Bones 9.09 Review: Injustice is Everywhere

For all those that have yet to watch last night’s episode of Bones, entitled ‘The Fury in the Jury’, this is where I suggest that is what you do before proceeding ahead. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

This is going to be quick, because I still have last night’s episode of Haven to watch, so here goes.

For about the first half of the episode, until we learn who the corpse on the table is, I kept thinking this guy better be Barnes or else these two cases don’t work together. I knew it was him from the moment he was mentioned, but I’m still happy it was because I wasn’t really that interested in the washed up corpse until it did work into the jury case Brennan was working on. The process of the jury and evidence and the court case was much more interesting to me than them searching for clues on the murder victim. I kind of wished they had focused more on the court case because it was a nice change of pace, much like this week’s episode of Grey’s Anatomy, sadly I don’t think they used it to the best of their abilities; they really should have absolved from the murder victim of the week to just the court case this episode, in my opinion.

Until it was brought up again in this episode, I had completely forgot the poster child for a PSA about having her identity stolen was that of Dr. Soroyan. This is where I think this series resolves things strangely; things will be mentioned maybe two or three times in the span of several more episodes and then be quickly resolved. Just you wait, this won’t even be mentioned in the next episode, and possibly not even the episode after that. That’s the problem this series has, bouncy continuity, and jumping character development. They can’t just stick to a story momentum; much like a schizophrenic, they jump from one delusion to the next, one story to the next, to the next, back to the second, than the first, than the second again, and finally the third once more. It’s erratic and mildly irritating.

All in all, in its first episode in its new Friday night timeslot, this episode was mediocre. It had its moments where it was good, and then blatantly awful. I am a big believer that this series needs to end soon because, aside from the wedding episode, this series hasn’t been good since the end of season six. It’s far too happy, too joyful, too bland and not as gritty, realistic, with a flare for comical moments to dark tones. This series quite possibly needs to end this season, if not the next. And even if it gets a tenth season, I don’t know if I can see myself sticking around for it. This season may be it for me; it’d be nice to get a gratifying ending.

My rating: 6.5 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“You’re very quiet.” – Booth says to Brennan. “Because I’m not talking.” – Brennan replies.

Okay, I’m off to watch Haven now, but don’t stick around for that review. Check back in tomorrow night for the show I actually looked forward to watching tonight and saved for last.

Bones 9.08 Review: Tactfulness and All It Entails

All those that have yet to watch last night’s episode of Bones, entitled ‘The Dude in the Dam’, now would be a good time to do that before reading ahead. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! Proceed at your own discretion.

While I do believe this series has limited time left after giving the fans what they wanted when Booth and Brennan got married, I’m trying to enjoy the episodes this series has left while I can. In that sense, this was a very pleasant episode to watch. Booth and Brennan had their first fight after being married, about none other than Brennan and her idea of whether she is tactful or not. It was a nice easy fight that we didn’t see too much anger behind, other than the fact Brennan thought being called tactless was incorrect and disrespectful to her. For a couple that practically does everything together, they don’t fight quite as often as I’d expect them to.

The circumstance that stirred on the fight between the newly married couple was surrounding Brennan’s review of another novelist’s books and vice versa. It was actually interesting to see the books brought into this series again, other than to be fawned over like in last week’s episode. The drama between Brennan and Tess was very intriguing and something that is adeptly true of life and those involved with entertainment. I loved that Brennan had strong enough morals though to not want to be part of the ruse, and that the author in the end got her karmic justice.

Another big part of this episode was Hodgins and his being a living host to a fly larva. Hodgins is definitely a character. He’s such a strange man, and while I miss, at times, his grumpy side and extreme conspiracy theories, this happy go-lucky side isn’t something I wouldn’t wish on someone I cared about, it just doesn’t always make for dramatic television. I did like the little giggle he made when he said yes to Angela asking him if he was growing a fly. He’s definitely goofier now than he was broody early on in the series. I do tend to prefer broodiness – to an extent – but this isn’t terrible either.

Of course, there was also the murder of the week that we were introduced to this episode with. I loved that it began with this whole beaver dam being studied for these two kids class, and it definitely made for an interesting place to find a body. I was also quite intrigued by the murder victim’s life, although I didn’t quite get his narcissistic personality thing. It didn’t come across clear enough for me to grasp. The whole leopard slug goop was very cool, and the fact that it basically becomes like a glue was interesting information. Definitely brought on a funny moment with Wendall and Hodgins, particularly when he basically backhands Hodgins accidentally and his gloved hand becomes stuck to Hodgins face. This series certainly is ripe with funny moments.

Overall, a decent outing this week for this series. I loved that the writers plugged in Booth’s whole anti reading newspapers on touch pads, and how technology isn’t always a good thing. I very much agree, while I don’t read newspapers all that often, I prefer holding a book in my hands, the feel of the pages, and the look of the paper as its read rather than the bright white of computers. One thing I wasn’t sure of was how inappropriately short Angela’s dress was. I don’t think that any self-respecting person with a job in a place like the Jeffersonian would ever wear a dress that short to work. No, I don’t think Brennan’s earrings would likely be up to dress code, but there not as apparent as that dress. Still, this was a good episode, not outstanding by any means, but good.

My rating: 7 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“Technology is not all about improvement.” – Booth tells Brennan. I agree that it can often be a hindrance with its readiliness.

“Bitch.” – Wendall calls the other author offhandedly to Brennan.

“Angela is going to divorce you.” – Wendall says to Hodgins, regarding the bug growing in his neck.

“Oh man, this is becoming normal to me.” – Wendall remarks, after making cutesy noises to the larva popping out of Hodgins neck.

“Yeah, but I’d need a laser. … That alien attacks you, you’d be happy I had a laser.” – Booth says to Brennan, trying to convince her to write aliens into her next book.

I’m off to go watch Sleepy Hollow now. After that it’s The Blacklist, so stay tuned.

Bones 9.07 Review: Who Needs a Relaxing Honeymoon?

For all those that have yet to watch yesterday’s episode of Bones, titled ‘The Nazi on the Honeymoon’, this is your last chance to turn around and do so devoid of spoilers before proceeding ahead. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

There’s no way they could’ve topped the last new episode of this series, and the creators didn’t bother trying, something smart on their part. Booth and Brennan are on their honeymoon in Buenos Aires, and Booth is finding it easy to relax, but Brennan doesn’t much care for the thought of doing nothing. You see, relaxing makes her tense. Very much her character to pull Booth into an investigation of a murder victim she finds among bodies at the morgue. In that way, Brennan can be something of a workaholic, but she doesn’t seem to like being idle.

Despite the circumstances of this episode, it was kind of a cheerier episode. With the surroundings, and the Argentinian flavoured music, the episode almost had a celebratory feel to it. It almost felt like the writers gave us an emotional break with this little gift after the wedding episode. Even though this series does tend to be lighter, considering the area it surrounds itself with, this was – for the most part – lighter than most. It did happen to deal with a Nazi war criminal’s murder, but even so was able to keep things light and fresh.

Back in Washington, Jack and Angela were babysitting Christine for Booth and Brennan. They kept going back and forth on the idea of having a second child, and eventually landed on wanting another one. Being that Angela once said she wanted a whole bunch, this didn’t completely surprise me, but let’s remember back to when Michael Vincent was still a fetus and they worried about the fifty-fifty chance he could be born blind. Still, it could make things interesting to have a hormonal Angela again, because after that wedding between Booth and Brennan, we all know there isn’t much left of this series to tell.

A few issues with this episode that I did have, one being the fact Michael Vincent did not look nearly a year older than Christine. Another was how the Nazi man’s wife, how everyone kept calling her beautiful, but I just kept thinking her face looked like it was stung by a bee and an allergic reaction ensued. She wasn’t ugly by any means, but not gorgeous in the least. The third thing was the sweeping views of Buenos Aires that gave us a glimpse at their terrible architecture. I mean, really, it looked like a stiff wind would knock those ugly buildings down. Strike Argentina off my list of places I’m ever living in.

All in all, not a bad episode to come back to after the wedding episode. Nice, light, cheery, despite the concept of murder being involved in this show. But then, I suppose these people would have to have a warped sense of humour to deal with all of this stuff daily. I did enjoy the performance by the actress that ended up being the murderer, she definitely fit into her character and wasn’t as over-the-top as some of the acting on this series can be at times. Otherwise, I do think this is a procedural series that doesn’t have quite that much legs to stand on until the series ends. It’s given us all we’ve wanted (other than Zack making another appearance), and when you fulfill an audiences wishes, they begin to tune out.

My rating: 7 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“And don’t touch my bobble head.” – Booth tells Sweets.

“Yes! Good. Murder.” – Jack rambles.

“It’s a book, right?” – a murder suspect fearfully questions, and then Booth gives his best stony cop face.

Okay, here’s this one. I’m going to take a brief break to eat something, then move onto my review of Sleepy Hollow. After that it’s The Blacklist, and then check back later tonight for my reviews of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Originals, New Girl, Trophy Wife, and Supernatural. Stay tuned.

Bones 9.06 Review: We've Waited Long Enough

Everyone – and I do mean everyone – that has yet to watch last night’s episode of Bones, rightfully titled ‘The Woman in White’, then please step away from this blog. As always, this is not a spoiler free zone, and I would absolutely hate to spoil the episode this series has built up to for nine years. Again, THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! This is your last chance to leave before I jump in, last warning.

Okay, you’re all going to have to bear with me on this review; it’s going to be a long one. I have been watching this series for two years now, and there is nearly a page and a half of notes related to this episode, half of which are probably my favourite lines of the evening, so here goes.

That, that was the best hour of television this series has had (okay, the Sweets centric episode was great too, but this was a fulfilling episode) in a very long time. This week’s episode has been built up to for nine seasons, and I just have to say how amazingly well done it was. I almost wish this was the series finale, because the amount of hope this episode ended with, and how fulfilling it was to watch Booth and Brennan make it down the aisle, I just don’t know how you do better than that. I suppose everything now really is just the cherry on top.

While not every character was able to make it to the wedding of the decade (I’m looking at you, Zack Addy. You may be locked up in a mental ward, but that’s no excuse.), there were a fair amount of returns this week. Booth’s always-loveable grandpa was in attendance, boy am I glad the actor didn’t die in the intervening years. Booth’s mom, who I don’t quite feel deserved forgiveness quite so easily and quickly, was also there. And even though there’s the easiest way to explain his not being there, Brennan’s dad did make it to the wedding, less Botox-y than the last time he appeared. Booth’s son Parker, who for some reason had to be picked up at the airport (can someone please remind me what happened there?), made his return to the series, about a year and a half from the last episode he appeared in. I have to say, he’s not nearly as adorable as he used to be, but I am glad to have had him around for the wedding. Then there was Cyndi Lauper’s return as the psychic Avalan, and can I just say how beautifully well done she sang that song as Brennan walked down the aisle? Breathtaking.

Now, for the more often recurring and regular characters of the series. We did get to see Caroline tearing up at the wedding, perfectly understated for a character such as she. All of the squints also got to be around each other for once, something I can’t recall happening since Booth’s brain tumour and subsequent hallucination, that ended up mostly happening, just out of order – but feel free to correct me if I’m wrong, you know my memory. Their outfits for the wedding were perfect for the wacky but brilliant characters they are. I absolutely adored the way Angela was crying at the rehearsal for the wedding, and then how protective she got of Brennan when everyone was betting the wedding would be cancelled. She very much can be a big sister type to Brennan, teaching her the ways of the world, aside from her vast intelligence for anthropology. It was a very Jack thing to do, to take bets on when the wedding will be cancelled; I’m curious to know who won when the wedding ended up going off with just a few hitches. Was it all given back to everyone? Cam even jumped in on the betting fun. Plus Sweets was hanging around, being his psychologist self. Hey, does anyone think that John Francis Daley just does not seem to age?

Then there’s Booth and Brennan themselves. I adored how Booth was tearing up as Brennan read her vows to him; sometimes David Boreanaz is a fantastic actor (though I’ll always love him more as Angel). Then Brennan, who was her logic-based self, sometimes just stating the obvious. While I would have added a white-jeweled necklace, or a necklace of some sort to accompany that dress, given that her hair was up, she did look beautiful. Her makeup was just spectacularly done. When I get married, can whomever did her makeup do mine? Pretty please, with sprinkles on top? I just loved how Booth and Brennan were thinking they were just looking out for each other, but really the big stuff didn’t matter to either of them, just getting married on that day was what was so important to them, as long as they were together. Such a beautiful sentiment to enter into a marriage with.

This was such a beautifully well-done episode. I literally (well almost) was pausing this episode every half a minute to minute to jot down more notes, more favourite lines, just anything that came to me about the episode. Booth and Brennan get their happy ending (okay, no, not an ending, but that word works best), and I am so unbelievably happy for them. Two characters. On a TV show. This is my life. But anyways, I actually nearly managed to cry as Cyndi Lauper sang the song while Brennan walked down the aisle. For anyone that doesn’t know me, I rarely cry, and I actually teared up at that point. I possibly would have cried, if I hadn’t paused the episode to jot down another favourite line (more on that below). As Booth and Brennan walked down the aisle together, hand in hand, their smiles, their happiness, it just warmed my heart. Pure happiness for them, I wasn’t even envious (okay, now I am, but that happens), I was just so happy for what they were finally able to accomplish.

I still, I just don’t know how you get any better than this. This episode was perfect from beginning to end. The cellphone calls ruining the wedding rehearsal at the church, the business of everyone trying to make sure they make it down the aisle, and how neatly the thirty-plus year old murder fit into the episode – even if the murderer ended up being a little boring. But I don’t know, I think I’d be happy with this being the last season, or at least the second last. No more after ten, that’s enough. Oh, and please bring back Zack Addy before the final swan song.

My rating: 7.5 out of 10. (Yes, I loved the episode, but this series has yet to be as good as the early years… Yes, with Zack Addy. Okay, that’s enough home. Zack Addy… Okay, that really was enough.)

Best Lines (prepare yourself for a lot):

“Can you cry after eleven?” – Booth asks Angela, when she can’t stop crying but they only have the church until then.

“I’ll put $25 on the wedding being cancelled by lunchtime tomorrow.” – Jack says. “Yeah, $50 says it’s cancelled before the sun goes down.” – Sweets retorts. “Worst friends ever.” – Cam mutters.

“I don’t need sleep to be beautiful.” – Brennan states. “No, but it does help you be pleasant.” – Jack retorts.

“I got your text about the wedding pool. I’ll put fifty on it being called off by three.” – Clark tells Jack, who then pulls out a notebook.

“Hodgins, what have you got for me?” – Cam asks. “Brennan’s done with her mani-pedi.” – Jack answers, not in the way Cam had wanted.

“I prefer not to tell you while you’re wearing your tough face.” – Clark tells Angela, after she asks him if he’s in the wedding pool. She does have a mean tough face.

“Yes! Tricking is an excellent coping mechanism when dealing with people like Dr. Brennan.” – Clark states.

“$20 says it’s cancelled by one tomorrow. Oh God, I hate myself.” – Cam adds in her bet to the pool.

“My God Booth, you burned the church down.” – Max remarks.

“And you’re completely unnecessary.” – Oliver goes one sentence too far with Angela.

“So, I’m inviting you. I have to go put on my dress now.” – Brennan says, starting in one place, and ending up in another.

“You’re a lucky man, Booth.” – Aldo tells him. “I know.” – Booth replies, in one of the two sweeter moments in the episode.

“It’s my fatherly duty to tell you if you do anything to hurt my little girl, I’ll kill you.” – Max half-heartedly threatens Booth, before they hug each other.

“Keep it to yourself or get out because this is going to happen.” – Aldo exclaims, forgoing the traditional standing up if anyone should see fit these two should not wed.

“I can be a duck.” – Brennan naturally butting in to Booth’s vows in remembrance of one of their first encounters.

“Now, Temperance, will you be speaking from the heart as well?” – Aldo asks. “Nooo, I will be speaking from my mouth.” – Brennan replies with her usual amount of logic.

“This is that time. This is that place.” – Brennan tells Booth in her vows, after reading the note she wrote to him while Hodgins and her were buried alive.

“As usual, she’s right. Go.” – Aldo tells Booth, referring to Brennan’s stating that Booth should kiss her now.

“What do you think happens now?” – Booth asks. “Everything that happens next.” – Brennan replies. The other sweetest line sequence of the episode, and a fitting end to the episode.

I told you there were a lot.

Alright, I’m off to watch The Blacklist, or possibly just go to sleep, either way I’ll be posting the review of that later today (it is already a new day after all). I’m all wiped out from taking over an hour to watch an episode that is forty-five minutes on my DVR. I really did pause it quite often. Plus, I heated up some food. Anyways, good night to any night owls like me; I’ve been up since noon to go see some two week old kittens (three of them) to try and help decide which one my roommate and I are going to take (to join our three other cats). Then I had an eight and a half hour shift at work, so I’m kind of exhausted. Night all.