vampthropologist Reviews

Bones: The Bod in the Pod (2012) Season 8, Episode 7

You're My Carborator

[10/10 · 8 May 2024]

This episode is one of my sleeper favourites, and I can't believe how long it took for me to realise how great it is.

The Hodgela scenes on the rooftop (?) - that seems to only exist in this one episode - are so fun, sweet and silly. Brennan finally giving psychology and her gut a try - again, just for this one episode - is great, especially when coupled with the domestic B&B ft Sweets scenes. And then there's the Camastoo reveal which is both absolutely hilarious because nobody seems to be able to find a romantic partner outside of work and just really sweet once you see how down bad they are for each other.

One continuity thing that kinda annoys me though is Cam only just now being weirded out about Paul being Michelle's gynaecologist when that was nipped in the bud back in s5, he wasn't even Michelle's gynaecologist after that first episode. I know it was just mentioned to introduce the Cam/Arastoo of it all but they probably could've done it differently to keep things consistent.

One of the things I love the most though is Hodgins and Angela continuing to be in Cam's personal business. It's basically a repeat of them finding out about Cam and Booth in season 2 but even more enjoyable now that they're married and sharing secrets and not just overtly flirting with each other in the lab.

Anyway, love this episode, if I'm ever looking for just a fun episode of Bones to watch, this is always in contention, 10/10.

Bones: The Crack in the Code (2012) Season 7, Episode 6

"Crappy Date Night, Excellent Crime Solving"

[10/10 · 20 September 2023]

This is one of my favourite episodes, I love the Pelant arc from beginning to end and this sets the whole thing up so well.

Andrew Leeds is so good at playing a creepy villain that whenever he shows up in any other show/movie - which is fairly common since he's in a lot of stuff - it's a full on jump-scare for me.

All of the Caroline scenes are utter perfection, all of her zingers about Ezra Krane were so funny, and I love that she still has her same yellow car from all the way back in Judas on a Pole.

Cam warning Hodgins that our Booth is related to John Wilkes Booth and to not bring that up when he gets to the crime scene always makes me giggle.

The side plot of B&B trying to find a house is great too and in the end they find their own 'Mighty Hut'. Also when Brennan says "I can see the bones, Booth" I can't help but laugh at the indirect and unintentional shoutout to the TBB podcast gang about a decade in the future.

Bones: The Bikini in the Soup (2011) Season 6, Episode 14

Happy Valentine's Day Massacre

[8/10 · 21 July 2023]

I'm a bit confused by Hodgins mentioning to Cam that he got Angela a necklace 'Christmas before last'. I know there was a 7 month gap between seasons 5 and 6 but does that mean that there have been two Christmases since the one we saw in season 5? And if so, how would Cam know about or have remembered the necklace he was talking about? Unless Hodgins and Angela went back to DC for Christmas instead of spending it in Paris? I know it was just a throwaway line to move the B plot along but it got me thinking way too much about the Bones timeline and now my head hurts.

Outside of that, this is a pretty fun episode, I love that Cam is putting a completely implausible timeline on the solving of the murder, and the running gag of Brennan declining Valentine's Day plans - even from Bunsen Jude the Science Dude (in the extended version) - is great. And I actually think Brennan's acting has gotten better since her "we're going to Bethesda!" days. The scene of Clark and Nora at the end is a bit cringe though, I must say.

I also find it a bit hard to believe that Hodgins is finding it this difficult to get Angela something for Valentine's Day when he managed to get her a rather beautiful Secret Santa gift back in season 1.

Guest star corner!

The actress who plays Raina, the bride, also plays the main villain in season 7 of The Vampire Diaries whose name is also Rayna (different spellings but still a cool coincidence).

Bones: The Daredevil in the Mold (2011) Season 6, Episode 13

Bye Bye Hannah

[10/10 · 21 July 2023]

Hiya Bones Booth! So glad you're finally here.

This episode is so fun despite the sad(ish) ending. Hodgins getting exasperated by Fisher, Cam getting Hodgins to say 'bunny' instead of 'bug', Angela in the field with that yellow patterned scarf, not to mention the return of Noel the stalker.

We even get a really sweet Brennan and Angela car scene (which is unfortunately only on the extended dvd version of the episode).

Now to get into the proposal scene.

I have no idea why Booth would propose to Hannah outside of it being blatant self-sabotage. Did he not notice how freaked out she got when she thought he was proposing earlier in the season? In my mind, in 6x11 when Booth watched Brennan with the conch shell outside the diner, he realised his feelings for her were still there and from then on, subconsciously found a way to get out of his relationship with Hannah. However, i really don't appreciate his "what's wrong with women" speech at the end - very 'nice guy' syndrome-y.

Anyway, I love this episode, if it wasn't for the number of times the killer said "plums" in reference to his balls, it would be completely perfect, but I guess I can overlook that and still give it a 10/10.

Bones: The Bones That Weren't (2010) Season 6, Episode 5

Sunglasses-gate

[8/10 · 31 May 2023]

Hiya Bones Booth - and happy birthday Maggie (and me teehee) for when the episode comes out! (If there ends up being a break and this episode doesn't end up coming out on 7th june, pretend I didn't say that).

Outside of the b-plot with Hannah, this episode is pretty forgettable, I even forgot who the killer was. However, I have a lot of feelings about the last scene.

I'm sure it was supposed to come off more jokey, but the whole thing of Hannah talking Brennan into giving her sunglasses to her is so weird and off. I don't particularly dislike Hannah usually, she's lovely, and the scene earlier in the episode where Brennan saves her life is really sweet, but the sunglasses thing just rubs me the wrong way. Maybe I'm just not in hospitals very often but I don't think I've ever heard that it's customary to bring a gift when visiting someone outside of this episode.

Anyway, it's still a pretty fun episode since we don't actually have bones to work with and it's nice to have Arastoo back, it's just not one of the heavy hitters we have this season, 8/10.

Bones: The Witch in the Wardrobe (2010) Season 5, Episode 20

The Prius Helps You Stay in Your Lane!

[10/10 · 13 March 2023]

The fact that we started with Toyota product placement and ended up with a Hodgela wedding - in jail - officiated by Mr. Johnson from Abbott Elementary is absolutely amazing. Of all the ways to get Hodgins and Angela back together, I'm glad Kathy Reichs went with his one.

I love this episode a lot. If I'm in the mood to rewatch a random episode of Bones, I tend to end up watching this one. The back and forth between Clark and Hodgins over the video calls between the jail and the Jeffersonian is pure gold, especially when Hodgins is bragging about identifying the bat bones from jail and Clark replies with "that's right, you're a criminal".

The case itself is quite fun, with Sweets getting all excited about witches and all the fun spooky stuff that goes on, however, the B plot definitely takes up most of my attention.

One thing that confuses me about the wedding though, is the ring that Angela gives to Hodgins. I have absolutely no clue what Angela is hinting at in regards to where she got it from and at this point I'm kinda scared to find out. Another thing is Angela's name. If she legally changed it to Angela Montenegro, then why would she need to tell the judge her "real name"? It makes no sense.

Confusion aside, this episode is one of my favourites, Hodgela forever, 10/10.

Bones: The Parts in the Sum of the Whole (2010) Season 5, Episode 16

"There Was Tongue Contact"

[10/10 · 14 February 2023]

If I was to describe all my many many feelings on this episode, this review would be pages long. The flashbacks of B&B first case are super fun, and seeing all the characters before we met them in the pilot/first season is really interesting.

• Hodgins in his curly wig with his elastic band on his wrist
• Zack without his doctorate but still as smart as ever
• Angela as a caricature artist who wants to go to Paris
• Cam as the New York coroner
• Caroline working in Booth's office for some reason despite always having a visitor's badge every other time she's in the FBI building
• Booth before he stopped gambling and without his socks, ties and belt buckles
• And then there's Brennan who is about the same as in 'present day'

I could go on about the episode for days and could quote something from almost every scene if asked, so I'll just go with a Bones Booth Pod classic and say...

Best part: THAT RAIN KISS!!!!

Worst part: Brennan and Booth's little sad faces in the heart wrenching final scene :( (and the fact that canonically Judge Hasty is on parole in the Bones universe right now)

Bones: The Bones on the Blue Line (2010) Season 5, Episode 15

Big Day for Swaisy

[8/10 · 4 February 2023]

Maybe I've just never paid enough attention, but I don't think I've ever understood why the victim was killed. We don't really need to though, because the side plots are much more interesting, but no matter how much I wrack my brain, it still doesn't make any sense.

I love that Ms Iwanaga just tags along with Booth and Brennan for the entire case, even when they're visiting suspects, and every time she equates B&B to Agent Andy and Dr Reichs, Brennan's reaction is pure gold.

I would absolutely love for there to be a real version of Brennan's book, solely because I am desperate to know what's on page 187 and what is Hodgins' "thing, that he does".

The Daisy and Angela car scene was great, it's very sweet that Daisy seems to be ingratiated into the team so much that Angela's giving her advice on her love life with Sweets. And it's very hard to ignore the overt car product placement which has become a staple of the show at this point.

With Hodgela separated and B&B still not together, despite that intense conversation at the end of the episode about soulmates, it's lovely that at least our beloved Swaisy seem to be on the road to living happily ever after.

Bones: The Proof in the Pudding (2010) Season 5, Episode 12

I'm your guy

[10/10 · 2 January 2023]

I absolutely adore this episode. It's one of the few I could probably recite word for word without the episode even playing, it's so so good. Bones does such a good job with their bottle episodes and this one is no exception. We finally get conspiracy theorist Hodgins back after missing out on that in the previous episode, we have the hilarity of Cam thinking Michelle is pregnant, and the completely adorable "jibber-jabber" scene which I love tremendously. Not to mention the Hodgela of it all which never fails to get me to the verge of tears.

Obviously there's the slight issue of false positives not really being a thing with pregnancy tests but I'll happily look past that because, as a whole, the episode is fantastic.

I would give this a 12/10 if i could but IMDB won't let me, so I'll just settle for a 10.

Bones: The Foot in the Foreclosure (2009) Season 5, Episode 8

My Therapist Says I'm Afraid to Feel

[10/10 · 13 November 2022]

Definitely not here for the case of the week in this episode.

However, the presence of Ms Sarah Gray Rafferty as Katie Selnick the realtor makes it worth watching. From her discovery of the body in the beginning to her frustration with the investigation, every single scene of hers is just great (although maybe I'm just biased as a massive fan of her as Donna Paulsen in Suits).

Another bright spot of this episode is Booth's grandfather who we finally meet after learning about him briefly in season 4. It gives us some more insight into how Booth treats his family as well as his past and childhood after his father abandoned him and his brother. And it definitely doesn't hurt that Pops sows some seeds of romance into Booth and Brennan's brains, continuing to push them together as has been happening more and more this season.

Overall, if it wasn't for the case, the episode would probably have been perfect but I'm still giving it a 10/10 because - Sarah Rafferty.

Side note: I refuse to believe that Angela recognised the 'Price Co Blossom Orange' from the sludge in that petri dish. I don't usually pick up on the magical evidence in the show but this one completely took me out.

Bones: The Dwarf in the Dirt (2009) Season 5, Episode 7

"I can't think of anything I wouldn't do to help him"

[10/10 · 5 November 2022]

This might be in my top 15 favourite episodes of the entire show. The presence of Gordon Gordon would lift any episode up but seeing him interrogate a suspect with Sweets and getting offended by the term "fry cook" is absolute perfection. Not to mention, him point blank telling Booth that he is in love with Brennan and his little conversation in the diner with Angela. It's so great to see a side character make such an impact every time they come back, no matter how infrequent.

Stephen Fry and B&B aside, one of the fun things I love about this episode are all the little Simpsons references/Easter Eggs throughout. Some are a bit more obvious than others, the Bumble Bee Man being one of the wrestlers' names, for example, but it's still a fun game to spot them all during a rewatch.

Something else I noticed about this episode that may or may not be connected to the Simpsons thing, I haven't looked into it, is that there are many interruptions during exposition scenes. Like, in that scene with Cam and Hodgins in his/Zack's 'Ookie Room', someone comes in with something for Hodgins to sign and then it happens again, thrice, with Cam and VNM in the Bone Room later on. It might be nothing but I feel like it happened too often to be ignored.

Didn't care too much about the case, but that happens with most episodes that aren't part of serial killer storylines, for me at least.

Anyway, great episode, great special guest stars, great final B&B scene.10/10.

Bones: Mayhem on a Cross (2009) Season 4, Episode 21

Gordon Gordon Returns!

[10/10 · 20 July 2022]

Aside from having to adjust the volume throughout due to all the loud music, this episode is perfect.

All the Wyatt/Sweets scenes are so lovely and seeing their dynamic and hearing all their insights and observations of B&B is fantastic.

Also, getting the most random tidbit about Gordon's past as a Ziggy Stardust knock-off was so unnecessary but very much appreciated.

Side note: did anyone else notice a slight English twang in Booth's voice whenever he said "Noddy Comet"?

The moments of Brennan in the interrogation room with Sweets were so outrageous and hilarious, especially when she awkwardly sat backwards on her chair after going all 'bad cop' on Murderbreath, absolute gold.

Getting to know more about Sweets' past and his motivations for wanting to delve into B&B's childhood trauma is really great, nevermind tear-jerking. Particularly in the final scene where B&B invite Sweets to 'family dinner'. The teary-eyed revelations, the catch in Booth's voice, Brennan putting Booth's handkerchief pack in his pocket - utterly heartwrenching.

This is definitely up there as one of the best episodes of the entire series and is the perfect way to bring back the amazing Stephen Fry into the land of Bones.

Bones: The Doctor in the Den (2009) Season 4, Episode 18

"We Hate Men"

[10/10 · 29 June 2022]

This has everything you could possibly want from an episode of Bones. Celibate Angela is hilarious, that hypnotism scene was completely unnecessary but perfectly bonkers all the same, and the heartfelt Cam-centric storyline where we finally get to find out more of her backstory is fantastic.

Not to mention, this episode has plenty of Clark getting frustrated and uncomfortable with the lack of professionalism in the lab which is always welcome.

A real highlight for me was the scene near the end of the episode where Brennan gives Cam the push to take in Michelle, I love how their friendship has developed over the seasons.

Also, that final scene with Cam, Michelle and the salt shakers was so emotional and sweet, it nearly had me sobbing.

The episode was classic quirky-horny Bones with a great dash of heartwarming goodness and I loved the whole thing.

Bones: The Salt in the Wounds (2009) Season 4, Episode 17

Moments Pass

[9/10 · 22 June 2022]

First of all, guest star corner!

In this episode we have Monique Coleman who plays Taylor in the High School Musical Movies and Kayla Ewell who plays Vicki Donovan in The Vampire Diaries, so quite the teen crossover.

We also have Pej Vahdat - our lovely Arastoo Vaziri - who is the second guest star this season who also appears in Shameless, the first being Noel Fisher aka Booth's Ghost.

This episode is very Angela heavy which is lovely. It's quite bittersweet though, since she and Roxie, who is wearing a very bright blonde wig for some reason, break up. However, that does lead to a Hodgela moment so, can't really complain.

I enjoyed the back and forth between Cam and Brennan throughout the episode with the 'Bones vs Flesh' debate and it was nice to see Cam in her element instead of her just dealing with the blood and guts in the beginning and not having much else to do later on.

Arastoo is definitely one of my favourite interns in the show but, like most of them, his introduction leaves a little to be desired. Still, the way he attempts to comfort Angela after her breakup is really sweet and his little onomatopoeias always put a smile on my face.

Sweets and Angela undercover is so fun to see and we finally get Angela listening to and acknowledging Sweets' advice for once, yay!

Overall, love the case, love the intern of the week, love the episode.

Bones: The Bones That Foam (2009) Season 4, Episode 16

Just Not Good

[5/10 · 8 June 2022]

It took me 3 different attempts to get through this episode when rewatching so if that's not already a sign that it's not great then I don't know what is.

The whole bones foaming thing was really annoying and as much as I love Vincent, he wasn't helping.

The side story of Sweets trying to teach Brennan how to recognise and respond to facial expressions was equally as frustrating, Not to mention that strip club scene which was tragically awkward.

The only redeeming part of the episode is the short scene where Angela explains to Brennan that Booth pretends to be a lot less smart than he actually is so Brennan gets to be the intelligent one in their partnership.

Overall, not a good episode for David Boreanaz's directorial debut on Bones, it's definitely one I skip on rewatches.

Bones: The Princess and the Pear (2009) Season 4, Episode 15

"I'm A Geek" "You're Greek?"

[8/10 · 8 June 2022]

Not too much to say about this episode except that the amount of B&B touch time is fantastic. Also, Booth on Vicodin is very fun, especially when he can't work his phone and forgets Brennan's hair colour.

Love to see that Fisher is back. Although, him kinda screwing up the case by fraternising with a suspect is not so great - however, Cam's reaction seemed a bit extreme since Brennan did more or less the same thing in season 2 and she barely batted an eyelid.

Anyway, the episode was quite fun as whole but it's definitely one of the more forgettable ones.

Bones: The Hero in the Hold (2009) Season 4, Episode 14

It's Not Sexist 'Cause She's Mostly Fish

[8/10 · 11 May 2022]

Ghosts and war flashbacks and serial killers, oh my!

The Gravedigger is back! Along with Thomas Vega (who seems to have a completely different face from the last time we saw him)

The episode is very fast moving from the get-go. Pre-theme song we already have a meeting at the FBI, Brennan getting ready to receive an award and Booth getting kidnapped by The Gravedigger.

Side note: Booth saying "I bet you are looking beautiful" to Brennan on the phone as well as them bickering are the ship crumbs I long for.

Sweets using one of Angela's shoes to try and defend himself is a lovely bit of levity amidst the drama and tension. He may have been better off using Brennan's chunky earrings though, those things are weapons in their own right.

Love the Brennan and Hodgins scenes throughout the episode, despite Brennan not trusting Hodgins after he stole the evidence from the FBI.

The scenes of Booth and his hallucination/ghost were a bit boring to me but it's nice to find out the origins of Parker's name.

Heather Taffet's face is so punchable, no wonder Brennan smacked her with a briefcase and toppled over her chair.

As much as I dislike Jared, I'm glad he did everything he could, including risk losing his job, to save Booth. As Brennan said, he owed his brother big time.

Very funny that Hodgins' conspiricy nut knowledge comes in handy - as per usual - when trying to find evidence on Taffet.

The emotion in that hug when Brennan saves Booth! You could feel the relief from both of them through the screen.

Overall, as intense as this episode is, it's not my favourite of those which focus on the Gravedigger. The entire squint squad coming together to save Booth was great to see but Booth's scenes left a lot to be desired.

Bones: Fire in the Ice (2009) Season 4, Episode 13

We're Booth's People

[10/10 · 19 April 2022]

This episode is very Booth heavy, as was apparent from the very beginning with all the ice hockey. It's great to see Booth and Wendell bonding since Booth doesn't usually speak to the squinterns much less spend time with them outside of work. That smile Booth gives Brennan when he's in the sin bin is absolutely everything. He just looks at her and all his frustration disappears, I love it.

Since Booth is a suspect in the case, the Jeffersonian team have to work with Agent Payton Perotta - lovely name alliteration - and it's very interesting to see them interact with a different "FBI guy" and Booth interact, or should I say, flirt with another agent.

It was definitely insensitive of Sweets to ask Booth about his trauma as a child via Agent Perotta during her interrogation. Firstly, because that information was initially discovered through a couple conversations with Jared and Cam so Booth, to our knowledge, doesn't even know that Sweets knows about his father and to put him on the spot like that is more than rude. Secondly, divulging something this private to a complete stranger just to observe and study him is horrible. It doesn't matter what B&B's agreement with Sweets is, this whole thing was so wrong and Booth's anger was completely justified.

I'm a really big fan of Wendell and Hodgins' dynamic and budding friendship, especially when they have that impromptu fish photoshoot.

Seeing Booth saw off his own cast made me more squeamish than when I saw the body in the beginning of the episode. So unsettling.

The whole Luc Robitaille hallucination seemed like just an excuse for David Boreanaz to wear a Flyers jersey and skate around but it was nice to have Booth realise, as a result of that, that he's not his father.

I really liked the tiny Hodgela scene where they discuss their love lives. Good to know that the writers are remembering Roxie exists outside of the episodes in which she appears.

The final scene is so incredibly iconic and beautiful and perfect. B&B skating around, Brennan confessing to Booth that he's the only FBI agent she wants to work with and Booth confiding in Brennan about his fears about being too similar to his dad. But they're just colleagues, right?

Anyway, very good episode. The case would've been more interesting if Booth wasn't dismissed as a suspect so early on but still very enjoyable as a whole.

Bones: Double Trouble in the Panhandle (2009) Season 4, Episode 12

I'm Quite Adept on the High-Wire

[8/10 · 16 March 2022]

Hey Bones Booth!

I have to be honest, I'm not a massive fan of the undercover episodes. The Woman in the Sand is the only one that doesn't give me intense secondhand embarrassment. I know that's the point but sometimes it's just too much to handle and makes it difficult to watch.

However, this episode isn't too bad in that regard.

As always the silliness and heavy-handedness of it all was very much appreciated, and completely fit the tone they were going for. It would've been just wrong for them to investigate a case to do with the circus without going undercover. As a couple. And perform a Russian knife-throwing act.

It was great to get a tiny bit more of Sweets' background since we haven't heard much about his past as of yet. This gets expanded upon in future episodes but all the information we get right now is that he was adopted and his biological mother worked at a carnival.

It was lovely to see more of Vincent and get to hear more of his random not-so-pertinent factoids.

Brennan's outfit as Natasha... insane. I refuse to believe she slept in it that last night in the trailer/mobile home but the more scenes with her wearing it, the better.

Cam asking B&B to livestream their performance for everyone back at the Jeffersonian was hilarious and again added to how bonkers this episode was as a whole.

Overall, a pretty decent episode, but not one of my favourites, despite how iconic some parts are. 8/10.

Bones: The Bone That Blew (2008) Season 4, Episode 11

Mad Skills, Babe

[10/10 · 15 March 2022]

Hiya Bones Booth Pod!

Wendell's back in this episode which is lovely. Good to know that Zack's surprise appearance in his previous episode didn't shake him too much.

The Max storyline was great but some of it confused me. Why was Cam the one to decide whether or not Max was hired? He's not got anything to do with the forensics team, wouldn't someone else be in charge of hiring for that position?

Anyway, it was great to see Max and Brennan's dynamic outside of prison walls and how Booth convinces Brennan to let her father stay at the Jeffersonian (*SPOILER* which apparently doesn't last very long since the next time we see Max, he definitely doesn't work there anymore)

I loved that Cam was able to convince Hodgins to get back into doing experiments. Of course it's not the same as back when it was him and Zack but it's still really great to see Hodgins get excited about that again after his departure.

In this episode we get our 8th (??) guest star who goes on to appear in Suits, GINA TORRES!! Or as she's known in Bones, Antonia "Toni" Ezralow, the flying dermatologist. Her character oozes a calm confidence and elegance and I loved every single second she was on screen.

The case is pretty decent. Not too simple, not too convoluted. It's always a bit disheartening when a kid ends up being the murderer but at least in this one, it's far from an accident.

Overall, a great episode. I think everyone was utilised well in figuring out different aspects of the case and the side plots were also very entertaining without taking much away from the main plot of the case. 10/10

---------------------------------- List of Bones guest stars (prior to this episode) who also appear in Suits: 1. Zeljko Ivanek (the dad from The Woman in the Car) 2. Glenn Plummer (Harold from The Woman in the Tunnel) 3. Julie Ann Emery (Janine the journalist from Aliens in a Spaceship) 4. Denise Crosby (the mum from The Secret in the Soil) 5. Abigail Spencer (Phillipa Fitz from The Man in the Mud) 6. Patrick Fischler (Gil Bates from The Boy in the Time Capsule) 7. Ian Reed Kesler (Chris Calabasa from The Wannabe in the Weeds)

Bones: The Passenger in the Oven (2008) Season 4, Episode 10

I'm Singing Lime in the Coconut

[10/10 · 11 March 2022]

Hiya Bones Booth Pod!

I know this isn't necessarily a bottle episode but it has that kind of feel to it and I love it so so much. Caroline, a limited time to solve the murder, Hodgela, B&B, Angela and Roxie, all of it is just perfect.

Also, Charlotte, the murder-obsessed lady sitting next to Booth on the plane, was great, she really stole the show for me.

Booth, like the chancer he is, tries to get into first class and sit with Brennan twice at the beginning of the episode which is very in character and entertaining.

Hearing all the Jeffersonian team's weekend plans was very interesting, especially Sweets with his competitive karaoke, and so was Hodgins and Sweets' little back and forth about Angela and Roxie.

Since murder follows them wherever they go, B&B find a body on their flight to China and have to solve it within a matter of hours before jurisdiction becomes a bit messy.

Brennan trying to communicate with Kate the flight attendant right after she finds the body is absolutely hilarious. "Bones, she's in shock not deaf" will always get me.

Not sure if I wanted or needed to know that Booth has a librarian fantasy/kink but that scene was pure gold, in particular when Brennan did what Booth told her to do once he left the room.

That little Hodgela moment where they almost say "I love you" to each other is so upsetting, since it's obvious that they're both still harbouring feelings for one another despite how much time since their break-up has passed. And the conversation that followed that was perfect. Firstly, Hodgins not invalidating Angela and Roxie's relationship was really great, and definitely showed how much he's grown since season 1. Second, Angela explicitly stating that she can fall in love with both men and women is just !!

Caroline is all over this episode and brings so much to every scene she's in as always.

Angela asking Roxie to move in with her was definitely way too quick. Maybe she's just forcing herself to move on from Hodgins by trying to prove to Roxie that she's all in and taking such a massive step so early in their relationship. Whatever the reason behind it is, Roxie rejects her proposal and they decide to just see where things go before taking it to the next level.

Overall, a very strong episode. Completely insane and could never happen in real life but I love it anyway. 10/10.

Bones: The Con Man in the Meth Lab (2008) Season 4, Episode 9

The Only 'Ex' I Care About are X-Rays

[9/10 · 11 March 2022]

This review is predominantly going to be me bashing Jared Booth, just so you know.

First of all, Jared is so low down on the Bones hot-guy scale, I have no clue what Brennan saw in him to make her so eager to go out with him.

The way Jared talks to Brennan about Booth at that party is so infuriating. "He's afraid of success" what are you on about? He's in his mid-30s and is head of major crimes at the FBI, I'd call that pretty successful. It's unbelievable that he has the audacity to say something like that, to his brother's partner no less, especially since Booth has a history of making sacrifices for him.

It is great, however, that we finally get a bit of back story for Booth and his childhood, especially since in the first 3 seasons, the only information we got was that he had a brother, his dad was a barber, and his mum wrote jingles, and that was all just in season 1.

I love a good bit of B&B angst and the scene of them after Booth interrogated Sikowitz from Victorious (can't remember his character's name) was just *chef's kiss*.

I'm really happy with the way they utilised Cam this episode. We haven't been told much about her relationship with Booth previous to season 2 so it was nice to know more about that and to have her be the conduit through which we find out about Booth's history.

Jared deserved a lot more than just a push off a chair from Brennan after what he did to Booth. I would've prefered for her to drop kick him and step on his throat like she did with that guy from 1x02, but I'll take what I can get.

Outside of the family drama, Clark is back!

Of course, every time he returns, he has to deal with getting caught up amongst the many inappropriate conversations which take place in the Jeffersonian every episode, and that gave the episode quite a bit of levity to balance the seriousness of some of it.

That first scene where we see Clark return is gold, and it's great that Hodgela's banter is still very much in tact post break-up.

Angela's 'Booth vs Booth Lite' explanation to Brennan was fantastic and her bluntness when it comes to these kinds of situations is always very much appreciated.

Brennan's speech at Booth's birthday party was perfect, and even, dare I say, tear-jerking. I love that she was able to convince Booth to let his brother deal with his own mistakes. I'm not sure how right Booth was to say that there's no risk Brennan's dad will kill again* but if that's what he needs tp believe in order to tell his brother to get his act together, I'll let it slide.

When Jared said that he "carries his own water" I wouldn't have blamed Booth if he punched him right in the face. It's truly astounding that he had the gall to say that after what Booth just did for him. Unbelievable.

Overall, despite my intense hatred of Jared, I still really liked the episode. 9/10

----- SPOILERS FOR SEASON 5 ONWARDS -----

*considering that in 5x21 Max tries to kill the Gravedigger and is then a suspect in 6x11 when she acually gets killed.

Bones: The Skull in the Sculpture (2008) Season 4, Episode 8

Angela and Roxie!!!!!!!

[10/10 · 11 March 2022]

Hey Bones Booth Pod!

If you can't already tell by the numerous exclamation marks in the title, I'm very excited about this one.

Daisy's back this episode which is lovely. She's a lot less annoying this time, in my opinion, and is a bit more endearing. However, that sister comment to Cam was definitely a bit odd. Of course, the episode ends with her getting fired, again, but the upside of that is we get to see that her and Sweets indeed did get together after he called her at the end of 4x03.

Obviously, it is always great to have Caroline in an episode. Doesn't matter how short her screen time is, she never fails to make an impact and I love her immensely.

Okay, now we get to the main event. ANGELA AND ROXIE!!

I well and truly love that not only did we get concrete, explicit confirmation that Angela is sapphic but we actually get to see her in a relationship with another woman*. I'm a big fan of the little tid-bits we see of them together and it's great that after a massive (/s) SIX WEEKS, Angela is putting her pain aside and moving on.

I really liked Angela's conversation with Booth in the car, definitely redeeming him a bit after the disaster that was the last episode, and him smacking that DeLuca guy's head into a table after he made that disgusting threesome comment was perfect.

The Sweets and Angela scenes were very lovely, despite the fact that Angela usually ends up giving herself advice and ignoring whatever he has to say.

And I can't not mention that little conversation between B&B at the end of the episode where they discussed how Swaisy (or Dance as some people refer to them) would never work and were basically describing themselves. Love love loved it.

----- SPOILERS FOR AFTER SEASON 4 -----

*I know the writers completely forget about this aspect of Angela's character after this season ends but it's still wonderful that they explored this storyline at all and I'll take my gay crumbs wherever I can get them.

Bones: The Crank in the Shaft (2008) Season 4, Episode 6

Life is Always the Cause of Death

[9/10 · 11 March 2022]

Hey, Bones Booth Pod

As much as I enjoyed this episode, especially Hodgins and Angela coming to terms with the end of their relationship and figuring out how to work together again, it's definitely forgettable. Of course, I loved the introduction to Fisher, another great addition to the squint squad, and the side plot of Booth and the chair was fun but there wasn't much else memorable about it. I'm pretty sure I counted 3 uses of the word "bitch" throughout the episode so I think that's the show's swear quota all used up for the season.

Overall, kind of a meh episode but Hodgela brings the rating up to a 9/10.

Bones: The Perfect Pieces in the Purple Pond (2008) Season 4, Episode 5

Poor Wendell

[10/10 · 10 March 2022]

Hey Bones Booth gang!

Big fan of this episode. I had completely forgotten how much I loved it until I rewatched it and was reminded of how great it is.

I loved seeing Hodgins visit Zack, I missed their rapport, despite it being slightly tainted by the fact that, you know, Zack's in the "Looney Bin".

Another new intern! I love Wendell a lot, he's definitely one of the more 'human' interns so to speak, which is probably why he, in future episodes, gets along with Booth so well.

I enjoyed Cam and Hodgins' scenes together this episode. Hodgins still seems to be dealing with the loss of both Angela and Zack quite poorly and Cam is a decent balance of firm and understanding when he starts taking his frustration out on her.

The secondhand embarrassment I felt during the whole Wendell/Brennan/Angela side plot was immense. Such a silly misunderstanding which adds to the already overwhelming evidence that Bones is a comedy.

Lots of B&B car scenes this episode (with Brennan driving, yay!!). There were even two back to back, discussing Zack, one of which I remember vaguely and another I don't at all. Maybe it's because I'm watching it using the box set, who knows.

Random side note about the coffee cart guy, usually I'm really good at recognising people from other shows who show up in as random guest stars in procedurals eg Bones, Criminal Minds, etc. But only now on my zillionth rewatch of the show have I realised that he plays Samir, Linus' dad, in Stitchers. Completely irrelevant but I felt the need to purge that information from my brain

Zack confessing that he didn't actually kill the lobbyist was a great addition to the episode. Even though no one but the audience and Sweets know that, it helped make Zack's departure a little less tense and made it so we don't have to feel guilty that we still love him as a character.

Overall, I really loved this one. The case was interesting without being too convoluted and the character plot(s) were also really well done. 10/10

-

------ SEASON 11/12 SPOILERS------

It's really fascinating that a lot of what's in this episode contributes to the reveal of Zack's return in season 11 as well as the proper conclusion of the Gormogon storyline in season 12.

Zack telling Sweets he didn't actually kill anyone and that the actual murderer of the lobbyist was killed by 'The Master', even Wendell and the cigarette behind his ear. So good.