The Pitt Episode 1: Most Intense Hour of TV in 2026
Summary:
A Fourth of July from Hell at Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center
If you were expecting a slow ride from The Pitt season two, I'm sorry, not sorry, to disappoint. The show spins at a pace that seems out of control, and that's the point. Work in an emergency room is closer to riot control than science.
Dr. Michael Robinavitch—Dr. Robby for short—is back as the Chief Attending Physician at Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center. All he has to do is survive the Fourth of July holiday and Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi, the new attending, before taking a three-month sabbatical.
Dr. Baran Al-HAshimi
Al-Hashimi is coming over from the VA and is anything but satisfied with the status quo. A clinical informatics expert, she is already marking her territory by implementing a Patient Passport Program—a procedure designed to streamline the patient check-in process but ends up burdening the staff with more bureaucratic red tape.
If that isn't enough, she is already making inroads with Gloria Underwood, the Chief Medical Officer. Gloria and Robby have clashed before over his shoot-from-the-hip style of medicine. Al-Hashimi's presence and her newfound alliance with Gloria are sure to turn up the heat on Robby's last day.
Returning Characters Face Consequences and New Pressure
Dr. Frank Langdon, suffering from a benzos addiction, is returning after rehab and counseling. He's eager to make amends but will have to tear down the wall of mistrust his habit fostered. Relegated to triage—a position well below his performance level—is sure to add some heat to Robby's already sweltering day.
Melissa King is named in a malpractice suit and must give her deposition on one of the ER's busiest days. Victoria Javadi must defend her decision to become an ER physician as well as her religion as she fights for control of her life. All these dramas are just the beginning as The Pitt season two sets the stage for massive fireworks and expectations in its sophomore year.
Analysis:
Robby’s Self-Destruction and a New Professional Rival
Do not take your eyes off the screen, not even for a second. If you do, you might miss some of the show's most important but subtle details. The episode opens with Robby riding his motorcycle to work, which is fine if that’s his thing. However, what we see is the good doctor riding without a helmet and speeding. Clearly, the self-destructive behavior we saw in episode one is carrying over and will probably be a prominent feature.
It's no secret writers love to torture their characters, and Robby is not above authorial abuse. He has a new rival: Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi. Despite her pleasant, good looks and palatable social skills, she is all about the career hustle.
When a dishwasher with a knife to his chest is brought in, Robby and Al-Hashimi clash on the best way to treat him. After instructing the interns to perform a clamshell thoracotomy—barf—the two disagree on how to stop the patient's bleeding. Ultimately, Robby gets the last word, but everyone sees there is a new challenger, and she is good. According to the writers, the purpose of the scene was to showcase the start of this rivalry, so yeah, we'll say it again: fireworks!
Frank Langdon’s Isolation and the Cost of Redemption
Moving from the heated conflicts swirling around Robby, the show shifts to a more somber note. From needing permission to enter the ward only to find his locker changed, Dr. Frank Langdon's story is one of desertion. The locker he had used for years—his locker—now belongs to someone else. Even when he opens his newly assigned cubbyhole, he finds a half-eaten, discarded lunch inside. The lunch, like Langdon, has been forgotten.
Not everything is bleak, though. We see through Langdon's interaction with Louie, the ward's alcoholic frequent flyer, a desire for real change. He confesses to Louie how he stole his pills and has an addiction to benzos. This is not someone indifferent but someone who wants to make amends.
Desire and acceptance are two different things, and Robby has a long memory. Langdon's sharp dismissal to triage is Robby's affirmation of the shattered trust between them. The only question that remains is whether Robby's dressing-down of Langdon is warranted. Given Robby's own baggage, it could be clouding his judgment. Only time will tell, but the mystery will keep us tuning back in for more.
Review:
Season Two Opens with Fire and Confidence
Season one of The Pitt was my favorite show of 2025, and the opener for this season picked up where it left off: rock solid. With conflict on the horizon for every character and high-stakes medical drama with every patient introduced, the Fourth of July is a fitting backdrop for the show. There's an anticipation that every character will have a major role to play, and with all the roles assigned, that is no easy feat. Yet, because of season one, we can expect it will happen. Once again, the acting is on point with personalities we feel and root for. My only quibble is with the introduction of Al-Hashimi. Robby's ambitious replacement is nothing really new and we've seen it done before in other shows and movies. However, for the anguish this will surely give Robby, I can roll with it for now.
My score: 4.75 out of 5.