Disney+’s Dream Productions catches up with Inside Out‘s Riley in the years between the original film and Inside Out 2. The trailer shows the elaborate productions taking place in Riley’s mind while she’s dreaming, with Paula Pell providing the voice of the director of Riley’s dreams.
The voice cast also includes Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Ally Maki, Kensington Tallman, Liza Lapira, Tony Hale, Lewis Black, and Phyllis Smith.
“Dream Productions returns to Riley’s mind, where dreams really do come true — every night, on time and on budget,” reads Disney+’s synopsis. “Riley is growing up and when her memories need some extra processing, Joy and the rest of the Core Emotions send them to Dream Productions. Acclaimed director Paula Persimmon faces a nightmare of her own: Trying to create the next hit dream after being paired up with Xeni (voice of Richard Ayoade), a smug daydream director looking to step up into the big leagues of night dreams.”
Mike Jones wrote and directed the four-episode series, with Jaclyn Simon producing. Nami Melumad provided the score.
Lionsgate’s Den of Thieves 2: Pantera trailer teases that it pays to switch sides. The nearly three-minute trailer is loaded with action and reveals that Gerard Butler’s Big Nick and O’Shea Jackson Jr’s Donnie are planning a major heist.
“In Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, Big Nick (Butler) is back on the hunt in Europe and closing in on Donnie (Jackson), who is embroiled in the treacherous and unpredictable world of diamond thieves and the infamous Panther mafia, as they plot a massive heist of the world’s largest diamond exchange,” reads Lionsgate’s synopsis.
Christian Gudegast wrote and directed the sequel based on characters he created with Paul Scheuring. Butler, Tucker Tooley, Alan Siegel, and Mark Canton serve as producers.
Den of Thieves was released in January 2018 and grossed $15 million over its opening weekend. The R-rated action thriller had a $30 million budget and rang up $80 million at the box office before exiting theaters.
The sequel is set to open in theaters on January 10, 2025.
Netflix has set a February 20, 2025 premiere day for the much-anticipated limited series Zero Day starring two-time Oscar winner Robert De Niro (Raging Bull, The Godfather Part II). The series, which just released its first official photos, marks De Niro’s first lead role in a television series.
Joining De Niro are Angela Bassett, Lizzy Caplan, Jesse Plemons, Joan Allen, Connie Britton, and Matthew Modine. Guest stars include Bill Camp, Dan Stevens, Gaby Hoffmann, Clark Gregg, and McKinley Belcher III.
“Zero Day is about the aftermath of a devastating cyberattack that kills thousands of people and threatens to push a nation already on the precipice over the edge,” explains co-creator and executive producer Eric Newman. Co-creator and executive producer Noah Oppenheim added, “The show also looks at the cost of power for those who are asked to take on these enormous challenges — what it means for them personally, and what it means for their families.”
Newman and Oppenheim wrote the limited series and serve as co-showrunners. Michael S. Schmidt is also a series co-creator, executive producer, and writer. Additional executive producers include Robert De Niro, Jonathan Glickman, and Lesli Linka Glatter, director of all six episodes.
“Zero Day is a limited series starring Robert De Niro as respected former U.S. President George Mullen, who, as head of the Zero Day Commission, is charged with finding the perpetrators of a devastating cyber attack that has caused chaos around the country and thousands of fatalities,” reads Netflix’s synopsis. “As disinformation runs rampant and the personal ambition of power brokers in technology, Wall Street, and government collide, Mullen’s unwavering search for the truth forces him to confront his own dark secrets while risking all he holds dear.”
Angela Bassett (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) is President Mitchell: A brilliant and perceptive political tactician who has an allegiance to Mullen.
Dan Stevens (Gaslit) is Evan Green: A charismatic loudmouth and TV host of a wildly popular political program, Green becomes a thorn in George Mullen’s side as his loudest critic and chief public antagonist.
Matthew Modine (Stranger Things) is Richard Dreyer: A confident, colorful public figure who is an adept politician and holds the position of the Speaker of the House.
Bill Camp (The Queen’s Gambit) is CIA Director Lasche: The ultimate insider who knows all the secrets, CIA Director Lasche can either be a dangerous enemy or a valuable friend to Mullen.
McKinley Belcher III (We Won This City) is Carl Lopez: A tough, brilliant DOJ lawyer who serves as the Zero Day Commission’s lead investigator.
Gaby Hoffman (Transparent) as Monica Kidder: Known both as a Silicon Valley billionaire with brilliant vision, and a soulless technocrat with the plan and means to control it.
Clark Gregg (Painkiller) is Robert Lyndon: Corporate raider, provocateur, and billionaire, Lyndon has mastered the dark arts of political manipulation.
Mark Ivanir (Barry) is Natan: An intelligence operative and Mullen confidant from an era where intelligence still mattered.
Robert De Niro leads the cast as George Mullen, a massively popular but complicated former American President who is pulled from retirement to head a commission tasked with investigating a devastating global cyber-attack.
Lizzy Caplan is Alexandra Mullen: A young Congresswoman who has sought to distance herself from her father’s political legacy.
Jesse Plemons is Roger Carlson: Former Mullen “body man” seeking a return to the national stage alongside Mullen.
Joan Allen is Sheila Mullen: Former First Lady and nominee to the federal bench whose professional ambitions take a backseat to her husband’s political career.
Connie Britton is Valerie Whitesell: A savvy, intelligent political operative who was Mullen’s former Chief of Staff.
Pip is ready to dive into another murder case on A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder season two. Netflix just officially confirmed the popular young adult drama will return for a six-episode second season.
“I am BEYOND thrilled that we can continue Pip’s story and, this time, I’m writing on the show! We owe everything to the dedicated fans, and I can’t wait to reunite with my AGGGTM family!” said Holly Jackson, author of the bestselling young adult book series. Jackson and Poppy Cogan are co-writing season two and will executive produce.
Additional executive producers include Matthew Read, Simon Crawford Collins, Frith Tiplady, Lucy Richer, Danielle Scott-Haughton, and Katherine Bond.
“I’m delighted to be back in Little Kilton with Pip and friends for season two, and to have the opportunity to bring another of Holly’s gripping stories to the screen,” stated Cogan.
“After solving the Andie Bell case Pip‘s world has been transformed by her actions, and not always for the better. Pip is determined to fix the fallout – and stay away from any more investigations. But as Max Hastings’ trial approaches, key witness Jamie Reynolds suddenly disappears and Pip finds herself in a race against time to find him,” reads Netflix’s synopsis. “This new mystery will take Pip to unexpected places as she struggles with the idea of justice, straying even further from the ‘good girl’ she once was.”
Emma Myers (Wednesday) reprises her role as Pip, and Zain Iqbal returns as Ravi Singh.
Apple TV+ is showing off the first teaser from The Studio, a new half-hour comedy starring Seth Rogen as a movie studio head. Rogen also writes, directs, and executive produces along with Evan Goldberg.
The 10-episode season also stars Catherine O’Hara, Kathryn Hahn, Ike Barinholtz, and Chase Sui Wonders. Bryan Cranston pops in as a guest star.
“In The Studio, Seth Rogen stars as Matt Remick, the newly appointed head of embattled Continental Studios. As movies struggle to stay alive and relevant, Matt and his core team of infighting executives battle their own insecurities as they wrangle narcissistic artists and craven corporate overlords in the ever-elusive pursuit of making great films,” reads Apple TV+’s synopsis. “With their power suits masking their neverending sense of panic, every party, set visit, casting decision, marketing meeting, and award show presents them with an opportunity for glittering success or career-ending catastrophe. As someone who eats, sleeps, and breathes movies, it’s the job Matt’s been pursuing his whole life, and it may very well destroy him.”
The Studio will premiere on March 26, 2025, with the release of the first two episodes. New episodes stream on Wednesdays.
Rogen, Goldberg, Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory, and Frida Perez created the series. Executive producers include James Weaver, Alex McAtee, and Josh Fagen.
It’s only a minute long but the first How to Train Your Dragon teaser trailer confirms so many elements about the live-action version. Toothless is basically Toothless from the animated films, Hiccup looks like fans expect him to, and even the finger placement as Hiccup touches Toothless for the first time matches the animated original. (A YouTube commenter pointed that out.)
Mason Thames (The Black Phone), Nico Parker (The Last of Us), Nick Frost (Truth Seekers), Julian Dennison (Deadpool 2), and Gabriel Howell (Bodies) star. The cast also includes Bronwyn James (Wicked), Harry Trevaldwyn (Smothered), Ruth Codd (The Midnight Club), Peter Serafinowicz (Guardians of the Galaxy), and Murray McArthur (Game of Thrones).
Gerard Butler reprises his role as Chief Stoick the Vast from the animated films for the live-action adaptation.
“On the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations, Hiccup (Thames) stands apart. The inventive yet overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler, reprising his voice role from the animated franchise), Hiccup defies centuries of tradition when he befriends Toothless, a feared Night Fury dragon. Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society,” reads Universal Pictures’ synopsis. “With the fierce and ambitious Astrid (Parker) and the village’s quirky blacksmith Gobber (Frost) by his side, Hiccup confronts a world torn by fear and misunderstanding.
As an ancient threat emerges, endangering both Vikings and dragons, Hiccup’s friendship with Toothless becomes the key to forging a new future. Together, they must navigate the delicate path toward peace, soaring beyond the boundaries of their worlds and redefining what it means to be a hero and a leader.”
The How to Train Your Dragon trilogy director Dean DeBlois wrote, directed, and produced this live-action version. Marc Platt and Adam Siegel also serve as producers.
How to Train Your Dragon will open in theaters on June 13, 2025.
Is Valentine’s Day the perfect time to launch season three of Yellowjackets? Paramount+ with Showtime seems to think so, announcing the upcoming season will premiere on February 14, 2025 with the release of the first two episodes.
New episodes will stream on Fridays.
The season three premiere date announcement also confirmed two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank (Million Dollar Baby, Boys Don’t Cry) and Animal Control‘s Joel McHale are on board as guest stars. They join returning series stars Critics Choice Award winner Melanie Lynskey as Shauna, Emmy nominee Christina Ricci as Misty, and Tawny Cypress as Taissa. Sophie Nélisse is Teen Shauna, Jasmin Savoy Brown is Teen Taissa, Sophie Thatcher is Teen Natalie, Samantha Hanratty is Teen Misty, and Courtney Eaton is Teen Lottie.
The cast also includes Liv Hewson as Teen Van, Steven Krueger as Ben Scott, Warren Kole as Jeff, Kevin Alves as Teen Travis, Lauren Ambrose as Van, and Simone Kessell as Lottie. Elijah Wood reprises his recurring role as Walter.
Sophie Thatcher as Teen Natalie and Kevin Alves as Teen Travis in ‘Yellowjackets’ season 2 episode 2 (Photo Credit: Kailey Schwerman / SHOWTIME)
“Created by Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson (Narcos), Yellowjackets is the saga of a team of wildly talented high school girls soccer players who become the (un)lucky survivors of a plane crash deep in the remote northern wilderness,” reads Showtime’s synopsis. “The series chronicles their descent from a complicated but thriving team to savage clans, while also tracking the lives they’ve attempted to piece back together nearly 25 years later, proving that the past is never really past and what began out in the wilderness is far from over.
Equal parts survival epic, psychological horror story and coming-of-age drama, the 10-episode third season will pick up in the aftermath of the dramatic season two finale.”
Lyle, Nickerson, and Jonathan Lisco are the season three showrunners and serve as executive producers. Additional executive producers include Drew Comins, Jeff W. Byrd, Sarah L. Thompson, Ameni Rozsa, and Brad Van Arragon.
National Geographic’s ‘Meet the Planets’ (Credit: Shutterstock / Anterovium)
Nat Geo is moving forward on four unscripted series, including Surviving Pompeii featuring two-time Emmy nominee Tom Hiddleston. The just-announced slate of National Geographic projects also includes The Real Finding Nemo, Meet the Planets, and Diana: One Day in Paris.
“These new unscripted series epitomize everything National Geographic stands for — bold, captivating storytelling rooted in world-class research and expertise,” stated Tom McDonald, executive vice president of Global Unscripted and Factual Content. “Whether it’s the cutting-edge innovation of The Real Finding Nemo (working title), the storytelling panache of Surviving Pompeii (working title), the sweeping ambition of Meet the Planets (working title), or the unparalleled access in Diana: One Day in Paris, National Geographic is building on its reputation as the home of the most distinctive factual series from the very best storytellers in the world.”
Nat Geo’s New Unscripted Series Details
THE REAL FINDING NEMO (Working Title)
Following the success of the Disney+ Original series A Real Bug’s Life comes THE REAL FINDING NEMO (working title), an intimate and entertaining journey through the thrilling underwater world of charming characters where life is filled with epic drama and relatable life situations. Inspired by Pixar’s smash hit film, this series will immerse viewers in the intricate dynamics of life on the reef and beyond as the underwater citizens engage in friendship, deception, romance, and resilience.
From Freeborne Media along with the world’s best underwater cinematographers, our ocean characters will transport viewers into the world below with themes that are relevant to sea creatures and human creatures alike. Dive into a clownfish’s epic quest, the unpredictable danger-filled “drop-off,” and experience the everyday jobs that keep Reef City alive like any thriving metropolis in the human world.
‘Surviving Pompeii with Tom Hiddleston’ on Nat Geo (Credit: Shutterstock / Tunatura)
SURVIVING POMPEII WITH TOM HIDDLESTON (Working Title) (Plimsoll Productions) Tom Hiddleston brings his passion for ancient history to life in SURVIVING POMPEII WITH TOM HIDDLESTON (working title), produced by Plimsoll Productions. Continuing his partnership with Loki executive producer Kevin R. Wright on this original concept, Hiddleston leads a groundbreaking historical exploration that immerses audiences in the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D. and the hauntingly preserved Roman city it left behind.
SURVIVING POMPEII (working title) is a creatively ambitious meld of documentary and drama on a journey into the past that is still echoed in the present. Hiddleston, who studied Classics at Cambridge University and is a dedicated enthusiast of ancient history, embarks on a detective-like quest, breathing life back into the lost voices of Pompeii’s people. Each episode uncovers real stories hidden for centuries, revealing the extraordinary instants of everyday life that allow us to touch the humanity of those who lived almost 2,000 years ago.
Through richly emotional narratives, Hiddleston unveils a remarkably modern city and brings to light the lives of ordinary Romans — not just the elite — showing how their resilience and choices still echo in our world today. SURVIVING POMPEII (working title) is both a forensic investigation and a deeply empathetic experience, drawing viewers into a meticulous, minute-by-minute retelling of Pompeii’s final moments. This is history as you’ve never seen it: captivating, urgent and profoundly human.
MEET THE PLANETS (Working Title) (Maximum Effort, BBC Studios Science Unit)
From Ryan Reynolds’ Maximum Effort and the Emmy Award-winning BBC Studios Science Unit comes MEET THE PLANETS (working title), an astronomy series that brings the galaxy’s most famous family to life, with the sun as the matriarch, surrounded by her unruly planetary children. The first series of its kind, MEET THE PLANETS (working title), will collide mind-blowing science with sharp scripted comedy and original animation, allowing the planets to speak for themselves.
DIANA: ONE DAY IN PARIS (72 Films) DIANA: ONE DAY IN PARIS is a three-part documentary series exploring the tragic death of Princess Diana on the 30th anniversary of that fateful paparazzi car chase through a Parisian motorway tunnel. Produced by the team behind the critically acclaimed 9/11: One Day in America and JFK: One Day in America, the series will use the One Day In… franchise’s trademark present-tense approach that bypasses conspiracy theories in favor of factual accuracy. It will uncover new insights using rare archives and interviews with witnesses who have never spoken publicly. This landmark series will look at the 24 hours before and after Diana’s death in forensic detail and follow the story through to her funeral one week later when the world mourned the passing of an icon.
SNL‘s Vanessa Bayer guest stars on a special Christmas-themed episode of CBS’s Elsbeth. Season two episode six, “Gold, Frankincense and Murder,” will air on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 10pm ET/PT.
Carrie Preston stars as Elsbeth Tascioni, Wendell Pierce stars as Captain C.W. Wagner, and Carra Patterson is back as Officer Kaya Blanke. Robert King, Michelle King, Liz Glotzer, and Jonathan Tolins serve as executive producers.
“Gold, Frankincense and Murder” Plot: Celebrity Christmas curators Dirk and DeeDee Dashers (Vanessa Bayer) go from tinsel to tragedy after Dirk is killed in a freak accident and Elsbeth begins to suspect his wife is behind the death. Meanwhile, Elsbeth gets a holiday surprise courtesy of Wagner and Kaya. Dan Bucatinsky guest stars as Kidder Hawes, super agent for the Dashers’ empire. Rachel Raimist directs from a script by Erica Larson.
Emmy Award winner Carrie Preston is back as Elsbeth Tascioni, the astute but unconventional consent decree attorney working with the NYPD to catch New York’s most well-heeled murderers utilizing her unique point of view. Season two of the critically acclaimed series brings new cases and challenges when mistakes of the past come back to haunt Elsbeth, her boss Captain Wagner (Pierce), and detective in training Officer Kaya Blanke (Patterson).
Donna Murphy, Teddy Sears, and Zachary Quinto in ‘Brilliant Minds’ episode 8 (Photo by: Rafy/NBC)
NBC’s Brilliant Minds episode eight opens with Dr. Oliver Wolf (Zachary Quinto) thinking about what motivates us to carry on, even on our worst days. His opinion? It’s all about desire. When we get what we want, our brain gives us dopamine – the neurotransmitter that creates pleasure.
Dr. Ericka Kinney (Ashleigh Lathrop) and Dr. Jacob Nash (Spence Moore II) engage in a little flirting, but what catches Dr. Carol Pierce’s (Tamberla Perry) attention is the look that passes between Oliver and Dr. Josh Nichols (Teddy Sears).
In other news, the tension between Oliver and his mom, Dr. Muriel Landon (Donna Murphy), is so thick you could cut it with a knife.
Episode eight’s titular case involves June Sullivan (Susan Nimoy), an elderly woman whose two adult sons are concerned she may have dementia. Her assisted living facility asked her to leave because she’s been going into other residents’ rooms at night. She gets aggressive when they return her to her room. June thinks it’s all nonsense, and her sons are embarrassed when she suggests Dr. Wolf looks like a younger version of their dad. June wonders if Oliver gives his mom a hard time, too.
A flashback shows a teenage Oliver being rude to his mom and Tom, a med student from Oxford who came to stay at their house.
Carol speaks with patient Alison Whitaker (Julia Chan), a PhD student at NYU who’s having difficulty refraining from contacting her ex. Alison’s an intelligent woman who hates feeling weak when it comes to men. She mentions Carol’s private life and confesses she googled her while doing research. Carol’s a little put off by that admission.
Dr. Dana Dang (Aury Krebs) and Ericka tell their fellow interns, Jacob and Dr. Van Markus (Alex MacNicoll), that June’s living facility did indeed kick her out. And, it turns out, she left with a literal bang – sleeping with half the male residents before being booted. They run through the list of medical conditions that could cause hypersexuality, including dementia. Ericka suggests they admit her to find out what’s really going on.
And now, about 10 minutes in, it’s confirmed Dr. Oliver Wolf and Dr. Josh Nichols are really, really into each other. Oliver closes his blinds and locks the door before he and Josh get caught up in a passionate kiss. The scene ends before we’re treated to what comes after the kiss!
Oliver speaks with June about her sex life and learns she and her husband had a healthy one. He was her first and only until a year ago when he died. Since then, she’s been exploring her sexuality. She doesn’t feel sick; she’s just enjoying herself now that she’s single and doesn’t have children to raise.
Oliver and the interns discuss June’s case and Jacob’s fully supportive of her sexual activities. Ericka remains convinced it’s a symptom of a disease, while Dana thinks June’s just “finding herself.” Oliver suggests they need to confirm the root cause with a series of tests.
Oliver and Josh relax over lunch and discuss June, similar cases, and Josh’s preference for a fork over chopsticks when eating noodles. (How cute!)
Another flashback shows Oliver apologizing to Tom for being rude and offering to show him around the city.
Zachary Quinto, Susan Nimoy, Jim Watson, and Kristopher Turner in ‘Brilliant Minds’ episode 8 (Photo by: Rafy/NBC)
June’s results are back and Ericka and Dana inform Oliver everything is normal. Suddenly, they receive a stat page from June’s room. Her sons are there and explain that they were talking when she stopped making sense. Oliver recognizes the word salad as Wernicke’s Aphasia, and she may be having a stroke. Oliver orders an immediate CT scan, and it confirms she had a transient ischemic attack (a mini-stroke).
Oliver assures her sons that she should recover quickly and get her speech back. However, TIA is a warning sign that she could have a full stroke soon. He asks about what their mom was like before their dad passed, and they describe her as kind and caring. She was healthy except for a period decades ago when she and their dad got sick for weeks. Their parents had high fevers, and their dad even lost some hair. Oliver latches on to that and wants to perform a lumbar puncture on their mom to zero in on a diagnosis.
Ericka provides June with info on the spinal tap, and June admits that sex is the only activity that makes her feel young. Ericka thinks a brisk walk would do the same thing. June’s surprised when Ericka says she’s gone without dating and sex for three years and admits she went without sex for the last decade of her marriage. She warns Ericka not to make the same mistake.
A flashback shows Tom and Oliver having a great time at the beach. Tom asks about Oliver’s dad and Oliver explains he died four years ago. Oliver’s happy to have someone to discuss it with since his mom avoids the topic. A montage of scenes shows Oliver and Tom spending more time together and growing closer.
Carol asks Dana to try and find Alison Whitaker, her patient who’s gone radio silent. Dana suggests that Carol check the hospital’s records, and Carol sees her listed as Alison Zhang-Whitaker. Dana googles her and finds a photo of Alison with Carol’s husband. Also, she’s a med student at Columbia, not NYU.
Oliver informs June that she has neurosyphilis from an untreated case of syphilis from decades ago. It spread to her central nervous system and caused hypersexuality. That’s why it’s called Cupid’s disease. If not treated, it can be fatal.
June’s disappointed that what she’s been feeling is due to a disease.
June’s sons are shocked by the diagnosis, and June is forced to admit their father cheated on her. She remained in the marriage because she loved him. Her sons had no idea and apologize. However, they disagree with her decision not to seek treatment. June loves being sexually awake and doesn’t care that the condition could kill her. She’s 80 years old and wants to feel alive. (#TeamJune)
Oliver and June have a private talk, and Oliver doesn’t try and change her mind. He believes it’s possible her sons may come around. Oliver notices something and has June copy a simple design.
The interns debate June’s decision, which turns into a discussion on sex and emotional intimacy. Ericka seems surprised when Jacob says it’s over if there’s no physical connection between two people. On the other hand, Van prefers the emotional intimacy of a relationship.
Oliver and Josh step into the elevator and an update on June leads to kissing, which leads to the door opening while they’re kissing. Which leads to Oliver’s mom catching them. They look like embarrassed teenagers when she joins them in the elevator without saying a word.
Oliver shows June’s sons her drawing, which doesn’t resemble his example. Instead, she’s made Oliver’s simple box design into a beautiful drawing with flowers. The disease unlocked something in June; it’s an awakening. The sons understand but can’t get on board with their mom choosing to die instead of seeking treatment. They ask her to consider her grandkids, and June changes her mind. She promises to do anything to get better for her sons, and one of her boys reveals he wants her to move in with him and his daughters.
Ted Sutherland and Andrew Hornton in ‘Brilliant Minds’ episode 8 (Photo by: Rafy/NBC)
Once more to a flashback we go, and Oliver joins Tom while he’s studying. Oliver shares study tips and Tom tells him he’s very impressive. They kiss just as Oliver’s mom arrives home and sees them on the couch.
Oliver tells Carol about June’s decision, but Carol’s mind is elsewhere. She admits she just discovered she was treating the woman who slept with her husband and ruined their marriage. Carol confesses she liked Alison before Alison slipped up and mentioned her husband during a session. It turns out that whenever Alison mentioned her ex, she was talking about Carol’s husband. Still, Carol wishes she never knew her husband cheated on her.
Oliver believes Alison is an unreliable narrator and needs help. Carol knows that and will set her up with a new therapist.
“If there’s one thing I do know, it’s setting boundaries,” says Carol.
Speaking of boundaries, Oliver’s mom enters the elevator with Dr. Nichols. She tells him it’s none of her business who Oliver gets involved with, but she warns him not to hurt her son.
Oliver speaks with June and it’s obvious she’s not the vivacious woman she was before starting the treatment. She isn’t looking forward to living with her son without freedom or independence. That conversation alarms Oliver, and he tells her sons that June’s suffering from despair. Her symptoms are disappearing but so is her spark.
Oliver asks them to reconsider how they feel about her sex drive and support her going through hormone therapy to enhance her libido. Sure, that will mean she’s dramatically different from the mom they grew up with, but she’ll be happy. They can help save what makes her feel alive.
The sons agree.
The episode’s grab-a-tissue moment comes when Josh visits Oliver in his office and suggests they need to break off their relationship. Josh thinks it was just a reaction to their grief over Roman, and it would be best to keep things professional. Josh seems stunned when Oliver immediately agrees and even jokes about not being awkward when they see each other at work.
Alison comes in for her appointment and Carol suggests she visit another psychiatrist. Alison refuses to change doctors and claims Carol is the only therapist she feels comfortable talking to.
Zachary Quinto as Dr. Oliver Wolf in ‘Brilliant Minds’ episode 8 (Photo by: Rafy/NBC)
Oliver, Dana, and Ericka say their goodbyes to June, who is in a much better mood now that she’ll get her sex drive back. Plus, she’s moving into a different retirement community. Dana even gives her a present for her “alone time,” and June chuckles when she looks in the bag. Oliver assures her she’ll feel like the June who walked into the hospital with a twinkle in her eye.
As they’re saying goodbye, two of June’s sexual partners arrive, happy to have her back. Dana says, “Here’s to being women who aren’t afraid to get their needs met.”
Oliver, in a voiceover, says desire is a complicated emotion that leads to the highest highs and lowest lows. A flashback shows that the day after Tom and Oliver kissed, Tom flew home without saying goodbye. Oliver’s recollection of that day leads to him barging into his mom’s office and demanding to know what she said to Josh. Muriel refuses to say, and Oliver brings up Tom. Tom left the day after she saw them kiss, and by sending him away, she made him feel as if he’d done something wrong – and that there was something wrong with him.
Muriel claims it was inappropriate of Tom, so she sent him away. Oliver confesses that because she didn’t say anything to him about it, she made him feel rejected. Muriel admits she kept silent because she didn’t want to know. It was a different time and she’d seen so much pain (and death) and feared what was in store for Oliver. She didn’t know how to talk to him. Oliver says he was finally happy with Tom, and she ripped that away. Muriel apologizes, claiming she just wanted to protect him.
“I didn’t need protection. I needed love,” says Oliver, voice breaking.
Elsewhere, Ericka nervously pours wine and prepares for a date. She greets Van (yes, Van!) at the door and when he walks in, it’s obvious he didn’t think this was a date. Ericka kisses him and Van’s still confused and asks about her feelings for Jacob. However, that line of conversation ends quickly when they kiss again. Van takes off his shirt and Ericka pushes him onto the bed.
Oliver tackles the Josh situation head-on, telling him it’s not about grief and that their odds are 50/50. He doesn’t want to end this relationship before it even begins. Josh responds with a smile, “I’d say our odds are more like 60/40.”
