The Pitt

 

The Pitt

The Pitt is a punch in the gut. In a good way. Or rather a necessary way. But also a good way. It's a tense 15 episode TV series that follows emergency department staff as they attempt to overcome the hardships of a single 15-hour work shift at the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital. It's a real time show, in the same way that 24 Hrs was a couple of decades ago, but in a much grittier and down to earth way. This is not for the faint of heart by the way, as you will see plenty of medical procedures, blood and guts, graphic (and very much non-sexual) nudity and human secretions of all sorts. In a single season, The Pitt manages to not only address the plight of medicine in America (but it's not far off from elsewhere, I suspect) but also to address many of the societal issues that America faces. I don't want to say too much for fear of spoiling but let's just say that while retaining its gritty realistic feel throughout, the series tackles many issues inside the ER that have broader implications (abortion, gun violence, antivaxxers, etc.) It's never preachy and plays cleverly on multiple characters to present a spectrum of points of view while remaining true to its core. I said it, I'll repeat it: it's a punch in the gut, but in a good way. Go watch it.