BrainDead Season 1
A government employee discovers that the cause of the tensions between the two political parties is a race of extraterrestrial insects eating the brains of the politicians.
01. The Insanity Principle: How Extremism in Politics Is Threatening Democracy in the 21st Century
When Laurel Healy returns home to Washington, D.C. to work for her brother, Senator Luke Healy, on Capitol Hill, she is caught in the midst of two huge problems: the government has stopped working due to budgetary disagreements, and mysterious bugs are eating the brains of a growing number of Congress members and Hill staffers.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Laurel Healy
Danny Pino
Luke Healy
Zach Grenier
Dean Healy
Aaron Tveit
Gareth Ritter
Lily Cowles
Germaine Healy
Tony Shalhoub
Senator Red Wheatus
Jack Dimich
Dr. Lagunov
Nikki M. James
Rochelle Daudier
Michael Potts
Dr. Daudier
Johnny Ray Gill
Gustav Triplett
Megan Hilty
Misty Alise
Charlie Semine
Anthony Onofrio
Beth Malone
Claudia Monarch
Jan Maxwell
Senator Ella Pollack
Ching Valdes-Aran
Claire
Don Guillory
Chuck
José Ramón Rosario
Captain Gary Young
Ed Moran
Senator Goldenberg
Nilaja Sun
Breanna Burke
Dominic Fumusa
Randall Burke
Lewis Cleale
Senator Spitz
Paige Patterson
Scarlett Pierce
02. Playing Politics: Living Life in the Shadow of the Budget Showdown -- A Critique
Laurel continues to investigate the death of esteemed Dr. Daudier, while bugs infect more citizens of Washington, D.C. Rochelle Daudier, the deceased doctor’s daughter and Gustav Triplette, an eccentric genius, both encounter the bugs separately and begin to question exactly what is happening.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Laurel Healy
Danny Pino
Luke Healy
Aaron Tveit
Gareth Ritter
Tony Shalhoub
Senator Red Wheatus
Nikki M. James
Rochelle Daudier
Johnny Ray Gill
Gustav Triplett
Megan Hilty
Misty Alise
Charlie Semine
Anthony Onofrio
Beth Malone
Claudia Monarch
Jan Maxwell
Senator Ella Pollack
Paige Patterson
Scarlett Pierce
Nikiya Mathis
Stacie Zara
Brooke Bloom
Abby Summers
William Ragsdale
Hank
Ripley Sobo
Annie
Richard Poe
Senator Householter
Jeffrey C. Hawkins
Senator Michael Barneki
April Ortiz
Nurse Maddox
Erin Gann
Tommy Burgess
Bobby Moreno
Oscar Foster
Happy Anderson
Butch
Jeffrey Schecter
Tax Lobbyist
Chris McKinney
Museum Director
Christine Toy Johnson
Doctor Pop
Jason Bowen
Park Police Officer Stan Maynard
Tony Torn
Scientist Man
Stephen Kunken
Matthew Maizen
Lawrence Kaplow
Writer
Jim McKay
Director
03. Goring Oxes: How You Can Survive the War on Government Through Five Easy Steps
When a bizarre and deadly incident takes place on live television, Agent Onofrio's investigation into it causes Laurel, Gustav and Rochelle to dig deeper into the bug mystery. Luke attempts to cover up his affair with his Chief of Staff, Scarlett, before his opponent for the minority whip position, Senator Ella Poundstone, can make it public.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Laurel Healy
Danny Pino
Luke Healy
Zach Grenier
Dean Healy
Aaron Tveit
Gareth Ritter
Lily Cowles
Germaine Healy
Tony Shalhoub
Senator Red Wheatus
Nikki M. James
Rochelle Daudier
Johnny Ray Gill
Gustav Triplett
Megan Hilty
Misty Alise
Charlie Semine
Anthony Onofrio
Beth Malone
Claudia Monarch
Jan Maxwell
Senator Ella Pollack
Paige Patterson
Scarlett Pierce
Nikiya Mathis
Stacie Zara
Stephen Kunken
Matthew Maizen
Glenn Fleshler
FBI Agent Aaron Blades
Nick Sullivan
Jonathan Broadbent
Chris Hoch
Live Director
Olivia Birkelund
Norah Moody
Megan Sikora
Staff Member Joanna
Michael Nathanson
Kenneth the Lobbyist
Jonathan Tolins
Writer
Jim McKay
Director
04. Wake Up Grassroots: The Nine Virtues of Participatory Democracy, and How We Can Keep America Great by Encouraging an Informed Electorate
Laurel and Rochelle try to persuade Laurel’s friend Abby to get an MRI so they can uncover the real cause of the strange behavior taking over Washington, D.C. Luke attempts to reopen the government through a secret deal with the Republicans
Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Laurel Healy
Danny Pino
Luke Healy
Aaron Tveit
Gareth Ritter
Tony Shalhoub
Senator Red Wheatus
Jack Dimich
Dr. Lagunov
Nikki M. James
Rochelle Daudier
Johnny Ray Gill
Gustav Triplett
Megan Hilty
Misty Alise
Charlie Semine
Anthony Onofrio
Beth Malone
Claudia Monarch
Jan Maxwell
Senator Ella Pollack
Paige Patterson
Scarlett Pierce
Brooke Bloom
Abby Summers
Natalie Gold
Jules Mooser
Michael Esper
Noah Feffer
John Procaccino
Douglas Tabak
Marcus Ho
Dr. Dexter Wu
Bob Stillman
“One Wayer” Tom
Yusef Bulos
Crypt Keeper Jim
Wayne Duvall
Senator Andre Amarant
Wallace Smith
Sergeant at Arm
Peter Parnell
Writer
Allan Arkush
Director
05. Back to Work: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Congress and How It Gets Things Done (and Often Doesn't)
Laurel asks her brother, Luke, for his help to get the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to investigate the bugs, but he insists she first consult Dr. Joanne Alaimo, a leading entomologist, for her perspective on the invasion. Laurel’s relationship with Anthony takes a drastic turn.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Laurel Healy
Danny Pino
Luke Healy
Zach Grenier
Dean Healy
Aaron Tveit
Gareth Ritter
Tony Shalhoub
Senator Red Wheatus
Nikki M. James
Rochelle Daudier
Johnny Ray Gill
Gustav Triplett
Charlie Semine
Anthony Onofrio
Jan Maxwell
Senator Ella Pollack
Margo Martindale
Dr. Joanne Alaimo
Ito Aghayere
Veteran Sheila
Wayne Duvall
Senator Andre Amarant
Brandon J. Dirden
Brett Middleton
Steve Routman
FDA Commissioner Finn Babin
Jill Abramovitz
Other Republican Senator
Kelli Barrett
Polly Savident
Jacquelyn Reingold
Writer
Allan Arkush
Director
06. Past as Prologue: Notes Toward a Post-Reagan Theory of Party Alliance, Tribalist, and Loyalty
When Laurel is infected by the bugs, Gustav and Rochelle work quickly to figure out if there is any way to save her. When the Centers for Disease Control has its funding temporarily cut, Luke attempts to reach a compromise to have the money reinstated, but Red’s political machinations undermine him at every turn.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Laurel Healy
Danny Pino
Luke Healy
Aaron Tveit
Gareth Ritter
Tony Shalhoub
Senator Red Wheatus
Nikki M. James
Rochelle Daudier
Johnny Ray Gill
Gustav Triplett
Megan Hilty
Misty Alise
Charlie Semine
Anthony Onofrio
Jan Maxwell
Senator Ella Pollack
Nikiya Mathis
Stacie Zara
Natalie Gold
Jules Mooser
Marcus Ho
Dr. Dexter Wu
Wayne Duvall
Senator Andre Amarant
Michael McCormick
Rod Pakula
Olivia Berkelund
Norah Moody
Gerry Vichi
Gary Brewster
Alana Arenas
Red’s Receptionist
Tanya Perez
Operator
Aurin Squire
Writer
Fred Toye
Director
07. The Power of Euphemism: How Torture Became a Matter of Debate in American Politics
Laurel comes under investigation about her potential involvement with the bug infestation. Also, Gustav and Rochelle discover a unique way to communicate with those infected by the bugs.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Laurel Healy
Danny Pino
Luke Healy
Aaron Tveit
Gareth Ritter
Tony Shalhoub
Senator Red Wheatus
Nikki M. James
Rochelle Daudier
Johnny Ray Gill
Gustav Triplett
Charlie Semine
Anthony Onofrio
Jan Maxwell
Senator Ella Pollack
Laura Marks
Writer
Fred Toye
Director
08. The Path to War Part One: The Gathering Political Storm
Rochelle and Gustav capture and question a man they suspect is infected by the bugs. Also, Luke and Red face off in a Senate Intelligence meeting about a potential war.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Laurel Healy
Danny Pino
Luke Healy
Aaron Tveit
Gareth Ritter
Tony Shalhoub
Senator Red Wheatus
Nikki M. James
Rochelle Daudier
Johnny Ray Gill
Gustav Triplett
Charlie Semine
Anthony Onofrio
Jan Maxwell
Senator Ella Pollack
Peter Parnell
Writer
Brooke Kennedy
Director
09. Taking on Water: How Leaks in D.C. are Discovered and Patched
Senator Red Wheatus hires a special investigator to dig into the Healy family’s financial and personal history. Also, when Gareth learns some sordid details about Laurel’s romantic past, it puts a strain on their budding relationship.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Laurel Healy
Danny Pino
Luke Healy
Aaron Tveit
Gareth Ritter
Tony Shalhoub
Senator Red Wheatus
Nikki M. James
Rochelle Daudier
Johnny Ray Gill
Gustav Triplett
Charlie Semine
Anthony Onofrio
Jan Maxwell
Senator Ella Pollack
10. The Path to War Part Two: The Impact of Propaganda on Congressional War Votes
Laurel must work alongside an old boyfriend, Ben Valderrama, when Luke enlists her help in putting together a political documentary to support his anti-war initiative. Also, Laurel worries about the health of Luke and Germaine’s baby.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Laurel Healy
Danny Pino
Luke Healy
Aaron Tveit
Gareth Ritter
Tony Shalhoub
Senator Red Wheatus
Nikki M. James
Rochelle Daudier
Johnny Ray Gill
Gustav Triplett
Charlie Semine
Anthony Onofrio
Jan Maxwell
Senator Ella Pollack
Lawrence Kaplow
Writer
Félix Enríquez Alcalá
Director
11. Six Points on the New Congressional Budget: The False Dichotomy of Austerity vs. Expansionary Policies
Luke and Laurel rush to uncover Red's secret agenda, which is buried in a massive new budget bill. Also, Gareth inadvertently witnesses an unsettling bug encounter in Red's office.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Laurel Healy
Danny Pino
Luke Healy
Aaron Tveit
Gareth Ritter
Tony Shalhoub
Senator Red Wheatus
Nikki M. James
Rochelle Daudier
Johnny Ray Gill
Gustav Triplett
Charlie Semine
Anthony Onofrio
Jan Maxwell
Senator Ella Pollack
Spencer House
Gary the Intern
12. Talking Points Toward a Wholistic View of Activism in Government: Can the Top Rebel?
When Laurel discovers that a senate bill is not what it appears, she implores Luke to help, leading to a dramatic Senate sit-in. Also, Red and Ella battle for control of the bug agenda, and Laurel questions whether or not she should leave Washington, D.C. for good
Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Laurel Healy
Danny Pino
Luke Healy
Aaron Tveit
Gareth Ritter
Tony Shalhoub
Senator Red Wheatus
Nikki M. James
Rochelle Daudier
Johnny Ray Gill
Gustav Triplett
Charlie Semine
Anthony Onofrio
Jan Maxwell
Senator Ella Pollack
Lawrence Kaplow
Writer
Félix Enríquez Alcalá
Director
13. The End of All We Hold Dear: What Happens When Democracies Fail: A Brief Synopsis
Laurel discovers the secret to driving the bugs out of a person's brain and tests the tactic on her father. Armed with new knowledge, Laurel and Gareth attempt to expel the Queen bug out of Red's head once and for all. Laurel and Gareth progress in their romantic relationship.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Laurel Healy
Danny Pino
Luke Healy
Aaron Tveit
Gareth Ritter
Tony Shalhoub
Senator Red Wheatus
Nikki M. James
Rochelle Daudier
Johnny Ray Gill
Gustav Triplett
Charlie Semine
Anthony Onofrio
Jan Maxwell
Senator Ella Pollack
Spencer House
Gary the Intern