"The Resurrection in the Remains" BONES/SLEEPY HOLLOW crossover Bones Review: The Resurrection in the Remains (Season 11 Episode 5) "The Resurrection in the Remains" BONES/SLEEPY HOLLOW crossover

Bones Review: The Resurrection in the Remains (Season 11 Episode 5)

Ashley Bissette Sumerel Bones, Reviews

Honestly, I didn’t know if it would work. A crossover event with Bones and Sleepy Hollow? This could have been terrible. But it actually works pretty well.

The main concern with bringing Sleepy Hollow into Bones is the fact that Sleepy Hollow is focused on the supernatural, while Bones is focused on science. There was a danger here of taking Bones in an unbelievable direction. What happens instead is that is raises the kinds of questions that Bones is already known for dealing with.

Bones is a show that regularly discusses the difference between science and faith, with its two key characters negotiating those differences in their own ideas. In fact, it’s one of the reasons we love seeing these two characters together. Brennan believes in science and facts, while Booth is a man of faith. Each of them have something to teach one another, even now that they’ve been together for years.

BONES: L-R: David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel in the special "The Resurrection in the Remains" BONES/SLEEPY HOLLOW crossover episode of BONES airing Thursday, Oct. 29 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2015 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Kevin Estrada/FOX
BONES: L-R: David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel ©2015 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Kevin Estrada/FOX

So it’s actually kind of brilliant to bring a piece of the supernatural into the mix to raise those questions again. What’s surprising is that this episode actually brings in a little less of the supernatural than it has in the past. I’m thinking about Cyndi Lauper, as a recent example, but Bones has pushed boundaries when it comes to this stuff on several occasions.

Still, with the appearance of Ichabod Crane, it doesn’t push the boundaries too far at all. Everything that happens has a possible scientific explanation, save for Ichabod himself. And even that has an explanation in Brennan’s eyes.

The best thing about this episode, and something that also worked well with the appearance of Betty White as Dr. Mayer in Season 11 Episode 4, is the opportunity to see Brennan interact with new kinds of characters. I could watch her work with Ichabod Crane every day. Both characters are so unique, and they also have a way of pushing each other that we really haven’t seen before.

My only complaint is that we don’t get to see a similar dynamic with the Booth/Abbie pairing. I think there was certainly potential to see these two FBI agents work together, but that potential isn’t fully realized. I say this, now, talking a bit about the second part of this crossover event as well. By the end of the Bones episode, it seems like we’re being set up for more interesting character interaction between these four once we enter the world of Sleepy Hollow.

Now, my review isn’t meant to focus on Sleepy Hollow, because I’m not as familiar with that show. I do, however, have to mention that putting Bones into Sleepy Hollow doesn’t seem nearly as useful or interesting as the other way around.

While the storyline within Bones needs the appearance of Ichabod Crane and Abbie Mills, the Sleepy Hollow storyline seems to bring in Booth and Brennan as novelty guest characters. It’s fun, and there are interesting moments, but it doesn’t feel entirely cohesive.

That said, because what I was hoping to see in Sleepy Hollow is lacking, I do wish we could have seen more of those interactions within the Bones episode.

Other Thoughts:

  • Hodgins’ contacts! What a creative, spooky joke for the audience in the first few minutes of the episode.
  • I love Brennan and Booth celebrating Halloween with their very own prank war.
  • I can’t help but be a little disappointed that we don’t get to see the kids in their Halloween costumes.

What did you think of this special crossover event? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Bones airs Thursdays at 8/7c on Fox.

 

Ashley Bissette Sumerel is a television and film critic living in Wilmington, North Carolina. She is editor-in-chief of Tell-Tale TV as well as Eulalie Magazine. Ashley has also written for outlets such as Rolling Stone, Paste Magazine, and Insider. Ashley has been a member of the Critics Choice Association since 2017 and is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. In addition to her work as an editor and critic, Ashley teaches Entertainment Journalism, Composition, and Literature at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

One thought on “Bones Review: The Resurrection in the Remains (Season 11 Episode 5)”

  • As to the two crossover episodes between “Bones” and “Sleepy Hollow”, I can only sum them up in just one word: “AWESOME!” I mean, what more can I say, except that putting together the main stars from two great shows, and having them work together was without a doubt the most brilliant idea that FOX-19 ever came up with. In fact, it’s a real shame that “Bones” is ending its run this season, because I would have loved to have seen Ichabod Crane, and perhaps one of his compatriots from “Sleepy Hollow”(I know that Abbie Mills was killed off), make another appearance onto the show. Oh well, I guess instead of Crane popping up on “Bones”, then perhaps Booth and Brennan and their friends can make guest appearances on “Sleepy Hollow”. What do you all think about that, eh?

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