The Pitt Season 2 Episode 4 Review: 10:00 AM

On The Pitt Season 2 Episode 4, “10:00 AM,” Robby and his team navigate additional patients redirected from a nearby shuttered hospital. 

The energy in the hospital palpably shifts and, in turn, emphasizes the hyperrealism of the series. The set is kinetic with something always happening on screen, even in the deep background. It’s a nice reminder of the way the detail and energy uplifts the series as a whole.

Another wonderful reminder on this episode is how the show manages to anchor itself despite the mounting tension and chaos. We’re able to feel the anxiety, but we’re never too overwhelmed as we bounce from doctor to doctor, patient to patient. 

Financial Burdens

One of patients at the forefront of this episode is Mr. Diaz.

The Diaz family impeccably illustrates the impossible, never-ending cycle so many working class people find themselves in when it comes to healthcare. Even the small victories are not worth celebrating because of how little impact they make. “10:00 AM” cuts through the facade and recognizing that there is no winner in this system even with all the “help.”

This case not only examines the struggle from a systemic perspective, but dives into the complex emotional toll. Mr. Diaz harbors a large amount of shame for his position impeding his ability to fully accept the help he needs. Meanwhile, Ana shoulders her parents’ anxiety after finding out they don’t have insurance. 

When discussing healthcare, the focus primarily falls on the financial burden. So rarely do we dissect what it does to people on an emotional level, especially young people.

It becomes complicated when children become cognizant of family finances. While it’s not their responsibility and they don’t have the means to assist, it still impacts them. Bringing Ana into the fold and having her clash with her father’s shame deepens this common cultural talking point.

Dr. Mohan becomes visibly frustrated as she seeks out options while also trying to keep Mr. Diaz in the hospital. The financial stress also impedes on her ability to successfully treat him.

Supriya Ganesh balances Mohan’s signature warmth with an unspoken desperation to find a feasible solution. She beautifully encapsulates the struggle to ease her patient’s anxiety while fully grasping the reality of the situation. Nevertheless, knowing Mohan, she’s going to persist to get her patients the care he needs.

On The Pitt Season 1, Mohan fiercely advocated for her patients by actually listening and digging deeper. This season, she’s actively up against the healthcare system so it will be interesting to see how she fares when the outcome is not in her control.

Another potentially interesting conflict on the rise will be how Mohan works against Mr. Diaz’s shame. His inability to accept outside help will surely conflict with her attempts to acquire the family a discount. Mohan is about to be tested on multiple fronts.

The TikTok Doctor

On a lighter note, it is revealed that the mysterious Dr. J is none other than Javadi’s TikTok persona. 

Initially, this revelation felt like a comedic side quest for the character; however, it’s actually a brilliant detail that rounds Javadi out in a beautiful way.

It’s easy to forget that Javadi is still so young. While her peers are in lecture halls and at college parties, Javadi is handling high-intensity cases at a trauma hospital. Because of her intellect, family, and her career trajectory, Javadi’s had to grow up quickly.

Additionally, besides her tumultuous relationship with her mother, we don’t see a lot of Javadi’s exterior life. So much of her arc until this point centers around her adjustment to the hospital as this young prodigy.

It reminds audiences that Javadi is a young woman first and foremost. Not only is Javadi navigating intense cases in the Pitt, but she’s also navigating being a young person in this modern world, a trial in and of itself. It makes perfect sense for her to find community in this way, especially given how she struggles socially. 

However, The Pitt doesn’t demean Javadi for this; it actually works to her benefit with Willow as she demands Javadi be the one to perform the lash cut. Shabana Azeez plays the moment with quiet triumph, highlighting what a point of pride this is for Javadi. Her merit is recognized and sought out.

Javadi’s youth doesn’t take away from her aptitude as a doctor and her skills as a doctor do not negate her youth. The magic of Azeez’s performance is the way she simultaneously embodies Javadi’s brilliance and awkwardness with nuanced flair.

Ogilvie Finds Out

Ogilvie certainly stands out among the pack of new student doctors, but not necessarily for the right reasons. His intellect rivals that of Javadi’s but he wields it with a cocky attitude. He’s eager to prove himself as knowledgable, but as he learns with the parkour patient, knowing isn’t necessarily the same as doing.

In his eagerness, he makes matters worse and then, in the chaos, shuts down. Ogilvie’s know-it-all exterior cracks and the severity of the job seeps in. This felt almost inevitable based on his trajectory, but utterly necessary.

Ogilvie lacks empathy for the people receiving his care. Every case is an opportunity to show off or check something off his personal to-do list. But, there is value in knowing when to step up and when to step back.

It’s an important moment for the character that will (hopefully) impact him going forward. It’s also really nice to see him humbled.

Overall, this episode expertly ups the chaos without going overboard too soon. A lot of the doctors’ emotional journeys start to take shape here while their environment continues to bubble toward eruption.

Stray Thoughts

• Dr. Robby mentions his “last two therapists.” Our guy is not having an easy time taking care of himself.
• Dr. Collins is adopting a baby in Portland! It’s nice to finally hear about her.
• Whitaker keeps visiting the farm of the widow of the person who died in his care. That’s going to be an interesting can of worms to unpack.
• The burden of having to catch up on charting feels like it’s going to add an interesting layer of pressure to Santos over the course of this shift. Her and Mel together, though, is a fun dynamic and hopefully we’ll see more of Mel mentoring Santos through R2.

 

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The Pitt airs Thursday at 9:00 PM ET on HBO Max.

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