Reviewer Rating: 4.3/5.0
4.3
We all struggle with physical or emotional pain, and Brilliant Minds excels at selecting cases that relate to us.
Brilliant Minds Season 1 Episode 10 introduces us to two patients on the opposite end of the pain spectrum. Finn Kemp, a 10-year-old autistic boy, couldn’t feel pain, but caregiver Katie felt too much pain.
Normally two action-packed cases would be enough, but the audience was barely given time to catch their breath in this episode. It also includes many examples of emotional pain and relationship drama.
The biggest draw, aside from the case, is how Dr. Wolfe and Carol are always there for each other. We even see flashbacks of them in college.
These two cases also impact interns and their relationships, so let’s get started.
Single dad’s cry for help leads to interesting results
As someone who has worked with autistic children, I find Finn Kemp’s case interesting. Many autistic children experience meltdowns and head shaking, but that’s not the case here.
Mr Kemp feared his son would hurt him and sought help. This is the first time we meet paramedic Katie. She puts Finn at ease, and we see his special gift: car knowledge.
Finn doesn’t even flinch when Van accidentally rips off the IV, leading Erica to suspect that Finn has CIPA, a rare genetic neurological disease that prevents him from feeling pain.
That’s why he can’t feel anything, from burning himself to simply splintering.
Although there was no cure, Dr. Wolfe tried an experimental treatment to increase Finn’s sensitivity to pain and re-adapt him to situations. Watching Van with him and showing him how cold it felt was priceless.
Those who help others find it difficult to ask for help
Paramedic Katie Rodriguez is like many of us. She works hard so she doesn’t have to think about her pain. Without her career, she would be lost.
Dr. Wolfe’s facial blindness may have saved her life. He recognized her from the number of times she frowned and how she looked in pain before passing out.
She was stubborn and tried to check herself, but she passed out again. What a devastating blow. She contracted meningitis from an elderly patient she had recently helped.
Katie is the kind of caregiver you want. She forms a connection with every patient, whether they are an elderly person, an autistic child, or a suicidal teenager.
Dr. Wolfe, Dana, and Jacob are deeply affected by seeing her condition worsen, and Jacob gets the idea to look for clues in the ambulance to see why she isn’t getting better. They never dreamed they would find something illegal.
Chronic pain is an invisible disease. Anyone who suffers from migraines or fibromyalgia knows this. Poor Katie suffered a gunshot wound but the pain never went away.
Like young Wolfe, the longer she was home alone, the more depressed she became, so she returned to work but took steroids to numb the pain. However, they interfered with her immune system.
Dr. Wolfe and Dana understand Katie’s plight and are determined to help her.
Wolfe and Carol always had each other’s backs
Not every TV series does a good job of casting younger versions, but “Bright Minds” found excellent actors to play the college-aged versions of Oliver Wolfe and Carol Pierce.
Flashbacks show that these two are always there for each other when someone hurts the other. This also explains why Oliver has such a hard time letting others in.
A man from the university gives him a break, reminding Oliver that he can’t count on others. He was devastated by the sight of Carol finding him drunk and passed out from depression.
She’s angry that he nearly killed himself, but Oliver’s words also hit a nerve with her. He was constantly disappointed and spent so much time alone thinking bad thoughts that he didn’t want to live anymore.
Carol saved his life that time, and they saved each other many times.
While I love Carol, she should have turned down Alison as a client sooner. Alison has been playing a dangerous game that affects Carol’s career and family.
If Wolfe hadn’t kicked him out of Carol’s office and rushed to comfort her, Morris would have been pleading with Carol for another chance.
Wolfe and Nichols go public
I knew Wolfe had a reason for revealing his relationship with Carol, but I never expected it to be because she was trying to set up Nichols and others. Are she and Nikos that kind of friend?
Nichols seemed angry that Carol didn’t know about their relationship yet. While he wanted to keep the ball in Wolfe’s court, he also wanted to define their relationship.
He seemed proud to be with Wolfe and wanted the people who mattered to know it.
This prompted Wolfe to tell his best friend, who told him to be careful because they worked together and couldn’t avoid each other if they broke up.
Both Wolfe and Nichols carry baggage from previous relationships. Nichols was more of a player, whereas Wolff had previously had a hard time believing anyone else could get hurt.
Nichols is right, though. It’s time to let go and look to the future.
Love triangle heats up
After Ericka and Van’s awkward conversation in Brilliant Minds Season 1 Episode 9, who else thought they were over?
Imagine my surprise when Erica discreetly invited him over again. They act like a mysterious couple at work.
This is not going to end well because Erica doesn’t want a child and Van has a son that she doesn’t know about. The model was supposed to have a baby. He reassured Finn and his father more than anyone else.
We all know something as important as having a baby can make or break a couple, especially since adorable Van probably thinks they’re in it for the long-term, while Erica just wants to have fun. I don’t want to see him get hurt.
Unfortunately, Jacob may have been injured as well. He tries to put Erica first and brings her favorite ice cream. He was ready to express his feelings, but the timing wasn’t right.
Does he know those red shoes are from Vans? Will this ruin the fun atmosphere for the interns? The love triangle gets even messier.
Dana gets a wingman to help her solicit her love interest
Dana and Katie are adorable. They act like kindred spirits because they understand the long-term emotional pain and wanting to let go. Katie needs someone by her side to help motivate her.
I loved that when Katie started her treatment in the cold pool, Dana and Jacob were there cheering her on. There is a subtle flirtation between them, but Dana thinks Katie has a partner.
Those cute scenes between Dana and Jacob must have been teased by Ori Krebs in her Brilliant Minds intern interview, when she said we’d soon see an unexpected friendship.
The way they cheer each other on is sweet but unexpected. Hopefully we’ll see more development in Dana and Katie’s relationship in the final episodes of the season. Dana deserves happiness too.
Over to you, bright-minded fanatic. What was your favorite part of this episode? What about the suspense? Can Carol escape another mess?
Do you like seeing Dana with her lover? What do you think of the younger versions of Wolfe and Carol?
Let us know in the comments.
Watch “Ingenuity” online
