Wednesday April 4, 2007
2AKY18
Booth and Brennan investigate the case of a partial skeleton found in cement. Booth thinks a member of a crime family - Hugh Kennedy - is to blame, but when he hears word that Hugh was burnt to death in a car things get more complicated. Booth finds out that Hugh is actually alive, but then gets kidnapped by him. Brennan must now find Booth before he is hurt, but this is harder to do than she thinks, and she ends up going to great lengths to get Booth back safely.
Write a Recap »This is probably the best episode of both season one and two. It expands character development, is humorous, and is atypical of the show. hide show
First, let me say that there is a quick scene in this episode that cracked me up. This means: I put the DVD on pause just so I could laugh. Its not very realistic, but the shot is really slapstick-comedy funny. (Cp. the bounty-hunter getting the carpet pulled out from under her)
Anyway, the plot is a little different because in this episode, Bones gets to be the rescuer and Booth is the one needing to be rescued. Fine point: Bones actually reacts to the fact that Booth needs rescuing; i.e. Bones is stressed and emotive. The development with Bones' father ties this episode to many of the subplots and such of the previous episodes. There is one glaring flaw: her father keeps appearing in her apartment. Well, you'd think after he'd done it once, the FBI would be ready for his next attempt. Apparently, he is not only a criminal, but Spider-Man.
There are some other minor unrealistic scenes in this episode, which purists will dislike. (For example, Booth is really Wolverine for the beating his head takes.) However, its TV - not string-theory physics class, so accept the improbable and enjoy the entertainment.
Finally, there is a neat treat getting to hear Bones sing a verse.
Another great episode about Brennan's father. hide show
Brennan's father shows up again and seems determined to convince Brennan he's not a monster, as if that would be possible given the violent murders he's committed. Booth actually tells Brennan to forgive her father. It's not like these murders were years ago and he's showing genuine remorse – this was months ago and he's shameless about it. Doesn't matter that these were criminals, it's still cold-blooded premeditated murder. I'm proud of Brennan that every time he showed up, she called it in.
I will give you this, her father is quite impressive. He's not subtle but he gets things done. There are times when having a serious criminal in your family comes in handy. I was delighted by his "She reminds me of your mother!" comment – I am really starting to get curious about Brennan's mother.
This is a first – a considerate hitman?! Doesn't kill Booth and doesn't take his gun so Booth won't get in trouble for losing it!
The mystery surrounding Max keeps growing, I really like this storyline. The series is at it's best when it makes things personal.
Let me just start by saying that this is one of my favorite episodes, which is why I decided to write my first episode review. hide show
I thought the case was engaging, the B&B relationship progressed quite nicely, and Brennan's relationship with her father has taken the first tentative step in the right direction. Also, there were some great comedic scenes. This episode is an example of Bones at its best.
*Note: My review is focused on the character development of Brennan and Booth as well as the evolution of their relationship. I will not recap the episode and have left out major plot points. I am assuming you have seen the episode, so beware that possible spoilers may follow!
One year after burying her mother, Brennan is still unable to confront her feelings about her mother's death and her father's involvement. Like Booth (in The Titan on the Tracks), Angela takes Brennan to visit her mother's grave and tries to convince her to deal with her emotions. Angela and Booth instinctively understand that Brennan needs to explore her issues with her parents, but Brennan continues to resist. When her father, Max, makes several attempts to connect with her and resolve some of her resentment, she refuses to hear what he has to say. Even when he tries to talk to her about her mother, Brennan shuts him out. Booth's kidnapping is the only thing important enough to force Brennan to seek out her father's help. Desperate to find Booth, she reaches out to Max and accepts his assistance.
I really feel for Max in this episode. Unlike in Judas on a Pole (when he essentially abandoned Brennan a second time), he's trying desperately to connect with his daughter. He understands that his abandonment has deeply affected her and he is trying to make up for it now. He learns quickly that Brennan is a strong, stubborn woman who blames him for her mother's death. He also learns that she doesn't trust people easily. When the one person she unconditionally trusts disappears, he uses it to get closer to her. On one hand, I think it is sneaky for him to use Brennan's weakness to his advantage. He's a con, a criminal. He helps, not to save Booth's life (Booth wants to arrest him!), but to get what he wants: a foot in the doorway. On the other hand, he does it for a noble reason. He genuinely wants to connect with his daughter. As Booth himself points out numerous times, Max is a good man who does bad things.
Brennan is frantic when Booth is missing (reacting much like he has when she's been in danger). She reluctantly accepts Max's help out of desperation. When the two track down a bounty hunter with ties to Booth's possible kidnapper, Brennan loses control of her carefully suppressed emotions. Finding Booth's tooth at the scene, she snaps, punching the bounty hunter and screaming, "Where's Booth?!" This is a completely irrational reaction from the typically reserved scientist. Max stops her from attacking the bounty hunter and stares at her in astonishment. Despite his continued attempts to connect, nothing else has elicited such an emotional response from her.
The intensity of Brennan's reaction to the kidnapping is not lost on the rest of the Squint Squad either. Angela, in her typical atypical **** tries to offer her help and support. Brennan refuses her help (because she doesn't want anyone to know Max is helping her) and Angela tries to push hers way in. She acknowledges that she isn't a fighter (but "can spit with deadly accuracy"), but wants to be there because she understands how upset Brennan is. Cam, on behalf of the Squints, tells Brennan that she's not alone and that they are all worried about Booth. Like Brennan, Cam is concerned about Booth, but her reaction is much more understated. The difference in their reactions speaks volumes about each woman's feelings toward Booth. Brennan is more distraught than Cam and we all know why... In the end Brennan finds Booth, with help from Max and the Squints. Instead of letting the FBI arrest her father, Brennan allows him to escape. She's grateful that he helped her rescue Booth and is finally ready to take the first tentative step toward a relationship. She's slowly beginning to trust him.
Much like in Aliens in a Spaceship, Booth's faith in Brennan is absolute. When she asks why he allowed himself to be tortured rather than give his captors information, he tells her, "I needed to give you time to find me." He wasn't sure she would find him in time, but he knew she would never stop trying. Even though his life has never been in her hands before, he knows that she would do everything she can to save him. The partners share a bonding moment in the diner when Brennan asks Booth if he knows the song, "Keep on Tryin'" (a fond childhood memory she has of Max). He starts to sing it and she joins in, much to Booth's surprise and delight. They have a strong bond that you can practically feel in this scene. As they sing together, Booth looks at her with such affection that I'm convinced he's in love with her (and knows it).
Bones finally gets to save Booth. hide show
Booth and Bones are called in to investigate skeletal remains buried in concrete (or is it cement?) which are practically screaming mob involvement. Sure enough it will turn out this way.
Meanwhile Brennans' father Max returns to get reaquainted with Bones who is not very receptive and calls the FBI every time he tries to talk to her.
Booth has a tooth-ache but is afraid to see a dentist. So he rather suffers until his tooth is knocked out of him by the killer.
Things take a serious turn as Booth is kidnapped by a mob boss and Bones has to ask for her father's help to find him in time.
Finally Bones is the one saving Booth, after almost two seasons where it was always the other way around it was a nice change.
The ending scene is really cute as Booth and Bones sing "Keep on Tryin'" together. Now we know why Mr.Boreanaz refuses to sing ;o). But Emily Deschanel surprises with a really nice singing voice.
It was good to see Max come back and interact more with his
daughter. I liked it when Brennan was at the cemetery, for someone who doesn´t believe in talking to the dead.
The story was good, though I think Booth was way too naive
when facing the criminals (bounty and the other two).
Brennan was worried when Booth was kidnapped, but I think it didn´t come down to her until she saw his tooth, I liked her reaction, I was actually expecting it. It was good to see her trust her father with Booth´s situation and somehow asked for his help. Poor guy, losing a leg to make everyone think he´s dead.
My favorite moments: Brennan checking on Booth´s tooth and
the end scene with both of them singing. *heart melts*
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