‘High Potential’ Episode 8 Recap: “Obsessed”

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January 7, 2025

High Potential Episode 8 Recap — JD Pardo and Kaitlin Olson in ‘High Potential’ episode 8 (Disney)

ABC’s High Potential episode eight’s case of the week involves a woman found unconscious on the beach. It turns out her attack is tied to a two-year-old cold case of a murdered tennis pro.

Morgan (Kaitlin Olson) and Tom (JD Pardo) go on a breakfast date because Morgan’s life is too insane for a normal dinner date. Her kids are with her ex this weekend, but she’s on call with LAPD. Tom announces he’ll keep Saturday night open, just in case she’s free. Morgan isn’t hopeful; she always gets called in. Tom remains optimistic and even offers to cook.

And speaking of the LAPD, Morgan ends the breakfast when she’s called to meet the detectives on the beach. An unidentified and presumed deceased woman has blunt force trauma to her head. Detective Oz Osman (Deniz Akdeniz) says local businesses haven’t found any footage of her on their security cams. Detective Daphne Forrester (Javicia Leslie) notes the victim’s not wearing clothes to go for a swim.

They consider this a murder, but Morgan’s not so sure. She asks for Detective Adam Karadec’s watch and holds it up to the woman’s nose. It fogs up, which means she’s alive! (Why didn’t anyone else check this?!)

Back at the station, Morgan explains to Oz (and the audience) that it’s the Lazarus effect – the spontaneous return of circulation after failed resuscitation. Daphne reports that the victim has a skull fracture, and Lt. Selena Soto (Judy Reyes) wants someone there when she wakes up. Oz chimes in with news that there are trace amounts of metal in her wound.

Adam (Daniel Sunjata) figures out the victim is Heather Wallace, a 27-year-old graduate student who was reported missing by her boyfriend, Morris, last night. Morris, who is much older than 27, is brought in and confirms that the woman is Heather. Morris recently sold a leisurewear company he founded. And last night he was at home picking out tiles for his pool.

Selena and Morgan observe the interview, and both admit they don’t like this guy. He hasn’t even asked to see Heather.

Oz informs Selena and Morgan that Heather isn’t Heather or a grad student. Her name is actually Penny Hall. Selena orders Morgan and Adam to go to Penny’s place and figure out who she is. They arrive at her apartment and the landlord lets them in, describing Penny as his favorite tenant. He also reveals that her boyfriend, Lucas Phillips (Christopher Phi), was murdered and that Penny stayed home for weeks after he was killed.

Adam believes Penny was scared and used a fake name after Lucas was murdered. Morgan looks around and points out all the expensive shoes and clothing. There are lots of credit card bills on her counter, meaning she was paying for the items – not Morris. This isn’t a sugar daddy gone wrong situation.

Morgan is confused because any one of Penny’s dresses would pay her mortgage for a month. Plus, she’s paying $2500 for a billboard on Pacific Coast Highway. Adam wonders why a woman would hide her identity and date a rich guy while going into serious debt to impress him. Morgan stumbles upon the answer in the back of Penny’s closet. Penny’s got her own murder board on the wall, and Morris is listed as one of the possible suspects. She’s searching for her boyfriend’s murderer!

Back at the station, the team begins digging into Lucas Phillips’ death. He was found dead two years ago, and the billboard Penny’s paying for asks for any information about his murder. The detective who worked on the case was upset that he didn’t solve it before he retired. And it turns out Lucas died from blunt force trauma to the head and was found on the beach, just like Penny.

It was thought Lucas’ murder was a robbery, but Adam disagrees. Now it appears both Lucas and Penny were attacked by the same person. Morgan points out rice in Lucas’ hair, and Adam adds that he had antifreeze in his nose. Lucas worked as a tennis coach at the Marina Azul Beach Club and while the cops interviewed and cleared its members, Penny’s murder board shows she considers many of them as suspects.

The conclusion: Penny adopted a new identity, bought classy clothes, and dated Morris (a club member) to get access to the club. That way, she could do her own investigation. So, either Morris killed her when he found out, or Lucas’ killer tried to silence her because she was getting too close.

Edward Wilson, grandson of the beach club’s founder, shows Adam and Morgan around. Edward’s brother,r Blaine, joins them, and the brothers recognize Penny as coming to the club with Morris. They also recognize a photo of Lucas and confirm he was a popular tennis instructor at the club. They’re both obnoxious, and neither is the least bit helpful.

Before they leave, Morgan asks the guy who greeted them in the lobby about his black eye. He claims he got it from a man selling illegal goods on the beach. The man hit him when he escorted him off the property.

That man’s name is Cameron Swift (Paul James Jordan) and he has priors for assault. He’s always hanging around the club, and Morgan thinks he may have seen something on the night of Lucas and/or Penny’s attacks. They bring him down to the station for questioning, and Cameron admits he saw Penny. She’s been accusing him of killing Lucas. He told her to knock it off.

Cameron says he’s been trying to get into the club to see Blaine because Blaine owes him money and is ghosting him. While conducting the interview, Adam gets word that Penny just woke up.

Morris is already at her bedside when Adam and Morgan arrive to ask questions. Penny says she was supposed to meet up with someone who called with information on Lucas’ murder. The person claimed to have seen Lucas’ killer, but when she got there, she was hit from behind. She never saw her assailant’s face.

Penny regrets carrying on her investigation for so long. She touches her diamond necklace as she says she misses Lucas. He gave it to her the week before he was murdered. Adam informs her they’re reopening Lucas’ case and asks if anything unusual stands out from the days leading up to his death. Penny says there wasn’t anything unusual and confirms Lucas loved his job at the beach club.

Morgan asks about Blaine, and Penny reveals Blaine and Lucas had run-ins and that Blaine threatened to fire him. Penny’s been investigating him, but it’s been hard because Edward protects him.

Adam and Morgan return to the club to question Edward about Blaine. Edward claims Blaine isn’t perfect, but he wouldn’t hurt anyone. He admits he helped his brother through rehab and his money problems, but he wouldn’t cover up for him if Blaine killed someone.

Blaine’s nowhere to be found, but Morgan’s eagle eyes spot a woman who might be just as helpful. Morgan gets the woman, Shelby, to admit that the one-of-a-kind diamond necklace she’s wearing (a gift from her wealthy husband) is a fake. Shelby gave the real one to Lucas to keep him quiet after he found out she was sleeping with Blaine and didn’t want her husband to find out. That gives Blaine a reason to have wanted Lucas dead.

Morgan reexamines their murder board and realizes they have the wrong time of death. Lucas’ shorts are wet, but his hair isn’t, which means the tide never came up to the spot on the beach where his body was found in the morning. He was likely killed elsewhere and dumped.

Adam puts Daphne to work gathering all the CCTV footage from the day of Lucas’ murder for review. They need to find someone with a bag or suitcase large enough to fit a body. Oz is going back over the forensics, and Morgan admits she’s frustrated she can’t figure out what clues she’s missing.

Morgan can’t stop thinking about the case and swings by Adam’s place (uninvited) at night. She suspected he’d be home working on the case, and he is. They order Chinese and set to work piecing together the clues.

They work all night and over a cup of morning coffee, Adam assures her they’ll figure it out. They sort of discuss Tom and Adam’s ex, and Morgan finally leaves. However, when she steps outside Adam’s porchlight is flashing. Suddenly, she realizes who killed Lucas!

As they drive to arrest the murderer, Morgan explains that rice is used to replicate snow in snow globes. Antifreeze is put in snow globes to keep the liquid from freezing. Lucas had rice in his hair and antifreeze in his system, so a snow globe was the murder weapon. Earlier, Morgan and Adam saw Edward’s shelves with souvenirs from the countries he visited with Blaine. Edward talked about their fancy trip to Italy, France, Spain, and Greece, and there were souvenirs on the shelf from everywhere but Greece.

Morgan thinks Lucas was done with Blaine’s bad behavior (the drugs, affairs, and fraud). Lucas probably gave Edward an ultimatum – fire Blaine or else he’ll spill his secrets – and Edward reacted by killing him to protect his brother.

Edward also tried to kill Penny because she was obsessed with finding Lucas’ killer, and he couldn’t let that happen. But if they can’t get Edward to confess, this is all circumstantial.

Dozens of cops arrive at the club and Edward makes a run for it. Morgan quickly looks around Edward’s office and is sure he’s heading to a nearby cliff above the beach. Adam and Morgan run down the beach and are in time to spot Edward prepared to jump off the cliff.

Morgan pleads with him to consider what will happen to Blaine if he jumps. Blaine races up and says she’s right, begging his brother not to do this. Edward listens and is taken into custody.

Morgan hitches a ride with Adam to tell Penny they’ve found Lucas’ killer. Penny cries, relieved to finally get an answer to what happened to her boyfriend.

Since the case is solved, Morgan’s got time during her weekend for dinner with Tom. They relax, drink wine, eat, and get to know each other. Tom confesses he’s had a lot going on, too, and he’s made some necessary changes in his life. He also confesses he likes being around Morgan.

Morgan’s forced to end the night early when Selena calls and needs her to come to her office. Selena’s been digging into Roman’s life and tracking where he was in the days before he disappeared. She discovered he’d been talking to a man named Gio Conforth. Morgan’s never heard that name before. Selena’s learned Gio is a concierge who procures items for people on both sides of the law. It raises a lot of questions if Roman was dealing with him.

Gio’s been extremely difficult to locate, but Selena finally found him and is working on bringing him in for questioning. Morgan wonders when Selena did all this, and Selena admits she did it “in the shadows when no one was looking.”

‘Dexter: Resurrection’ Adds ‘Dexter’ Originals David Zayas and James Remar

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Rebecca Murray

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January 7, 2025

The ever-expanding Dexter franchise is bringing James Remar and David Zayas back into the fold with Dexter: Resurrection. Remar will reprise his role as Dexter’s deceased dad and mentor, Harry. Zayas returns as Detective Angel Batista, a character he played in nearly 100 episodes of the original series.

Michael C. Hall leads the cast as serial killer Dexter Morgan, and Jack Alcott’s back as his son, Harrison, a role he played in Dexter: New Blood. Clyde Phillips (Dexter, Dexter: Original Sin) guides the series as showrunner. Phillips also serves as an executive producer along with Michael C. Hall, Scott Reynolds (Jessica Jones), Tony Hernandez (Emily in Paris), and Lilly Burns (Russian Doll).

Marcos Siega (Dexter: New Blood) is involved as a producing director. The latest addition to the franchise is produced by SHOWTIME Studios and Counterpart Studios.

Filming is expected to get underway this month, with Paramount+ with Showtime targeting a summer 2025 premiere. Details regarding the new series are being kept under wraps. However, it’s known that the series will be set after the events of Dexter: New Blood. Dexter was able to survive being shot by Harrison in the finale of New Blood only because the shooting took place in zero-degree weather.

Dexter Resurrection David Zayas — David Zayas as Angel Batista in ‘Dexter: Resurrection’ (Photo Credit: Pari Dukovic / Paramount+ with SHOWTIME)

‘FBI True’ Season 6 Episode Guide and Premiere Date

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Rebecca Murray

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January 7, 2025

Paramount+’s FBI True returns for season six on January 14, 2025. The 12-episode season examines the murder of Gianni Versace, the pizza delivery driver forced to wear a bomb, deaths at a VA Hospital, and The Base hate group.

The docuseries allows viewers to hear from real FBI agents as they discuss some of their most memorable or demanding cases.

FBI True Season 6 Episodes:

“Pizza Bomber: Part 1” – It’s one of the strangest cases in FBI history. A Pennsylvania pizza delivery driver claims he was delivering an order when a group of men attacked him, put a bomb on him and forced him to rob a bank. Is he an innocent hostage or a co-conspirator?
“Pizza Bomber: Part 2” – The case of the Pizza Bomber becomes more complex when the bomb is discovered to be real and explodes. Brian Wells, the pizza delivery man, is dead. Three weeks after the bombing a source tells investigators that there’s a dead body in his freezer, right next to the location where Brian delivered pizzas just before he robbed the bank.
“A Genius Disappears: The Annie Le Story” – Annie Le, a brilliant Yale PhD student, vanishes days before her wedding. CCTV cameras catch Le entering her research lab but there’s no trace of her leaving. The FBI uncovers a dark secret that exposes the shocking truth behind her disappearance.
“Versace: Murder in Miami” – When fashion designer Gianni Versace is murdered outside of his home, investigators discover a trail of bodies leading to a manhunt for a suspected serial killer. With the suspect on the run, the stakes couldn’t be higher for the FBI.
“Who’s Killing Our Heroes? Part 1” – Eight veterans die mysteriously at a VA hospital. After conducting hundreds of interviews, poring over medical charts and electronic records, and exhuming the victims’ bodies, the FBI discovers the killer comes from inside the hospital itself.
“Who’s Killing Our Heroes? Part 2” – After eight patients die at a VA Hospital, evidence points to a killer on staff. She was on duty during the deaths; autopsies discover fatal injections of insulin; and evidence reveals a fascination with killing. Now, they must get a confession.
“Con Man Killer” – As the FBI’s list of missing persons in the Boulder, Colo. area grows, investigators follow a trail of chilling evidence that unexpectedly leads them to someone within their ranks. What they thought was a valuable asset turns out to be a master manipulator.
“Cocaine Cowboys: Operation Recoil Part 1” – After the shocking acquittal of Miami’s drug kingpins, authorities suspect that they conspired to infiltrate and obstruct the justice system. Through informants and undercover ops, the FBI uncover a vast web of money, murder, and corruption.
“Cocaine Cowboys: Operation Recoil Part 2” – The FBI receives a tip that Sal Magluta’s bookkeeper is laundering millions of dollars for the Magluta-Falcon drug organization. When she flees Miami, the FBI uncovers a money laundering scheme that could take down the entire organization.
“Scream Bandits” – In 2015, a slew of Denver bank robberies turns deadly when bandits wearing masks from the horror film Scream stab and shove tellers to the ground, empty the vault and then lead police on a high-speed chase that sees two people shot in cold blood.
“The Base: America’s Most Dangerous Hate Group Part 1” – The Base, a violent white supremacist group, conducts training missions in rural Georgia in preparation for a series of attacks they hope will cause the collapse of American society. In this chilling multi-state, multi-subject case, the FBI must find a way to stop The Base before they set their deadly plans in motion.
“The Base: America’s Most Dangerous Hate Group Part 2” – With the aid of an undercover agent, the FBI surveils members of The Base as they sacrifice a goat to Odin in rural Georgia. Through a hidden camera and wiretap, FBI agents watch as members assemble a ghost gun and plot a mass shooting in Virginia.

‘Ghosts’ Season 4 Episode 10 Preview: Photos, “Not-So-Silent Partner” Promo and Cast

By

Rebecca Murray

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January 7, 2025

CBS’s Ghosts returns from its winter break with season four episode 10, “The Not-So-Silent Partner.” Episode 10, airing on Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 8:30pm, finds Mark anxious to learn the identity of Jay’s silent partner.

Rose McIver stars as Sam, Utkarsh Ambudkar is Jay, Brandon Scott Jones is Isaac, and Richie Moriarty plays Pete. Danielle Pinnock is Alberta, Asher Grodman is Trevor, Román Zaragoza stars as Sasappis, Rebecca Wisocky plays Hetty, Devan Chandler Long is Thorfinn, and Sheila Carrasco is Flower. Tristan D. Lalla guest stars as Mark.

“The Not-So-Silent Partner” Plot: Sam and Jay are forced to cover when Mark demands to meet the silent investor in Jay’s restaurant who has been holding up construction. Heather Jack directs from a script by Emily Schmidt.

Ghosts Season 4 Episode 10 — Rose McIver as Samantha and Tristan D. Lalla as Mark in ‘Ghosts’ season 4 episode 10 (Photo: Bertrand Calmeau © 2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)

Ghosts Description, Courtesy of CBS:

Ghosts is a single-camera comedy about Samantha and Jay, a cheerful freelance journalist and up-and-coming chef from the city, respectively, who threw both caution and money to the wind when they decided to convert Woodstone Mansion, which Sam inherited, into a bed & breakfast – only to find it was inhabited by the many spirits of deceased residents who now call it home.

The departed souls are a close-knit, eclectic group that includes a saucy Prohibition-era lounge singer (Danielle Pinnock); a pompous 18th-century militiaman (Brandon Scott Jones); a ‘60s hippie fond of hallucinogens (Sheila Carrasco); an overly upbeat ‘80s scout troop leader (Richie Moriarty); a cod-obsessed Viking explorer from 1009 (Devon Chandler Long); a slick ‘90s finance bro (Asher Grodman); a sarcastic and witty native from the 16th-century (Román Zaragoza); and a society woman and wife of a 19th-century robber baron who is Sam’s ancestor (Rebecca Wisocky), to name a few. The opening of the B&B has been a source of intrigue, anxiety, and curiosity among the spirits, but they will gladly put up with the commotion as long as they can continue to interact with a living inhabitant.

The Not So Silent Partner Episode — Brandon Scott Jones as Isaac, Asher Grodman as Trevor, Danielle Pinnock as Alberta, and Tristan D. Lalla as Mark (Photo: Bertrand Calmeau © 2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)

Richie Moriarty, Asher Grodman and Sheila Carrasco — Richie Moriarty as Pete, Asher Grodman as Trevor, and Sheila Carrasco as Flower in season 4 episode 10 (Photo: Bertrand Calmeau © 2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)

Rebecca Wisocky and Rose McIver — Rebecca Wisocky as Hetty and Rose McIver as Samantha in season 4 episode 10 (Photo: Bertrand Calmeau © 2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc.)

Utkarsh Ambudkar as Jay in season 4 episode 10 (Photo: Bertrand Calmeau © 2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)

‘The Bachelor’ Season 29 Reveals the 25 Bachelorettes Looking for Love

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Rebecca Murray

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January 7, 2025

The Bachelorette season 21 fan favorite Grant Ellis will be looking to make a love connection on ABC’s The Bachelor season 29. Ellis, a 31-year-old day trader and former pro basketball player, hopes to “find a partner who shares his values of loyalty, humor, and a deep appreciation for life’s simple pleasures” among the 25 single ladies after his heart.

This season’s bachelorettes include a model, an attorney, a pediatrician, and an interior designer. Season 29 will premiere on January 27, 2025, with new episodes airing on Mondays at 8pm ET/PT.

The Bachelor Season 29 Bachelorettes:

Alexe, 27, a pediatric speech therapist from New Brunswick, Canada

Alli Jo, 30, a boxing trainer from Manalapan, N.J.

Allyshia, 29, an interior designer from Tampa, Fla.

Bailey, 27, a social media manager from Atlanta, Ga.

Beverly, 30, an insurance salesperson from Howard Beach, N.Y.

Carolina, 28, a public relations producer from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico

Chloie, 27, a model from New York, N.Y.

Christina, 26, a marketing director from Fargo, N.D.

Dina, 31, an attorney from Chicago, Ill.

Ella, 25, a luxury travel host from Los Angeles, Calif.

J’Nae, 28, an account coordinator from Colorado Springs, Colo.

Juliana, 28, a client service associate from Newton, Mass.

Kelsey, 26, an interior designer from Brooklyn, N.Y.

Kyleigh, 26, a retail manager from Wilmington, N.C.

Litia, 31, a venture capitalist from Salt Lake City, Utah

Natalie, 25, a Ph.D. student from Louisville, Ky.

Neicey, 32, a pediatrician from Blythewood, S.C.

Parisa, 29, a pediatric behavior analyst from Birmingham, Mich.

Radhika, 28, an attorney from New York, N.Y.

Rebekah, 31, an ICU nurse from Dallas, Texas

Rose, 27, a registered nurse from Chicago, Ill.

Sarafiena, 29, an associate media director from New York, N.Y.

Savannah, 27, a wedding planner from Charlottesville, Va.

Vicky, 28, a nightclub server from Las Vegas, Nev.

Zoe, 27, a tech engineer and model from New York, N.Y.

The Bachelor season 29 is executive produced by Claire Freeland, Bennett Graebner, Tim Warner, and Peter Gust.

Ruby Franke Docuseries Debuting on Hulu in February

By

Rebecca Murray

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January 7, 2025

Hulu’s upcoming documentary series Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke explores the events surrounding the arrest and conviction of once-popular YouTube vlogger Ruby Franke. Franke was arrested in August 2023 and charged with six counts of felony child abuse. She ultimately pleaded guilty to four counts of second-degree aggravated child abuse.

The three-part docuseries was directed by Olly Lambert (Ukraine: The People’s Fight) and produced by Passion Pictures. All three episodes will premiere on February 27, 2025.

Hulu released this synopsis of the docuseries:

“When popular vlogger Ruby Franke is arrested for child abuse in August 2023, it quickly becomes one of the biggest trending stories in America. For years, the Frankes’ YouTube channel had documented a wholesome, happy family life, with 2.5 million subscribers tuning in at its peak. But happy families are rarely what they seem.

As the cracks began to show, the family turned to counselor Jodi Hildebrandt for guidance – and rapidly found themselves trapped in a nightmare. Only the Frankes know what went on inside their home.

This series marks the first time Shari and Chad, the Frankes’ two eldest adult children, and Kevin, Ruby’s husband, will share their story in depth on camera. With exclusive access to the Frankes, their friends and neighbors, and over a thousand hours of their YouTube channel’s unseen footage, Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke cuts through the social media reaction to explore the untold story behind the Ruby Franke case: part family tragedy, part coming-of-age narrative, part tale of our times about the perils of life lived online.”

‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 Drops a New Teaser and Sets April Premiere

By

Rebecca Murray

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January 7, 2025

We don’t have an exact date but at least HBO’s confirmed The Last of Us will premiere in April 2025. The announcement of the premiere month was accompanied by a new one-minute teaser for the upcoming seven-episode season.

Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey star as Joel and Ellie. Returning season one cast includes Gabriel Luna as Tommy and Rutina Wesley as Maria. Newcomers to the award-winning post-apocalyptic series include Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, Isabela Merced as Dina, Young Mazino as Jesse, Ariela Barer as Mel, Tati Gabrielle as Nora, Spencer Lord as Owen, Danny Ramirez as Manny, and Jeffrey Wright as Isaac. Catherine O’Hara will guest star.

“Five years after the events of the first season, Joel and Ellie are drawn into conflict with each other and a world even more dangerous and unpredictable than the one they left behind,” reads HBO’s season two synopsis.

The critically acclaimed series is based on Naughty Dog’s video game franchise. Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann write and executive produce. Additional executive producers include Carolyn Strauss, Jacqueline Lesko, Cecil O’Connor, Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan, and Evan Wells. Halley Gross is a writer and co-executive producer.

HBO Confirms April Premiere and Unveils “Every Path Has A Price” Character Posters

Pedro Pascal in The Last of Us Season 2 — Pedro Pascal in ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 (Photograph by HBO)

‘Brilliant Minds’ Episode 13 Recap: “The Man Who Can’t See Faces” Finale

By

Rebecca Murray

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January 6, 2025

Brilliant Minds Episode 13 Recap — Eden Espinosa as Pastor Maria Thomas and Zachary Quinto as Dr. Oliver Wolf in ‘Brilliant Minds’ episode 13 (Photo by: Rafy/NBC)

NBC’s Brilliant Minds’ first (and possibly, final) season ends with episode 13, “The Man Who Can’t See Faces.” Episode 13 begins with the doctors getting ready for work. Oliver (Zachary Quinto) and Josh (Teddy Sears) make breakfast together, and Josh surprises Oliver with an invitation to a black-tie gala. Oliver isn’t enthusiastic about a formal event but accepts since Josh is receiving an award.

Josh admits he’s falling for Oliver. Oliver smiles but doesn’t reply.

Oliver’s dad, Noah (Mandy Patinkin), is still hanging out at Muriel’s place and insists he’s taking his meds and “in a good place.” Muriel (Donna Murphy) wonders what they’ll tell Oliver, concerned this news will disrupt his happiness. She’d prefer Noah just leave rather than take Oliver’s happiness away from him. Noah wants to stick around, and Muriel points out he hasn’t seen Oliver since he was 14.

Oliver and the interns head to the church housing the apartment survivors with nowhere else to go. They’ll examine everyone to ensure they’re doing okay while Dr. Carol Pierce (Tamberla Perry) handles the grief counseling.

Gene, the grandfather who survived in the elevator with Ericka, praises Pastor Thomas (Eden Espinosa) who’s been working to get them all housing. He insists she has visions from God that show her what she needs to see. That immediately sparks Oliver’s interest.

Oliver and Carol thank Pastor Thomas for taking in those in need, and Oliver asks if she sees things that aren’t there. She admits she does and that sometimes they are a burden because they distract her. Pastor Thomas needs to cut the conversation short to get back to work and reaches for her hat…which is actually her husband’s hair. She and her husband make light of it when she tries to pull it off his head.

(The series is based on neurologist Oliver Sacks’ work, and Sacks wrote the book The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat.)

Later, Oliver and Pastor Thomas take a walk, and he observes her talking to a fire hydrant she believes is a small child. Her visions began a few months ago, and she doesn’t care about finding out why. She agrees to let Oliver examine her but believes he’ll determine it’s a miracle.

Oliver gathers the interns to discuss the case, suggesting Pastor Thomas has visual agnosia. He thinks it might be a symptom of a more serious condition. They toss around dementia, toxic exposure, or a stroke, while Dana thinks it might be something much less dire.

Episode 13 Recap — Aury Krebs as Dr. Dana Dang and Ashleigh LaThrop as Dr. Ericka Kinney in ‘Brilliant Minds’ episode 13 (Photo by: Rafy/NBC)

Dana (Aury Krebs), Van (Alex MacNicoll), and Jacob (Spence Moore II) decide to help Ericka (Ashleigh LaThrop) get over her fear of elevators via exposure therapy. They step into one while Ericka waits outside the doors. Ericka’s fine with Van and Jacob, but when Dana steps inside, her anxiety spikes. She yells at Dana to get out and then pulls her into for a hug, with Dana claiming it shows she’s Ericka’s favorite.

Dana examines paramedic Katie Rodriguez, and Katie wonders when Dana will stop being her doctor and kiss her. Dana gets all nervous and dodges the question. Katie doesn’t let her off the hook as Dana rambles on about needing to be professional.

Dr. Muriel Landon (Donna Murphy) has a private chat with Dr. Carol Pierce (Tamberla Perry) and reveals the real story about Noah’s “death.” Carol says Oliver told her his dad disappeared during a camping trip and that they found his body in a ravine. Muriel says the truth is Noah returned home and insisted he’d left Oliver somewhere safe where no one would find him.

Muriel wants Carol to talk to Noah and get him to leave. Carol refuses, insisting Muriel needs to tell Oliver the truth. As this is going on, Noah has taken matters into his own hands and shows up at Oliver’s house. Oliver recognizes his voice from the apartment collapse and asks why he’s there. Noah says, “It’s me, Ollie. It’s dad.”

Oliver refuses to believe it, and Noah claims he left to protect him. Noah asks Oliver to really look at him. Oliver does, and Noah reminds him that the last thing he told him was that he would be the greatest doctor. Oliver knows this is his father but doesn’t understand what’s happening. Muriel and Carol show up, and Oliver’s upset that his mother’s always known his dad’s alive but never told him. Carol confirms she also just found out.

Oliver can’t be reasoned with right now, and Carol suggests Muriel wait until Oliver’s ready to hear her side of the story.

Oliver warns them to leave his house before he returns. He receives further devastating news at work when Josh shows him Pastor Thomas’ CT scans. Pastor Thomas’ visions aren’t divine. She has glioblastoma and has about three months to live.

Josh asks why Oliver’s boxing up his desk as they talk, and Oliver admits he never should have agreed to work with his mother. Josh wonders if this is Oliver’s response to learning he’s falling for him. “How could you be falling for me? You don’t know anything about me,” replies Oliver.

Van’s ex shows up at work to remind him they should use the same approach when their son gets angry. When she leaves, Jacob wonders why Van hasn’t told her about his mirror-touch syndrome. However, their discussion is cut off when a frazzled Wolf walks by and says he’s going to get drunk. They can join him if they want.

They’re at the bar, drinking, when Wolf reveals the only thing he knows about them is that they both have a thing for Ericka. Van tells Wolf he has a son, and Wolf asks about their relationships with their dads. Van admits that if he wants to have a good relationship with his son, he needs to be nothing like his dad. Wolf laughs at that answer. Jacob confesses he thinks he became a doctor just to prove his dad, who assumed he couldn’t do anything but play football, wrong.

Later, Wolf has to break the news to Pastor Thomas that she has cancer. Surgery and chemotherapy aren’t cures, but they could extend her life. With no intervention, she has weeks. Pastor Thomas doesn’t want surgery or chemo. She’ll keep this a secret from her congregation to protect and support them.

Pastor Thomas notices the boxes and hopes that God gives him a sign to tell him what to do with his life next. The sign comes in the form of an actual wolf standing in the road as Oliver hits speeds he shouldn’t on his motorcycle. Oliver breaks feet from the wolf, and the wolf doesn’t budge. It returns his stare.

Later, he has a heart-to-heart with Carol and admits he can’t believe his dad chose to stay away. His absence was a lie. Carol suggests that the miracle is that Oliver is still here and chooses to stay even after everything he’s been through. Oliver absorbs that and cries as Carol hugs him.

Ericka refuses to see a therapist for PTSD and tells Dana that she believes drugs are a crutch. Dana says the meds she takes make it possible for her to overcome her anxiety and have a happy life. Dana leaves Ericka in the stairwell and takes the elevator, reminding her that a crutch is sometimes necessary.

Dana, Van, and Jacob are in the elevator when Ericka rushes up and asks them to hold the door. She cautiously steps inside and explains she’s been working on reassurance mantras. Ericka also tells Dana she doesn’t judge what works for her and that she’s not weak.

Ericka can’t imagine being an intern without them. They are a dysfunctional team, and she calls herself their quarterback.

Season 1 Finale Recap — Donna Murphy as Dr. Muriel Landon in ‘Brilliant Minds’ episode 13 (Photo by: Rafy/NBC)

That night, Oliver seeks answers from Muriel. She was 20 when she married Noah, and after discovering he was sick, Oliver became her priority. She loved Noah and thought she could manage him while protecting Oliver.

Muriel reveals the truth behind the day that Noah disappeared and “died.” Noah came home without Oliver, and Muriel alerted the park rangers that her 14-year-old son was alone in the woods with a gun. They found Oliver and took him to the hospital, but Noah refused to go with her to retrieve him. Noah realized he could have gotten Oliver killed, and decided he couldn’t take the chance of that happening again.

Noah told her to tell Oliver that he died in the woods. Muriel didn’t want to, but Noah insisted it would be easier for Oliver to process his death than his abandonment. Noah didn’t want Oliver to try and find him. He felt he wasn’t capable of being Oliver’s father. Muriel did not want to lie to Oliver or break his heart. However, Noah wanted to give Muriel his death to set her free of him.

When Muriel picked Oliver up at the hospital, she had never felt so scared. “I went along with the lie because I couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to my heart,” says Muriel. If she could have cured Noah, she would have. She believes illness ruined their family. Oliver disagrees. He thinks secrets did.

Oliver, Carol, and the interns join the apartment survivors at the church. Oliver tells his interns that his father isn’t dead but instead left him when he was 14 and has now come back into his life. He apologizes in advance if he’s not the best mentor in the coming weeks. The interns assure him they were lost before he arrived at the hospital but now they are his pack and will have his back, no matter what.

Pastor Thomas breaks the news to her congregation that she’s dying. She believes they must prop each other up and do their best to move forward. Ericka takes a seat next to Gene and holds his hand, both mourning Celia’s loss.

Van tells his son and his ex about his mirror-touch syndrome and that it makes him experience the pain and emotions of those around him.

Dana has her final treatment session with Katie the paramedic, and they flirt like crazy. Finally, they kiss and Dana walks away. Fortunately, it’s only to lock the door before they kiss again.

Muriel received a call from the medical board and is forced to place Carol on leave for treating a patient while aware there was a conflict of interest.

The episode – and the season – ends with Josh finding the tuxedo in Oliver’s office. Meanwhile, Oliver meets his dad at a diner and Noah confesses he’s returned because he’s sick. The doctors can’t figure out what’s wrong with him. Noah thinks Oliver is the only one who can.

NBC hasn’t announced if they’re renewing Brilliant Minds for season two. The ratings have gone down with each episode, but the series currently sits at 88% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

‘Brilliant Minds’ Episode 12 Recap: “The Doctor Whose World Collapsed”

By

Rebecca Murray

-

January 6, 2025

Brilliant Minds Episode 12 Recap — Zachary Quinto as Dr. Oliver Wolf in ‘Brilliant Minds’ episode 12 (Photo by: Rafy/NBC)

NBC’s Brilliant Minds season one winter finale left off with a cliffhanger showing Ericka’s apartment building collapsing. Episode 12 plunges into the aftermath of the collapse, with first responders looking for survivors amid the rubble.

200 people, including Ericka, live in the apartment complex that has partially collapsed.

Dr. Oliver Wolf (Zachary Quinto) warns the interns that a flood of traumatized survivors is coming their way. And although it’s against his normal teachings, they need to detach themselves from what’s happening and treat the injured.

The emergency room is quickly jam-packed with patients-some with minor injuries, some critical, and all needing assessment.

Back at the scene, paramedic Katie Rodriguez (from episode 10) is among the first responders helping the injured. A severely injured woman has a skull fracture, as diagnosed by a doctor (Mandy Patinkin) who happens to be on the scene. Her legs are trapped, so Dr. Josh Nichols (Teddy Sears) is called to the scene to help. Oliver heads to the apartment with him, knowing the first responders will be overwhelmed and can use an extra pair of hands. Josh points out, correctly, that Oliver wants to go to see if he can help find Ericka.

Dr. Carol Pierce (Tamberla Perry) speaks with family members and has them fill out paperwork to help identify their missing loved ones. She takes a minute to speak with a woman named Betsy whose arm is bleeding and learns it’s been bleeding for a while. Carol orders a full workup including blood tests to find out what’s going on.

Oliver admits his face blindness is going to make spotting Ericka hard, and Josh offers his help. A fire captain shows Josh where to find the woman with the skull fracture. He has a list of the deceased and confirms Ericka’s not on it.

Ericka (Ashleigh LaThrop) comes to on the floor of an elevator, trapped with a woman named Celia and her grandfather, Gene. The building’s unstable and they shout for help.

Van (Alex MacNicoll) and Jacob (Spence Moore II) want to head to the building, but Dana (Aury Krebs) stops them on their way out. She doesn’t think Ericka needs them; she’s not a damsel in distress. Dana insists Ericka’s not hurt and is probably busy helping others. The last thing she needs is Van and Jacob showing up and getting in her way.

Josh’s patient, Jenna Driscoll, is in worse shape than he expected but begs them not to cut off her legs to free her. The fire captain tells Oliver that the foundation is collapsing, and that everyone must evacuate. However, if they move the rubble around Jenna, they could bring down more of the building. The fire captain believes she may need to lose her legs because it will take time to get everyone else out before they can move the rubble.

Back at the hospital, Dana is trying her best to remain optimistic about Ericka. She calls her for the umpteenth time and asks again for Ericka to return her call. Her voice breaks as she begs her to call or text.

Ericka’s not getting the messages because they don’t have service inside the elevator. Gene’s attempting to open the grate in the ceiling when he collapses. Ericka believes he’s having a stroke, but she has nothing to use to help him. All she can do is scream for help.

Josh’s patient’s condition is worsening, and he thinks her legs need to be amputated for any chance of survival. Josh can relieve pressure on her brain right now, but Jenna doesn’t want him touching her brain. Oliver assures her Josh is the best neurosurgeon he’s ever worked alongside. She changes her mind, but only if they find Stuart. They have no idea who Stuart is or where he might be as she lapses into unconsciousness.

Oliver is adamant they can’t do anything without Stuart’s okay. Josh is exasperated, but he gives Oliver five minutes to find Stuart. Oliver steps outside to where the survivors are being treated and yells for Stuart. (His face blindness is making this super difficult.) Paramedic Katie spots Oliver and offers help. She hasn’t seen Ericka and reveals the first responders are now being told to go into the building at their own risk.

Back at the hospital, Van’s mirror-touch syndrome is making it incredibly difficult to deal with how scared the patients are and with their pain. He’s feeling it all, and it’s just too much. Van confesses he froze while trying to give a kid a few sutures. He’s lost without Ericka there as a calm, reassuring presence. Van admits to Jacob that he’s feeling undone, and Jacob suggests he can be his anchor while Ericka isn’t there. Jacob believes that if they don’t hold it together, she’ll kick their butts when she returns.

Ericka listens to Gene’s heart as he taps his fingers. Celia reveals he’s been tapping his fingers a lot, and Ericka realizes the taps are his heartbeat that he’s been hearing in his ears. This might not be a stroke. If she can limit blood flow to his arm, then blood flow can increase in his brain – at least temporarily. Gene immediately regains consciousness when Ericka puts her plan into action.

Oliver returns to Josh and confirms the building is about to come down around them. Oliver doesn’t want Josh to die there. Suddenly, the helpful doctor who’s yet to reveal his name rushes up with Stuart – a dog! Josh can’t believe Jenna wouldn’t let them help her until they found her dog, but as soon as Stuart’s there by her side Jenna’s vitals improve.

Oliver assists Josh as he gets to work reducing the pressure in Jenna’s skull. Once that’s done, Josh accompanies Jenna and Stuart in the ambulance. Before the ambulance leaves, Oliver admits he worried about Josh getting hurt and apologizes for stubbornly searching for Stuart.

Following Jacob’s pep talk, Van returns to the kid who needs stitches and sews him up.

There aren’t enough ambulances to transport the injured, so Oliver flags down a city bus and has it take the wounded to Bronx General.

Carol speaks with Betsy following the tests and informs her that her vitamin levels are too low. Plus, her blood and kidney function suggest she’s dehydrated. Carol wonders if Betsy’s lonely and suggests social isolation can lead to heart disease and stroke. “Fun fact, loneliness is as lethal as smoking 15 cigarettes a day,” says Carol.

Betsy explains that she retired, her husband died, and then Covid hit. Now, she just stays in her apartment alone. Carol believes that the apartment collapsing and forcing her out of isolation is a second chance for Betsy to reconnect with life.

Ericka, Celia, and Gene hear two cables break and decide to remain still. They’re quietly talking when firefighters pry open the door. Gene’s removed first and Celia tells Ericka to go next since her grandfather will need her in the ambulance. As soon as Ericka’s removed, another cable snaps and the elevator plunges. A loud crash and a cloud of dirt follow seconds later.

Oliver returns with the busload of patients and shakes his head when the interns look to see if he found Ericka. Fortunately, she arrives shortly after Wolf. Dana points out she’s bleeding just as Ericka passes out. Wolf catches her before she falls.

Wolf sews Ericka up and confesses that he never wanted to deal with interns, which is why Carol didn’t tell him that was part of his job description. “But now, I really can’t imagine coming to work without you,” says Wolf.

“See, told you you’d want me around,” replies Ericka.

Dana checks in on Ericka and Ericka admits she’s not sure she deserved to live when Celia died. She wonders how she’ll be able to look at Gene and tell him his grandfather passed away. Ericka doesn’t think she can do it.

Dana finds Gene and delivers the devastating news so Ericka doesn’t have to.

Oliver and his mom, Dr. Muriel Landon (Donna Murphy), go over the remaining patients who’ll be under Oliver’s care. Muriel admits she’s impressed with his entire team and believes he’s an excellent doctor and leader. She says the hospital needed him, and Oliver thanks his mom for taking a chance on him.

Jacob and Van have a chat during their downtime and Van’s thankful that Jacob was his anchor during the hectic day. He and Ericka are over, and he’s happy Jacob’s there for support. Van’s ex walks in with his son, Liam, and Van introduces him to Jacob. They share their secret handshake with Jacob, and Jacob’s jazzed to be part of the club.

Dana turns down a chance to go out karaoking with Katie, and Katie adds her number to Dana’s phone under hot EMT. Instead of going out, Dana stays home with Ericka. Ericka can’t believe all her things are gone, and Dana suggests she move in. Ericka leans her head on Dana’s shoulder, relieved and to have her as a friend.

Oliver and Josh have a quiet, romantic night in. Oliver’s voiceover suggests people build walls to protect themselves. It’s safer to pretend we don’t need anyone in our lives. However, most people who do that really want someone to tear down those walls and let them know the ground won’t fall out from under them.

The season’s penultimate episode ends with Muriel returning home and discovering a broken window. Oliver’s father (Mandy Patinkin!) is standing at the sink, and she tells him he can’t be there. Muriel asks if Oliver’s seen him, and he admits he’s seen Oliver. “You’re right. He is his father’s son,” says Noah.

‘The Irrational’ Season 2 Episode 8 Photos, Plot Preview, and Cast

By

Rebecca Murray

-

January 6, 2025

The Irrational Season 2 Episode 8 — Maahra Hill as Marisa and Karen David as Rose Dinshaw in ‘The Irrational’ season 2 episode 8 (Photo by: Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)

NBC’s The Irrational finally returns after a month-long winter break with season two episode eight, “Lost Souls.” Episode eight, airing on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at 10pm ET/PT, finds Marisa and Rose (Karen David) teaming up without Alec.

Jesse L. Martin leads the cast as Alec Mercer. Season two also stars Maahra Hill as Marisa, Travina Springer as Kylie, Molly Kunz as Phoebe, and Arash DeMaxi as Rizwan.

“Lost Souls” Plot: When an acclaimed tennis player goes missing in a remote forest, Alec is called to help find her and bring her to safety. However, a medical emergency threatens to sideline Alec, leaving Marisa and Rose to race against time and rescue the woman.

Travina Springer, Maahra and Karen David — Travina Springer as Kylie, Maahra Hill as Marisa, Karen David as Rose Dinshaw in season 2 episode 8 (Photo by: Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)

The Irrational Series Description, Courtesy of NBC:

The Irrational follows world-renowned professor of behavioral science Alec Mercer (Martin) as he lends his unique expertise to high-stakes cases and mysteries. His insight and unconventional approach to understanding human behavior lead him to work alongside varying clients ranging from the FBI to everyday people caught in perplexing situations desperate for answers. With the help of his trusted team and social science experiments, Alec solves crimes and uncovers the truth to answer intriguing, and irrational, questions.

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