‘Brilliant Minds’ Recap: ‘The First Responder’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

BRILLIANT MINDS -- "The First Responder" Episode 110 -- Pictured: (l-r) Zachary Quinto as Dr. Oliver Wolf, Teddy Sears as Dr. Josh Nichols -- (Photo by: Rafy/NBC)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 110 of ‘Brilliant Minds’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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We are taught from a very early age, to handle healing in a very specific manner. In that, when we hurt, we need to suck it up and forge ahead. For pain, in any capacity is fleeting, and one should never feel it. So, we learn to push through it and if we cannot, we find new ways to and well, there are definite pros and cons of healing in this manner. On the plus side, it does show us what we are made of and what we can handle from a pain tolerance standpoint. Not to mention, it does teach us how to cope sometimes with the minor stuff that is worth shoving aside. But the cons, truly outweigh the pros. Because as mentioned, when we don’t get immediate results… we find ways to get what we want, and that is troublesome.

Because such a decision can bring about real problems down the line, the kind we will eventually have to face, as evidenced by the next episode of Brilliant Minds on NBC. Which ‘The First Responder’ showcased by way of an introduction to an EMT named Katie Rodriguez. Who was a regular at Bronx General and was suddenly in peril, physically. Because she passed out in front the ER and her health deteriorated quickly. Mainly because, she had caught a nasty case of meningitis, one that only made itself present in older individuals and that brought forth a health reckoning for Katie. One that showcased why we cannot just forge ahead when we are ill or injured and in need of healing.

For it was revealed that Katie took a bullet in the line duty, and pushed herself back to service ahead of schedule, and because she wasn’t ready… she opted to use steroids to function. To push through. Which made her immunocompromised and nearly cost her, her life. Which made it clear, while the world says we must shove ahead and be the rock and figure out how to heal… we cannot. We have to slow down, take the time to heal and reflect on our pain. For that is what gives us strength when we are ready and oddly enough, Dr. Wolf helped to showcase, that truth behind that statement. Since we learned about how he handled pain, of the emotional sort, and how he used to push through it in a negative manner. But Carol and time helped him to understand how to handle it better and how to prevent himself from slipping into old haunts, and he applied that here with positive results.

But while it was fascinating to learn this lesson, as is always the case, the show had more to offer us. For in between Katie’s journey and Wolf’s reflections, was a fascinating case involving a boy named Finn. Who we learned could not process pain at all, courtesy of Ericka’s keen observation skills regarding Van’s ability to empathize to pain, and that led to some fascinating lessons on how someone would recover from such physical apathy. Not to mention, we saw Van and Ericka make more effort in being together and it would seem the secret will soon be out regarding their affair, since Jacob stumbled upon a clue in his attempts to romance Ericka. And of course, we’d be remiss to not talk about Carol’s journey here. Since she not only had to confront her husband about his actions and suffer through some hard truth… but she had to try to save the life of the woman he’s been having an affair with, since she would not let go of Carol as a therapist… or the dark emotions this all brought forth.

All of which gave rise to a wonderful hybrid episode for the series. Since it featured the mystery cases we love and adore alongside the character studies we are learning to crave. Because the people that make up this universe are equally as compelling, and so like us and so fascinating in general and well, you simply cannot go wrong with a story that gives us both. Since it made for one compelling tale that left us with plenty to ponder upon and look forward to. Since it would seem that Josh and Oliver are really working toward something sustainable, and Carol is finding agency while Van, Ericka, Jacob and Dana keep working to find themselves, and it will be interesting to see how all this growth pays off as we inch toward the end of season one of this brilliant show. Until next time.

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