There are certain types of TV shows where almost by definition there are going to be certain issues left unresolved - and this series is an example of not one, but two types. The first is shows set specifically in emergency rooms or other sorts of “one and done” settings - the ER staff don’t generally know about anything that happens after the patient leaves the ER , the judge in night court doesn’t know what happens after arraignment. Sure, there are medical and legal shows that provide more resolution - but they aren’t set specifically in the ER or night court. The second is shows set in real time - if an hour of the show is supposed to be an hour in real life , then you won’t see an hour of every character’s life. Because that would take longer than an hour.
Not exactly. I could write a scene in which Digby is seen picking something off the floor, we can’t see exactly what, while a lot of other stuff is going on around him, and a grin emerging on his face. We’d be wondering what the hell is that about, and some folks would guess correctly that he filched the badge that Whitaker lost, while others of us would be speculating about what else it might be, etc. Again, not a very big deal if it had worked out that way, I would have enjoyed it more.
I think we all understand that this (extremely minor) plot element didn’t land in a way you find satisfying but can you please drop it?
okay.
And that’s why you don’t write for the show, because that sound utterly stupid and not in keeping with any other scene in this series. You thinking they must have filmed something to show that is just weird.
Maybe it’s just me, but I think it might have been intended as a commentary on Dr. Robby and his planned bike trip. He saw himself as cool and noble for going, but in fact, if he went he’d just be a crazy guy with a doctor’s badge wandering around talking to himself.
I think that last shot was just letting us know Digby was okay, plus a bit of humor.
Here’s a lovely Reddit thread about Digby and people like him, with many posts from healthcare workers and ER patients.
I think it’s funnier if we don’t see how Digby got the badge. Or the dummy. Or the clothes.
The stories take place almost 100% in the hospital emergency department. But one of the reasons that Digby with the badge and the karaoke scene land is that they take place far away from the usual hospital setting. A meanwhile back at the ranch sort of setup if you will, breaking with the usual routine. Momentary, but enjoyable.
I finally resubbed to HBO and caught up.
I enjoyed s2 a lot.
I think people have covered a lot but not this. My wife is a trainer by education (Masters) and experience. It’s a specific set of skills to teach someone so it sticks. She worked with lawyers at a job and all of the lawyers assumed that they could teach because it’s “easy” and they have had a lot of schooling. They couldn’t, at least not as good as they thought they could. In my own career, most places seem to assume that everyone wants to go to management. I don’t and never have. I might mentor someone or be a tech lead but I don’t want to be a manager. No interest. I usually ask about a technical career path.
All of that to say that I found it completely realistic that Robbie was in charge and has no idea how to manage. I can easily see a doctor think that managing is easy compared to doctorin’ and not realize it’s a lot and some of it can be bureaucracy, which might need to finagling. There’s a reason the trope is having a bad manager not a good one. Probably most of it is still being in charge of the ER, which he can do. He also knows to stay out of the nurses way.
It did seem strange that only Santos got behind on charting and we didn’t see anyone else doing charting. They were using the computer until it came down but not charting. They did more in s1.
I also didn’t like that Robbie was the one to tell the tech how to use the USB connection. That is literally that tech’s job! I don’t know if someone saw that and wrote it or if it was main character saves the day. I also agree that they should have been able to take down the external internet connection and still do eighty percent of their job. If not, maybe Robbie needs to help that IT dept as well!
I enjoyed it a lot!
Thanks for the discussion!
That’s my world. I’ve taught everything from Kindergarten to graduate students to technical professionals. Teaching is a different skill than merely having content knowledge, though that is very important too.
I think of the famous Mike Tyson quote, that “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the nose”. Everyone also thinks they can teach until they are standing at the front of a group of people with expectations. Those expectations can be different. If it’s Kindergarten they expect you to lead them and tell them how to do every last thing down to the finest detail. And woe betide you if you haven’t thought about how to transition between one activity to another.
Middle and high school students expect you to stand up for yourself in the face of their taunting and disrespect. Technical professionals expect you to know your stuff, but also be able to communicate it effectively. This is where universities sometimes fail, in that they have expert professors who might have very poor organizational and pedagogical skills.
All this to say, I’m guessing a skilled doctor who is also a skilled teacher is a rare bird.
Robby is both of those I think. He’s for shit though as a department head.
The version I always heard was “…until they get punched in the face,” but apparently the actual quote (“…until they get hit for the first time”) has grown in its violence.
Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the face, by Mike Tyson
There’s always a lot of things we don’t see, doesn’t mean it’s not happening. We only saw Santos charting because that was part of her storyline.
FWIW in the real world there are some people who are efficient at keeping with charting as they go, and a few others who tend to put it off and accumulate sometimes dozens to hundreds of unfinished notes. It is a real problem, to the point that worst offenders have to have threats of compensation held to get them to catch up. These are not people any busier than anyone else.
At the hospital I am familiar with, a doctor’s privileges can be suspended by the medical records department if they get far enough behind.