With 1 Episode Left, ‘The Pitt’s Most Shocking Twist Yet Could End This Doctor’s Career

Editor’s note: The below contains spoilers for The Pitt Season 2 Episode 14.

One major storyline of The Pitt Season 2 revolves around the tension between two senior attending physicians at the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center. On one side is Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch (Noah Wyle), a character who’s been easy to root for due to Wyle’s days on ER and Robby’s capabilities as a doctor. As Season 2 reveals, however, Robby is also a man who’s one shift away from a sabbatical he might not return from. On the other side is Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi (Sepideh Moafi), who’s set to take over for Robby while he’s gone for the next three months.

Unlike Robby, Al-Hashimi mostly appears to have it together, but there have been odd moments throughout this Fourth of July shift where she’ll stop what she’s doing and stare off into the distance during crucial moments. In this week’s penultimate episode of Season 2, the truth behind those pauses is revealed when Al-Hashimi chooses to confide in Robby. She may have wished she’d kept it to herself, though, because the truth may end up costing her the job she’s about to take on alone.

Dr. Al-Hashimi Has Been Behaving Strangely on ‘The Pitt’ Season 2

When Dr. Al-Hashimi first appears on the scene, it’s easy to distrust her, especially because she’s set up to be Dr. Robby’s replacement as senior attending. She also has a very different way of doing things; Robby prefers a more old-school approach to medicine, while Al-Hashimi supports integrating new technology, including the use of A.I., which some of the other doctors balk at.

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Despite this complicated intro, Al-Hashimi’s character evolves throughout Season 2. She comes out of her shell at times, and as she opens up, her willingness to make jokes and tease Dr. Robby has surprised even him throughout the shift. Yet, amidst Al-Hashimi visibly lowering her guard, something much more serious seems to be going on. At various intervals, for a few seconds, Al-Hashimi freezes, staring off into the distance. The first time happens early on in the season, when she’s checking in on the abandoned Baby Jane Doe, but it’s also occurred several more times since — and those instances have gotten the attention of Robby as well as other doctors and nurses working in the Pitt.

‘The Pitt’ Season 2’s Penultimate Episode Reveals the Truth Behind Al-Hashimi’s Behavior

Everyone at The Pitt seems to have some sort of emotional trauma going on; with the high stress and high stakes of their job, how could they not? It’s different with Al-Hashimi, though, since the audience doesn’t know much about her, so early theories began to take shape online about what those freezes were really about. Had she lost an infant patient before, or perhaps even her own child? Before becoming part of the staff at PTMC, she used to work at the VA, and a conversation with Dr. Jack Abbot (Shawn Hatosy) also reveals that she previously worked overseas. Could it be possible that she has post-traumatic stress from something in her past?

In the closing moments of Episode 14, all is revealed when Al-Hashimi approaches Robby and asks him to give his honest opinion on a case. Robby is beyond done with this shift, but he agrees to help. The patient chart Al-Hashimi presents is for a 40-year-old who has had a history of seizures since the age of five, when she contracted viral meningitis. It doesn’t take long for Robby to put the pieces together: “Baran, is this you?” She can only look at him with a face full of pain. Now, it’s clear: every time Al-Hashimi has seemingly spaced out, she’s been having a seizure.

Dr. Al-Hashimi’s Decision To Tell Dr. Robby the Truth Has a Deeper Meaning

Image via HBO Max

While this is arguably one of The Pitt‘s most shocking moments this season, it’s also surprisingly sweet. Robby has spent many episodes being unkind to his replacement, along with almost everyone else, but Al-Hashimi seeks him out because, in her words during the shift, “After working with you, Dr. Robinavitch, I’ve come to respect your opinion.” Before the truth comes out, the moment already has greater significance. Al-Hashimi not only respects Robby’s status as senior attending, but as a fellow physician — and if anyone can help her, it’s him.

However, Al-Hashimi may regret her honesty because she doesn’t know that Robby is already on the verge of a bigger breakdown. While this could be one more thing to push him over the edge, it could also mean the end of her time on The Pitt. She’s on the verge of taking over Robby’s role, but now she’s dealing with seizures on top of everything else. How will she be able to keep working, especially in high-pressure situations where freezing up for a few seconds could be costly? Over the course of a single shift, Al-Hashimi has grown into a strong candidate to replace Robby, but before the day ends, she could be packing her bags.