The Pitt Episode 5 Review: I’m Excited The Medical Drama's Students & Residents Are Getting More Nail-Biting Storylines

The Pitthas been occupied with laying the groundwork for its setting, bolstered by the stories of its various patients. However, episode 4 offered a glimpse into how The Pitt's characters react to various scenarios, with a particular focus on Noah Wyle's Robby as trauma from the Covid-19 pandemic begins cropping up. But, with episode 5, the show finds footing for all its characters in a succinct way without pulling back from the hardships and horrors associated with a busy trauma hospital. This makes for a strong episode, highlighting the series' strength at juggling an ensemble cast.

The Pitt

TV-MA

Drama

Cast

See All

Noah Wyle
Dr. Michael 'Robby' Robinavitch
Tracy Ifeachor
Dr. Heather Collins
Patrick Ball
Dr. Langdon
Katherine LaNasa
Dana Evans

The Pitt is a gripping drama set in Pittsburgh's Trauma Medical Center, where dedicated staff tirelessly work to save lives in a busy and underfunded emergency department. Released in 2025, the series highlights the challenges and relentless efforts of medical professionals in a high-pressure environment.

Release Date: January 9, 2025
Network: Max
Showrunner: R. Scott Gemmill
Creator(s): R. Scott Gemmill, John Wells, Noah Wyle
Main Genre: Drama
Producers: John Wells, Noah Wyle, R. Scott Gemmill, Damian Marcano, Simran Baidwan, Erin Jontow
Seasons: 1
Streaming Service(s): MAX

Robby Takes A Backseat To The Pitt's Medical Students

But He Still Has Plenty Of Patients To See

After episode 4 focused on Robby's trauma surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, episode 5 shifts focus away to offer a deeper glimpse at what the medical students are doing. The protagonist is still a key part of the plot, however, as he continually visits patients others are working with. This includes helping Dr. Collins with a 17-year-old girl, Kristen, who is just over the legal time limit to get an abortion. Much to his fellow doctor's trepidation, Robby decides to re-measure the fetus and write the measurements down to make the abortion possible, risking punishment to help the teenage girl.

As Robby's nobility blurs the line between legality and morality, Dr. Santos begins fretting over details like a vial of Lorazepam she wasn't able to open quickly, believing it's a factory error. However, it's clear she simply has more to learn as an intern, but doesn't want to doubt herself despite Dr. Langdon's insistence she shouldn't jump to conclusions. It sets up a character arc where she'll have to accept she doesn't know everything. In addition, it emphasizes The Pitt's realistic portrayal of how medical training takes time, and it's okay for less-experienced doctors to still be learning.

This is further exemplified with Victoria, who breaks the trust between Dr. McKay and a returning patient by making assumptions about her situation. This infuriates McKay, who berates the young med student for her brazen approach to the situation. The scene also directly acknowledges the building friction between the pair, with the resident accusing Victoria of looking at her differently because of her ankle monitor. Giving the pair a more dramatic interaction doesn't detract from the patient focus, either, since the moment acts as a learning experience just as much as it provides engaging conflict.

Dennis' Inner Conflict Is Starting To Impact His Medical Career

Will The Less Confident Student Fold Under Pressure?

Dennis doing chest compressions in The Pitt

But if there was one resident who stands out in episode 5, it's Dennis, whose inner conflict is beginning to impact the way he approaches his patients. He goes through not one, but two pairs of scrubs this episode, both of which involve blood-soaked situations he can't handle on his own. The first is when he removes dead skin from a patient's leg, only to get sprayed from an injured artery hiding beneath. Luckily, with the assistance of Dr. Mohan, Dennis deals with The Pitt's latest gore, sewing up the hole and learning his find saved the man's life.

[T]he young doctor is clearly shaken by the events of the last hour, still feeling unprepared to treat trauma patients.

Unfortunately, the incident doesn't inspire confidence, especially now that he's been downgraded to wearing blue scrubs instead of his typical black outfit. This doesn't last long, however, as a young boy bleeding after tonsil surgery hemorrhages inside his mouth, coughing blood onto the panicked young student. Luckily, Robby comes to the rescue, saving the boy's life before leaving him in Dennis' hands to treat going forward. However, the young doctor is clearly shaken by the events of the last hour, still feeling unprepared to treat trauma patients.

Dennis' lack of confidence still stems from his unsuccessful chest compressions in The Pitt episode 3, as he still feeling responsible for losing his first patient. Despite other characters insisting what happened wasn't his fault, he's still shaken, something that will likely continue to haunt him as his shift continues. While he needed help dealing with the scenarios this episode brought to him, it showcased how the camaraderie between doctors saves patients' lives. It's still something Dennis needs to learn, though, and something the rest of his shift could teach him as new issues arise.

Patient Drama Makes For Strong & Quick Characterization

This Is Especially True For The Episode's Ending

Driscoll looking shocked in The Pitt episode 4

The doctors are still just one factor of the series' most engaging elements, with the other being the patients and their stories. One highlight was the continuation of The Pitt's sickle cell disease storyline, where intubation became necessary to save Joyce's life. While her wife was worried, the procedure happened without any issues, offering hope to the couple. However, this was contrasted with a woman who took her mother in after she had a damaging fall. As her primary caregiver due to her mother's schizophrenia, learning she'd fractured a bone caused her to run off, overwhelmed by the stressful scenario.

Other major stories include Driscoll still waiting for his chest pain, Jake's connection to Robby, and Dr. Mohan proving her ability to connect with patients.

The emotions of these storylines were compounded by episode 5's shocking ending, where it's revealed the woman who brought Kristen to get an abortion isn't really her mother. Her real mother arrives and demands her daughter not go through with it, claiming that, because she's a minor, it's not her decision to make. The episode ends on a riveting, uncomfortable cliffhanger, promising to tackle the sensitive, topical subject next week. It offers the perfect endpoint by showing not only the patient drama, but also Dr. Collins' frustrated reaction to the turn of events.

With engaging storylines for doctors and patients alike, The Pitt offers a perfect balance between the two sides of the isle, crafting the perfect continuation that sees the series come into its own. Since there's still 10 episodes left in the show, there's going to be even more critical moments informing character decisions and developments, hinging on the interactions between all parties involved. This will definitely mean more relevant subjects will be broached, especially after such an important, suspenseful conclusion.

New episodes of The Pitt arrive Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on Max.

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