Spoilers forward for “The Pitt” season 2, episode 10, “4:00 P.M.”
It is a large understatement to say issues do not go effectively for Patrick Ball’s resident Dr. Frank Langdon on season 1 of “The Pitt.” I am going to circle again and go over all that, however earlier than I get there, here is some excellent news for Langdon: Season 2 of the Emmy-winning medical drama not solely lets Langdon return to work and try and atone for his sins, nevertheless it brings one a part of his journey as a doctor full circle in a genuinely beautiful method.
All through the debut season of “The Pitt,” it appears, for some time, like Langdon is principally the golden baby of this fictional Pittsburgh emergency division … particularly as a result of he counts Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch (star and government producer Noah Wyle, who picked up an Emmy of his personal for his efficiency) as a mentor and shut good friend. That every one comes crumbling down when Langdon is caught stealing medicine from the hospital — fracturing his relationship with Robby — and has to admit that he grapples with dependancy, however earlier than that, we additionally positively get the sense that Langdon thinks extremely of himself and his stage of expertise. That is what makes it significantly superior when Dr. Mel King (neurodivergent actor Taylor Dearden, who made her life experiences part of her character in order that she would not turn into a caricature) teaches Langdon how you can deal with a neurodivergent affected person.
That is what comes full circle for Langdon in season 2. Not solely does he deal with Mel after she’s unexpectedly injured throughout her ER shift, however he additionally treats Mel’s sister Becca (Tal Anderson), who’s autistic and lives in a care facility. With each sufferers, Langdon is cautious, type, and caring … and it is clear that he realized quite a bit from Mel.
Langdon treats each Mel and Becca King in The Pitt season 2 … and exhibits how a lot he is realized about neurodivergence
Within the second episode of season 2 of “The Pitt,” titled “8:00 A.M.,” Mel is having fun with a downright flirty dialog with a random affected person about how a lot they each like attending native Renaissance Faires … up till the man sees a set of cops stroll by and instantly flees, knocking Mel down within the course of. Apparently, he is a suspect in a current liquor retailer theft, however that does not make Mel really feel all that significantly better, contemplating that she finally ends up each falling backwards and knocking her head on the bottom.
As everybody makes certain Mel is okay, it is Langdon who finally ends up treating her. Not solely does Langdon ensure that he seems the lights in her ER room in order that she would not really feel overstimulated, however he additionally opens as much as her as a good friend and divulges exactly why he was absent for almost a 12 months (particularly, he attended mandated rehab for his drug dependancy). It is clear that the friendship between Mel and Langdon may be very a lot intact on this scene, however extra pressingly, he understands exactly how you can deal with her whereas taking her neurodivergence into consideration.
Langdon additionally exhibits how a lot Mel has taught him when her sister Becca involves the emergency room with a stomachache. As a result of Mel is tied up with a deposition over a medical malpractice case, Langdon treats Becca, and he does so with consummate kindness and understanding, additionally turning out the lights and giving her 4 completely different juice choices to take some drugs. (When Becca says she would not like drugs, Langdon obligingly crushes them up into orange juice.) However why does Becca even want therapy?
Langdon handles Becca’s case with true care and compassion, however Mel has an extremely shocking response to her sister’s information
Becca, because it seems, has a urinary tract an infection … and as she frets about telling Mel these specifics, Langdon stays compassionate and follows the principles set by his occupation, assuring Becca that it could violate doctor-patient confidentiality if he revealed something to Mel. As soon as Mel’s (apparently horrendous) deposition is over, she tracks Becca and Langdon down, solely to study that Becca has a boyfriend at her care facility and received the UTI throughout an intimate second between them.
What’s outstanding about this is not simply that it offers Becca, an autistic character, some phenomenal illustration so far as company is worried (autistic characters aren’t afforded almost sufficient sexual company in popular culture), nevertheless it additionally exhibits that Mel nonetheless has quite a bit to study relating to being a caretaker for her sister. Mel really appears upset at the concept Becca has a boyfriend, whereas the “new and improved” Langdon takes the complete factor in stride and makes certain that Becca will get the very best care.
There is a bigger dialogue right here about portrayals of autism and neurodivergent folks on-screen, of which I can solely personally scratch the floor … however I do not assume it is an accident that Langdon successfully and reassuringly treats each King sisters and exhibits how a lot he is realized as a health care provider within the course of. Better of all, exhibiting this progress in Langdon’s character would not diminish Mel or Becca; removed from it. As a substitute, Becca will get to disclose one thing shocking and thrilling, Mel should come to phrases with that, and a giant a part of Langdon’s story comes full circle.
“The Pitt” airs new episodes on Thursdays on HBO Max at 9 P.M. EST.
