3.10 "The Man In The Mud"

[BlasterBoy]

So, the newest Bones episode since December is upon us. And I have a feeling it's gonna rock. The summary:

When a young couple decides to go skinny-dipping in a hot spring, their spontaneity is ruined when they find the remains of a skeleton in the mud. Brennan and Booth soon discover the skeleton is that of Tripp Goddard, a professional motorcycle racer who just won the Super Grand Prix. The team immediately suspects Danny Fitz, the runner-up in the race and Tripp's main rival, to be the murderer. But just when Brennan and Booth think they have it solved, a fiery motorcycle crash claims another victim, and the circumstances seem far from accidental. Meanwhile, Dr. Lance Sweets forces Brennan and Booth to join him on a double-date in an effort to encourage them to interact in a social setting, away from any of their cases. Guest Cast: Chris William Martin as Garth Jodrey; Abigail Spencer as Phillipa Fitz; Wings Hauser as Lenny Fitz; M.C. Gainey as Braxton Smalls; Channon Roe as Danny Fitz; Andrew Lawrence as Tim; Alicia Ziegler as Chandler; Christopher May as Park Ranger; John Edward Lee as Tripp Goddard; Burnadean Jones as FBI Forensic Tech; Darlena Tejeiro as FBI Motor Tech Opal Warneke; Senta Moses as April Presa

Any speculation?

[BlasterBoy]

No reviews yet? Aww...here's mine:

"Serious as a gas attack"

Man, I love my show. "Bones" ended on a humorous Christmas episode back in '07, and now it's back, and it's back better than ever. So many stellar scenes, great Sweets stuff, really awesome case (imo anyways), and an important event: the acceptance of Sweets.

"I'm going to need all of the mud."

The scene at the mud hole with Bones and Booth is priceless and hilarious. Booth has really grown and understood stuff that only the squints would know. He would be ashamed of himself if this were the pilot. And the way Brennan is so in charge and demanding is showing that she's a really strong female lead?.and really funny.

"In my experience, people hit other people with anything they can pick up and swing"

Really love Cam and Zack interactions. It's a general thought, but I love it when they're together. Not only do they have this boss/worker interaction, but also this friendly, light-heartened-ness to them that is surprising, seeing as Zack is the least social of the squints, and Cam is the boss, who seems to always be left out. Anyone remember a Dr. Goodman? Also, sad thing?.I can understand some of this crime talk. And Zack correcting Cam is fantastic!

"Okay, that was snotty. I don't respond well to snotty."

Dr. Sweets scenes are always fantastic, especially in this episode. I love Booth being reluctant to say anus, and how Sweets and Brennan keep saying it. And I disagree about what Sweets said. They don't have the inability to share their personal lives. Max, Parker, and the squints are their personal lives, as far as we know. Every waking hour is spent with one of those people, or someone we've encountered over the last three years. And Parker is not talked about because of work at all, they talked about him numerous times, and how he goes with his mom, wants to stay, the whole differences between the mom and the dad. It's not just work related. End mini-rant. On a whole other note, I love Bones obsession with not eating pie, and her "I'm still not having pie," line is just hilarious!

"What are we, brook trout?"

Oh, I love Hodgins and Zack together, too, but I didn't like the King of the Lab in this episode. Hodgins giving up his Kind of the Lab spot did not suit me well. They need to compete, dammit! COMPETE! And, also, about the Sweets thing, I'm scared, cause does this mean no more Sweets sessions? Why? No. Please no. And ceramics. Oh, this will be amusing.

"Death by yoga?"

Now, onto the Mystery of the Week, which I find really interesting. I really wasn't psyched when I heard that it was about motorcycles, because motorcycles? Not my thing. Not my thing, at all. I loved Bones snarky comment at Philipa (wtf is her name?) about how Garth could've killed Trip, because that's just so Bones. Wow, those thoughts were really disjointed.

"There's someone named Flame Spark?"

So, Garth has motive, and Trip doesn't seem to smart, doing the same thing that got a man into a wheelchair again. Not very smart. And Danny also has motive. Hmm?.

"Bi-cycle. Two wheels. The term applies."

Ah, I so love this seem. Zack's, "hmm?", and Zack dropping all the metal! Plus, Hodgins being annoyed at Zack calling a motorcycle a bike. Great stuff, and advances plot. How often do you get that? Hodgins making Zack drop all the metal stuff is also great. Like I said earlier, I'd like a good King of the Lab. Do it again.

"Why was Trip so much better than you?"

Booth is very determined to make Danny confess, which kind of made me burst out laughing. "Why did you kill him?" He's just so determined, and Bones blatantly stating that Trip was better than Danny was great stuff. However, is it just me, or is that lawyer so annoying!? I wanna rip his head off! LOL! Danny asking out Bones and Booth answering is hilarious! Awesome!

"Sharper than round, but blunter than sharp."

I'm with Angela on this one: what? I was confused my the line above, and the tons thing. And Cam dismissing them is great, which is such a boss thing to do. But, she does it in such a light hearted way that I love it. And poor Hodgins, he feels like he isn't getting much credit today, but he isn't. First, Cam, then Booth. Finding the blood wasn't a huge shocker, but it was an okay ender of an act. And I love Hodgin's, "I'm waiting."

"Sometimes you hate when I talk, so it's a double edge sword."

Love this Sweets scene, too. And how Sweets can detect lying is hilarious, and how Bones picks it up so fast is great. And Sweets does jump on word usage, and I love Bones pointing that out, cause a lot of things Sweets points out is really?weird. "Did you two plan this?" "Paranoia?." LOL! I laughed so hard during that. Great stuff! And the cliffhanger of the act is fantastic. I didn't suspect Danny as the killer, but I did not see him being blown up!

"I get it. Ya like bikes."

So, someone blew up the motorcycle? I wonder who?hmm?.Probably the same person who killed Trip. Oh, and Zack figured out a word puzzle! Yay him! That was hilarious! Loved the variety of choices to choose from.

"Look at my horse!"

Okay, favorite scene of the episode. I loved April, and her loving of fish. Bones contradicting her is awesome. "People can't breath underwater." So hilarious! And April seriously has problems with Sweets. Not good relationship. AND [email protected]'s horse! He's good at this! "Yours is good too, April." "I'm not talking to you." I feel the urge to jot down many quotes, cause the whole scene is priceless. And galloping ceramic horse. Great. And a clay fight! WOO!

"I blame the Stooges. Killings like this are stooge related."

Garth is taken out of the equation. That's cool. And now, Lenny is the main suspect. It's not him, that's for sure. And not Danny. The only one left is Philipa. Ah, that lawyer is back. And a new clue. The business deal. Question: How the hell did they not know about this beforehand? They really need to look into stuff more carefully.

"No changes, no take backs"

And the reveal. It's Philipa, but to be honest, by the middle of the episode, that was my guess, cause who else could it be? And I loved how Booth said, "for the girl." Could he be speaking of Bones? And Special Agent Seeley Booth?he's special. And Danny's death was an accident by his own sister. That's just sad.

"That is possible, because we are both women."

I love April, because she's so spastic. Like, really spastic. Her breakdown in front of Bones is great, and you immediately know she's going to dump Sweets (and I say: finally!). Cam walking in on them and being confused at April was priceless, as well was April's comparison to fish. She really has a thing for fish.

"Wanna come with us? To go bowling, at the bowling rink?"

The end scene was great. I love seeing Sweets not so uptight and overruling. He's great when he's defenseless. And Bones and Booth catching onto his lying techniques is very nice. An important scene which brings Sweets into the group. They're finally accepting him, which is a huge thing for them. Great end to a fantastic episode.

Overall: The second homerun by Janet Tamaro, but it still had its flaws, like predictability. However, every bit of dialogue was top notch. Great job.

[Nina]

I liked the episode, it didn't blow me away ... but it was fun.
The case didn't do anything for me, but the other scenes were really fun. Booth with his horse, dumped Sweet, King of the Lab ... great scenes.

I'm happy that it's back and that there will be another season.

[Jenni Lou]

I finally watched it the other night. And it was pretty good. I had the murderer(ess) pegged from the first scene in which she appeared so no shock there. But this episode had me laughing several times. It was lots of fun. But Booth's horse? One of the best Bones scenes ever. Especially after he was so reluctant to do ceramics. And the end scene with B/B comforting Sweets was, well, sweet.

Oh man, Booth just grows on you more and more and more. I like him a lot!

[Nikki]

I used to find the murder mysteries the best part of the episodes in the first season especially but I'm now finding them more and more obvious and less interesting, but luckily the characters have really grown on me so much that I don't need to have an amazing case. I am really enjoying Booth, especially in this episode with his ceramic horse.

I was really funny that Sweets was dating such an odd girl! She was sweet though and had a nice scene with Brenan, but it was funny that Booth/Benan seemed to be the more stable couple in ceramics class!! It was nice that they got to comfort Sweets too, if he's going to be a main character he needs to get into the lab a bit with them!

I wish we had a bit more Angela/Hodgins but it was great to have King of the Lab back with Zach and Hodgins

It seems likes ages since we last had an episode so it was a great way to bring the show back

[Cinderela]

I liked the episode, it didn't blow me away ... but it was fun.
The case didn't do anything for me, but the other scenes were really fun. Booth with his horse, dumped Sweet, King of the Lab ... great scenes.

I'm happy that it's back and that there will be another season.

We know this for sure? I'm so happy! I love Booth & Bones and I so hope they don't ruin this couple by getting them together like so many other couples have been ruined.

I finally watched it the other night. And it was pretty good. I had the murderer(ess) pegged from the first scene in which she appeared so no shock there. But this episode had me laughing several times. It was lots of fun. But Booth's horse? One of the best Bones scenes ever. Especially after he was so reluctant to do ceramics. And the end scene with B/B comforting Sweets was, well, sweet.

Oh man, Booth just grows on you more and more and more. I like him a lot!

I so agree about the horse scene! And about Booth growing on you more and more and more....I started watching Bones with not very high expectations because of David and my Angel withdrawal.....but from the opening scenes at the airport in 1.1, he's made Booth his own. And I just love how oblivious Bones is to everything pop cultural! Thankfully, TV Bones is about 1000% more interesting than her literary inspiration! I actually did pick a couple of the books that inspired this series. While they were mildly entertaining, I wouldn't say they were the best "whodonits" in the literary world. This TV Bones is totally engaging. I'd also love to see more Bones & Angela scenes. That interaction is totally hilarious!

I used to find the murder mysteries the best part of the episodes in the first season especially but I'm now finding them more and more obvious and less interesting, but luckily the characters have really grown on me so much that I don't need to have an amazing case. I am really enjoying Booth, especially in this episode with his ceramic horse.

I was really funny that Sweets was dating such an odd girl! She was sweet though and had a nice scene with Brenan, but it was funny that Booth/Benan seemed to be the more stable couple in ceramics class!! It was nice that they got to comfort Sweets too, if he's going to be a main character he needs to get into the lab a bit with them!

I wish we had a bit more Angela/Hodgins but it was great to have King of the Lab back with Zach and Hodgins

It seems likes ages since we last had an episode so it was a great way to bring the show back

Absolutely! I missed Angela/Hodgins, but got some Angela/Bones in return, so I'm good. Missed this show and am so glad it seems to be a hit!

[sherrilina]

We know this for sure? I'm so happy! I love Booth & Bones and I so hope they don't ruin this couple by getting them together like so many other couples have been ruined.

*sighs* But they ALREADY are a couple, and ACT like a couple--why can't they realize it and throw in a kiss now and then? How would that ruin them, when except for kissing and sex they ARE a couple, and everyone regards them as a couple? I've never understood this....I hope that they DO get together, but that the writers don't irrationally and illogically decide to forget all of their talent and skills the minute they do and ruin the couple--because that would have to happen first for the couple to be ruined--getting them together officially in itself would not do the trick I'm afraid.....and look at Hodgins and Angela--are they "ruined" because they're a couple?! I would guess not since you said you missed them in the show....

Here was my review--though some parts (like April/Bones and the clay horse) were cute and awesome, I wasn't very impressed with the epp overall.....though this weeks' (baby epp) was finally up to par IMO!

I have to say, I have mixed feelings about this new episode, "The Man in the Mud." I felt the MOTW was a bit weak (I suspected the one who did it from the first scene they were in, and racing bikes? Srsly? Though still not anywhere near the lameness that was the lost football "playbook" of Veronica Mars season 3, lol), and as with many episodes this season, I felt like the Booth/Brennan interaction was a bit....forced. I don't know, as much as I adore this pair, I just feel that the writers aren't handling the relationship as deftly as they have in the past, that they're being too heavy-handed with it. In part it's I think their fault for trying to keep putting off B/B from happening even longer--it's just no longer feasible for them to do so--there have been too many excuses, and there has been too much development between them over the seasons....it's absurd, and doesn't make sense realistically/story-wise, that they wouldn't be together yet. I feel like this artificially keeping them apart is thus hurting their relationship by making it feel a little more artificial--that's the only way I can really think of explaining it.

Now that's not to say that there weren't some good moments--like Booth and Brennan throwing clay at each other cutely and looking like such a healthy couple compared to Sweets and April (aww, poor Sweets!), or Booth quickly declaring for Brennan that she wouldn't be interested in dating Dennis (lol, down boy!).....but things like the anus conversation, etc....meh. I just feel a little disappointed--as I have with much of this season. That's not to say it isn't still good--it is, and there was still lots of great dialogue and moments in this episode (and how adorable was Booth with his clay horse?!), but overall, with the exception of a few top-notch epps, this season has definitely not been living to the kick-ass, unbelievable/insanely awesome high quality of last season, where I swear there was a stretch where every episode was better than the last....ah well, I guess you can't win them all! But I swear, if Booth and Brennan don't f*cking kiss by the season finale....*shakes fist and head* I wish TV writers/producers would figure out that Booth/Brennan ALREADY act exactly like a couple, and that therefore them getting together would NOT have to result in any change in their behavior, except that they'd be kissing (hotly) too once in a while! That "once they get together people will stop watching" stuff is bullsh*t--or just lazy, bad writers! I know people talk about Moonlighting a lot, but from what I've heard that was a completely different dynamic, in that they didn't really care for one another/deeply love each other the way B/B did--it was just all sexual tension, no depth--so of course that wouldn't go anywhere after they did it! [/rant]

[Cori]

I'm finally all caught up with Bones and have just watched this episode. I enjoyed it, although not as much as the Christmas episode which was one of my favourite Bones episodes ever (especially the ending).

Anyway, as others have said, this episode's case was a bit predictable and did not exactly blow me away. I thought that Philippa was the murderer about half-way through the episode so no surprise there. However, there were still so many good things in this episode, especially of course the ceramics class "date", that was hilarious! Booth being all proud of his horse was adorable and it was nice to get to know Sweets a bit better. I liked his girlfriend April, she was real quirky. Plus I think I have seen that actress before but I can't place her. My other favourite scene was the last one with Booth and Brennan trying to comfort Sweets after he has been dumped by April, that was really nice of them!

Favourite line of the ep: Brennan's "Serious as a gas attack”. That made me laugh so hard!