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'The Pitt' Season 1 Episode 4 "10:00 A.M." Review

Writer's picture: Je-ReeJe-Ree

The Pitt maintains its gripping, emotionally intense storytelling in its fourth episode, “10:00 A.M.,” presenting a rich blend of powerful moments that delve into both the chaos and calm of life in a busy ER. The plot is filled with personal stakes, complex emotions, and a few light-hearted moments, achieving a delicate balance, even though it sometimes challenges viewers to fully engage with each storyline.


At the heart of the episode is Dr. Robby (Noah Wyle), who faces the heartbreaking duty of guiding the Spencer family through their father’s final hours. After weeks (only hours in tv time) of difficult decisions, the Spencers finally allow Dr. Robby to extubate Mr. Spencer, and his death unfolds with a devastating inevitability. Yet, despite the potential to prolong his passing, the emotional weight of this moment is profoundly challenging.





Helen (Rebecca Tilney), in particular, struggles to find closure. Her grief is raw and multifaceted, expressed in a messy and genuine way. It’s not just her father’s impending death that affects her most; it’s the missed opportunities, the unspoken words, and the painful realization that she never had the relationship with him she desired. Tilney’s performance stands out, capturing the complexity of grief as Helen transitions from simple statements of love and regret to more vulnerable admissions about her father, their relationship, and the life they never shared. Her pain is deeply relatable, and the moment she tearfully seeks her father's forgiveness is heart-wrenching.


For Dr. Robby, this experience offers insight into his own unresolved trauma. His empathy for Helen reflects our own, and Wyle skillfully portrays Robby’s emotional exhaustion as he processes not just the Spencers’ grief, but his own personal demons. A particularly haunting moment occurs when Dr. Robby leaves the room after administering medication to Mr. Spencer, battling a flashback to the harrowing COVID-19 pandemic. The intensity of Wyle’s performance is palpable—his physical reaction to the emotional weight of the moment is as revealing as his words, and his brief breakdown in the restroom is both deeply personal and profoundly human.


Despite the heavy focus on death and loss, The Pitt skillfully weaves moments of levity and social commentary into this otherwise sobering narrative. A running joke about a stolen ambulance, with hospital staff betting on the culprit, provides much-needed humor and enlivens the hospital’s daily chaos. Small interactions among staff members, including Dr. Kiara’s participation in the bets, help create a vibrant, lived-in world in the ER. The joke offers a break from the tension while expanding the ensemble's presence, allowing us to get to know the other doctors and nurses beyond the main storyline.



Photograph by Warrick Page/Max Krystel V. McNeil, Brandon Mendez Homer
Photograph by Warrick Page/Max Krystel V. McNeil, Brandon Mendez Homer


A particularly poignant scene features Dr. McKay (Fiona Dourif) and Dr. Javadi (Shabana Azeez) attending to a transgender patient, Tasha (Eva Everett Irving), who requires stitches. As the two doctors work together, there’s a simple yet significant exchange where Dr. Javadi ensures Tasha’s misgendering issue is corrected, even updating the error in the patient’s file.


Dr. Whitaker gets urinated on during a particularly bad shift. On the surface, it might seem like an unnecessary or odd addition, but it’s one of those moments that perfectly encapsulates the sheer chaos and discomfort that comes with working in an ER. Dr. Whitaker, already worn thin, faces yet another indignity in a day filled with nothing but struggles. It's a small, but powerful reminder of the grim reality of healthcare, where things can go wrong in the most unexpected and, frankly, humiliating ways. It’s one of those scenes that shows how tough things can get, and how often doctors and nurses have to power through situations that would break most people.



Photograph by Warrick Page/Max Gerran Howell
Photograph by Warrick Page/Max Gerran Howell

Alongside that, we’re introduced to a racist patient who’s been waiting for hours in the ER after coming in with symptoms that suggest a possible heart attack. His behavior toward the staff is dismissive and unpleasant, and it’s hard not to feel the mounting tension around how the hospital will handle this situation. The patient's refusal to acknowledge the care he’s receiving speaks volumes about the social and racial dynamics that often bleed into medical settings, and it’ll be fascinating to see how this plays out in future episodes. The ER is a place where people of all backgrounds come together, but not everyone walks through those doors with an open mind. This plotline feels like a promising exploration of how medical professionals, especially in a setting like this, have to maintain professionalism when confronted with prejudice and hostility.


On the more heartfelt side, there’s the young girl who overdosed, apologizing to the parents of the boy who gave her the drugs. The moment is brief but powerful. It’s a touching moment of vulnerability, with the girl owning her mistakes and expressing a regret that goes far beyond a simple apology. It’s a beautiful reminder of the human side of the pressure college students face, and how, often, the people that love them are caught in the whirlwind are just as devastated by their actions. The show handles this delicate topic with care, shedding light on the complexities of drug abuse and its ripple effects on families.


What makes The Pitt so effective is its ability to dive deep into the "real" — from the messiness of bodily fluids to the weight of emotional, often painful decisions. This is not a hospital show that sanitizes the hard realities of medical care; it embraces them fully, never shying away from the gritty, uncomfortable truths that come with life-and-death decisions. In a world where medical dramas often glamorize the profession, The Pitt opts for authenticity, offering an honest portrayal of what it means to care for people in their most vulnerable moments.


Meanwhile, Dr. Santos (Isa Briones) finally has her moment in the spotlight, and it’s not particularly flattering. After a patient criticizes her poor bedside manner, Dr. Mohan (Supriya Ganesh) confronts her, leading to complications as Dr. Santos breaks protocol, causing issues for another patient. While Dr. Robby and Dr. Langdon challenge her for her mistakes, Dr. Garcia provides a level-headed reminder that errors are part of the learning process in a teaching hospital. It’s a necessary growth moment for Dr. Santos, who, like the other characters in The Pitt, is a work in progress.


Despite these personal and professional challenges, the episode remains grounded in kindness and empathy. Whether in the way the doctors support each other or care for their patients, “10:00 A.M.” reinforces the theme that kindness is not just about grand gestures—it’s about the small, quiet moments of compassion that hold everything together.


The episode also explores the characters’ personal lives, peeling back layers to reveal more of their histories and struggles. Dr. Robby’s ongoing flashbacks to the COVID-19 pandemic and his personal trauma continue to shape his decisions and interactions, offering a glimpse into the deep emotional scars that still affect him. The anniversary of his mentor’s death is also a reminder that the past is never truly gone, and these fleeting, subtle details provide richer context for Robby’s character.





In a season filled with medical drama, The Pitt Episode 4 stands out not only for its exploration of grief and loss but for its humanity and emotional depth. The blend of tragedy, humor, social commentary, and kindness makes this hour feel like a reflection of real life—a whirlwind of emotions, moments of connection, and the simple yet profound act of caring for one another.


As The Pitt continues to unfold, this episode solidifies its place as a show that isn’t just about the chaos of the ER—it’s about the lives behind the stethoscopes, the families in the waiting rooms, and the quiet moments that give meaning to the louder ones.


Rating: ★★★★☆



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