If you’ve been on any form of social media, or if you’ve just been existing in life, you’ve probably heard about “The Pitt,” a new show streaming on Max. And if you haven’t heard about it, where have you been? “The Pitt” is a medical drama series that takes place in the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital’s ER, also known as the Pitt by its medical staff. The show stars Noah Wyle, most known for his work on another medical show, “ER” that aired from 1994 to 2009 and was created by R. Scott Gemmill who also worked on “ER” for several years. The two, along with John Wells, the show’s executive producer and former “ER” producer, decided to create another medical show after Covid-19 because they believed that a new, more realistic, story about healthcare workers needed to be told.
The show follows Dr. Robby, a senior attending played by Wyle, and the members of his ER as they work a shift. As much as I’d like to highlight the other staff members and actors in this show, I wouldn’t have enough time. “The Pitt” is carried by a phenomenal ensemble cast that includes Hollywood veterans, nepo babies, and newcomers, and they all do a remarkable job. All of my favorite TV shows have an ensemble cast. There’s just something about watching a group of people move so perfectly together that I’ll never get over, and “The Pitt” has that something.
What’s unique about this show is that the entire series takes place over the course of one day. At the beginning of episode one, “7:00 A.M,” we see Dr. Robby walk into the hospital to start his shift, and the episode takes us through the first hour at work. Episode two is titled “8:00 A.M.” and takes us through that hour and the following episodes do the same. So, only an hour passes by in each episode, which is something I’ve never seen before, but I absolutely love it.
Another thing I love most about the show is how fast-paced it is. Because it takes place in an ER, there’s always something happening. Whether it’s someone coming in after being hit by a car or several people being wheeled in after a drug overdose, there’s never a quiet moment in the Pitt. However, even though there’s constant patient activity in the ER, the viewers are still given a chance to learn more about the characters through the dialogue they share with one another during their quick hallway meetings and by flashbacks that happen throughout the series.
I don’t want to give too much away because I desperately want you all to watch it and because the show is still airing. As I’m writing this, the final episode of “The Pitt” has yet to be released. The season finale premiers on Thursday, April 10, and will take us through the 15th hour of their incredibly long shift. I, and basically the entire internet, are waiting in anticipation for this episode, so you should join in on the fun.
Guys, I can’t emphasize this enough, real TV is back. If you enjoy a nice procedural, or a medical drama, please give “The Pitt” a chance, and if you don’t like either of those things, still give it a watch. I mean it’s already been greenlit for a second season, so it must be special.
You can watch “The Pitt” on Max.