Bones Review: The Monster in the Closet (Season 11 Episode 13)

Well, there’s an image that will haunt my dreams for a while.

Bones delivers a strong — and very unsettling — episode with “The Monster in the Closet,” introducing a big bad that will carry us through the rest of Season 11.

Booth and Brennan spend more time working together than usual in this episode, which definitely makes it feel like the show has returned to its roots. It isn’t just their romantic relationship — though we see that as well — but we get to spend a good bit of time enjoying their partnership.

In fact, Booth noticeably refers to Brennan as his partner rather than his wife after she saves him.

And the way she saves him is both brilliant an hilarious. Leave it to Brennan to get a guy to drop his weapon by recreating the sound of a gun on her smartphone.

We also get one of my favorite kind of scenes to see on Bones: Brennan focusing all of her attention on a set of remains, and allowing them to speak to her.

Granted, it’s a little creepier this time, as her way of allowing this particular set of remains to speak includes putting clothes back on over the bones, but it’s also kind of beautiful.

Sometimes, Brennan is difficult to identify with. Sometimes, she’s even a little cold. But it’s those interactions and the way she allows bones to tell her stories about people’s lives that soften her character. Those are the times when she’s able to be more empathetic than anyone else in the room.

Booth then joins her, again re-enforcing their unique partnership, and it’s the two of them working together that helps them realize what exactly happened with those bones.

I don’t actually want to think too hard about the result, because it’s deeply unsettling. Even more unsettling? The person who turned that set of bones into a giant puppet is still out there, and it looks like he’s coming after Brennan next.

That makes a lot of sense, considering the kinds of traits this person seems to be looking for in their victims. It definitely makes me nervous as we move toward the end of this season.

The good news, is that Christine’s fear of a monster really is just her imagination. But good job, Bones, for making me hold my breath while I was certain she was being kidnapped or something. WHEW.

There’s an overall theme of guilt, not just in this episode, but really in the past several.

It’s mostly been in relation to Hodgins, but now, Brennan bears the guilt of letting a serial killer slip through her fingers when she and Booth quit their jobs.

Speaking of Hodgins, while I appreciate the fact that he’s going through something incredibly difficult, he’s certainly become a villain at this point. I hope that ends soon, because it really is painful to watch. He needs someone to talk some sense into him, and fast.

Other Thoughts:

• Cam and Arastoo appear to be back together, and that’s exciting. Somebody needs some good news around here.
• Yet again, it seems that Aubrey isn’t eating as often as he used to. I can’t help but think that’s a product of still feeling guilty about Hodgins.
• Sara Rue guest stars as Karen again, and she’s fantastic. I’d love to see more of her.

What did you think of this episode of Bones? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Bones airs Thursdays at 8/7c on FOX.

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