‘The Pitt’: stressful, but also the best medical drama series in years

For many years, ER (1994, 15 seasons) was the gold standard of medical dramas. But the arrival of House (2004, 8 seasons) and, a year later, Grey’s Anatomy (2005, 22 seasons), shook the model created by novelist and physician Michael Crichton.

R. Scott Gemmill, one of the creators of ER, and Noah Wyle, its then-young star, are the two key figures who have revived its spirit. It’s not a spin-off, but it is very much a spiritual successor.

What is The Pitt about?

Set in the emergency department of the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital, the show brings a fresh twist – a real-time format in which each episode covers the 15 hours of a single shift, a concept inspired by 24 that injects relentless pace and energy.

Wyle, who also serves as executive producer and writer, plays a department head teetering on the brink of emotional collapse, caught between the lingering effects of the COVID pandemic and the pressures of running an under-resourced team that is also expected to turn a profit.

The series works, first and foremost, thanks to its sharp writing – able to weave multiple plotlines at once, creating a sense of chaos and urgency, while tying them up in satisfying ways. Its second strength is a diverse, well-drawn cast that shows – in just a few deft strokes – that no “normal” person could keep up such a punishing pace without paying an emotional price.

Technically, it’s highly polished, with some remarkable long takes, especially in the final episodes when the characters face a major disaster. The medical intervention scenes are so realistic they may be unsettling for the squeamish.

The first season of The Pitt runs for 15 episodes and is available on HBO Max, either directly or through platforms like Amazon Prime Video or Hulu.

Is The Pitt worth watching?

The blend of ER and 24 is spot on.Noah Wyle is outstanding as the ER chief.And amid the drama, there’s still room for humor and romance.

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