It's high time that "Brilliant Minds" dives deeper into the intricate web of Dr. Josh Nichols (played brilliantly by Teddy Sears), the talented neurosurgeon, the newly minted boss, and the love interest of the protagonist. With his vast potential, it's only natural that he demands more screen time to fully unfurl his complexities. The fifth episode of Season 2, titled "Once Upon a Time in America," is a poignant hour that revolves around two brothers and their mother, a case that thrusts Josh into the limelight.
The episode commences with Josh meticulously cleaning up a gory surgery room, his solitary figure casting a somber aura. As the new boss, Josh's plate is overflowing with responsibilities. He balances performing surgeries with managing an entire hospital, keeping all departments in check, and squeezing in a workout. This scenario presents Wolf (Zachary Quinto) with a serene opportunity as he drops off his paperwork, a subtle nod to Josh's request for him to reign in his actions.
Their interactions, though once tinged with affection but now shrouded in the new reality of potential and future HR violations, create a delightful back-and-forth dynamic. For now, they are merely colleagues, and it's refreshing to witness this side of their relationship.
When they're summoned to the ER by two brothers, Jorge and Benny, who have survived a fall from 39 stories up with severe head injuries, Josh prepares them for surgery and orders Wolf to be ready to take them into neuro. The episode's focus on Josh becomes apparent as soon as the brothers are taken to the back—two extreme emergency cases that test Josh's limits under additional responsibilities. By the opening scene of "Brilliant Minds Season 2 Episode 5," we already know that at least one of them won't survive.
The expanded cast of "Brilliant Minds Season 2" allows us to glimpse more of Bronx General and the doctors and nurses who work there. While it means Jacob (Spence Moore II) and Van have taken a backseat this season, it effectively imbues Bronx General with a lived-in feel, with many moving parts contributing to its vitality. One aspect that stands out in this episode is how much these kinds of cases require a team effort.
In the ER department, Thorne (John Clarence Stewart) and the team, including the ever-present Jacob, undertake the initial assessment, while Josh and his surgical crew hone their skills for the grueling hours of invasive surgery ahead. Meanwhile, Wolf and his neuro team prepare for the recovery sessions, should the patients make it through the ordeal. The introduction of head nurse Scotty Silva, assigned by Josh to the neuro department, adds a new dimension to the nurses' roles.
As Josh works tirelessly on Jorge, Wolf keeps a watchful eye on Benny to ensure no lasting head traumas. However, Jorge's prolonged struggle against death contrasts with Benny's relatively swift recovery. Their mother, Ana, shows a distressing favoritism towards Jorge, a fact that Ericka (Ashleigh LaThrop), acting as a translator, discovers through conversations with Ana. This knowledge creates a deeply emotional hour, especially when Scotty, taking over for Ericka, manipulates the truth of translations between Ana and Benny in an attempt to force a reconciliation.
Benny's death is a heart-wrenching twist that brings us back to the opening scene of Josh cleaning the bloody surgery room by himself. Wolf's appearance to offer his help is a poignant moment between them, one of their finest scenes together. The fact that they are not together here is almost more poignant; they are colleagues navigating the aftermath of a tragedy, offering support and emphasizing that they did everything they could. Even Josh realizes he needs to cut back on his hours.
The intense drama of the surgery is interspersed with multiple side plots that offer respite from the emotional beats of the main plot. They are not lighthearted by any means, but they allow for some wonderful character moments between Dana (Aury Krebs) and Ericka, Carol (Tamberla Perry) and Thorne, and Wolf and Scotty. Still struggling with the fact that Dana turned Carol into the board, Ericka finds herself unsure how to keep their friendship alive.
The tension is palpable, and Jacob's perceptiveness is a delightful moment as the four-intern team's absence is keenly felt. He gently reminds Ericka of Dana's friendship and encourages her to trust that she had her reasons. This leads to a heartwarming reconciliation between the two by the end of the episode.
Scotty emerges as a promising addition to Brilliant Minds, fiercely defending his nurses and urging Wolf to get to know and appreciate them more. Despite being aware of Wolf's face blindness, he pushes him to try harder. This side plot expertly introduces a new character who will undoubtedly shine in future episodes. What elevates this new pairing is the mutual respect they share, their willingness to call each other out when they're wrong, and their ability to make amends when necessary. Scotty, like Wolf, possesses a hint of rebelliousness, as evidenced by his creative use of the Spanish language while translating.
However, the episode does struggle with Carol's role as a psychiatrist in this case. Ana initially resists talking to Carol, believing in God as her therapist, but later they sit down to chat. While this aspect feels slightly undeveloped, it doesn't detract from the overall enjoyment. The Carol and Thorne romance continues to blossom, as they bond over their children's handling of their divorces, providing insight into Thorne's character.
