Boris Covington in Love on the Brain: Character Analysis of the BLINK Project Manager

Overview Boris Covington is the Director of Research at NASA's Johnson Space Center and the project manager overseeing BLINK, the neuroengineering collaboration between NASA and the NIH. He is a secondary character whose decisions shape the project's trajectory at every turn. Where Bee Königswasser and Levi Ward represent scientific idealism, Boris embodies the institutional reality of federally funded research—a man caught between the ambitions of his team and the political calculations of his superiors. His arc moves from bureaucratic obstruction to genuine advocacy, making him a quiet but essential force in the novel's resolution. For a broader look at how his role fits into the story, see the main book guide. ## Plot Role Boris functions as the gatekeeper of BLINK. He leads team meetings, authorizes equipment purchases, and mediates between NASA leadership and the project's scientists. His role becomes most consequential at two turning points: when Levi presents evidence of competitor MagTech's similar technology, and after the sabotage incident when he must decide whether to continue the project. Without Boris's willingness to push for BLINK's revival, the novel's central project would remain shelved. ## Motivations and Traits Boris is primarily motivated by institutional survival. He repeatedly tells Levi that politics often outweighs science in these decisions (chapter 6), revealing his understanding that BLINK's fate depends on navigating NASA's internal power structures. He is defensive about the project, insisting it was never formally shelved when Levi implies otherwise (chapter 7), suggesting pride in the work even as he is constrained by bureaucracy. His actions reveal several consistent traits: - Pragmatic: He weighs political consequences before scientific merit, delaying equipment purchases because of NIH–NASA patent disputes. He tells Levi that politics is part of his job, a philosophy that frustrates the more idealistic scientists. - Fair-minded: He declines to write up Rocío and Kaylee for their workplace indiscretion, instead handling it privately and asking them not to repeat it (chapter 16). He also agrees to write a recommendation letter for Rocío's Ph.D. applications (chapter 25). - Accountable: Despite NASA's legal advice against apologizing to Bee after the sabotage, he apologizes anyway, acknowledging his role in the situation (chapter 25). This suggests a moral compass that operates independently of institutional directives. - Exhausted: The narrative repeatedly describes him rubbing his forehead, looking harried, and swearing under his breath—a man stretched thin by competing pressures. The text describes him as tired and at the end of his rope during his hospital visit. ## Chronological Arc Boris's arc follows the project's trajectory from bureaucratic obstacle to eventual supporter. Early in the novel, he is the source of frustration for Bee and Levi, as equipment delays and access restrictions stem from his political calculations. Levi confronts him directly in chapter 6, demanding that Bee receive full access and proper equipment, but Boris explains the institutional constraints he faces—the NASA director does not want NIH to own half the patent, so the collaboration is being deliberately slowed. The turning point comes in chapter 7, when Levi presents evidence of MagTech's similar neurostimulation helmet. Boris initially resists, suspecting Levi of fabrication, but the evidence convinces him. He agrees to push for BLINK's revival, acknowledging that Levi has brought the project back from the dead. This moment transforms Boris from obstructionist to advocate, and he follows through by convincing the director to approve the project. After the sabotage incident, Boris visits Bee in the hospital, confirms Guy's firing, and commits to resuming BLINK after a full review. He also agrees to write a recommendation letter for Rocío, demonstrating his willingness to support the team's broader ambitions. By the epilogue, BLINK's second demonstration succeeds, and Bee and Levi choose to remain at NASA—a resolution that depends on Boris's continued support. For more on how the story concludes, see the ending explained. ## Relationships With Levi: Boris respects Levi's engineering abilities—he calls him one of the best engineers he knows (chapter 6)—but is frequently frustrated by Levi's unwillingness to engage with institutional politics. Levi pushes Boris hard, and Boris both admires and resents this pressure. The text describes Boris giving Levi a part-irritated, part-exhausted, part-admiring look after the MagTech pitch, capturing the complexity of their dynamic. With Bee: Boris's relationship with Bee is more distant but ultimately supportive. He apologizes to her after the sabotage, and his decision to resume BLINK reflects his trust in her scientific leadership. His willingness to write a recommendation letter for Rocío also suggests respect for Bee's team. With Guy: Boris trusted Guy as a colleague and security administrator, which makes the betrayal of Guy's sabotage particularly significant. Boris's failure to recognize the threat reflects the limits of institutional oversight—a theme the novel explores through trauma, trust, and professional ambition. ## Key Decisions and Consequences 1. Delaying equipment purchases (early chapters): Boris's political calculation to slow the NIH–NASA collaboration creates friction but ultimately forces Levi to escalate, leading to the MagTech revelation that revives the project. 2. Supporting BLINK's revival (chapter 7): After Levi's evidence, Boris pushes the director to approve the project, setting the stage for the team's work and the novel's climax. 3. Handling the Rocío/Kaylee incident (chapter 16): Boris's discretion avoids disciplinary action and preserves team morale, demonstrating his people-management skills. 4. Firing Guy and resuming BLINK (chapter 25): After the sabotage, Boris takes decisive action, confirming the project will continue after review. This decision enables the novel's happy ending. ## Theme Connections Boris embodies the novel's exploration of institutional politics and scientific progress. His constant negotiation between NASA's political interests and the project's scientific needs illustrates how institutional structures can both enable and obstruct research. He is the character who most directly articulates the tension between science and bureaucracy, telling Levi that politics is not above his pay grade—it is his pay grade. Boris also connects to the novel's themes of miscommunication and assumptions. Bee initially assumes Boris is simply incompetent or obstructionist, but the narrative reveals he is operating under political constraints she does not see. His character challenges the reader to consider how institutional pressures shape individual behavior. ## Questions and Answers 1. What is Boris Covington's official role at NASA? Boris is the Director of Research at the Johnson Space Center, overseeing the BLINK project as its manager. He leads team meetings, authorizes equipment purchases, and mediates between NASA leadership and the project's scientists. 2. Why does Boris initially delay BLINK's equipment and access? Boris explains to Levi that the delay stems from political tensions between NASA and NIH over patent ownership. NASA's director does not want NIH to own half the patent, so the collaboration is being slowed to give NASA time to pursue full funding independently. 3. What convinces Boris to support reviving BLINK? Levi presents evidence of MagTech, a competitor developing similar neurostimulation helmets. The evidence shows MagTech is at a similar stage of development, creating urgency. Boris agrees to push for the project's revival, acknowledging Levi's role in bringing it back from the dead. 4. How does Boris handle the Rocío and Kaylee incident? When Rocío and Kaylee are caught having sex in Bee's office on security cameras, Boris handles it discreetly. He declines to write up a formal complaint, asks them not to repeat the behavior, and trusts Bee and Levi to manage their team members. 5. What does Boris do after the sabotage incident? Boris visits Bee in the hospital, apologizes despite NASA's legal advice against it, confirms Guy is fired, and commits to resuming BLINK after a full review. He also agrees to write a recommendation letter for Rocío. For more discussion of the novel's events and themes, see the questions and answers page.