The Pitt Season 2 Episode 5 Review: 11:00 AM

On The Pitt Season 2 Episode 5, “11:00 AM,” Robby and Langdon are forced to work together to save a beloved patient.

It was only a matter of time before Robby and Langdon had to work together as hard as Robby tries to avoid it. The tension between the two hangs in the air anytime they so much as glance at each other but it shifts to a whole new level when they’re confined to the same room. 

Noah Wyle and Patrick Ball engage in an intricate dance that feels suffocating and uncomfortable. While the dialogue is kept to medical jargon, the two say so much in this moment with impeccable detail and emotion. 

In Robby’s presence, Langdon always yearned for his approval, hoping to impress his mentor. Here, Ball transforms Langdon into something almost childlike. He yearns to have Robby’s approval back but fears disappointing him more than he already has.

Meanwhile, Robby cannot bring himself to trust Langdon. He operates under the assumption that Langdon must have missed something as their patient falls into septic shock. Wyle’s biting delivery infuses Robby’s repeated pushback with the pain and anger Robby’s clung to these past ten months.

This lack of trust is further exemplified by the fact that Robby doesn’t allow Langdon to order the patient’s meds. It’s a quick, yet complicated beat. Robby comes at it harshly, believing Langdon incapable of handling medicine despite completing his time in rehab.

On the other hand, Langdon hasn’t earned Robby’s trust back. He still has a lot of work to do to repair his professional and personal relationships. Yet, how can he do so when Robby won’t let him?

“11:00 AM” deftly juggles the intricacies of their dynamic, allowing validity for all of it. This isn’t an easy fix and The Pitt has every intention of recognizing that. 

The varying degrees of response to Langdon’s return also feels honest and reflective of real life. There’s not a one-size-fits-all approach to reconciliation when it comes to addiction and “11:00 AM” honors that by showcasing that Langdon’s path to redemption won’t be as simple as it was with Mel and Louie.

Whitaker later echoes Robby’s refusal to let Langdon order medicine and, while Whitaker simply does so to be efficient, the move clearly affects Langdon. It’s a painful one-two punch, reminding him of the scale of the damage and that some of it isn’t fully repairable.

Al-Hashimi brings Langdon out of triage without consulting Robby, exacerbating the tension between the two. Langdon has a blank canvas with Al-Hashimi and it’s clear she wants him to succeed. This new dynamic provides respite for Langdon, shows Al-Hashimi’s compassion, and plants a seed for additional conflict with Robby.

Langdon and Robby come together once more when Louie flatlines; however, this time is much different. There’s no tension or passive aggression in their exchange. They jump right into caring for Louie and fall right into step as if nothing happened at all.

Their love of Louie supersedes the rift in their relationship. Robby can put his feelings aside and work with Langdon; yet, he clings to his hurt and betrayal. He’s unable to let go.

His inability to let go of his feelings manifests on a much larger scale with Al-Hashimi. Though some of her tools may be questionable, she’s trying to successfully transition into this role and he makes it very difficult for her to do so. 

Between this and the revelation that Robby’s bounced between therapists, it’s clear he struggles to do the work he needs to thrive. Despite his breakdown last season, Robby hasn’t fully learned that he cannot avoid addressing difficult things which, unfortunately means it looks like he’s going to learn it again this season.

Stray Thoughts

• Watching them try to assess this inmate with cuffs on was heartbreaking and really taps into the way incarcerated people are stripped of their humanity in the system.
• Joy and Samira connecting is lovely to see. It also lets us into Joy a bit more, which is exciting.
• I hope Jackson is able to get some accountability from the security guard who tased him.
• Ogilvie being the one covered in bodily fluids this time in Whitaker is a satisfying passing of the “torch.”

 

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

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