Skip to main content

‘The Pitt’ Season 2 Review: A Fiery Sophomore Season to the Best Doctor Show on Television

5/5 trauma rooms

man walking with a backpack

The Pitt landed on HBO Max in 2025 and took over the conversation. Each week, we were given another glimpse into the work of the doctor’s at Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center. And season 2 puts them in another high stakes day at the office: The Fourth of July.

Recommended Videos

In Pittsburgh, the Fourth is a big holiday. My hometown of New Castle, PA (about a 30/40 minute drive from the Burgh) is the Fireworks Capital of the United States, which Noah Wyle does reference in an episode he wrote for season 2. And there are a lot more little nods to Pittsburgh, something I enjoy as someone who was a little upset with how season 1 handled the Pittsburgh of it all.

But it does feel as if Wyle, R. Scott Gemmill, and the entire team of The Pitt took the love people have for Pittsburgh to heart this time around. Even if I don’t think anyone in their right mind would chose to live in Pittsburgh but go work in New Castle (as one dad does). That is a joke, obviously.

Season 2 though focuses heavily on the early rush of the 4th of July holiday, or at least that’s what happens in the 9 episodes we were given for review purposes. And the use of the holiday does give an underlying tension throughout the season. There are certain holidays you know the emergency room hates and the 4th is one of them. That includes Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center.

The doctors are all back, whether Doctor Robby likes it or not

man in hat
(Warrick Page/MAX)

Doctor Robby (Wyle) has a lot of faith in his staff and season 2 shows that. When a new doctor, Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi (Sepideh Moafi), steps in to help out when Dr. Robby is gone, there is a lot of tension between the two. He’s always in control and now someone else is gearing up to take that power. And that includes making decisions about Dr. Langdon (Patrick Ball).

Langdon was told to leave when Robby discovered Langdon’s issues with pills. In the time between seasons, Langdon goes to get help and comes back ready for his next shift. That doesn’t mean that Robby is ready for it though. And while everyone is going through stuff, with a lot of new changes to our beloved staff, the biggest tension still remains between Robby and Langdon throughout the season.

Still The Pitt we know and love

two nurses at a station
(Warrick Page/MAX)

Part of what makes The Pitt such a good show is that it makes you feel as if you are a part of their shift. We walk into work with Dr. Robby, we see every patient, and when things get tough, we can feel it. Watching the 9 episodes I’ve seen, I almost felt like it was July 4th and I was waiting to get off work to go drink and watch the fireworks. I understood their frustration and their stress.

But as was the case with season 1, the show isn’t just a medical drama. It is a show about people who dedicate their time and energy to saving others. The Pitt gives us insight into the most important people in the world: The doctors who save lives. And season 2 does another incredible job of showing why we should love and support hospital staff.

It is stressful, upsetting, and yet one of the best sows on television and it feels great knowing that season 2 is just as good as the first, if not better so far.

(featured image: Warrick Page/HBO Max)

Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

Author
Image of Rachel Leishman
Rachel Leishman
Editor in Chief
Rachel Leishman (She/Her) is the Editor in Chief of the Mary Sue. She's been a writer professionally since 2016 but was always obsessed with movies and television and writing about them growing up. A lover of Spider-Man and Wanda Maximoff's biggest defender, she has interests in all things nerdy and a cat named Benjamin Wyatt the cat. If you want to talk classic rock music or all things Harrison Ford, she's your girl but her interests span far and wide. Yes, she knows she looks like Florence Pugh. She has multiple podcasts, normally has opinions on any bit of pop culture, and can tell you can actors entire filmography off the top of her head. Her current obsession is Glen Powell's dog, Brisket. Her work at the Mary Sue often includes Star Wars, Marvel, DC, movie reviews, and interviews.

Filed Under:

Follow The Mary Sue: