Every week here at Pixel Swish we recommend a movie, series, or video game that we feel should be a part of everyone’s play/watchlist; giving you our quick thoughts on what makes them special. These titles could either be hidden gems that not many may have heard of or classics that deserve another spotlight. So if you’re ever at a loss come Friday evening on what to watch or play during the weekend, consider checking out our weekly pick as we post every Friday. We also post video versions of this series on TikTok and YouTube so be sure to follow us there to keep updated. Without further ado, let’s get into this week’s pick!

The Pitt

Medical dramas have been a cornerstone of American television for decades. From the days of George Clooney’s luscious locks in ER to Shonda Rhimes’ Grey’s Anatomy which refuses to pull the plug on Merideth Grey’s story even after twenty-one seasons, the genre has long served as a place of comfort for audiences across the globe. However, it seems as though the genre has been somewhat neglected by the public in recent years. No doubt the advent of streaming and the success of “prestige television” has affected audience sensibilities, in turn causing executives to chase the money in hopes of finding their own Succession or Severance; as such a procedural medical drama may not be fitting in the current landscape of television.

The Pitt, created by R. Scott Gemmill, feels like coming back home. It’s tinted with the nostalgic narrative beats that make the genre so captivating while keeping things fresh with a premise that, though could easily be a gimmick, is executed perfectly. Each episode of the season covers one hour of a single 15-hour ER shift. Within this hour, we jump from character to character, finding out more about them, their quirks, personalities, and relationships with one another as they tackle different medical emergencies. 

As you can imagine, episodes move at a fairly blistering pace, yet never feel unhinged. This is mostly thanks to the immaculate editing and sharp writing that keeps things incredibly tight and efficient while still allowing the introspective character moments to breathe. Speaking of characters, every single one of them is surprisingly endearing, written with depth and nuance, and performed well. I say surprising because usually with a large cast such as this, it’s difficult to find a balance with all of them being on relatively equal footing in terms of characterization. That being said, the show’s main character Robby, played by ER’s very own Noah Wyle, is most definitely its anchor. Every time Robby is on screen, Wyle brings this calm warmth and performs the character with a tremendous amount of heart and care, with a hint of melancholy that makes you feel like things are going to be okay. 

Have you watched The Pitt? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. We’ll see you next week!