Ask the most sensitive person you know what’s the one thing countless people have said to them regarding their sensitivity. Ask them what words make them flinch and how hearing it can sometimes cause such a visceral reaction that it makes the whole thing worse. The people who hold a plethora in because they’ll do anything to avoid those words, so instead, we do everything in our power to prevent them. If you haven’t guessed by now, the words are some variation of “You’re too sensitive.” And yet, in The Pitt Season 1, Episode 14, “8:00 P.M.,” the opposite words are used when Dr. Robby tells Mel King that she’s awesome.
Taylor Dearden’s Melissa “Mel” King is a deeply special character for a myriad of reasons, and it’s a direct result of her sensitivity and heart. (Dr. Langdon sees it as well in Season 1, Episode 9, “3:00 P.M.”) Mel’s sensitivity (or any person’s) is never and should never be a burden. How have we, as a society, come to a place where someone’s empathy and heart are viewed as a weakness? When and why did humanity start to consider that feeling compassion or reacting to another person’s pain through tears is a bad thing? In addition to all of this, there’s an obvious lack of respect for people who are on the spectrum or have any sort of mental or physical disability. None of these factors make human beings any less capable of doing their jobs, so it’s incredibly fantastic that The Pitt showcases this with tremendous heart through Mel’s character.
While Mel doesn’t openly talk about her neurodivergence the way she mentions her sister Becca’s needs, Taylor Dearden has been pretty vocal about it through interviews. Now, factoring all of this into the context of the show and the episode, Dr. Robby telling Mel that she’s awesome is a scene that’s worth remembering.
There’s so much authenticity to how this scene’s presented, starting from the way Mel walks out of the room and immediately chokes up to how Dr. Robby sees her and asks if she’s okay while they’re still walking. And Dearden is incredible as she pauses, looks up at him, and immediately apologizes after stating which patient got to her because that’s exactly how a sensitive person would react, especially in the face of their superior.
How Noah Wyle then plays off Dearden by using Dr. Robby’s signature calm and cool approach to cement that he means every word that’s coming out of his mouth is no small feat. By telling Mel not to apologize for feeling something for her patient, he acknowledges that her empathy is appreciated here. Then, when Dr. Robby states that the day was chaos, he recognizes where they all are in this moment, essentially acknowledging his own pain in the process as well. Lastly, when he tells her that she’s awesome, and he’s really glad that she’s with them, Dr. Robby cements that here in this hospital, with this team, Mel is a gift. Her sensitivity is her strength, and her means of getting the job done are admirable. From the performances to the blocking, it’s also significant that what we’re seeing here is out in the open for anyone passing by to hear as well. There’s something really lovely about the private conversation with Dr. Langdon, but this scene feels like something that any sensitive person would carry with them for the rest of their lives. (I know I would.)
Related Content: Why Mel King’s Sensitivity in The Pitt Is So Profoundly Comforting
It’s also worth noting that people tend to believe that neurodivergent people are somehow inferior to neurotypical people in the workplace when, in fact, that’s seldom the case. In many ways, neurodivergent people try even harder and maintain different sets of skills because they want to ensure that they get their jobs done properly. As much as my OCD is a profound struggle in my personal life, it’s one of the main reasons I work as hard as I do. The awareness that neurodivergent or sensitive people have of how others perceive them often plays a crucial role in how they ensure that they’re delivering quality work every time. All of this is to say that this scene in The Pitt Season 1, Episode 14, “8:00 P.M.,” does an exemplary job of showcasing how important it is to acknowledge the heart people bring to the table. At some point throughout the series, almost all the doctors see what Mel is capable of, but this statement coming from Dr. Robby is exactly what she needs to understand that her feelings are crucial in the field.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Max