It seems there is some controversy on this episode despite the high rating (8.7 at the time of writing). So, having watched Bones from the beginning, what do I think of this?
The Structure. I like that this is not one of those ancient "Then We Switch Straight to the Past Where We Shall Remain Until the Flashback Ends". There is a gradual switch from present day to the past during the Teaser Sequence. And while after the Title Sequence most of the episode takes place in the past, we occasionally switch back to present day, which *links* the flashbacks better to the framing story. Smooth.
The Beginning. I really wasn't that impressed with Bones. The series, that is, not the character, whom I instantly connected with. Temperance Brennan is pretty much my ideal woman. She will *never* fall into irrational arguments. And in any relationship, there *will* be arguments. When you can rationally work them out and in the end one side - EITHER side - will admit being wrong and will then move onwards, the relationship has a better chance of surviving. Temperance Brennan is a rare and precious character. On the other hand, I was already a huge admirer of David Boreanaz's work. He may not be the Robert De Niro of his generation, *but* Buffy, Angel and Bones have proved that he is like Wolverine - the best there is at what he does. He is the master of straight-faced comedy, who doesn't have to resort to caricature quirks to be funny. But! He can pull of emotion when needed without falling into sentimentality. Together, B & B are some of the most fully realized characters on TV - they feel *human*.
The Pay-off. Whether you are new to the series or have watched it from the beginning, this episode is most likely to make you at least want to watch the first season again. I, for one, intend to. Maybe I was too harsh on the premise of the series, dismissing it as another CSI imitator. Over the years, Bones has proved to be the superior series, funnier, wittier, sexier, and, if you like that sort of thing, more gruesome - the said Bond in the Boot and the Gamer in the Grease (especially his flesh falling off in what must be the most eye-dropping gore effect on a national American TV series ever) spring to mind first. Also, this is more than a flashback episode. It offers *more* That is what can be safely written without spoiling anything. A 8/10 triumph.
The Structure. I like that this is not one of those ancient "Then We Switch Straight to the Past Where We Shall Remain Until the Flashback Ends". There is a gradual switch from present day to the past during the Teaser Sequence. And while after the Title Sequence most of the episode takes place in the past, we occasionally switch back to present day, which *links* the flashbacks better to the framing story. Smooth.
The Beginning. I really wasn't that impressed with Bones. The series, that is, not the character, whom I instantly connected with. Temperance Brennan is pretty much my ideal woman. She will *never* fall into irrational arguments. And in any relationship, there *will* be arguments. When you can rationally work them out and in the end one side - EITHER side - will admit being wrong and will then move onwards, the relationship has a better chance of surviving. Temperance Brennan is a rare and precious character. On the other hand, I was already a huge admirer of David Boreanaz's work. He may not be the Robert De Niro of his generation, *but* Buffy, Angel and Bones have proved that he is like Wolverine - the best there is at what he does. He is the master of straight-faced comedy, who doesn't have to resort to caricature quirks to be funny. But! He can pull of emotion when needed without falling into sentimentality. Together, B & B are some of the most fully realized characters on TV - they feel *human*.
The Pay-off. Whether you are new to the series or have watched it from the beginning, this episode is most likely to make you at least want to watch the first season again. I, for one, intend to. Maybe I was too harsh on the premise of the series, dismissing it as another CSI imitator. Over the years, Bones has proved to be the superior series, funnier, wittier, sexier, and, if you like that sort of thing, more gruesome - the said Bond in the Boot and the Gamer in the Grease (especially his flesh falling off in what must be the most eye-dropping gore effect on a national American TV series ever) spring to mind first. Also, this is more than a flashback episode. It offers *more* That is what can be safely written without spoiling anything. A 8/10 triumph.