As much as we all like Booth’s playful side (when it’s written well), I still love serious Seeley most. Loyal, respectful, protective, intense, and afraid of getting his new shoes wet. Yes, please. Some thoughts on last night’s episode, which kept Bones on a roll:
• That corpse — or rather, decapitated head — was the most disturbing image we’ve ever seen on the show. It wasn’t so much that it looked gross, though it did, especially when Cam took her sweet-ass time SAWING INTO IT. It was the idea that the young woman’s brother, a member of the Tokyo police Booth had befriended when he traveled to Japan for an exchange program, had to look at it repeatedly. Having the decomposed flesh still on the skull made it more painful, right? It was still her, not "remains." You couldn’t stop thinking what was done to her. I tried to imagine if it were my sister, and I got sick to my stomach.
• I actually missed not having an intern. Brennan talked about finally making a decision on a permanent replacement for Zack, but then this episode didn’t have one in it. I guess the lab would’ve been too crowded, what with the allegedly androgynous Dr. Tanaka, who accompanied Booth’s friend Ken Nakamura (a.k.a. Nake with the Sake), assisting in the investigation. Dr. Tanaka, who was played by an actress named Ally Maki, didn’t look androgynous at all, which made Cam, Angela, Hodgins, and Sweets look ridiculous for even debating his (really?) gender. Though, I will admit that Cam and Sweets celebrating their victories after Angela announced that "it moved" when she hugged Tanaka goodbye was enjoyable.
• The final Booth and Brennan scene was sort of a letdown. I like that they keep ending up at his place, which shows how comfortably she fits into his life, but that dialogue lacked the emotional impact we’ve come to expect. I think the writers put their best stuff into those scenes between Brennan and Ken…
• Brennan totally made me tear up. Brennan was capable of showing empathy because she was relating to someone who’d been abandoned. (Ken raised his sister after their parents died.) I’m rewatching that scene in her office, when she told Ken that FBI logs showed that his sister phoned him every day and that the calls were never less than five minutes and averaged 15 minutes — which indicates "an irrefutable desire to connect, a deep and abiding love" — and I’m welling up again. See, this is the Tempe we want. A woman who’s smart enough to take that experience that she had in Sweets’ office a week ago, when she shared a painful memory about her childhood to relate to him, and learn from it. She knew Ken was worried that he was too overprotective, and she knew how she could ease his mind (with facts, which makes it still her). Seeing her get emotional with Ken, a man who also naturally hides his feelings, was moving. She told him there’s no one in her life, outside of work, to whom she talks that much, and she finally expressed why — she’s not sure if loving someone is worth the pain you feel when you lose him or her. "Is it worth it to have your happiness so contingent on another human being?" she asked, which would’ve been insensitive had it not been for the tears in her eyes. "If I was willing to give up my life for Sachi, why would I not be willing to risk my happiness for her?" Ken responded. Think, Brennan, think! You put your life on the line for Booth. I also have to say that I was so proud of Brennan for the way she allowed Ken to gracefully leave the platform when the rest of his sister’s remains were brought in. She acknowledged that his being there showed great strength and commitment to his sister, but said it was distracting and might compromise their work, which he wouldn’t want. I wanted to hug her.
So what did you think of last night’s episode? I liked all the science that I didn’t understand and Cam getting her hands dirty (melting brain, anyone?). Even though I would’ve liked at least one longing look out of Booth in that end scene, I do appreciate the writers finding a new way to probe Brennan’s fear of love through her conversation with Ken. (I’m hoping that we do, in fact, resolve this phobia by season’s end, because they can’t keep hammering it this hard in every episode without it getting annoying.) If you want to talk about the case, feel free. The voiceover by the pimp was cheesy, but it was interesting: Sachi was drowned by a client of her escort roommate when she went to tell him to stop playing rough with her friend. The client paid the pimp to clean up the mess, and the pimp cut off Sachi’s head and put it on a stake as a warning to the roommate to keep quiet. The roommate didn’t want it to look like she killed Sachi, so she dumped the head in the salt marsh. (Hmmm. I sorta doubt that the roommate, who was so traumatized that she couldn’t speak when Sweets interrogated her, would have been able to think clearly enough to dump the head before leaving the country, but okay…) And which intern are you hoping Brennan hires?
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Great recap! I totally agree about Brennan’s growth with sensitivity last night. First, realizing the brother shouldn’t be seeing the body/head like he had been…and then tactfully giving him an out for leaving. You didn’t mention the gender mystery “Pat” character- it did seem a little out of place in this heavier episode. Finally, can I just say I HATE the stupid recaps when the actor talks to the audience summing up the show so far? Please stop it!! Our site also does Bones discussion if you want to say hello we’d love to have you visit. http://www.milehighhorror.com/wp02/?p=865
Dawn
Oops- I do see you mentioned the gender issue in your recap! Don’t know how I missed it before.
http://www.milehighhorror.com/wp02/?p=854
I thought Dr. Tanaka was a girl the whole time. A guy? Really? Well at least the person playing him was a girl. She just had such soft features. Ah well.
This episode was kinda a snooze. Although I always do like when Brennan goes a little soft and reveals something about herself.
Does anyone know how many episodes are left for this season?
See, THIS is the Bones I love. Serious case file, drama all around, with enough levity to make it bearable. The occasional slap-stick efforts they make (ie., last week, the circus) just get in the way of a great line of work. As for the intern choice, I’d like her to go with Wendell, Booth’s hockey playing bud. He would bring a balance to the platform, allow Booth to feel like he had a more kindred spirit in the lab. Brennen said he had the most potential, and I’d like to see a character we could grow with. Clark is great, but he’s already fully formed in my mind, and all the others just make me roll my eyes!!
Sachi’s remains didn’t gross me out as much as the elevator shaft victim and the recycled bridezilla, but yes, the saw and the skull and Cam divving up who would check out which part–ugh!
Totally agree with the hammering home that Brennan is afraid of love, lets wrap this up and get to a resolution, por favor!
I thought Tanaka was a female the whole time, that was a weak sidebar of a plot IMO.
I thought this was a great ep too. But I wasn’t surprised about Dr. Tanaka. I assumed he was a guy but my mother was convinced she was a girl.
Looking forward to more great episodes.
Loved seeing Brennan showing so much empathy and understanding. I hope we will get to see Booth and Bones end up together and some progression by the end of this season. I also did not think that the man/woman looked androgynous at all, though she looked like a woman.
This was actually one of my favorite episodes ever. the “guy or girl” subplot was stupid and annoying, but I assume it was the writers’ way of balancing out the serious content of the show.
but I agree with you completely. I LOVE serious Booth. and I love empathetic Bones. I teared up more than once this episode.
I also liked that an episode actually showed another culture in a respectful way, and had their characters interact sensitively with it, not the American jerk stereotype like Booth was in England.
the episode was sweet, sad, and interesting. and I love how the writers are slowly but surely pulling those two characters closer and closer together, in a real and emotional way, not just some sex based hookup. they are so sweet together!
I’m not sure about the intern, I like both Wendell and Clark for different reasons!
i definitely love the way they are building up to brennan’s realization about booth but im kind of ready for it to happen already!
the final scene was definitely a let down – could have been waaayyy more emotional or funny or something. the whole dr tanaka/angela hug was hilarious! it just cracks me up that the celibate one was the one to hug “him” and make”it” move haha. i was definitely cracking up.
lastly, im totally on team wendell. id like to see him play hockey some more!
Booth slamming that suspect against the interrogation wall was HOT!
actually the end scene was emotional did you guys not get that Booth said
‘we agree that this is worth it’
He was speaking about his love for Brennan, that he and they are worth it and she didn’t get it as usual.
I don’t know. I was getting Brennan was taking a step back, she wants to be alone and hearing her question love in a lot of the epi is getting old.
How about we get a good epi on Booth’s views on this, a serious epi for him to connect
I just adored Booth in this epi. He is my guy! Can we make more? LOL!
He was serious and sexy but I do love funny charmer Booth too! I want both!
David was brilliant, he was strong and in command. Nice acting chops David.
I thouught it was great, Loved how Ken even caught the “partners” thing.. also makes me wonder what Booth said when he was over there and drunk on Sake! That happiness line was gold too!
I still say make Clark and Wendell both on there with Wendell as the assitant to Bones, Clark knows what he is doing and i thought he was a Dr. already anyway!
Like the Sicko thing at the midway point review too!
Yeah, neither I or my girlfriend thought Ken’s assistant looked androgynous at all. We both assumed she was a girl from the get go, and the exchange got kind of annyoing after a while.
It’s still far more tolerable than the aggravating mid-episode recap. I completely agree with you DawninDenver. Why the hell is that there in the first place? Even if viewers came in half an hour late, I’m sure they can catch onto 90% of what happened before through the repeated discussions of the murder victim. I know the American viewing public’s often get ridiculed for short attention spans, but sheesh. Talk about insulting to your audience.
The only problem I had was with the androgynous story line. It looked like a woman was playing the role, but that they were trying to make her look like a man. While realizing that this was supposed to be the “light” storyline, I found it to be more distracting than funny. I hope Brennan picks Mr. Wendell Bray as her assistant, but that they bring Dr. Clark back in some way, too. The scene a few episodes back with his girlfriend and Angela was FUNNY!
I do like serious Booth and empathic Brennan, and it was a nice play after the very farcical episode on Monday (which I also liked). In terms of the intern, I wish it could be Zack again, but if not, then it needs to be the “un-Zack” – namely Wendell. Booth needs a squint that is also a sports nut and regular guy.
Mr. Nigel-Murray, all the way!
It’s sort of inconsistent how Brennan deals with other cultures – in last week’s episode (yea, one of several, I know), didn’t she say something offensive, to which Booth responded “She does that to everyone”? And in this episode, she was very respectful of his culture. Perhaps she was inspired by his story of Booth’s show of respect.
Brennan should definitely pick Mr. Nigel-Murray. He’s by far my favorite of the rotating interns. Plus he and Hodgins could compete for King Of The Lab.
That scene with Brennan and Ken where she asks him to leave…she was oblivious to his discomfort until Cam or Angela said something and the visiting expert explained why he was there or something about disrespect to ask him to leave…
Brennan has always had empathy or rather understanding for other cultures, she just hasn’t always been consistent with it…see prior episodes where she knew about the bone ceremony/wedding and the cleansing of the body (?) for burial in the episode with the Islamic bomber.
This show could be great or it could be another moonlighting…still want to see…and as far as the assistant goes…liked the goth guy, but not the british guy who rattled off facts…I agree that Dr. Clark needs to be hired outright for a different department then he can still interatc
I really like Clark, Wendell and (I know I’m in the minority) Colin. If I’d have to pick one I’d choose Wendell because I know Clark will pop up from time to time even if he isn’t chosen.
per any complaints about Brennan criticizing some cultures and not others … I can’t remember exactly what she made a remark about at the funeral one, but wasn’t it like Haitian rain dances? Or something like that? While she most likely respects most of Haitian culture, it’s little things like that — in her mind — are silly. And even in last night’s episode, she clearly respects Japanese culture, but she makes that remark to Dr. Tanaka about “kami” and how she doesn’t believe in that … does this make sense?
There is inconsistency with Brennan. She picks and chooses what cultures to show respect to. It doesn’t fly. It makes her seem rude and petty.
Next week everything she learns this epi will be forgotten. And she will be back being in sensitive again.
There has been a real dumming down of Brennan this season just for a funny scene.
I have my issues with the consistency in this show however I totally see what Denise is saying. Brennan only really tends to criticize things that she finds rely on some sort of faith in the supernatural. She’s usually very mindful and knowledgeable about other cultures.
I really liked this episode because I’m starting to see Brennan rethink love and the effect it may have on her. What I found interesting is that she didn’t really focus on love from a romantic P.O.V, but rather love from a parental P.O.V. Was I the only one that caught that?
As much as I’d like to say that I can see her considering moving things forward with Booth, I don’t think this episode pointed to that directly. I wish it would come sooner.
the thing with Brennan is that she is smart enough to learn about and respect other cultures, but she does not believe in some of the reasons behind the customs or traditions
I thought Bones and Booth were both written really well last night. (They’re ALWAYS acted well, but the writing is spotty.) It makes sense to me that Brennan would identify with the Japanese culture, since it’s a culture in which emotional displays are regulated by long-held customs and traditions. And it was good to see the serious, heroic side of Booth instead of the cartoonish side we’ve seen too much of lately.
I have to say, I spent the whole episode wanting to hug poor Ken Nakamura. It was heartbreaking to see such a noble man lose the person who mattered most to him.
As for the interns, I like all of the top three candidates (Clark, Vincent, and Wendell). I know I’ll be happy with whomever Brennan and Booth choose, but I’ll also be sad to see the other two go.
Aw… I was sure Tanaka was a female! Finding out he was played by a she does make me feel better about my gender deciphering abilities, though.
I like the lanky intern with all the piercings and the one who is always spewing useless information – their names elude me.
I thought the Anime mask on the decapitated head was really freaky. I couldn’t really get into this episode for some reason; it seemed too fragmented and hectic. The gender issue with the doctor was really distracting. Angela should have been able to tell from bone structure; she’s the facial reconstruction expert after all! Blue hair streaks, a few piercings and a deep voice shouldn’t have made that much of a difference. I loved all the interns (Clark, not so much) and I’m sad that they’re going to settle on just one. I really like Vincent Nigel-Murray, because he and Hodgins are funny together. I loved when they got “in trouble” a couple of episodes back!
Yes to Mr. Nigel Murray!