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 is a great show. I love it. I’m a big fan of greys anatomy, and scandal. This IIS show about real behaviors that is not often talked about. At first I didn’t think I would like the show, but after watching the first episode, I can’t wait for the next show, so please dont cancel. Once people start hearing about it, they will enjoy it as well. Its a very educational and learning experience show. Real people issues. Keep the show on, I like it. Great to watch til greys anatomy, and scandal returns..keep on black box.
Awesome show, very intriguing, please give the show a chance and don’t cancel.
Please do not cancel. The Catholic Church and Saddleback Church are working very hard to bring Mental illness to the forefront and educate people. My husband is Bipolar –this is a great show !
PLEASE…do not cancel BLACK BOX!! Here is a show that deals with one of the worlds most common diseases! It is wonderfully written, acted and so informative. It sort of has that calm “GOOD WIFE” feel to it (when she is on her meds, that is). I realize it’s not Duck Dynasty, and some thinking involved, but most of us can handle it! Audiences WILL grow!!! It was televised at the wrong time year and many people haven’t heard of it Give it room to grow some legs
Please don’t cancel Black Box. Its one of the better shows.
The Black Box is a great show. Please keep it coming! We look forward to watching and recording to watch again!
This very well may be one of my favorite shows. I read about it before I watched it and decided that maybe I would like it–after all, I too am Bi-polar. “Schizo-affective bipolar disorder” to be exact. I have found myself weeping I identify so strongly. I hope they do keep it. I find that it is probably the least contrived show that is on the air. I think the acting is actually very good. I really didn’t expect to like this show, and I can’t wait for the next episode.
This is one of the best series on tv. Please don’t cancel it. The acting and story lines are great. It is not one of the mindless sitcoms or series that has been on tv in the past and much better than watching the sometimes stupid reality shows. Cheers to Black Box.
I’ve been enjoying this series. Mental health issues are not discussed often enough. This series shines a light on the problems faced by those who live with these health issues. I can’t wait for each new episode!
Love this show. It’s very interesting how the brain functions and how it effects human behavior but I’m biased. I have a degree in Psychology. I think it’s a good quality show with issues that affect a lot of people. Keep this show on. I’m so fed up with the trash tv that continues on for season after season…
I love this show, it is painful sometimes, but isn’t reality that way?
I hope it is not cancelled. And I think Kelly Reilly’s acting is right on for the part she is playing. We finally get a good show instead of the “Reality Shows”, so please renew it.
Thanks from Indiana
LOVE this show and hope it makes it-
One of the worst shows ever. Kelly Rielly’s acting is painful to watch. She’s absolutely awful in this role. Can’t believe it hasn’t been canceled yet…
I agree! She is a horrible actress! Don’t think we will be watching anymore.
I thought so also until I watched the 3rd episode. After she came out of her nymphomaniac stage and became a REAL person, I started to actually love the show. I am sad to say that it has been cancelled and it was unique in the sense that it spoke of neurological illnesses and dealt with them in manners that I have never seen before. Too bad for the first 2 episodes. I continued on, because a very good friend of mine said she loved it and as it turned out, so do I. I wrote a scathing review about… Read more »
I like the show, but find the jazz soundtrack so annoying that I want to hit mute. Background music should not detract from what is going on on screen, but this music does in a major way! I realize that it is strange that this is a big deal, but it makes me like the show less. In fact that is the point. Background music should enhance in a way that you don’t even notice it is there. You can’t miss this.
Black Box is very nearly a bio of my life! I love it. Finally someone is taking on the challenge of Mental Health on TV. Well, a show that is worth watching at least. Thanks heaps from New Zealand.