We’re back! In Brilliant Minds Season 2 Episode 7 ‘The One That Got Away,’ Oliver’s ex’s return to his life sends his relationship with Josh into an unexpected direction. Meanwhile, Erika reaches her breaking point. Ready?
Here we go!
Feelings from the Past
We had mixed feelings about Tom in ‘The One That Got Away.’ We found it cute that he was still somewhat hung up on Oliver after all these years. But it became creepy that he was still so fascinated by a kiss from years ago. And it all got worse when we found out he was married. However, we understood him a little. Who doesn’t want to go back to an easier time? Who doesn’t want to feel that carefree feeling of youth again?
What Tom longed for wasn’t Oliver. Not really. He longed for that time in his life. A time when he was freer, when everything was simpler. But, as Oliver tells him, nothing is easy when you grow up. And that’s part of life. You can look back on those times with a smile…but you have to know they’ll never come back. We have to move forward, and we can’t go back. We love that it’s Oliver who’s following this because it speaks to his maturity, his growth as a character. And we feel like proud moms right now.
Beyond this, the situation with Tom served to stir things up between Oliver and Josh in Brilliant Minds Season 2 Episode 7 ‘The One That Got Away.’ They don’t realize it, but their glances, their smiles, those flirtations…everything they have is there. Waiting. And the way Tom finally looks ahead gives Oliver the strength to try with Josh. He’s finally ready. Oliver loves him, and yes, the whole thing with his father and his past is a mess, but he can’t change it or fix it. Oliver understood that he didn’t have to let what happened define his life or his relationships. He deserves to be loved, even though his own father never showed him that love in a healthy way.
So he’s going to talk to Josh so they can pick up where they left off. But Josh isn’t ready… he’s with someone else. And that breaks Oliver’s heart—and ours. But we’re not going to let this get us down. It’s part of the process. Oliver broke Josh’s heart into a million pieces, and Josh is not ready to trust him again yet. But he will be. Oliver just needs to show Josh that he’ll never intentionally hurt him. What worries us is that Oliver will withdraw into himself again and think that Josh’s rejection is just further proof that he doesn’t deserve love. Fingers crossed that he does the opposite and fights for Josh.
MORE: Brilliant Minds Season 2, Episode 6 Review: ‘The Doctor’s Graveyard’
The Breaking Point
We’re so proud of Erika in Brilliant Minds Season 2 Episode 7. In every way. Helping Sam has been good for Erika because it’s kept her busy. That’s kept her from thinking about the pills. But let’s not kid ourselves, part of Erika’s drive to help Sam is because she feels she has to make up for not saving that woman during the collapse. As if saving Sam, or any patient who comes into her care, somehow replaces the life that was lost.
And it’s when Erika feels the duty to save Sam at all costs, to be okay, to be the doctor everyone counts on, that everything falls apart. The guilt returns. The pills are the only thing that keeps Erika going. When Dana confronts Erika about what she’s doing and her hypocrisy, Erika can’t take it. There’s no point in denying it. Erika’s reached her breaking point. And finally, she lets out everything she feels, everything she’s been holding back. Everything Erika felt she didn’t have the right to say.
It would have been so easy for Dana to judge Erika in ‘The One That Got Away.’ But Dana doesn’t. Dana doesn’t judge her. Dana just listens to Erika and hugs her tightly. She is just her friend. And, even though it’s sad and awful, we like that Erika is finally at this point. Erika needed to get here to be able to rebuild herself.
MORE: Brilliant Minds Season 2, Episode 5 Review: ‘Once Upon a Time in America’
Other Stuff in Brilliant Minds Season 2 Episode 7 ‘The One That Got Away’
- We’ve all been Dana at some point.
- It might be sports stuff, but we don’t think it’s okay to be that close with a teammate. And less when your girlfriend is right there.
- We don’t particularly like Katie, but she hit the nail on the head about Erika.
- We’re all Nico when we’re talking about Oliver and Josh.
- Oliver took his advice!
- We finally learned a little more about Erika’s past.
- Erika was right when she said Sam deserved better than a “let’s get you settled.”
- Although giving Sam the credit card was a bit much.
- Carol and Oliver’s friendship is still EVERYTHING.
- We love that Oliver and Erika shared that moment and weren’t alone.
Brilliant Minds Season 2 airs on Mondays at 10 pm ET on NBC.
