Patrick Ball from ‘The Pitt’ talks about Langdon’s unexpected return in episode 12: “I’m the right person to fill that bullet hole.”

The Pitt Episode 12 titled “6 PM” on MAX showcases the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital ER being transformed into a MASH unit due to a mass shooting incident at PittFest. This event leads to an overflow of victims requiring immediate triaging and treatment. In response to the crisis, all available staff members are called in to help, including Nightshift employees and familiar faces like Dr. Jack Abbot (portrayed by Shawn Hatosy) who come to support Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch (played by Noah Wyle) and his already exhausted daytime team.

Of course, Dr. Abbot isn’t the only familiar face who comes back to The Pitt this week to help save lives.

**Spoilers for The Pitt Episode 12 “6 PM,” now streaming on MAX**

Dr. Frank Langdon (Patrick Ball) also shows up.

Viewers of The Pitt may remember that just a fortnight ago, Dr. Robby had to dismiss his longtime friend and protege Langdon from the ED for stealing prescription painkillers from patients. Despite this, in the current mass casualty situation, Robby allows Langdon to remain and assist, emphasizing the urgency of the situation and the need for all available help.

When DECIDER spoke with Pitt star Patrick Ball a few weeks back, we asked if Langdon’s return to the ER was completely altruistic.

According to Ball, who plays the role of Robby, the character’s decision to allow Langdon to stay is driven by the critical circumstances of numerous lives at stake during the crisis. Ball describes Robby’s mindset as focused on maximizing the chances of survival for the victims under his care, highlighting the dire nature of the situation and the necessity of his actions.

“Whether I’m fired or not, whether I have a career or not, whether this builds a bridge or earns trust or not, what needs to be done right now is that life needs to be saved, and that bullet hole needs to be plugged, and I’m the man for the job. So that’s what he does. And we’ll deal with the rest of it later.”

While Dr. Robby is less than thrilled to see Langdon back in action, Dr. Mel King (Taylor Dearden) is over the moon to see her mentor. “You’re here!” she exclaims with an excited gasp, oblivious to all the drama that has been going on behind-the-scenes at PTMH in the last ninety minutes.

The Pitt star Taylor Dearden revealed to DECIDER that Mel “never” finds out this season what went down between Santos (Isa Briones), Robby, and Langdon.

“I think it’d freak Mel out, but Mel never finds out,” Dearden said. “It’s kept amongst the people involved, which is smart and how workplaces usually work anyway.”

“But yeah, no, I never know. I’m just, like, kind of missing my buddy the whole time. ‘Where is he?‘” she said in a small voice.

Some fans have started to ‘ship the married Langdon and young Dr. King together, which Taylor Dearden told US Weekly was “really funny” since she saw Mel as “asexual.” Patrick Ball told DECIDER that he sees their bond more like they’re “cut from the same cloth.”

“I think Langdon sees in Mel very early on that she has the right stuff. You know?” Ball said. “She’s competent. She’s smart. She has a stoic sensibility about her. She has an ability to compartmentalize this work and understand what the job is.”

“I think he sees like, yeah, she is not fully aware of her own super power. Maybe she needs to have it reflected back to her and maybe needs to be encouraged.”

So don’t expect Langdon and King to get cuddly on The Pitt, although Langdon will continue to potentially encourage the younger doctor. Their friendship is strictly professional and one of total respect.