I'm sometimes very critical of Bones episodes. Last week's documentary-style episode didn't sit particularly well with me, and some weeks, I really struggle with how the show drops storylines or forces us to suspend our disbelief. But this week's episode, "The Head in the Abutment", was a reminder that even after 10 years, they're able to put together a really solid story.
RECAP
The victim of the week was Seth Lane, a famous hockey player who was found decapitated in a local river. I had a hard time following the crime solving this week (as I was enjoying the team storylines a lot more, and the final confession was very subtle), but everyone from the team owner to the woman selling the players pharmaceuticals were implicated. In the end, though, a signature hockey stick and a little-known affair pointed to the murderer.
Meanwhile, Booth spent the bulk of the episode grinning like a fanboy as he interrogated the team during practice, helped a player win a bet, and even settled a score with an old high school rival.
And back at home, Brennan and Booth spent some time debating what belongings they could throw out to keep a tidier house. Booth had to part ways with some of his once-signature accessories (striped socks that he used to sport), and Brennan was forced to reconsider her book collection. In the end, they both made a few concessions to clean out the house.
DISCUSSION
As soon as Hodgins proposed a crane on a drone to retrieve the victim's head, I knew something seemed a bit fishy. I thought maybe the head would fall out of the crane's grip at a bad time, or vital evidence would end up dropping back into the water...but having the decapitated head flying around Washington, D.C. was certainly an interesting choice. While I think that kind of thing would probably elicit a stronger reaction than it did in the show, I was kinda surprised that it was mentioned at all. So often, this show skates over some of the questionable methods of its characters. It was both humorous and a little grotesque to see that skull floating in full public view.
Finally, I loved the Booth-and-Brennan storyline this week. The veiled reference to the Kon Mari method of tidying up a household was particularly relevant to me, as I've also gone through my possessions to cut back on the number of things I keep around the house. Although truly de-cluttering their lives would be much more exhaustive and probably involve a lot more bickering, it was fun to see Booth dust off some of his old accessories and remind us of how he's changed over the years, and it was even more fun to watch Brennan wrestle with the notion of streamlining her library (which is probably vast, and quite unique). Any Kon Mari fans out there? Anyone miss the Cocky belt buckle?
Only 3 more episodes left in the season! What's on the way for the Jeffersonian crew? Think we'll get any more traction on the marionette murderer before we wrap up for the summer? Worried we'll see anyone go the way of Sweets or Hodgins, or will the team be safe as they head into the final season?
