The German title for this episode is "Zwei Schicksale im Sand" which means "Two Fates In The Sand." The German title alludes to both deaths in the episode as apposed to the English title, which only alludes to one of the deaths. (edit) In TVGuide David Boreanaz was quoted saying that the character Tony Scallion was named after his father-in-law, who's an Italian cowboy in Utah. (edit) When the idea of Brennan and Booth investigating a murder in the world of underground boxing was created, the writers were not thrilled about it. But when they decided it would take place in Las Vegas and Brennan and Booth would go undercover to crack the case, they all jumped at the chance to write the story. (edit) International Air Dates:
Denmark: Tuesday February 20th, 2007 on TV3
Spain: Friday March 30th, 2007 on FOX TV Spain
Finland: Tuesday August 7th, 2007 on MTV3
Belgium: Friday, October 12th, 2007 on RTL-TVI
Germany: Thursday, October 18th, 2007 on RTL
Australia: Thursday, December 13th, 2007 on Network 7
Lithuania: Thursday, January 17th, 2008 on TV3 (edit) There are special scene transitions for this episode, cards and poker chips spread across the screen to go from the Vegas scenes to the scenes at the Jeffersonian. (edit) The crazy socks that Booth has on in this episode was a homage to David Boreanaz. In real life, he loves to wear crazy and bold socks, even with suits. (edit) David Boreanaz was also an underground fighter in the Angel Season 1 episode "The Ring". In that show, he was made to fight against his will and was almost defeated in his main fight against a much larger foe. (edit) Featured Music:
"Wolf Like Me" by T.V. On The Radio (right after the scene where Zack punches Hodgins)
"Viva Las Vegas" by Elvis Presley (during the opening shots) (edit)

Booth: (to Agent Zhang) So, I dragged out one of the top forensic anthropologists across the country on the word of a prostitute?
Brennan: What difference does her profession make?
Booth: I'm backing you up.
Brennan: You're judging.
Booth: I wasn't judging, I had your back.
Brennan: Yeah, your voice was judging. (edit) Booth: You never told me the second reason why you bet on me.
Brennan: Yeah, it was...silly.
Booth: Well, come on, you know, try me.
Brennan: "Beginner's Luck." I haven't lost at anything since being here, so I figured if I bet on you, then--
Booth: I couldn't lose.
Brennan: It sounds silly, right?
Booth: It sounds familiar. Thanks. (edit) (Brennan is holding an icepack to Booth's head)
Agent Sugarman: Sorry Booth, I just couldn't have you blowing my cover.
Booth: Ahhhh...yeah, as they taught us in Quantico Walt, I wasn't about to.
Brennan: Do you know everyone in this town? (edit) Brennan: I suppose, from an anthropological standpoint, this taps into the nihilistic part of the human psyche fascinated by blood and gore. (edit) Cam: (to Marisol) Honey, I'm from the Bronx, don't think for a second you scare me. (edit) Nick: Another Army fighter Joe? How many of these has beens you getting a week?
Joe: At least this one still looks like he’s in shape.
Brennan: Yeah my man’s in great shape. Believe me. (edit) Brennan: (Referring to what Nick said earlier) So much for my Has Been Army fighter. (edit) Hodgins: (whilst taunting Zack into the aspects of a fight) You’re a Vulcan and a dull Vulcan at that. (edit) (watching the crowd cheering on the fight)
Booth: It's human cock-fighting.
Brennan: More like lesser surrogates engaged in battles on behalf of the elite lords who don't have the courage to fight themselves.
Booth: Right, you know what? (snaps his fingers) Come back to me Roxie, huh?
Brennan: Ooo, look at all the sweat! (edit) Zack: It's as if his vertebra was cut with a razor blade.
Hodgins: Or a razor wire. Luca Brasi.
(Cam, Angela and Zack all look confused)
Hodgins: The Godfather? Please, someone, buy a DVD player! (edit) (looking at the reconstruction on the computer)
Angela: How could anybody do this to themselves?
Hodgins: You know, 900 B.C., the Greek ruler Theseus had two men sit in chairs and beat each other to death for entertainment.
(Cam and Angela just stare at Hodgins)
Hodgins: Just saying, it's nothing new. (edit) Hodgins: Aegialia concinna...
Cam: Gesundheit! (edit) Cam: Just ship both sets of remains here - along with dust, bugs, the works. If there's a forensic link to these murders, we'll find it.
Brennan: As long as you keep me in the loop...
Cam: As if we could actually keep you out. (edit) Brennan: (referring to her shoes) How does anyone actually walk in these things?
Booth: Oh you know them boots they ain't made for walking sweetheart (slaps Brennan's butt)
Brennan: Okay that was completely over the top. (edit) (Brennan is on the phone with Angela while Booth is zipping up the dress he picked out for her)
Booth: That’s hot!
Angela: Hot? Wait a minute what’s hot?
Brennan: (Stuttering) Uh Nu-nothing Vegas, Vegas is hot. It’s a, very hot here. (edit) Joe: (After Booth throws him a wad of money to participate in the fight) Glad your Sugar Mama taught you a thing or two. (edit) Booth: I don’t want anyone knowing we’re FBI.
Brennan: That’s easy for me, I’m not. (edit) Booth: (referring to Brennan’s little show in the gym) That was amazing! What got into you?
Brennan: It’s from when I used to watch old movies with my dad--he really liked Clara Bow.
Booth: Bones, Clara Bow was in silent movies.
Brennan: Oh...then I guess that's just how I imagined she'd sound. (edit) (Booth and Brennan are in their hotel room, dressing up as Tony and Roxy.)
Brennan: (coming out in a rather chaste black dress) What do you think?
Booth: (sarcastically) I have enough Bibles, thank you, but try next door.
Brennan: You said I could be a school teacher.
Booth: Not the spinster kind who lives with her sister but, you know, the hot one who makes the boys crazy. Here, (hands her a dress) put on the one that I picked out, alright?
Brennan: Okay, but don't be so bossy. (She disappears into the bathroom.)
Booth: We're newlyweds I said. Taking Sin City by storm, ready for action.
Brennan: (from the bathroom) But you know, marriage is such an archaic institution.
Booth: (exhales in frustration) Listen Bones, I know what I'm doing. Okay? I've done this before, just stop arguing.
Brennan: I'm not. It's just, you know, I don't need a piece of paper to prove my commitment.
Booth: Fine. We're engaged.
Brennan: Why would I be okay with engagement?
Booth: Whatever Bones, alright? We're a loosely committed couple of hot high rollers with money to burn. Cause that's what's gonna get us in the door.
Brennan: (comes out of the bathroom in a stunning little black dress) Like this?
Booth: (staring and swallowing) Yeah, like that. (edit) Booth: Wait here!
Brennan: And do what exactly?
Booth: You're an anthropologist observe the culture! (edit) Brennan: Oh my God! I completely forgot you can't be here Booth, you're a degenerate gambler.
Booth: Former gambler, okay not degenerate. I've been through the program okay. And you know he's on the move!
Brennan: What if you get a sudden urge to gamble while you're here? It's like sending an alcoholic to a distillery. Do you need to sit down? (edit) Brennan: They call this America’s playground?
Booth: We're 15 miles outside of Vegas, Bones. This is America’s frying pan.
Brennan: No kidding, a person can melt before finding a body anywhere near here. (edit)

Goof: Before Booth's fight the ringmaster is calling the last call for bets before the fighters enter the ring. Booth goes straight from Brennan's side into the ring to fight, which means that Brennan didn't have the time to place a bet on him, especially not after hearing the odds for the fight with the larger man. (edit) Booth is dressed very similarly to how Angel (also played by David Boreanaz) is in the Angel episode "Are You Now or Have You Ever Been" (2x02). (edit) The fact that Booth has a gambling problem is very similar to an episode of Angel entitled "The House Always Wins," (episode 4x03) where he can't stop playing the slots. (edit)

Lou Mackey: It's instant Karma.
Booth: Instant Karma is gonna get you every time, isn't it?

This is an allusion to the lyrics of the song "Instant Karma," performed by John Lennon, which starts with the line: "Instant Karma's gonna get you." (edit) Booth: That's why I brought you to Sin City Bones.

This is an allusion to another nickname for Las Vegas, Nevada. It is known as such partly due to the popularity of legalized gambling, availability of alcoholic beverages at any time (as is true throughout Nevada), and various forms and degrees of adult entertainment. Another tagline has come from Sin City lore: "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas," alluding to the many indiscretions that occur there. (edit) Booth: This is America's Frying Pan.

This is an allusion to the heat of the desert around Las Vegas. In the summer, it reaches over one hundred degrees pretty much every day, and has since earned this nickname. (edit) Booth: No, Bones we are 15 miles off the strip.

"The Strip" is 4 mi (6.7 km) of Las Vegas Boulevard South partly in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, that has been designated an All-American Road. Many of the largest hotel, casino and resort properties in the world are located on The Strip. Over the years, Las Vegas Boulevard South has been called Arrowhead Highway, "Salt Lake Highway", U.S. Highway 91, and "Los Angeles Highway". The Strip was reportedly named by police officer Guy McAfee, after his hometown's Sunset Strip, in Los Angeles. (edit) Dr. Brennan: So this is America's Playground?

"America's Playground" is a nickname for Las Vegas, in that it is like a big playground for adults - it has games, rides, casinos, and entertainment galore. (edit) Brennan: (when praised by Booth for her performance as Roxanne) That's from when I used to watch old movies with my dad. He really liked Clara Bow.

This is an allusion to a real silent film star, Clara Bow (who was also known as a person who preferred playing poker with her cook, maid, and chauffeur over attending her film premieres). (edit) Hodgins: ... Theseus had two men sit in chairs and beat each other to death for entertainment.

This is an allusion to Theseus who in Greek mythology was a hero of Athens. He was the son of either King Aegeus or Poseidon. Although Theseus is generally thought of as legendary, the Athenians believed he had been one of their early kings. (edit) Booth: Haven't any of you people seen Fight Club?

This is a reference to the 1999 cult classic Fight Club, in which Edward Norton and Brad Pitt start underground fight clubs for fun and sport, but mostly out of boredom and dissatisfaction with the dullness of their everyday lives. (edit) You can see Booth wearing the t-shirt saying "Guys and Dolls Jr." in this episode. It's the allusion to the 1955 movie "Guys and Dolls" starring Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra, which tells the story of a gambler and a cold female missionary that he falls for. (edit) Hodgins: Or a razor wire. Luca Brasi.

This is an obvious allusion to the 1972 classic "The Godfather" where Lenny Montana's character Luca Brasi suffers a similar fate. (edit) Booth: Not everybody can be Oscar de la Hoya.

Referring to the boxer Oscar de la Hoya, nicknamed "The Golden Boy" who is considered one of boxing's all time greats. He won the gold medal for the U.S. Olympic team in Barcelona in 1992, and has won eleven world titles in six different weight classes. (edit) Booth: Oh you know them boots they ain’t made for walking sweetheart.

Booth is referring to the song "These Boots are made for Walking" originally done by Nancy Sinatra. (edit) The opening shots (fast zooms out, swooping aerial shots) and some of the transition effects between scenes (casino-themed shots, shots of different locations around the Strip) are an homage to the NBC series Las Vegas, a drama set in the world of casinos and gambling. (edit)