S01.E10: 4:00 P.M.

[iMonrey]

1 hour ago, Irlandesa said:

I 100% wholly admit to this being the case for me.  I'm not all that mad that Langdon is taking drugs.  I am mad that it was Santos who caught him.

Me too. I think this was a fairly major misstep in the writing. They spent nine episodes establishing Santos as a know-it-all bully and then turned around and validated her. I suppose they thought this would be a clever twist but maybe they shouldn't have spent so much time making the audience hate her. If Whitaker or Javadi had figured this out I think it would have gone down easier, but if were either of them I think they would have kept their heads down and their mouths shut. They've only been there a day.

Also, as has been pointed out, Santos's evidence had something vaguely to do with a cap on a vial of an injectable drug, rather than the pills found in Langston's locker. It didn't add up. Nor did Robby immediately taking her accusations at face value. 

And it was only in just this episode that Langdon started to look sketchy. It's the first time I felt like the writing was trying to be a little too clever.

On another note, WRT to the writing, I know a lot of the medical stuff is being lauded as realistic but some of the dialogue still sounds didactic and exposition to me. Like the nurses' reactions to Dana's assault and telling the audience things each other already know like how violence to medical workers is a nationwide problem. Co-workers who've worked together for years don't explain things they already know. It's not as bad as Greys Anatomy (so far) but it's still a case of the characters explaining things to the audience rather than talking to each other like they would in real life.

[Paws]

 

1 hour ago, statsgirl said:

In other thoughts:

I really like the 2 Filippina nurses talking to each other in Tagalog. It's realistic and rare to find in American TV

St Denis Medical also has two Filipina nurses often talking to each other. And it’s one of my favorite parts of the show both on the Pitt and SDM.

whoever said that it would be so much easier to take if Whittaker or Javadi had told on Langdon, I agree 100%.  Santos is just such an ass. I really hate that she’s right.

 

Dr King is still my favorite doc. She has no idea that she’s the best and there she is, just being awesome all the time.

Edited Yest. at 05:08 AM by Paws

[Infie]

E 1.10 - 47:29 (a longer one!)  Its weird to see so much variation in episode lengths. 

Given that Langdon had pills, I am hoping that the vials actually have nothing to do with his issues with painkillers.  Opiates and stuff like Ativan are completely different classes of drugs.  

I could have done without McKay's ex.  I like McKay, but it felt like it was unnecessarily distracting to me.  I suppose it was nice to get a reason for the ankle monitor, but I think I'd have been perfectly fine never finding out.

I do continue to really enjoy Dr King and Whittaker. 

To me, this was the weakest episode of the bunch so far.

[Racj82]

6 hours ago, statsgirl said:

 

Poor Javadi, inadvertently asking to go along with McKay and Mateo on their date. But Mateo should have been honest with her instead of telling her that he doesn't date co-workers.

He may not of have been lying. You can become close or hang out enough with someone from work that you also become cool with their children or family in general. That "date" sounded like something two besties would get together and do. Not a real date.

Even if they are dating, it's something they are not out about. So, he wasn't going to say the truth. It wouldn't have been an issue if the ex didn't pop in. A lot happens in a day at the Pitt.

[circumvent]

7 hours ago, statsgirl said:

My objection isn't that Langdon is using but that it was so badly set up.  Through the first 9 episodes, Santos has been shown to be arrogant, dismissive and unwilling to learn.

That's how I feel too. It was bad writing, it was a cliche just thrown there without much context, other than Santos and Langdon not getting along

I understand that addiction happens in medical settings, doctors, nurses, but the writers could have found a new way to use the cliché.

As for Robby's distress, it has been a little inconsistent, how some episodes he is almost over the edge, then they completely forget about the issue. If that's a big part of the season, I wish they were more consistent with the theme - even if I would prefer that they didn't have to use that at all

 

[debraran]

14 hours ago, Notabug said:

Absolutely, which is why hospitals have protocols in place for suspected substance abusers.  The protocol would demand that Langdon be immediately suspended from all clinical duties and walked off the property by security after they confiscated his ID badge, parking pass, cell phone (most residents have hospital issued phones) etc and blocked his access to the hospital's medical records system.  He would be told not to return without notifying security and administration and making arrangements in advance and would be met at the door and escorted anywhere he went in the building. He would be given notice of a hearing during which he could have legal counsel and the hospital would present their case against him including evidence of the theft found in his locker and for which he might face criminal prosecution.  He would also be reported to the state medical board, as required by law, who would suspend his license until the case was complete to prevent him from working as a physician anywhere. Eventually,  the medical board who would require proof of treatment for substance abuse, an ongoing monitoring program for sobriety and regular assessment of his status to restore his license.

On ER, Carter got hauled off to rehab immediately, but, upon his return, had a meeting with the bosses who laid down a long list of rules for him including not allowing him to work on codes or prescribe controlled substances at first.  He also had to have regular urine testing and was required to produce the specimen in the presence of one of the attendings.  We also learned that the state medical board was involved in monitoring his sobriety.

Noah doesn't write all the scripts but he does remember that and I'm sure looked into protocol and this seemed to be done "wrong". I knew of docs who stole drugs when I worked at teaching hospital, you had to have someone look into it and go through many steps, even 20 years ago.

This hour format is very hard to progress things, relationships don't develop in 3 hours or catching a drug addict.

23 minutes ago, circumvent said:

That's how I feel too. It was bad writing, it was a cliche just thrown there without much context, other than Santos and Langdon not getting along

I understand that addiction happens in medical settings, doctors, nurses, but the writers could have found a new way to use the cliché.

As for Robby's distress, it has been a little inconsistent, how some episodes he is almost over the edge, then they completely forget about the issue. If that's a big part of the season, I wish they were more consistent with the theme - even if I would prefer that they didn't have to use that at all

 

There isn't consistency because we have to keep remembering it is literally the same day. That is hard, on ER, you saw saw people leave, say goodbye, get held over shifts but days passed. I'm really trying to figure out how in 3 hours, Santos is savior of the ER and Langdon is gone and she just started. It's very odd.

[SoCal Mema]

21 hours ago, marceline said:

I read an interview with Noah Wyle where he said this last batch of episodes were going to start feeling different as we gear up for the finale. I'm guessing this is the pivot point.

Checking out other social media and this episode is shaping up to be real polarizing among viewers so I'm even more fascinated by where we go from here. I've noticed that a lot of people are declaring themselves Team Langdon or Team Santos. Personally I don't need to be on either. Langdon is a junkie but  Santos is an HR nightmare waiting to happen. There's no need to choose sides.

I keep wondering which of the patients we've seen are going to make a reappearance. Doug Driscol? Incel kid? Piper and/or her boss? Crosby? I've been expecting some kind of mass injury event but maybe that was never in the cards.

I hope we don't get a mass injury event, as those have been so overdone on almost every police / medical / fire show.

[Ely]

7 hours ago, iMonrey said:

Me too. I think this was a fairly major misstep in the writing. They spent nine episodes establishing Santos as a know-it-all bully and then turned around and validated her. I suppose they thought this would be a clever twist but maybe they shouldn't have spent so much time making the audience hate her. If Whitaker or Javadi had figured this out I think it would have gone down easier, but if were either of them I think they would have kept their heads down and their mouths shut. They've only been there a day.

Also, as has been pointed out, Santos's evidence had something vaguely to do with a cap on a vial of an injectable drug, rather than the pills found in Langston's locker. It didn't add up. Nor did Robby immediately taking her accusations at face value. 

And it was only in just this episode that Langdon started to look sketchy. It's the first time I felt like the writing was trying to be a little too clever.

And this is really it, that is why it is lazy writing. It's been a couple of hours and Santos finds out - fine, she goes at it with a fresh eye and maybe has first hand experience with addicts - but even then, normally a young doctor who has just started would not suspect this abut a resident. Then we have her established her as a bully. Multiple times.

So the thing that is "unexpected" is that she is right about Langdon. I feel that this is the lazy way out to show the viewers that they are "biased". Yes, bullies can be right and charming guys can be wrong. But then show some nuance. I don't think this storyline is possible in a believable way with this format.

It is lazy writing because there are other ways to explain the vials than the addict doctor. It is lazy because this is what was pointed out and in the end it is what we got. I would have enjoyed another storyline that is not as cliche for medical shows. Yes, it may be a problem in rl and it is important to show that but this is not a documentary. Storytelling is an important part as well. And this is the only explanation they could come up with.

It's too much for one season. We have the addict doctor and the aussaulted nurse. Then I guess we will have the mass shooting. And Langdon will come back with an overdose.

[debraran]

18 hours ago, statsgirl said:

In other thoughts:

I really like the 2 Filippina nurses talking to each other in Tagalog. It's realistic and rare to find in American TV.

I loved everyone's reaction to McKay's ex. And his jealousy of Mateo (yum). Looks like the ex's new partner is responsible for the ankle monitor.

Poor Javadi, inadvertently asking to go along with McKay and Mateo on their date. But Mateo should have been honest with her instead of telling her that he doesn't date co-workers.

If Javadi started university at 13, her parents should have had her take a gap year maybe before medical school, maybe before her internship in a couple of years, to learn what real life is like. That's not what high achiever immigrant parents do but clearly Javadi is resenting the pressure.

I liked the joke-y opthalmologist, and that Mel clued in how to talk to him in the end.

Langdon telling Whittaker to get in touch with the social worker because the burn patient was going to die is a nice touch.

Farming is a dangerous occupation. We don't respect that enough.

I was so uncomfortable for Javadi, I really thought he meant it when he said that. Babysitting? lol  I remember and it's different subject, when a teacher said a rich parent who was well to do invited her over for tea/lunch. They had chatted etc at school and when she went, she realized, she meant for her to play with her kids...while she did work in the den. Hello? She stuck it out a bit, ate and left and then never went back. Different circumstances but I think the embarrassment is the same. She thought they were just "friends" going out, my friend's parent thought she knew "her place".

Edited 17 hours ago by debraran

[circumvent]

I wish they had done it differently with Langdon. I with they had him get away with it because I am sure many do get away with this type of thing. But I wanted this to be always there but without real consequences for him. Not making him mess up with a patient, not making him lose it, but just showing that some addicts can fake it for a long time and nobody will know.

IU thought this episode was mixed. Good moments with other moments that seemed incomplete. Probably my least favorite episode.

[bilgistic]

12 hours ago, SoMuchTV said:

Wait, did I misread the situation? (Or maybe I’m misreading your comment.) I thought the reveal was that Mateo was actually McKay’s babysitter, and Javadi inadvertently volunteered to take on that role for the date they were discussing. (Date like calendar date, not romantic date.)

I'm just as confused. McKay seems to be at least 10 years older than Mateo. I didn't get a romantic vibe from that conversation AT ALL. I, too, thought he was her babysitter.

[Notabug]

4 hours ago, circumvent said:

 

As for Robby's distress, it has been a little inconsistent, how some episodes he is almost over the edge, then they completely forget about the issue. If that's a big part of the season, I wish they were more consistent with the theme - even if I would prefer that they didn't have to use that at all

 

I think that that is pretty true to life.  Most people approaching the edge emotionally are back and forth at first; able to pull it together and function for a while before teetering on the brink again.  In Robby's case, he's been doing his job for a long time, a lot of it is almost routine for him; he probably is able to hide his distress there more easily than in other situations.

[Misslindsey]

On 3/7/2025 at 8:55 AM, Affogato said:

Yeah, it is not mary sueing or lazy writing, for sure, because that would have been doing the opposite. The likable guy is unfairly victimized, etc.  our dislike of Santos, again fully justified. 

This. One thing this show has been focused on is bias. The audience got a taste of that when the unlikeable woman was the whistleblower. It happens a lot in real life too, people not believing those that they do not like. I am one of the very few that likes all the characters on this show, including Santos. I did like this turn of events and agree that it isn't lazy writing or Mary Sueing in fact it's the opposite. Just because the audience does not like the turn of events does not make it lazy writing either. It's often someone who is likable and charming that would be able to hide that they had issue. I think there were some red flags there that people may have dismissed because he was likable. The buying a puppy on a whim and also, there was a phone call with his wife where he was begging to talk to his kid. I thought then that they may have been separated.

I have seen some social media that have been going back and pointing out some signs of something being amiss. In an earlier episode where the alcohol withdrawal patient came back still withdrawing pointing out that he never got the Ativan and did not know where is pills were. He was still detoxing and probably genuinely did not know where his pills were. Also, when Collins told Langdon he was an adrenaline junkie and his reaction to it. Him being fidgety during the moment of silence for the patient that died in one of the first episodes too.

It also brings the discussion of functional addicts in health care up, because that happens a fair amount also.

I do not think Santos is a bully. I think she is cocky and arrogant, but not a bully. I often think the word bully is thrown out way too much, along with narcissist. I find her to be a interesting character. Like I said before I enjoy watching all the characters in the show.

Edited 23 hours ago by Misslindsey

[Madding crowd]

Calling people derogatory names when they asked you not to is bullying. She has no regard for her coworkers or the chain of command although she has been in that hospital and her job for only a few hours. She also threatened the life of a patient who could not seek help due to be intubated. Enough to make me dislike the character.

[iMonrey]

1 hour ago, Misslindsey said:

Collins told Langdon he was an adrenaline junkie and his reaction to it.

If there were signs prior to this episode I missed them. The problem is, this is the first episode where Langdon was being obviously sketchy and twitchy. I immediately went "uh oh" and could see where it was going. That's why I don't think it was very well written. Up 'til now it was either vague or a deliberate misdirect, then all of a sudden in this episode it became obvious there was something going on with Langdon. They came in with a sledgehammer this week after nine weeks of kid gloves.

Also, it's not just that the audience doesn't like Santos. It's that she's only been there for ten hours and was able to spot and call out an issue that nobody else had ever noticed even though they had been working with Langdon for years. That's just not realistic. I'm not buying any "fresh eyes" bullshit, she's literally been there a day.

[storyskip]

Not to derail the conversation, but I found this snippet of an interview with Noah about 1x10 specifically and something he mentions towards the end fascinated me.

Noah says that for the scene between Robby and Langdon, they called in the stunt coordinator because they weren’t sure how far things might go. As a theater dork, I find this interesting because it suggests that at least the blocking for the scene was improved by the actors in real time and not planned out by a director.

Really highlights how well Noah and Patrick play off one another, and I have hella respect for both of them as actors!

[Misslindsey]

2 hours ago, Madding crowd said:

Calling people derogatory names when they asked you not to is bullying. She has no regard for her coworkers or the chain of command although she has been in that hospital and her job for only a few hours. She also threatened the life of a patient who could not seek help due to be intubated. Enough to make me dislike the character.

I know it is unpopular but it is just my opinion. I realize I’m probably the only one here that has that opinion. I think if a more likable character, like Mel threatened the life of a possible pedo people would be cheering her on.
 

This show has been about bias from the start. That is why I think this storyline was well written. I think the lazy way out would be writing the likable character in the right and the unlikable in the wrong. 
 

I am assuming that there might be some background on how and why Santos figured out that Langdon was using in the following episodes. 

[BC4ME]

2 hours ago, storyskip said:

Noah says that for the scene between Robby and Langdon, they called in the stunt coordinator because they weren’t sure how far things might go. As a theater dork, I find this interesting because it suggests that at least the blocking for the scene was improved by the actors in real time and not planned out by a director.

Really highlights how well Noah and Patrick play off one another, and I have hella respect for both of them as actors!

I saw this before and, like you, found it very intriguing. It goes to show that although it's basically scripted, the emotions are left to the actors to play out where the scene takes them. That adds an element of realism that you don't see with lessor actors and directors.

Personally, when Santos asked Mel if she noticed anything different about Langton and she said he sweated a lot, I knew Santos was probably right.

[Cotypubby]

Ugh. 

Thats all I have to say. 

[AheadofStraight]

3 hours ago, Misslindsey said:

I am assuming that there might be some background on how and why Santos figured out that Langdon was using in the following episodes. 

For me that would be fine if it wasn't her very first day just a few hours into a new job. Just feels incredibly unrealistic.

[statsgirl]

12 hours ago, Racj82 said:

Even if they are dating, it's something they are not out about. So, he wasn't going to say the truth. It wouldn't have been an issue if the ex didn't pop in. A lot happens in a day at the Pitt.

Mateo could have just said that he's seeing someone.  An easy out and the truth if he's dating McKay. But honestly, this seemed like not good writing. Why would McKay, who wants her son back very badly, go out with someone else when he's finally staying with her?

I think my honeymoon with this show is over.

10 hours ago, Ely said:

It is lazy writing because there are other ways to explain the vials than the addict doctor. It is lazy because this is what was pointed out and in the end it is what we got.

Santos immediately jumped to something being wrong with the batch of vials, not that she herself had made a mistake. That's a big leap. Even when twice it was pointed out to her that there wasn't anything wrong with the vials, she still tried three times to get Langdon in trouble. Yes, it's lazy writing because Santos made mistakes and got rewarded based on too little foundation. I expect that from General Hospital, not The Pitt.

6 hours ago, Madding crowd said:

She also threatened the life of a patient who could not seek help due to be intubated.

Calling people names that they have asked her not to call them and trying to use people to get ahead (Javadi, Garcia) is unpleasant and yes, can make the audience biased against her.

But she also went against the instructions of the 4th year resident to put the patient on a bipap machine which hurt his care. She twice wanted to give drugs against the instructions of a superior because she thought that she knew better. Both times she was wrong.  Bias is that I don't want her to be the one to be right about Langdon. Evidence is that she has jumped to conclusions a number of times in the 10 hours that we've known her and she's been proved wrong almost every time.

7 hours ago, Misslindsey said:

I think there were some red flags there that people may have dismissed because he was likable. The buying a puppy on a whim and also, there was a phone call with his wife where he was begging to talk to his kid. I thought then that they may have been separated.

I have seen some social media that have been going back and pointing out some signs of something being amiss. In an earlier episode where the alcohol withdrawal patient came back still withdrawing pointing out that he never got the Ativan and did not know where is pills were. He was still detoxing and probably genuinely did not know where his pills were. Also, when Collins told Langdon he was an adrenaline junkie and his reaction to it. Him being fidgety during the moment of silence for the patient that died in one of the first episodes too.

It's possible that Louis missing pills is the second of two bits of evidence that Langdon may have been on drugs, being sweaty being the other.

There's an expression "When you hear hoofbeats, think horses not zebras." ER docs are often called adrenaline junkies and there is a real correlation between  having ADHD and working in the ER because it's high energy and always changing. Buying a puppy for his son is typical for ADHD as is fidgeting during the moment of silence.

Everyone was affected by the child dying, Langdon's expression of it was to phone his son and try to connect with him. It seems a normal reaction to me.

5 hours ago, storyskip said:

Noah says that for the scene between Robby and Langdon, they called in the stunt coordinator because they weren’t sure how far things might go. As a theater dork, I find this interesting because it suggests that at least the blocking for the scene was improved by the actors in real time and not planned out by a director.

Wylie said that the scene was like a breakup and it was.  But watching that scene again, it felt like Robby's anger was dialed up too high and he was completely unwilling to listen to Langdon. (I know, TV show.) Robby  saw Langdon as his successor, he recommended Langdon for a prestigious fellowship and more than once he has praised Langdon's teaching. There should be something more to Robby's anger than what we've seen so far.

Edited 17 hours ago by statsgirl

[Empress1]

13 hours ago, Racj82 said:

He may not of have been lying. You can become close or hang out enough with someone from work that you also become cool with their children or family in general. That "date" sounded like something two besties would get together and do. Not a real date.

Yeah, I wondered “are they buddies or are they dating?” Javadi accidentally volunteering to be babysitter made me wince. Poor Javadi.

1 hour ago, statsgirl said:

Calling people names that they have asked her not to call them and trying to use people to get ahead (Javadi, Garcia) is unpleasant and yes, can make the audience biased against her.

But she also went against the instructions of the 4th year resident to put the patient on a bipap machine which hurt his care. She twice wanted to give drugs against the instructions of a superior because she thought that she knew better. Both times she was wrong.  Bias is that I don't want her to be the one to be right about Langdon. Evidence is that she has jumped to conclusions a number of times in the 10 hours that we've known her and she's been proved wrong almost every time.

Yep. Santos is incredibly arrogant but doesn’t have the skills, experience, knowledge or even bedside manner to back it up. I’ve read interviews where she’s described as being the smartest one in the room, or thinking she’s the smartest one in the room, but her fuckups this shift should have knocked the wind out of her sails. It’s not just that she’s obnoxious, it’s that she’s bad at her job. I’ll take some arrogance when it’s earned, but hers really, quantifiably isn’t. 

[Racj82]

1 hour ago, statsgirl said:

14 hours ago, Racj82 said:

 

Mateo could have just said that he's seeing someone.  An easy out and the truth if he's dating McKay. But honestly, this seemed like not good writing. Why would McKay, who wants her son back very badly, go out with someone else when he's finally staying with her?

I think my honeymoon with this show is over.

Like I said, we don't know if they are dating. This is another assumption people keep making.

I feel like there are just a lot of knee-jerk reactions to things that happened this week. Several elements of storylines need to play out before we have a full picture.

 

ETA: literally every medical show has a character too cocky for their own good. Also, every med student, even if they are incredibly talented, will screw up multiple times. Every level of staff will but especially students. Its why Santos never bugged me that much. She is clearly talented but doesn't have the humility the other students do.

Two of my all time favorite ER characters are Pratt and Morris. Pratt was one of the most cocky students I've ever seen. Morris couldn't give less of shit about his job. They had to learn a lot before they evolved.

I was listening to the podcast the watch talk about the Langdon stuff. They did feel that over the course of the season, the seeds to what happened with Langdon was there but the show didn't have full control over showing it so the storyline feels rushed.

But, also, people keep looking at this plot compared to Carter on ER. They looked at it like a Doug Ross/Mark Green type of story. I don't think that totally tracks because Mark was never Doug's mentor. But, they've been looking at Langdon as a Ross archetype this whole time. So, to them, this is a storyline we would get with Doug screwing up and Mark having to deal with that. He loved Doug but Mark was his boss in the ER technicallyand  had to deal with a lot of behavioral issues with Doug. Sometimes Mark got angry about that.

 

Edited 15 hours ago by Racj82

[SoMuchTV]

2 hours ago, statsgirl said:

Mateo could have just said that he's seeing someone.  An easy out and the truth if he's dating McKay. But honestly, this seemed like not good writing. Why would McKay, who wants her son back very badly, go out with someone else when he's finally staying with her?

 

52 minutes ago, Empress1 said:

Yeah, I wondered “are they buddies or are they dating?” Javadi accidentally volunteering to be babysitter made me wince. Poor Javadi.

One of the factors (probably the main one) that made me assume “babysitter” was when Javardi unknowingly made the offer, McKay said something like,  oh, it would be great to have someone closer to his age to babysit!. Closer than who? Matteo seemed like the most likely subject, since he was right there and they seemed to be discussing scheduling. YMMV 

[Blackie]

On 3/7/2025 at 8:38 PM, juliet73 said:

 I’m no pharmacist or doctor, but from what I could see, all the caps on the drugs that Santos thought were suspicious looked all liked injectable drugs.  Langdon had capsules in a ziploc bag.  And really Langdon?? In the locker? In plain sight? Stupid!

And they looked like giant horse pills that would have never fit into the vial.  This whole storyline makes no sense to me. I haven't been following along with the threads for each episode of this show, just came straight to this one to see if my Santos hate was shared, and I see it is!

 

 

22 hours ago, statsgirl said:

I really like the 2 Filippina nurses talking to each other in Tagalog. It's realistic and rare to find in American TV.

 

I just watched St Dennis Medical before this show. That was the first hospital show I have seen to feature the "Fillipino mafia". 

 

On 3/7/2025 at 12:38 AM, marceline said:

Robby is clearly being stretched to the breaking point.

 Also I thought today was the final episode but glad to see it is not, because....am I the only one who thinks Robby is Collin's baby daddy. (I called it on Episode 1).

 

 

[SoMuchTV]

3 minutes ago, Blackie said:

Also I thought today was the final episode but glad to see it is not, because....am I the only one who thinks Robby is Collin's baby daddy. (I called it on Episode 1).

I got the vibe that they had been an item in the past, but more distant than 2-3 months ago. The way she talked about the pregnancy sounded like she had lost one previously, and didn’t want to share any news until things were farther along. Which makes me think that this is very much planned and she is either with a committed partner, or intentionally doing this on her own. I guess that doesn’t totally rule out a hookup with Robby that worked out to her advantage, but that wasn’t my most likely guess.