Last week, I said the first three episodes felt like the calm before the storm. After this week’s episode, I can officially confirm that I was right. Much like the first season, this one starts at a slower pace—and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The biggest challenge comes from anticipation, especially knowing this season would take place on the Fourth of July. While the latest episode definitely picks up speed, it still feels like each installment is gradually turning the dial rather than slamming it forward.

After learning in last week’s episode that the E.R. would be taking on even more patients, this episode strikes a strong balance between tension and drama. Several key reveals help answer lingering questions from the first season, while also addressing a few plot holes introduced earlier this year. With the episode now officially out, consider this your spoiler warning—there will be spoilers ahead in this review.

Looking back at the first season, episodes eight and thirteen aren’t just the best of the season—they’re some of my all-time favorite episodes of television, period. This episode may very well belong in that same tier. Between an influx of patients from another hospital, a parkour accident, a patient without health insurance, someone who super-glued their eye shut, and more, the pressure never lets up. The storm is already brewing.

One of the episode’s most surprising reveals involves Whitaker and the wife of the man who was admitted with severe burns last season. It was heavily implied that her husband wouldn’t survive, and this episode confirms that he has indeed passed away. Since then, Whitaker has been helping out on the widow’s farm and assisting with their newborn. A potential romance seems to be quietly taking shape. Whitaker also continues to show real growth as a character—most notably in moments of crisis, where even his calls for help carry a new level of confidence.

We also learn more about the how—and the why—behind Robby and Langdon working together, with it being Robby’s last day and Langdon’s first. That pairing initially didn’t quite make sense to me, since it seemed like Robby would have left earlier to avoid him altogether. As it turns out, Langdon stepped in to cover a callout. There’s a brief exchange between Robby and Dana about whether this could be the universe at work. As someone who firmly believes in that kind of thing, I can’t help but feel nervous about what this might mean for Langdon by the end of the season. I do have a working theory—feel free to message me on Instagram if you want to dig into it further.

Speaking of Robby, some of my earlier theories about the direction of his character are starting to feel increasingly likely. Fans were quick to notice that he arrives at work on a motorcycle without a helmet, and later discusses the death of a patient involved in a motorcycle accident. Robby acknowledges the connection but insists it isn’t affecting him—though I’m not convinced that’s true, or that it shouldn’t be. Between moments like these, the warning signs are stacking up, suggesting he shouldn’t go on this trip at all. After this episode, I’m also more convinced than ever that Robby and Al-Hashimi are being set up for an eventual romantic relationship.

There’s plenty of additional material that meaningfully pushes the characters forward, and it’s a perfect reminder of why so many of us fell in love with the first season in the first place. McKay appears to be lining up a date—a moment fans are sure to go wild over. A new student doctor makes a major mistake that clearly rattles him. Javadi continues to thrive, even running a successful social media account. We even get an update on Dr. Collins, a genuinely touching moment that offers long-overdue closure for her character.

The episode consistently nudges each character in the right direction, allowing for real growth across the board. It also continues to tackle important topics, reinforcing why this series stands out as one of the most important shows of the decade. While the first season leaned heavily into making each episode feel like an hour unfolding in real time, this episode wisely avoids overusing that approach. At just 48 minutes, it makes smart, subtle cuts that convey the passage of time without inflating the runtime or sacrificing momentum.

Overall, the latest episode of The Pitt stands as one of the series’ strongest to date. It delivers effective reveals, shocking accidents, and meaningful moments of growth for the characters we’ve come to love. If last week’s episode left you on the fence, this one may inspire a greater appreciation—because it feels like things are only going to get worse, and potentially far more heartbreaking, for these characters. The Pitt remains one of the best-written and most important shows ever made.

VERDICT: 5/5 – Perfect