Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, hospital-based dramas like ER and House have seen a resurgence in popularity. In response, networks like NBC and ABC are churning out a wave of new medical dramas, such as Brilliant Minds, St. Denis Medical, Doctor Odyssey, and Fox’s Doc. Among them, a standout series is The Pitt by Max.
Starring ER favorite Noah Wyle and produced by a team of ER veterans, The Pitt is not an ER revival-but for legal reasons, it definitely isn't. It's a completely separate series, set within a new urban landscape and another ensemble of characters. The narrative format reminds viewers of both ER and 24, distinguishing it from its predecessors.
The Pitt initially introduces the everyday challenges of the medical staff at Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center slowly, which may seem tedious at first, but once it gets its pace, it becomes an engaging medical procedural drama. A unique feature of The Pitt is its real-time format; each of the at least 15 episodes covers an hour in the lives of the doctors, focusing on a single shift led by Wyle’s Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch.
As viewers immerse themselves deeper into the series, they encounter a colorful cast of characters with complex backstories, making Room for intriguing character development. From dealing with a range of patients who present unique medical cases, dramatic backstory reveals, to highlighting issues faced by understaffed hospitals, underpaid doctors, and biased insurance systems-The Pitt delivers a realistic portrayal of America's emergency medicine system.
While the real-time format of the series has its storytelling limitations-character arcs and relationships can sometimes feel rushed-it does contribute to the chaotic atmosphere of the ER, as many things are happening at once. Despite not being an ER redux, The Pitt undoubtedly gains from the existence of its precursor.
Even though it may seem challenging to keep up with the names and stories of so many characters initially, the series quickly settles into a comfortable pace where major characters come into focus. Bursting with emotional beats and heart-wrenching moments, The Pitt does justice to the hospital drama genre, earning its place alongside its predecessors.
