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BONES “The Bullet in the Brain” Review

BONES “The Bullet in the Brain” Season 6 Episode 11 – Well it’s time to say so long to the Gravedigger storyline. It gave us a lot of great episodes but I loved that it ended by opening up a new storyline that could be even better. I had heard that the first scene of this episode was going to be something else and I’m here to tell you, that was no exaggeration. I had an actual physical reaction to the shooting; it was so brutal and shocking.

After that, it was nothing less than fascinating to watch Booth work this case. For all intents and purposes, Booth was basically chasing himself and getting to see him track down another sniper, a really good sniper, was awesome. I know this isn’t the last we’ve seen of Jake and I can’t wait to see where this story ends up. I’m kinda hoping it goes on through multiple seasons like the Gravedigger did, but I’ll be just as happy with a couple more episodes from it.

Sweets was also dealing with some issues of his own in this episode, thanks to a ride with the Gravedigger that shook him up more than getting her brains splattered all over him did. Everyone was a little too busy looking for the murderer to notice what was happening with him, except for Caroline. I loved how, with just a few words, she got him back to his old self.

My favorite bits…

Sweets telling the Gravedigger that she was sane and he wasn’t going to be convinced otherwise.

Literally gasping out loud when the Gravedigger was shot – not only because it happened so fast and was a shock, but also because of the sight of her body without a head. That’s not something you see on a lot of other shows. Wow.

Caroline pointing out to Booth that she was too short to have seen anything. LOL.

Sweets admitting that he felt relief that the Gravedigger couldn’t hurt anyone anymore.

Bones asking Angela to un-squash the bullet.

Hodgins saying that he was going to send the Gravedigger’s killer a gift basket. Sorry but I think I’d say the same thing if the bitch had buried me alive, too.

Angela telling Hodgins he needed to talk to Sweets and that reminding him he wanted to check on him to make sure he was doing okay. Aw, so sweet.

Max bringing a whole envelope full of proof to show that he didn’t kill the Gravedigger. Smart man.

Caroline telling Booth that he couldn’t exonerate a man for excessive perspiration.

Booth busting out his lock-picking skills.

Barely holding back my own gag when Booth and Bones discovered the body in the bathtub.

Hodgins taking the time to lean the car seat back before he started talking to Sweets.

Hodgins admitting he felt good that the Gravedigger was dead, but doubly good that his wife was wrong.

A bunch of stinky chemicals, some math that made my head spin, and a few hotdogs leading to the time of death.

Caroline admitting to Sweets just how scared she’d been when the Gravedigger’s head had blown to pieces and then telling him that the woman was gone and couldn’t hurt anyone any longer. That was great.

Loving this bit:
Booth: “What happened to you?”
Sweets: “Caroline hollered at me.”

Booth jumping the fence and pointing out that he didn’t need a warrant, because the land belonged to him.

Kinda half-expecting Booth to shoot Jake but also knowing that he couldn’t kill anyone like that.

Max giving the shell to Bones and her smiling as she listened to it when he drove away.

What did you think of this episode of Bones? Got any favorite bits or least favorite bits of your own? I’d love to hear from you!

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By Michelle Carlbert | January 27, 2011 | 15 Comments

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Amber

Thank you for the review. The episode was made of awesome and win. I love it. Oh and um, the end scene was great. I loved Booth watching Bones out the window.

When the Gravedigger’s head was blown off it was a surreal moment for me. I mean just Whoa! It was something. It’s good she can no longer hurt anyone. Loved Max as usual. The scenes between Brennan and Max were just great. Can’t wait for next week.

Anonymous

Glad I wasn’t the only one who found the scene of the Gravedigger’s head going kaflooey a bit surreal.

Loved your favorite bits too.

http://twitter.com/pecisk Pēteris Krišjānis

This was very fitting end for Gravedigger arc. Lot of shocks (but for the sake of the story, liked moment when Booth pointed out that innocent girl were killed to give sniper right window to just to make one shot) and lot of small, yet potent character moments. You named it all, but what I loved how Booth looked to Bones when she smiled and listened seashell. If there is picture worth more than thousand words, that was it. No matter how their current relationship is or will be, this man have feelings for her.

Anonymous

Yes that part about the innocent girl’s life being pointed out to the dad was a good one. I could really see that it was then that he realized that maybe he’d done something wrong. Like you said, small but potent.

That moment of staring through the window did say a lot, too.

Linda

My favorite bit..The look on Booth’s face as he watched Bones and her dad Max through the diner’s window. Longing?…Regret?…Only time will tell.

Anonymous

That was a great bit and it was hard for me to read either, which is probably why I didn’t comment on it as I was reluctant to try and figure out a label for it. Like you said, only time will tell.

Michelle

My favorite moment was when Booth said that he just did not want to disappoint anyone and he looked squarely at Bones. I also like the moment of him staring at Bones and her father.

Anonymous

Nicely spotted! Yes he did stare right at her when he said that, didn’t he? So awesome.

Bonefiedfan

Very best episode of Bones since Season 3!!!! They writers and producers HAVE to keep going and keep the episodes up to this same caliber moving forward! I pray they don’t slip back into the fluffy, no drama, boring nonsense that the past couple of seasons has been chock full of!!

Congrats to David Boreanaz for outstanding directing of this episode too! I remember seeing the way one scene was shot at the beginning (after the shooting though) that impressed me so much I thought, wow who directed this epi?! I had no idea it was him until later! Cannot wait to see Booth stay in his serious manhunt mode and I thanks the writers for FINALLY giving us back the macho tough guy Agent Booth we all fell in love with!!

Anonymous

I agree, LOVED this episode. Let’s just hope that they keep it up moving forward as I could definitely get used to seeing more eps like this one.

*facepalm* I totally forgot David directed this one! Yes, you’re right, he did do an amazing job! And yes, I am SOOO looking forward to some badass Booth in serious manhunt mode. All this pining for lost love is nice and all but sometimes I just want him to tear it up a bit, ya know?

Sarah

I liked when Bones first showed up at the crime scene and the first thing she said to Booth was something like, “I’m glad you’re ok,” with relief in her voice. That’s something I don’t think she would have said in the past; she’s being more open with her emotions than before.

http://twitter.com/pecisk Pēteris Krišjānis

Nicely spotted. Also at the end Bones dad says that he is surprised that she didn’t try to analyze why seashells humming, it felt like he is happy that despite heart-broken, Bones start to open up. Writers delivering their best.

I know this could be end of Bones (as lot of people watch such geek shows for escapism, not for “soap opera”, so lot of criticism since Bones have token more serious drama turn), but what a heck, I LOVE this Bones transformation, it feels so real, so – bring it on. I want to see Bones both smart AND happy about life. Feeling something, not only analyzing.

Anonymous

Interesting. I had no idea Bones was getting criticized for taking a more serious turn. I don’t mind it at all, especially since they still mix in plenty of humor in other episodes. Like you said, it feels more real now and I like that.

Wild Hare

I don’t read or comment on things very often, so if I am bringing up the totally obvious, please, please, PLEASE don’t be mean… just tell me “yup. Beaten that dead horse…” or something
Anyway, is there any buzz that Hannah may be part of the set-up by this mysterious sniper from Booth’s past? I mean didn’t he pull her out of sniper fire? Why would Max recognize her name? I don’t see him as a “following war correspondents” kind of guy… could her name be a link to his criminal past? We don’t know much about Hannah and that would leave openings for her character in the future. The idea allows for the relationship to end and rather than Booth feeling crappy about himself for dumping Hannah and Brennan being mistrustful (well if he dumped her over me, he could dump me over someone else), it puts Booth in a more vulnerable place, perhaps not ready for a full on relationship, but allowing for the (good) tension to return between Booth and Brennan.
Or maybe I am just over-thinking…

Anonymous

Wow, you know I had never thought of any of those scenarios until you mentioned them, but that could be a very interesting way for them to go. Nope, you’re definitely not beating a dead horse here and now I’m sure I’ll be watching Hannah even more carefully than I was before.