The Pitt Season 2 Episode 8 Review: 2:00 PM

On The Pitt Season 2 Episode 8, “2:00 PM,” the team makes the switch over to a completely analog system.

Going Analog

The shut down to an analog system creates a dynamic shift in an ER that is already underfunded and lacks support. 

First and foremost it’s a great opportunity to showcase the generation gap between the students and younger staff versus the attendings. Staff like Javadi and Ogilvie have only ever known an environment dominated with technology while the older staff is able to jump back into how things were when they were learning. There’s a clear disparity in how each “generation” is able to handle the shift.

It raises a larger question for society when it comes to the world becoming so dependent on technology. What happens when that technology is no longer available? There is an entire generation that’s only ever known technology and aren’t equipped to handle analog alternatives.

The transition also forces Princess to take charge in a way we haven’t seen before. Kristin Villanueva takes Princess’ newfound responsibilities in stride, conveying an excellent mix of fortitude and anxiety around it. It’s clear she wants Dana to take this burden from her, but she jumps into the role headfirst.

“2:00 PM” puts the audience right in the staff’s headspace. The attendings present the new system quickly and thoroughly. However, in its presentation, it becomes a lot to keep track of and destabilizes the staff as well as the audience. The action continues full steam ahead whether we’re ready or not, forcing us to get try and get our bearings quickly.

The Pitt envelopes its audience in the chaos without completely alienating them. This shared headspace that effectively ramps up the tension for the rest of the episode with audiences in a heightened, yet frazzled state.

Santos v. Langdon

This is our first real interaction between Langdon and Santos this season. As opposed to Robby and Langdon’s interactions, Santos enters the space with a steely resolve rather than outright aggression. She keeps the conversation to the most minimal level possible.

It’s clear Langdon wants to rectify his wrongs; he is much gentler and more supportive with his instruction than last season. Unfortunately, it’s clearly too little too late and Santos remains uninterested in any reconciliation with her clipped responses.

Between Santos and Robby, The Pitt takes the time to address the fact that, in the recovery process, not everyone is going to forgive you. Langdon did everything asked of him and worked hard to take accountability, but that doesn’t automatically entitle him to forgiveness.

Robby’s reluctance to forgive is a bit thornier, but Langdon’s prior treatment of Santos inflicted harm. With her growing struggle with isolation and keeping up with her work, it’s clear their interactions from Season 1 scarred far deeper than even we know. 

Patrick Ball and Isa Briones wear their characters’ respective pain and discomfort well. They build the tension brick by brick with the utmost intention and care. The relationship is complicated and nuanced, tangled in each other’s pain and the aftermath of their respective decisions.

The case resolves with so much hanging in the air, especially when Joy innocently suggests rehab for their patient. The silent exchange in that moment packs a punch and it becomes very clear this season is building to a much bigger boiling point between the two.

Stray Thoughts

• I really appreciated the way (most of) the staff went out of their way to make sure Howard could receive help with his dignity intact.
• Ogilvie once again falls short with the way he conducts himself among patients. There’s a very clear bias there when he thinks the conditions are “avoidable.”
• Mohan hearing “we all need a community” feels so important for a character that struggles to have something outside of work.
• Mel and Ellis’ conversation was so good! I hope Mel can find some peace of mind heading into the deposition.
• Ilana telling Dana that she’s glad she was here today broke my heart wide open.

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What did you think of this episode of The Pitt? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave your own rating!

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

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