Warning: Contains SPOILERS for the fall finale of Brilliant Minds.
NBC's fall finale Brilliant Minds aired on December 9, putting Dr. Carol Pierce front and center. 'The Other Woman' offers a deeper look into her early days as a mother and shows Carol coming to terms with Morris' case after helping save Alison's life. Although the couple initially tried to find a way around their problems, Carol decides she wants a divorce. The doctor leaves her husband, telling Morris, “I love you, but I can't forgive you.”
The show is leading to the breakup, but Brilliant Minds ensured that fans did not go on vacation without a final shock. Ericka enters the elevator of her building just before it partially collapses. Fans will have to wait until the new year to find out the intern's fate, as “The Doctor Whose World Collapsed” doesn't air until Monday, January 6 at 10 p.m. ET. The medical drama stars Zachary Quinto (Star Trek), Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Teddy Sears and Donna Murphy.
TelaRant interviews Perry about his initial problems with Brilliant Minds' fall finale, Carol's major life decision and what could be next for Dr. Pierce in a hopeful second season.
Perry discussed Carol and Alison's interactions with the writers of The Brilliant Minds
“They were so open and willing to talk to me about what was going on with my character and this woman.”
ScreenRant: The fall finale was important for Carol. What were your thoughts when you read the script?
Tamberla Perry: I read a 111 and had a lot of trouble with it. I had a lot of problems. Thank goodness our writers, creators and showrunner are so collaborative and listen to me. Not listening or doing what I say, but they were very open and willing to talk to me about what was going on with my character and this woman. Otherwise, it would have been not impossible, but extraordinarily difficult.
When I read it, I said, “There's no way. There's no way to help this woman get through this. There's no way.” If she dies, it will be very sad, but at least she won't tell anyone about me. [Laughs] The first part, postpartum depression, is completely identifiable. I have two children. You kind of don't realize you're postpartum until you're out of it. I don't know if you have children or not, but postpartum is very real. It's very real and it's one of those things that sneaks up on you and you don't know what's happening.
You really don't know what's going on. You think it's hormones. You think it's exhaustion. You think it's so many things, but the fact is that you're a little depressed. Reading this episode brought back so many memories of being a mother for the first time. And then the part about the dynamic between Alison and me – I wanted to kill her [laughs]. She showed up at my son's school in the previous episode. She threatened me. She threatened my career, but because I took this oath, I had to save this woman.
So that was very difficult. It was very, very difficult. It was good. It was good, juicy television, but it was very difficult knowing that this is the woman who, we now know, slept with my husband more than once, and that he was in love with her. For a long time, he was in love with this woman. We know these things now, and now I have to step up and give this woman some kind of therapy. So it was difficult.
Carol understands that Alison is not the only one to blame for brilliant minds
“Morris allowed this to happen. And once she understands that, that's something that helps her move forward.”
After all, where would you say she stands with Alison? Is she holding on to some resentment or is she ready to get over it?
Tamberla Perry: I think it's a combination. We are not just one thing. We are multidimensional people and I think it is both. I think she moves on and holds grudges, but I also think a big part of it is Morris. Not everything is Alison. Morris allowed this to happen. And once she understands that, it helps her move forward. It wasn't just this woman. Well, this woman came in and told me some things that really hurt, but she didn't do it alone.
There is a very interesting scene where Carol tells Maya that the betrayal is not just Morris's fault. Was it a way of not defaming him in front of his daughter, or does she believe it?
Tamberla Perry: I think, again, a combination. In a previous episode, I talked about how Morris is a wonderful father and what a wonderful husband he was, so the last thing she wants to do is slander him to Maya. But at the same time, she wants to believe.
One of the things I say to Oliver is, “Did I do something wrong? Maybe there's something I could have done wrong.” And I think that's something that, in real life, we always question: “What role did I play in this?” And I think as a therapist, certainly, that's what we tell people. Let's talk about the role we may have played in this, so I think it's a combination.
Perry hopes viewers are happy for Carol after her decision in The Brilliant Minds fall finale
“I think this is the moment everyone has been waiting for, where we won't feel sorry for you anymore because you've overcome it.”
Morris telling Carol, “It could have been anyone,” seemed to drive the final nail in the coffin. Why do you think this is what happened?
Tamberla Perry: The fact that it could have been anyone, which means no one is special. And that's a problem.
How do you feel about her decision to end the relationship?
Tamberla Perry: There was something he could have said at some point to fix that, but he just didn't get it right. What this is, I don't know. I think she was waiting for it. He could have started with the truth, but he didn't. And that's attack number one. It's absolutely the right decision, and that's Tamberla. It's very difficult for me to overcome certain things. I will remember this. And if I'm reminding myself of that, there's a high probability that I won't be able to get over it.
That's also where therapy comes in, helping you get through things. Maybe Carol needs to go to therapy to get over some things. But I think in that moment that you saw, she decided that this is what's best for her mental state. I think that moment when she makes the decision is a victory. We don't feel sorry for her at that moment. Everyone is rooting for Carol.
And when she finally says, “I'm not going to do this anymore,” I think it's the moment everyone's been waiting for, where we no longer feel sorry for you because you've overcome it. She wants you to be happy. She doesn't want you to feel sorry for her. She’s like, “I’m fine.” I believe that when she says this, she is at peace. She knows this guy will be in her life for the rest of her life because they have children together, but she is at peace with making this decision.
What will the next chapter of Carol's life be like?
Tamberla Perry: That's a good question. We'll see what comes next. Maybe there is a new love emerging. Maybe not this season, maybe next, but I think she needs to get her bearings. She has to see what life is like without her husband, so we'll see.
About NBC's medical drama Brilliant Minds
Michael Grassi serves as creator, writer and executive producer
Inspired by the extraordinary life and work of world-famous author and physician Oliver Sacks, “Brilliant Minds”Follows a revolutionary, larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns as they explore the last great frontier – the human mind – while struggling with their own relationships and mental health.
Check out our other interviews with Brilliant Minds cast:
Brilliant Minds returns to NBC on Monday, January 6th at 10pm ET.
A renowned neurologist and his team of interns delve into the complexities of the human brain, navigating groundbreaking cases inspired by real-life disorders. As they explore this final frontier, they must also face their own personal challenges and mental health struggles, creating an emotionally charged and intellectually stimulating drama.