u/sleepwakehope

So, yesterday an interview with Patrick Ball (Langdon) came out where there's just more anti-romance talking points. It's a tired talking point at this point. It's like the people working on the Pitt try to be oh so serious about what they're making while also not acknowledging that Robby is written as sexist. And now there's disrespect to romance generally as if that's the end of the world? You're making a TV show! Not creating world peace! Here's the quote from Patrick Ball making the rounds:

“The show was pretty clear from the beginning that it was not going to be here to be a crowd-pleaser and have the romantic through lines and have all the archetypes of hooking up in closets. It was going to prioritize authenticity of medicine and authenticity of representation. The word ‘documentarian’ was thrown around a lot. We wanted there to be a conversation around mental health with Robby and a conversation around addiction.”

I wanted to have more of a discussion of my below post, so created this thread re: Mohan/Langdon/Robby/NW issues:

Robby's aggressive treatment of Mohan is horrible. Mohan and he barely interact before her panic attack, so (although we have S1 history between them as guide), it seems to come out of nowhere the way he mocks her. However, we do have his treatment of Langdon in S2 to almost prepare us for how he attacks Mohan. He's been avoiding Langdon and when he's around him, he's cold and also not being a good boss because (while Langdon should not be doing amends on day 1 at work though format of the show kind of prevents otherwise) he says I don't think I want you here (episode 7), and then Langdon loses all confidence and needs help from Mel to guide him. Robby can't put any of his personal shit aside (no matter what he says to Mohan and his toxic BS about blocking out anything personal while working) to be even a decent boss. He treats his senior residents the most like shit in Mohan (no reason to) and Langdon (understandable reason, but hey, it's your fault he's back if you didn't even tell hospital the truth, I hate this cover up on the drug shit).

People like Whitaker and even Santos are still early in the going as intern and R2. They still don't really know him well enough to recognize the toxicity he brings or to call it out. Although Santos should recognize that Robby didn't warn her of Langdon's return and basically had her lying for him as well. But, she has a lot of trauma and the actress (IB) did note she was glad to have someone believe her in Robby.

I wish Mohan and Langdon had more interaction in S2. That would've been really helpful for both their stories and to provide proper context for Robby's story. Since no more Collins, it would have been interesting to see the 2 R4s (one now repeating R4) interacting and dealing with shit. Basically, Langdon treated her for panic attack and she called him into a trauma when she was busy. That was it.

Instead, Mohan is used as prop for Robby's story and Langdon's story in invaded by Robby in around last 5 episodes and doesn't really finish properly (although of all supporting characters, I do believe Landon is given the most room to breathe and have a story as S2 is his first day back). To me, it's more the proper spine of the season than anything Robby, even with Robby-heavy too much last few episodes.

The ensemble makes this show work, including Robby, but putting too much on Robby is seemingly trying to make a Don Draper Mad Men central asshole story, and honestly? I think we're all sick of that. And hearing interviews that NW said that he sees Mohan as a rock star and that he's just projecting (yeah, no shit) and not being abusive/sexist? It's like, by taking that away as part of Robby's flawed human persona, you're making him less human and less interesting. Huge mistake. Part of the reason why Langdon is more likeable is he is called out (by Santos) and Dr. Al is pissed and then cold to him. And even Robby being a terrible boss dick to him is good. And Dana, while kind, not having patience for his recovery speak. It makes it, at least for me, the moments with Mel or McKay more meaningful. Because it's not walk in the park for him, although show could make it harder. Why didn't they do a story where the truth is known and he starts not being able to prescribe medications and people are just exhausted w/having to deal with that alone.

On the other hand, people kissing Robby and then NW's ass doesn't help the Robby character. It makes him less likeable and centering the character tiresome that many of us bitch (and fairly so). And this treatment of Mohan/SG exit from show has shown that clearly. Again, huge mistake showrunners.