Isa Briones, who plays Santos on The Pitt, expressed her gratitude on Instagram for the evolving discourse about her character. She appreciated the nuanced conversation on platforms like Reddit, where viewers discussed Santos’ arc. Some people hated Santos, some loved her, and many enjoyed hating her, which Briones believes is indicative of great writing and an intelligent audience. She also acknowledged the viewers who reconsidered their judgment of Santos and realized their own internalized biases against complicated female characters like Santos.
The Pitt follows the employees of a fictional Pittsburgh hospital’s ER during a single 15-hour shift. In the first half of the season, Dr. Santos clashed with her supervisor, Dr. Langdon, causing frustration among viewers. However, Santos was ultimately proven right about Langdon’s secret opioid addiction, which he developed after being prescribed medication for a back injury. Patrick Ball, who plays Langdon, highlighted the issue of opioid addiction in the country and how easily people can become trapped in it. The show tackled the topic by showcasing a character who was initially judged negatively but was ultimately vindicated.
Briones emphasized that viewers may have judged her character too quickly and stereotyped her as a “tattletale.” However, she pointed out that Santos was doing the right thing by exposing the illegal activities at the hospital. She also noted that Santos’ aggressive demeanor and arrogance may have led people to question her actions, but ultimately, she was correct in her suspicions. Briones hoped that this storyline would make the audience reflect on their biases and why they may have initially sided with Langdon instead of Santos. She found it interesting to see viewers reevaluate their perceptions of the characters based on the unfolding events of the show.
The Pitt has been praised for its strong writing and complex characters, particularly Santos, who has been portrayed as a multi-faceted woman. Briones credited the writers for creating such a complicated character and expressed her gratitude for being able to portray Santos. The show’s exploration of themes like opioid addiction, gender biases, and moral dilemmas has resonated with viewers and sparked discussions online. Santos’ journey from being disliked to being proven right has showcased the importance of giving characters, especially female characters, room to grow and surprise the audience.
Briones encouraged viewers to continue watching The Pitt and engage with the ongoing storyline of Santos, Langdon, and the other characters at the Pittsburgh ER. She found it fulfilling to see the audience react to Santos’ arc and reconsider their initial opinions of her character. As new episodes premiere every Thursday, Briones hoped that the audience would continue to be engaged and challenged by the thought-provoking narratives and complex characters on the show. The evolving discourse around characters like Santos demonstrates the power of great storytelling in sparking conversations and challenging viewers’ preconceived notions.
