Why aren't you watching The Pitt yet?
A Rant
Yes, I’m asking you directly. Is it because it’s a hospital show? I totally get that. The blood, and the gore, and the losing patients- it’s a lot. I myself have cried multiple times over the course of watching. There’s a storyline in particular that got me to a point where I had to fast-forward whenever they were on screen (that doesn’t mean don’t watch it). Or maybe it’s because you already have a medical drama you’re attached to. Grey’s Anatomy fans are incredibly loyal and I respect it. Whatever your reasoning is, you have to put it aside and watch it. Post haste.
The show takes place over the course of a single day in an ER in Pittsburgh with each episode being an hour of the day. It’s very thrilling and I understand why our forefathers were glued to the TV when 24 (2001) was on. Needless to say this is the worst single day I have ever seen. Yes it’s probably a regular occurrence for doctors in an ER but this single day would’ve been my last. Poor Dr. Robby’s balding makes sense. It is a nonstop onslaught of critical patients and interpersonal drama- the best kind of watch. The show is rooted heavily in reality and the immersion is incredibly strong as a result. So much so, that the problems facing the hospital feel so personal and it’s a good reminder of the hell that we put hospital staff through.
Periodically throughout the day, the ER is visited by a cold and detached hospital representative who expects them to achieve high patient satisfaction and faster times, all while refusing to hire the nurses upstairs (in admittances) needed to make wait times in the ER faster. Dr. Robby has literally saved 3 lives in 10 minutes when she comes in threatening to fire him in a blush pink blazer. The gaul. People have died in the hallway and she’s worried about patient satisfaction quotas. It’s disgusting actually and I appreciate that this show doesn’t hold back portraying the impossible situation so many doctors and nurses are in. Several times it hit me that this is our REAL healthcare system and that any one of us could have a worse outcome due to the negligence and greed of hospital management. I commend this show for giving a voice to that reality. In this country, we are obsessed with NOT looking behind the curtain. We don’t want to know how anything is made, where our food comes from, or really anything that has to do with the material reality of those we rely on for our services. It frustrates me to no end that we don’t even stop to think about the immense collective effort it takes to keep this country going and the countless faces like ours who make things happen. The fact that you may be where you are today because a stranger, somewhere went the extra mile for you. We need more reminders of this reality.
So far, I give this show a 10/10 for writing, acting, concept- all of it. I’m on episode 7 right now but I suspect the day will only deteriorate from here and I may or may not respond to this depending on the season finale. Watch before those who take glee in spoiling shows get to you.
I’ve been watching a lot lately as this is my last full week of being unemployed (wooooooo!!) and this is what stuck out. The Residence is also a very fun watch, if not a little libbed up. Definitely watch that, too!