In This Section
|
« Bones
Episode Recap: "The Wannabe in the Weeds"
I have nothing witty in my repertoire to help me talk about Booth getting shot tonight by a crazed stalker, his life jeopardy, only one episode away from the season finale. It's like I'm worried, even. Logically, I don't believe they could kill off his character and just wash their hands of it, but what if we have to wait until next season to find out how he's doing? Thats what I'm really afraid of.
For a show based on a forensic anthropologist who doesn't buy into psychology, tonight's episode certainly waded deep into those Freudian waters. Seeing Sweets and Brennan battle it out in a verbal Debate Of The Smartypantses was strangely educational, and dare I say Brennan seemed to have learned something from Sweets' kind of analysis despite her protestations. This ep was huge on motivations; why we do the things we do, what drives us to irrationality, how our needs come to play in our behavior. And then they put singing, oh yes, at the center of it all. Zack sang us a dirge and didn't seem to mind the crowd of eggheads who stopped to ogle his pipes. And Brennan? Despite her oft-over-seriousness, she got down with that Cyndi Lauper song at the end of the episode. I love that this show finds room for that kind of pure fun. Well, until somebody gets shot. The scene went from party joy to Bones trying to keep Booth alive as he's staring blankly at the ceiling. Totally overwhelming.
So, singing — amazing how they just slipped that in. Considering they're on the same network, I guess I should be wondering what took Fox so long to make an American Idol crossover with Bones. In case their maturity fooled you, yes, two of the main open-mic singers were played my former Idol Top 12 contestants. Ace Young of Season 5 was Tommy Sour and Brandon Rogers of Season 6 was the Broadway showtunes singer that Brennan so admired. Throw in a couple of MySpace references and Fox made itself one hot self-promotion. Mr. Murdoch, I can't say I'm surprised.
OK, back to the story. Where the singing and the psychoanalysis met, therein we found crazy Pam Nunan. Nunan obsessively stalked the victim, Tommy Sour, a singer trying to make it big in the music industry who sang at a hot open mic night. Her story is a good example of what life would be like if you couldn't understand the difference between right and wrong but still had exquisite taste in attractive men. After Sour died, Nunn appeared upset, but only until the slightest kind gesture from Booth had her eyeballs turning to wedding bells for him instead. When she me him in his office and made a pass at him, did you see how forcibly he stepped back and away from her? This is a guy who sees dead bodies and follows perps with a gun regularly in hand, yet I don't think I've ever seen as frightened a look on his face as when Pam cornered him in his office with the gift of socks. I was afraid for him.
What we know of Tommy's mysterious death is he was dumped in a field, was strangled and had his neck cut, and one of his neck vertebrae had a thin sliver sliced away. And now I can't get his severed head and hangy eyeball out of my head. Great. Applause to whomever's responsible for this show's gore. I'm sure you've made your professors proud. Gold star!
The investigation into Tommy's death led Booth and Bones to these shady characters:
1. Pam Nunan, who probably had a Police song written about her, considered a dangerous person by Sweets' analysis, and highly delusional and manipulative of others for their approval. Possible disciple of Annie Wilkes.
2. Chris Calabasa, Tommy's singing competition at the open mic night.
3. Dax, mustachioed open mic guitarist with a scowl the likes to make any mother proud.
4. Jason Bergman, Tommy's boss at the gym, former business partner and sucker to Tommy's shenanigans.
5. Adam Matthews, Tommy's duplex neighbor.
Matthews was the guy who I least expected, and I'm sure I should have known better. He was found to be the murderer, having gone batty listening to Tommy polluting the ear space all day with his singing. Not an Idol fan, I take it?
Despite our conjectures last week, the hog-tied skeleton did not make an appearance. Bonus points to those of you who guessed correctly. But there's a lot from this season that's still unexplored that I can't imagine fitting into next week's season finale. We know from the previews that Gormagon will be back next week. We also haven't seen Angela's giant of a husband yet, and no real wedding for her and Hodgins. And now Booth's life is in the balance. Somehow I can't see all these things getting resolved in one episode. Because of the writers' strike, this seems to be the casualty all TV fans will be living with by the end of May — an oddly segmented season with a lot of plot crammed into only a few episodes. But I've still loved watching Bones despite the stops and starts, and have my fingers crossed for what's got to be an insane season finale. Where do your expectations stand?
From the mouths of Bones
Brennan: "Particles from the cut grass are causing his mast cells to release inflammatory mediators."
Booth: "It’s just allergies, Bones."
Brennan: "Yeah, that’s what I said."
Zack: "I’m deceptively strong."
Cam: "I’m deceived."
Sweets: "Mocking will not change my opinion. I’ve been mocked many many times before. That came out wrong."
Bones (of the lounge singer): "This guy is good!"
Booth: "Thank you, Paula."
Brennan: "Until I was 13, I wanted to be the next Cyndi Lauper."
Booth: "I’d say you were kidding, but I don’t think you know to kid."
Brennan: "The other girls and I referred to her as 'rad.'"
Brennan: "The guitar string could definitely be the murder weapon."
Booth: "Because it cut the cheese?"
|
TVGuide Links:
|
|
|
|
May 13, 2008 8:08 AM
|
|
I really liked this episode - and the ending was truly a stunner. I though that Booth and Pam might have another encounter and he'd have to find some way to get her to back off, but I did NOT expect her to try and kill Temperance! I loved how Booth took the bullet for her (though he's the kind of guy who would likely have taken it for anyone - except for a criminal, maybe - but I do think that the fact it was Tempe that was in the gun sites that sped up his reflexes a bit, eh?), and her reaction is probably the most human we've ever seen Bones. Yeah, it got me choked up.
|
|
May 13, 2008 9:15 AM
|
I had a mixed reaction to this episode. All the non-Pam parts I enjoyed especially the AI refernces and the "smartypants" duels.
However as soon as Booth touched Pam and she gave him that look I screamed "NO" along with Sweets. While I can understand Brennen being dismissive of Sweets' analysis of Pam, I am surprised Booth did not take him more seriously. The woman was a stalker who deluded herself into thinking she and Tommy were engaged! With his intuitive insight into people's psyches I thought he would know better. The fact she tricked her way to get his number was a major warning sign. I wanted Booth to tell her off in no uncertain terms and just be a jerk to her.
Excuise me for ranting. I've met and known about too many people like Pam. Sweets is right. Part of their makeup is being totally manipulative and playing off people. They are irrational people who use other people's belief that all people are reasonable and rational to their advantage.
|
|
May 13, 2008 9:45 AM
|
|
Does anyone know who originally recorded the song that ace young's character was singing? It’s so familiar but I just can’t put my finger on it.
|
|
May 13, 2008 9:49 AM
|
I loved this episode. For a second at the end I thought it was the Finale and I was yelling at my TV. So glad there is another episode next week.
Did anyone else notice that after Bones shot Pam, Zach was sent to call th police and he picked up Pam's gun? Could this come into play next week when we discover that someone in the lab is working for Gorgomon? [Never mind - I just rewatched that part of the episode and it was Hodgins that took the gun]
|
|
May 13, 2008 10:04 AM
|
WOW! So glad we didn't get a stupid spoiler to ruin the shock of this ending!
Best show yet! The last few minutes were the best...these guys were really having a great time.
|
|
May 13, 2008 10:06 AM
|
As a non AI fan (I'm deaf, the show is boring to me) I was wondering if any of the singers were former contestants, thanks for the heads up Sandra.
The best Temp scene last night, after seeing Booth shot and no further threat was being made, Temp just up and blew Pam away. Not very Bone's, a much more emotional reaction.
To be honest, I thought Zack's "I'm deceptively strong" was going to come into play, further justifying the line, and he's tackle Pam.
Being rather morbid, I'm glad it went the way it did.
I doubt the Booth being shot would be the cliff hanger, however. It's far too obvious he'd survive.
I've heard Eric Milligan is leaving soon, so it would not surprise me if HE was the cliff hanger
|
|
May 13, 2008 10:12 AM
|
GimplyGump:
Bones did not just up and blow Pam away in anger. Pam pointed her revolver at Bones, presenting a deadly threat. That meant Bones had to defend herself and everyone else in the bar against said deadly threat, so she picked up Booth's gun and shot her. The only unrealistic part was that anyone trained in the use of deadly force would not have fired just once. Bones should have kept shooting until Pam was no longer a threat and with a Glock, that's probably three to seven rounds before Bones would have noticed an effect on Pam. The only way Pam would have folded so fast is if she had been shot in the head. Heart shots can take as much as 30 seconds before the person starts to lose consciousness and no longer presents a threat.
|
|
May 13, 2008 10:25 AM
|
I expect to be yelled at...but does any one else suspect Sweets to be Gormegon or however you spell it? I mean, he appeared on the scene not to long after, he is really smart and advanced, and does pull you in. It seems to me that somewhat matches the scarily little teenage disciple of Gormogon. I mean, a lot of that matches Zach too and I wouldn't be surprised, but I am just thinking of other.
Also, I worry what trouble Bones might get into for shooting Pam, especially as it appeared that Hodgins removed the gun from Pam's hand.
|
|
May 13, 2008 10:30 AM
|
Hi Everyone!
Desire, the song sang by Ace is "Far Away" by Nickelback. I enjoyed his rendition of it.
This episode was AMAZING. I really enjoyed it. The ending had me experiencing a myriad of emotions. One minute I’m cracking up so hard with Bones singing (she was great!) and Booth waving a lighter in the air and dancing along. That scene was soooo good. Lol. Then I’m shocked into silence with Booth getting shot!!!! No!!! Crazy Pam! Bones is a good shot, I’m glad she got her before she hurt someone else. Seriously though, my heart was breaking. I loved how they ended the episode by cutting to black and having us still hear Bones talking to Booth. Gosh those two are wonderful actors. I love GOOD TV and tonight was definitely GOOD TV. Bones is definitely one of those quiet hit shows, so glad I discovered it when I did.
Next week is going to be a doozy, I’m dying to know who on the inside is helping Gormogon.
Some of my favorite lines (along with the ones included here in the blog):
BRENNAN: Hey, break down the door
BOOTH: It hurts my shoulder when I break down the door.
BRENNAN: You were oggling that woman!
BRENNAN: It's not helping the investigation.
BRENNAN: I am NOT scrawny. My body mass index is well within normal limits!
BOOTH: Everyone wants to be the next Kelly Clarkson.
BRENNAN: Kelly Clarkson?
BOOTH: American Idol... Because of You...
BRENNAN: Because of me?
Also, two of my other favorite scenes. Brennan listing all of her credentials, best-selling author, top forensic anthropologist and saying how that makes Booth a great FBI agent because she wouldn’t work with someone beneath her own qualifications. I loved his looks of utter disbelief when she was saying all this, lol. My other favorite scene had to be when Hodgins barged into the interrogation room and Booth was all, “What are you doing in here?” Haha. Sweets is quickly becoming one of my favorite characters, “I have been mocked many many times before. That came out wrong.”
|
|
May 13, 2008 10:33 AM
|
Not my favorite ep although the ending was a good set-up. Two things I found confusing--Sweets sees Booth touch Pam in the interrogation room, knows it's a transference moment that will have Pam stalking Booth and doesn't just flat out tell him 'look dude she's transfered her psychosis to you and is going to turn stalker so watch your back'? I think if Sweets had been clear that Pam was a threat Booth would have been more wary--we know he's not dumb and he wouldn't have dismissed Sweets' legitimate concerns. Also it wouldn't have changed the ending--a rejected Pam is just as dangerous as a Pam threatened by Brennan's place in Booth's life.
Also that stupid alarm clock that was driving the artist/killer nuts was making me crazy too. Didn't we still hear it when Booth and Brennan went back to arrest the guy? They never went into Tommy's unit to check it out? [Okay, so I wasn't paying absolutely attention.]
Brennan's shooting skills surprised me--I don't know why because we've certainly seen her handle a gun before. And as a BTW on every cop show I've seen the first thing a cop does is remove the weapon from the shooter whether they're sure the person is dead or not so Hodgins taking the gun out of Pam's hand was no surprise--the only possible problem would be if the gun went missing. I'm wondering what follow-up they'll do (besides Booth's recovery) since the next ep. is going to be the Gormagon story.
|
|
May 13, 2008 11:47 AM
|
|
thanks slizy18! someone mentioned it in the show but I couldn't catch it!
|
|
May 13, 2008 12:01 PM
|
I've said it before an I'll say it again. Bones is the best show on TV right now.
I don' think they will kill Booth. That would just wrong. I think he'll be laid up or in a coma for a while, thus hampering the Gormagon investigation.
I don't like American Idol but it was nice to see the gang out of their element in that karaoke bar. Brennan cracks me up because she doesn't get many pop culture references thrown around in the dialogue between her and Booth but she does know Cindy Lauper.
|
|
May 13, 2008 12:05 PM
|
I thought it was too funny when Zack said I am deceptively strong and Cam said I'm deceived.
Why would Bones get in any trouble for shooting Pam? Pam shot Booth while aiming for Bones. Then she tried to correct her mistake by shooting Bones. There were many witnesses to that fact. Bones also shot her in the neck and she dropped rather quickly. That might be why Bones did not feel the need to shoot again. Hodgins removed the gun but that is usually what police do (at least on tv) even after the perp is down. They kick or take the gun away just in case. And Hodgins did not take the gun away until after Pam shot Booth, pointed the gun at Bones and was shot in the neck by Bones.
I also really wanted Sweets to tell Booth in no uncertain terms that Pam had now switched her crazy intentions to him after he touched her. For some reason Booth did not get that even though it seemed so obvious.
I don't think Sweets is gormagon. And I hope Zack is not his helper. Is he really leaving Bones?
|
|
May 13, 2008 12:09 PM
|
I was happy to see Hodgins recover the fastest and take charge after the shooting. But I was real surprise that Cam did not go over to help Booth. She should have a medical degree since she is a pathologist.
As to Sweets, he seems to have a problem when around B&B of making himself clear. He kept telling them that Pam is dangerous but as usual B&B brushed him off.
|
|
May 13, 2008 12:12 PM
|
|
|
