Look, I’m not a neurosurgeon, but even I know poking around in someone’s brain is tricky business. NBC’s Brilliant Minds, inspired by the work of neurologist Oliver Sacks, usually keeps things relatively grounded. But in “The Man From Grozny,” they’re taking a leap into the realm of brain-computer interfaces. Is it a compelling exploration of medical frontiers or a slightly premature dive into sci-fi territory? We’re about to find out.
This week’s episode focuses on Dr. Wolf and his team as they attempt a risky brain-computer interface implant on their John Doe patient. We’ve seen medical dramas tackle complicated surgeries before, but a brain-computer interface? That’s a new level of intricate. And performing it on a John Doe, a patient shrouded in mystery, ramps it up even further. “The Man From Grozny” title suggests we might get some clues about the patient’s past.
Brilliant Minds, while focusing on mind-bending cases, also looks at the personal lives of the doctors. Balancing the cutting-edge science with the human drama of the medical profession is a tightrope walk, and so far, the series has done that admirably.
Brilliant Minds: “The Man From Grozny” airs Monday, November 11, 2024, at 10/9c on NBC.
