The Crack in the Code

Hi Bones Booth Pod!

I have to agree with the reviewer who thinks that the Pelant arc is the dumbest timeline. Unfortunately getting into the reasons why, would be a massive spoiler, (I guess I will have to save my actual thoughts for my reviews of those other episodes). However, I do actually like this introductory episode for the most part, and I also know that Andrew Leeds is both a great actor, and a really nice person in real life. I hate Pelant, but I love him.

The episode does a good job of balancing a high energy case, with the smaller interpersonal moments, which include Booth and Brennan finally finding their Mighty Hut. The scene at the end is very sweet, and it makes me happy when they use their imaginations to envision their future life in their home.

While all of the serial killers on the show have been formidable, there is something that is equal parts terrifying and irritating about Pelant's ability to get away with his crimes. He revels in the fact that he gets under Brennan's skin, and thrives on a belief that his intellectual superiority will prevent him from ever being caught.

The Pelant episodes always feel bigger than some of the other serial killer arcs on the show, because the writers intentionally make the stakes comically high. But, I think that is also what makes Pelant simultaneously the best and worst "big bad" of the series. He does, and often gets away with ludicrous and impossible things. But, since "Bones" has always been a little campy, having a cartoonish villain also kind of makes sense. It doesn't make it any less dumb, but I also understand the greater purpose of his arc.

Not much to say. We have been introduced to Palent who is the villain for the rest of the season. He will be matching wits with Brennan who has declared herself smarter than he is. A spinal column, made up from the vertebrae of numerous people ends up being a code. Behind it all is a guy who is supposedly on house arrest. He is a sociopath, thinking he can save the world. There are several twists and turns, including the merciless killings of innocent people. There is also a vendetta against the FBI. Booth and Brennan find their dream house, but it's not exactly what they thought it would be. I'm a little disappointed that it will take so long to see things come to fruition.

This is one of my favourite episodes, I love the Pelant arc from beginning to end and this sets the whole thing up so well.

Andrew Leeds is so good at playing a creepy villain that whenever he shows up in any other show/movie - which is fairly common since he's in a lot of stuff - it's a full on jump-scare for me.

All of the Caroline scenes are utter perfection, all of her zingers about Ezra Krane were so funny, and I love that she still has her same yellow car from all the way back in Judas on a Pole.

Cam warning Hodgins that our Booth is related to John Wilkes Booth and to not bring that up when he gets to the crime scene always makes me giggle.

The side plot of B&B trying to find a house is great too and in the end they find their own 'Mighty Hut'. Also when Brennan says "I can see the bones, Booth" I can't help but laugh at the indirect and unintentional shoutout to the TBB podcast gang about a decade in the future.