This week’s episode of The Pitt is a heavy reminder of the mortality that exists within the OR. It also brings into focus the skills these nurses and doctors possess. We have seen them bring people back from the brink of death, but we also know that life is not just the good things, or the neatly-wrapped medical procedurals where miracles always happen. The bad things exist, too, and PTMC is not exempt.

The ending of last episode showed ER favorite and regular Louie coding. Despite heroic efforts from Langdon, Robby, and the assembled nurses, the pulmonary hemorrhage from his liver failure proves too much. It’s a shocking, emotional death for both the viewers and those in the ER. Over the years, Louie built a bond with everyone who worked in the Pitt. Losing him wasn’t just losing a patient: It was almost like losing a friend.

Though the heavier issues are supported by the usual fare of ER patients–hot dog contest-induced nausea; a motorcycle accident that does little to make Robby’s own motorcycle sabbatical plans more appealing–they are still very much the focus of “12:00P.M.” In a way, it’s fitting that this would all go down as morning switches to afternoon.

Emotional breakdowns and post-mortem care

Roxie is working with Princess and McKay to get back home so she can recover there with her newly-ordered hospital equipment. However, that doesn’t seem to be her choice, and as the episode goes on her pain gets worse, despite the morphine and ketamine. In a moment that shows the utter exhaustion of fighting a battle you no longer wish to fight, Roxie says that she can’t go home. She has already pushed her husband to go home first without her, and it was a move that felt very pointed.

Jackson’s condition gets an update as it turns out he has been having auditory hallucinations for a while now, but his sister never knew. Though no official diagnosis is made yet, we are left wondering what’s going on. Another patient update mentioned is that of Langdon’s septic nurse, who is unfortunately currently getting an above-the-knee amputation in surgery.

These difficult moments are some of the most real. The Pitt treats patient death with care, taking us through what nurses need to do one time of death is called. Dana and Emma work on cleaning Louie’s body together, an almost-reverential task. The focus kept on these nurses underscore their integrity to the machinations of a hospital. Without them, doctors would be scrambling. We get to see not only Dana, but also Princess and Perlah, do what they’re best at. Hospitals are not just about the doctors, and it’s wonderful that The Pitt makes that a point.

Santos vs charting, next round

Laetitia Hollard, Lucas Iverson, Isa Briones, Gerran Howell all look forward with concern at the nurse's station in The Pitt Season 2.

Santos, meanwhile, is still struggling with her charting. Al-Hashimi’s AI tool is also proving to be a headache when a doctor from upstairs lays into Robby about incorrect chart information. Turns out, Santos forgot to proofread the charts before she submitted them, and that “2% error” Al-Hashimi extolled showed that 2% is still too much when it comes to charting.

Perhaps the most moving moment comes at the end, during Louie’s impromptu memorial service among the staff. Robby reveals that several years ago when Louie came in for a routine visit, he felt talkative. Louie did have a family, and a life. But when his pregnant wife was killed in a car accident he just never managed to bounce back.

Fourth of July is finally kicking into full swing. Dana is the glue keeping the ER together, but what happens when that glue begins to deteriorate? Between her frustration with Robby and the frustration of the hospital thinking donuts would be an appropriate compensation for everything the Pitt is going through on a holiday, it seems like something is going to have to come to a head.

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