The Pitt landed on HBO Max in 2025 and took over the conversation. Each week, we were given another glimpse into the work of the doctor’s at Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center. And season 2 puts them in another high stakes day at the office: The Fourth of July.
In Pittsburgh, the Fourth is a big holiday. My hometown of New Castle, PA (about a 30/40 minute drive from the Burgh) is the Fireworks Capital of the United States, which Noah Wyle does reference in an episode he wrote for season 2. And there are a lot more little nods to Pittsburgh, something I enjoy as someone who was a little upset with how season 1 handled the Pittsburgh of it all.
But it does feel as if Wyle, R. Scott Gemmill, and the entire team of The Pitt took the love people have for Pittsburgh to heart this time around. Even if I don’t think anyone in their right mind would chose to live in Pittsburgh but go work in New Castle (as one dad does). That is a joke, obviously.
Season 2 though focuses heavily on the early rush of the 4th of July holiday, or at least that’s what happens in the 9 episodes we were given for review purposes. And the use of the holiday does give an underlying tension throughout the season. There are certain holidays you know the emergency room hates and the 4th is one of them. That includes Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center.
The doctors are all back, whether Doctor Robby likes it or not
Doctor Robby (Wyle) has a lot of faith in his staff and season 2 shows that. When a new doctor, Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi (Sepideh Moafi), steps in to help out when Dr. Robby is gone, there is a lot of tension between the two. He’s always in control and now someone else is gearing up to take that power. And that includes making decisions about Dr. Langdon (Patrick Ball).
Langdon was told to leave when Robby discovered Langdon’s issues with pills. In the time between seasons, Langdon goes to get help and comes back ready for his next shift. That doesn’t mean that Robby is ready for it though. And while everyone is going through stuff, with a lot of new changes to our beloved staff, the biggest tension still remains between Robby and Langdon throughout the season.
Still The Pitt we know and love
Part of what makes The Pitt such a good show is that it makes you feel as if you are a part of their shift. We walk into work with Dr. Robby, we see every patient, and when things get tough, we can feel it. Watching the 9 episodes I’ve seen, I almost felt like it was July 4th and I was waiting to get off work to go drink and watch the fireworks. I understood their frustration and their stress.
But as was the case with season 1, the show isn’t just a medical drama. It is a show about people who dedicate their time and energy to saving others. The Pitt gives us insight into the most important people in the world: The doctors who save lives. And season 2 does another incredible job of showing why we should love and support hospital staff.
It is stressful, upsetting, and yet one of the best sows on television and it feels great knowing that season 2 is just as good as the first, if not better so far.
(featured image: Warrick Page/HBO Max)
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