INKSLINGER - By Willgirl

SnoopGirl

Posted 28/09/2007 11:54:12 AM


PMS and full moon - not the best of combinations - I am chilled now

amo

Posted 29/09/2007 07:22:26 PM


On Will’s review:

Agree with Hodgela… nice and natural and Jack funny as ever and a bit struggling with jelousy :-)

And agree 100% about Angela and Booth working on interviewing people!! I absolutely loved that scene and do hope that we will see more of that in the future. It is only right that all the squints get a chance to join him outside the lab!

Same about Booth and Cam, nice to see that friendship solid! And Booth and Jack bonding was one of my favourite things ever! And I am so glad we got to see some of that again.

But I totally disagree about Zach, I always had a soft soft for him. Maybe exactly because he was the squintiest of the squints. I agree though that Eric kicked it up a notch this season, he looked and sounded very good in ep1. I hope they give him a chance to stretch his character even more in the future.

The BB tension and makeup we all enjoyed, so won’t delve on that again;-).

I had a similar feeling to you, of being a bit disconnected to the case, probably because we are generally more intrigued and touched by the relationship side and I personally think also that we overindulge in spoilers LOL. I always enjoy the cases, even if I know details, but it definitely takes the edge of the mystery which is not the good thing. For me I have decided to try and practice some restraint with spoilers, at least in the case area because I really want to enjoy them with a fresh mind.

TJThyne..awwww… you are so right! He is an amazing actor! You know when he kept saying “I don’t know” in all those different tonalities while explaining to Brennan about the pink rock bits? Looooveed that! You know how we always go on and on and on about the endless expressions on DB’s face that say more than 100 words? Well I think TJ does amazing things with his voice and tone of voice. I am happy that the show is starting to get credit for how smart and funny it is, I just think the brilliant cast really deserves more credit than they are currently getting. It is them who deliver the writing so well, they are all soo good!

So pretty much agree with you, except for Zach/Eric :-)

Ana’s review:

Loved the way you wrote it cause it felt like I was reliving my own experience LOL

Except I never really hated Cam..i just missed Goodman hehehhe
And I totally agree on Zach vs the eager beaver… that annoyed me a lot, he was pver the top.

But I don’t miss Jack’s curls..i think he is gorgeoussss right now “g”

Um..Booth’s neediness…. I felt sorry for him but didn’t dislike it. I don’tknow I just never thought it could affect his work and in the end it never did. I always liked that they made him such an emotional character, maybe to contrast even more with Bones. It was a bit surprising though if we think back at the shrink episodes and whole Sully issue when he kept stuff much more bottled up. So yes, you probably have a point that it was maybe a bit exaggerated . But maybe she just feels comfortable enough around the squints, Cam, Bones to let go of emotions and show them, especially if they concern one of them. And considering what he says at the end of the ep, that is probably how everything was tied together. In any case I give the writers a thumbs up for allowing men to show emotions in this show. As ED pointed out in an interview there is a lot of role reversal going on in this show , which is very refreshing.

And ohh yes about the full symbiotic potential of them as a team…actually loved that phrase LOL.

I am soooo with you girl on the case, especially the killer..that was soooo over the top and so predictable it was almost funny. I too prefer silent creepy rather than this thing which felt kind of fake…there was no explanation for his madness, no deeper anything, he was just an idiot who ate human flesh and enjoyed bragging about it. Ewwwwwww

But I generally agree wit you that it is a good idea for a case and can go many interesting ways.

Agree that Zach’s return and BB were the highlights...i actually surprised myself my how happy ifelt seeing Zach back LOL. And I don’t care how cheese some people say the end was, I liked it!!!

Thank youuu so much to both of you for this brilliant idea of writing your reviews, it is so nice to have different points of view on the show and it always gives us something to talk about. Can’t wait for next ep and your next reviews, Wills and Ana.

AnaG

Posted 02/10/2007 11:10:38 PM

I can't tell you how much I enjoy writing these reviews...and comparing notes on our perpectives. Amazing to see what we all get from the same episodes. So, here is my review of Soccer Mom...and I cannot wait to see what Wills has got to say!

Introduction

Well, the excitement of the new season has still not worn off. Spent the day counting down until 8:00….TV set to Fox.....and two freshly sharpened pencils sitting on top of a blank page in the notebook….ready to jot down all of the wonderful things in tonight’s episode.

Which has led me to this point….pages covered in scribbled notes….and , my take for Inkslinger….

The Characters/Relationships

Brennan and her father. I have to say they have handled this one very well. It might have been easy to go the route of simple forgiveness since Max gave himself up to be near his daughter. Yet, they make him fight for it one deck of cards and one pair of socks at the time. Not to mention that the old con characteristics didn’t go away, as he apologized and then immediately asked her to testify. All of appropriate. Too easy, too pat, and I think I would have been disappointed in both of them. In the end, it is all about the journey, I suppose. And I really hope that the journey isn’t over for these two. For all his faults, I can’t help but like Max.

Angela and Jack and the flirtation with the sexy Agent Frost. Now, my head is in about a dozen places about this one. We all know that Jack liked the ladies before the fair Angela stole his heart. And the gaa-gaa Jack was hilarious. However, that didn’t stop the little voice in my head from saying….he is being that blatant around Angela? Repeatedly? Hmmm. Don’t know if I really buy that. As for Angela’s reaction. Two sides of the coin again. I was rooting her on for showing the confidence in herself and their relationship not to be threatened by this woman. Still, could not help but wonder….is any woman so ‘zen’ that she can remain that calm, cool and collected? I dunno about that. Ah, but in the end, they made their way to the medieval storage room and all was right with the world.

A couple quick notes. First, it felt like Cam and Zach were almost entirely reduced to the role of exposition. I know that there isn’t enough time for everything, and that yes, someone has to do it. Simply hoping that it doesn’t become a trend. There were some interesting areas for growth that opened up for these two in the last episode, and I hope they are not left behind.

Finally, our favorite couple. Booth and Brennan. His needy streak from the premier has been dispensed with, and they are back to their old selves. Booth shepherding her relationship with her father, not letting her run from it (though she does her best to do so). The bicker-filled car rides are back too, and the male menopause discussion was chuckle-worthy. And of course, they continue to do that crazy little dance around each other, though mercifully for those of us who have been urging them on, they keep allowing themselves closer and closer to that line. Not simply with the romantic tension and soulful stares, but with sweet and relaxed moments when their guards are down. Those… those have their own special kind of magic about them.

The Case

Okay. The case. Familiar territory that has been covered in other shows. Seventies revolutionary hiding in suburbia and something happens all these years later. But in traditional Bones fashion, it took a few left turns and served as a backdrop for other things. However, the case quickly to a back seat. For one good reason. And for one not so good reason.

So, good stuff first. The entire thing was a through-the-looking-glass view of Brennan’s relationship with her father. Yes, they traveled the same ground with Stargazer and her mother, but they took it one step further this time. The father as a killer. The daughter at odds with her mother. A conservative versus someone outside of the box. Just a tad bit like our Brennan. Truth and justice versus the ‘outlaw’ con man. It served up some nice moments, most notably the voice over as Brennan read the mother’s letter. Nice choice to have her do that, instead of the mother or daughter. Okay, some might say it seemed a bit contrived. How do these cases keep popping up just at the moment when Brennan needs to make a breakthrough? Well, I guess that I chose to suspend that rational perspective and enjoy those moments.

Now, the not so good part. Was it just me, or did it seem like there was one hell of a lot going on in tonight’s episode? Brennan and her father. Booth and his mentor, Sam. Jack and Agent Frost. Jack and Angela. Booth and Brennan on the case and her relationship with her father. Throw in Carolyn with her tell-it-like-it-is attitude. A hint of the silver skeleton. Zach and Cam for exposition of case findings. Whew? Was that everything? Now, don’t get me wrong. Everyone of those things (perhaps with the exception of Agent Frost…) is terrific in its own right. But as I was watching, trying to take notes for this review, I found myself all over the place in the notebook. Granted, it could be my old brain is just tired tonight. Still, I can’t help but think that it maybe one less element, or a little less of one, and there may have been more space to explore one of the other aspects of the storylines.

The Highlights

The first highlight is going to sound a little strange, but I’m gonna go with it anyway. The first segment, when Lou Reed’s Perfect Day was playing over the scene was an eerie, stark contrast that fit well with the song’s lyrics and melancholy memory of a last perfect day.

For comedic relief? Hm. That would have been Angela telling Agent Frost that she does facial reconstructions and Hodgins.

And there was the ‘confrontation’ with Sam. Brennan saying that she is very good in bed, but that Booth doesn’t have any direct knowledge of that. Priceless in oh so many ways.

Then…. of course…the Booth and Brennan moment at the end. Those smiles. ‘Objectively I would have to say that he loves me’. And yes, I did squee when he put his head on her shoulder. Beautiful B&B moment. I have to say, the car scenes have always been a staple, but this new habit (well…for at least 2 episodes) of having them sitting outside, still and talking, has made for a pair of fantastic scenes.

Overall Impression

In the end, well…the end made the episode. It was a good one, with some lovely moments and some funny moments. But, I am afraid it may not make my list of favorites. Those lovely and funny moments felt crowded with the number of things that were happening. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying it was bad. Or that I didn’t like it. Just….not in love with it.


[Only admins are allowed to see this image][Only admins are allowed to see this image] 1/2 out of 5

Willigirl

Posted 02/10/2007 11:16:30 PM

Here we go! Feel free to comment, argue with us, write your own review, etc.!

Review-Soccer Mom in the Mini-Van

Well, as I settled down to watch this episode, I was immediately intrigued by the case. The opening juxtaposition of this cheery song with the car being blown up was unusual and I liked it.


The Characters/The Relationships

The premiere showed it and this episode reinforced it; this show is all about the character relationships. Let’s start with Angela and Jack. I loved them in this episode. The interaction between Hodgins and the FBI agent was hilarious. When he was stammering and stuttering and couldn’t stop looking at her boobs, I was laughing loudly. I loved Angela’s take on that situation; she wasn’t jealous at all. It just shows how secure she is in her relationship with Hodgins. Angela doesn’t strike me as the jealous type anyway. However her line “I do facial reconstructions and him” was perfect! Also, Hodgins called Angela ‘Angie’, something I had never heard before. I had read it in fanfic and never liked it, but it seemed natural coming off out of Hodgins mouth.

Now on to Brennan and Max, who were responsible for some of my favourite scenes of this episode. I love Ryan O’Neal as Max, he plays it in such a way that you are, just like Brennan, never sure about whether he’s conning you. I loved when Max said he was anti-authority and Brennan scoffed at that. It’s little moments like that which really show the similarities between father and daughter, because she can be very anti-authority. Max is so blasé about being in prison, yet at the same time you can see an undercurrent of his real emotions.

Emily Deschanel proves week after week that she’s the star. (Yes, DB is as well!) Her scenes with Max were brilliant and so in character. Brennan was so logical about Max’s imprisonment and his life. The line that tugged at my heartstrings was when she said ‘Some things break and you can’t put them back together again.’ Beautifully done. I also loved the scene where she brought Booth a coffee and they talked about her being a witness for the defence. What also struck me was how Brennan kept calling Max ‘Max’ instead of Dad, which she had done in previous episodes. It just reinforced how she was feeling about his imprisonment and what he had done.

And then the last scene between the two of them, the card game, was really well done although I want to see how it goes in future episodes. I’m not sure if Brennan would be all forgiving so soon.

On to Booth and Brennan. Their interaction was as usual, really well done. I love their witty banter, one of the highlights of the episode being the male menopause scene in the car. The body language and the looks they give each other enhance the dialogue so much. One of my favourite parts was when Riley, the older FBI agent said to Booth “She must be good in bed, that’s why you keep her around” or something like that. And Brennan replied “Yes I am, but Booth has no direct knowledge of that.” It was so Brennan-like for her to calmly answer that question and so Booth-like to have that look on his face. It’s interesting though, because I take a lot of the Booth/Brennan banter for granted, since it is so consistent all the time. Throughout the whole episode nothing stood out for me, it just seemed like they were their usual selves. But then came the last five minutes! In the last scene, Booth is drunk and he and Brennan are talking. There is a moment; when he leans on her shoulder and looks up at her, that is so damn kissable I couldn’t help but squee a little. I’m really enjoying these B&B moments at the end, whether they are at the diner eating pie, or in the lab, or wherever they were supposed to be in this episode, they just reinforce how close they are. It was a great moment, that’s for sure.

The Case

I really liked this case. I actually had no idea who was the real murderer until the end which is unusual. The soccer mom being apart of the NLA was an interesting twist and I liked the addition of the older FBI agent. Of course, adding Caroline to the mix was fantastic! She has the best lines; my two favourite being ‘Booth can shoot me later’ and ‘I’m sorry that after forty years as an FBI agent you’re still a little girl’. As I type them now, I hear her voice so clearly in my head. I enjoyed this case, I thought it actually helped the story along unlike in other episodes such as Stargazer in a Puddle. It also paralleled the situation with Brennan and her father.

Highlights

The highlight for me in this episode was the Brennan/Max interaction. I loved all of those scenes and would love to see some Booth/Max interaction in the future.

Overall Impressions

I liked this episode far better than the premiere; the case was interesting, the character development was good and it was like a normal Bones episode. I liken it to episodes like ‘The Bodies in the Book’. Good, well rounded episodes, maybe not the best, but certainly well done.

I give it:
[Only admins are allowed to see this image][Only admins are allowed to see this image][Only admins are allowed to see this image] .5 out of 5

Ehbee

Posted 03/10/2007 00:05:26 AM


Hey you two, excellent/thoughtful reviews!

I agree with Ana re: too many things going on! Too many!! Nail on the head Ana!

Willi, I disagree re: Angela/Jack. I know, you want me to be specific, but I'm too tired now to write coherently, so I won't explain that further until I am well rested... besides, you know that we disagree about this episode 'cuse you already called me.

Oh dear. I'm rambelling. Ok, bed time for this little Ehbee.

SnoopGirl

Posted 03/10/2007 09:26:35 AM


Something I have noticed this season compared to the first two seasons: the pace of the show and the characters actions/words are different. Can't find the word(s) to describe it but is anyone else seeing/feeling it? I feel it is a good thing just a "whole new BONES" in my opinion.


Max kind of grew on me last night which surprised me and the card game was great.

Great reviews again this week!

amo

Posted 03/10/2007 11:22:55 PM


soooo.just a quickie now to let you know i looovedd them both and tomorrow i will be back with more details...
dunno if i should even write mine LOL i feel like your clone, my thoughts are your thoughts and we definitely share a heart with the same big soft spot for same things :-)

like the two of you love Max/Bren...agree it was the best bit of the show and Booth's input as well

The final scene had me melting away on those steps...his head on her shoulder and that goofy look he gave her ohmyygoooddd...thud!!!

Hogela...mm, liked Angela's reaction, i think it is true for her and the right thing to do, kicking a tantrum would not have helped! But he did overdue the drool!!! A bit over the top, but the airfilter won in the end, so i forgive him, probably not equally as cheerful as Angela.

Am really split about the condensation of stuff in the ep, i said more in discussion, don't want to repeat stuff like a broken record LOL.

More tomorrw when i am more awake :-) But lovedd themm, reading you is equally as good as watching cause it is like watching again but together....i wish it was possible in real life!!!

HarHar21

Posted 03/10/2007 11:49:23 PM


I gotta say, amo, as your friend, I'm kinda disappointed...I clocked in less than a minute to read your entire review...tee hee..oh well, you said you have something for tomorrow...but you gotta give it to the actors...they give life out of these words, which is fantastic in the first place...another great reason to tune in to Bones religiously..love ya man, tee hee

amo

Posted 04/10/2007 11:51:39 AM


Har you have been looking in the wrong place LOL...This should take you a bit more than 1 min to read LOL... i have moved it from discussion into here because it seems i have been confusing people :-) So here are my 2 cents, convoluted and confusing as always....sorry i can't deliver in an organised way like Ana and Wills :-(

Episode 2!!!!

As usual I will try to put my thoughts to words before reading everyone else’s, just because I want to then be able to agree or disagree ;-))

I lovedddd it! I really really loved the episode. For the first time in a long long time I knew almost nothing about the episode before watching it and I have enjoyed it tremendously! I got completely absorbed in the plot, the action, the interactions, even the case.

It feels like much fore than your average 45min, mostly I think because they manage to fit an incredible amount of stuff into just one episode. Sometimes maybe a bit too much. I have just finished watching it and I already feel like I have forgotten some details about the case, like in the middle bit with all the cops and anti-systems guys and who killed who and when. Who was the ex-boyfriends that they interrogated and was he the same guy that then was shot in his house. Swear to God I dunno!! And come to think of it had a similar kind of feeling last week about the changing witnesses and suddenly 180 degree jumps in the case. Yes, I liked the resolution in this week’s case because I like that sometimes the criminal is somebody you would have never thought of but there was just wayyy too much going on, at least for me. And it seems to be tendency with the cases so far this season. I think they get the intrigue right and the jist of it, but maybe we could get to the point in a bit more normal way….cause I get a bit frustrated when I get lost in the labyrinth of clues. Writers you are many (well more than me and my single brain while watching LOL) and you have weeks to wind and wind the thread of logic….too tight for me to unwind in just 45 min I am afraid, especially since ¼ of my brain is drooling over Booth, ¼ is laughing at BB banter and Jack and Zach.

The Angelator was back as well, those 3d pics are amazing! And the team is working together better than ever to crack the case. A plus for the writers because they have found a good balance to include everyone in the action. Then again this also adds to the stuff in one ep. But carefully weighing the pros and cons, I think I still want the many clues if it allows all the squints to join in the action. I think this is probably the writer’s dilemma: how do they balance Booth’s contribution with the witnesses and get all the squints to share in solving the case without overcrowding the episode. Really tough one and it is not yet there, but I would give them a plus for effort. Maybe they should try it out with one less witness, one less clue and more input of squints in the same scene instead of a series of many shorter scenes, would feel less like a whiz.


There were however bits of the case that I did like…the whole mother-daughter thing and the letter. I knowwww, the letter is not original, we had Brennan’s mom letter just at the end of last season, but I still liked this one,especially read by Emily’s voice. I actually realised how much I love her voice and how much she shows but very slight changes in tone. It was be amazing hearing an entire book or poems read by her…but I am digressing, sorry! What I also liked about the case was that we were back to drawing parallels between the case and the lives of the characters, killer-parents and their relationship with their children.

Having now winged enough about the case I also have to say that this ep was cheesy. Ok, very very cheesy… if by cheesy we mean, funny clichés, bombshells, family love, caring, parents-children bonding, jokes about clichés, tension created from references to sex and awwww BB moments. Yes, all cheesy and they used significant doses of all in just one episode, to the point where you almost wanted to say, hey save some for next time :-) But I love the cheesy stuff and it angers me that in this day and age love, romance, patriotism, fighting the bad guys is soo pasee and so not in fashion. I think it is good and as long as it is not fanatic it conveys good values that can make our life happy. Off my soapbox *g* back to the cheese. I guess I was expecting to be held in a limbo for much much longer, I didn’t think we would be allowed another aww moment this episode. I am still in shock that they did say things would change and they have and much more than I expected. I thought the coffee kiss in the first ep was just a teaser and didn’t dare to hope for more in this ep and boy was I surprised when I realised that not only wasn’t it an isolated incident, this is the tone of their new found relationship, bolder and more out there than before. Whohooo!! I could get used to this and I am loving it!! I mean we found out from Bones’ mouth that she is great in bed and we got her looking at Booth Boo’s ehheemm..all in one ep!!! Woww. INMO: bring it on!!! More of this and I am happy and not asking for more for some time :-) And these were also supported by some of the wittiest dialogue in the ep..i couldn’t stop laughing. Here are some of the BB bits peppered around the show, that made me smile:

-Booth to Bones “you ARE special” awwwwww, you are such a gonner!
-Caroline to Booth (Booth with the puppy face cause Bones won’t come with him investigating): “leave her be cher, absence makes the heart grow fonder ”
- Bones about her skills in bed ehem :”I am. Very good. But Booth has no direct knowledge of that fact.” Hihihihihi
- Bones brings Booth coffee while they wait and talk about her dad..aww[Only admins are allowed to see this link] the view of the lab from above is very nice, almost beautiful I think, more beautiful than fake DC that’s fosho!
- Bones to Booth on male menopause: (looking down with significance) “erectile disfunction!” “Heyyy, let’s keep the conversation upo shall we??” “And there is evidence of certain men becoming veryyy unstable” “Do you want to start talking about your father again?””Your very testy””I’m only 35!!” “Okeyy, okeyy” “there are blue pills for that” LOL..that was real juicy!
- Booth to Bones on her …lill gun (which is way bigger than his )“Geee, why didn’t you bring the big one?”
- Booth looking at Bones, slightly sloshed…. Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww, how did she not kiss him right then and there!! I know I soo wanted to LOL

Ok, I am forcefully dragging my dirty little mind out of the gutter to move on to other bits and pieces.

Yes they were back to properly grossing us out! Legs on trees??? Good one LOL Excuse me if I laugh I just find it oh so funny what new images they create to shock us, this was a good one I thought. Yes I know it is ewww, but we all know it is not real, so I have to give them points for that, it was original. Brennan showing Angela portion of tongue and brain matter…that made me grab for my glass of water LOL I thought I had become immune to the yuk, but no, that even got me hehehehe

Bones getting all ..the van is mine, it goes to the Jeffersonian…love it when she is all power woman.

Jack is back!!! You know how we all thought he was hip and cool in the last ep..i felt like the real geeky Jack was back this ep and he was sooo much fun. Angela telling him he is a “government burocrat HA”, and telling Ms Booby-Frost I do facial reconstructions and HIM…….ROFLMAO!!!! And check out Zach shocked faces throughout the interaction between Booby-Frost and Jack. I’d say old Zach is back too *g* And so are his flesh-eating beetles, yay…I think *g*

And somebody please explain to me how can I find it sexy when Jack says “capillary electroforesis” in that soft voice…and she says you can do that and he goes “oh yeahh”..that was hottt!! And in the end all was good: Ms Booby-Frost – airfilter 0-1!!
I liked the way Angela interacted with the whole issue, gotta love a confident woman. She doesn’t have to like that he drools over another woman, but hey he is a man and as long as he only drools it is ok. I think it was a good message that they conveyed here, don’t ask for the impossible but trust your relationship and the love that is.

Max is back and so is the strange daughter-father interaction and the related push and shove from Booth to Bren. His role as a catalyst in Bones’ relationship with her dad is a very nice thing and such a bonus on the friendship side of their relationship. Especially liked when he pointed out to her that she was also keeping score because I too was a bit sad seeing her so resentful. It is interesting how she continuously pokes into his flaws and what she thinks are his week points in that nagging way of her and how he gets so very serious when he want to tell her something important about her. It is different and defines who they are but I am glad that we get reminded that it works both ways and is ultimately a sign of trust. The scenes between Max and Brennan were probably the best of the episode, very well acted and funny and sad at the same time, they really pulled at my heart strings ad I felt sorry for both. I think it was appropriate that they didn’t bond immediately and that all was not forgotten and the back and forth between them should be interesting to watch, it brings depth to the show. How does one learn to accept and love a father who has abandoned you and who is a criminal but who also loved you? The writers haw given me something to think about here and have suggested possible answers that have touched me, I liked that.

Sam…well didn’t much like him. Correction, when he said Booth was with Bones cause she was good in bed I reallllly wanted to punch him!!! And I still wish Booth did, cause he deserved it. At least Caroline set him straight, ok, cher? And I was proud of Bones when she told him that the student had surpassed the mentor ;-). She was very protective of Booth around Sam, nice.


So best thing for me in this ep, the dialogue…many many many good bits, too many to remember them all in here, but it got me interacting with my screen a lot, aww oh smiling, laughing..yes me and my screen had good fun watching Bones.

And yes, the image at the end had another fake background, still bad bit a bit less than last time, maybe because it was at night LOL. I hope they are not going to go for the let’s pretend we are in DC thing one more time, twice was funny but 3 times would be stupid if they don’t manage to do it better. I fall for the looks and dialogue not for the fake images of DC at night, however romantic they may be. Here is what I think: make it real, go there or drop it!

Talking of images did you notice DB has a picture drawn by a kid in his FBI office? Must by a drawing by Jaden, how sweet :-)


Oh, one last thing, I really liked the song at the beginning even with the legs flying around…gross and even more shocking with the serene musical foreground…..well done!

And that’s all folks, until next week.

Willigirl

Posted 09/10/2007 10:54:28 PM

Here we go! Another edition of INKSLINGER! I'm posting first, then Ana! I can't wait to see what she says! Feel free to argue with us and write your own review of the show!

Review-Death in the Saddle

So perhaps it was because I was overly excited about this episode, but I was a little disappointed tonight. Let me explain.

The Characters/The Relationships

Let’s start with Booth and Brennan. Before I leap to the ‘aww’ moment at the end, I think my favourite part of this episode was the role switch between Booth and Brennan. Usually its Brennan who is offending someone but this time it was Booth. All the sex conversations between them were pretty funny and David Boreanaz’s expressions are priceless. I like how their relationship is developing in this season and I can’t wait for it to continue.

Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz’s acting is so good already that its become habit and you sometimes forget how good they are.

The last scene was squee-worthy and it seems to be a continuing habit this season to end with a sweet B&B moment. I’m not complaining at all! Booth’s conversation about making love seemed like it was pulled directly from a fanfic and Brennans’ agreement with him showed just how far she’s come. I like this subtle hints that show the potential for a relationship down the road. I always love it when they show them hanging out after work.

On to Angela and Hodgins. My quibble this week is Hodgins calling Angela ‘Angie’. I don’t know why it bothers me, but it does. To me it’s a little cheesy. I thought the Angela going to get hypnotized was okay, and I understand the writer’s need to continue the Jack and Angela storyline, but it seemed to me to be unnecessary. I do like how Hodgins’ continues to be bothered by Angela’s mystery husband. I think this will lead up to some interesting tension between the two of them. For once it would be nice to see Angela and Hodgins’ fight a little, right now they seem to be in the perfect relationship.

I think my favourite character this week was Cam. I love how she’s fully integrated herself into the team. The beginning of the episode shows how concerned she was about Booth and Brennan not working together properly and the scene with Angela was priceless but calming at the same time. I could totally see Angela and Cam becoming friends. I find it interesting that Angela talked it out rationally with Cam but freaked out at Brennan. And the end scene where Cam is putting on lipstick just shows that she isn’t going to let the demise of her relationship with Booth get her down.

On to Zach! I want Zach to get a girlfriend. That last scene sort of hit it home, Zach needs some loving! I like how they mentioned Iraq again, and I hope they delve into why exactly he came back. One of the scenes that I loved in this episode was the Zach/Hodgins scene. I love when they are together, they play off each other so well. And the whole melons thing was just funny.

The Case
The case started out as captivating. The body was pretty disgusting and when it came to the feet, I had to put my hand over my mouth. It still doesn’t top The Truth in the Lye though. I loved Cam being at the crime scene, it wasn’t something you usually see. But it slowly devolved into something that wasn’t quite exciting, despite the interesting hook. I felt like, where the case was concerned, that everyone was just going through the paces. And the pony play thing, while interesting, seemed to just be a gag. Unlike last week’s episode, where you actually got a chance to know the victim, this week was not like that. Not necessarily a bad thing, just different.

I also saw the killer from a mile away, so that was pretty disappointing. I don’t know, I just wasn’t feeling it this week. Whether it was because there was no emotional connection to the victim or that the case was fairly simple, I don’t know. All in all, the case did nothing for me this week.

Highlights

“Stop or I’ll kick you in the testicles!” Made me laugh! Also made me jealous that Emily Deschanel gets to say fun things like that at her job every day.

My other big highlight was Tamara Taylor. I just think she stood out for some reason in this episode, even though it wasn’t Cam-focused.

Overall Impressions

Well, despite the cute Booth/Brennan moment at the end; I don’t think a cute moment makes an episode. For me, the case was lacklustre, and that really affected how the episode was. The acting is always good, so that’s going to be the same throughout, but it’s the case along with the personal moments that make an episode stick out. I wouldn’t say this is my least favourite (That honour still belongs to the Man in the SUV) but it’s definitely not on my list of bests.

I give it:

[Only admins are allowed to see this image][Only admins are allowed to see this image] out of 5

AnaG

Posted 09/10/2007 10:54:30 PM

So here is my take...now, can't wait to go see what Wills wrote...and look forward to seeing what everyone else has to say too! -AnaG

Introduction

Sex fetishes involving horses. Comparisons to the plushy episode of CSI. I can’t tell you how curious I was to see where this episode would go. Expectations, expectations. So, how did it live up to ‘em?

Characters/Relationships

From the beginning, with the revelation and examination of one of the most disgusting, maggoty sets of remains yet, followed by the introduction of the concept of pony play, this case had the potential to be completely overwhelming to the episode. That is one potential that I am happy to say was not met. The case of the man who lived, loved and died as a horse, as bizarre as it sounds, actually served as a well-crafted backdrop for the thing that makes our Bones so special….the characters and their relationships.

First, there is Zach and Hodgins. Back to the zany experiments (though not overdone), they also continue to play out the odd but fitting version of friendship between them. The squintified version of Laurel and Hardy. Touching in its own way that Hodgins missed the way they used to think things out together when planning their experiments. And has the Zacharoni become a man of action? I would be interested to see if they capitalize on this, and not use the experience in Iraq as something for occasional reference. For some reason, I keep finding myself rooting for them to make Zach a little more well rounded.

As for Cam, I think it is great that we are getting to see beyond the relationship with Booth, her commentary on Zach’s perspectives and her role as the ‘ringmaster’ for the goings-on with the squints. Cam, willing to go on stage in Vegas to be hypnotized. Clucking like a chicken. Who woulda thunk it? And again, we get to see her in the role of advisor/sounding board on the personal issues, this time with Angela. I have to say, the more we get to see of Cam, the more I like her.

Angela was the one that was perhaps seen least in terms of the case, unless you want to tie in the idea of marriage. But that was secondary for me. This was one of the first time that we see more than the unrestrained, free-spirited artist willing to indulge a whim on a moments notice. We are given the opportunity to see her doubts about how people view her actions, specifically the fact that she cannot remember her first husband’s name. A stressed out, pulse checking, tense Angela. Non-compliant and not immediately ready to jump into the idea of being hypnotized, which on the surface would seem like a very Angela thing to do. It was good to see a different side of her. A positive trend with the characterization that quite happily seems to be a recurring element so far this season.

(Side note; great idea to use paintings for Angela’s hypnosis. I am going to refrain from commenting on the quality of the effect, because it may have been result of my aging and somewhat overused television.)

In the end, the subconscious coughs up the name and removes the doubt. Through it all, I liked the fact that Hodgins was so supportive, understanding of the whimsical actions that make Ange, Ange. However, I could not help but feel bad for the guy, staring at the picture of the ‘giant’. Supportive yes, but the doubts and self-doubts seem to be there. It is going to be an interesting face-off when the “Little Flute” finally enters the picture. Good though, that they are not rushing the storyline, but allowing it to build a little with each episode.

As I always seem to do, I have saved Booth and Brennan for the end of this section. I think this case was a perfect way to both highlight their different approaches/outlooks while at the same time bringing them to some of the most personal conversations to date. The idea of role playing, and the pony play in particular, is highly uncomfortable and foreign to Booth, while Brennan approaches it with the fascination of an anthropologist. In the car for example, he is trying to focus on how the relationship between husband and wife could have played a factor in the crime, while she is continuously reciting tidbits regarding pony play through the ages. But the better influence of the case was the personal revelations that it brought to the surface. There was the clinical discussion of objectifying beautiful women and putting on lipstick and nice clothes that just begged for the follow-up. Then Brennan, upfront and bold per usual with the revelation that she has engaged in role play (and Booth’s response about it being warm!). Yeah, lots of banter and innuendo throughout. However, there were some more telling and more meaningful words that passed between them. Brennan uttering the phrase that some people are never satisfied by love alone. And of course, the discussion at the diner, ‘crappy sex’ versus the real thing, really truly making love. Two people circling each other, looking for the spark, two people becoming one. Brennan throwing the laws of physics at the argument only to be met by the idea of a miracle. And accepting the argument! The words were a swoon-worthy and everything that was unsaid induced shivers down the spine. As clear and close to that line as any conversation between them and the most fantastic (paltry word, yes) B&B moment to date.


The Case

As I said before, the case had the potential to be overwhelming. A set of remains that pushed the boundaries. An environment/culture that was beyond beyond-the-norm. A list of wildly interconnected suspects. This pony was with that rider then this one. Oh and that one was married to that one at one point. Throw in a butcher that likes the fillies but can appreciated another pony’s style. Not to mention a perfectly non-equine wife.

Honestly, the case was interesting for its oddity and primed for the turn-on-a-dime, dark humor that is a trademark of the show. (Though I have to say, that somewhere along the puns went from some true guffaws to mildly overdone). However, I found myself following less of the case and watching the relationships/character reactions more. Oh, a new suspect? Okay. Now, what happens next. Don’t get me wrong, though. I am not saying that this is a bad thing. Everything that happened served well to push a button or open a doorway for the main characters. Marriage. Divorce. Sex, role play and fetishes. Deserters. The comparison of eating horseflesh to communion. Competition between flesh and bone. Yes, the aspects of the case, suspect and motive served a purpose for the larger, recurring storylines. And when that is done well, as it was here, that is one of the great things about this show.

Highlights

There are a whole host of great moments from this episode. Funny moments such as ‘lardass and good cop’… ‘stop or I’ll kick you in the testicles’….Cam clucking like a chicken. Loads of innuendo and entendres that I am sure had people ooh-ing and ahh-ing. Probably squee-ing too.

For me, however, there is one true highlight from this episode. Everything that was both said and unsaid in the conversation in the diner spoke volumes. Beautifully written and acted, it moved the characters forward a gigantic steps without making them lose who they are at heart. And did I mention swoon-worthy and shiver-inducing? Yeah, I may have, but it is definitely worth repeating.

Overall Impressions

So, overall? The best yet of the short season, and the truest to the some of the things that drew me to this show from the beginning. Well-balanced in terms of the storylines that are dealt with. A case that was quirky enough to be interesting but left enough room for the true heart of the show…the characters and their relationships. All of it layering and blending together to bring us to the most revealing and personal Brennan/Booth moment to date.

[Only admins are allowed to see this image][Only admins are allowed to see this image][Only admins are allowed to see this image] 1/2 out of 5

ashangel45-boothsbaby07

Posted 09/10/2007 11:40:18 PM


hmm..I agree with Willi on this being the least-best episode so far, concerning the case. I was also more interested in the relationships than the case....it didnt seem as if it was important or as upfront in the episode. I also agree with Ana on the diner being the most revealing/personal BB moment. I literally felt the tension in the air between them. I will never forget that quote, as Booth made many good points. Cam was hilarious this epi, and I can see how you two are coming to like her more. The body had me cringing 2. It was literally the most disgusting one to me so far.
But alas, the end made up for the case, and I will say the end wouldnt have happened without the case, so it did serve that purpose.

...anyway, sorry didnt mean to ramble...lol...now i must go to bed....but i must say how are we going to survive TWO WEEKS??? hehe

Bella Loony

Posted 10/10/2007 00:35:16 AM


Okay, well my vote is ANA!! I would have given it at least four, but I think you saw through the pony play a little more and realized the magnitude that it had on B/B's relationship. Them being able to talk about their expectations of sex without having to talk to each other about is sometimes much easier. I thought the end scene was absolutely squee worthy and in fact I did squee in Bizzles ear when she called me!! I love her for that. Zach and Hodgins hit a chord with me and I don't know why, maybe it was the banter between them, kinda gettin' back to their roots but I truly saw a reaction in Zach tonight that had been missing. Hodgins and Angela are making progress and the fact that he calls her Angie should make no difference. My husband still calls me Jessi, whatever, it's a pet name and they are in an intimate relationship. I thought Cam was great, being a buffer, a friend, and a scientist.

Funniest parts: Lard Ass and good cop, I'll kick you in the testicles, He hit you with a building, and when Hodgins ties Cam up and then walks away!! There was more, with Zach and Hodgins, but those I laughed out loud!

I give it 4 1/2 outta 5!!

But that's just me!

BDWSGBL

Bella Loony

Posted 10/10/2007 00:35:51 AM


Sorry double posted!!

4 1/2 outta 5

BDWSGBL

amo

Posted 10/10/2007 04:43:29 PM


Ep 3 Death in the Saddle

When I first heard about the theme of the case I wondered whether Fox would actually decide to air this episode, given it is a 8pm show. I am glad they did! Because we know we can trust Bones to taking something apparently shocking and go way way way beyond the surface.

In this episode I felt more than in the last one that the theme of the case was just supporting the character interaction. Probably also because there was less mystery involved, less questioning of the motives. Whatever the motive, such butchering of a human being can come only out of a very, very sick mind! I was more shocked by the fact that the killer was a female doctor, than the whole fetish thing. Brennan was right I think about that, when it is just about sex, tastes can sometimes be strange. In this case the killer had some very particular tastes in sex, but that was not her problem. Her problem is she is one cruel, certifiably nuts psycho. I think the distinction made was pretty clear in the episode.

It felt like a pretty well balanced show to me, not over-emphasing the fetish. There was laughter and lots of it, there was sweetness in unexpected circumstances, there were experiments and there was gore. Boy was there gore!!!! Visually I have to admit that the image which definitely stuck to my retina and still disturbs me a couple of hours after having watched the show is that of the decomposing butchered body. That was way way way stronger than any of the riders or ponys. I am pretty sure it was intentionally and justifiably so.

Let’s peel back some of the many layers of today’s cake:

You know how I said the last episode felt a bit frantic and left me a bit hyper? This one felt calmer, deeper and I could truly enjoy the character interaction. And this is a nice idea, to have episodes with different tempos, different depths, keeps things interesting.

Birimbau was back! Well, sort of ..by the way of a giant wasp. The whole WASP/wasp things was soooooooo perfect! Loved the analogy….. so tongue in cheek politically incorrect! Angela also being too complex for an obviously medium range shrink was an nice idea. Not everyone can be read, not everyone’s feelings can be unlocked with a simple key. Loves that she actually solved the puzzle herself. And this obviously had more meaning to it. Jack really wants to marry her, but I guess we all kind of wondered if she wasn’t in fact happy with this limbo, which gave her an outside solution to not having to go through with the marriage. To be honest I like the limbo and am unsure whether Angela can be fit into a traditional marriage setting. Maybe the writers will find a way to convince me 100% or maybe there are alternatives. But they have shown us beyond the shadow of a doubt that she wants to be with Jack as a free woman :-)

By the way, weren’t her hypnotic images amazing?????? They felt like Van Gogh paintings, just beautiful and so “Angelic” ;-). (Thanks Har for drawing my attention to the visual aspect of the show, it is beautiful and very creative!). I am glad Jack’s obsession with the titanic stature of Birimbau got put to rest somehow… “little flute” HA!! Jack’s and Booth’s more discrete smiles…priceless!!
Another fine touch about it and also highlighting both Angela’s and Jack’s very extrovert personalities is the way they both openly share their concerns, progress and nervousness about the whole Birimbau matter with the rest of the team, cause that’s what friends are for.

There was also novelty in the team interaction, and that was a star for me, brilliant idea. We have now clearly established over many episodes, how well they all work together. But they are all very good in their field and a bit of competition is natural, we got to see some today: bones outdoing flesh, metal outdoing scrapes on bone… a very healthy, openly acknowledged who gets the clue first game! And at no point did it feel nasty, so very well done, I enjoyed it very much. Bones and Cam in their own scientific way and Zach and Jack in their boyish ways.

I was very glad to see more of Zach and Zach and Jack interaction, and it left me wanting more. Action-Zach undercutting Jack’s enthusiasm about the experiment with a stab in the melon and then stopping him from showing off his discovery of the murder weapon *g* I still want to knoe more about Zach’s time in Irak because it has obviously left scars.

The BB action/interaction! Wowwwwww…..hope you don’t hit me if I say it is moving along very fast! We went in only 3 episodes from we are the centre to you are special and leaning heads on shoulders to talk about love, sex and making love??? Anoyone else feel like we have reach 3rd base veryyy fast? What’s next? Baby talk??? (ups me very bad, LOL!!) Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining! Each moment is individually beautiful and perfectly introduced and played out, it just feels a little bit fast. We went from last season where a mere smile made us faint to Brennan telling Booth she is good in bed and Booth explaining to her how special making love can be. Me thinks slow is good, I just want to enjoy this transition period a bit more :-) I am afraid that something will happen and these huge 3 steps forward will somehow become 5 steps back…hope the writers will put my fears to rest but somehow I don’t think so….

So here is the piece of Booth wisdom that made us all gooey inside (sorry for repeating it, anyone who is bored by it, look away now!):

“It’s gotta by crappy sex!”
“Why?”
“Come on, it’s gotta be. Why? (leaning in, with husky voice) I’ll tell you why. Here we are, all of us...basically alone, separate creature, just circling each other, all searching for the slightest hint of a real connection. Some look in the wrong places, some, they just give up hope because in their mind they’re thinking – Oh, there is nobody out there for me – but, all of us, we keep trying, over and over again. Why? Because every once in a while, every once in a while, two people meet and there is that spark! And yes, Bones, he’s handsome and she is beautiful and maybe that’s all they see at first, but making love…making love, that’s when two people become one. ”
“It is scientifically impossible for two object to occupy the same space”
“Yeah…but what’s important is, we try. And when we do it right, we get close!”
“To what ?! Breaking the law’s of physics? ”
“Yeah Bones...a miracle. Those people, the role playing, their fetishes, their little sex games, it’s crappy sex. At least compared to the real thing.(smug smile) ”
“You’re right.”
“Yeah, but…Ha, wait a second. I just won that argument? ”
“Yeap”

Now, all together…breath in deeply and say awwwwwwwwwwww!! Lol

Yess, I know, I know we all felt the connection. Amazingly done!! His smiles, her eyes, the tones of his voice, her smile….the connection! I can’t compliment them both enough on that scene and actually on the entire episode, because even outside these last brilliant moments there was a very strong feeling of togetherness throughout, wonderful exchanges of looks and smiles. And even a slight change of tone in their arguments, much less annoyance in Booth’s tone and much more playfulness in hers. Especially related to talk about sex and love. We know Booth has a high sensitivity barrier about the issue, or more about openly discussing it with Bones. The advantage of the case was that forced together in that setting they not only shared ideas about the case, but shared personal experiences and preferences. At the end of it Booth was not only comfortable hearing the word from Brennan’s mouth, but also felt close enough to share his personal beliefs about love making with her. And he has done so in an intimate, sweet manner which was more convincing to Brennan than any heated argument. She thought she knew everything about sex, after all, she is a modern day woman and a scientist, and she is good in bed. But Booth repeatedly sharing some personal insight and pointing out that it is not about the physics of it, the role play, but much more about the connection has put some doubt in Brennans mind. And it was clear that his argument (or he himself ;-
)) was so compelling, that she now knows she has been missing out on something, maybe a deeper connection. And she has accepted his piece of wisdom because she totally trusts his emotional depth, it is what mostly draws her to him, what she wants to learn from him. And it was delivered with a tone and expression of absolute conviction and knowledge, it is not something he just believes, it is something he knows to be true from experience, something she has probably missed out on so far. That expression of alternating sadness, exclusion, trust, admiration and then hope on Brennan’s face was absolutely fascinating! (ED, you are absolutely amazing!)

Now to me that expression said I would like to have that someday…. It didn’t necessarily say with him… but it might have been saying…wonder how it would be with him LOL And his I think did say a bit of maybe I’ll show you one day…. And it is all those maybe’s and might’s that make our imagination tingle :-) So now that I am in this state of floaty bliss I am only praying the writers don’t mess it up cause it is just perfect! Let’s just keep them right there for a while, no need for reality to come crashing down too soon!


Now to some bits and bobs :-)

This episode was filled with woman-power, which is found very very satisfying! Love the first scene with Booth and Cam and Bones. It has a very funny note, him being put off by the gore and letting them have it “Honour is all yours”…. Man standing away and 2 beautiful smart women digging through dirt, blood and remains!! But there is a clear share of admiration for both as he looks at them. This show really empowers women and I admire it for that!

And boy did this body have the vomit factor…and my tolerance level is hiiiggg but those maggots in the sockets...puke! I am with Booth and that one “eyes full of maggots and all you see is the booboo on the forehead”LOL
Bravo again to the special effects guys, they have outdone themselves today and in their honour I will have a totally meet free dinner tonight!
It still made me laugh…in fact I kept on laughing throughout the first 15 min of the show.
Do we detect a small match maker streak in Cam??? Hehehe I think sooo, very well disguised though :-)

The whole discussion about Birimbau while the women are dwelling into decomposing flesh was hysterical! Very obvious that life and its little problems goes on, as does Jack’s sudden feeling of wellbeing LOL Also check out his fascinated looks at the whole autopsy process…Jack, get a grippp!! ;-) And the whole “a horse is a horse chorus” ..i just couldn’t stoop myself from giggling…how sick am I???? And we get another close up on the face….as if we didn’t see it enough…. That was enough to last me for breakfast, thank you!

Oh then there is his face again…in a picture this time! Wheeeww…enough alreadyyy, please! Well, we get to see it one more time when Cam weighs organs…
Ange and Cam hypnosis talk…cool!! I have to say I am terrified of it! The whole thing about not being in control and all. Cam …coffee...cluck! ROFL!!!!

I love Bren’s make up and colours, blue suits her very well and check out those cut trousers!!!! Don’t you think those are kind of sexy? And her cop talk gets better and better: “call in the Swat team, they are anything but discrete” “stop or I’ll kick you in the testicles!” this one I think will become legendary! And “lard ass and good cop” LOL She is getting bolder and more ironic, you go Bones!! Booths “two miles from here, in the woods, Mr Ed was found dead”..anyone wonder why couldn’t stop laughing? DB voice and facial expression..hehehehe And that is where the conversation starts which ends so beautifully at the end of the ep …Booth’s face when Brennan becomes explicit… more giggles! And he is definitely smarter than a 5th grader LOL The whole debate in the car is typical and well done as usual. Booth thinking of the impact on the dead man’s wife and Bones giving insight on pony play in history (mann, I never knew it was that old and that popular!). I like the way ED raises her eyebrows when she gives a knowing look :-) Love how she teases Booth “giddyup” :-p And then his face when she says in sex she has indulged in role play with that “wouldn’t you like to know what? ” look….Brennan is flirting all right and gets him every time. Check out Booths smile when she says that every time she puts on lipstick and nice clothes she is objectifying herself!

In the aftermath of Booby-Frost Jacks playfulness with the melons was ohh so funny!! Don’t you just love it when TJ has that wicked playful glimmer in his eyes?
Him tying up Cam….i really like Cam more and more…she is a good sport with an excellent sense of humour!

I felt sorry for Ange fretting over the hypnosis and Bren sating the obvious…shheessshh after all this time she should know how to deal with her friend better! At least Ange is forgiving :-)

I have one question about the interrogation room at the FBI…why is it black and why is the table made of steel? Brrr…gives me the chills….it resembles a very dark autopsy room…probably intentionally! Booth’s personal autopsy room, not a friendly space!

Interesting that Bones is becoming vegetarian…that should give them something new to argue about because we all know Booth likes his meat! It is a good idea and it also addresses a very contemporary discussion, so nice addition. Also did you notice how they try to outdo each other in ringing bells or pressing the elevator button? *g* Soo competitive those two! And when he kicks the guy “with the building LOL” she notices, again how strong he is. Mmmmmmm…Boooth..i agree LOL

I also agree with Booth that the butcher was a really “wacked out pony player”. By the way I loveee how that dark interrogation room makes Booth’s eyes seem so intensely black… can’t stop looking at them.

The kiss between Ange and Jack in celebration of the new found name of Birimbau was sweet and so was her outfit!

The mages of Zach, Cam, Ange and Jack intertwined in Booth’s speech were wonderful.
Although Zach’s sad expression made me sad, he is lovable, everyone is! I hope the writers give him a chance. Cam looked so vibrant and alive and Jack and Ange as always so in love :-) Perfect background.

Overall nice and swoon-worthy.

I am looking forward to a more intricate and much less gory case ;-) And more servings of those scrumptious looks between BB!! And more insight into Zach ..

Until next week, when I am sure, as usual when they do it right….it comes close to a miracle ;-))))))