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

The Pitt Season 1 Episode 11 masterfully juggles the immediate “after” effects of Dr. Robby sending Dr. Langdon home at the end of Episode 10, a continuation — and escalation — of Dr. McKay’s fight for her kid, more on Robby’s history with Dr. Collins, and an incredibly difficult to watch birth. And no, as is tradition with this series at this point, those aren’t the only compelling plot points to follow. Dana is still struggling, starting to really doubt whether she should even still be here, after her assault in Episode 9. Dr. Mohan takes a somewhat sketchy path to treating a patient who’s in denial about his addiction, and while we’re still not sure if we should approve of her methods or not, we’re definitely rooting for her by the end because she stands up for herself.

There’s a reason so many people keep talking about this series, and it’s a simple one: It’s very, very good. Episodes like this one are routine at this point; yet, they are never, ever predictable or boring. Quite the contrary. Or, well. Admittedly, the series is predictable in one way: We know to expect this cast to knock it out of the park. In ‘5:00 P.M.,’ Tracy Ifeachor and Noah Wyle, as well as guest stars Enuka Okuma and Mason McCulley, are the clear standouts, which is an incredible feat given how strong every other performance is. But otherwise, there’s always at least some kind of surprise.

MORE: Read our Taylor Dearden interview to see why The Pitt Season 1 Episode 11 was particularly rough for Dearden and Brandon Mendez Homer.

“Same room, same womb.”

It bears repeating: The Pitt Season 1 Episode 11 features an incredibly difficult to watch birth. Medical drama fans are certainly not strangers to watching the miracle of giving birth quickly become a tragedy — ER‘s “Love’s Labor Lost” pretty much always comes to mind, though the situation is different here — but this series takes its own path that hits much harder. For one thing, there’s the image of the baby’s head during crowning, which then becomes even more of an “OMG. Nope. Didn’t want to see that, glad I decided never to go through that” kind of experience when Dr. Robby has to reach in to help with their stuck shoulders. But that’s actually the least of our worries. Childbirth is a totally normal thing, after all. (Yet also: OMG NOPE. NEVER ME.)

Once born, the baby’s a little too quiet. That prompts a pretty desperate rush, and even some pleading from Mel, to get the kid to breathe. After that crisis appears to have been averted, and the little one’s getting some bonding time with the dads, Natalie starts hemorrhaging. There’s a very real possibility of this becoming a situation of creating one life just to lose another, or — worse — death taking over the whole room. Thankfully, though, that’s not the story the writers chose to tell. Instead, it’s the story of a near miss that hits a bit too close to home, yet ultimately winds up a hopeful one. For some folks, at least.

It’s the series of near-tragedies, all in a row, coupled with all that we know about what’s going on with the characters in the room, that makes this major part of The Pitt Season 1 Episode 11 both exceptionally well done…and exceptionally rough on viewers. Natalie is doing this selfless thing for her best friend, and it’s so moving to watch as Justin reaches back out to hold her hand during skin-to-skin bonding time. All of these people are connected. They are a family, and Justin’s pretty much the center of it.

So, of course, when Natalie takes a turn for the worse, Justin starts to blame himself. All that agony, after such an achingly bittersweet moment, is just hard to witness. Then, there’s the issue of the overly-busy and understaffed hospital. Natalie shouldn’t even be delivering in the ER; she should be up in Labor and Delivery. But there’s no time to wait. So, it’s all down to Dr. Collins and Robby, who share the most uncomfortable glances back and forth throughout the delivery because they know how this could all go wrong but don’t want to contribute to their patient’s stress levels and make it all worse. But Robby keeps being pulled into the next life or death situation, so really, it’s all down to Dr. Collins.

That last part is, of course, yet another reason why this particular series of events is extra-extra emotionally devastating. It’s just as Dr. Collins finally tells Robby about her miscarriage that they get interrupted with…this. Talk about the cruelty of fate. Then again, it’s also a stroke of luck for Natalie and that baby because they’re both extra motivated to make sure everyone makes it out of that trauma room alive and well. Considering how childbirth-related mortality rates are so much higher for Black women than their white counterparts, it’s all too easy to think about how much differently things could’ve gone without these specific people — Dr. Collins especially — providing patient care.

It’s such relief, in the end, for these people to get their happy ending. That “thank you for being my best friend in the whole world” line from a relieved Justin to an exhausted Natalie is powerfully emotional in all the best ways. And, right after that, Dr. Collins’ reaction to Natalie’s expression of gratitude is powerful in all the most gutting ones. That we see Robby’s face start to fall in concern right before we see Dr. Collins’ sick expression and shaky grasp on her grief somehow makes it even worse. It’s like the camera is telling us, “this is going to be bad,” and somehow, we’re still not prepared despite receiving that warning. What. A. Blow.

MORE: At the end of The Pitt Season 1 Episode 7, we knew what was happening to Dr. Collins, but we really wished it wasn’t. Unfortunately, The Pitt Season 1 Episode 8 confirmed she had miscarried.

“Not selfish. Heather…not selfish.”

If this series’ episode titles needed to be do something other than just telling viewers which hour we’re on, The Pitt Season 1 Episode 11 could easily be called “Heather.” Because, really, when Dr. Collins first tells Dr. Robby about her miscarriage and he uses her first name after saying “oh” a certain kind of way…that’s a defining moment. In the first place, it sets the stage for everything that follows and gives us those additional elevated stakes with Natalie’s labor. But, from a character development standpoint, everything we need to know about these two people’s past — or at least how Robby feels about it, about her — is right there. Yes, Collins already admitted there was something years ago…but what we see in this hour tells us it wasn’t at all a minor thing.

Which we kinda already figured, based on how Wyle and Ifeachor have played their characters’ many great scenes together so far. But still. Confirmation is good.

We could talk all day about Robby’s moment of realization and immediate sadness when he hears the news, or even the many concerned looks the doctors share while trying to save Natalie and the baby’s life, but we’d rather test out a theory. Because, if subtext is pointing us in a particular direction — which we think it is — the biggest development for this relationship comes in one of the series’ best personal scenes to date. That is, of course, the conversation that occurs in the ambulance toward the end of The Pitt Season 1 Episode 11. First off, the quiet, understated way both Ifeachor and Wyle play that entire exchange — from Robby trying to help, to Collins’ gallows humor, to even her tearful confession and his response — creates something purely gorgeous. Just…gorgeous, gorgeous work from both actors. Truly.

But there’s something else about the performances here. At least for us, it appears to be telling us that Heather’s story can only ever be told to one person, and that one person is sitting next to her in that ambulance. Something about Wyle’s expression after Ifeachor’s “never told him” line is almost…questioning? So, when Robby firmly tells the other doctor that she’s not selfish for what she did — which, by the way, he is correct. Abortion care is up to the patient and their physician. No one else. Period — it feels extra personal that he needs her to know that he feels that way. And then, when Heather asks “do you think he’d forgive me if he knew,” Ifeachor’s eyebrows give that little nudge. Heather Collins is asking Michael Robinavich for forgiveness. Which, of course, he gives.

When Collins lays her head on Robby’s shoulder in the scene’s final moments, all we see is this beautiful image of mutual care, and trust, and support — and of some kind of closure, too. To trace that back to Robby’s self-deprecating “I’ve never known you to give up on anything….except maybe me” and the little way they knocked legs is to take something that was initially a favorite little detail and make it an even stronger one. Initially, it was just cute and friendly, two people with history sharing a laugh over something that might’ve been not so funny back then. But with the extra information…there’s some genuine hurt there for him that, hopefully, might get to heal now.

…and, again, she really doesn’t have anything to apologize for, at least not when it comes to her having an abortion. Just saying.

MORE: We’ve been kinda obsessed with Robby/Collins since day one. Remember that “absolutely not” exchange in The Pitt Season 1 Episode 2? That’s a wee bit more loaded now, huh? Same for the “not always about you” thing in The Pitt Episode 1.

“But mind your place with my son.”

With all of this talk of mothers and motherhood, it’s more than fitting that Dr. McKay gets a big Mama Bear moment in The Pitt Season 1 Episode 11. Meeting Chad in Episode 10 was, uh, an experience. To say the least. One of the things that clearly stood out for us there was her mention of Chloe being “the gift that keeps on giving” (yanks up pants leg to reveal ankle monitor). Yeah, we probably should’ve seen a confrontation with the gift (derogatory) in question coming. Who even cares if we predicted it or not, though? Because this is so good. Like, entertaining AF kind of good — and remind us never to get on Fiona Dourif’s bad side because, uh, that’s some deadly righteous fury there.

For Chloe to swoop in and try to take Harrison home after it’s already been decided that he’ll be staying with Dr. McKay while Chad — yes, we have to say his name like that — can’t take care of him is vile. Especially since there’s a restraining order, which means she absolutely shouldn’t be coming to Cassie’s job and basically having her violate that order by default. Then, we have Chad just going along with whatever “BONUS MOM” has to say and the two of them totally ignoring her when she interjects to be like “absolutely not!”

Sorry, not sorry, but the best part of all of this comes when Cassie plays up being unhinged on that “I tried to warn you” when the two women are alone in the lounge together. Or, eh. That whole conversation really. Because not only is Cassie not having any of this girl’s sh—, but we’re pretty sure she absolutely means every word she says. Yes, she wishes Chad was severely injured, and no, Chloe does not want to try her with wearing that shirt ever again. Also: Back. TF. Off.

Dourif is excellent here, making Dr. McKay the personification of “Hell hath no fury.” Every single line is delivered with the appropriate amount of acid, and whether a viewer’s here for her to be a little bit (a LOT) condescending or threatening, or just done, they’ll get everything they could possibly ask for. And then some. That The Pitt Season 1 Episode 11 includes this version of Dr. McKay, one who’s defending her fitness as a parent for the son she loves — and the son who, from what we saw when she asked him about staying with her, we know loves her just as fiercely — just after her own patient has admitted her mom was never perfect but always loved just works.

And seriously, we’re with Cassie. F that shirt.

MORE: Is this version of Cassie what she was talking about when she said she’d regretted some reflexes in The Pitt Season 1 Episode 4? And no, this wasn’t the first time she’s gone off on someone who deserved it either. Still sorry, not sorry, to Javadi after The Pitt Episode 5.

More on The Pitt Season 1 Episode 11

The way the energy and the life is completely gone at the beginning of The Pitt Season 1 Episode 11 really highlights how much of a blow it was for Robby to have to send Langdon away.
…but does he really have to be rude to Myrna and Earl, though?
“You can fold it in half New York style. Just like a sandwich.” Suddenly hungry for some real New York pizza. Also thinking about Fran Fine’s “the body doesn’t know” re: folding two slices together and treating them as one. Great life lesson, actually. Anyway.
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. I don’t like it.” “You sound like me. That’s not a good thing.”
“No. You do not.” Yikes, yikes, yikes. So firm there.
“You feel like God’s trying to tell you something?” “We stopped talking a loooong time ago.” Relatable. (Also: Siri, play “God Called in Sick Today” by AFI.)
This series really loves giving me superb mirror shots of Noah Wyle, and I’m not at all mad about it. Plus, that flashback…ouch.
“Worse than the dead squirrel?” What.
Ok. So…Santos. For me, it’s like…she did the right thing by telling Robby about Langdon. But her decision to lie about not telling anyone, then rush to try to cover that lie up with Garcia, is so frustrating. Not only does it make all of Langdon’s ranting about her not being a team player seem kind of, um, not just about trying to discredit her, but it also shows an extreme lack of awareness. Garcia was pretty clear she didn’t want anything to do with any conversation about Langon and drugs the first time. Why poke the bear?
“And no, I don’t want to go home. And no, I don’t want to talk about it.” Two peas in a pod, huh.
Now, that “F— Beyoncé” was uncalled for.
“…first time leaving Nebraska.” “Youngest of four. I’m just happy when my parents remember my name.” Little nuggets like this make the fact that Whitaker hasn’t totally lost it yet even more admirable.
“That’s exactly what he would want you to believe if he was drug seeking….wow. You’re good.” Thanks. I am.” It’s like she’s starting to realize it for the first time here.
“Fine. You can celebrate bringing smallpox to wipe out the Native Americans.” 10/10, no notes.
Ok but the “then act like it” with the gesturing and the whisper-yelling. Like, McKay’s gotta keep her voice down at the hospital, but she is definitely yelling in spirit.
“I see hair.” That adorable grin. The awkward silence. “…baby’s hair.” The “come on, baby. Please, baby. breathe?” And then, look how delighted she is when she gets to pick the baby up. Mel, never change.
“First, do no harm. Then, do what’s best for the patient.” I…don’t know if I can stand behind this? I get what Mohan’s trying to do here, but…
“You’re trouble.” Yeah, but at least she gave you the tip about that pizza being delivered.
“…that time we binged Game of Thrones two months before the finale because of FOMO.” Real.
I adore that this kid is going to have two extremely loving dads and Natalie. Can’t stress that enough. Imagine if we just…let people live this beautiful lives instead of all of the homophobia and racism. The fact that this series doesn’t make a big deal out of the situation but instead simply shows us…life is very much appreciated.
(Awkwardly trying not to make a huge deal out of it myself here. But…yeah.)
“Are you close with your mom?” “Um. Sure. Yeah…like, proximity-wise?” McKay’s FACE.
I actually want to reach through the TV and punch Langdon for putting more stress on Dana. He saw how rattled she looked before he got himself thrown out…didn’t he???? And yet he still keeps blowing up the phone. Gross.
“Unbelievable.” “I had it coming.” Tell me more.
“You want to see inside your guts?” “Always!” Proof that Harrison is Dr. McKay’s son, huh.
“I have made a lot of mistakes in my life. But I am a d—ned. Good. Mom.” GET HER.
“Congratulations. You can rent a car.” Dead.
Even if I’m not entirely sure if I’m behind Dr. Mohan on that trickery, Dr. Robby shouldn’t be attacking her like that. But on the plus side, he 100% backs her with Ivan. A series that actually presents complex moral dilemmas as complex. Amazing!
“My father passed away when I was young. I don’t know if I’ll ever get married, but if I do, it will be without him walking me down the aisle. I’m glad your daughter has you there on her wedding day. I hope she gets to have you there for all of her other big days to come, too.” What a moment for Dr. Mohan and for Supriya Ganesh. She looks like she is not, in fact, glad that man’s daughter has him. And you know what? I support her wrongs here. The anger part, at least. Still unsure about the other bit.
“I don’t always know the exact right thing to say, but…I am sorry about your dad.” I would absolutely die for this kid.
I continue to be extremely concerned about the incel kid situation but just so sad for his mom.
“I’m digging my own grave. Let me.” “I don’t have to give you the shovel.” Another painful moment.
“He didn’t say goodbye.” PROTECT MEL.
“Some people might have turned a blind eye. But you didn’t. It took a strong moral compass to do what you did. Your first day, nonetheless.” “I just wonder if—…” “You did the right thing, Dr. Santos.” Isa Briones does a fantastic job with Dr. Santos’ anxiety and doubts here. It’s a bit late to be worrying about how others are going to see her and all, but it’s hard not to feel terrible for this character here.
That final scene with Dana so broken up and Robby losing another person he cares about…It probably deserves its own longer discussion, honestly. But on the other hand, just like that man can not take one more loss, I’m not sure I can take dwelling on yet another loss. What a heartbreaking day for everybody at this place.
…and who knows if Dana’s actually leaving yet after that alert?
Jake had better be ok. I swear to God…
…but God doesn’t talk to me so…
…FFFFFFFF…
And it’s over.