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?
Black Box is great! Presents great insights into neurology and the brain. I’m so happy that a major network has the courage to portray an accomplished and high functioning person with a mental illness, although it seems to present more of the manic side and less of the depressive side of being bipolar. Who knows, that may be because behavior while in a manic state makes for a better show. So happy to see a human face on mental illness and neurology as well as how high functioning a person with mental illness can be and how certain physical symptoms… Read more »
I love this very intriguing Dr. Black and her family, her colleagues , and the various cases presented. Like a more interesting Gregory House. Sure hope it’s renewed. It does seem to get better and better.
I love this show. Has never been a show of this nature & you can learn from it.
I love love love Black Box. This show is awesome. It is fresh and unique although another medical show. I love the lead character and the way she portrays a psych disorder. Also, I love the different cases they have. It is very very well made. PLEASE DO NOT CANCEL THIS SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love this show. Very quick character development. Chemistry with the cast is quite palpable. Hope it survives to live another year!!
Wonderful, exceptional show, the best ABC could ever have!
Let the green light keep going for next seasons, please!
Yes, yes, to keep!
I love the show. Please, please do not cancel the show. All my sisters & cousins loved it. The show is Yes to keep!
Black Box, I’m loving it!!!
Thank you, Anet.
Finally, A new show that combines love interests, brilliant doctors , and insightful stories about neurological disorders that touch on such subjects as hallucinations that indicate a tumor, inability to recognize color due to a stroke with sound perception to identify color as a solution! Dr. Black’s bipolar disorder complicates her job at times but she proves that proper medication can still help her to persevere and help her patients. I love her black boyfriend. The episode where they accidentally took hallucinogens that were to be sent back to the vendor was priceless. And her psychiatrist is endearing and lets… Read more »
Black Box, “I’m loving it!” Keep it going for the next season.
Love the show, do not cancel
Love it!! Hope it stays around for a while!!!!
Please renew
This show is unique !
Excellent show but would rather they delete the actual picture of cutting when covering surgery. The show should not be aired at 7:00 P.M. as it is for mature viewers. Renew it to be shown at 9:00 P.M. and if ratings still are bad then do what you need to. If cancelled perhaps the show could be picked up on Fx.
Excellent scripts of story arc and dialogue, character development inhabited by talented actors clearly digging deep. A cut above. Yes, to keep!