This year’s Christmas episode lacked the emotional impact of Season 1′s quarantine and the puckishness of Season 3′s mistletoe kiss, but it did have something going for it: Shirtless Booth. (Watch the scene below.) His clothing became evidence after a man dressed as Santa robbed a bank with a bomb strapped to his chest, exited to meet Booth, and blew up. Watching Booth grow increasingly uncomfortable as Brennan slowly removed his tie, his shirt, his “cocky” belt buckle and his pants (“I’m just gonna start reciting some saints”), was worth sitting through the rest of the hour that while okay, never quite lived up to its potential. It had nice themes — no one should be alone on Christmas, there are different kinds of families, the spirit of the season is worth embracing even if you don’t believe Jesus was born in December — but I didn’t get to know the victim or his mother well enough to tear up when Bones decided that she wanted to go to the funeral because no one should have to bury her son alone on Christmas morning. “You know what, Bones, sometimes I think your heart muscle is bigger than people give you credit for,” Booth said. That’s true, but only because the writers don’t always allow her to flex that muscle when she should.
Officers, “Secret Santa” was a holiday gift just for us: a silly, surprisingly earnest ensemble episode. I was excited for this going in — holiday episodes are an Office strong suit, and Mindy Kaling writes many of my favorite group stories (“Ben Franklin,” “Diwali,” “The Injury,” “Golden Ticket”…). This didn’t disappoint. It was a throwback that played to the show’s strengths, drawing out the dorky but begrudgingly loving moments between many of the characters. I’m giving this episode five golden rings…. 
