'Brilliant Minds' Season 2 Episode 7 Recap: Oliver’s First Love Returns in “The One That Got Away”

If Brilliant Minds knows how to do anything, it’s tugging at our heartstrings while making us laugh at our own emotional damage. Season 2 Episode 7, fittingly titled “The One That Got Away,” hits that sweet spot, giving us a character-driven hour that feels both familiar and fresh. The episode centers on Oliver’s unexpected reunion with his first crush and first kiss, Tom, a storyline that brings both romantic tension and a solid medical case to the table.

When Tom walks into the hospital complaining about hearing random music, Oliver is floored. The reappearance of an old flame (or in this case, an old almost-flame) sends him spiraling into memories and what-ifs. Nico, the ever-watchful new nurse who loves to stir the pot, sums up the situation perfectly by calling the hospital “Gay’s Anatomy.” It’s a meta line that lands with perfect comedic timing and sets the tone for the episode’s lighter moments.

Oliver, clearly flustered, tries to make Josh jealous by requesting a consult with Tom. But in true Brilliant Minds fashion, things don’t go as planned. Tom casually drops the truth bomb that they were never actually dating, it was just one kiss and to make things even more awkward, he’s now married with children. Ouch. The case takes a serious turn when it’s revealed that Tom’s mysterious music episodes are actually seizures. Oliver convinces him to undergo surgery, which thankfully goes well. The medical storyline serves as a clever mirror to Oliver’s personal growth, pushing him to confront his own emotional “seizures” and make peace with the past.

Meanwhile, the “one that got away” theme echoes across the hospital in more ways than one. Oliver finally musters the courage to reach out to Josh again, only to find that Josh has already rekindled things with his ex. It’s a quiet heartbreak, the kind that Brilliant Minds does best.

On the other side of the hospital, Ericka and Carol handle Sam’s case, a patient plagued by voices that no test can explain. Ericka goes above and beyond, offering housing, money, and compassion but when Sam disappears instead of returning for treatment, it leaves her shaken. The emotional fallout pushes Ericka to reveal a personal secret: she was adopted and her mother had schizophrenia. It’s a raw, powerful moment that peels back another layer of her character. And as if that wasn’t enough, Dana finally learns the truth when her medication comes up missing.

Dana’s relationship with her girlfriend Katie also gets some screen time with Dana meeting Katie’s circle of friends (and exes, because of course). They have a small fight and Katie isn't really feeling Ericka. It’s a small subplot, but it brings a welcome sense of levity and warmth amid the heavier storylines.

Notably absent this week are Porter and Thorne, honestly, no complaints there. And while there’s no flash-forward of Wolfe in the psych ward, that absence alone feels ominous enough.

“The One That Got Away” is a strong episode that mixes heart, humor, and heartbreak in equal measure. It’s one of those hours that reminds you why Brilliant Minds continues to stand out in a crowded TV landscape, it’s smart, emotional, and just self-aware enough to poke fun at itself.

Verdict: A heartfelt, funny, and emotionally satisfying episode that proves sometimes the one that gets away is exactly what you need to move forward.

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