Brilliant Minds brought Eric Dane back to TV in an episode that fused performance and lived experience. The guest turn — a firefighter confronting amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) — culminated in a rare “10‑minute standing ovation,” as creator Michael Grassi put it, for a scene that left the set in tears.
The scene that earned a standing ovation
Eric Dane guest stars on “Brilliant Minds” Season 2, Episode 9 (“Fire Fighter”)
Dane plays Matthew Rimati, a proud firefighter wrestling with how to tell his family about his diagnosis. Grassi called the performance “so beautiful and so honest and so real.” He added, “While [Dane’s] character’s finding bravery, there’s a lot of bravery in Eric to tell the story as well.”
Cast & creators: who appears in the episode
- Eric Dane as Matthew Rimati (firefighter; ALS patient)
- Zachary Quinto as Dr. Oliver Wolf
- Mädchen Amick as Matthew’s wife
- Michael Grassi — creator/showrunner
Why this Brilliant Minds story matters
Eric Dane guest stars on “Brilliant Minds” Season 2, Episode 9 (“Fire Fighter”)
Dane, 53, revealed his ALS diagnosis in April 2025 and has spoken about diminished mobility, including having “one functioning arm.” He has vowed to “fight to the last breath,” driven by a desire to see his daughters Billie and Georgia grow up. Bringing that resolve into a network medical drama put ALS — and the constant need to adapt — in front of a primetime audience.
Reception and what’s next
Eric Dane guest stars on “Brilliant Minds” Season 2, Episode 9 (“Fire Fighter”)
The episode filmed in October and aired Monday, November 24, 2025, with the standing ovation becoming the headline from set. Brilliant Minds airs Mondays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on NBC and streams next day on Peacock.
Editor’s note on naming: One caption refers to “Matthew Ramati,” while dialogue and other materials list “Matthew Rimati.” NBC’s press materials will control the final spelling; usage may vary across outlets.
Analysis: Eric Dane’s portrayal puts a human face on ALS inside a mainstream procedural. Story choices — a Thanksgiving gathering, voice-banking, and a closing reflection from Matthew rather than Dr. Oliver Wolf — use form to center the patient’s voice. It’s an approach that could be revisited as the series continues to fold real-world conditions into its cases.
Eric Dane guest stars on “Brilliant Minds” Season 2, Episode 9 (“Fire Fighter”)
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