Samara Weaving’s forced into another life-or-death game in the trailer for Ready or Not 2: Here I Come. The sequel to 2019’s horror hit will arrive in theaters in spring 2026.
In addition to Weaving, the sequel’s cast includes Kathryn Newton, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Shawn Hatosy. Nestor Carbonell, David Cronenberg, and Elijah Wood also star.
“Moments after surviving an all-out attack from the Le Domas family, Grace (Weaving) discovers she’s reached the next level of the nightmarish game—and this time with her estranged sister Faith (Newton) at her side,” reads Searchlight Pictures’ synopsis. “Grace has one chance to survive, keep her sister alive, and claim the High Seat of the Council that controls the world. Four rival families are hunting her for the throne, and whoever wins rules it all.”
The original film’s writers, Guy Busick and R. Christopher Murphy, along with directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, return for the sequel. Tripp Vinson, James Vanderbilt, William Sherak, and Bradley J. Fischer are the producers.
Ready or Not had a $6 million budget, which it easily made back during its first few days in theaters. Opening on August 21, 2019, the R-rated horror comedy grossed $28+ million domestically and $28+ million internationally before ending its theatrical run.
CBS confirmed what everyone already suspected: both Boston Blue and Sheriff Country will return with second seasons. Given both series have been winning their time periods and increased CBS’s viewership over their 2024 time slot occupants, the official announcement didn’t come as a surprise.
Sheriff Country has been averaging 7.6 million viewers, while Boston Blue has averaged 8 million. The network reports it’s won the primetime Friday ratings battle since the series premiered in mid-October 2025.
“Two new shows on Friday night have become instant hits, with audiences quickly embracing Boston Blue and Sheriff Country across broadcast and streaming,” stated Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment. “These early renewals reflect the power of character-driven storytelling, compelling narratives, and the exceptional talent on both sides of the camera that make these series truly stand out.”
The Fire Country spinoff stars Morena Baccarin, Matt Lauria, W. Earl Brown, Christopher Gorman, and Michele Weaver. Season one airs on Fridays at 8pm, leading into Fire Country at 9pm ET/PT. Boston Blue has Donnie Wahlberg reprising his Blue Bloods role as Danny Reagan alongside Sonequa Martin-Green, Gloria Reuben, and Maggie Lawson. Marcus Scribner, Mika Amonsen, and Ernie Hudson also star.
Boston Blue Synopsis: In this new series, Reagan takes a position with the Boston Police Department and is paired with Detective Lena Silver (Martin-Green), the eldest daughter of a prominent law enforcement family. The Silver family is comprised of Boston District Attorney Mae Silver (Reuben), Boston PD Detective Lena Silver, Police Superintendent Sarah Silver (Lawson), rookie cop Jonah Silver (Scribner) and renowned Baptist pastor Reverend Edwin Peters (Hudson). As Reagan settles into his new city, he also hopes to reconnect with his younger son, Sean (Amonsen), who is beginning his own career in Boston.
Sheriff Country Description: Sheriff Country stars Morena Baccarin as straight-shooting sheriff Mickey Fox, the stepsister of Cal Fire’s division chief Sharon Leone (Diane Farr). She investigates criminal activity while she patrols the streets of small-town Edgewater, contending with her ex-con father, Wes (Brown), who is an off-the-grid marijuana grower, and a mysterious incident involving her wayward daughter.
Evil‘s Christine Lahti continues her guest starring role as Sharon’s mom on CBS’s Fire Country season four, episode seven. Directed by Alexis Ostrander, episode seven – “Best Mom in the World” – will air on Friday, December 5, 2025 at 9pm ET/PT.
“Best Mom in the World” Plot: Sharon is blindsided by a visit from her estranged mother, Ruby (Lahti), whose sudden reappearance stirs up painful family history. Meanwhile, Bode and Jake respond to a call from a troubled teen in a condemned building.
Max Thieriot stars as Bode, Kevin Alejandro is Manny, Diane Farr is Sharon, Jordan Calloway plays Jake, and Jules Latimer stars as Eve.
Fire Country stars Max Thieriot (SEAL TEAM) as Bode Leone, a young convict who sought redemption and a shortened prison sentence by joining a prison release firefighting program in Northern California, where he and other inmates were partnered with elite firefighters to extinguish massive, unpredictable wildfires across the region. It’s a high-risk, high-reward assignment, and the heat is turned up when Bode was assigned to the program in his rural hometown, where he was once a golden all-American son until his troubles began.
Years ago, Bode burned down everything in his life, leaving town with a big secret. Now he’s back, with the rap sheet of a criminal and the audacity to believe in a chance for redemption with Cal Fire.
Evan Peters as Cooper Madsen and Rebecca Hall as Jordan Bennett in ‘The Beauty’ (CR: Philippe Antonello/FX)
FX has set a January 21, 2026 premiere date for Ryan Murphy’s new thriller, The Beauty. The 11-episode season will launch with the release of the first three episodes. New episodes will air on Wednesdays.
The premiere date announcement was accompanied by the first photos and poster for the drama starring Evan Peters, Anthony Ramos, Jeremy Pope, Ashton Kutcher, and Rebecca Hall. Season one guest stars include Amelia Gray Hamlin, Ari Graynor, Bella Hadid, Ben Platt, Billy Eichner, Isabella Rossellini, Jaquel Spivey, and Jessica Alexander. Jon Jon Briones, John Carroll Lynch, Julie Halston, Lux Pascal, Meghan Trainor, Nicola Peltz Beckham, Peter Gallagher, and Vincent D’Onofrio also guest star.
Ashton Kutcher as The Corporation (CR: Eric Liebowitz/FX)
FX released the following synopsis of Ryan Murphy’s new series:
“In FX’s The Beauty, the world of high fashion turns dark when international supermodels begin dying in gruesome and mysterious ways. FBI Agents Cooper Madsen (Peters) and Jordan Bennett (all) are sent to Paris to uncover the truth. As they delve deeper into the case, they uncover a sexually transmitted virus that transforms ordinary people into visions of physical perfection, but with terrifying consequences.
Their path leads them directly into the crosshairs of The Corporation (Kutcher), a shadowy tech billionaire who has secretly engineered a miracle drug dubbed The Beauty, who will do anything to protect his trillion-dollar empire—including unleashing his lethal enforcer, The Assassin (Ramos). As the epidemic spreads, Jeremy (Pope), a desperate outsider, is caught in the chaos, searching for purpose as the agents race across Paris, Venice, Rome, and New York to stop a threat that could alter the future of humanity.
The Beauty is a global thriller that asks: what would you sacrifice for perfection?”
Ryan Murphy and Matthew Hodgson created The Beauty, based on Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley’s comic book series, and serve as writers and executive producers. Additional executive producers include Evan Peters, Anthony Ramos, Jeremy Pope, Eric Kovtun, Scott Robertson, Nissa Diederich, Michael Uppendahl, Alexis Martin Woodall, Eric Gitter, Peter Schwerin, and Jeremy Haun.
Jeremy Pope as Jeremy and Anthony Ramos as The Assassin (CR: FX)Rebecca Hall as Jordan Bennett and Evan Peters as Cooper Madsen (CR: Philippe Antonello/FX)Bella Hadid as Ruby (CR: Philippe Antonello/FX)
Ben Whishaw in ‘Peter Hujar’s Day’ directed by Ira Sachs (Courtesy of Janus Films)
Top film nominees for the 2026 Spirit Awards include Peter Hujar’s Day with five nominations, followed by Blue Sun Palace, Lurker, One of Them Days, Sorry, Baby, and Train Dreams with four each. Adolescence, Forever, and Mr Loverman emerged as the top television nominees, each receiving four nominations.
Spirit Awards winners will be announced on Sunday, February 15, 2026. The ceremony will take place at the Hollywood Palladium and will stream live on Film Independent and IMDb YouTube channels.
“The distinguished and inspired work produced by our nominated artists this year
shows both the incredible breadth and the essential nature of independent art being
created today,” stated Brenda Robinson, Acting President of Film Independent. “These artists brilliantly demonstrate that there is no limit to the places where storytellers are
able to find drama, humor and beauty, all while challenging audiences to stay engaged
and curious, to protect the space where independent art can thrive.”
2026 FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARD NOMINATIONS
BEST FEATURE
Peter Hujar’s Day
The Plague
Sorry, Baby
Train Dreams
Twinless
BEST FIRST FEATURE
Blue Sun Palace
Dust Bunny
East of Wall
Lurker
One of Them Days
JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD
The Baltimorons
Boys Go to Jupiter
Eephus
Esta Isla (This Island)
Familiar Touch
BEST DIRECTOR
Clint Bentley – Train Dreams
Mary Bronstein – If Had Legs I’d Kick You
Lloyd Lee Choi – Lucky Lu
Ira Sachs – Peter Hujar’s Day
Eva Victor – Sorry, Baby
BEST SCREENPLAY
Michael Angelo Covino, Kyle Marvin – Splitsville
Angus MacLachlan – A Little Prayer
James Sweeney – Twinless
Christian Swegal – Sovereign
Eva Victor – Sorry, Baby
BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
Andrew DeYoung – Friendship
Elena Oxman – Outerlands
Alex Russell – Lurker
Syreeta Singleton – One of Them Days
Constance Tsang – Blue Sun Palace
BEST LEAD PERFORMANCE
Everett Blunck – The Plague
Rose Byrne – If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
Kathleen Chalfant – Familiar Touch
Chang Chen – Lucky Lu
Joel Edgerton – Train Dreams
Dylan O’Brien – Twinless
Keke Palmer – One of Them Days
Théodore Pellerin – Lurker
Tessa Thompson – Hedda
Ben Whishaw – Peter Hujar’s Day
BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE
Naomi Ackie – Sorry, Baby
Zoey Deutch – Nouvelle Vague
Kirsten Dunst – Roofman
Rebecca Hall – Peter Hujar’s Day
Nina Hoss – Hedda
Jane Levy – A Little Prayer
Archie Madekwe – Lurker
Kali Reis – Rebuilding
Jacob Tremblay – Sovereign
Haipeng Xu – Blue Sun Palace
BEST BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE
Liz Larsen – The Baltimorons
Misha Osherovich – She’s the He
Kayo Martin – The Plague
SZA – One of Them Days
Tabatha Zimiga – East of Wall
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Alex Ashe – Peter Hujar’s Day
Norm Li – Blue Sun Palace
David J. Thompson – Warfare
Adolpho Veloso – Train Dreams
Nicole Hirsch Whitaker – Dust Bunny
BEST EDITING
Ben Leonberg – Good Boy
Carson Lund – Eephus
Fin Oates – Warfare
Sara Shaw – Splitsville
Sofía Subercaseaux – The Testament of Ann Lee
ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD The Long Walk
Director: Francis Lawrence
Casting Director: Rich Delia
Ensemble Cast: Judy Greer, Mark Hamill, Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Tut Nyuot,
Joshua Odjick, Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang, Garrett Wareing
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Come See Me in the Good Light
Endless Cookie
My Undesirable Friends: Part I – Last Air in Moscow
The Perfect Neighbor
The Tale of Silyan
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM
All That’s Left of You – Palestine, Jordan, Germany, Cyprus
On Becoming a Guinea Fowl – Zambia, UK, Ireland
A Poet – Colombia
The Secret Agent – Brazil
Sirāt – Spain
PRODUCERS AWARD Emma Hannaway
Luca Intili
Tony Yang
SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD
Tatti Ribeiro – Director of Valentina
Neo Sora – Director of Happyend
Annapurna Sriram – Director of Fucktoys
TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD Tony Benna – Director of André is an Idiot
Rajee Samarasinghe – Director of Your Touch Makes Others Invisible
Brittany Shyne – Director of Seeds
BEST NEW NON-SCRIPTED OR DOCUMENTARY SERIES
Citizen Nation
Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time
Pee-wee as Himself
Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television
Vow of Silence: The Assassination of Annie Mae
BEST NEW SCRIPTED SERIES
Adolescence
Common Side Effects
Forever
Mr Loverman
North of North
BEST LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A NEW SCRIPTED SERIES
Sydney Chandler – Alien: Earth
Stephen Graham – Adolescence
Ethan Hawke – The Lowdown
Lennie James – Mr Loverman
Anna Lambe – North of North
Lola Petticrew – Say Nothing
Seth Rogen – The Studio
Lovie Simone – Forever
Michelle Williams – Dying for Sex
Noah Wyle – The Pitt
BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A NEW SCRIPTED SERIES
Ariyon Bakare – Mr Loverman
Babou Ceesay – Alien: Earth
Sharon D. Clarke – Mr Loverman
Taylor Dearden – The Pitt
Erin Doherty – Adolescence
Stephen McKinley Henderson – A Man on the Inside
Poorna Jagannathan – Deli Boys
Xosha Roquemore – Forever
Jenny Slate – Dying for Sex
Ben Whishaw – Black Doves
BEST BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE IN A NEW SCRIPTED SERIES
Asif Ali – Deli Boys
Wally Baram – Overcompensating
Owen Cooper – Adolescence
Michael Cooper Jr. – Forever
Ernest Kingsley Junior – Washington Black
BEST ENSEMBLE CAST IN A NEW SCRIPTED SERIES
Chief of War
Ensemble Cast: Charlie Brumbly, Luciane Buchanan, Cliff Curtis, Brandon Finn, Moses
Goods, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Benjamin Hoetjes, Siua Ikale’o, Keala Kahuanui-Paleka,
Mainei Kinimaka, Kaina Makua, Jason Momoa, Temuera Morrison, Te Kohe Tuhaka,
James Udom
CBS’s Sheriff Country returns after a two-week break with episode seven, “Glory Days.” Directed by Holly Dale, episode seven will air on Friday, December 5, 2025 at 8pm ET/PT.
“Glory Days” Plot: While investigating a brutal assault at Edgewater High, Sheriff Mickey Fox uncovers a disturbing web of secrets, lies, and abuse of power at the school.
Morena Baccarin leads the cast as Mickey Fox, Matt Lauria plays Nathan Boone, W. Earl Brown is Wes Fox, Michele Weaver plays Cassidy Campbell, and Christopher Gorham stars as Travis Fraley. Executive producers include Fire Country star Max Thieriot, Tony Phelan, Joan Rater, Matt Lopez, Jerry Bruckheimer, and KristieAnne Reed.
Morena Baccarin stars as straight-shooting sheriff Mickey Fox, the stepsister of Cal Fire’s division chief Sharon Leone (Diane Farr of Fire Country). She investigates criminal activity while she patrols the streets of small-town Edgewater, contending with her ex-con father, Wes (W. Earl Brown), who is an off-the-grid marijuana grower, and a mysterious incident involving her wayward daughter.
Vernée Watson and Skye P. Marshall in season 2 episode 7 (Photo credit: Michael Yarish/2025 CBS Entertainment Inc)
Bob Hearts Abishola‘s Vernee Watson is introduced as Olympia’s mother on CBS’s Matlock season two, episode seven. Directed by Tessa Blake, episode seven – “Prior Bad Acts” – will air on Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 9pm ET/PT.
“Prior Bad Acts” Plot: Olympia works to repair her relationship with her family after she takes on a case involving her mother’s new husband. Also, Matty and Olympia receive a shocking piece of information.
Kathy Bates leads the cast as Madeline “Matty” Matlock. Skye P. Marshall stars as Olympia Lawrence, Jason Ritter plays Julian Markston, David Del Rio is Billy Martinez, Leah Lewis stars as Sarah Franklin, Sam Anderson is Edwin Kingston, and Aaron Harris is Alfie Kingston.
Kathy Bates and Skye P. Marshall in season 2 episode 7 (Photo credit: Michael Yarish/2025 CBS Entertainment Inc)
Matlock Series Description:
“Matlock stars Emmy and Academy Award winner Kathy Bates as Madeline ‘Matty’ Matlock, a brilliant septuagenarian who achieved success in her younger years and rejoins the workforce at a prestigious law firm with a hidden agenda, using her unassuming demeanor and wily tactics to win cases. Matty is assigned to Olympia (Marshall), a senior attorney and key rainmaker with a thirst for justice; Olympia’s ex-husband, Julian (Ritter), the son of the head of the firm, is intrigued by Matty and her clever skills.
As Matty endeavors to establish herself in her new high-stakes world, she works alongside the firm’s younger associates—the charismatic Billy (Del Rio) and the uber-ambitious Sarah (Lewis).”
Deana J. Becker as “Judge Bjornstad,” Skye P. Marshall as “Olympia Lawrence,” and Scott Lawrence as “Lionel” in season 2 episode 7 (Photo credit: Michael Yarish/2025 CBS Entertainment Inc)Kathy Bates, Niko Nicotera, and Tim Ransom in season 2 episode 7 (Photo credit: Michael Yarish/2025 CBS Entertainment Inc)Justina Machado as “Eva” and Beau Bridges as Howard “Senior” Markston in ‘Matlock’ season 2 episode 7 (Photo credit: Michael Yarish/2025 CBS Entertainment Inc)
LEONARDO DI CAPRIO as Bob Ferguson and BENICIO DEL TORO as Sensei St. Carlos in ‘One Battle After Another’ (Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures)
Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another was named Best Feature by the Gotham Film & Media Institute during the 35th annual Gotham Awards held on December 1, 2025. It Was Just an Accident earned the most awards overall, scoring three wins, including Best International Feature, Best Director (Jafar Panahi), and Best Original Screenplay (Panahi).
In addition to the “Best” categories, The Gothams Tributes were presented in recognition of “the industry’s most accomplished creators and performers whose work has made an indelible impact on both the art form and popular culture.” Frankenstein was honored with the Gotham Vanguard Tribute, the Sinners cast received the Ensemble Tribute, and Hedda star Tessa Thompson was recognized with the Spotlight Tribute.
Jay Kelly‘s Noah Baumbach was awarded the Gotham Director Tribute, Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman earned the first Gotham Musical Tribute, and Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere‘s Jeremy Allen White and Scott Cooper received the Gotham Cultural Icon Tribute. After the Hunt‘s Luca Guadagnino and Julia Roberts received the Visionary Tribute.
Netflix’s incredibly popular Stranger Things is wrapping up its five-season run on New Year’s Eve. Season five, part one, premiered on November 26, 2025, and the final season’s part two will drop on December 25th.
Today, the streamer confirmed the finale (season five, episode eight) will run two hours and five minutes. Netflix previously announced the final chapter will screen in theaters simultaneously with its Netflix premiere. The full list of participating theaters is available at www.st5finale.com.
During a press conference leading up to the release of part one, the Duffer Brothers were asked how they balance the fans’ expectations with their own vision of how the story should end. Matt Duffer replied, “I think, you know, that’s one of the most challenging things with the show, or one of the things about the success of the show that’s been challenging is just every year it feels like there’s more and more noise around it. But what we try to do as much as possible is shut off the noise and not listen to it. I mean, of course you hear it, but then at the end of the day, it comes down to me, Ross, and our four writers, all of whom have been on the show since either season one or season two. And we just try to write something that we think is cool.
Because that’s what we did all the way back in season one, because we had no fans. And we were just trying to make something that we loved. And that’s what we did. And then it resonated with, you know, a lot of people. So we try to apply that philosophy to every season. And especially with this final season because of the level of expectation. It can just paralyze you. So we just stopped thinking about it and we thought, ‘Hey, if we’re happy with the way this is ending, hopefully it will work for the rest of the audience.’ So really, you’re just trying to please five people and then hoping it trickles outward.”
Matt Duffer continued: “And it’s interesting with Netflix. The last thing I’ll say is, there is no test screenings. So, we don’t get any reactions from fans. We’re only getting feedback from, I would say, a total of 10 people, which is terrifying, but on the other hand, really freeing. Because you don’t get weighed down by what is or isn’t working with people, what people want. You don’t worry about it at all. You’re just trying to get it to a place where you’re happy. And then you put it out in the world and you pray.”
Season five stars Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair, Noah Schnapp as Will Byers, Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers, and David Harbour as Jim Hopper. Sadie Sink plays Max Mayfield, Natalia Dyer is Nancy Wheeler, Charlie Heaton is Jonathan Byers, Joe Keery is Steve Harrington, and Maya Hawke is Robin Buckley.
Rounding out the ensemble are Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair, Brett Gelman as Murray, Jamie Campbell Bower as Vecna, Cara Buono as Karen Wheeler, Amybeth McNulty as Vickie, Nell Fisher as Holly Wheeler, Jake Connelly as Derek Turnbow, Alex Breaux as Lt. Akers, and Linda Hamilton as Dr. Kay.
“The fall of 1987. Hawkins is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna. But he has vanished—his whereabouts and plans unknown. Complicating their mission, the government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven, forcing her back into hiding,” reads Netflix’s synopsis. “As the anniversary of Will’s disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread. The final battle is looming—and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything they’ve faced before. To end this nightmare, they’ll need everyone—the full party—standing together, one last time.”
Stranger Things is produced by Upside Down Pictures and 21 Laps Entertainment. The Duffer Brothers, Shawn Levy, and Dan Cohen serve as executive producers.
Aury Krebs, Ashleigh LaThrop, Zachary Quinto, Tamberla Perry, Spence Moore II, and Alex MacNicoll in ‘Brilliant Minds’ season 2 episode 10 (Photo by: Pief Weyman/NBC)
NBC’s Brilliant Minds season two, episode 10, begins at Harlan Oaks with Dr. Amelia Frederick (Bellamy Young) berating Dr. Oliver Wolf (Zachary Quinto) for his behavior. Oliver claims he’s being held against his will, but Amelia reminds him he voluntarily signed in. She brings up “him” and says it’s time to talk about the incident.
(The following is a recap of season two, episode 10—the fall finale—and there are spoilers.)
The story flashes back three months to a ballet rehearsal. The lead dancer panics, believing she’s literally frozen. Obviously, this is the main patient of the week storyline.
Dr. Charlie Porter (Brian Altemus) tells his therapist, Terry, that Oliver has been incredibly unfair and out of line. Terry reminds Charlie that they’re working on letting go of his anger, and suggests that he show Oliver who he really is.
Elsewhere, Oliver’s mom, Muriel (Donna Murphy), is busy decorating Oliver’s home for Christmas. She loves the season; Oliver thinks it’s way too early for a Christmas tree. Muriel brings up the hospital gala taking place that evening and gives him permission to skip it, calling it an early Christmas gift.
“I can handle the gala if it means you’ll stop using these impromptu visits to psychoanalyze me,” says Oliver.
Dr. Carol Pierce (Tamberla Perry) is in a great mood because her divorce is final. Dr. Anthony Thorne (John Clarence Stewart) is also happy as they walk through the hospital. He just learned he has his kids for Christmas. They agree to toast their good news at the gala.
Dr. Jacob Nash (Spence Moore II) is done with his emergency department shift and back with the other residents. The gang’s busy calling hospitals to find a liver for Sam. So far, they’re striking out because everyone thinks he’s too big of a risk.
Oliver speaks with the ballet dancer, Juliet (Casimere Jollette), admitting he’s a huge fan of the city ballet. She’s anxious to get back to rehearsals since tonight’s opening night. Her file indicates she was diagnosed with sepsis and respiratory failure but left the ICU against her doctor’s advice. Juliet doesn’t think this has anything to do with that, since that ICU visit was three months ago.
Charlie intrudes on the exam, and Juliet corrects him when he says she fell. She claims her dumb partner dropped her. Also, everyone has it out for her. Oliver tries to get Charlie to leave but he refuses. Charlie shines a light in Juliet’s eyes and she reacts by saying her eyes are burning. She feels frozen again and doesn’t know where she is. She tries to run off but collapses.
Oliver and Charlie meet with Zora, the ballet’s artistic director, and Zora confirms Juliet’s partner didn’t drop her on purpose. Juliet’s currently in imaging to make sure she doesn’t have a brain bleed. Zora thinks Juliet changed after leaving the hospital; she’s no longer fearless.
Oliver explains Juliet signed out way too early and that she could now be experiencing issues connected to the previous ICU visit. Zora disagrees. She believes it’s just stage fright and is going to replace her with her understudy.
Amelia pops in on Carol, and they discuss the gala which Hudson Oaks is sponsoring. She wants Carol to know that Hudson Oaks really wants to be their partner when it comes to long-term care.
Oliver, no fan of Amelia, pulls Carol away to consult on Juliet. Juliet reveals that when she’s dancing, she feels like she’s transported somewhere else. “Sometimes it’s like I’m freezing, trembling, cold in my bones. Like my body is made of ice,” says Juliet. She also experiences a choking feeling and a sharp pain like she’s being stabbed in the back. And then it just ends.
Al Calderon and Casimere Jollette in ‘Brilliant Minds’ season 2 episode 10 (Photo by: Pief Weyman/NBC)
Later, Oliver goes over her ICU charts, and everything she’s experiencing relates to her visit. She was intubated, hence the choking feeling, and she had a lumbar puncture. Plus, ice packs were applied to bring down her fever. Oliver believes she’s experiencing ICU PTSD three weeks after leaving the hospital. Carol agrees she’s having flashbacks to hallucinations she had under sedation. She suggests exposure therapy, but Charlie disagrees with both suggestions. Oliver thinks he should keep his opinions to himself, and they get into another shouting match. Charlie’s happy this time he has Carol as a witness.
Oliver reminds Charlie that his mistake with the Torres family almost cost the patient his life. Charlie strikes a nerve when he asks if Oliver’s ever made a mistake with a patient.
Oliver speaks with Dr. Josh Nichols (Teddy Sears) and demands to have Charlie taken off his team. Josh suggests that it’s Oliver’s job to train him, and Oliver fires back that Charlie is a lost cause.
Dr. Van Markus (Alex MacNicoll) and Jacob talk about Van’s ex, Michelle, and Van reveals he’s going to ask her to move in with him. Jacob approves, but Van senses something’s up. Jacob confesses that when he went home to Texas his old team doctor offered him a spot in his residency program. He’d be doing neuro in a sports context, and he admits that’s his dream job. Van can tell Jacob’s torn between staying and moving back home.
Carol gets Juliet to explain that when she was intubated, she panicked and they had to hold her down. She could hear Zora in her head telling her was stiff as a board. She felt bad, but was also brave enough to tell Zora off.
Dr. Dana Dang (Aury Krebs) and Dr. Ericka Kinney (Ashleigh LaThrop) check on Sam, sending his mom off to get some food and rest. Ericka pauses after looking in his eyes, and Dana confirms it appears Sam’s condition is worsening. Ericka’s voice breaks as she tries to stay positive about Sam’s prognosis.
Carol and Oliver recommend that Juliet stay overnight in the hospital. Carol wants her to face her fears via exposure therapy. (Oliver deliberately closes the door before Charlie joins them.) She’s taken to the ICU room where she spent three weeks with pneumonia, and they hand her a record of everything that happened while she was there. Nico’s also involved since he was one of her nurses when she was hospitalized.
Nico (Al Calderon) promises to stay with her and watch Real Housewives if she spends the night. She’s still not sure, but Oliver reminds her she could worsen her condition if she leaves.
Josh is getting ready to perform a procedure on Sam when Oliver arrives with news that a liver, intended for someone else, could match Sam. It’s on its way to the hospital right now. Josh promises to talk to the head of the transplant committee tonight at the gala.
Oliver and Ericka are determined to get him to put Sam on the list, and Dana helps Ericka with her makeup as they get dressed up for the gala. (Oliver’s team looks fantastic in formal attire!) Michelle rushes in with letters of support from a shelter where Sam stayed. He used to show up every month and help by giving blood. Ericka’s sure this will help when she pleads Sam’s case.
Michelle tells Van she’s decided not to go to the gala. She thinks Liam can’t handle another heartbreak, and Van swears he’ll be there for her and their son. He’s not going anywhere. Yes! Michelle changes her mind!
Meanwhile, Juliet is shaking and scared while listening to all the beeps from machines surrounding her bed. Charlie rushes in and offers to turn the volume down, but she declines. Charlie mentions how infuriating it is when their mentors punish them. Juliet disagrees; she finds it motivating. She’ll prove to Zora that she’s better than her one day.
“She doesn’t know it now but she’s creating a monster,” says Juliet. Charlie doesn’t respond.
Zachary Quinto and Ashleigh LaThrop in ‘Brilliant Minds’ season 2 episode 10 (Photo by: Pief Weyman/NBC)
The gala gets underway and everyone looks gorgeous. Amelia suggests to Carol that she “shoot her shot” with Anthony, as Oliver and the team look around for anyone on the transplant team. Finally, they spot Dr. Walker and Ericka’s ready to play on his heartstrings.
Ericka introduces herself and tries to pitch Sam’s case. Dr. Walker won’t even listen and walks away.
Oliver makes a bold move and takes the stage, praising his mom for planning this event after she retired. He calls patients the real heroes, and talks about Sam. He mentions that patients with mental illness are often summarily dismissed and not put on transplant lists. Oliver tells the crowd that every hospital rejected Sam outright, except Dr. Walker’s transplant team. He lies and says Dr. Walker recognized Sam’s potential and placed him at the top of the list.
“Dr. Walker is giving Sam Mapesberry that second chance at life,” says Oliver. The team’s shocked and exchange glances as Oliver continues. Oliver wraps up by saying he’s proud that at Bronx General they believe everyone deserves care.
The crowd applauds Dr. Walker, and Oliver’s mom takes over, calling Dr. Walker an angel. She tells the crowd, which includes donors, that this is what their money is going toward. Amelia gets everyone’s attention and announces Hudson Oaks will match donations up to $100,000.
Oliver and Ericka speak to Dr. Walker, who’s confused and upset. Oliver points out that he made him a hero while Ericka scans the crowd and confirms the donors approve. Dr. Walker will put Sam on the list but warns them he has a very long memory.
Ericka’s races out of the gala, all smiles.
Carol and Anthony compliment each other and flirt. However, it turns out that Anthony’s with a date who also works at the hospital.
Oliver’s surprised when Muriel welcomes Charlie Porter to the stage to share his story of why he became a doctor. Charlie talks about avoiding hospitals because his mother was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor when he was a child. Charlie recalls that his mom suffered, and that her young, dedicated doctor swore he’d be with them every step of the way. Oliver stares at the photo of Charlie’s mom now on display and suddenly realizes who Charlie is. (He’s the son of the female patient that still haunts him to this day.) Charlie continues, saying he became a doctor because of his mom’s doctor. He recalls the doctor dangled the possibility that she could be saved and his family clung to that. That left them completely unprepared when she died.
Charlie realized in medical school there was never a possibility that she would have survived. He also realized that Oliver “sold her fantasy because he couldn’t bear to face the truth.”
Charlie believes they’re in the business of telling the truth. He hopes when he’s honest with his patients, he makes his mom proud.
(Meanwhile, Ericka tells Sam’s mom that they have a liver as the team wheels him out of the room.)
Charlie and Oliver step outside, and Charlie admits he wanted to meet the doctor who ruined his life. Oliver attempts to explain that both he and Charlie’s mom wanted to keep fighting, but Charlie doesn’t want to hear it. Oliver is shocked this is all to revenge his mother’s death, and Charlie corrects him. It’s also about his father who drank himself to death four years after she died because he couldn’t deal with the pain she’d suffered.
Charlie’s been alone since he was 14. Oliver apologizes and Charlie doesn’t forgive him. Charlie found Oliver’s father and hands him the address. He walks away, suggesting they’ll see who breaks from not processing trauma.
The night’s coming to an end and Muriel thanks the donors for the record-setting night. Muriel sings, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” as couples take the dance floor. Oliver rushes past Carol and Josh without answering her question about Charlie’s speech.
Josh and Carol slow dance, and Josh asks if she’s noticed anything off about Oliver.
Nico and Juliet watch Real Housewives as Juliet learns that her understudy got a standing ovation. She shakes it off. Elsewhere, Ericka and Jacob celebrate Sam’s liver transplant. Jacob tells Ericka that she saved Sam’s life and that she’s amazing . They kiss, and she says, “So are you.”
Oliver heads to the address Charlie gave him and breaks the glass in the door when no one answers.
Van’s standing outside with Dana when he texts Michelle after she no-shows. Dana assures him that Michelle will come around, and Van thinks he just put too much pressure on her.
The season two fall finale ends with Michelle unconscious (or maybe dead?) in the driver’s seat. It appears someone ran into the driver’s side of her car.
