The essential episodes of BrainDead
Watch these 13 in order and you've got BrainDead — each pick states its reason.
- 01
The Insanity Principle: How Extremism in Politics is Threatening Democracy in the 21st Century
Student and documentary-maker Laurel Healy reluctantly takes a job as a staffer for her brother, Senator Luke Healy. While Luke tries to negotiate an end to a government shutdown with his opposite number, Red Wheatus, Laurel takes to a constituent who insists that her husband has changed after a mysterious sea voyage.
- 02
Playing Politics: Living Life in the Shadow of the Budget Showdown - A Critique
Both FBI agent Anthony Onofrio and resident Rochelle Daudier ask Laurel questions about Dr. Daudier's death. Meanwhile, genius Gustav Triplett watches a friend die when his head explodes and finds evidence of insect infestation.
- 03
Goring Oxes: How You Can Survive the War on Government Through Five Easy Steps
After another head explosion, the FBI receive a tip that terrorists are involved and begin questioning Laurel. Meanwhile, Ella plays dirty pool to oust Luke as the Whip, Gustav and Rochelle join forces to identify the bugs, and Red sets out to create his own grassroots organization.
- 04
Laurel, Rochelle, and Gustav go to the CDC with what they've found, but discover that they need a human test subject. However, when Laurel convinces Anthony to bring Abby in for a CAT scan, her reaction is unexpected. Meanwhile, Luke tries to engineer a sequestration, earning Red's ire.
- 05
Back to Work: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Congress and How It Gets Things Done (and Often Doesn't)
Laurel turns to Luke for help, and he asks her to consult with an entomologist. However, he's busy dealing with Red's new plan to obstruct his attempts to help his constituents.
- 06
Past as Prologue: Notes Toward a Post-Reagan Theory of Party Alliance, Tribalist, and Loyalty
Gustav and Rochelle work out a way to cure Laurel of the bug infestation, but it requires Gareth taking one for the team. Later, Gareth and Laurel try to rekindle their relationship, while Red and Ella conspire to shut down the CDC.
- 07
The Power of Euphemism: How Torture Became a Matter of Debate in American Politics
Red uses his influence with the FBI to have them bring Laurel in for enhanced interrogation. Meanwhile, Gustav and Rochelle develop a way to use the bugs' signals against them.
- 08
The Path to War (1): The Gathering Political Storm
Laurel takes steps to confirm if her father Dean is infected or not. Meanwhile, Gustav and Rochelle capture a man that they suspect is infected by the bugs and employ extreme measures to determine the truth. In a committee meeting, Red will go to any means to push for war with Syria.
- 09
Taking on Water: How Leaks in D.C. Are Discovered and Patched
Newscaster Claudia Monarch announces a Senate leak, and Red pushes for a special investigator to check out Luke. Meanwhile, Laurel and Gareth's relationship hits a rough patch when Gareth gets a peak at Laurel's sexual history.
- 10
The Path to War (2): The Impact of Propaganda on Congressional War Votes
Luke calls in a documentarian to create a viral video to stop the war vote, but he has connections to Laurel's past. Meanwhile, Laurel worries about Luke's unborn baby when she displays unusual activity during Trump speeches.
- 11
Red releases a new budget, and Luke and Laurel suspect that there's something dangerous buried inside of it. Meanwhile, Gareth witnesses the queen bug and realizes that Laurel has been right all along... and provides her with vital intelligence that will let her and her friends destroy the hive.
- 12
Talking Points Toward a Wholistic View of Activism in Government: Can the Top Rebel?
Laurel gets a financial offer to finish her video and prepares to leave DC when she realizes that they can't beat the bugs. However, a discovery about what the bugs have planned spurs her back to action. Meanwhile, an injured Red and Ella try to get the budget through Congress and Luke takes extreme measures to stop them.
- 13
The End of All We Hold Dear: What Happens When Democracies Fail: A Brief Synopsis
Rochelle discovers Gustav's shocking secret as they plan to kill the cherry blossoms in DC. Meanwhile, Laurel realizes the bugs' weaknesses and confronts her father.
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