Bones Review: The Movie in the Making (Season 11 Episode 18)
This isn’t the first time Bones has toyed with the documentary-style format so many dramas like to use after they’ve been on the air for a while.
“The Movie in the Making,” however, still manages to feel fresh and unique, and uses the documentary format to get at struggles for each character we might not otherwise be able to see.
Booth’s gambling is brought back to the forefront, but through a different perspective than we saw as he struggling last season. In fact, it’s his character I’ve been coming back to over the past several episodes.
He’s been introspective, and we’ve gotten to see how everything he’s gone through in his life has made him a better person — and how he’s remained honorable.
The documentary format also puts the spotlight on Angela for a brief moment, reminding us of her original plans to become an artist, and for her time at The Jeffersonian to just be the means to an end. Part of me is hopeful that’s how her story will end, with Hodgins by her side, of course.
When a show has lasted as long as Bones has, it’s easy to forget things that have affected the characters over the years. This episode works, in a way, as a recap of key events and characters the show has lost. Hodgins talks about Zach, clearly still emotionally affected by losing him. Sweets, of course, is also mentioned, as is Vincent Nigel-Murray.
Working at The Jeffersonian is a very dangerous job, you guys.
The documentary follows more than just the case. It also follows Brennan to Christine’s school as she gives a presentation about her career. Naturally, Brennan gets a little too graphic with her presentation, but her daughter is both excited and proud. I mean really, the look on Christine’s face is priceless.
Brennan has high hopes for Christine to follow in her footsteps and become a forensic anthropologist one day, and that makes sense. It strikes me as odd, though, that Brennan is so set on that idea even though Christine is still very young.
There’s a danger that Brennan is going to push Christine too hard. It already started a few episodes back on “The Fight in the Fixer” with Christine’s report card. It’s going to be Booth’s job to keep things balanced — another reason Booth and Brennan’s relationship works so well.
Cam is a little too careful with the documentary, refusing to answer any question that is even remotely personal. That fits her character, but she becomes so careful about it that gives her away.
She finally says screw it, though, unable to keep her feelings for Arastoo hidden any longer. Don’t tell me her proposal didn’t bring on at least a few tears.
I’m not necessarily that invested in their relationship, but I’m glad that there’s finally a resolution. Their break-up never felt like the right choice, and I have to say, I’m excited to see something happy happen again.
That’s something this show tends to do really well — balancing the darkness and the tragedy with hope and light-hearted humor. Although with only a few episodes left in this season and a big-bad still lurking in the background, I have feeling we’re in for a little more darkness soon.
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.
Ashley Bissette Sumerel
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.