Something that's been on my mind lately is how beautifully Frank and Mel slowburning into a relationship would be a perfect counterpart to Robby's story and characterization. It's part of why I think this relationship should and is meant to be canon, and no, it's not just my shipper goggles that are fused to my skin. (It helps with the delusions, ofc.)

There's something so interesting in Parent-Child dynamics, especially one where the adult child is later therapy-informed and the parent has adamantly refused help. If you've been in a family dynamic with emotionally immature parents/guardians, you probably know this well. The parent of the adult child watches as their kid does everything they convinced themselves (out of safety, out of fear, trauma, etc) wasn't possible. (I speak from personal experience here. Whew lad.)

The parent watches their adult child almost make it look easy to go to therapy, to hold themselves accountable, to reach new heights of personal growth, and it lays open a lot of glaring insecurity and guilt. "I did my best" suddenly feels empty. Because sure, it was different for that parent, but how different could it have really been?** Usually, the emotionally immature parent also thinks it's too late, though. The time for healing has passed. Another defense mechanism in the tapestry of their dysfunction.

**with the caveat of this being about The Pitt here: yes, different generations have and will always have to contend with varying degrees of stigma and accessibility around mental healthcare. But Robby seems well-informed that therapy is good for his residents and colleagues, so I'm gonna gently nudge this outta the discussion atm.

If Robby watches Frank go through hardship after hardship and still come out on the other side better for it, Robby's whole world view of himself and what his life is really about is going to shatter.

If Frank Langdon:

is an addict in recovery

divorced (amicably or not)

balancing co-parenting

getting back in the game as a doctor

sucking it up with the PHP and all of its dehumanizing, debt-cycling bullshit

staying in therapy, going to meetings

busting his ass to succeed where he can

and: letting himself fall in love with a talented resident who not only accepts him, but encourages him... who he, in turn, is opening himself up to in new ways of communication (language learning lol) and understanding, too?

That is going to unravel Robby. Robby, who fumbled every chance of joy he seemed to have. Remember when he tells Whitaker that he saw himself with a family, house with a pond, etc? I really think that we're going to watch Robby feel relief at Frank's impending divorce-reveal (however they do that)... because it'll validate that he can't have that. He couldn't have that with Collins, he couldn't have that with Jake's mom. Frank is still his mirror. His 'failure' with Frank is his familiar safety in that: see, it's all fucked. It doesn't matter what you want. It doesn't matter how good of a doctor you are.

And instead of Frank wallowing, like Robby seems to have fallen into, Frank is: going to fall in love with Mel King. And no, he didn't get it right the first time, but he will the second time. And it will show Robby what's possible, and what he's lost, and that there's still time. Maybe it's not what he pictured. But there's still time.

There's so many wonderful things to see and people to love ahead of you.

Like I really think Frank and Mel's story will reflect that to Robby. I think Robby will be an audience to this love story unfolding, and the world won't end because two doctors in the same hospital are together and happy. In fact, it's not that I think The Pitt would turn into a huge love story about Kingdon. I think it'll just slide so cohesively and perfectly into place, and watching it work will disrupt so much of what Robby believes.

And somewhere, Frank will get a chance to tell Robby that yes, he still needs help. But there's still time; Robby's life isn't over. And that he didn't fail Frank, because look at what Frank has now? He has a partner in Mel that's the kind of partner a person dreams of. That sees him. That he sees.

[I had a cool suturing image but it got flagged as mature content.]

kingdon, 2.5k, rated t, emotional infidelity, big ol’ age gap, teaching as flirting

—

It's entirely possible that Dr. Langdon can feel her blush from where he is, even the back of her neck going hot. "It's just"—she falters—"I like watching you when something big happens. You always know what to do, it's—I don't know—"

He only lets Mel flounder for a moment before saying, "Can I tell you a secret?" Mel nods. "I've been doing this for—how old are you?"

"Twenty-three."

Dr. Langdon lets out disbelieving breath of a laugh. "Christ. I've been doing this as long as you've been alive and there are still things that scare the shit out of me."

--

ER tech Mel gets a private lesson from her attending.