NBC’s Brilliant Minds episode seven opens with a flashback of Roman (aka John) in Grozny, Chechnya, running from the authorities. Flash-forward to current events, and Roman’s able to acknowledge he can still hear Dr. Oliver Wolf (Zachary Quinto). Oliver explains they’re about to insert an electrode into his brain to allow him to communicate. It’s a risky surgery, but Roman indicates with his eye movements that he’s ready to move forward.
Oliver and the interns go over Roman’s medical history again, and it’s evident that multiple doctors at a dozen hospitals misdiagnosed his condition. Treating him for seizures instead of the early stages of a stroke meant that by putting him on Propofol he was sedated into oblivion. No one caught that he was actually suffering from locked-in syndrome until now.
Still, with everything they have learned, they don’t know anything about Roman.
Dr. Josh Nichols (Teddy Sears) reluctantly allows Oliver to be present in the operating room, even though neurologists are notoriously talky during surgeries. And he’s proven correct when Oliver tosses out questions and narrates the surgery.
The surgery is successful, and everyone gathers to see what happens when Roman wakes up. Signals are being sent to Roman’s brain teaching him how to speak again. Simon Gadson, the man running the test program, has even programmed it so that the words will translate from Russian into English.
Oliver is told to talk to Roman like he would any other patient, and the first question he asks is if Roman has something he wants to say. “Scratch my nose” appears on the screen after a short pause. Oliver does as asked, and Roman communicates “thank you” on the screen.
Later, Oliver’s alone with Roman and asks if he can hear him. Roman, happy and seated in a chair, appears behind Oliver and replies, “I could always hear you. Now, I can understand you.” Roman says it’s nice to meet Dr. Wolf and lists a few things Oliver’s done for him recently. Roman explains he was forced to flee Chechnya, and it was both exciting and terrifying to be alone in a foreign country. He finally got a job so he could start saving money to send home. Plus, he wanted to be able to hire a lawyer and apply for asylum.
His boss gave him an old bike to help him get around and he fell in love with America. Roman felt connected to the city, even though he didn’t speak the language. He collided with a taxi, and that’s how he started his hospital journey.
Roman asks if he’ll get better and Oliver doesn’t sugarcoat his diagnosis. Oliver doesn’t expect Roman to regain movement, but he can still live a rich life. However, they won’t be able to remove the ventilator because his lungs are too damaged.
Dr. Carol Pierce (Tamberla Perry) agrees with Simon that it would be a good idea to bring in investors to see the progress Roman’s made. They need to show success in the real-world, and Carol believes this technology will open up a new way to communicate with patients.
Dr. Jacob Nash (Spence Moore II) pops in to check on Roman, having actor Alex Ozerov-Meyer appear in a real verbal dialogue with his scene partners is how Brilliant Minds will handle scenes of Roman communicating. Jacob and Roman joke about looking like Rasputin, and Roman says the day Jacob gave him a shave made him feel alive. Jacob apologizes they can’t do more, and Roman feels grateful for what they’ve done. However, he has a request. Roman confesses he doesn’t want to live like this anymore.
Jacob informs the team and even though Oliver’s assured him there’s more they can do, Roman seems determined to die. Dr. Ericka Kinney (Ashleigh LaThrop) points out that now that Roman’s finally able to say what he wants, they need to listen to him. A discussion ensues about assisted suicide, and Dr. Dana Dang (Aury Krebs) says this is a palliative withdrawal of mechanical ventilation. Oliver confirms it’s legal, even though it’s an ethical gray zone.
Allowing Roman to pass away won’t affect Dr. Gadson’s trial. Dr. Nichols says that if Roman dies, it won’t be the fault of the device. Dr. Nichols thinks they need to listen to what Roman wants. Jacob is against Roman’s request to die, unwilling to just give up. Oliver believes they need to allow Roman a little time to come to terms with what happened. Oliver ends the meeting by telling the team to find a reason for Roman to want to live.
Dana engages Roman in a chess game and attempts to find out why he came to America. A flashback shows Roman in the minutes after he was hit by a car. He refused medical help, fearing the authorities. He’d been waiting for his asylum appointment and didn’t know what the police would do to him. It’s too dangerous for him to return to Chechnya.
Unfortunately, he fell unconscious at work and lost any say in the matter. Dana asks again why he fled Chechnya and Roman finally replies, “For love.”
That answer spurs Dana into action. Obviously, Roman isn’t alone so Dana orders Jacob to go to his old job and see if anyone ever stopped by. Ericka is tasked with checking out his old apartment, while Dr. Van Markus (Alex MacNicoll) will see what he can find via social services and immigration. Dana will continue her research online.
Dana was right and they find Alex (Mishka Yarovoy), who immediately recognizes Roman. Oliver assures him that Roman can hear him and Roman confirms by saying Alex’s name (through the computer). Oliver, Dr. Nichols, and Dana back away to give them their privacy as Alex apologizes and reveals he’s been searching for him.
He caresses Roman’s face, and Roman jokes, “What took you so long?” Tears flow down Alex’s face as he kisses Roman’s hands. Dana has her answer: it’s illegal to be gay in Chechnya, so Roman fled to America to avoid jail or death.
Later, Oliver asks Alex about his relationship with Roman. Alex has been looking for Roman since he arrived in America and had given up hope. Oliver provides a brief explanation of what happened after Roman’s bike accident, and Alex is aware his partner wants to end his life. Oliver explains that if they can change his mind, then the next step would be figuring out Roman’s future. Would he go to long-term care or home with Alex? Alex confirms he’d love him at home, even if it’s a lot of work.
“I will do it. It was my idea for us to come here. I’m the one who speaks English. I was always planning to care for Roman. It just looks different now,” says Alex.
Oliver tells Roman that he’s very lucky to have Alex in his life. Oliver explains that Alex is learning how to take care of the medical equipment, trach tube, and ventilator. And Dana is searching for first-floor apartments. Roman’s shocked since none of this is what he wants. He still wants to be allowed to die.
Oliver won’t give up and reminds Roman that he came to America to be with Alex. Alex still wants to be with him, so why would he die now that he’s reunited with his love? Roman truly appreciates everything Dr. Wolf has done for him, including reuniting him with Alex, but he doesn’t want this version of life for himself or for Alex.
Oliver saw him when no one else did, but now it feels like Oliver doesn’t see him anymore.
Oliver asks Carol to examine Roman for depression, and Carol suggests that Oliver put himself in Roman’s shoes. “Roman came here seeking the ultimate freedom, and ended up in the ultimate prison,” says Carol, gently. “Not every patient can be saved, Wolf. Not every patient wants to be saved.”
Carol agrees to talk to Roman, and Roman describes himself as content. He’s at peace with his decision. Having Alex with him in the end completes his story. Roman believes Alex will fall in love again and carry on for him.
Oliver confides in Josh that he’s having a difficult time letting Roman go. Josh admires Oliver’s ability to see what a patient wants and needs through the patient’s eyes. Roman’s decision was hard, and Josh suggests that if they’re good doctors, they honor it.
Ericka explains to Roman the steps they’ll go through as he passes away, starting with morphine to keep him comfortable. Roman wonders if Ericka’s disappointed in him, and she claims she’s not. She envisioned what his life would look like, and it wasn’t this.
Roman confesses he doesn’t want to die in the hospital, and Ericka rushes to find Oliver. He decides to bring Roman to his house, and the interns, Carol, and Josh set everything up. Oliver and Roman have a final chat about life, family, and relationships, and Roman thinks Oliver and Josh would make a great couple. (Of course they would!) Oliver chuckles when Roman says Josh likes him. Roman reminds Oliver there’s no time like the present.
Everyone gathers, including Alex who takes his place next to Roman in bed, and looks up at the stars projected on Oliver’s ceiling. Oliver describes his favorites Vega and Altair that represent forbidden lovers who were separated by the galaxies but stayed connected by their hearts.
Alex tells Roman that he’ll love him forever. Roman adds, “Until death. And after it.” Alex kisses Roman one final time. Oliver says Roman’s name and he doesn’t respond. “It’s time,” says Oliver, and turns off the machines. He gently removes the tube and places his hand on Roman’s shoulder. Alex clutches Roman’s shirt and rests his head on his boyfriend’s shoulder as he passes away.
No one informed Simon that Roman chose to die and he’s angry his investors didn’t get the opportunity to speak with him. Carol insists this was Roman’s decision, but Simon doesn’t see it that way. He’s no longer willing to partner with Bronx General.
Oliver’s mom checks in on her son, and their conversation leads to Oliver revealing he still holds his mother responsible for giving up on his dad. They argue over Oliver’s motivation in allowing Roman to die, and Oliver insists he followed Roman’s wishes.
Van tells Ericka he can sense she has big feelings, and Ericka’s shocked he senses that. Unfortunately for Van, the feelings are for Jacob, not him. And speaking of feelings, Oliver’s preparing to leave for the day when he spots Josh across the street. A flashback shows Roman on his final day telling Oliver that he always wished he’d spot Alex on the street in New York and run to him. Oliver tells Roman he wishes he could have given that to him, and Roman assures him he did.
The flashback ends with Roman wondering what Oliver is waiting for, and apparently, Oliver’s done waiting. Episode seven ends with Oliver and Josh in a passionate kiss.
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This post was last modified on January 6, 2025 11:11 pm