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?
How do we try to get Black Box back on for a PROPER viewing. It is not fair to put this show on AFTER the OBVIOUS season finally of SCANDAL! When people TUNE OUT and start to get busy during the summer nights soon after the show starting. A show to start at that time of year…..WHAT! When Scandal seasoned off–I did not even go back to ABC to see what was on…I knew Scandal was not which was enough of a reason for me not to check back in until September. Then a friend told me about the show,… Read more »
Black Box touches on various types of mental illness and it was fascinating to learn about different conditions that people have in society. The conditions were accurately portrayed Having a relative with bi-polar, I learnsd a lot by watching it being portayed. The impulsive decision making, not taking medicines, getting the medicine right, etc. I’ve told a number of people about the show and interest was growing. People thought the title described a show about magicians, not a medical facility that treated mental health issues. I hope the network rethinks their decision and finds a time slot to continue the… Read more »
This series was wonderful different and intriging. Episode after episode leaves me waiting impatiently for the next show. I don’t believe there was enough Public Relation for folks to know about this great show! All the actors are great and the plot are dulplextic and always mainting interest. Now I’m forced to watch CBS however Extant is good but BLACK BOX is extradinary Drama! Please don’t leave me this way!!!! Will they really take here job away?
Jedda
I agree, this show was excellent, I looked forward to it every week. I hope ABC gets flooded with comments. I have sent two so far.
I am soooo disappointed that the Black Box has been cancelled. I did not miss a show, and recorded it..if I was unavailable to watch it. It was my favorite. The acting was superb by all, especially Kelley.
Ohhhhhh, Why??? I Loved the show, and Everything else about it!!!
Please do not cancel the black box, my only favorite show on abc…..:(
I loved this show….I notice in the final episode, some things that made it seem clear that it was being cancelled….This was innovative Television….Please bring this back….
Please,please, give it another chance! It needs a great time slot so more viewers can see it. Not near enough advertisement! I just came upon it without knowing anything about it.
I was hooked after that. It really got good with the Doc. The girl with the red glasses. The star herself was addictive.
i loved this show, the only one i watched every week
Please bring Black Box!!!
This show was so awesome! I’m totally disappointed. Her cases were fascinating, as were her vulnerabilities in coping with her bipolar symptoms. PLEASE bring this exceptional and original show back!!
I am so upset about this cancellation! Please renew this show!
Go to the ABC Feedback site, and tell THEM you want the show!
Go to: http://abc.go.com/feedback
Skip the ABC FAQ, & leave your comment!
If you see any other threads like this, direct them to the actual ABC site.
Ask them to return it, & leave every link you know like this. Ask them, (if nothing else, to use these threads) to sell the rights!
Thanks
Bring it back.”sexy, intellectual, provocative…..love it
I looked so forward to the next episode and miss this show tremendously. Cancelled? Really? So few shows I truly enjoy, this was a favorite. Loved the complicated and realistic character, Elizabeth Black. This show has MAJOR potential, bring it back!
I totally agree!!
Please bring Black Box back.
This show was groundbreaking, extremely well written, with a superb cast! It brought a serious health issue to new light that also made it easy to understand. It is a truly realistic drama & ABC had a major hit! Please bring Black Box back!!
My sentiments exactly. Bring the show back.