‘Brilliant Minds’ Recap: ‘The Girl Who Cried Pregnant’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

BRILLIANT MINDS -- "The Girl Who Cried Pregnant" Episode 106 -- Pictured: (l-r) Alex MacNicoll as Dr. Van Markus, Aury Krebs as Dr. Dana Dang, Zachary Quinto as Dr. Oliver Wolf, Spence Moore II as Jacob Nash, Ashleigh LaThrop as Ericka Kinney -- (Photo by: Rafy/NBC)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Six of ‘Brilliant Minds’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It is downright fascinating, how we view mental health. Because not only do we still do our best collectively to keep discussions of it in the dark, in any capacity, but we also… see it as separate to our standard health. As though it should be handled differently because it has no impact or relation to what we normally deal with when it comes to our bodies. Which may explain why as a society, we can get treatment for a sprained anything immediately but have to wait weeks for a psychological appointment. Because we can ‘deal’ with a mental problem and well, we simply have to stop putting mental health on the backburner, plain and simple.

Because it has a massive impact upon our lives. Depression for instance, can cause physical impact upon us, and so can grief and anxiety and just about everything in between. To the point where we will need extensive care if it lingers long enough and that is why this week’s episode of Brilliant Minds needs to be celebrated. Simply because it showcased this reality in a supremely unique manner. For ‘The Girl Who Cried Pregnancy’ saw Dr. Wolf and his associates deal with a stunning case of a psychogenic epidemic, which was once known as ‘mass hysteria’. Wherein a group of teenage girls believed they were pregnant. When in fact, they were not. They simply showed symptoms of pregnancy and well, it was up to the Doc and his amazing team to uncover why. 

Which was no easy task. Because there were no solid triggers that the team could easily ascertain at first. For they went to school like normal, led mostly normal lives. The only thing that came up of concern, was the fact that they worked to be in a coven of sorts, and this coven did make a pact to get pregnant. But even that, wasn’t enough to solidify a root cause, but eventually. It revealed itself. In that, a long-term friend of theirs WAS pregnant, and she left school and that was traumatic for the girls. For they dealt with sudden change, sudden loss, and a loss of innocence to boot. Prompting them to cope, and that had an impact on their bodies, and this was… a wild but impactful way to explore that central theme. That mental health and physical health are synonymous and need to be treated as such always. So, both halves can heal. 

Which made for a fascinating episode for certain, one that made sure to offer more than just the central story, as is oft the case here. Except this go round, the extra moments revolved around the team and Dr. Wolf. Wherein we came to learn Dana has some trauma in her past that she still struggles with now and again, and that trauma is also why Dr. Wolf isolates himself so. For all that his father did to him in his youth, has left him believing he is at fault for so many things, and he is a failure of sorts, even though he is obviously not. But that too… speaks to the impact of trauma and hopefully Dana can continue to heal, and Wolf gets to heal as well, since he may have finally found a deep connection with someone in this life, courtesy of the high school principal he helped out in this tale, and he deserves joy and connection like anyone else.  

But while we wait to see what that journey looks like; we can celebrate one amazing tale from one amazing series. One that also offered up good news for John Doe since he is now part of that trial. Courtesy of Dr. Pierce’s amazing assist and truly… this just was a delightful, and well-written episode that informed us of the importance of maintaining our mental health the same way we should our physical health. Since it is indeed just as important and neglecting it has the same impact as walking on a sprained ankle for too long, and it will be delightful to see this show continue to lead the charge in having these kinds of discussions on television. Because this one understands the need to speak up on important matters, and it will be interesting to see what other bold statements and lessons awaits us as season one continues along. Until next time.

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