‘The Pitt’ is the Latest “Tough Watch” That has Somehow Become Comfort TV

What Sets The Pitt Apart from Other Medical Dramas

Before we dive into the comfortable aspects of The Pitt, let’s first explore how its uncomfortable approach to storytelling has made it stand out. The Pitt bridges the gap between old-school medical procedurals and contemporary prestige TV. Much of the creative team came from broadcast television. Therefore, in some ways, the series adheres to a classic week-to-week structure, but in other ways, the show elevates that structure. 

Creator R. Scott Gemmill, a former writer on the long-running medical drama ER (also starring Noah Wyle), has taken the so-called “24” approach. This means that each episode takes place in real time. In 24, each 24-episode season represented a full day. In The Pitt, each 15-episode season represents a full shift. This adds a new level of realism to the TV medical drama that immediately distinguishes The Pitt from its predecessors in the genre.

But that’s not where the realism stops. Many medical professionals have praised The Pitt for its accurate portrayal of what it’s like to work in an ER today, from bureaucratic grievances to a lack of proper resources. The series always takes time to explore the everyday frustrations, both large and small, of working in a hospital, thereby adding new layers of humanity to its characters.

As for the actual cases, The Pitt never shies away from graphic depictions of medical injuries and procedures. In fact, the show relishes these moments. Last season, they recreated a jaw-dropping childbirth sequence. This year, there is a scene in which a nurse removes a cast from a patient’s arm and there are maggots underneath. Yes, real maggots were used (none were harmed). The creatives are clearly enjoying the newfound liberties that come with airing a medical drama on a streaming service rather than the far more limiting traditional broadcast networks. 

Whether it’s the structure, the characters, or the cases, The Pitt’s commitment to realism has given the medical drama an added level of prestige while still belonging to a genre that reliably appeals to a wide range of audiences. That means you’re getting the people who love a classic medical procedural, but you’re also getting the people who want to see the latest groundbreaking critical darling. 

Who Doesn’t Love a TV Doctor?

What also makes The Pitt a so-called “comfort watch” is the fan-favorite doctor at the center of it all. It’s not revolutionary for audiences to fall in love with everyday heroes on screen, but unlike various detectives and lawyers on television, doctors seem to hold an extra special place in people’s hearts. Dr. Robby joins a long list of beloved fictional doctors in TV history, from ER’s Dr. Doug Ross (George Clooney) to Grey’s Anatomy’s Dr. Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey). 

Audiences love a good-looking, capable doctor with caring eyes and a kind smile. For the fictional patient, they tend to offset the anxiety and dread that a potentially fatal medical illness or injury can bring. For the audience member, a dreamy doctor’s presence might break the tension and allow room for humor (and maybe even romance) amidst the chaos of the emergency room. 

For the viewer, it’s hard not to place yourself in the shoes of the patient undergoing treatment. After all, unless you’re a medical professional, your experiences in hospitals tend to be as a patient, caregiver, or family member. We all know, or can at least imagine, the fear that comes with having to go to the ER without assurances that we will fully recover. Who, then, wouldn’t want someone like Noah Wyle taking care of you in times of need?

Despite the fact that The Pitt elevates the medical procedural with its real-time structure and frequently pointed social commentary, the writers are also keenly aware of the romanticization of the TV doctor. Otherwise, why would they cast Wyle, who already was a beloved TV doctor from the original cast of ER? There is, of course, something meta about Wyle returning to television, while also donning scrubs and diagnosing patients again. For fans of medical dramas, watching Wyle return to the role of a doctor is a full-circle moment. That meta quality makes watching him week-after-week all the more nostalgic, and for many, nostalgia is comfort.

Despite the unflinching realism that has made The Pitt different from your average medical drama, audiences are still finding their source of comfort. Part of that comfort comes from Dr. Robby’s everyday heroism and Wyle’s nostalgia factor. However, let’s face it, part of it is also Wyle’s attractive persona. Along with a charming cast of characters rounding out the staff of the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center, Dr. Robby makes all the gory elements of this hit show palatable and even more addicting.

_{via @FilmUpdates}