I Feel Like One Of The Saddest Things In 6x18 Was How Brainy Looked At Alex And Kelly Dancing. He Was

I feel like one of the saddest things in 6x18 was how brainy looked at Alex and Kelly dancing. He was so longing looking, he so obviously wants that future with nia and knowing he can’t have it really hit him in that moment. So sad yet beautiful

Honestly, I had to rewind that moment and watch it again like 4 or 5 times before I could keep going with the episode.

It is such an incredible use of body language and facial expression that manages to perfectly exhibit just how much Brainy must be feeling in that moment. The way he's half sunk into his chair, clutching onto himself like he's about 2 seconds from a total mental breakdown, absolutely absorbed in Alex and Kelly laughing and dancing because the longer he watches them, the more it begins to sink in that he's about to lose all of that.

And it's not just his loved ones he's about to lose. Brainy is at a party where he's supposed to be celebrating his friends' engagement, he's surrounded by laughter and joy and he has to sit there knowing that he's essentially been handed his expiration date. When he leaves his family behind, he's going to die, and as far as we are aware, there is no one at that table - not even Nia - who knows that.

It's a truly harrowing expression in that regard and Jesse performs it absolutely perfectly. You're right, there's so much longing in that look, but also fear and heartache, so overwhelming that you can see the moment that Brainy very nearly goes over the edge and loses his composure. He catches himself just in time, though, blinking back into the moment and excusing himself before he can give anything else away.

I love that Nia is so aware of Brainy throughout, and the moment he leaves the table, she's ready to follow him. She might not know the horrible truth of what the future will bring for Brainy, but she knows enough that he absolutely cannot be left alone.

The scene that follows where Nia helps to ground Brainy was fantastic, especially with how touch-based it was. Yet again, we see the two of them factor in their main sources of comfort for each other, hand holding and of course Nia snuggling into her spot on Brainy's shoulder. The parallel of the pinky promise scene is incredibly poignant throughout, which further showcases how Nia and Brainy are so grounded by one another, even when it feels like the world is falling apart around them.

We truly did get some excellent performances and Brainia scenes from this episode, I just wish they could have been under better circumstances. 🥺