Medical dramas abound, but A Bright Mind explores some thought-provoking and affecting cases.
These cases are interesting, and many have impacted individual doctors. The show excels at balancing medical and personal cases so viewers become more invested in the characters.
While we think the show ended too soon, it ended on a cliffhanger so we’re hoping it’ll be renewed for a second season. Let’s rank and review the most memorable and least satisfying moments.
Best TV Series: Brilliant Minds Season 1 Episode 7
While we love every episode of Brilliant Minds, no other episode has impacted us more than Brilliant Minds Season 1 Episode 7.
It illustrates the importance of letting Roman’s (aka John Doe) voice be heard. He feels invisible until he is rushed to a Bronx hospital, where Dr. Wolfe and his interns work to help him.
While the first thing he asks for is that death is heartbreaking, such a life must also be depressing. Understandably, he didn’t want Alex to be tied to him, even though he would have done so.
I also understand why Oliver had a hard time getting his wish.
Although he was unwilling to give up the patient, he had to respect Roman’s wishes. Watching them look up at the stars at Oliver’s house brought tears to my eyes.
Rome influenced many people’s lives. He witnesses a close bond between Oliver and Josh, although Oliver initially dismisses it.
In some ways, Oliver and Josh seem as forbidden as Roman and Alex, so Oliver fulfills Roman’s fantasy and instead, Oliver kisses Josh in the middle of the street.
It’s a big leap for the two, but there’s one thing fans have been waiting for.
Best storyline: Exploring how his father’s bipolar disorder affected Oliver
Brilliant Minds has always looked at mental health, and most importantly, how Oliver copes with his father, who suffered from bipolar disorder and lost his father at a young age.
The play shows how memories can be distorted and how Oliver wants to believe the best about his father. But as he grew older, he was reminded of the reality of those episodes. This is a very difficult thing to deal with.
While many of the flashbacks are from Oliver’s perspective, there are also some from Noah and Muriel’s. They show how Noah’s delusions affect Oliver’s safety and the fateful decisions they make.
Eventually, Oliver became a doctor because he couldn’t save his father, so he wanted to save people. That’s always been his motivation, so it might be hard for him to say no to his dad now.
Worst Storyline: Carol Treats Morris’ Mistress in Therapy
Carol’s treatment of Alison has been terrible from the moment Alison showed up on “Bright Minds” Season 1, Episode 8. Return to Morris.
Alison acted desperate every time Carol tried to break off the relationship and refer her elsewhere, and Carol gave in. Sounds like a crazy and vengeful woman.
I suspect she just wanted to hurt Carol during her suicide attempt in Brilliant Minds Season 1 Episode 11.
Although Tamberla Perry does a great job as Carol takes responsibility for Alison’s downfall and divorce, it may be too late.
Carroll was still reported to the medical board for an ethical conflict of interest. It looks like Carol and Alison have reconciled, or is this an act? Does she still take revenge?
Oliver and Josh’s best moment: Oliver tells Josh he wants to try
Oliver Wolfe and Josh Nichols’ relationship is one of the best parts of the series. Initially, it seemed like they got together because they missed Roman, but that was just the catalyst.
The chemistry between them is so hot that they can barely keep their hands off each other. Since they are doctors at the same hospital, this becomes a problem when Muriel catches them kissing in the elevator.
A passionate elevator kiss is one of my favorite things, but there’s nothing more embarrassing than your mom catching you making out with your new boyfriend.
Although Muriel tried not to interfere, she frightened Josh enough that he and Oliver ended their relationship. Oliver is shocked that his mom destroyed other things, but then he fights for his man.
The ending of Brilliant Minds Season 1 Episode 8 was heartbreaking. Oliver laid all his cards on the table. He wants to try out their relationship and if it falls apart, they will adapt.
Oliver isn’t very adventurous in his relationships, but several patients teach him how precious life is. I also appreciate how Josh joked that Oliver had proven them wrong before, so he was willing to test the possibilities.
Neither of them have been in a serious relationship lately, so this is a gamble for both of them.
The most frustrating Oliver and Josh moment: Oliver pushed Josh away on his big night
While Oliver’s state of mind is completely understandable, it was frustrating to see him push Josh away multiple times in Brilliant Minds Season 1 Episode 13.
We get it. Oliver has just learned that his father is alive and discovered that his mother has been lying to him for years. His world has been turned upside down and he no longer knows who he is. How could Josh love him?
In addition to this, Oliver often built walls to keep people out. It’s heartbreaking that he doesn’t let Josh in, which takes courage considering Josh recently confided that he was in love with him.
Our hearts were broken seeing Josh in his tux alone, without Oliver there. While Oliver needs answers from his father, we wish he could do it again.
In Brilliant Minds Season 1 Episode 11, Josh mentioned that Oliver didn’t value his job. Oliver’s absence from the evening where he was honored will reinforce this belief.
Favorite intern: Dana
We love all of our interns, but Dana is unique. She brings out the best in people.
While initially Dana seemed to just love partying, she also struggled with anxiety and used partying as a coping mechanism.
In Brilliant Minds Season 1 Episode 6, the show explores how Dana’s anxiety developed and when she returned to high school, she developed panic attacks. Dana becomes close to one of the teens because Lily reminds her of her dead sister.
Dana developed close bonds with other interns. She was the first to know about Van’s mirror touch. She and Jacob confided in each other their infatuation. What she and Erica have in common is unique in that Dana wants the best for her and provides a place for her friends to live.
Dana is the best at reading the situation, even reminding Dr. Wolfe that she would do anything to see her sister again, so he should listen to his father’s explanation before leaving him behind.
Breakout Performance: Ashleigh LaThorp in Ericka’s PTSD Breakdown
While Erica (Ashley Lathorpe) has been great throughout the season, in “Brilliant Mind” Season 1 Episode 12, she had a crush on Dana (Aric Reb) after she was rescued from the elevator. She does a great job when her character (Scott) breaks down.
Director Demane Davis praised Lathrop for being prepared for trauma. Viewers feel survivor guilt for Erica because she is still alive and Celia is not.
She was also guilty of complaining about missing valuables while she was alive, but these things were important. Her layered performance made the audience feel emotionally attached to her.
She continued to sell the show on Season 1 of Brilliant Minds as her PTSD and fear of elevators worsened. She and Dana had a meaningful discussion about whether taking medication for anxiety was a crutch.
Dana needed it to cope, and Erica thought she could cope without them. That hasn’t been the case since we saw Erica steal some of Dana’s pills. We can’t wait to see Lathrop tell this story in season two.
Best cliffhanger: Noah Wolfe is not dead
We should probably suspect that Oliver’s father isn’t dead, especially since they were never seen again after Oliver got lost in the woods.
The flashback in Brilliant Minds Season 1 Episode 12 is another clue. Oliver always remembered Noah getting very sick when he saw his son working at the scene of an accident at an apartment complex.
I’ve said it before; when things are going so well for Oliver, Noah’s return almost seems cruel.
It was an interesting drama, but he eventually reconciled with his mother and thrived at work. He and Josh are happy, and secrets and lies turn his whole world upside down.
Overall grade: A-
“Brilliant Minds” quickly became one of the biggest hits of the fall. Weekly cases often explore new medical conditions, allowing Dr. Wolfe and his interns to try new approaches.
Initially, Dr. Wolfe is a lone wolf, but by the end, he has found his pack or “found a family” with his interns. They supported him as much as he supported them.
Not many shows emphasize healthy adult LBGTQ relationships, but Oliver and Josh manage to navigate it despite their differences.
The show also showcases Oliver Wolfe’s deep friendship with Carol Pierce and the bond between the interns. Relationships are at the heart of the series, and the cases are compelling.
We hope the series gets renewed so we can follow these relationships and storylines more closely.
Over to you, TV fanatics. What did you think of Season 1 of Get Smart? Vote below and share your thoughts in the comments.
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