(This article contains spoilers)
Brilliant Minds Season 2 finally reveals one of its major mysteries, putting Porter (Brian Altemus) right at the center of the main storyline! Fans of the show had several theories, from Porter being a character from Oliver’s (Zachary Quinto) past to being related to him. Now that the mystery is lifted, the next step of this storyline is on its tracks. But what does it mean for Oliver?
The episode opens three months after the current events. Oliver is in a room at Hudson Oaks. He looks really unwell, and states Dr. Frederick (Bellamy Young) is holding him against his will. The scene shines a light on the situation, even if a small one, and our fears might be confirmed: Oliver’s father is at the root of his mental breakdown. But we won’t see more of the situation in this episode. This brief glimpse leaves us wanting more, but gives us plenty to theorize about.
The case du jour is a ballet dancer experiencing hallucinations when dancing. While looking into her background, the team realizes it’s linked to a past hospitalization that traumatized her. What she experiences is PTSD from this. Their main work is now to deprogram the fear that causes physical symptoms.
Now, let’s talk about Porter. The episode being titled after his character, it was expected for him to have some focus. We see him talk about his struggles at work to his therapist, and especially his tensed relationship with Oliver as a boss, but also as a person. His therapist then suggests he just be himself. It can only be better…right? Well, it’ll reach a new level of problems very quickly.
For Oliver, things are more calm, homey. His mother (Donna Murphy) is decorating his house for Christmas, and they talk about the hospital gala happening the same evening. Surprisingly, Muriel, who’s organizing the gala, tells Oliver he can skip the yearly event. She really tries to go easy on him, it shows the growth between them, the love they managed to patch up, and a listening parent who respects their child, whatever their age.
Unfortunately, Oliver is still defensive and sees that as his mother trying to psychoanalyze him. She’s trying to show him she can relate to him, that she doesn’t have to be the one he turns to when he needs help, but he takes it the wrong way. Or maybe he’s right, maybe she is trying to analyze him by being “too kind.” But right now, she’s definitely trying a lot more than he is, and he can’t see it, or just doesn’t want to.
The interns, helped by Michelle (Stacey Farber) — who’s now back with Van (Alex MacNicoll) —, are still trying to find a liver for Sam (Nabil Rajo), but things don’t look great. Even with the improvements in Sam’s situation, thanks to his family being back in his life, his mental health issues place him outside the pool of favored candidates.
Jacob (Spence Moore II) is back with the team after working in the ER for a while, which could mean we’ll see more of him in the second half of the season. Unless he leaves for Texas. We learn later in the episode that he has an opportunity of residency in his hometown, Dallas. It should be good news, it’s his dream job, but there’s no Ericka (Ashleigh LaThrop) in Dallas… Jacob still has feelings for her. We saw less of him, but his feelings didn’t change. I don’t know what’s the right choice here; love or career. There’s no magic recipe for happiness, and what would make someone happy would be someone else’s hell.
For Carol (Tamberla Perry), things are a mixed bag of good news and confusing signals. She just signed her divorce, and is already planning on celebrating this with Thorne (John Clarence Stewart) during the gala. They’re not dating, but they’re growing close now. Unfortunately, his personal situation isn’t as available as it let it sound.
Dr. Frederick is also trying to become Carol’s friend by being nice and friendly, using the fact they’re now both divorced to pull the girl’s girl card. It’s obvious she’s trying very hard to be nice to sell Hudson Oaks to her, as she seems to have identified Carol as a potential entry point at the hospital. And this could play a part in Oliver’s admission to the psychiatric center. If Carol does start to see Hudson Oaks as a safe option for Oliver, she might recommend the center to him herself.
After arguing again with Porter, Oliver is complaining to Josh (Teddy Sears) about the resident. It’s a tricky situation. Porter is not being unprofessional per se, he’s young, sure, he doesn’t have the same experience as Oliver, but whatever his personality is, his medical decisions make sense and are not complete mistakes. He’s good at his job. What clashes is the way he behaves with Oliver. The thing is, Oliver probably sees his younger self in the way Porter acts, and his own past mistakes are still hurting him. Porter’s missteps remind him of his own failures.
While things are tense at the hospital, it’s time for the gala. Everyone is getting prepared, but the evening is not a moment of fun for everyone. Ericka, supported by Oliver and her fellow interns, plans on using this special occasion to meet Dr. Walker (Mike Shara), the head of the Transplant Committee. She hopes to plead for Sam’s case personally and make him change his mind. Unfortunately, Dr. Walker doesn’t seem very open and disagrees, even with Sam’s positive change of situation.
Oliver being Oliver, he refuses to let Sam die and forces the Transplant Committee to put Sam on the list by thanking them publicly during the gala for accepting him on the transplant program. Yes, Oliver lied, and he trapped Dr. Walker, who is now forced to comply. Are we really surprised? That’s just the way Oliver operates when facing a wall: he always finds a way to overcome obstacles.
And right when things seem promising for the evening, Porter is invited to make a speech by none other than Muriel herself. As a promising resident, he’s obviously put in the spotlight in front of sponsors to showcase one of the ways their money is put to use. But this is when things take a dramatic turn. Porter talks about his mother who died from a brain tumor, and reveals that the doctor who took her in charge inspired him to become a doctor, not because he admired him, but because he gave her and her family false hope knowing her case was terminal.
Oliver recognizes the woman in the photo Porter is displaying. It’s her, the ghost from this season’s Halloween episode 6, The Doctor’s Graveyard, the woman from Oliver’s past. Everything makes sense now, the way Porter is behaving with Oliver, always trying to make him see how wrong he is, overstepping in cases. But that’s not all. As Oliver, shocked, steps outside the venue, he’s followed by Porter. Oliver tries to make him understand his position at the time, his lack of experience and his will to help, and Porter reveals that losing his mother led to losing his father a few years later. Unknowingly, Oliver played a dark role in Porter’s life. In an unexpected move, Porter gives Oliver an address, the one where his father, Noah, is staying at the moment. His goal? See who will break first: him or Oliver.
And this is probably how Oliver really starts spiraling.
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