Brilliant Minds Season 1 Finale Review: [Spoiler’s] Return Throws Oliver’s World Out of Control

Critic’s Rating: 4.6 / 5.0

4.6

That was some cliffhanger, and hopefully, the showrunners are confident that NBC will renew it for another season because this can’t be the end.

Before that, let’s discuss what happened in Brilliant Minds Season 1 Episode 12 and how the apartment collapsed, changing many characters’ lives.

This was the most action-packed and high-stakes case yet, and it demonstrated the importance of thinking fast and having people you can count on.

Josh and Oliver Rush to Save an Injured Woman

Waiting several weeks after Brilliant Minds Season 1 Episode 11’s cliffhanger was torturous.  While we suspected they’d save Ericka, with the apartment collapsing, there would be other victims.

That accident kept us on the edge of our seats. There was a woman named Jenna trapped under the rubble with an open compressed fracture.

While the EMTs called for Josh, I loved how Oliver insisted on accompanying him to the accident site. I’m confident it was partly to search for Ericka, but part of it was he didn’t want Josh out of his site during this trauma.

Jenna was similar to Oliver since she refused to be operated on until she had Stuart, her emotional support dog.

He’s also dependent on his circle, so he understood that, but he also grasped the necessity of lowering the pressure on her brain so she’d survive.

This was likely the case that Teddy Sears teased that Josh and Oliver teamed up to help an ailing woman. Using their different perspectives helped, but they needed Josh’s clinical skills to save her.

Ericka’s World Collapses

Ericka (Ashleigh LaThrop) shined here. She was scared but had to use her medical training when Gene collapsed after trying to free her and Celia, his granddaughter.

She initially thought he had a stroke but then realized he had pulsatile tinnitus, which makes him hear sounds in sync with his heartbeat.

I’m unsure how she stayed that calm under pressure, but Ericka managed to limit the blood flow to Gene’s arm and redirect it to his brain again, waking him up and giving them a reprieve.

Poor Ericka. The three of them worked hard to get out, and the rescue team only got her and Gene out before the building and elevator collapsed.

I suspect Celia knew that would happen, and she wanted Ericka there to help her grandfather. However, that sacrifice hurt, and Ericka was devastated to learn that Gene had lost his beloved granddaughter.

She wished she had died instead.

It’s Vital to Have Those Who Tear Down Your Walls

This wall emphasized the importance of having a close friend or a life partner during times of need. Initially, I thought I cried the hardest during Brilliant Minds Season 1 Episode 7, but this one took the cake.

While Ericka was in danger, the other interns had to cope without her. Van nearly lost it, partly because Ericka had become his anchor and was mad at him.

I loved how Jacob told Van to lean on him, partly because they were friends and partly because he didn’t want Ericka any angrier at them.

Jacob: I’ll be your anchor. If things get tough. If things get hectic, lean on me. I’ll keep it together for you, for us, and for Ericka because, frankly, she’ll kick both of our asses if we don’t hold down the fort.

Nothing made me tear up more than Ericka and Dana’s bond. Dana was sure her friend would be a hero, yet she was terrified when she couldn’t reach her.

After everything that happened, the only person Ericka wanted was Dana. It broke my heart how she clung to her and wouldn’t let go.

Dana knew how much Ericka needed her and postponed a date with Katie to care for her. She’s always had difficulty delivering tragic news, but she told Gene his granddaughter died when Ericka couldn’t face him.

It seemed like a simple gesture, but sometimes offering a friend a place to crash when they’ve lost everything is everything.

Oliver also realized how much certain people meant to him. At the beginning of the season, the interns were more like a nuisance he put up with.

But when he heard Ericka was in danger, he would have done anything to rescue her.

Oliver: When I took this job, the last thing I wanted to deal with was interns. Carol conveniently left that part of the job description out. But now I can’t imagine coming to work without you.

Ericka: See? Told you you’d want me around.

Oliver has changed in his personal life, too. He realized he almost lost Josh when he ran outside to find someone for Jenna. He’s lost too many people, and losing another terrified him.

Seeing that admission and the simple affection of handholding and embraces as they shared dinner at home showed how far they’ve come.

We love how they can lean on each other and become stronger.

Oliver’s World Begins Closing In

Oliver is used to solving cases inside the hospital and felt overwhelmed by the crowds at the collapsed building. He couldn’t recognize any markers of faces and was terrified that he almost lost Josh inside.

He couldn’t find Ericka and felt helpless in saving the survivors. This flooded some uncomfortable memories of his dad’s bipolar and trying to visit him at the hospital.

His dad walked past him. I suspect he had one of his episodes, but maybe Noah and Oliver shared a similar facial blindness.

It almost seemed cruel to bring Noah back as Oliver’s life was finally successful. Even Muriel said that at the beginning of Brilliant Minds Season 1 Episode 13.

Oliver made a difference in his patient’s lives. He’s dating a neurosurgeon.  Why did Noah Wolf return now?

Noah’s Return Makes Oliver Distrust Everyone

We probably should have been suspicious when Mandy Patinkin was credited only as a doctor, which generally suggests a more important character.

Noah Wolf (Patinkin) saw his son in action at the accident scene, but Oliver wasn’t aware who was talking to him.

Oliver seemed blissfully happy with Josh, and Josh admitted he was falling in love with him, something neither ever experienced.

However, you know what they say. You can never be happy for long before your world crashes down around you.

It was all over as Noah appeared at Oliver’s pleading his case. Oliver didn’t recognize his father and believed he died years ago.

It only worsened as Noah kept piling things as Muriel and Carol arrived. Poor Oliver felt betrayed by everyone he knew.

It was the first time I understood what Muriel had done. Her husband had a mental illness and left their son in the woods because of a vision. She was terrified for Oliver’s safety as any mom would be.

Should she have told her son that Noah was actually alive? Absolutely? But she tried to stop Noah from disappearing and never dreamed he’d return. She made her choices out of love, while I’m unsure about him.

Even though Noah has bipolar disorder, he chose to abandon his son and stay gone for nearly 30 years. Understandably, Oliver doesn’t know who or what to believe anymore.

Watching him pull away from Josh was heartbreaking since they’ve come so far. However, Oliver questioned everything in his life and didn’t believe Josh knew him anymore.

They are a strong couple, and hopefully, they’ll make their way back if the show returns. However, I think Oliver has a longer road ahead to forgive his parents, especially Noah.

Oliver told Van and Jacob that a relationship is built on truth; children look up to their parents and count on them for honest answers.

Oliver has been lied to so many times. Can he believe anything his father tells him?  While having someone return should be a blessing, it’s understandable that Oliver was confused.

Ericka’s PTSD Puts Her on Edge

Initially, it appeared that Ericka had healed. She and Dana bantered like usual, but Ericka had a slight panic attack as they neared the elevator again. She hasn’t stepped on one since it collapsed, killing Celia.

The interns rallied around Ericka at work. She didn’t react when Van and Jacob entered the elevator but freaked out when Dana did.

Van: So, what does this mean?

Dana: It means I’m her favorite.

Unfortunately, the closeness between the friends dipped as Dana grew frustrated and suggested Ericka get some meds for her PTSD.

When Ericka stated she didn’t want to lean on a crutch, Dana assumed Ericka implied that she was weak for taking anxiety meds, and things spiraled. Dana has always been self-conscious about her anxiety, so she felt judged.

While Ericka eventually entered an elevator and claimed it was because of meditation, we later saw her sneaking pills. Ericka wasn’t as honest and together as she claimed.

There isn’t any shame in needing help, and I’d hate to see her develop a pill addiction, though it would make a fascinating story arc.

Other Ramblings Around Bronx Hospital

Betsy’s case was disheartening but eye-opening. Loneliness could have killed her if the accident hadn’t brought her to the hospital. I’m relieved she had some caring neighbors, and Carol reached out.

Oliver taught Paster Thomas the importance of telling the truth to your loved ones. While she thought keeping her cancer from her congregation was protecting them, he reminded her they’d probably want to support her.

The finale didn’t focus on Carol much. She tried to move on until Muriel received a complaint about an ethical conflict of interest. Carol had always helped Muriel, so it stung that Muriel put her on leave without defending her.

We love Van in dad mode. He also learned the importance of being honest and regulating his emotions in front of his son, which had to be challenging with mirror touch.

The interns remained the heart of the series. While we love triangles, we love how they’ve become more like a family.

I wish they had explored Dana and Katie’s relationship earlier. They’ve encouraged each other to take risks and open up more. Hopefully, there will be a second season, and we’ll see more of them.

Stay tuned for our exclusive interviews with EP Michael Grassi and EP and director DeMane Davis.

You can binge all of Brilliant Minds on Peacock.

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