The Pitt, S2E7: Things Heat Up, Then Go Dark
- Antal Bokor
- 2 minutes ago
- 14 min read
Welcome back to a crazy Fourth of July shift at The Pitt. It’s like Robby said - I shouldn’t have come in today.
Recapping the recap, just to see what we might want to look out for in upcoming episodes:
There’s gonna be new Westbridge patients rolling in those doors - not surprisingly, since we’d only seen a few.
Our deaf patient hasn’t really been seen yet, because they’re waiting on an interpreter, but she does at least have a sandwich, and hospital sandwiches just hit different.
We also get brief glimpses of our combative college kid, our diabetic dad, and the hospice seizer, who’s still insisting she doesn’t want to go home, and if I’m being honest, I hope she doesn’t because I still have major red flags going off for her husband. Langdon wants to talk to Robby but we all know how that’s been going. There’s also a flashback to Dr. Hashimi freaking out about the baby, and I still very much need to know what that’s about. But that’s the end of the recap.
Unfortunately, that brings us back to Louie’s debrief funeral, but it’s not for long. Robby tucks a picture of his wife in to his hands, which are at his chest, and they’re all heading back to work.
Dana, of course, is how you know what the hell is to be done, and she’s got everyone assigned to their next task, with Robby reminding everyone how lucky they are to have her. Couldn’t agree more.
Now, I got a little bit spoilered on this episode prior to watching for a very good reason, which is that a fellow colleague who works as a SANE wrote a long and detailed post on why The Pitt had just done an absolutely incredible job handling a hard to handle topic - sexual assault. So when the sexual assault victim arrived, I knew this would be a large part of the focus of the episode, and I knew we’d be learning quite a bit.
We don’t get much info on that up front, because we’re still dealing with other things, like our hospice seizer, who McKay’s going after with Robby, but not before Hashimi stops him to give him props on the debrief for Louie. I feel like they already got past the lion’s share of territorial dispute issues, and that’s not as easy to do as it seems.
Dana, meanwhile, is on task with our assault victim, and while there’s talk of calling in a SANE, we find out that that’s already something Dana is trained for. A SANE, by the way, or Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, is “a registered nurse with advanced training in forensic examinations, evidence collection, and compassionate care for sexual assault survivors. SANEs provide immediate, trauma-informed care in emergency departments, working with law enforcement to improve, document, and preserve evidence.”
The Pitt takes its time with this case, and honestly, it’s a learning experience for me as a viewer, as to all the careful steps taken to help victims, and the specialized training needed for it. Dana’s got babynurse with her, who will be assisting and learning about the role of a SANE, and at least we hope, will follow in McKay’s footsteps and become a SANE herself, as Dana stresses the importance of more nurses having the training.
Remember, it’s the 4th of July, hot as hell in the waiting room, and overcrowded from our Westbridge overflow. But Dana and Babynurse, who we need to start calling by her name, since she’s a wonderful new add to the cast. Nurse Emma Nolan (beautifully portrayed by Laëtitia Hollard)
Now honestly, with literally anyone else but Dana handling this, I’d worry. But there’s no better hands to be in than this woman’s, I’m still sure. And we’re off, with Nolan and Evans en route with our assault victim to a room that’s tucked furthest away from the chaos of the ED as possible, and before Dana begins to work with the victim, she’s sure to let Nolan know that if she’s feeling like she can’t continue to work on this case, she is free to leave when she needs to. Just as they’re about to get our victim settled we find someone in the bed - a night shifter, Dr. Ellis, who gets kicked out of her naptime.
We’re out too, back with the deaf patient who we don’t have a good read on yet, mostly because no one’s been able to talk to her - a problem that, it turns out, is pretty common in a real ER, and something that deaf advocates have been adamant about making less common. They’ve got a virtual assistant running, so it’s looking good…until he gets disconnected over and over. We find out our patient has a headache and abdominal pain, but no further questions Santos asks, rather gruffly, if I might add, are able to be answered. To her credit, Santos tries writing to communicate while they wait for an in-person interpreter, but SHE does all the writing, and doesn’t seem to be listening very well to the signals our patient’s giving. And while this might seem like it should’ve been the solution, there are in fact, deaf people who do not read and write in English, and even if they do, for whom it is not their first language, since ASL is. This is important, because patients have a right to be spoken to about their care in their FIRST language, not just a language that they also speak. We’re gonna be waiting at least the rest of this episode to find out what’s really going on here, and I feel bad for our patient.
The rest of our combative college kid, Jackson’s family is now here, and they’re in a similar state of disbelief to his sister, Jada. Javadi and Hashimi are both in with them. Jackson’s parents, Demi and Charles, want to take him home and are absolutely infuriated to find that he’s on an involuntary psych hold, at first. Dr. Jefferson handles it well though, and lets them know that he’s reported hearing voices, and he’s going to help the family handle whatever is happening together.
Hashimi excuses herself, obviously upset, and locks herself in the bathroom. She makes a phone call out to Pittsburgh Neuroscience for an appointment, and this…this is going to be a big deal at some point, I think. She sets an appointment for herself, urgently, as a patient of Dr. Fairgraves.
Mckay and Robby, meanwhile, are with our hospice patient, trying to convince her to go home - and I understand why - with the hospital being so busy and her not being critical, beds need to go to other people. But she really doesn’t want to go, and I seriously think there’s more at play here than we’re seeing. At first it’s just McKay and Robby but Robby gets pulled away and now McKay’s in with the family, including the husband, who’s brought the kids. Does that feel a little manipulative of the dad? I’m still so suspicious of him, and I could be wrong, but I don’t like the feels.
We’ve come back around to our sexual assault victim, and I think the best thing to do with these portions of this episode are to encourage you to listen carefully to everything Dana says, because she goes in great detail with the patient about what’s going to happen, what her rights are, and most importantly, that it’s up to her how far the exam goes or doesn’t. What I think is most wonderful about the way this is portrayed is that they don’t pull back from it - if it seems invasive, or too intense, they don’t turn the camera away from it - and while at first I found myself thinking the unblinking, un-commented on nature of it all would frighten potential victims out of doing it, knowledge is power, and knowing what will happen before it happens, I think, wins out.
Quick cut back to our hospice patient, and we find out that if she doesn’t want to leave, she can have a room upstairs. Ok, that’s what I’m rooting for in this scenario, and I’m so glad she has that option even as the hall space is even filling up.
Meanwhile, an officer who’s been shot is coming in. He’s got a neck wound, and he’s incoming with many of his squad members, including Abot (remember him from last season?) who’s a medic in the squad and naturally, he and Robby go way back and have a rapport.
Back in with our assault patient, Dr. Hashimi’s actually doing the rape kit, and again, handling it extremely well, talking the patient and thus the viewers through all the steps. While our patient has mostly wanted to charge forward, she shows hesitation with her legs being touched, and we find out she’s got bruised up shoulders. She also talks a little bit about what happened - she was at a barbecue with friends and was helping set up - but we don’t stay to find out more.
King’s now outside, talking to her sister. Her sister’s excited to see her after shift, but is in pain with a bad stomachache, so King encourages her to go see the nurse at her facility, and promises her ice cream and fireworks later that night.
Around this same time, we find out Mohan’s having some family issues herself, and looks quite distressed during her phone call just outside the ER.
In this show, you can’t expect to stand in an ambulance bay for anything without a new patient rolling up, and now we’ve got a 17 year old footballer who was at practice and collapsed. Turns out he’s been playing for four hours in all his gear in super hot weather. So, y’know, that’s actually probably not ideal, but this kid’s got major game face, and wants to head back to the field to do more. I don’t foresee that happening, kiddo, and it’s best if it didn’t.
Meanwhile, Joy and Ogilvie, my trouble twins, are together and bitching about something. This time they’re hungry. Whitaker, always with the eerily cheerful disposition and all the answers, shoots them a protein bar and tells them to get used to them, as sometimes it’s the only way to get any food during a shift, like it or not.
And we’ve got a runner! Our diabetic dad is trying to leave. Man, don’t do this. You’ve got great kids and a great wife. But he’s also got 100k in debt already, and is calculating the additional time. Mohan’s trying to convince him to stay for at least 12 more hours as he’s still got ketones problems, but it really doesn’t seem like he’s gonna stick. Dammit.
Dr. Abot is now formally meeting Hashimi, as formally as you can when being introduced as “Gloria’s new hire”
Our football kid’s up next, and we’ve got Joy and Ogilvie engaging in a battle of the differentials, but spoilers, it’s heat exhaustion. Or so we think so far.
We’re back with Dana and Evans and our assault victim, and she’s using a blue light on her skin to find forensic evidence to swab, locating some on her wrist, and also taking photos of any visible injuries.
Meanwhile, our police officer’s been saved for now by a snazzy maneuver with a neo-natal 02 mask, and he’s headed to surgery. Hashimi, now actually getting to know Abot, pegs him as having spent time in the Middle East and mentions that she worked with Doctors Without Borders there. And, are they flirting?
Javadi’s down with her dad - who’s a dermatologist. I’m so sorry Javadi, I’m afraid you’re doomed with parents with crazy high expectations. He’s got a dermatologist he’s set up a meeting for her with, so like…there’s no way you’re gonna please either of them going emergency medicine, which I think she will.
Psych is on the way to help our college kid’s family, but should really consider a pit stop with Javadi so she can vent about her parents, because sheesh.
But, back with Jackson, we find out that there is a history of mental illness that the parents didn’t tell their kids about, and their uncle, who committed suicide, may have been mentally ill. This causes a blowup and Jada’s out the door, infuriated and wandering the hospital.
In with Dana and Babynurse, we’re working on a mouth swab, and trying to convince our patient to eat - but she’s still insisting on motoring through, and if that’s what’s best for her and her mental health right now, it’s what they’ll do.
Out in the halls, there’s a heat exhaustion treatment area set up. Langdon’s idea, says King, pointedly at Robby. She also mentions that the upcoming deposition is still killing her.
Robby’s seemingly out of his super cranky era, and back to coaching, and he’s reassuring her that she’s one of the very best students he’s ever worked with. I do love a good affirmation, and King looks rightfully reassured that she’s got this.
Back with our hospice patient, we’ve got trouble. The husband’s trying very hard to convince Robby that she’s not mentally sound to make the decision, and…again, I have so many red flags popping up here still. It could be a red herring, but…
She, being of sound mind, like she has been this whole time, says she wants to stay. One thing that’s been bothering me this whole time is that they rarely talk to her separately from her husband, and it’s still not happening. The father’s still hard core pushing, and I don’t like it one bit. She’s pushing back though, even as her kids crawl all over her, and she says she doesn’t want to be a living ghost in their home - it upsets her oldest son, but it’s a point I can’t get over. While it might be the right choice for some to die at home, she’s thinking of her kids, clearly, and also what she wants - to not have the home filled with memories of her dying, instead just having memories of their life together. It’s to each their own and again, there’s no wrong choice, but at least in my brain, if she’s of sound mind, which she very much seems to be, then she should be the one making that choice.
We’ll have to hold that thought though, because there’s a helicopter on the roof with a trauma patient and Robby’s gotta get to going. It’s a boating accident, with a swimmer vs. a propeller. This sounds gnarly, so if gore’s not what you’re here for, I’d get a snack about now. But guess who else is suiting up to meet the helicopter. If you guessed Langdon, you’ve clearly got the same sort of normal vision I do, but this should be interesting. Let’s hash it out guys.
Ok, or let’s not fucking talk at all.
OK, they’re talking a little bit
Jake’s good? Yay, we’re talking.
Aww, yelling apologies. That’s nice.
Aww, we’re yelling forgiveness. This is what we’re here for!
Oh no. That took a dramatic left turn when forgiveness turned into Robby saying “But I’m not sure I want you working in my ER ever again.” Fuck. Oh man.
Gotta focus on the patient though. I mean you said some things.
Robby gave a rather mean exit to Dr. Al too. This didn’t go as I hoped.
King’s here. Oh man. This is fucked.
King reminds Langdon about hemocue cuz langdon’s lost his groove. Dammit. Not really fair to him to be on point right after his former friend and current boss said he’s not sure he wants him back even while they’re working on a level 1 trauma together. Ugh.
Back with Dana, where things are being handled the way they should be. I kept thinking as I watched this that the entire process was so long, and so much to endure, and I can see the patient’s hands shaking, but Dana.
She reminds the patient that what happened to her won’t define her, and that she can talk to the advocates waiting for her but doesn’t have to. Again, not shying away from how this process can be overwhelming, but also showing how you get through it, and what help is available.
Santos is still kinda ignoring the actual patient and getting overly heated about the problem - no interpreter.
I fear she’s really been fucking up a lot
Princess is going to tell her what’s up, and
Hashimi comes to tell Santos she did a good job on theearlier trauma but I fear the accolades might be replaced shortly by problems.
One of our heat stroke victims in the hallway starts seizing and Santos is on the job. No apparent trauma but they need to cool him down with ice packs.
Meanwhile Robby and Langdon are fighting over the boat trauma guy, and it’s not really helping anyone, but we’re lucky since he’s gotta go to CT anyway, and away from this whole drama.
We’ve got a new guy who ate a salad that’s not agreeing with him and he also needs cooling.
Meanwhile, we found Jada, and Javadi’s trying to talk her down and recruiting her to help with her brother instead of just be mad her parents withheld information.
Meanwhile, we’re in with diabetic dad…oh no. We’re not. It’s Abot. Well, fuck.
Also, Abot got shot at, but he of course doesn’t want to get checked in to get treated for a graze so Javadi’s gonna cover his ass. And help with the wound, clearly. We think they’re in the clear until Robby’s beady little eyes dart in on them. So far though, he’s got nothing to say.
Abot and Javadi talk about diabetic dad and he offers to pay for the proper supplies to be ubered to his house.
The team’s cooling seizing heat guy, and he’s fine for now
Dr. Al and Santos are talking, and she’s a lot easier on her this time, telling her to keep grinding.
Footballer goes neuro. And for all the work Dr. Al’s doing trying to help Santos feel better she's obsessed with charting. She starts charting again, but the baby's crying. She’s not my first pick for this, but Donnie can’t, and there’s no one else so she’s on duty. The baby’s just cranky, so…gonna have to deal with that. The nurse peaces out to get Tylenol for kiddo, and now they’re alone.
“Starting to understand why you got left here.” she quips to our howling infant.
Mean
Seconds later though, she’s singing to her. In tagalog? Cool. Oh. And the baby loves it.
Awww, we’ve even got a finger grasp.
Are we actually nurturing and vulnerable, Santos? Holy shit.
Back with the boat guy, we’re all atwitter. Everyone’s on deck, and surgery calls King Sadness, which is funny but mean.
Langdon tries to talk to Robby about things but he’s not having it. I WAS ROOTING FOR YOU!
Dr. Hashimi gets called to the C-Suite - so that’s weird
Santos says she’s a baby whisperer and now she’s in charge of the baby? Talk about a plot twist. She’s still waiting on an interpreter for her deaf patient at this point anyway.
Now Robby’s nagging Santos about charting.
How’s you and Whit, he asks
Weirder than you’d expect, she answers. He’s at Amy’s a lot.
Wasn’t Amy pregnant? Are they dating? What’s up with the kid?
Whit wants to help everyone, she says. But she’s sus he’s being taken advantage of.
Robby says he’s our Huckleberry, which seems like a gentle reminder to Santos to help him not get taken advantage of, but before all that can keep rolling, the boss arrives.
Boss in here.
In with McKay -
Her husband wants Robby to order his wife to go home, but Robby aptly reminds him that she’s the one dying and that respecting her wishes is what to do. It’s a gift to let her do this. And he backs off for now, but man, i still don’t like him. Hrgnghghg.
Nearing the very last bit of the episode and our deaf patient has an actual interpreter. Ok, I feel a little better. Hopefully all that waiting wasn’t too detrimental.
Back with Dana, we’re rounding the bend on this. An advocate is with our patient telling her that she can report any time. They’re about to do a vaginal exam, but it all comes to a screeching halt, with the patient saying she wants to stop.
“He’s my friend, he knows all my friends
“It was just dumb”
“He was drunk and didn’t mean it”
So Dana stops, waits, and cries silently for her.
Santos, meanwhile, turns out to have been sleeping in the bathroom, and when she gets startled awake and pulls her pants up, we can see scars from self harm. Oh no, baby girl.
I hope someone can help you with that.
Last but not least, hospital CEO Trent Norris arrives. But why?
Well, we now find out that the Westbridge code black was due to a cyber attack, and that they’ve been fending them off all day right here at the Pitt. Oh yeah, and everyone’s gonna have to do everything manually now, because they’re just shutting off any sort of computer things they’ve got to deal with this. Can they do that? Another hospital, Good Dominion, has been hit as well, though patients from there are being routed to another hospital.
So, this sucks, and it happens right away. On top of it, Robby’s pissed, because no one consulted him - just Dr. Al.
And, fade to black. In the case of their computers, literally.
2 pm is probably going to be even worse.