Brilliant Minds (2x14) ⁞⁞ Episode Spotlight

Episode 14 of the second season of the NBC medical drama Brilliant Minds centered on a major health crisis that would affect all of the show's queer male characters. The episode titled "The Invisible Man" began with a hospital handyman injuring himself while simultaneously causing a carbon monoxide leak, which specifically targets the third floor of Bronx General Hospital. Meanwhile, Acting Chief Josh Nichols (Teddy Sears) looked to secure his job permanently, hoping that a good performance during the snow storm would seal the deal. He called upon his colleague Dr. Pierce (Tamberla Perry) to step up to help manage the potential chaos the storm could bring, while keeping an eye on her best friend, and his ex, Dr. Oliver Wolf (Zachary Quinto) who was known to be a wild card. The two discussed Nichols' decision not to inform his new love, Dr. Beau Pedrosa about his history with Wolf. While preparing for surgery on the injured maintenance worker, Nichols began feeling groggy causing him to back out of performing the surgery. Deciding to keep quarantined in his office, Nichols agreed to let Pierce & Wolf call upon Beau (Marco Pigossi) to handle the surgery in his place, knowing he was close enough to make it to the hospital safely. This put Wolf in an uncomfortable position. 

With an increase in patients and visitors reporting increased symptoms, queer nurse Scotty Silva (Al Calderon) worked alongside neurology resident Dr. Charlie Porter (Brian Altemus) to handle the influx along with the rest of the staff. Silva checked on a pregnant patient who began suffering from breathing issues. As he put the pieces together, the hospital staff realized that they might be dealing with a carbon monoxide leak. Beau arrived, joining Wolf to consult with Nichols before the surgery, only to find him in distress, feeling as if he was having a heart attack. They rushed to get him stabilized. Later, Pierce informed the trio of doctors about the carbon monoxide leak and the evacuation of the third floor. Beau headed off to deal with the surgery, urging Pierce & Wolf to keep an eye on Nichols. This triggered Wolf as he realized that his secret treatment of his missing father's neighbor Sofia meant she was left unattended in the sleep study room on the third floor. He rushed to get her, only to find her in the stairwell, angry at him for leaving her in danger. Pierce & Nichols realize the hospital is quickly running into an oxygen shortage with them using it to treat the poisoned patients and staff. 

Among those attempting to overcome the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning, Silva & Porter shared oxygen with interns Ericka & Dana, discussing regrets they would have had if they all died from the leak due to faulty detectors. Silva mentioned his regret would be not hooking up with Porter, leading the resident to smile, telling him they still have time. With Nichols and the pregnant patient getting worse, Wolf concocted a plan to relieve the effects of the poisoning, sending the team into the basement where they used an old hyperbaric chamber to increase the effectiveness of the remaining oxygen. Wolf plans to join Nichols in the chamber to monitor him, as Silva is inside with the female patient but Beau arrives, demanding to go inside to be with Nichols instead. Wolf leaves it up to Nichols, who requests Beau. Wolf leads his team through the process from outside, while Silva & Beau experience the negative effects of the chamber while monitoring the sick. 

The groggy Nichols calls Beau by Wolf's name, catching him off-guard. This doesn't go unnoticed by Silva. The treatment is successful and Nichols is soon on the mend. He apologizes to Beau for not telling him about his romantic history with Wolf, but Beau is understanding, leading to a happy kiss for the couple. After the third floor is cleared of gas, Pierce has a chat with a saddened Wolf, who tells her about his efforts to help Sofia given her connection to his father. Feeling like a failure, Pierce comforted him. Thinking more about Wolf's recent odd behavior, she looked into Sofia's appearance at the hospital, only to find security footage of the sleep study room showing no one entered except Wolf. This left her concerned about Wolf's mental state, as Sofia didn't seem to exist. At the same time, Sofia was convincing Wolf to take matters into his own hands to better understand his father. After Wolf mentioned the damage his father left in his wake every time he disappeared from Wolf's life, Sofia presented him with a bat, suggesting he inflict his own damage.