Jan. 8, 2026, marked the premiere of season 2 of the critically acclaimed show “The Pitt.” It’s created waves in the TV world and is deserved, but it’s also created a misogynistic discourse online.

Season one opens strong, showcasing the beauty of what a quiet morning in Pittsburgh looks like right before you clock in, and then you are thrown into the chaos that makes us all tune in. With returning characters we love, or love to hate, and new faces, there is no time wasted getting into the day. 

Introducing three new characters, each with distinct personalities, which sparked great online discourse, especially because two of the three are women. The most controversial of the bunch is Dr. Al Hashimi, who was not well-received in the first episode. After she has grown into her character, though, she plays the other side of the coin to Dr. Robby. The outrage she brings, I firmly believe, however, is just the fact that she is a woman. 

While I agree she showcases methods on the show that aren’t favored, she is just as talented as Robby, if not more so. Unlike Robby, she plays closer to the rules and wants to make actual changes, while Robby wants to keep things running smoothly.  Both are valid in their ways, but only one is facing backlash online because of it. So many people aren’t realising that only one of the two would face dire consequences for malpractice, and that would be Al Hashimi. Robby is a white man on tenor; the most that would happen is a slap on the wrist or a transfer to a hospital. For Al Hashimi, it could lead to the revocation of her license. 

While I previously understood the hatred of her in episode one, she has overcome numerous microaggressions and hardships, and I can’t help but root for her. She handles everything that comes her way with a clear head and calm tone, and the same can’t be said for Dr. Robby, yet he gets all the praise and glory from show watchers. 

Many people online tend to bash Al Hashimi, saying that, unlike Robby, she truly doesn’t care what is best for her patients, and that she is in the wrong at every step. I disagree; unlike Robby, who seems not to care about the trouble he could get into, she has to take every step in her career as carefully as possible. Robby doesn’t have a family; he lives by himself and does what he wants when he wants. Al Hashimi doesn’t have this luxury. While we don’t yet know if she is married, she does have a young son, and she can’t risk her career when she already treads lightly on a wire.  

Al Hashimi plays by the book and is exceptional at her job, while maintaining a level head and juggling her mental health; the same can’t be said for Robby. Robby rightfully has a big breakdown in season 1, and we feel sympathy for him. When Al Hashimi shows even a dash of doubt in herself, the internet is quick to dogpile on her. It’s clear to any observer that she has much more control over her emotions because she understands that, to function, she needs help, while Robby refuses it and is praised by all. 

Robby has refused help at every step, and while we can sympathize with him, it gets to a point where we’re watching him make those around him suffer as well. We are seeing him take all his negative emotions and throw them at those who care about him, mostly the woman.  Al Hashimi is taking the steps to make sure she doesn’t let her emotions interfere with her job.

Hopefully, as the show goes on, we will see viewers turn the other way towards Al Hashimi, but as of right now, it seems that no one can look past her gender and race. Robby himself has been seen throughout the season being microaggressive towards her when speaking to others, but he is also not taking what she says as seriously as he does male doctors.  

It’s clear that Robby doesn’t mean it intentionally, but he has some internalized misogyny to deal with, and maybe then his hospital would run much more smoothly.