The Pitt gave Dr. Mel the spotlight she deserved – and she delivered 

Throughout HBO's The Pitt, Dr. Mel's (Taylor Dearden) qualities as a kind and compassionate doctor are on full display as she interacts with and treats various patients.

Every doctor in the medical show's ensemble cast is a master in their respective field, but Dr. Mel's ability to empathise and connect with her patients surely shines a spotlight on her character, and she delivered it well throughout the show.

While Dr. Mel was concerned that she lacked the 'special sauce' that Dr. Mohan had earlier discussed and worried about her capabilities as a doctor in The Pitt Episode 1, she had her own shining moments throughout the show.

More on Dr. Mel in The Pitt in our story.

Dr. Mel's empathy and compassion make her character stand out in The Pitt

Introduced with atypical body language and unwavering enthusiasm, Mel appeared to be a stock character in The Pitt, whom many expected would not get enough recognition.

However, by the end of her 15-hour shift, Mel proves that she is not only a capable doctor but also a compassionate and kind individual, which enhances her capabilities as a medical professional.

In The Pitt, Dr. Mel revealed about her autistic twin sister Becca, who lives in a care facility, and Mel is her sole caretaker. While this personal detail highlights Mel's commitment towards her sister, it also suggests how it has made her more empathetic and compassionate towards her patients, which is her 'special sauce'.

Dr. Mel's interaction with an autistic patient in The Pitt Episode 7 highlights why she is better than others at understanding the special needs of people on the spectrum. While Dr. Langdon is not able to understand his patient's unique needs and treat him like other patients, Mel recognises that he is threatened and not comfortable.

She dims the light and closes the door, instantly connecting with the patient (something Dr. Langdon had overlooked). She also reciprocates the patient's formal conversation and reframes her sentences to better align with his needs.

In addition, her compassion was also on full display when Amber, a 6-year-old girl, died due to drowning while saving her 4-year-old sister Bella in Episode 8. A committed sister herself, Mel treats Bella with compassion and buys her a teddy from the gift shop and says:

“If you tell Bear everything you want to tell Amber, then I’ll take Bear and sit her on Amber’s pillow, and then she’ll tell her everything you said.''

Mel's instant connection with Bella highlights her prowess as a human and a sister, who can understand and connect to a fellow human, a quality not every medical professional is able to portray.

Dearden discussed Mel's connection with Bella and how she feels that her character would also have jumped in the pool to save her sister (via Decider):

''I think especially because Mel and Becca are twins and we all know twins share even stronger bond than normal siblings. I think it clicks in Mel that this is something I would have done. Like I would have jumped in the pool, too, to get her [out]. Like, this is exactly what would have happened. So that, that hits hard. I think Mel sees it as something that could have easily happened to her.''

Finally, in The Pitt finale, Mel had her ultimate shining moment when she meets with her sister Becca, promises to have dinner with her, and watch a film they have probably watched many times. While anybody would require some personal time after a difficult 15-hour hospital shift, Mel goes straight to her sister, which shows how she is as a person and how she truly cares for her sibling.

Trending

For the latest scoops on your favorite TV shows and movies, follow SoapCentral.

Also Read: 5 surprising facts about The Pitt's cast that you might not have known

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback