The fall TV season has finally returned, and it felt like coming home. While the offerings are still scarce, we’re grateful for what we have.
Brilliant Minds Season 2 Episode 1 showed us how much we’ve missed this series, as it combined compelling medical mysteries and mental health issues.
Dr. Oliver Wolf was already an intriguing character, but somehow, Brilliant Minds found a way to peel even more layers from him.
The Brilliant Minds Season 2 premiere balanced character stories with the weekly case, while also introducing an unfolding mystery and a new format. Brilliant Minds excels at getting to know its doctors, though that proves more challenging with a larger staff.
We’re Going to Wonder All Season Why Wolf Is In Hudson Oaks
That opening was genius! We’re going to guess all season why Wolf is in Hudson Oaks, and what drove him to need psychiatric help.
I love how the series did a flash forward and then went back in time six months, which is about 45 days after Wolf met his dad at the diner.
He’s trying to cope with everything, but he won’t even sleep at home. He’s sleeping in his office and avoiding his father.
I initially thought keeping all this inside would make him lose it, but even Nichols knows about his dad, so something huge has to push him over the edge.
His fighting skills also play a part, as Dr. Frederick (Bellamy Young) was appalled that he knew such effective moves. I’m excited to learn if he learned that in one lesson, or if Tommy appears again.
The New Docs Don’t Make The Best First Impressions
Bronx Hospital looks more realistic with the extra docs, but they did not make the best first impression initially.
Jacob (Spence Moore II) was the neurology intern in the ER, and while he vibed well with Dr. Thorne (John Clarence Stewart), Dr. Thorne spent only a few minutes on his patients.
Jacob was used to how Dr. Wolf worked and knew to call neurology as soon as Tommy came into the ER, even if he was neuro.
Dr. Thorne almost seemed to have two personalities. While he told Jacob and Ericka to get a patient on meds and out of his ER, he wanted Carol back at the hospital as the head psychiatrist to help.
They almost bantered like friends, and she seemed like the person who made him seem human.
Dr. Charlie Porter (Brian Altemus) rubbed me the wrong way, too. He made himself too comfortable in Wolf’s office and insinuated he wanted to bribe Tommy to get him to agree to testing, which offended Wolf.
He seemed arrogant and competitive, implying he knew more than the interns, taunting that he was their superior. He seemed to really have it in for Ericka, who doesn’t take flak from anyone.
While Dr. Porter apologized to Wolf at the end, I don’t trust him.
He insisted he wasn’t a mole for Wolf’s mom, but could he be working for someone else who wants Wolf’s downfall?
Carol Sees How Needed She Is
While I loved seeing Porsha Williams (The Real Housewives of Atlanta) play a rich snob named Bitsy, it was evident that Carol missed dealing with real-world issues.
Sure, she needed the money to support her daughter, but she and Wolf thrive working together.
Corol looked in her element, meeting with Tommy to help Wolf understand why he punched himself.
I love Brilliant Minds because so many of these cases combine neurology and psychology. Tommy’s case wasn’t easy because he had a mean left hook, but when he got frustrated, he attacked himself with his right hand.
It wasn’t as simple as a case of nerves from losing a match, but it wasn’t a case that could be fixed with anger management, either. There was something seriously wrong with Tommy, and the undue pressure from his father only worsened matters.
It seemed insensitive at times, but Carol looked like she belonged back at Bronx Hospital, so much so that she told Wolf’s mom she wanted to return and was ready to fight for her job.
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Finding the Balance Between Bolstering Sons and Toxic Masculinity
I’ve studied psychology, and my stomach dropped as I watched how Tommy’s father treated him, insulting him and insinuating there was something wrong if he missed a shot.
All his father cared about was Tommy’s MMA career. He was more concerned that Wolf wouldn’t report the punch thrown at him than finding out why Tommy punched himself or Wolf.
That man seemed almost violent and made me wonder if Tommy suffered child abuse, especially the way he described his fear of displeasing his father. Tommy explained how he and father bonded over MMA fighter, and his dad never made it, so he was his father’s pride and joy.
That’s enormous pressure, especially since his father believed in molding a strong man rather than fixing a broken one. It was toxic masculinity.
That’s where the delicate balance comes in. There was nothing wrong with encouraging a son, but then Tommy’s father literally hid a Parkinson’s diagnosis from him and began medicating him.
He wanted him to believe he was invincible and still win, yet Tommy would rather know the truth. There is no shame in being human.
Tommy’s dad crossed the line when he threatened Wolf for treating his son. The best part about that scene was watching Nichols swoop in and defend Wolf, saying Tommy’s dad would leave on a stretcher if he laid one finger on Wolf.
As a shipper, it was swoon-worthy, but from a psychology standpoint, it was horrifying.
Poor Tommy. It was a hard pill to swallow, knowing your hero lied to you and only cared about you if you succeeded.
This case affected Jacob and Wolf the most. Jacob has been estranged from his father since his football injury, and he went into medicine. Hopefully, the series explores that more this season.
Wolf realized it was better to have an imperfect father than a dead father and try to repair their relationship, only to be disappointed again.
I really enjoyed the parrellels between the father and son relationships, and think this a fantastic case to begin with.
Wolf Failed to Get His House in Order and Started to Break
You had to feel for Wolf. He did the dutiful thing and tried to help his father, even if he avoided his father personally.
He seemed to have forgiven his mom, but she had difficulty hearing about Noah. She didn’t want him to die, but she didn’t want Noah’s presence to hurt Wolf again, either.
Muriel only agreed to help with Noah’s treatment for Oliver’s peace of mind. It sucked as soon as she agreed, Noah left him again. Will that cause Oliver to spiral again, or will he think things can magically go back to normal?
I love Wolf, but I suspect he’ll think he can turn the clock back two months, pick things up with Nichols, and things will be fine.
While Wolf never meant to hurt Nichols, leaving him in limbo hurt. Nichols never expected perfection, but he wanted to be left in the loop. Trust is a massive thing for him.
He cares for Wolf deeply, but he needs Wolf to choose him and be ready to take the next step as well.
I’m relieved it didn’t happen immediately. I’m confident they’ll reunite eventually, but they need time to process the hurt, be friends again, and come back together.
Over to you, Brilliant Minds Fanatics. What was your favorite part of “The Phantom Hook?” Why do you think Wolf ends up in Hudson Oaks? Will Carol be back at Bronx Hospital?
Let us know in the comments.
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If you enjoyed our Brilliant Minds coverage and want to see more discussions about character-centric shows, yours truly covers Will Trent. We also cover medical shows like DOC, Best Medicine, and more. Interested in more analytical and passionate pieces? Check out our editorials and op-eds.-
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