Editor’s note: The below recap contains spoilers for The Pitt Season 2 Episode 5.
The Pitt Season 2 may have had a slow start, but it was a purposeful way to show the calm before the storm. Instead, watching characters adjust became the focus, whether it be Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch (Noah Wyle) preparing for his sabbatical, Dr. Baran Al-Hashmi (Sepideh Moafi) getting ready to take over as the new attending, or Dr. Frank Langdon (Patrick Ball) returning after his stint in rehab. These characters clash, but will they have time to disagree now that things are picking up? In last week’s episode, the ER starts receiving an influx of patients from a nearby hospital that has shut down for a mysterious reason, so what’s in store for “The Pitt” now that Season 2’s shift has reached the fifth hour?
Health Insurance Issues Take Center Stage in ‘The Pitt’ Season 2 Episode 5
Episode 5, “11:00 AM,” begins with Debbie Cohen (Mara Klein), who has cellulitis of the foot spreading up her leg, being taken to Robby. This leads to a confrontation between the attending and Langdon, with the former telling him that his patient has worsened. Dr. Trinity Santos (Isa Briones) is asked if she wants to join Trauma 2, but she’s still overwhelmed with her charting, which she’s now doing via dictation. That doesn’t last long, as nurse Dana Evans (Katherine LaNasa) sends her to see a new patient with help from James Ogilvie (Lucas Iverson).
Meanwhile, Orlando Diaz (William Guirola), a patient with diabetes and no health insurance wants to leave, but Dr. Samira Mohan (Supriya Ganesh) convinces him to stay while she finds case manager Noelle Hastings (Meta Golding) to discuss costs. As this unfolds, Al-Hashimi observes the patient with the infection in Trauma 2. When Debbie gets on the phone with her boss and he threatens to fire her, Robby takes the phone and threatens a lawsuit where he will testify on her behalf. With that, the anxious Debbie smiles and relaxes.
Victoria Javadi (Shabana Azeez) and Dr. Al-Hashimi give an update to Jada (Erin Croom), the sister of the unconscious man, Jackson (Zack Morris), who was tased, as Santos and Ogilvie get to work on their patient, a constipated elderly woman. Back in Trauma 2, Robby tries to leave Langdon to help a woman who hit her head, but Al-Hashimi and Cassie McKay (Fiona Dourif) have it handled, so he goes to an inmate who was assaulted, only for Dennis Whitaker (Gerran Howell) and Mel King (Taylor Dearden) to jump in. Robby’s forced to return to Trauma 2, where the infection is spreading up Debbie’s leg, causing concern among the doctors. Robby tells Langdon it’s severe sepsis, and the returning doctor wants to know what else he can do, but Robby tells him he’s done enough and won’t even look at him. Langdon then checks on Louie (Ernest Harden Jr.) next, only to discover that Whitaker is already handling the prescription of his meds. When he tries to talk to Robby, he’s quickly rejected.
A Patient’s Infection Is Rapidly Progressing in ‘The Pitt’ Season 2 Episode 5
Santos focuses on her charts while Ogilvie treats a woman with a bad cough. Meanwhile, Cassie is caring for a woman who hit her head after having a seizure. She’s weak from cancer and receiving hospice care. Meanwhile, Mr. Diaz is facing a different issue, and Noelle can only offer financial assistance with the hospital covering 40% — but if his bill exceeds $100,000, that’s still substantial. Joy Kwon (Irene Choi) suggests admitting him to another less expensive department, so Noelle agrees to look into it. She finds a moment to talk to Robbie, telling him he’ll feel the urge to return to the hospital in seven weeks at most. She also expresses hope that Robby finds the peace he’s searching for.
Santos determines that the elderly woman with the cough Ogilvie is treating has tuberculosis. This means he’ll need shots and must wear a mask when moving her. Langdon moves on to a young man who was purposely branded with dry ice before Al-Hashimi checks in on how he’s doing. Robby’s not going to be here long-term, and she’s pleased he’s back. Al-Hashimi then checks in on Mel and Dennis, who are treating the inmate with broken jaw and ribs before assigning Mohan as lead on this case. A prison guard is monitoring the man at all times, ensuring he’s constantly cuffed despite objections from the doctors. Dennis worries he overstepped with Langdon but Mohan reassures him it’s fine. Meanwhile, Debbie’s infection worsens as her blood pressure and oxygen levels drop. Stepping out briefly, Robby is frustrated when he encounters Langdon after telling him to leave; Dana intervenes. Al-Hashimi questions Robby’s treatment of her like a resident by asking about patient status; he claims he just wants to know how everyone is doing.
‘The Pitt’ Finally Reveals Dr. Collins’ Fate: A Bittersweet Ending for Her Character
Gone in the TV world (for now), but never forgotten in our hearts.
Louie’s Life Is at Risk at the End of ‘The Pitt’ Season 2 Episode 5
A surgeon arrives to see Debbie, who has gone into septic shock. However, he’s only a med student, so Robby demands others come down immediately. As that situation deteriorates, Al-Hashimi watches Dennis and Mel sew up the inmate, whose skin is too weak for sutures to hold properly. In a quieter moment, Ogilvie asks Santos how she remains so calm under pressure. Meanwhile, in another room, Mr. Diaz is allowed transfer despite not receiving the IV drip Mohan wanted for him. He will save some money but at the cost of adequate treatment.
Cassie sets up a morphine drip for the cancer patient, allowing her to go home where an off-duty nurse will assist with end-of-life care. The elderly woman suffering from impacted stool won’t be going home soon though—it’s up to Whitaker and Ogilvie to unblock her rectum. It’s an unpleasant task that nearly overwhelms the new guy when she loses control of her bowels all over him.
This lighthearted moment quickly fades as we return to Debbie’s case where Robby is now cutting open her leg to relieve pressure. Al-Hashimi suggests Santos utilize her AI idea for charting but Robby disagrees—saving time on charting means more patients seen without any pay increase for staff members involved. As the episode concludes, Langdon checks on Louie only to find him unconscious and flatlining. He and Robby immediately begin chest compressions—will this beloved patient survive?
- Release Date
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January 9, 2025
- Network
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Max
- Showrunner
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R. Scott Gemmill
- Directors
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Amanda Marsalis
- Writers
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Joe Sachs, Cynthia Adarkwa
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Noah Wyle
Dr. Michael ‘Robby’ Robinavitch
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Tracy Ifeachor
Dr. Heather Collins
- We’re finally starting to see some interaction between Robby and Langdon.
- Debbie Cohen’s leg infection could be the ER’s scariest case yet.
- The Louie cliffhanger is a heartbreaker.
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