'The Pitt' Turns in a Very Jewish Episode

After a years-long process partially inspired by a Kiddush prayer in an episode of Transparent, I joined the rest of my family, dunked in a mikvah, and officially converted to Judaism a few weeks ago, just a few days before my twins’ B’not Mitzvah (that’s plural for Bat Mitzvah). So, when this week’s episode of The Pitt opened with Dr. Robby trying to recover from his breakdown by reciting the Shema (“Adonai Eloheinu”), it hit me in a soft spot; I might’ve felt a little trembly.

Later in the episode, when Dr. Robby thanked Whitaker for helping him recover, I also appreciated that Robby admitted he doesn’t even know if he believes in God. There are a lot of atheist Jews in the world, but you might wonder why someone who doubts God would convert. And that’s the great thing about Judaism: questioning is encouraged. For me, it’s about the values — tikkun olam — and those values carry serious weight in the world of medicine. Pikuach Nefesh means preserving life overrides every other commandment. That’s why you’ll hardly ever encounter an anti-choice Jew, or a Jewish vaccine skeptic. Anti-medical sentiment just isn’t a thing in mainstream Judaism — the practice of medicine itself is a form of serving the faith. That may also explain why Dr. Robby blew up at the parent who didn’t want doctors “medically invading” her son’s body with a spinal tap. Hishtadlut demands that Jews act — and that includes using the best medical knowledge available to care for ourselves and others.

Not to get too off-track, but it was a very Jewish episode.

The episode also gave viewers a much-needed breather after the last two, which were non-stop carnage as the docs tended to patients from the mass casualty event at Pittfest. We also found out who the shooter was this week — a rando who had taken his own life. In a way, that might be a relief, since both Dr. Robby’s faith and the Hippocratic Oath would have compelled him to save the man’s life.

Of course, that means David didn’t do it — though he’s now very unhappy with the 72-hour hold he’s under. Honestly, Dr. Robby is being a complete dick to Dr. McKay about it, since she helped orchestrate it. It was maybe three episodes ago when he actually thanked McKay for teaching him to be more aware of the danger David posed to the girls on his list. While David ultimately wasn’t a threat, neither Robby nor McKay could’ve known that. Robby should cut her some slack, especially since the episode ends with her being handcuffed by very misguided officers for disabling her ankle monitor (Pikuach Nefesh means saving a life overrides that stupid ankle monitor, too). I’m just glad McKay’s son and father (played by her actual father, Brad Dourif) weren’t still there to witness it.

Elsewhere, we found out why the older woman was catatonic: she witnessed a bullet go through her arm and into her husband’s head, killing him instantly. That would render anyone speechless. Thankfully, her daughter survived. We also met Janey, Jake’s mom (and Robby’s ex), who tried to offer Robby some peace over Jake’s anger at him for not saving Leah’s life (“He’s just a kid”). Matteo very sweetly gave big ups to Javadi (“He knows my name!”), and with her adorable crush, reminded us that she is still only 20 years old. We also learned a lot more about measles and had a Brian Krakow sighting — the father of the measles patient was Devon Gummersall from My So-Called Life fame. Krakow is no longer an emo teenager! Now he’s married to an unhinged woman who thinks a harmless spinal tap is more dangerous than the infection that’s about to kill their son.

Finally, the situation with Dr. Langdon still hasn’t been resolved. He’s back, and Dr. Santos still has beef — which Dr. Parker Ellis (Ayesha Harris) from the night shift picked up on. (She’s a good addition; I hope she sticks around for season two.) At one point, Nurse Dana called him aside, but that conversation never happened. I suppose they needed to keep one unresolved thread for next week’s finale. I’m going to miss this show.