The Pitt Season 1 Episode 5 Review: ’11:00 A.M.’

The Pitt Season 1 Episode 5 focuses on issues like reproductive freedom, addressing how race affects health outcomes, and even how we can have one kind of privilege while simultaneously lacking other kinds. In addition, “11:00 A.M.” really gets to the heart of what patient care, versus just wanting to “fix” someone, looks like. Admittedly, any medical drama — including this one — is always going to touch on that theme at least briefly. And, yes, any realistic fiction that’s honest about being, you know, realistic is going to cover all of the above. Because these things exist; we can’t escape them or try to abuse executive privileges to get rid of them.

But this particular hour really centers the issues. That this hour is releasing on streaming at a time when the United States government is demanding that we no longer have many of these conversations in real life is not lost on us. Cue Alanis Morissette…because, really, isn’t it ironic?

MORE: Where did it all begin? Read our reviews of The Pitt Season 1 Episode 1 and The Pitt Season 1 Episode 2!

“The things we do for our kids”

The Pitt Season 1 Episode 5 finally starts to give us some answers about Dr. McKay’s background, but thankfully, it doesn’t happen because she’s backed into a corner where she has to defend or explain herself to anyone. Instead, she willingly volunteers to share her own pain with a patient as a way to make a real connection and coax some information out of her. And it works because Dr. McKay makes Sherry feel safe. She knows there’s not going to be any judgement here, that she can let go — break down and show how much she’s hurting, not to mention how much she feels like she’s failing her kids — without fear of losing those kids.

Because Dr. McKay gets it. She’s a mom; she’s one who’s been through some terrible times herself and knows that the one of the worst things you can do to someone who’s struggling is make them feel like they’re going to lose even more. So, we find out that the address Sherry uses to get her kids into a good school is fake — “no judgement here” should be exactly the right response there — not because Dr. McKay accuses her of anything or threatens her. No. Instead, she simply makes note of her patient’s comment about how her kids would give anything for a Happy Meal. That detail doesn’t line up with the “fancy” neighborhood, and McKay acknowledges it in a supportive way. The rest of the story just unfolds naturally from there.

The approach doesn’t just work for the characters. As a viewer, it just…works. Every single moment Fiona Dourif and Bess Rous share in The Pitt Season 1 Episode 5 stands out. For Dourif, that sense of Dr. McKay being so open, while also having to hold herself back and approach with caution, really shines through. We feel as if we’re in that place with her, wanting so badly to help someone whose situation we know all too well. And from Rous, we get every single bit of Sherry’s fear, and desperation, and hurt. Even before that stunning moment when Sherry finally breaks, all we feel is that hurt. And it’s never about the actual burns she’s come into the ER to have treated either — physical pain is nothing compared to this.

After Sherry’s gutting outpouring of emotion, in which she even admits she wonders if her kids would be better off without her, Dr. McKay gives her some advice: “You’re their mom. You love them. Nothing and no one can replace that.” And she’s right, of course. (Not to mention, Dourif’s barely-there smile before delivering the line is a fantastic choice.) But for a loving mother to even get to that point because she can’t provide basic needs — all of which, from shelter, to food, to healthcare, to a good education…should all be human rights — is a scathing indictment of our failed society. Instead of understanding that, though, society’s way of handling cases like Sherry’s is to blame her. Look down on her, deem her unfit, criminalize her in many cases. It’s gross.

…especially when you consider the current laws that force people to become parents in the first place. We’ll get to that next.

Of course, when Javadi breaks the fragile hope and trust that Dr. McKay has built up, she’s not doing it out of any kind of malice. She genuinely wants to help and is all excited because she thinks she’s really doing something, but she just doesn’t get it. As the daughter of two very successful doctors, she doesn’t understand that particular lack of privilege — certainly, she probably understands plenty about what it is to be anything other than white and male in America. And so, she doesn’t realize that all she’s accomplished is making this person feel embarrassed and more at risk than ever.

Dr. McKay’s reprimand, so to speak, is spot on. And wow, the way Dourif plays the reaction to the “I don’t judge” line is perfection. Javadi has, as Dr. McKay puts it, been “eyeing [her] sideways all day” ever since seeing her ankle monitor. And we know, between losing a chance to help Sherry and hiding the fact that she’s noticed and felt that scrutiny all this time, she’s had enough. Like, the audacity of this kid to say that after hours of proving otherwise! Again, it just…it works. All of it.

“Listening and building trust will make us better doctors. And better people.” If only it were as simple as The Pitt Season 1 Episode 5 makes it sound here. It should be, but. Well. Look around.

“This is my decision”

As we learn in The Pitt Season 1 Episode 5, we were right to think something was off about Kristi Wheeler. Lynette isn’t her mom — she’s her aunt. Her very supportive aunt, who actually respects her and believes in letting her choose whether or not she wants to risk her own health and body to give birth. And although we were right to see a bunch of red flags around Dr. Collins’ reaction to her ultrasound, the situation plays out in a way that shows it was always about a broken system and, thankfully, never about her trying to force any kind of beliefs onto anyone else.

As she tells Dr. Robby (in, like, the bazillionth fantastic confrontation between the two characters), if she goes with Dr. Abbott’s measurements or otherwise falsifies Kristi’s record, Dr. Collins is done. And because he is a white male with tenure, Robby…doesn’t get that — not initially, at least. He tries to convince her it will be “fine.” But no, it won’t be. Or, rather, it won’t be if Dr. Collins doctors the images. But “the risks are not the same for you as they are for me,” as she puts it. Because they aren’t. Not even close. So, Robby steps up and “fixes” the ultrasound/11-weeks problem.

Of course, it’s all for nothing. Just as this patient is about to get the medication she needs, her real mom comes in, screaming, and demanding that she not receive abortion treatment. Because Kristi is a minor, her mom gets to decide. Granted, 17 is close enough to adulthood, and we don’t even know this kid’s full story — although, “I don’t want to be pregnant” is reason enough to…not be pregnant. But she has no autonomy. Someone else gets to determine what kinds of care she can and can’t get, to force her to do something with her body that she has no desire to do. It’s a violation. Full stop. Take your “but life!” elsewhere because what about the pregnant person’s life.

And, despite her earlier qualms, Dr. Collins clearly wants to support her patient. When she answer’s the mom’s question about the law, she does it honestly. But Tracy Ifeachor plays the moment like Dr. Collins is having to force those answers out against her own will. This fictional patient deserves better than her own mother forcing her to do this. And we all, so many of us, deserve better than lawmakers — many of whom don’t even have the most basic understanding of the science, much less the risks — forcing us. And yet. Doctors in multiple states have to let patients die or risk legal repercussions…and it’s just going to get worse.

After The Pitt Season 1 Episode 5, we’re kind of afraid to see how the next 10 hours play out for all the doctors involved in the Wheeler case. But we’re even more terrified for how a generation (at least) is going to play out for so many more of us in real life.

MORE: Read our review of The Pitt Season 1 Episode 4 to find out what made us realize something was “off” about Kristi and Lynette.

“You two are the sweetest”

Even thought Dr. Robby continues to lecture Dr. Mohan about getting patients treated and out the door more quickly — and with Joyce, her sickle cell patient, it’s especially important to get moving on her intubation to save her life — the personal touch she brings to this case is incredibly valuable. We already discussed the importance of trusting patients, especially with an illness like this one, when they say they need medication instead of just assuming they want drugs. But, on a completely human level, without Dr. Mohan giving Joyce the time before signing her consent to be intubated, she might not have had time to know what her questions were and ask about what happens after. Without that, it’s unlikely she would’ve gotten that last “I…love…you” in. And we can’t have that.

Telling our loved ones that we love them while we still have the chance is important. So, too, is being able to watch a television show and see two women of color who are deeply, deeply in love. Representation matters. It always did, always will. Anyone who tells you otherwise is hateful.

…anyway.

As we learn while Ondine and Joyce are being super-duper mushy, Dr. Mohan has never even seen “this kind of love between a married couple” because her own father died when she was 13. But because of him, she’s “conducting research on racial disparity in the ER.” Which, contrary to the lies white supremacists will tell you, is exactly the opposite of discrimination. Because of things like systemic racism, lack of representation to make sure all kinds of people are represented in trials, and just…genetics, there are indeed different health outcomes for different people.

Actual discrimination would be a one-size-fits-all approach to everything, one that centers white men who don’t even know that sex isn’t determined at conception. What we’re saying here is we need more doctors who actually care, like the fictional Dr. Mohan. Fewer government officials shutting down actual scientists when they don’t like what they hear about public health and/or simply can’t fathom not being at the center of every trial.

And, at least at this fictional hospital, we know there are doctors who get it. Another one of the sweetest moments in The Pitt Season 1 Episode 5 comes when Dr. Mohan tries to apologize to Dr. Collins for taking so long with Joyce. But, as Collins puts it, “don’t apologize. What you did in there? Building a relationship with your patients — earning their trust! — that’s what this is all about.” She’s right. And, while we’re at it, she’s also right with for telling Dr. Mohan to “keep doing you.”

MORE: For a look back at Dr. Mohan just being herself when she helped Whitaker out, read our The Pitt Season 1 Episode 3 review.

More on The Pitt Season 1 Episode 5

• “How is it out there?” “Chaos. We’re never gonna catch up.” Relatable right now, with *gestures at everything*.
• “But why couldn’t I open the vial?” “Because you’re an intern. Who also needs to learn to trust your senior resident. Especially in front of an attending.” Ok but…that’s not how that works. Like, Dr. Langdon could call Dr. Santos out for talking back or whatever, but that’s…really, truly not how opening vials works. Also really interested to see where this goes/if it turns out that something was, in fact, wrong.
• It occurs to me that I should’ve started collecting data to see how many times Whitaker has to go to the scrub exchange in a single shift. Poor kid. And so much blood.
• “Got a second?” “There’s never a second. But shoot.” Dana is so real for this…and her “why did you waste my time” look when Dr. Santos admits it’s only the one vial. (So far/that we know of?? Or is it really only one vial and this intern just…showing her ego yet again?)
• So, we’re going with “this staff is a family.” Case in point: Everyone acts like Jake is their boy. Awwww.
• Not saying much about his scenes, though. I’ve got theories, and I’m not trying to rush through these episodes to see if I’m right or not.
• “Whitaker’s got this.” The way Dr. Mohan supports him.
• “Jackson Pollock here might want to go hit the scrubs exchange.” The snort-laugh that came out of me on this line…
• Look at this white male rage from Mr. Driscoll again. Why does he feel the need to get up in Javadi’s face and sneer at her like that? Over a wait time that she can’t control? Disgusting. Same goes for the way he smirks and is just…ick about her being the one he’s left with for treatment. Like, I get it: ER waits are horrible. It’s frustrating AF, especially when you’re in serious pain. But this is…something else. (Spoiler alert: That “someting else” is racism and misogyny.)
• Love the way The Pitt Season 1 Episode 5 uses the news reports about, and the betting on, the stolen ambulance to move us between parts of the episode. It’s a great way to connect everything.
• “She’s 17. She deserves a life.” Dr. Robby, pro-choice king.
• “I got you.” ❤️
• If you didn’t melt inside from seeing Robby bend down and “flirt” with Ginger, you most definitely are not to be trusted.
• “Flattery will get you everywhere.”
• Not Myrna plagiarizing Sr. Mix-A-Lot. And poor Whitaker! Gerran Howell does such a hilarious job of hitting that complete confusion and discomfort here.
• Also: “Don’t mind Myrna. She’s harmless.” “She’s handcuffed.” “That’s why she’s harmless.” And then his jaw…drops and he looks around.
• “Chart review on our last five years of patients of color.” A thing that’s…not allowed at federal health agencies right now. Fabs.
• Ok but why is Dr. Langdon sharing Nick Bradley’s information with Jake? Isn’t that, uh, illegal?
• Dr. Santos really picks on other people to feel better about herself huh.
• “If it’s something that endangers a patient? Then, definitely yes. Pick your battles. You don’t want to be the intern who cried wolf.” Something’s going to happen here, I bet.
• “Don’t worry. I only killed three people.” LOVE me some dark humor.
• “I guess I’m oversharing because I want you to know not everybody has it all figured out all the time.” And I love her.
• It’s interesting that even Sherry initially looks at Dr. McKay with horror after seeing her ankle bracelet. Even after everything the doctor has told her about her own struggles, and how she loves her son and would do anything for him, Sherry’s afraid of the unknown. And she’s as poisoned as anyone else by this idea of everyone who’s committed a crime being fundamentally a violent criminal and nothing else.
• “I know I can be a burden, but I like being in my own home. Just me and my girl.” “You’re not a burden; you’re my mom.” Not a burden but an impossible situation to be in, having to be a loved one’s sole caretaker with no opportunity to take care of yourself and no help from others.
• The way Rita finally lets it all out when she’s away from her mom’s room…oof. So good. Everyone on this show is so good.
• But, see, Mel also just doesn’t understand her level of privilege because she talks about what she was able to do to help her sister — which is good! — but Rita doesn’t have the resources for that.
• Thank you, Dana Evans, for asking the important questions. “Didn’t look like nothing” and “the lady doth protest too much” INDEED.
• “You up for it?” [Incoherent mumbling.] “Of course you are.”
• “Trust me. They’re your parents. And you are in an emergency room. It is never a bother.” Interesting after he’s just had to blow off Jake…I’m scared.
• Hearing Dr. Carter say Jesus F— will never not do it for me.
• “Repeat vitals. Every four hours.” Get him.
• Oh, ok. Kid’s scandalized by hearing about Lollapalooza sex. Got it.
• Oh, Mel. You didn’t do anything wrong. That little nervous swallow when it looks like Ginger’s daughter abandoned her…
• “I’m not telling you this to reprimand you. I’m trying to teach you. To help you.”
• “How am I supposed to send him back to St. Michael’s? Call him an Uber?”
• Oh, but Dr. Carter’s Robby’s look when Garcia tells him he’s only got one shot. He learned from the best, ok?
• “Oh, my God. I’m going to lose another patient.” “Shutup, Whitaker.” A comedy!
• “Soooo, I can cancel the Uber?” Oh, baby’s growing up and growing a backbone!
• Digging the double fist bump, too.
• yOuRE haViNg SeX?!!11
• Noah Wyle in dad mode…help.
• “Not now, not ever.” Horrible excuse for a mother. Full stop.

What did you think of The Pitt Season 1 Episode 5? Leave us a comment.

The Pitt streams Thursdays at 9/8c on Max.