‘Brilliant Minds’ Recap: ‘The Lost Biker’

10/8/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

BRILLIANT MINDS -- "The Lost Biker" Episode 103 -- Pictured: (l-r) Steve Howey as Wyatt James, Zachary Quinto as Dr. Oliver Wolf -- (Photo by: Rafy/NBC)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘Brilliant Minds’. To revisit the previous episode, clickhere.

One particular fear that all of us harbor, is we never, ever… want to lose our memories. For there is a primal part of us that understands that our memories are what define us and help shape the person we are today. Not to mention, we cherish them deeply. For they can help lift us up in trying times, add wonder when we can find none in the world and of course… enrich us when we think upon how they brought us to a lovely point in life. Plus, they help us to learn and remind us of situations we should be free of. So yes, it makes sense as to why we fear losing our memories and why we hope to avoid ailments and genetic surprises that will rip away what defines so much of us. But what we don’t think about all that often, is the possibility that we could lose them sooner in life, or far worse, lose the ability to make new ones.

For the world can surprise us and bring forth an onset illness that might rob of us them or of that ability, leaving us to wonder… who would we become if we couldn’t have them in middle age or could not make new ones? If anything, such questions are the focus of the next episode of Brilliant Minds on NBC, since ‘The Lost Biker’ did indeed dive into such matters. After of course, Dr. Wolf and his incredible band of doctors figured out a solve for a girl named Emily who was seemingly having regular seizures. But it turned out… she had a heart condition that forced her heart to stop when she laughed and rather than rob her of a life of joy, Dr. Markus opted to have a pacemaker installed. Which would regulate the problem and let her live a full life. Which was approved, and this was just a lovely vignette about the wonder of having joy in our lives.

But it was Dr. Wolf’s patient in this story that explored the heavier stuff. For he came to learn, that his mechanic was suffering from a brain tumor so large, that a crossroads lie ahead for Wyatt. In that, he could remove it and run the risk of losing the ability to create new memories since the tumor was poking into that part of the brain… or he could die. Which at first, Wyatt was indeed fine with facing death. For he felt he lived a full life, and the thought of not making memories, terrified him. Because he understood the importance of cherishing them, and felt he had a lot of years ahead. So, he stuck with a farewell plan, but Dr. Wolf wasn’t good with that. He really believed that Wyatt could find value without new memories, and of course… losing that ability wasn’t a guarantee. Not to mention, there were people that loved him deeply and wanted him to stay in their lives, and Wyatt mostly agreed with Wolf when presented with such truths.

BRILLIANT MINDS -- "The Lost Biker" Episode 103 -- Pictured: (l-r) Aury Krebs as Dr. Dana Dang, Spence Moore II as Dr. Jacob Nash, Markeda McKay as Emily, Ashleigh LaThrop as Dr. Ericka Kinney, Zachary Quinto as Dr. Oliver Wolf, Alex MacNicoll as Dr. Van Markus -- (Photo by: Rafy/NBC)

But one big thing was holding Wyatt back from committing to the surgery, and that was, he would be plagued by the fact he never reconciled with his daughter. So, Dr. Wolf took him out of the hospital to attempt just that, which went to hell real quick and sadly… there was no time for a second chance. For the tumor was putting pressure upon Wyatt’s critical centers and the removal had to happen fast, and sadly, the worst-case scenario with his memories did come true. But… it wasn’t all bad. For Wolf and Wyatt’s family worked to help him make new habits. Wherein he would keep a log of his experiences in life, and where he set up personal vlogs to fill him in and that allowed for him to experience life on a daily basis with fresh eyes. Plus, since his daughter learned all the details about his condition while he was in surgery… she made a point to reconcile with him and let him know every day that she did not mean what she said and that she loved him.

All of which informs us, that with the right support network, losing memories, or perhaps not being able to make new ones, might not be the nightmare we think it to be. Because it would force us… to do what so few of us do and live in the moment. Make sure we cherish every single second since they truly won’t and truly don’t… ever happen again. Which means that Wyatt gets to hear he’s loved every day and feel loved every day and experience the wonder of a sunrise as though it’s the first time all over again and that’s special and that… is how we should live our lives. By saying what matters daily, feeling that wonder when we can, because that is what life is all about. Those series of moments that fade and cannot be replicated, and that is perhaps why we truly cherish memories, because deep down… we know that.

But that aside, such musings made for a genuinely beautiful episode. One that spoke to more, such as how the ups and downs of life and how the nonsense helps us to lose sight of what matters. Something Dr. Pierce’s journey touched upon, and in a way, Dr. Wolf’s side story involving his mother and his own push to let memories heal some of his more traumatic moments, and that all just added to the rich nature of his amazing episode and this amazing series. One that continues to speak to concepts no other show is touching right now and it continues to wow us with its dedication to exploring how we lift each other up in trying times, or in any way imaginable. As if to remind us, rightfully, that there are only eight billion human beings in the universe, and we are all in this together… so why not support one another and do what we can to make this life as lovely and as memorable as possible. Until next time.

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