Network: ABC
Episodes: 13 (hour)
Seasons: One
TV show dates: April 24, 2014 — July 24, 2014
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: Kelly Reilly, Ditch Davey, David Ajala, Terry Kinney, Ali Wong, David Chisum, Laura Fraser, Siobhan Williams, and Vanessa Redgrave.
TV show description:
This dramatic series revolves around uncovering the mysteries of the human brain —
Catherine Black (Kelly Reilly) is a world-famous neurologist who is brilliant, beautiful, and at the top of her game. However, few know that she’s also bipolar. The medical director of The Cube, this complex woman draws patients from all over the world. Outside of work, she keeps multiple secrets from her family and loved ones.
Doctor Ian Bickman (Ditch Davey) is a brilliant neurosurgeon and a known womanizer. He’s handsome and funny but his work comes first. He’s always treasured his freedom — until he met Catherine.
On the other side is Will Van Renseller (David Ajala), a handsome and trailblazing new chef in Brooklyn. He’s smart and ready to settle down with Catherine but her secret may derail their happiness.
Doctor Owen Morely (Terry Kinney) is the chief of staff and department chairman of The Cube. He’s Catherine’s former teacher, current boss, mentor and a fellow neurologist. He’s a true gentleman. Lina Lark (Ali Wong) is an intelligent and eccentric radiology technician who’s hiding a secret of her own.
Joshua Black (David Chisum) is Catherine’s best friend, confidante, and brother. He’s her protector and stands by her side, keeping her rooted along. His wife is Reagan (Laura Fraser). She’s a complex woman who sometimes finds it a struggle to stand by and support Catherine knowing all her secrets. Things are more complicated by the fact that her teen-age daughter, Esme (Siobhan Williams), looks up to her aunt.
Doctor Helen Hartramph (Vanessa Redgrave) is Catherine’s very intuitive and insightful psychiatrist. She’s more than just Catherine’s doctor, she’s also a mentor. She knows more about Catherine than anyone else, and holds the key to her mysterious background.
Episode #13 — Consequences
The police pick up Catherine half-naked in the woods after she stole Bickman’s car. After undergoing treatment in rehab, Catherine returns to face the fallout at home and at the Cube. Joshua tells her that he can’t be her enabler anymore. Catherine returns home to her apartment. It’s in shambles. Joshua reminds his sister that she’s a lot stronger than she thinks she is.
Bickman gives Leo his coveted letter of recommendation. He later gives Catherine a big hug upon her return. He knows she’s bipolar. He also knows that she needs to fight for her job. He’ll back her up. He’s her friend. Owen is agreeable to having Catherine back at work, though it isn’t without strict parameters, making it a challenge for Catherine to earn her credibility back.
Owen gets the background on Catherine from Dr. Hartramph. There will always be risks of having her work at the Cube. Of course, there are great rewards, too. Back at the Cube, Truman is a young man who believes he has a doppelganger. Catherine is treating him under the watchful eye of Owen, who ultimately turns over the case to Farrah. A short time later, he realizes Catherine’s assessment of the situation is on target.
Nurse Carlotta is jealous now that Catherine is back. She believes Bickman is in love with her. Catherine shows up at Bick’s place asking to turn back the clock. She doesn’t wait around to hear his answer once she sees Carlotta is there. Bick later explains that he was just trying to get Catherine out of her mind.
While trying to get her life back on track, Esme’s biological father, Johnny, arrives and is in desperate need of a transplant. Catherine is faced with the difficult decision of having to reveal the truth to Esme about who her real parents are. Reagan agrees to break the news but without Catherine present. Esme is angry, but agrees to the transplant.
Catherine finds Johnny unconscious in his apartment. Time is critical now. Too bad Esme is nowhere to be found. That’s because she’s hiding at Will’s restaurant. The two of them show up at the hospital. Esme is ready to meet her biological father, but she wants her real dad and mom to go with her. Catherine is left standing in the corridor alone.
Owen lets Catherine know that he’s not going to second-guess her anymore. Later, news comes in that Esme is a good match for Johnny. She’s still not ready to talk to Catherine, who gets more bad news from Owen. Carlotta came to him with allegations that Dr. Black duped her into filling a prescription for Oxy that she ended up using for herself. Owen steps up to Catherine as she watches Bick operate. He tells her that she’s fired. (Description courtesy ABC.)
First aired: July 24, 2014.
What do you think? Do you like the Black Box TV series? Do you think it should have been cancelled or renewed for a second season?
This show is off the wall good!! Intriguing story line, and based on the comments from the bipolar communcity has hit the closest to home of any show in the past. The acting is good, the story lines very creative, and most importantly you care about the people and not just the main characters, but the guest stars as well. You really understand the ongoing struggle the main character deals with on whether she should take her meds or not. There truley is nothing else quite like it on television, and I am usually good at predicting if a show… Read more »
As a clinician of more than three decades who has worked with clients with BP as well as multiple other mental health conditions this show is not advancing the case for mental health care. The premise is absurd. Cancel please.
I’m surprised that NAMI hasn’t jumped all over this. This show is an insult to patients and clinicians. I’m hoping my letters to ABC have some sort of effect.
If this show is so horrific for you then why did you watch it? Accuracy? Making a point about using a film to diagnose oneself or others might be a wise precursor…like the following film is meant to entertain and is by no means complete or intended to educate the public. Perhaps more educational films will come out of this…and even t.v. shows in themselves can branch off from this since the level of distortions in our society is not limited to persons with different brains, syndromes, chemical imbalances, horrific traumatic experiences etc. Distortions are actively utilized in every facet… Read more »
I love this show!!!! I also have bp and have not been able to find anything that can explain properly what goes on inside me. While everything in the show does not hold true to my own life a lot does. I will be very sad if this show does not continue.
I love this show!! So informative about what can go on in the human brain! And if people watch they will understand others so much better. Yes, it makes people aware!! Don’t cancel–I’m just turning friends on to it!
Maggie…I so agreed with you until the third episode. It stopped being only about Bi-Polar disorder and actually became an intelligent medical program on neurological/psychological disorders. I felt just like you. I HATED it. Wrote a scathing review and now regret it. The main character wasn’t acting Bi-Polar…she was acting more like she had a Borderline Personality disorder and I despised her). After I watched the 3rd episode, it began to get better and better. I feel bad because it has been cancelled and it really is the writer and director’s fault for starting this show off so obnoxiously and… Read more »
I have no idea how these comments of mine got here. Sorry. They were meant for maggie.
BonBon: No shame or blame…we need to have converstions with one another…being isolated with various symptomologies and only going to “experts” isn’t enough…our community involvement with the distortions that occur because of chemical, physical, environmental, experiencial, cultural, financial influences holds alot of possibility for living a more fulfilling life together. It is time for a new way . and yes the First episode was a slammer. …my guess is the competitionis fierce in the t.v. industry and it is expressed by these brutal and shocking ways to “get attention”… which is a whole other topic related to our cultural behaviours,… Read more »
I would very much love to see Black Box continue . It’s about time a show is completely about Bipolar Disorder. I was sickened by the ER show portrayal by Sally Fields, as it was so completely off the mark and outrageously inaccurate. Black Box is not 100% accurate, but does a good job of bringing light (awareness ) to a tough, challenging and life altering disorder. My husband has Severe Bipolar Disorder and life can be managed. We are unusual being married for 30 years, most folks with Bipolar Disorder (and their spouse) can not stay in a committed… Read more »
I LOVE this show! I was especially interested in watching this show because I also am bipolar. However, I would think people who aren’t bipolar could have a glimpse into a small portion of the mental health field. As was mentioned previously, there are various levels/severities of being bipolar. I just feel as though (until this TV show) the mental health field has been pretty much off limits to the TV viewers. I am so glad to see that perhaps the mindset is changing. Still today, mental health issues are extremely missunderstood and not readily talked about — as though… Read more »
Please please please CANCEL this horrible show. It does a disservice to those many who suffer from mental illness (especially bi-polar). I work in this field, watched the first show and thought it was awful — poor writing, acting, etc. Gave it a second chance, and clicked off at the first commercial. It annoys me to see it on the guide. Ditch it.
Maggie…I so agreed with you until the third episode. It stopped being only about Bi-Polar disorder and actually became an intelligent medical program on neurological/psychological disorders. I felt just like you. I HATED it. Wrote a scathing review and now regret it. The main character wasn’t acting Bi-Polar…she was acting more like she had a Borderline Personality disorder and I despised her). After I watched the 3rd episode, it began to get better and better. I feel bad because it has been cancelled and it really is the writer and director’s fault for starting this show off so obnoxiously and… Read more »
I think this is one of the best shows on network TV! I love this show. As someone who is bipolar, I think they have done justice to someone who is bipolar I. If you don’t know there are five levels of bipolar. The writers certainly have done their research when it comes to someone suffering from bipolar I. Being uncompliant with your meds. That is what could happen. Excellent job. Please pick up this show. It’s fantastic!
I love this show. I am not thinking while watching it if it is accurate information or not. I do not watch tv trying to get answers to medical questions. Tv is for entertainment. Sure there are educational channels but BLACK BOX is not intended to be an educational show. I love the jazz in the back ground. It goes against the story much like the way they portray her mind goes against her business life. It’s not predictable and that’s refreshing in this day of zombies and superhero’s. I very much want the show to be renewed. I believe… Read more »
I love the show – it has to be renewed!
I hope this terrible, terrible show gets cancelled. It’s disgusting in its portrayal of bipolar and has the worst acting and writing. It’s sensationalist trash. I hope this show gets the boot sooner rather than later – that would be a favor to humanity!
Wow how insightful and intuitive and so positive and uplifting… I think the portrayal is extremely accurate as well as instructional
Patricia, you’re so wrong! If you’re not bipolar, then you don’t know what you’re talking about. I suggest you change your channel. I’ve been through hell and back since my diagoinse, so if your not bipolar, don’t watch it then!
I also suffer from bipolar disorder and I think this show is fantastic. For those of you suffering from this disorder like Debbie for instance and states she has gone through “hell and back” don’t watch it . Not every person has the same behaviors as the next person. So stop pretending like your the only one who suffers. Most of us who do duffer from this disorder take medication and are just find.
Thank you AE. Those who do take their meds can lead a very productive and successful life. I am so proud of you and your comment and grateful to hear from someone who suffers from this disease not throw constant pity parties for themselves. Good for you! Bravo. Two thumbs way up to you!
I like the program. Not a fan of Jazz. For me the soundtrack doesn’t work with what is happening on the screen. I’d like to see it renewed.
awesome show! keep it on!!
I found it very, very dark and disturbing. I gave it a chance and watched it 2 times. My feelings didn’t change.
I really enjoyed the shows so far. Obviously this is not an accurate portrayal of Bipolar Discorder, but this is TV folks! Do you think Gray’s Anatomy is accurate? Maybe you think reality TV is reality?!? For goodness sake, even House Hunters on HGTV is staged! Get a clue.
I disagree!!!! I LOVE this show. I work in the mental health field and am aware that the portrayal of bipolar in the show is not 100% accurate. I do believe the creator’s/writer’s in the show knew what they were facing, the truth is having a DRAMA based on bipolar would not be enticing to this audience. I feel that this can be a voice, and this show can open a new door into the acceptance of mental health. This is definitely a very touchy subject but the first time I watched this show, I was hooked. I think it’s… Read more »
Thank you! It may not be 100% accurate for some forms of BP. But if you’re BP I with other alphabet letters to go along with it, you then know these things can happen. Not quite as fast as they’re portraying, but it can happen. Thank you for saying it can bring awareness to the public. Now those of us with BP don’t all act out like her, at least it can start a conversation. When you tell so done you have BP, they get scared and stay away. There is nothing to be afraid of. We are not all… Read more »