The Parts in the Sum of the Whole (5×16)

Written by: Hart Hanson

Directed by: David Boreanaz

Brennan and Booth are discussing issues with Sweets’ book about the two of them.

SWEETS: You disagree with my conclusion that the two of you are in love and the sublimating energies of that connection are responsible for the energy, vigor and rigor that you bring to your homicide investigations.

BOOTH: I just told you, it’s not what you think..and you immediately say what you think.

BRENNAN: That’s your interpretation. We recognize your right to interpret.

SWEETS: You do?

BRENNAN: That’s your right as a psychologist to get everything wrong. I have circled some typos – other than that and the fact that the Cleo Eller murder was not our first case, you’re ready to publish.

As poor Sweets tries to process this news, we go back in time to the real 1^st case!

BOOTH: Her name was Gemma Arrington. The case was going nowhere, I was at an early morning Gambler’s Anonymous meeting…

BRENNAN: Booth had a gambling problem before he met me.

BOOTH: Well, since I mostly won, it really wasn’t a problem.

We discover that somehow, this was all Cam’s doing…

CAM: How’s about you get another point of view.

BOOTH: Partner up. No. You know I don’t do that.

CAM: There’s a Forensic Anthropologist, at the Jeffersonian; I read that she solved how a stone aged hunter was murdered.

BOOTH: How does that help?

CAM: If she can solve a 4,000 year old homicide, maybe she can help on Gemma Arrington. I could release the remains to her.

BOOTH: Ya know what, Cam? Uh, I’ll catch up with you later, alright. Forensics don’t solve crimes; cops do.

Booth listens to Cam and goes to meet Brennan. Then we get our magical moment.

BRENNAN: All of the important indicators are written in the bone if you look carefully.

BOOTH: So that’s your thing.

BRENNAN: Yes. I am the best in the world.

BOOTH: Oh. Okay. You’re serious.

BRENNAN: (to Sweets) He thought I was being humorous.

BOOTH: It turns out to be true.

Past Hodgins and Past Zack are vying for King of the Lab even back then.

HODGINS: I’m taking the clothing.

ZACK: Cause of death: The sharp symmetrical traumas to both the right and left temporal bones. You can take the clothing and leave, now.

HODGINS: Yeah? You can take the femur and shove-

We learn that Brennan and Angela are very recent acquaintances!

ANGELA: But why me? I mean, we’ve only known each other a month.

BRENNAN: Well, I interacted with you at your art exhibit because I was very impressed with your command of underlying structure. You will be paid.

ANGELA: I’m in. I’m saving to go back to Paris.

BRENNAN: How much do you have saved up so far?

ANGELA: Whatever you’re gonna pay me for that skull facial murder barf making monstrosity.

Past Brennan and Past Booth meet up so Brennan can share what the team has discovered.

BRENNAN: She’s (Gemma) the murder victim?

BOOTH: Yeah. I’m sorry.

BRENNAN: Sorry for the victim?

BOOTH: No. Sorry for holding back her identity.

BRENNAN: Well, even though my time and expertise are extremely valuable, I accept your decision to test my abilities. Obviously, I passed with a lot of color.

BOOTH: Pardon?

BRENNAN: It means I did very well.

BOOTH: Oh, right.

BRENNAN: It seems to me that someone like you could benefit hugely from an association with someone like me.

BOOTH: Oh…Oh. You’re being serious. You’re serious. I was just kidding. You know, having some

fun.

BRENNAN: It is fun.

Present Brennan explains to Sweets…

BRENNAN: We were feeling each other up, like, uh, a Honeymoon period.

BOOTH: Out. We were feeling each other out.

Back in the past, we get to the heart of B&B’s philosophies.

BRENNAN: Well, feeling isn’t knowing. When you know something, you can argue fact not merely make unsupportable claims in a passionate tone.

BOOTH: You said that in a passionate tone without facts. You see, what it comes down to, it’s all about what you feel.

B&B of the past are in a groove.

BOOTH: The FBI, they just have a way of doing thing.

BRENNAN: Well, anthropologically speaking, para-militaristic organizations tend to constrain individuality.

BOOTH: That’s for sure.

BRENNAN: But any group, no matter how restrictive, the free thinkers, the mavericks, rebels with leadership quality, find ways to declare their distinctiveness.

BOOTH: I’m a free thinking real rebel.

BOOTH: I’d ask you out if I could.

BRENNAN: Why can’t you?

BOOTH: Well, FBI rules, again. No fraternizing with other agents or consultants.

BRENNAN: That’s too bad.

BOOTH: Glad you think so.

Brennan punches the suspect and gets fired. Booth lets her know over drinks.

BOOTH: You’re fired.

BRENNAN: Why am I fired?

BOOTH: You’re fired because you assaulted a Federal Judge.

BRENNAN: No, you thought that was hot.

BOOTH: I did. I did. It was very hot. Okay.

BRENNAN: If we don’t work together anymore, we can have sex.

BOOTH: I’ll call a cab.

BOOTH: What I wanted to to confess was – see, I have a gambling problem but I’m dealing with it.

BRENNAN: Why did you feel you had to tell me that?

BOOTH: I don’t know. I just feel like, um, this is going somewhere…

BRENNAN: Why did you feel this is going somewhere?

BOOTH: I just – I feel like I’m gonna kiss you…

Back in the present, Sweets’ (and our collective) brain exploded.

SWEETS: My book is crap.

Back in the past, B&B are not working well post-smooch.

BRENNAN: Oh, please. Do you really think the best and brightest go into law enforcement? No, the best and brightest go to the Jeffersonian.

BOOTH: Oh, really? Because you know the one I met couldn’t pick his nose without instruction.

BRENNAN: The locking mechanism should be removed.

BOOTH: Okay, excuse me. You know what? You really need to learn how to speak to human beings.

BRENNAN: I speak six languages – two of which you’ve never even heard of.

BOOTH: You know what? You’re a cold fish.

BRENNAN: You’re a superstitious moron.

BOOTH: Get a soul.

BRENNAN: Get a brain.

____

SWEETS: It’s like – it’s like you two missed your moment, then you punished each other for it and you know who ends up paying the price? Me. I do.

Sweets tries to assimilate this new information. He has advice.

SWEETS: If you’re not in love, then how come you haven’t been in any serious relationships since you first met, huh?

BRENNAN: I don’t really do that.

SWEETS: One of you has to have the courage to break this stalemate. You. It’s gotta be you because you’re the gambler. For once, make that work for you.

“Nothing happens unless first a dream..” – Carl Sandburg

BOOTH: I’m the gambler. I believe in giving this a chance. Look, I wanna give this a shot.

BRENNAN: You mean us? No. The FBI won’t let us work together as a couple-

BOOTH: Don’t do that. That is no reason why we can’t…

BRENNAN: No. No.

BOOTH: Why? Why?

BRENNAN: You-you thought you were protecting me, but you’re the one who needs protecting.

BOOTH: Protecting from what?

BRENNAN: From me! I – I don’t have your kind of open heart.

BOOTH: Just give it a chance..that’s all I’m asking..

BRENNAN: No, you said it yourself; the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome.

BRENNAN: I- I am not a gambler; I’m a scientist. I can’t change. I don’t know how. I don’t know how. Please don’t look so sad.

BOOTH: Alright. Okay. Yeah.

BRENNAN: Thank you.

BOOTH: But I gotta move on. I gotta find someone who’s – who’s gonna to love me in 30 years or 40 or 50.

BRENNAN: I know.

Literally so much to unpack in this episode.

*SO MUCH KISSING LIKE WHAT?!?!??

*At first, I was SO MAD at Brennan for rejecting Booth but I have since forgiven her. She was honestly trying to protect Booth and didn’t want him hurt…though he was hurt anyway. She genuinely figured that she’d mess things up if they tried to be together. And that’s why he accepts it so quickly, he knows she really thinks that, though he also knows she has a bigger heart than she knows.

*I’m also no longer mad at Sweets. I think it was decent advice in hindsight. Someone had to break their stalemate, and even though it took awhile, Booth’s actions forced them to change from the status quo. Sometimes in life, we have to gamble and take a chance on things. So, I’m ok with it now. 

*Poor Sweets. He thought it was a regular day in the office till B&B changed his whole world!

*Props as always to director Boreanaz. Fine work as usual. (My dad watches Seal Team. He, on his own accord, has noticed when David directs episodes and thinks they are good!)