Common Sense Media Review
Irresponsible drug use, some peril in medical mystery drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Brilliant Minds
What's the Story?
In BRILLIANT MINDS, Dr. Oliver Wolf, a socially awkward yet gifted neurologist, has an inability to recognize faces, a rare condition known as prosopagnosia. He also excels in solving medical mysteries that others cannot. As he breaks rules and pushes boundaries, he leads a team of young interns who learn from his unconventional methods.
Is It Any Good?
This show has a very familiar TV premise—the genius doctor with eccentricities who breaks all the rules to get results. While the life of Dr. Oliver Sacks should be interesting, Brilliant Minds suffers from predictability and relies heavily on unrealistic medical miracles. The dynamic between Dr. Wolf and his interns is compelling, but the overall execution feels derivative, especially in an already crowded genre of similar medical dramas. The show does offer some moments of tension and excitement, but nothing groundbreaking.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the ethics of medical practice: The show often showcases Dr. Wolf bending or breaking the rules to solve cases. Is it ever OK to break rules if the outcome is positive? What are the potential dangers of this mindset?
The show features a markedly diverse cast. Families can talk about how representation matters and how diverse stories contribute to better understanding different perspectives.
Dr. Wolf has prosopagnosia, a real condition that affects facial recognition. Families can discuss how the show portrays neurological and mental health issues and how it differs from real life.
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 23, 2024
- Cast : Zachary Quinto , Tamberla Perry , Ashleigh LaThrop
- Network : NBC
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2024
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate
