Brilliant Minds Season 1 Report Card: Best Episode, Favorite Intern, and More

Medical dramas are a dime a dozen, but Brilliant Minds explored thought-provoking cases that affected the mind.

These cases were intriguing, and many affected the doctors personally, too. The series excelled at balancing medical and personal cases so audiences would grow invested in the characters.

While we think the series ended too soon, it ended on a cliffhanger, so we’re hopeful it’ll get renewed for a second season. Let’s rank and review its most memorable and least satisfying moments.

Best Episode: Brilliant Minds Season 1 Episode 7

While we loved every episode of Brilliant Minds, no other episode affected us more than Brilliant Minds Season 1 Episode 7.

It illustrated the importance of having Roman, aka John Doe’s voice, heard. He felt invisible until he was brought to Bronx Hospital, where Dr. Wolf and his interns strived to help him.

While it was heartbreaking that the first thing he asked for was to die, it had to be depressing to live like that. It was understandable he didn’t want Alex tied down to him, even though he would have.

I also understood why Oliver had difficulty honoring his wishes.

Although he didn’t like to give up on his patients, he had to honor Roman’s wishes. Watching them all at Oliver’s house looking at the stars brings tears to my eyes.

Roman affected so many people’s lives. He had witnessed the close connection that Oliver and Josh shared, even though Oliver initially brushed that off.

In some ways, Oliver and Josh seemed as forbidden as Roman and Alex were, so Oliver fulfilled Roman’s fantasy, and instead, Oliver kissed Josh in the middle of the street.

It was a massive leap for the two, but one fans had been waiting for.

Best Storyline: Exploring How His Dad’s Bipolar Affected Oliver

Brilliant Minds has always been about mental health and, most importantly, how Oliver dealt with his father having bipolar and then losing his dad at a young age.

The series demonstrated how memories are distorted and how Oliver wanted to believe the best about his dad. But as he grew older, he remembered the reality of those episodes. That’s a difficult thing to cope with.

While many of the flashbacks were from Oliver’s POV, some were from Noah’s and Muriel’s perspectives. They showed how Noah’s delusions affected Oliver’s safety and the drastic decisions they made.

Ultimately, Oliver became a doctor because he wanted to save people since he couldn’t save his dad. That has always been his motivation, so he’ll probably have difficulty turning his back on his dad now.

Worst Storyline: Carol Treating Morris’s Mistress in Therapy

Carol’s treatment of Alison was a horrible idea from the moment she showed up on Brilliant Minds Season 1 Episode 8. Alison seemed hellbent on stalking Carol to get assistance to win Morris back.

Every time Carol tried to cut ties and refer her elsewhere, Alison acted desperate, and Carol gave in. I’m not trying to ridicule people with a mental illness, but Alison seemed like a crazy and vengeful woman.

I suspected she only wanted to hurt Carol with that suicide attempt on Brilliant Minds Season 1 Episode 11.

While Tamberla Perry gave her best performance as Carol took responsibility for her part in Alison’s downfall and her divorce, it might have been too late.

Someone still reported Carol to the medical board for an ethical conflict of interest. It seemed like Carol and Alison made peace, or was that an act? Did she still enact revenge?

Best Oliver and Josh Moment: Oliver Tells Josh He Wants to Try

Oliver Wolf and Josh Nichols’ relationship has been one of the best parts of the series. Initially, it seemed like they got together because they missed Roman, but that was only the catalyst.

They had such sizzling chemistry that they could barely keep their hands off each other. Since they were doctors at the same hospital, this became a problem when Muriel caught them kissing in the elevator.

Passionate elevator kisses are among my favorite things, but nothing is more embarrassing than your mom catching you making out with your new boyfriend.

While Muriel tried not to interfere, she scared Josh enough that he ended things with Oliver. Oliver was horrified that his mom ruined something else, but then he fought for his man.

The ending of Brilliant Minds Season 1 Episode 8 was poignant. Oliver put all his cards on the table. He wanted to give their relationship a try, and if it imploded, they would adapt.

Oliver didn’t take chances in relationships much, but several patients had taught him how precious life was. I also appreciated that Josh joked that Oliver had proven them wrong before, so he was willing to test those odds.

Neither man had been in a serious relationship lately, so it was a gamble for both.

Most Frustrating Oliver and Josh Moment: Oliver Pushes Josh Away on His Big Night

While Oliver’s mindset was completely understandable, it was frustrating to watch him push Josh away multiple times on Brilliant Minds Season 1 Episode 13.

We get it. Oliver just learned that his father was alive and discovered that his mom had lied to him for years. His world had been upended, so he no longer knew who he was. How could Josh love him?

Besides that, Oliver often puts up walls and doesn’t let people inside. It’s heartbreaking that he didn’t let Josh inside, considering that Josh recently confided he was falling for him, and that took guts.

Seeing Josh look dashing in his tux alone without Oliver broke our hearts. While Oliver needed answers from his dad, we wish he had done it another time.

On Brilliant Minds Season 1 Episode 11, Josh mentioned that Oliver didn’t value his work. Oliver’s absence from the gala where he was being honored will reinforce that belief.

Favorite Intern: Dana

We love all the interns, but Dana is unique. She brings out the best in people.

While initially, it seemed like Dana only liked to party, she also struggled with anxiety and used partying as a coping mechanism.

On Brilliant Minds Season 1 Episode 6, the series explored how Dana’s anxiety originated, and she had a panic attack when she returned to high school. Dana bonded with one of the teenagers because Lily reminded her of her dead younger sister.

Dana formed close bonds with the other interns. She was the first person to know about Van’s mirror touch. She and Jacob confided in each other about one another’s crushes. What she and Ericka share is unique since Dana wants the best for her and offers her friend a place to live.

Dana was the best at reading a situation and even reminded Dr. Wolf that she would give anything to see her sister again, so he should listen to his father’s explanation before writing him off.

Break-out Performance: Ashleigh LaThorp in Ericka’s PTSD Breakdown

While Ericka (Ashleigh LaThorp has had some strong performances throughout the season, she excelled when she broke down to Dana (Aury Krebs) after being rescued from the elevator on Brilliant Minds Season 1 Episode 12.

Director DeMane Davis praised LaThorp for her preparation for being traumatized. Viewers felt Ericka’s survivor guilt that she lived and Celia didn’t.

She also felt guilty for complaining she lost her valuables while alive, but those things matter. Her layered performance made viewers feel for her.

She continued to sell that performance on Brilliant Minds Season 1 Episode 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, while Ericka thought she could handle it without them. That’s not the case since we saw Ericka steal some of Dana’s pills. We can’t wait to see LaThorp tackle that story arc in a potential Season 2.

Best Cliffhanger: Noah Wolf Isn’t Dead

We probably should have suspected that Oliver’s dad wasn’t dead, especially since they never showed a body after Oliver got lost in the woods.

Those flashbacks on Brilliant Minds Season 1 Episode 12 were another clue. Oliver kept remembering how sick Noah was when he saw his son working the accident scene at the apartment building.

I said this previously; it almost seemed cruel to have Noah return when Oliver’s life went well.

It made entertaining drama, but he finally made peace with his mother and was thriving at work. He and Josh were happy, and secrets and lies upended his entire world.

Overall Grade: A-

Brilliant Minds quickly became one of the hits of the fall season. The weekly cases often explored new medical situations, allowing Dr. Wolf and his interns to try new methods.

Initially, Dr. Wolf was a lone wolf, but by the end, he had found his pack or “found family” with his interns. They supported him as much as he had helped them.

There aren’t many shows that highlight a healthy adult LBGTQ relationship, but Oliver and Josh managed to navigate one despite their differences.

The series also showcased Oliver Wolf’s strong friendship with Carol Pierce and the bonds between the interns. The relationships were the heart of the series, while the cases were also fascinating.

We hope the series is renewed so we can follow these relationships and story arcs more closely.

Over to you, TV Fanatics. How would you grade Brilliant Minds Season 1? Vote below and share your thoughts in the comments.

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