In Brilliant Minds 1×01 ‘Pilot’ we discover Dr. Oliver Wolf, a lonely but incredibly brilliant neurosurgeon who believes that rules don’t matter if they prevent him from helping his patients. So yeah, this show plays with the misunderstood genius trick but gives it an interesting twist that makes it impossible to stop watching. It’s time for a review! Ready?
Here we go!
Healing More Than the Body in Brilliant Minds 1×01 ‘Pilot’
As discussed during our Hight Potential episode 1 review, pilot episodes lend themselves more to a recap than a review because they tend to focus more on introducing characters and the premise of the story — as they should — rather than presenting emotional conflicts that can be discussed. And, while Brilliant Minds 1×01 ‘Pilot’ doesn’t stray too far from that dynamic, it does give us some points to work on.
Brilliant Minds 1×01 ‘Pilot’ introduces us to Doctor Oliver Wolf as the main character. He is a brilliant neurosurgeon who is not like other doctors. He could be considered a misfit genius who looks at medical problems from a unique perspective and is willing to help his patients no matter the price, professional or personal, that he has to pay.
Oliver not only tries to cure his patients physically but also to find the emotional conflicts that are bothering them and tries to help solve them. Dr. Wolf not only wants to cure their body, but he also intends to cure their spirit so that when they leave the hospital, they have the opportunity to live their best life.
The medical case we see in Brilliant Minds 1×01 ‘Pilot’ perfectly shows this. As a consequence, that wall that must exist between doctor and patient, that barrier that keeps everything professional, is broken. Each case, each patient, ends up being personal for Oliver — and for us — as he tries to help improve their lives, and that makes him a better doctor…but it also causes him a lot of problems.
The Lonely Road…
But… why? Why does Oliver do this? Oliver’s attempt to help his patients is not only because he doesn’t conceive the practice of medicine from another angle, but because he couldn’t solve his own problems and is struggling with his past.
In Brilliant Minds 1×01 ‘Pilot,’ we see through flashbacks how Oliver’s past and childhood were not ideal or happy. Every time Oliver helps a patient he feels closer to being able to heal himself. And, while this episode begins to unravel the web of memories of Oliver and his emotional conflicts, it leaves us hanging with many unanswered questions. So they managed to intrigue us.
That said, the path Oliver chooses is a lonely one and, because the rules don’t interest him if they get in the way of a patient’s health, he also has conflicts with his colleagues, especially Dr. Josh Nichols.
He is the complete opposite of Oliver. He cares about his patients but he’s stubborn and a little arrogant, so when Oliver questions his judgment, he doesn’t take it too well. However, he reluctantly ends up accepting that, although Oliver has unorthodox methods, he can be right. Sometimes. So we’re in for some fascinating battles with these two!
As if that weren’t enough, although Oliver is a misfit and lonely genius, in Brilliant Minds 1×01 ‘Pilot’ he must face a new challenge: being a mentor, which forces him to be more open and patient… or try to do that. So yes, Dr. Oliver Wolf’s life changed and we can’t wait to see all the adventures he’s going to live!
Brilliant Minds airs Tuesdays at 10 pm ET on NBC.
