So was it just me or was this week’s episode Bones … kind of good? I know, it was a weird sensation for me, too. After I watched it for the first time I was like, “I know I thought that was good, but I must have been imaging it.” So I slept on it. And watched it again. Then thought on it some more. And nope. It’s still a good episode. And what’s more, it felt markedly different from its less-than-stellar predecessors. So what was different this week?
One: The crime was actually interesting
Lord knows no one watches Bones for the gritty hyper-realistic forensic storylines, but it had been weeks since we had a good old-fashioned whodunit, Bones style. I had no idea I missed Hodgins doing his wacky experiments so much, or the Squinterns being so beleaguered, or violent re-enactments, or even just being in the Jeffersonian, physically. And doing all those things made me actually kind of care about the Mystery of the Week. Crazy, right?
Two: Cam got a great storyline
I love Cam. Love, love, love her. I love that she’s sassy and no-nonsense, and yet I love when the writers let her be vulnerable and have a life outside of her work. Cam episodes, as far as I’m concerned, are much like Caroline episodes — they automatically become just a little better by dint of having her featured prominently in them.
Three: Booth and Brennan got along
Hey, remember how we were supposed to be rooting for Booth and Brennan to get together? Remember when those two crazy kids actually liked each other? And worked together? Because it seems like all of a sudden, the writers remembered too. Sure, it’s not nearly the same level of comfort they used to have, but they laughed! The talked! They had significant moments with lingering glances! I didn’t hate Booth! Of course, the teaser for next week makes me nervous about jinxing myself on that last count, but for now, you have my attention back, Bones. You very, very tentatively have me back.
Clacked by Julia Hass 
on Feb 05, 2011 @ 19:30 EST5EDT
Completley disagree. The case was weak. The sisters actress’ were poor. Cam and Paul were boring. And I could care less for Paul. Hart was pushing it for regular fans to remember who he even was. And lastly Booth and Brennan were so forced that it made me cringe. Give me the excellent Bullet in the Brain any day than this dull episode.
You don’t get it.
Booth told Brennan that the soulmate will always be there and that no matter what a person will always return to this person.
THAT had meaning. It meant that Booth and Brennan *bleeeeeeeeeeg*
*eyeroll*
You don’t understand what counts for “Bones” fans ;-)
I feel like we are watching a different show. It was a dull epi. Capital D.U. L. L. Thank goodness I could rewatch the sniper epi. Which was Emmy worthy FANTASTIC. At least it has a story arc that I care for. That is engaging. That makes me want to know what happens next. . I don’t give a flying fig about Cam’s love life, or Paul, it sucked the life out of the epi. And the car advert by Booth and Brennan who wrote that crap? It was badly written and acted. Forced and unnatural.
“And the car advert by Booth and Brennan who wrote that crap? It was badly written and acted. Forced and unnatural.”
Agreed, painful to watch, could only have been worse if they had turned to the camera to say the lines.
Cam and Paul. Can we say contrived. They have been dating for over a year, factoring in the time jump, and only now they are figuring out that they need to communicate and put them first. Give me a break. I didn’t like the epi. It was one of the weaker of the season. Brennan being Booth’s periscope was fun, as was Booth spinning on the stool and winning the argument. The rest? Forgetable.
You know if you don’t like the way the show is or heading or it has lost you. Then maybe you should let somebody else take over that does. Sour grapes isn’t an incentive to read reviews or traffic this site.
I have several issues with this episode….
Why was Bones in the field? They used to call her to find out who killed someone that was hard to figure out what happened. This episode started and they didn’t even know it was a murder, why was Bones called in then? How do they decide which bodies to try to find the killer with.
My bigger issue…
There is three feet of snow on the ground and yet the corn hasn’t been cut back for the winter yet? There are thunderstorms? What time of year is this episode supposed to take place?
I’m a plant guy and it drives me crazy to see the corn on a TV show and 3 feet of snow outside my window with 20-50 foot snow piles.
Bones has constantly been asked to declare a death a homicide or not, I guess that was the case here.
I really don’t care for the forced discussion of the various features in the Prius that Bones drives
Yes, that was my biggest problem, as well.
As a whole, I thought it was a solid episode. Not the best Bones has to offer, but not the worst. Just a good filler episode.
I’m with you Julia! (and apparently in the minority–lol) I liked this Bones episode very much and feel like this is how the show would have been minus that girl person newly attached to Booth.
While I definitely liked last week’s episode better, I still enjoyed this one. Loved Cam’s storyline. Plus Wendell was awesome. He’s very funny when they give him a lot of screen time. I love all the squinterns but for the sake of the show I feel at this point they should just nix the rest of them and stick with Wendell. Maybe have him complete his doctorate and have Cam hire him permanently.
I didn’t find the crime that interesting but it was nice to see Booth and Bones working well together again. The scene in the car was adorable minus the product placement, which is always awkward. And the last scene. I think it’s becoming quite clear that Booth is not over Brennan, not by a long shot. Lets just say I very much doubt that next week’s episode will end with an engaged Booth and Hannah.
I think it is great to see you excited about the show again :)
I didn’t like the Paul and Cam though stuff. I guess I’ve never been the fan of hers that you are.
It was good to see Bones and Booth on the same page again, even if many here are right, and the Prius stuff was over the top. But, I’d like to remind that its far from the first time they’ve done Prius stuff, or poorly done “product placement” in general before (Avatar anyone?).
I was glad to see a little love given to Cam, I also love Cam, I think the actress who plays her is very talented. I’m glad B and B are slowly getting back together and getting their old groove back, I just wish they would stop writing such ridiculous lines for Brennan. The writers are making her look like a fool, she’s so robotic and clueless. I miss the old Bones who may have had some pop culture references go over her head, but she didn’t seem so socially retarded. She has grown and changed over the seasons and now I just can’t stand the way she is now, she’s gone all the way back to Season 1.
LOL at all the BB shippers liking this episode because it was “BB friendly”. I’m sorry, that’s pathetic. You either like the show or don’t. All this shipper see-sawing is getting ridiculous. Still…they aren’t getting together any time soon. So, keep waiting at the bus stop.
I agree with the OP, this episode reminded me of why I loved Bones, Cam and Paul were the best part of the show. I enjoyed seeing a mature relationship on this show with both Cam and Paul admitting they were attracted to one another. The case was interesting and I didn’t figure out the killer which is a rare treat. Seeing all the squints, the three working together was something I had really missed.
A great story to getting the show back on track.
For those who don’t like the weekly beatdown that Julia and many of the cliqueclack followers give ‘Bones’ each week, you can drop by Sarah Curtis’ review on givememyremote. It is generally a lot more favorable.
When you get there you can find it under Bones or Bones recap. Just a thought.