Full disclosure: I watched this episode of Bones at 1 a.m., after I got home from a Rescue Me party where there’d been an open bar. Maybe I was so…we’ll call it "relaxed," that no storyline would’ve gotten to me. But I expected this one — Cam has to tell the teen daughter of her former fiancé that her dad’s been killed and munched on by a tiger — to hit me harder than it did. I’m a fan of understated actress Tamara Taylor and I want to go deeper into Cam’s backstory, but I think we need to do it in a way that somehow involves Booth and Brennan. Or, at least Booth. (Seriously, I hope David Boreanaz enjoyed his week off. Even though I enjoyed a return to a relatively kitsch-free episode of Bones, I missed him.)
So, we found out that Cam had lived with Dr. Andrew Welton for two years, and helped raise his daughter Michelle. She hadn’t seen either of them in 10 years, until Andrew’s remains were found at a wildlife park after a benefit. She wanted to be the one to break the news to Michelle — who pretended not to remember her. Ouch. Okay, that got me. It turns out that Michelle was just angry at Cam for leaving her — and she never understood why. The answer? Because Daddy was a player, who wasn’t able to commit to any one woman after suffering the loss of his wife, which is why one of the nurses ended up offing him. (I thought Cam explained that to Michelle in the most respectful way possible. Meaning, I was just paraphrasing there.) I’ll admit that I was kind of shocked that it was BRENNAN who suggested to Cam that she take Michelle in. But then again, a parentless teen is the one kind of person Tempe has no problem relating to. Cam and Michelle reuniting their salt ‘n’ pepper shake set was a sweet ending, but I missed our usual B&B moment. I would’ve liked to have seen Booth find Brennan to discuss Cam’s decision — and Brennan’s role in it. I’m sure he would’ve been as pleasantly surprised as me and we would’ve gotten a few meaningful glances. Maybe this is what starts Brennan’s clock ticking? In which case, we’ll definitely be hearing about it in future episodes….
I would say my three favorite scenes of the night were: (1) Cam being allowed into the sacred Brennan/Angela sisterhood. Brennan should respect Cam, not compete with her. (And look at Brennan making with the funny! "Perhaps that’s why you’re always asking him to leave," she cracked after Angela complimented Hodgins’ butt.) (2) The hypnosis of Brandon Casey (guest star Chad Lowe), the man whose wife died on Welton’s table. Actually, the animals looking over Angela’s shoulder as she sketched were overkill. I just really liked it when she went for the glass of champagne. I guess Angela and Sweets are now unofficial partners? I’m fine with that. Gives them both something to do. You? (3) When intern Clark Edison(Eugene Byrd) brought in his "romantic partner" to meet Angela, the woman who’s "sexually harassing" him. Angela is still on her Sweets-prescribed celibacy program, and was hot for everything from tiger urine to young Mr. Edison — who’d been assured by Brennan that conversation in thelab would, in fact, be strictly professional this time ’round. While I found that conversation between Angela and the girlfriend, a women’s study professor at Georgetown, most informative — did we all know that doctors were so…hands-on in the 19th century? — I seriously doubt that Angela hadn’t thought of using toys before. But kudos for making Clark flustered, ladies. Always fun.
What did you think of the episode? Did you get really emotional? (I swear, I’m usually an affectionate drunk.) How much more do you want to know about Cam’s life? Did you miss Booth? And am I right in thinking that Clark’s lady friend call him a "briefcase bomb"? Just want to make sure I have the term correct for when I use it.
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Yeah, you might want to watch this without benefit of tequila shooters. This Cam-centric episode was a nice change of pace, and Tamara Taylor’s performance was both nuanced and touching. As much as I love this show, it borders on too much jokiness this season. And as much as I love B&B, it was nice to see a little more emphasis on another character.
Yep, “briefcase bomb” was the term she used.
This episode had some funny moments and some sweet ones, but I missed Booth and Brennan — the REAL Booth and Brennan from S2 and S3, not these cartoonish imposters we’ve been seeing most of this season.
I will agree with Jenks (and should have mentioned in my earlier post) that Tamara Taylor was fantastic in this episode. She brings a lot of depth to what, in less capable hands, might be just a “straight man” role.
it was nice to actually get some backstory on cam. sometimes i forget about her because she’s always just in the background. i mean, we’ve gotten info on hodgins, angela, even sweets…but rarely cam. was different, but i liked it.
I don’t mind the supporting cast getting their own storys BUT I do mind that there were so few Booth and Brennan scenes because of it. At least give us one fantastic shipper scene to make up for the lack of them.
Good enough epi but not great.
Best line of the night from Booth
”Pinky stumps the Brain”
How I love that man!
You know, now that I think about it you’re exactly right about what was missing from this episode – Cam’s storyline was fine, but rather than ending with it, the last scene should have been Booth and Brennan talking about what had happened (and Brennan’s issues with parentless teens and the foster system). I have nothing against Cam or Tamara Taylor, but people watch this show for the chemistry between B&B.
This is the episode where I actually like Cam. It took me along time but I really like her, I just loved the ecnding scene with them hugging!
But I totally missed Booth!!
Alia thank you for saying that i totaly agree with you. i mean dont get me wrong i LOVE bones but im not liking the b&b thingy at all i want more lol
I think maybe the writers figured that we already know how Brennan feels about the foster system and being without parents. Subtle reminder when she told Cam to foster the girl. I did miss B&B retrospective at the end but the episode was pretty cool. Angela come ons to everyman and urine and Clark trying to stop her with his girlfriend. Didn’t Clark forget that Angela was bisexual, she would have no problem talking to his smoking hot girl for sexless advice. I figured Clark to be the briefcase bomb his girl said he was. So stuffy in the office. B&B fans should get their regular scripted episode back next week according to the previews I saw at the end.
I really, really liked this one. I don’t mind a little less B&B now and then; as much as I love them, those actors deserve an occasional day off, and I like seeing more of the team. Tamara Taylor was WONDERFUL in this episode. And Clark and his girlfriend cracked me up! I’d like to see both of them more often.
I thought it was a good episode. Some comedy and some drama- not too much of either which is what Bones does best. B&B can have less moments when we get to see more of the talents of Tamara!
Completely agree. It simply didn’t hold my attention. I plan to re-watch tonight but I definitely think I was missing Booth/DB.
I really enjoyed this episode. I don’t feel the need to see Booth and Brennan joined at the hip all the time. This reminded me of earlier seasons of Bones when the writing centered around the team. I also love to see Booth “being a cop” and not just comic relief. We get too much of that. Tamara did a great job. She played strong emotion without being sappy. It was good to see all three of the female leads connecting instead of just Bones and Angela. I love Booth and Bones too, but I didn’t miss the show being all about their relationship for once.
This is one of my least favorite episodes so far. Not only did the whole Cam/Michelle thing seem SO FORCED, they never said exactly how they solved the case. Where did the lion urine come in? Was it just something he picked up? What were the defensive wounds from? The other end of the snake wrangler tool? How could she seriously go back to a party with a dress covered in blood, and no one else noticed? Seriously? Terrible! Usually I love this show!
I for one didn’t really enjoy the ending. I thought that it was too abrupt and it seems, to me, that the episode ran long and they just cut of the end and went directly to the credits.
But overall, I really enjoyed this episode. Many times I laughed out loud, which is not common with other shows.
Also, the preview for next week looks wicked good! I can’t wait!
And after next week, for two weeks in a row we get two episodes a week!!
As much as I like Cam, this episode didn’t hold my attention. Missed Brennan & Booth….
There definitely was not enough Booth and Brennan. It was weird that it didn’t end with a Booth and Brennan moment. I missed their banter. The episode was over soapy and melodramatic. I didn’t care for it.
Great gooshy corpse this week- those special effects guys should get an emmy for this show. Way too much Angela (hate her) and wasn’t sure I bought the explanation why Cam never kept in touch with the girl. Still, a mediocre Bones is better than most shows on tv now! Our site also does recaps if you want to visit us at http://www.milehighhorrors.com
I thought it was great!
I agree with those who liked this ep. Every once in a while it’s ok for them to focus in on someone other than B&B. Just a thought, but why don’t they bring in Clark as a regular cast member. His dislike of the personal side of the lab is good comic relief and of all of the rotating replacements Bones seems to respect him the most.
Loved this episode, but I do agree, there was not enough BB.
Perhaps Mr. Boreanaz needed a filming break to accomodate his recent directorial debut. I know this episode came after but Bones is always shooting in funny orders and producing mysterious holdover episodes, etc. It’s possible he was in pre or post-production on his eppie when this show was being lensed.
I never expect to cry during BONES and I sure never expected it to be because of Cam. But it was a great cry! I really enjoyed the Cam backstory and omg that Brennan was the one to tell her to take in the teen girl was just a really great scene! I am glad Brennan got that scene instead of Booth (but agree having a Booth reaction to it would be sweet!)
Yes, the guy was called a briefcase bomb; little but powerful. I liked the story, and appreciated the sensitivity, not a hallmark of Bones. But. I’m not prude, and love a good joke, but this little lab guy is being sexually harassed. That’s not really funny, if you remember young women were often the victims in the past. Don’t by hypocritical Bones!!!
I liked the episode, but it did feel off without more BB. Angela was hilarious.
I’m sick of the rotating interns and wish they would just pick Wendell and stop keeping the show in such a stunted place, but Clark would be a decent backup choice for me. I did love when he brought in his “romantic partner” and when she said he was a briefcase bomb!
I really liked the episode even though it did feel different. The whole scene with Cam & Michelle got me all choked up when they reunited the hugging bears salt-n-pepper shakers. And while I like Clark, Wendell is by far my favorite grad student/lab assistant. I was glad when Zack was written off the show so I wish they’d just close that door completely already. I do NOT want Zack back next season.
I loved this episode.. but i will admitt to being biased as i know Clark’s girlfriend on the show. I think they should bring him full time ( after all he is a Dr. already!) and have Wendell on as Bones’ student! we get the best of both worlds!
I also liked the Cam backstory and the women bonding.
One of the better episodes this season. I’m so glad they gave Cam some bit of storyline. i hope we see and hear more about the new situation and that it’s not completely forgotten.
I liked the episode better than most this year. The stand out for me was the young actress playing the daughter – I thought she was fantastic. And I agree with the other commenters that the sexual harrassment angle was not really funny.