After every take, I would check on the actor, who was covered in blood, saying “Are you alright?” He’d reply, “Yes, yes, I’m fine.

In due course, and with a bit of an unexpected twist each time, he expels saliva tinged with blood onto your visage.

Are there any particular events or situations you’re hoping to witness for Whitaker in season two? Since the time leap is unpredictable, I’m just thrilled to see what obstacles he’ll face and how he’ll react – even if those obstacles involve some surprising substances! I’m open to any possibilities, but perhaps I should reconsider sharing that thought.

Read More

2025-04-04 05:56