oofie

As I said above, I think Robby and Whitaker are super compatible and healthy for each other (platonically or as something more), but also share a relationship that inadvertently risks feeding into each other’s bad habits.

For example, I’d chance that knowing Dennis has been raised in a large family of boys (canonically youngest and overlooked), he probably craves attention…but doesn’t have high expectations about receiving it. Robby supplies that sort of favoritism and affection whether it’s platonic or not), which incidentally makes Whitaker work harder to emulate him because he’s under the impression that’s how he’ll retain the newfound recognition and respect he’s been receiving as a doctor. This is great because it motivates Whitaker to be competent, observant, etc. but it also means he subdues what makes him so unique (and encourages him to adopt some of Robby’s bad habits like repressing his emotions, prioritizing work and others over self, etc). In other words, he’s so admiring of Robby and eager to please him he’s sort of blind to his deeper flaws, and ignores or neglects the intrinsic value he himself offers their dynamic and the ER as a whole.

On the other side of things, Dennis sees Robby’s vulnerabilities with a gentle and empathetic insight. This is great because realistically it’s what Robby needs (emotional support, to be seen, consoled or confronted, etc)…but it’s also damning because he adamantly doesn’t want to be perceived as needing the help or being emotionally coached/mentored himself. In that sense, I think Dennis brings comfort to him whether that comfort is fully conscious or not, but their relationship also sort of ignites his anxieties and the constant self-checking behavior in him. Especially with what happened with Langdon, I think it’d be fair to assume Robby is anxious about getting too attached, and even more committed to acting nonchalant and devoid of problems or insecurities. He doesn’t want to be “caught” or feel like he failed again…especially not by someone who looks so much up to him like Langdon, Jake, etc. did/do — both of whom he now has strained relationships with. I think Robby probably perceives and mourns both those relationships as a loss, even if Langdon and Jake are both technically still around. I think if he also ever felt he “lost” or disappointed Whitaker that could be really devastating for his emotions and his ego, so it’s a matter of wanting and needing to keep close but not so close he gets triggered again.