5 years?!
Monthly Archives: March 2022
The Loyalty in the Lie (11×1)
The Loyalty in the Lie 11×01
Directed by: Randy Zisk
Written by: Jonathan Collier
We arrive to Season 11 with B&B still out in the world. And Baby Hank is here!
CHRISTINE: Tell Uncle Aubrey I miss him.
BRENNAN: Oh, Christine, you know Daddy doesn’t work for the FBI anymore.
CHRISTINE: But he goes to the FBI.
BOOTH: Well, it’s a whole new part of the FBI. See, what I do now is, I train agents.
The new investigation gets weird.
HODGINS: Angie, you okay?
ANGELA: I ran the-the serial number from the gun– you know, the gun you found on the ankle– and…
HODGINS: You got a name?
ANGELA: Yeah, I couldn’t believe it. It all matches up with what you found: the age and the gender, the body type, all of it. It’s his gun.
HODGINS: Whose gun?
ANGELA: Booth’s.
Brennan does not agree with her replacement, Arastoo, and his findings.
ARASTOO: The head was too degraded to find evidence of his brain surgery, but after I fully reconstruct the cranium, I’m quite certain that…
BRENNAN: Quite certain? Indications? No. Please leave me with the bones. I need to do this by myself.
CAM: Arastoo… It’s okay. Dr. Brennan needs to do this.
They can’t contact Booth so they work backwards to figure out where he went.
AUBREY: Each and every one of you has a connection to Seeley Booth. He’s trained us, sacrificed for us, and more than one of us wouldn’t be alive today if it weren’t for him, so we owe it to him to figure out what the hell happened out there. I’m putting one team in charge of tracking every single movement that Agent Booth made in the last 24 hours. And the rest of you will go through his casework. And my office will make sure you have access to all the records you need. Booth put away a lot of killers. Any of them could be out for revenge. I know how you feel. Use it to help us find who did this.
Brennan finds concrete proof.
CAM: Are you sure this isn’t Booth?
BRENNAN: This is where a bullet passed through Booth’s body, breaking off a portion of the rib bone. It’s fractured, it’s consistent. It’s in my notes. When the bullet exited Booth’s body, a small portion of his left scapula was carried along with it. The scapula is intact. He’s alive. I hope this isn’t indicative of how you’ve been running the Jeffersonian in my absence.
ARASTOO: This was my oversight, not Dr. Saroyan’s. I understand that you’re angry and…
BRENNAN: You told me my husband is dead. Angry doesn’t begin to cover it.
BRENNAN: The victim has the same bone structure as Booth. They even have similar stress fractures to the calcaneus, similar injuries indicative of childhood abuse. Booth has a brother. He and Jared were both beaten by their father. They both were in the military, made numerous parachute jumps, and Jared had an emergency appendectomy performed by a field medic. A botched job would have left these incisions. That explains why Angela’s reconstruction looks so much like Booth.
The team frantically works to find Booth, but they are running out of time.
MAN: You okay, Booth?
BOOTH: Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine. I’ll be right out.
MAN: We were getting worried about you.
BOOTH: Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just a scratch, right?
MAN: You don’t look fine. Hey, this man’s gut-shot. He needs a doctor.
Thoughts:
- Love those open-ended stories. Not. 😊
- This is where Stephen Nathan just starts running off the rails, killing off as many characters as he can. RIP Jared Booth. No closure for the brothers.
- Interesting how Cam, as boss, was able to select her romantic partner for Brennan’s old job, eh?
The Next in the Last (10×22)
Directed by: Ian Toynton
Written by: Stephen Nathan
So all the drama of Paris, gambling, pregnancy, etc, comes to a head here at season’s end.
Brennan has been secretly compiling job applications for both Booth and herself.
BRENNAN: Well, I’ve been getting job offers for years. You know that. So have you.
BOOTH: Okay, but you organized all of them so neatly, and you put little Post-its on everything. These are the types of decisions that we deal with and-and talk about, you know, together as a team.
BRENNAN: You were going to leave the FBI last year and move to Europe. You remember how great you felt about that?
BOOTH: There’s a big difference. You know, I discussed that before I did anything.
BRENNAN: And we’ll discuss this. I’ve compiled all of your job offers, too.
A familiar name emerges on the new case.
BOOTH: Look, I’m just gonna say it. Okay, last time we saw something like this… It was Pelant.
Aubrey is again proving himself to be a loyal friend and partner.
AUBREY: I can take the lead on this if it hits too close to home. You know, you and Dr. B just got back together.
BOOTH: And I really, really appreciate that, but, you know, if someone’s coming after me and my family, I’m the guy who’s gonna take him out.
So B&B decide to bail with Hodgela. Crime is about to skyrocket in the area!
ANGELA: Well, the whole tape would take months, but I’ve set up an algorithm that sifts for anyone Booth suspects. I’m just trying to get enough info on it so we can solve this before we leave.
BRENNAN: Me, too.
ANGELA: What do you mean?
BRENNAN: This will be our last case, too, Angela. Booth and mine. It’s fitting that it’s related to Pelant.
ANGELA: Whoa, whoa. Wait a minute. You’re quitting?
BRENNAN: Well, I’ll always be a forensic anthropologist, but Booth and I… after all that we’ve been through lately, and with the baby coming, we, like you, need a change.
Doormat Hodgins, back again.
CAM: Impressive as always, Dr. Hodgins. And now, if you are done, you can continue to pack.
HODGINS: You anxious to get rid of me?
CAM: If it were up to me, I’d never let you go.
HODGINS: Oh, man. That sounds good. But Angie… I would do anything for her.
So Angela finds Hodgins’ missing money, and he gives it away. So Angela decides to stay put.
HODGINS: It’s $4 billion. We don’t need it. We have enough, Angie. Make it go to a hundred charities, okay? Yeah, let them… Let ’em find a cure for the cancer that Wendell has. Please, Angie.
ANGELA: One condition.
HODGINS: Okay.
ANGELA: We don’t leave the Jeffersonian. You keep doing what you do.
HODGINS: But… Paris. We agreed.
ANGELA: No, you agreed, because you’re wonderful. But I-I saw you with that-that crazy machine, and… your-your life is here.
HODGINS: For now.
ANGELA: And-and I’m okay with it. As long as I’m with you.
Manly bonding.
AUBREY: I’m gonna miss you, Booth.
BOOTH: Me, too.
So we end with B&B leaving, but Hodgela staying. Open-ended!
BRENNAN: Pelant is in the past. I-I won’t have him steal the new life Booth and I are going to live.
Thoughts:
*When this all first aired, I was annoyed at Aubrey’s character for existing. I was mad at what they did to Sweets. But honestly, this go-around is making me really appreciate him. He hasn’t known B&B that long, but he is willing to do what he can for them. He’s a great friend and solid work partner. Now, I kinda wish we got more time with him!
*This general episode feels like a rehash. B&B were going to go live in Germany before the betrayal on Booth, and Hodgela keeps threatening to leave multiple times. And we got Pelant back in the mix. Felt like déjà vu.
*Also, feels like Angela and Brennan get to decide to call the shots when they want to move and get it all planned before their husbands find out accidentally. I don’t think that’s how marriage is supposed to work?
The Life in the Light (10×21)
Directed by: Randy Zisk
Written by: Keith Foglesong
B&B are in limbo but Booth is trying.
BOOTH: Listen, I got you coconut ice cream. It’s in the freezer for you and the little guy to have a little coconut ice cream.
BRENNAN: Thank you. Uh, how are you?
BOOTH: Good. Determined.
Everyone at work is trying, too.
WENDELL: Hey, Dr. B. How’s everything at home?
BRENNAN: Fine. Why do you ask?
HODGINS: Listen, Christine can always come over and hang out with Michael Vincent. I know how hard this is.
BRENNAN: You’ve never been separated from your child, so that statement is false.
HODGINS: Sorry. No. I just… I meant…
BRENNAN: I appreciate your concern. But I’m fine. As is Christine. And Booth, as far as I can glean. Is there anything you or anyone would like to know?
Booth is also feeling awkward with coworkers.
BOOTH: Really, really… good work here, Aubrey.
AUBREY: Thanks, Booth. I’m proud of you, too.
BOOTH: We don’t need the gushy stuff, okay? We’re-we’re just… we’re working here, okay?
AUBREY: Okay. I’m just saying, with everything that’s going on with you, the fact that you’re still killing it at work, I’m impressed.
BOOTH: Okay. Stop talking. Let’s just concentrate on the case, okay? Let’s do that.
AUBREY: Okay. All right. Aren’t you coming up on 30 days, though? Don’t you get a chip?
BOOTH: Take a bite of the donut, okay? You’ll stop talking.
Back to the Hodgela-moving-to-France storyline, we get a reveal.
HODGINS: Why do you have your passport out?
ANGELA: No, Hodgi…
HODGINS: Oh… my… God. Your real name.
ANGELA: Hey. Hey. My real name is Angela Montenegro.
HODGINS: Is that right? Okay. Then who is Pookie Noodlin?
ANGELA: You know what, don’t say that name out loud here.
HODGINS: I cannot believe that after all of this time, I finally know my wife’s real name.
ANGELA: It’s like something you name a pet. That you hate.
HODGINS: Why didn’t you ever get it… get it, you know, legally changed?
ANGELA: My dad. He… It just meant something important to him, and he begged me to leave it un-until he…
HODGINS: That’s so sweet. I can’t believe this. I’m married to Pookie Noodlin.
ANGELA: Not if you keep saying it out loud you’re not.
B&B are feeling each other up. I mean, out.
BRENNAN: In addition to increased flexibility and strength, practicing yoga also provides a myriad of mental benefits.
BOOTH: Hmm. Myriad, huh?
BRENNAN: Yes, it means “large in number.”
BOOTH: I know what it means. It’s just, you know, it’s a funny word, that’s all. I miss your funny words, Bones. Listen, I’m just… I’m glad you came along today, Bones, that’s all.
BRENNAN: We’re partners. We have a case to solve.
___________________________________________
BRENNAN: It’s after 10:00 pm.
BOOTH: What? No. Can’t be. Whoa! It’s past 10:00.
BRENNAN: We’ve been here for two hours.
BOOTH: That explains the nasty looks we received from people who wanted our table.
BRENNAN: Yeah.
BOOTH: Can’t eat pie fast, or you’ll cramp. That is a science.
BRENNAN: Someday I would love to live in a world governed by your rules of physics.
BOOTH: You will.
Booth doesn’t invite anyone to his 30-day-sober celebration.
BRENNAN: Why didn’t you want me here, Booth?
BOOTH: Uh… It’s not a big deal. It really isn’t. I mean, look, this is just an excuse for Gavin to eat cake.
BRENNAN: It iis a big deal, Booth. You’ve worked really hard for this. You didn’t want me to… celebrate with you?
BOOTH: No. It’s just… I just feel like I have a really long way to go. That’s all.
BRENNAN: No, Booth. We still have a long way to go. Which means I share this challenge with you. And I would like to share in your victory, too.
The oddest way to get evidence is revealed with the murderer.
BRENNAN: But in addition to dumping the body, you also disposed of your tablet. Which must have seemed smart to you, since the repeated blows to his head caused your tablet to start recording. See, our people got all the footage from your cloud account. Now, I want you to watch this. Wait for it. Here it comes.
NAN: (Recording) Micah. I’m-I’m so sorry. Micah. Oh, my God. Micah. Micah. Oh, my God. Micah! (In person) We worked so hard for that money. He was just gonna give it away to some criminal.
A positive wrap up today!
CHRISTINE: One more story. Please?
BRENNAN: Daddy has read you five books. It’s time for bed, sweetheart.
CHRISTINE: Will you come over to play with me tomorrow?
BOOTH: Of course I’m gonna come play with you tomorrow. Come on, let’s go. Jump off the couch. Run, little monster. Run to the bed. Jump in under those covers. I’ll tell you what, I’ll give you a kiss right before I leave.
BRENNAN: Don’t forget to brush your teeth.
BOOTH: Listen, uh, Bones, I was thinking that maybe I could come by, um, next week, uh, you know, maybe a couple mornings and take her to school. Look, if we’re not there yet…
BRENNAN: In my mind, I… I know that you being out of the house is working. It’s what motivates you.
BOOTH: It’s one of the things, yeah.
BRENNAN: What’s gonna keep you going when you move back?
BOOTH: Knowing I don’t have a second chance if I screw up again…So what are you saying, Bones?
BRENNAN: I’m saying… I have faith in you, Booth. And I… think you should stay the night with me.
BOOTH: I think I should, too.
Thoughts:
* The Hodgela-moving-to-Paris thing is just odd to me. They always threaten to do it but don’t do it. And I feel that Hodgins feels like he has to agree with everything Angela wants so that she doesn’t leave again. Makes me feel weird about it.
*Glad B&B are getting back together because it’s weird when they aren’t!
*… “since the repeated blows to his head caused your tablet to start recording” WHATTT?? Literally the dumbest reveal ever. And that’s saying something.
The Woman in the Whirlpool (10×20)
Directed by: Dwight Little
Written by: Hilary Weisman Graham
Back to the B&B separation.
ANGELA: Our kids get along really well, don’t they?
BRENNAN: I wish I could say the same about Booth and me.
ANGELA: Yeah, well, you did kick him out of the house, sweetie.
BRENNAN: Christine misses him so much.
ANGELA: Is he still going to his meetings?
BRENNAN: That’s what he says.
ANGELA: Is the baby kicking?
BRENNAN: Mm, every time I talk about Booth.
ANGELA: This is gonna work out, Brennan. Booth has a problem, but he’s a good man.
Aubrey is proving to be a very caring friend.
AUBREY: Meeting go okay?
BOOTH: It’s anonymous for a reason, okay, Aubrey? I just want to do my job.
_____________________________________________________________
AUBREY: There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you.
BOOTH: Sorry. I had some calls I had to make.
AUBREY: You okay? ‘Cause to be honest, you got me and the squints kind of worried here.
BOOTH: Why? Did Bones call you or something?
AUBREY: No, we’re just all concerned because for some crazy reason we care about you.
BOOTH: Okay, well, maybe you should be more concerned that we don’t have a motive or a suspect.
Booth is in denial about the seriousness of his problem.
BOOTH: Look, whenever you want to talk about me moving back…
BRENNAN: It’s too soon, Booth, you know that.
BOOTH: Well, I’m going to all my meetings. I have things under control.
BRENNAN: You’re off to a good start. I’m… I’m happy for you. For us.
BOOTH: Look, I don’t want to make this a bigger deal than what it is, all right? I made a mistake.
BRENNAN: Is that what you tell everyone at your meetings? That it was just a mistake? You put me and Christine in danger, Booth.
BOOTH: Bones, please. I promise…
BRENNAN: It was more than just a mistake.
WAITRESS: Here you go, sweetheart.
BRENNAN: Actually, on second thought, I will take it to go.
BOOTH: Come on, Bones, really?
BRENNAN: It’s too hard right now, Booth. I love you.
Booth is not opening up at his meetings.
SPONSOR: Hey, Booth.
BOOTH: Yeah?
SPONSOR: I thought you said you were gonna stand up tonight.
BOOTH: So many people got up. I didn’t want the meeting to run late.
SPONSOR: We’re all friends here, Booth. We’ve all screwed up.
BOOTH: Yeah, I get that. That’s why I’m here.
SPONSOR: You think if you don’t talk, that means it didn’t happen?
BOOTH: Of course not.
SPONSOR: We need you to get it all out in the open. You need to tell us what you did.
BOOTH: Look, I got to go take care of something, all right?
Hodgins has another invention that would definitely NOT hold up in court.
HODGINS: Well, that is where my Vacuum Metal Deposition Chamber comes in.
JESSICA: So this can retrieve any surviving fingerprints, even after prolonged immersion in water. I’m being punked, right?
A familiar end.
BOOTH: So you killed her.
MURDERER?: It was an accident!
We get an optimistic wrap up.
BOOTH: It’s good work, Bones.
BRENNAN: We’ve always made a good team.
BOOTH: Right. Give Christine a kiss for me, and tell her I love her.
BRENNAN: Of course. If you wanted to come by, read her a book, tuck her in?
BOOTH: Thanks, but I-I can’t tonight. Maybe tomorrow.
BRENNAN: Sure. See you tomorrow.
MAN: Well, I guess if no one has anything else to say, I guess we’re done for the evening. Thank you all for coming.
BOOTH: Hi. Uh… I’m, uh… My name is Seeley, and I have a gambling addiction.
Thoughts:
*As far as having an addiction storyline, this is a valid way to present it. Addictions don’t just go away. And of course, Booth would be trying to just push through it instead of dealing with it. It’s a fair representation.
*As far as the real life job implications, Booth’s coworkers/higher ups should have NEVER EVER allowed him to take on that gambling case, regardless of how he said he was OK with it. It just wouldn’t be done. And probably he wouldn’t be allowed to return to work until he attended a significant time of treatment and meetings. I guess whoever took Sweets’ job (because technically Aubrey is a totally different position) would have looked at Booth’s file and said NOPE.
*Finally, as far as B&B go, even though this is a realistic look into relapsing within a relationship, I get enough real life in my own real life. I watch TV to escape, and to watch B&B’s years long solid relationship flounder is no fun. Let us have some joy, showrunners! Please!
Boots & Blazers 