While the season still offers new games, it struggles with introducing new ideas. Many of the concepts presented in the show have been used in previous episodes and past seasons. Several of the games also have questionable issues with validity in their research, offering no control groups and many potential confounding factors. The extra show time, while used to present more games and background information, often feels unnecessary and leads to concepts being repetitively mentioned and discussed.
A particularly weak episode is the third of the season, “Brains Behaving Badly.” Set in New Orleans, Silva asks viewers to question if the 7 Deadly Sins are innately wired in people through evolution and biology. Each of the seven sins is presented through a new brain game; however, many of the games do little to relate to the sin in topic. For example, a game meant to explore envy features a woman speaking loudly on a cellphone before falling in a crowded café. The connection to envy is not clear. Also suggested in the episode is the idea that lust is driven by scent more than sight, but very little scientific evidence to support this and other ideas is seen in the episode.
The DVD set features two discs with three episodes on each. A behind-the-scenes look at the filming of each episode is also included. These segments, averaging about two minutes in length, tend to focus on the making of and concepts behind an individual game within the episode. Some segments also offer alternative pieces and versions of the game not seen in the episode.
Overall, the concept of the show and the study of the brain are still interesting topics. New viewers especially may find this particular season appealing as it starts by introducing the brain as a whole. Returning viewers may find questions about the brain’s relationship to religion and sin intriguing, though some of the games used to explore these ideas don’t always have a clear connection to the topic.
