The Pitt Season 2 Episode 7 Review: The Only SANE On Staff

In The Pitt Season 2 Episode 7, PTMC’s emergency department starts to heat up. As in, a number of patients are literally overheated, and the waiting area that appeared manageable in the season premiere is suddenly full of patients. And by the end of the hour, we learn the situation is only going to get much, much worse. Talk about impending doom when that hospital CEO, all dressed in his embarrassing vacation garb, arrives to tell everyone they’re vulnerable to a cyberattack…and, therefore, shutting everything down. Dr. Robby’s completely caught off guard and not at all happy about nobody consulting the department—even less happy when he learns that the administration did consult Dr. Al-Hashimi—and Dr. Abbot, who finally returns in this hour, looking forward to how “fun” it’s going to be.

Those final moments might promise a crisis, might even promise some intense situations to come, but the crisis situation at the root of all these Westbridge diversions and the upcoming switch to “analog” remains the least interesting thing about Season 2 so far. And yet, every single hour—this one most definitely included—continues to deliver. There are performances that shouldn’t be able to surprise anyone with how good they are anymore, yet surprise just the same. Additionally, there are small character moments with huge implications, stories that focus on the people even as they expose the awful realities in both healthcare and our world at large. And, whatever you do, don’t forget that certain special something that, impossibly, keeps the quality building while also not definitively making any one scene or episode less than all the others.

The Pitt Season 2 Episode 7 boasts an embarrassment of riches. Shawn Hatosy fits right back in. His dynamic with Noah Wyle (and their characters’ easy, friendly teamwork as an extension) is more polished than ever. However, Robby’s not the only doctor Abbot works well with. He meets Al-Hashimi for the first time and instantly notices how at-odds she and Robby are in a trauma, but when he has time to actually talk to her, they find a common ground and connect. Abbot might call Al-Hashimi “cool,” but well, I guess it takes one to know one.

Speaking of Abbot being cool: He just quietly, casually offers to pay for an Uber so Dr. Mohan can make sure her patient Orlando Diaz can get the home care supplies she rushed off to collect for him, only for him to leave before she could get back to the room. It’s the type of scene that, on paper, shouldn’t lead off a review of an episode with so much rich storytelling. But it does because…Well, first of all, it’s Dr. Mohan going the extra mile for a patient, as always. Since she’s so frustrated and defeated when every effort appears to fail, it’s extremely important that someone’s there to support her. It’s place where Samira gets to feel useful when she was just feeling useless.

Something about the way Supriya Ganesh and Hatosy work together also brings a certain lightness to The Pitt Season 2 Episode 7. There’s a sweet sort of simplicity they create, and for whatever reason, Mohan’s able to put aside her struggles with her mom and be Mohan, our warm-hearted doctor—no distractions, no outside noise from family or the bigger emergencies—when she finds Dr. Abbot in Mr. Diaz’s place. Mohan collapses, but she gets back up. She thinks that’s the end of her patient’s story until his next emergency, thinks there’s no hope; but then, someone with fresh eyes (and spare cash for a ride) sees another way. All of that is sorely needed and extremely valuable right now. Not just for Dr. Mohan, but to give us a steady, grounded break from all the trauma happening all around, and even to, these characters

This is an hour that comes right after a difficult death, only to keep chugging along with a mom deciding to stay in the increasingly-busy hospital amidst the chaos to die, even with her heartbroken husband begging her to go home with him and the kids. And that’s not even the patient story that hits hardest. No, that honor—if I can even call it that, considering the circumstances—goes to the sexual assault victim Dana spends most of the hour with.

MORE: Read our overall thoughts on The Pitt Season 2.

“More nurses should train for it”

There have been times, over the course of Law & Order: SVU‘s 27-season run, when the series has gone to extraordinary lengths to educate viewers about the process of getting a rape kit. Season 12’s “Behave” instantly comes to mind, and the scenes in that hour where Vicki Sayers (Jennifer Love Hewitt) goes through that painful experience will forever be memorable and groundbreaking in their own right.

But with the benefit of a format that allows endless, traumatic hours to actually be hours with quiet, heavy scenes—that feel even more endless somehow, as the camera takes its slow, steady gaze at every detail—The Pitt Season 2 Episode 7 takes on an all-new level of power. In fact, this episode might even redefine the word “unflinching” because if I’ve already described the way this series handled the process of cleaning up a body for loved ones’ viewing with that adjective. And this 1:00 hour goes beyond even that.

When it comes to breaking this sequence of events down, it’s difficult to know where to even begin. There’s a certain attention to detail as Dana calmly, quietly explains everything that’s going to happen. Then, there are the images. An emotional survivor, the process of collecting evidence, bruising, a nurse on a stool, looking up at her patient and making herself as small and unassuming as possible.

The Pitt Season 2 Episode 7 forces us to watch, to bear witness. But there’s also an attempt to give the victim some privacy and some agency. It’s so at odds with the series’ usual bold approach, it makes what she’s likely feeling about her body not being her own land so much harder. Up close and personal, we avoid getting too personal to whatever infinitesimal extent we possibly can. That respect carries through most of Ilana’s ordeal, most notably present when Dana holds up that sheet, looks down, and pointedly avoids much looking at all.

None of the above quite captures what makes this part of The Pitt Season 2 Episode 7 so powerful, much less how powerful it truly is. But it stands out. With everything else going on, these scenes make all of that other excellent work feel almost like background noise. Not even background noise, really. More like it’s happening in some completely different universe, so very separate from our own. So, maybe the best thing to say is that, whenever we revisit Ilana, and Dana, and Emma, it truly feels like we’re in the room with these women—not streaming some medical drama in the safety and comfort of our own homes.

At times, we’re Dana, seeing this girl who’s experienced the worst kind of violation, wanting to help her and make this as quick and easy on her as possible, while having the terrible knowledge that there’s no such thing. Or, the camera will do a trick and show us what Emma’s feeling about all of this (utterly miserable in one closeup). Some of the closeups on Ilana force us to feel some of that misplaced shame, or that awful sense of too many people—invaders—seeing too much of us that this young woman must be feeling on top of all her other, devastating emotions.

Katherine LaNasa’s performance throughout these scenes is stunning—I’d be so bold as to say it makes her Emmy-winning work in Season 1 look like child’s play, even though it most certainly wasn’t. Sitting her opposite Tina Ivlev, and with Laetitia Hollard back there behind that curtain, just makes all three of them the best they can possibly be. But whatever that is now, I’m sure it will continue to grow. There’s just too much talent to contain.

I think, as simple of a moment as may seem, the part I can’t seem to forget is when Ilana looks to Dana, as if for reassurance, before telling Paulette she doesn’t think it’s necessary for her to stay. Then, Paulette (the advocate) asks for permission to ask her some questions, Ilana takes that pause, tensing up before finally arriving at as convincing of a “sure” as she can manage. During the short pause, the camera tracks down to Dana’s hands, carefully reaching for her…but hesitating before, ultimately, pulling back. She wants to reach out, wants to give this girl some sense of comfort, and knows the one thing she might usually be able to offer someone in their lowest moment will most likely only do more harm here.

The whole exchange takes not even a full minute out of a 53-minute episode. And yet.

MORE: See what made us fall in love with Dana (and many other characters) in Season 1.

Victoria Javadi’s dad is proud of her, as he should be

Student doctor Javadi has a really lovely moment with Jada Davis in The Pitt Season 2 Episode 7. When we first see her in this hour, after several hours of worrying nonstop about her brother Jackson, Jada is pretty worn down. It’s almost like, now that her parents are here, she’s finally letting the weight of everything hit her in a way that I don’t think she was exactly able to before. It’s not that she’s relaxed, and I also don’t get the impression that she at all feels like she’s letting them take over because she trusts them to handle it or anything—not even remotely—but everyone has their limits. And she’s certainly exceeded hers.

I love how Erin Croom plays those early moments, sitting back with her arms crossed, muttering “you’d be, too, if you were tased” as Jada’s response to Javadi’s comment about Jackson being “agitated.” But it’s what happens later on, when it’s clear the character feels like her parents have actually betrayed her by lying to her about her uncle’s death, then only admitting the truth now thanks to learning about Jackson hearing voices, that she really shines. Instead of the fight going out of her, it’s flowing through her—like this is the first true, openly combative moment for Jada. She’s right to leave, to finally get some time for herself. But Victoria’s right to want to bring her back, too.

So, back to that lovely moment I mentioned. Victoria Javadi may or may not have first-person experience with this exact difficult family situation. But as we’ve seen time and time again, she does know what it’s like to be at odds with your parents. (Or, uh, parent—singular—as it turns out.) So, it’s really fortunate that this is the patient, and the relative, that Javadi has to work with this season. Because she can relate. Not only that, but she wants Jada to know she can relate. There’s just something extremely genuine, gentle yet determined, in her approach. It comes from her unique experience, and it’s special as a result.

We’ve seen Victoria jump to judgement or put her foot in her mouth before—even with Jackson’s case!—so coming into it with that history of making mistakes, only to get it so very right is a huge step for her. That this comes after The Pitt Season 2 Episode 7’s other major development for Javadi works perfectly, as well. The “med student prowess” her dad brags about comes into play here in a big way. It’s just on the human side instead of in the “genius at work” mode that Javadi showed us during the mass casualty event. I think showing her relationship with her dad, which is so different than the combative one with Dr. Shamsi, allows us to understand “Vic” a lot better. This other side of her as a person pairs well with this new aspect of her potential as a physician.

“Well, either way. You’ll do what’s right. You always do. Proud of ya” not only sums up how this dad feels about his daughter’s choices about her future as a doctor—she also completely shows she can do what’s right for her patient’s family. And, well, after The Pitt Season 2 Episode 7, we should all be proud of how she’s able to see an adult daughter’s issue with her parents in a new light. Is Victoria suddenly never going to make another mistake? Doubtful. That’s not how this works—for anyone. But this is a breakthrough.

(And side note? Very weird seeing Usman Ally as…not that F—er Andrew Malik in Suits.)

MORE: For what it’s worth, Javadi can totally outsmart Ogilvie and has better bedside manner, even on her worst day. So, even if Dr. Santos was right about the other student being Victoria’s competition (she wasn’t), she’d win.

Langdon and Robby yell at each other…just not how you think

In The Pitt Season 2 Episode 7, Dr. Langdon finally gets a moment alone with Dr. Robby that Robby can’t escape. And, since it’s his only chance to say what he needs to, Langdon seizes the moment. Langdon’s approach, once he gets past his initial fear of poking the bear, turns out to be pretty clever. He brings Robby’s attention back to the day when it all went wrong by making forced, kinda awkward, small talk about how much of a mess today—his first day back—is. When he receives just about nothing as a response there, that’s actually a positive sign. Or, at least, it’s not a negative one. After all, Robby could’ve not given him that Look (capital L) at all, or he could’ve just exploded. Neither of the above happened.

So, he presses on and asks a question that he both really cares about the answer to and knows Robby cares about enough to get over himself and acknowledge: “How’s Jake?” That earns him, and us, a brief, tense pause before these two doctors finally have more of a real conversation than they’ve had for the six previous hours combined. Thankfully, we learn that Jake’s “good. He’s better. He’s coping,” which is really the best anyone can expect 10 months after surviving a mass shooting when the girlfriend who was there with you didn’t.

It’s a nice moment, both in terms of giving the audience an update on a character who was such a big part of that mass casualty arc and watching that wall Robby’s using to keep Langdon out crack the tiniest bit. Admittedly, Robby never exactly warms up to Langdon. In fact, once he hears the guy’s apology, he says he’s not even sure he wants him working in his ER. But it’s a small, necessary step just the same. For today, for this hour, it’s progress. It’s impossible not to wonder whether falling right into sync at the end of Episode 5 as they both fought for Louie’s life might have helped with that.

So, yeah. It’s smart and gets the job done…but it’s also a little bit of an inappropriate approach for maintaining sobriety. Making amends isn’t about making someone hear you because their choices are basically stay there and listen, put another person’s life in danger by sending you away, or…what? Jump off the roof, I guess? Not to mention, Langdon knows how much Robby loves Jake. So, that’s emotionally manipulative—more addictive behavior than that of someone in recovery. It’s a process and not always a forward-moving one, so Langdon behaving that way isn’t entirely unexpected. But I haven’t decided yet if this means someone at The Pitt didn’t think through the implications and just wanted the entertainment value (which the elevator and roof have tons of) or if it’s a red flag for Langdon.

Then again. Maybe all we’re supposed to take from this is that Frank’s doing his best, and the extreme circumstances of the work, combined with the knowledge that Robby’s leaving tomorrow, makes for a sort of emergency situation where desperate times really can call for more desperate measures than normal. If nothing else, The Pitt Season 2 Episode 7 takes these characters’ non-reconciliation to an interesting place. Based on how Robby has treated Langdon so far this season, and knowing how many bottled up feelings of anger, betrayal, and resentment—just to name a few—are left over after their explosion in the Season 1 finale, most series would say “ok, Noah Wyle and Patrick Ball were great at this, and our main character obviously is, once again, not dealing with his issues. So, let’s have these characters get into another screaming match.”

And, well. They do have another screaming match up on that roof. It’s just more about trying to make sure they hear each other over the roar of the medivac than actually fighting. I wouldn’t go so far as to say the conversation winds up being friendly, by any stretch of the imagination. But it’s a nice, little twist on viewers’ expectations. Unsurprisingly, Ball and Wyle play off of each other just as well when Langdon and Robby are hollering their feelings with each other than when they were hollering them at each other. And the absurdity of the setting for such an important conversation makes it almost comedic relief. Almost, yet it doesn’t fully arrive at that place.

(I mean, I chuckled at the idea of men not knowing how to share their feelings without yelling and all, but…anyway.)

I think what makes this part of The Pitt Season 2 Episode 7 stand out in a sea of important and impactful plot points is just how well Ball and Wyle play with that tension and awkwardness they’ve been carrying all season. It’s like Ball’s performance goes from that “oh, sh**” face in the elevator, to a little stunted, to “f**k it, now or never,” right up to almost hopeful when Robby tells Langdon he’s glad he got help…and then, the magnets get too close together. The rubber band snaps back into place. Robby crushes that tiny bit of hope, and we’re left with that horrified look.

With Wyle, it’s all about how he works against the clock. Every single one of those pauses before speaking, those little shakes of his head before smiling (or not), carries a certain weight. Robby’s holding himself back. At first, he’s stopping himself from saying or doing something we’ll all regret. Eventually, it’s like he’s locked himself up safe away from Langdon, but he’s peeking out and fighting himself from throwing that door wide open. He’s dancing up to the line of his own boundaries before he bounces against one of the obstacles that put them there in the first place: Robby just doesn’t know if he can trust Langdon and just can’t put himself in that position again.

Later, back inside the hospital, it’s like we took that step forward, only to actually take several steps back. Langdon’s a little off his game while they assess and treat the trauma patient, which validates Robby’s doubts. (Garcia agreeing with Langdon on whether or not to transfuse probably doesn’t help Robby’s mood or willingness to play nice either.) So now, Robby’s back to making excuses to avoid confrontation all over again.

…and maybe, just maybe, we’re headed for a fight after all. Or not.

MORE: Here’s what happened when Robby sent Langdon home after learning he was stealing patients’ medication.

More The Pitt Season 2 Episode 7 reactions

It’s like Robby has to physically jolt himself out of grief mode and back into work mode. What a way to begin the hour.
“Worthy of a raise?” “Juuuuust more of my love.” “I got enough of that.” The Dana/Robby walk and talks remain some of the most fun, little character interactions this series has to offer.
“The debrief was lovely.” And The Pitt Season 2 Episode 7 gets completely quiet, with Robby shutting the world out to let his humanity back in again, just because Dr. Al actually sees him for a second there. What a nice touch. Noah Wyle’s little pause, before looking down and kind of smiling reveals, so much about how genuine his gratitude is for that. And whatever Dr. Al-Hashimi may or may not think about our broken emergency attending, Sepideh Moafi makes it abundantly clear that the character’s eyes are wide open (metaphorically speaking) and taking it all in.
Check out Perlah’s downright glee after volunteering Princess to cover for Dana. So glad to see these two back to their usual “bad habits” (as Dana calls them) after Episode 6 was so difficult for everyone, Perlah especially.
Even the way Katherine LaNasa just changes her entire posture and voice for Dana to pull back the curtain and introduce herself to Ilana is exquisite. If she doesn’t get another Emmy nod…
“This can be a lot. You up for it?” “Yeah. Yes. I’m good.” “Let me know if you need to step out.” I’m so fascinated by how Laetitia Hollard plays this. First of all, she goes from the uncertain “yeah” to the more ready “yes.” But what really makes me want to know more is what happens with Emma after Dana offers her an out. Deflated, almost? Like maybe she feels like Dana doesn’t trust her? Or is it something…else? I genuinely don’t know, but I want to. So, so badly.
Meanwhile. LET DR. ELLIS SLEEP! (I get why she can’t use that particular space, obviously, but oof, can I relate to that groan.)
That little kiss and peace sign, though. Ellis fan for life.
It took how many hours to get Harlow Graham this translator, and this happens? The Pitt is not letting this accessibility issue go. GOOD. Also, Santos finally has the bright idea to write something down and still…can’t be bothered to have a full conversation that way? After this poor woman has been waiting all this time? Ugh. I felt that frustrated breath out and the way Harlow slammed that clipboard down after Santos left.
No clue what’s going on with Dr. Al. Impressed by this performance and the way that camera gets right up close and personal to maximize the moment, though. There’s a lot of physicality in how Moafi braces herself against that closed door and forces that breath, or the wide eyes as she smoothes back her hair. But I really, really appreciate the strange starts and stops as she’s leaving that message for Dr. Fairgraves. This is a character who’s usually so together and so deliberate about her speech, and this is…not that. At all.
Wyle’s sweeping arm motion when Robby says he’ll give Roxie and her family a chance to talk.
So, The Pitt Season 2 Episode 7 is the 1:00 hour. Dana pops open that kit just before the 10-minute mark. Not only is she not done by the end of the episode, but before Ilana needs her break, we’re about to get to the most invasive part.
As Ilana, Tina Ivlev does such remarkable work. I can’t say it enough. The way she dissociates on the way in, fails to make eye contact, and is so very startled when Dana sits down in front of her all set the tone for what only gets better (and therefore more difficult to watch) from there.
“I can’t imagine—her boys.” “Oh, don’t go there.” I mean, it’s kinda impossible for McKay not to go there, as a mother???
“You want my first born, too?” “Maybe. Will they know how to suture?”
“I thought you left us already for the open road.” “And miss you in a uniform?” “You should see me as a flight attendant.” A much healthier first Abbot/Robby scene than, you know, the start of Pittfest day.
“…with a bunch of friends.” Yeah, that’s the case way too often. Horrible. And wow, the way Ivlev tells this character’s story, all deep breaths between each smattering of words, the intense blinking when she stops after talking about helping with party setup. And then, when she looks down, that expression with the pursed lips the, the head shake no, fingers pressed on both sides of her nose, wiping the tears away…just pure agony. She can’t even go there to tell her story.
Poor Mel. As if her deposition isn’t a big enough deal, now she has to worry about something maybe being wrong with Becca.
“I’m not being rude!” What a moment from Supriya Ganesh. Dr. Mohan is at her limit with her mom.
“There’s no breaks down here. Always make sure you pack a protein bar. Something quick.” Another nod to how much Whitaker has learned since his first day.
Mohan’s begging Mr. Diaz to say, so desperate to save him for his daughter’s sake, if nothing else. And oh, the way Ganesh plays that relief after Orlando agrees to stay long enough for Samira to get him supplies and a referral.
Yeah, I chuckled at Hatosy’s little grin when Abbot looks up and sees Al-Hashimi looking over Robby’s shoulder.
Joy wiped that smug grin right off Ogilvie’s face, huh. FINISH HIM.
The slow, methodical movement of the camera along with Dana…just excruciating.
“I worked in Kabul with Médicins Sans Frontières and in 2020 at the maternity hospital. I met the most incredible, bravest doctors there.” “Dasht-e-Barchi. Tragedy…We should grab a beer sometime, share war stories.” After Abbot says “tragedy,” we get that shot of Dr. Al….so haunted. What a painful connection between these two strangers.
I also hope they do get that beer…and when they move past the war stories, they can kvetch about some of Robby’s lower moments.
“Oh, you don’t know the half of it.” Super delivery from Shabana Azeez as a counterpoint to Ally’s upbeat version of the same line.
“You’ve been at this awhile?” “Let’s just say Florence Nightingale and I were roommates.” “Who?” “I rest my case” Look at that warm smile from Dana.
“I’m fine.” “You sure?” That searching look, though.
“Great plan.” “Yeah, it was…Dr. Langdon’s idea. He figured we’d be seeing a lot more patients in this heat.” Taylor Dearden and Noah Wyle play this really, really well. Mel gives Langdon credit, knowing it’s going to be awkward. And Robby takes a quick moment before that nod and almost smiles. It’s like he’s nearly, yet not quite, ready to be proud of his student.
“Um, trying to think positively but feeling, um, less so.” She gets me.
“I have been training residents for years. You are one of the very best.” Her disbelief and little, quiet smile on “I am?” PROTECT MEL.
“I don’t want you living with my ghost.” “I will happily live with your ghost.” “Can we just…all stop talking about ghosts, please?”
The Dr. Robby of Season 1, who felt a little bit too much for families of dying patients, really makes a comeback in The Pitt Season 2 Episode 7. Check out the way he reacts to Roxie’s kid asking that question or her husband’s begging for something, anything, to hope for.
Princess/Robby walk and talk not quite a Dana/Robby but still pretty good! And Princess actually does her best Dana impression there.
“That was a lot for him to go through.” The little smirk and shake of the head before Wyle’s “lot for all of us to go through.”
This apology is so very them.
“This will not define you, ok?” Olivia Benson would be proud.
…Dana might just be better, though. I said what I said.
Garcia knows she walked into some awkward sh**, huh.
“Look, I know this must be so scary for you. And you probably feel betrayed by your parents? But they had no way of knowing about Jackson, you know. And some families just have a difficult time talking about mental health. Now, you can help us take the first steps to finding out what we can do to help your brother.” We call that…growth.
I love the sideways glance from Croom as Jada listens to this from Javadi.
“Our little secret.”
Dr. Al’s…nice? To Santos? Now?
Can we talk about Isa Briones with this baby? No, wait. Actually, let’s back up briefly. Can we talk about Briones with how panicked Trinity is about wanting someone to get the baby to stop crying so she can go back to charting. What about when she’s whining to Jesse about it. And then, she just totally hilariously rolls her eyes and asks the baby what’s wrong with her, all annoyed-like, as if she’ll answer.
Ok. Now, let’s talk about the lullaby. First off, it’s such a departure from what we usually think of with Dr. Santos—she even has to look over her shoulder nervously before starting, as if the thought of anyone seeing her in this vulnerable moment is too much. But the longer she sings that beautiful Visayan lullaby (thank you, Isa Briones, for clarifying that in your Instagram stories after someone rushed to spoil it in the pre-season advance reviews without fact-checking) in that haunting voice, the more Trinity Santos melts.
No, don’t even talk to me about the baby getting quiet and grabbing her finger with her whole hand either. My emotions are way too fragile.
“Boy, I missed you, Yoyo.” “Mmmm. Can’t say the same.” That head tilt from Garcia!
“I think I’m the baby whisperer.” (She is.)
“He’s weirder than you expect.” Dad, amused hearing this about his favorite son.
Noah Wyle’s face in full “buffering” mode when Robby and Santos have the Annie/Amy misunderstanding. Cracked me up.
“…plus he’s on the street team. And he just wants to…help…everybody. And I just…don’t want to see him taken advantage of, you know? He’s just a f***in’ Hucklebery.” “Yeah. But he’s our F—in Huckleberry.” Seriously one of my favorite exchanges in The Pitt Season 2 Episode 7. Truly. Santos isn’t fooling Robby with her tough exterior. At. All.
The “you’re the boss” back and forth is great, too.
Annnnnnd back to pain. “My wife’s dying, and you’re telling me there’s nothing I can do.”
“Between us, they tried that that VRI bullsh**, and it was trash.”
Not at all surprised that this is where Ilana breaks. At all.
…and once again demanding that Katherine LaNasa gets some recognition for this specific episode. That shot of her when Dana finally gets to let out what she’s been holding in for the sake of the victim…WOW. She’s going to crawl out of her own skin while she tries to fight the inevitable tears.
I absolutely screamed “NO” when I saw Santos’ thigh…
Mel: “ARE WE NEXT?!”
“This is gonna be fun.” What a nerd. (I love him.)
Anyone ready for the next mess?