The Pitt Season 2 Episode 13 Review: 7:00 PM

On The Pitt Season 2 Episode 13, “7:00 PM,” the night shift arrives as Mohan’s patient is readmitted and Robby looks into Al-Hashimi’s behavior. Langdon and Ogilvie require pep talks, while Dana and Emma help Digby get back on his feet.

As opposed to The Pitt Season 1, the night shift takes over under less dire circumstances. The tiny specificities with the night shift staff breathe a bit more. While we don’t get a ton of time with them, the dynamics among the staff feels just as rich and dynamic as the day shift.

On “7:00 PM,” director Damian Marcano blends intensity and softness and utilizes the night shift largely for bridges of respite between anxiety-inducing procedures and emotional moments of truth. 

Mr. Diaz Returns

Mr. Diaz’s return to the hospital brings his story full circle with a harsh irony. His costs being completely covered when he may not even make a full recovery makes his plight darker and hammers home the initial intent of his storyline.

Mr. Diaz represents a vicious cycle that many face because of the inaccessible healthcare system. He sidesteps care because he cannot miss out on a paycheck or afford healthcare, but now is in a position where he may not work for a long time, if ever again.

Bringing Mr. Diaz back not only elevates the point even further, but it also pushes Mohan to a place we haven’t seen yet.

While it was Orlando’s decision to leave, Mohan internalizes this as a personal failure. Supriya Ganesh chips away at Mohan as she sinks somewhere lower than rock bottom. Mohan’s gentle demeanor evaporates almost completely.

Making Mr. Diaz’s tragedy two-tiered increases the impact. Not only does his financial burden impact him, but we also witness the impacts on the professionals and how they grapple with something out of their control directly impacting their ability to do their job. 

Pep Talks

Langdon and Ogilvie both arrive at this place of uncertainty during this hour. Although they’re carrying very different pressures, they both wonder if they are fully meant to be here. It creates an interesting parallel as their shifts unfolded differently than they anticipated.

The conversations, though, feel different for each. For Ogilvie, this moment feels like a reckoning. He began the day so assured and confident, but is ending the shift broken. Lucas Iverson impressively takes Ogilvie, a pretty unlikable character up until this point, and breaks him open.

Iverson understands that this is a major moment for Ogilvie as a person, not just a doctor. He fully grasps the stakes of the job on an emotional level far beyond knowing or not knowing information. Though the note is dour, it’s an excellent way to send off the character and a nice button on Whitaker’s emerging role as a mentor.

Both Mel and Whitaker demonstrate incredible growth in their respective moments. They both step into a role where they are able to provide insight with confidence. Last season, they may not have been able to have these conversations.

Mel and Langdon’s conversation also provide great insight into Mel’s outlook on the deposition now that she has some distance. Though it really did a number on her, she understands that it isn’t a reflection of her ability as a doctor. This hindsight allows her to show up for Langdon effectively.

While this season has felt particularly light on Mel, this exchange nicely affirms her friendship with Langdon. As a character, Mel’s always craved friendship and mentorship. Not only has Langdon shown up for her this shift, but she reciprocates that support. 

Digby

The episode’s most emotionally resonate moment comes when Emma and Dana decide to give Digby a haircut and shave. It’s simple and intimate, breaking up a lot of the whirlwind happening around Digby. Even though it’s a small moment built around something as seemingly inconsequential as a haircut, it packs an emotional punch.

Digby hung around the hospital for most of the shift, offering a comment here and there. Charles Baker takes this opportunity to allow us to see into Digby with an astounding display of vulnerability. Digby previously expressed anxiety around doctors and, though we don’t know the reason, Dana and Emma’s gentle touch and care seems to heal something there.

This moment also serves as a satisfying affirmation for Emma before sending her on her way. This is the most assured she’s been with a patient as she eases any anxieties Digby has. She receives Digby’s compliment with gratitude and we can tell that’s exactly what she needed to hear after this long shift.

Sometimes, we simply need affirmation. In the grand scheme of an environment like the Pitt, that may seem inconsequential, but “7:00 PM” allows for it to make just as big an impact as these more dramatic cases. Care manifests in big and small ways and both leave a lasting impression.

Stray Thoughts

• Luke Tennie is running television right now.
• Robby needs to watch his tone with Dana.
• Javadi made me nervous initially with that screw, but her successful assistance on this operation feels like a huge triumph for her.
• Robby making Javadi do the operation despite her attempt to advocate for her well-being was so frustrating!
• Al-Hashimi has another moment that Robby witnesses. He’s definitely going to use that to back his case for her not being fit for the job.
• Thank God Perlah knows where Jessie is!

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

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