4.01/4.02 "Yanks in the U.K." Spoiler Discussion Thread

[BlasterBoy]

Brennan and Booth travel from D.C. to London for Brennan to guest-lecture at Oxford University and for Booth to speak at Scotland Yard. They are asked by local officials to lend their expertise to a high-profile murder investigation involving a young British heiress and are paired up with their respective British counterparts, Dr. Ian Wexler (guest star Andrew Buchan) and Inspector Cate Pritchard (guest star Indira Varma). The duos venture through London to investigate the puzzling murder of the young and glamorous heiress, whose father is a wealthy American businessman. Meanwhile, back in D.C., the Jeffersonian team lends its expertise to the Brits' case, but they are thrown for a loop by the unexpected return of Angela's long-estranged husband who must consent to a divorce before she can marry Hodgins. When a member of the U.K.'s own investigative team is murdered, Brennan and Booth's personal connection to the case strengthens their resolve to help solve the mystery surrounding the death as they search for the London killer. Guest Cast: Eugene Byrd as Clark Edison; Indira Varma as Cate Pritchard; Sean Blakemore as Birimbau; Michael Brandon as Roger Frampton; Tuppence Middleton as Vera Waterhouse; Ed Coleman as Cyril Bibby; Ty Glaser as Heather Miller; Andrew Buchan as Ian Wexler; David Yelland as Gerard Bonham; Jane How as Anne Bonham; Sheila Reid as Paige Bonham; Ben Righton as Harry; Nick Ellsworth as Jamison; Ben Loyd Holmes as Jasper Ferry; Jonathan Wrather as Emerson; Rocky Marshall as Lake; David Fahm as Palmer; Simon Dutton as William Curry.

I will have a coherent review tomorrow, but I want to go to bed, but I so want to post my "mini"-thoughts for now.

So, Part I was awesome. Hilarious, uplifting, great story (horrible ending to a great story, though!)

So, Part II....wasn't. IMO, it was a lot more boring. The lady-Booth actress was very good, but I felt with the great Ian death story, they could've done so much more. Plus, Angela annoyed me so much! Yes, Hodgins didn't trust her, but she still wanted to sleep with [insert correct spelling here]. I really disliked Clark in this episode, as well, and Cam was entertaining, but Hodgins/Angela's reaction to her was not really funny, IMO, just slightly....annoying?

So, I'd give Part I a....(tune in tomorrow afternoon for the answer! :eek: ).

And I'd give Part II a.....(tune in tomorrow afternoon for the answer! :eek: ).

So, yeah, those are my brief thoughts, but I'll actually review the episode tomorrow!

What are your thoughts!?

[Jenni Lou]

It was okay. It had some super fun bits and some really lame ones.

And was it just me or were the mysteries, um, really easy. I totally called out who was the killer in each of the hours. AND I called them at the beginning of the hour. Like, right away. And all because of some camerawork and editing. Like, they cut to

Spoiler:

the butler

at a very strange spot and I turned to my guy and said "he did it!" Too easy.

Anyway...yeah, I'm over Clark. I want to see what other interns or whatever they have rolling in. There is one in particular I really want to see,

Spoiler:

Michael Badalucco... because he was awesome on The Practice!

Um....and the Angela/Hodgins stuff? oooookkkayy, whatever you say Bones writers.

Spoiler:

Lamest breakup ever. I mean, what was that? Who breaks up after a long relationship for that?! Obviously, the whole scenario was meant to be more dramatic or something. BUt ti just didn't translate. I kinda feel like the writers just wanted to break them up....kind of like they just wanted the whole Gormogon mess to be an inside job. For convenience's sake.

[ciderdrinker]

So I successfully managed to stay away from this thread until I'd seen the episode(s), and I'm pleased that I did.

First off I just have to squee at seeing David in London!!!!!! I mean I used to live there and now only live 70 miles away - it's all so close. God knows why I didn't get up there to watch the filming!

I'm not spoilering anything because it has spoiler in the thread title...

Anyway, I liked both episodes actually. Yes I agree "The Butler Did It" was a bit lame (and yes the cut to him did make it obvious) although I don't think the butler did do it and like to think it was the spurned Lord Harry (BTW a little dig at Prince Harry with the name I feel) because he overheard the conversation with Portia (I used to have a cat called that!) and the Duke.

The whole Dr-Wexler-wants-to-sleep-with-Brennan-and-she-doesn't-do-it-because-of-Booth thing was kinda sweet, and I liked how he didn't notice the bridge opening because he was focused on her. Pritch made a good comment about "Everest" to Brennan and she seemed to respond favourably to it - I wonder if that's something to indicate a shift in things for Brooth for this season?

It was good to see them working on a case that affected them because it was someone they knew. I think Pritch's emotions rang very true, and resonated strongly with Booth especially - he would find it very difficult to lead the investigation into Brennan's death, and cut her a lot of slack because of it. Brennan has already experienced dealing with Booth's death from last season's fake out, so it made sense for her to act completely normal and focus on the details.

As for the Hodgela stuff, I was really shocked that they broke up! Especially after the "universe" spoke to Grayson with all the bells from the cyclists when they were kissing. It was obvious from the start that Angela had unresolved feelings about him, and her and Jack did have a whirlwind romance, so I guess it's not really a surprise for it to happen in that respect - I just didn't think the writers would go there. I agree with JenniLou that the breakup scene should've been more moving or dramatic or whatever, but I still felt very sad for them. The phonecall to Brennan's voicemail was heartbreaking!

Clark was great in this episode, but I'm glad he's gone. It was just too easy for him to step in after Zach. I want to see the team struggling to cope without Zach, and some soul searching from Brennan about how she would replace him - maybe going to visit him or something. Anyway, Clark was far too rounded a character for that position anyway! Can't wait to see who they do replace him with!

Good to see my favourite forensics team back though and I hope this season follows on from the promise that last season showed at the start and get into some meaty storylines. I want to see the Gravedigger revisited and the episode where we meet Booth's family that were supposed to be last season....

[BlasterBoy]

Part I and Part II....for me, it's honestly impossible for me to review them both at the same time, but I'll try!

First off, did anyone see the new opening titles?! All new and shiny! :eek:

I know that I should stop whining about this, but it has to be said: I thought I would notice the loss of Mr. Addy in this episode....I totally did.

Grayson was annoying, IMO. I mean, he wasn't too bad, but his character pisses me off. I'll give my opinion about the Angela/Hodgins situation. So, Angela immediately kisses Grayson when she sees him? WTF? Angela is obviously conflicted and in love with both men, so she blames it on Hodgins, which I'll say in a minute. Angela chooses Hodgins (thank god!), but she's still extremely conflicted. I loved the "universe speaking" scene with that KISS and Grayson just laughing as the bikes went by That was a fabulous scene, loved that! Hodgins fighting for Angela's love was nice, too! Then, Part II came along....eh.....Cam's scene with Grayson was very funny, but I expected it to be a joke thing, not an episode long storyline. *sigh* Everyone being mad at Cam wasn't really funny, but that's probably just me. Hodgins really didn't have any reason to be mad at Cam, so it was just for comedy sake. Then, the writer's thought, "oh wait, we can make forced drama out of this!" and threw on some idiotic break-up scene that made me mad at Angela. She has conflicting feelings with Hodgins and Grayson...talk to Sweets....talk to Hodgins....DO NOT BREAK UP WITH HODGINS AND BLAME IT ON HIM! That last choice is a bad idea. The whole, "You don't trust me" thing was an extremely dumb thing for Angela to say, because why should he at this point in time? You're all mad when someone sleeps with your ex, meaning you still have feelings for him. The first time you see him, you kiss him, when you're still with Hodgins. He has reason to be concerned. *sigh* I hope she doesn't continue blaming Hodgins and I certainly hope Hodgins doesn't go to counseling and go, "I should've trusted her!" Okay, that was an extremely long rant, but I really had to let all that out. Sorry

LONDON! Part I had a fabulous story and I was intrigued the whole way through. The Ian/Brennan story was nice and I loved that her "lover" wasn't the killer for once I also loved that he was Brennan only much more sexual and she decided not to sleep with him because of Booth! Aww!!!!!! Hilarious scenes, like everything with Booth trying to drive especially the "right on red" scene "That doesn't make any sense." Loved it! I was expecting a huge connected story with there being a humongo twist at the end of the first hour. Unfortunately, the story ended at the first hour? Um....what? Plus, the Butler did it? How lame was that! Plus, we never really learned who did it. After that scene, my sister looked to me and went, "wait, you said this was two hours, didn't you?" We were sooo confused. Why make a two-parter that isn't connected? I did love the twist with Ian dying, but it's not the twist I was looking for. I mean, it could've worked extremely well, if they made it like someone is trying to take out everyone working on the case to protect the royal family, and that story would continue, and then someone would be after Booth, Bones, and Pritch, which would be exciting and worthy of a two-parter, IMO. The second part had less laughs and more confusing parts, and I didn't even understand how they figured out who did it. (btw, Jenni, I chose Pritch as the murderer in the second half I was wrong! ) However, the last scene with them walking off together! That was great. So....

Part I was a 9/10 for me, and it loses a point for the lame "Butler did it!" ending + no real resolution. Everything else was pitch perfect.

Part II was a 4/10 for me, because of the lame turn of events with Wexler's death not really having anything to do with the other case, and for the forced comedy/drama in the lab. It gains points for having a fantastic end, some great moments, great performances, and...yeah, that's about it. Oh, wait, I forgot to mention that Pritch was great in this episode, and the person that played her was truly fantastic.

Remember, I'm grading on a "cut in half and you get a number out of 5"...so....for those people.

Part I - 4.5/5
Part II - 2/5

[NileQT87]

they must have deleted booth's clue joke. without the clue dialog, booth's "the butler did it" is completely wasted. i don't remember seeing it in the episode(s), but it was in one of the advertisement preview clips. bones doesn't get the reference to the game and booth tells her it is from clue.

i personally enjoyed the episode(s), anyway. too bad about wexler... i actually really liked the guy.

was that underground ruin the side of the medieval fortress they are currently digging up in the basement of the british museum?

[Risa]

First I am not sure if I am suppose to be putting tihngs in spoiler tags...cause noone but Jenni Lou did, so if I was suppose to...blame it on the majority. Anyway I just got done watching the season premiere. I really liked it. I love British accents so it was so fun to watch. Booth in London....hehehe. His jokes and cuteness made this episode excellent. I almost fell out of my chair when he has his little fit in the middle of the street. That car was awful. Booth getting that junior knight medal at the end was nice. Sir Seeley Booth...awww..so cute.

I can not believe the writers split up Angela and Hodgins. And she tried to blame it on Hodgins. He didn't do anything wrong. He had a right to want Grayson gone...the guy was gorgeous and shouldnt be left around any woman for very long. If she had feelings for Grayson, Angela should have admitted it and maybe they could have worked through it. But ohh no...she has to blame Hodgins. I just can't believe it.

The plots for the premiere were kinda weak and didn't connect...like the butler did it. And the family wasn't shocked. Oh please. That was just lame. I would have liked better plots, but all in all the premiere rocked.

[Nina]

I enjoyed both episodes, but both were not from a high level. I missed the time that they had a real case to fill the episode with, without too much drama. Clark was right when he left ... I'm sad that he left. I liked the guy.

And breaking up Angela and Hodgins ... I hate it when writers break up a couple after a season ... I don't get why writers are so afraid of having a lasting couple on the show. It's not like they are teenagers, those characters are old enough to have that one relation. Well, I've to live with it I guess.

Some jokes were great, and a lot were just stupid. I liked Wexler and Susie from Torchwood ...

Booth trying to do an Engelish accent made me wish that they were in Ireland.

[Jenni Lou]

First I am not sure if I am suppose to be putting tihngs in spoiler tags...cause noone but Jenni Lou did, so if I was suppose to...blame it on the majority.

It was totally force of habit. I am so used to spoiler-fonting everything I even did it in a thread with a SPOILER warning in the title.


And I am glad I am not the only one who didn't understand the Angela/Hodgins breakup. Shoddy writing, I say, if fans don't even understand why.

[Nina]

After watching an episode, I'm always looking to the reactions of others. And I haven't seen one person who was happy with how they broke up. It's done very badly ...


Another point that I saw somewhere else is that Booth was not just annoying, he was also the ass from America this episode. And I agree, Booth was terrible. How old is the guy? He comes to England and all he does is actig like a bratty American 12 years old. I miss the Booth from the first two seasons, he became judgemental, blunt and dumb.

[Jenni Lou]

Another point that I saw somewhere else is that Booth was not just annoying, he was also the ass from America this episode. And I agree, Booth was terrible. How old is the guy? He comes to England and all he does is actig like a bratty American 12 years old. I miss the Booth from the first two seasons, he became judgemental, blunt and dumb.

I've seen the same comment all over the net as well. In an effort to poke fun at the whole dumb American overseas stereotype, they kind of just slightly crossed the line into offensive. I agree, his tantrums were a bit over the top and almost a little OOC. I think they sacrificed character continuity for humor.

[Risa]

After watching an episode, I'm always looking to the reactions of others. And I haven't seen one person who was happy with how they broke up. It's done very badly ...


Another point that I saw somewhere else is that Booth was not just annoying, he was also the ass from America this episode. And I agree, Booth was terrible. How old is the guy? He comes to England and all he does is actig like a bratty American 12 years old. I miss the Booth from the first two seasons, he became judgemental, blunt and dumb.

I absolutely loved Booth in England. Yes he was acting like a bratty 12 year old, but he had me almost falling out of my chair repeatedly laughing. I was doing crafties and I burnt my finger numerous times with the hot glue gun cause I was paying attention to him instead. I also love how any time there is an episode of any show in England, they have to mess with the guards. They should be listed as a world wonder, cause standing still like that is impossible for me. In all honestly, I would probably be like Booth over there...just not as bratty. I would have to mess with the guards, complain about the tea and food...all while staring intently at the hunks with the wonderful accents.

[litzie]

I have to say, having finally watched the episodes (why was this a two parter again? the two cases were only linked a TINY bit...it didn't feel like a two parter at all), I was really disappointed. I had hopes that the premiere would impress me and resolve my unresolved feelings about last season's finale...but it totally didn't. It was just...lame! Neither case was gripping at all. I could have predicted who did it from the start, but I didn't care enough to! Usually I like Booth/Bones fieldtrips but their interaction seemed very forced to me, I didn't like the whole don't sleep with him storyline, I was embarassed by the portrayal of british people (who all apparently talk like an oxford dictionary, obviously)...the Booth thing where he was an obnoxious American could have been hilarious - the scene where he gets out of the car in the middle of an intersection and has a tantrum could have been extremely funny. But I just didn't feel like they earned it. It was kind of like when you see a joke in a movie trailer, and it looks hilarious, and then when you see it in the film it's just not that funny in the actual context.

I didn't like Zach replacement guy (and I haven't liked him since he gave that speech to Brennan's father last season about being a man because he shaved and had fallen in love or whatever - way too cheesy) and I HATED the angela and Hodgins break up - talk about lame. Dude. You're engaged and have been for more than a year, and instead of talking through a problem in the relationship (ie, lack of trust), you just break up??? How ridiculous is that?

Ok, I'm beginning to feel I'm ranting so I'm going to stop...

[KingofCretins]

Yeah, the break-up was so contrived it was unbelievable. Like you can never be jealous or possessive in a relationship without it meaning you don't trust your partner. That's preposterous. It's like the writers just decided they didn't want a happy couple so they made up some very poorly constructed reason to break them up.

[litzie]

Yeah, the break-up was so contrived it was unbelievable. Like you can never be jealous or possessive in a relationship without it meaning you don't trust your partner. That's preposterous. It's like the writers just decided they didn't want a happy couple so they made up some very poorly constructed reason to break them up.

Yeah I would have preferred they actually did something wrong! then at least the break up would have had some meaning. Instead it just seemed like they both gave up simultaneously - it wasn't about trust, it was about not wanting to make the effort anymore.

Though I did find the whole, searching for Angela's husband thing really tedious, so maybe they did too...

[Jenni Lou]

Though I did find the whole, searching for Angela's husband thing really tedious, so maybe they did too...

Yes, I am glad that is over. I don't know why it was stretched out for so long. I know the writers strike pushed that storyline out further than they probably wanted, but it did seem to go on for far too long. At the very least, I am glad that is done.

I'm still on board with the lameness of the breakup. Like I wrote earlier, I feel like the writers simply wanted to break them up; they just didn't think of a more reasonable or believable;e way of doing it.

[litzie]

Yes, I am glad that is over. I don't know why it was stretched out for so long. I know the writers strike pushed that storyline out further than they probably wanted, but it did seem to go on for far too long. At the very least, I am glad that is done.

I'm still on board with the lameness of the breakup. Like I wrote earlier, I feel like the writers simply wanted to break them up; they just didn't think of a more reasonable or believable;e way of doing it.

Very true, definitely. Thing was, I felt like that quality of writing was pretty much standard for the whole two episodes, and it's the same crappy writing that I felt was true in the finale! So I'm worried.

[Jenni Lou]

Well, I've seen a ton of fan disappointment with the show, starting even before the finale. And I get it. It's justified. But I don't take the show too seriously. I like it and it's fun and enjoyable. DB is so awesome on this show and I was never really a fan of him, even on Angel. And I love the usually witty and funny banter between him and Brennan. It's really what the show is for me. So, I get it. But I am not worried. It's still fun enough for me.

[litzie]

Actually I have the exact same attitude as you about bones...in fact I never used to talk about it online for fear too much analysis would ruin the superficial fun. But I guess now I'm worried that it's not fun enough for me anymore. *shrug* I won't give up yet. But I'm paying more attention now...

[Cori]

Well, I've seen a ton of fan disappointment with the show, starting even before the finale. And I get it. It's justified. But I don't take the show too seriously. I like it and it's fun and enjoyable. DB is so awesome on this show and I was never really a fan of him, even on Angel. And I love the usually witty and funny banter between him and Brennan. It's really what the show is for me. So, I get it. But I am not worried. It's still fun enough for me.

I couldn't have said it better myself. Bones is one of those shows where I just sit back and enjoy and don't analyse too much. And having never been a fan of DB on BTVS or Ats, I'm suprised at how much I enjoy his performance on Bones. Still, I was very disappointed by the season 3 finale and while these two eps of s4 were not brilliant (the cases were way too predictable and in the second episode even boring), I still enjoyed seeing Booth/Brennan banter and bicker again and even in my favourite city! I liked seeing them in quite a few places in London where I have been myself, that was much fun. However, Booth overplayed the obnoxious American and the British characters were quite stereotypical as well (although I loved seeing that actress from Rome as the female detective!) and of course the Angela/Hodgins break-up is beyond lame. So this was definitely not a great start to the season but I still have hopes that Bones can recover and get back to its s1/s2 goodness.

[sherrilina]

Well I know I'm really late with this one, but I was also really late in watching it, and then I've been pretty busy.....I wanted to post this on LJ, but since LJ isn't accepting freaking cuts at the moment, you guys will get it first!

Instead of writing a strict review, I found it easier to just write my reactions to the show as they came, in a running commentary thing, though I have a summary at the end. Overall I liked it, even though it obviously did have weaknesses!

Spoiler:

Ugh, so much for my fanwanking that 3x15 was all a dream…..

Lol @ Booth and “Hey Booth!”

“Hey Bones, they're like the English version of you and me!” ROFL, oh Booth.....

Wexler is kind of sexy….but lame as a jealousy device dammit! (This reminds me though of that one Seinfeld epp a little…)

Ah, new opening credits! But…..they’re missing Zack! *is still in denial*

Ugh, Clark you’re okay, but….no. You cannot replace Zackaroni—YOU should have been Gormagon’s assistant! (I wonder if they’ll try to do a romance b/t him and Cam though?)

“British slime is so much more proper than American slime.” Ah Hodgins, always consistently funny!

OMG IT’S ANGELA’S HUSBAND!!! AT LAST!

“That’s what we do!” (said in unison) Awwwww…..

I’m sorry, but I think that Hodgins is MUCH hotter than Birambau or whatever! *hugs Hodgins*

Oooh, Tudor reference! *perks up*

Surely Brennan would be sufficiently intelligent to know that there is NO real evidence that Henry VIII had syphillis—that pretty much all modern historians have discounted this old theory, and that it certainly isn’t a fact enough to claim that they actually had big armor cups b/c of it! *massive eyeroll* I’m officially pissed off at the writers even MORE for their failure to do proper research, or their willingness to sacrifice accuracy in such a big way just to make a lame joke. Brennan is supposed to be intelligent, so saying total falsities like this as if they were the usual facts doesn’t suit her….

Now I know how Alison feels when there’s bad science on the show….

Umm…..I’m sill a little confused about the whole reflection thing.

Aww, you go Hodgins!

“You think I’m special?” “Of course I think you’re special!” Awwwwwww….so far so better than last season!

OMG TMNT!!! *rolls with laughter* I loved those guys when I was little—I want a Turtle Party Wagon now…..*ten points to Sweets for mentioning TMNT*

Awwww, yay for Hodgela finally being able to marry! That only took over two seasons….

Lol, “big doings”! And is anyone else feeling some VM vibes, what with a son dating his half-sister?

Nice one Booth!

I’m guessing it was the BUTLER! (Have been for a while)

OMG it WAS the Butler! I called it! Or at least, for now….I suspect it couldn’t have really been him, given how readily he admitted to it, and given there’s still a whole new hour left….

Aww, more great B/B!

Heh, look behind you Booth!

Awww, Booth and his adorable Bobblehead….

Ah, nice to see Cam finally getting some…..I wonder if they’ll try to make a new love triangle with Cam and Angela and him?

Oh noes don’t tell me Dr. Hot Wexler is dead! If so I certainly didn’t see that one coming….

Clark is boring and annoying and now fun….

I’m betting that Sarah Pritchard did it.

Heh, Sweets…. “Can I touch the brain as a reward?” “Oooh, squishy!”

“But she gave you a gun and everything!” ROFL!

Dude, Frampton is the kind of asinine dumbass who is the reason there’s so much build-up around such historical London sites as the Tower of London now! What an idiot…..and seriously, ugly extra buildings where they don’t belong do NOT improve a city, and wanting to preserve historical buildings doesn’t mean we want to live back then, jeesh….*massive eyeroll *

Oh Hodgins! ‘I apologize for being cranky, which is like my basic personality, so it feels stupid to apologize…” Rofl…

ARE YOU EFFING KIDDING ME?!?! Are you seriously going to break up Hodgela now when they finally can marry? Ugh, give me a break! This better be temporary….

Okay, didn’t see that one coming….

Lol, Brennan’s answering machine message is second only to Logan’s….

“I heard you had broken up with the small, angry man.” rofl! Though sad….

Yay for annoying!Clark leaving. They should have realized earlier he just doesn’t have chemistry with anyone on the show….

Aww, so cute at the end! (And sorry Booth, but that fake accent did sound Australian!)

Well overall an enjoyable epp (or epps I guess)—definitely better than the disaster that was the last epp. Lots of good B/B moments in particular. Some hope in the series has been restored, though some has been taken away as well after what happened to Hodgela. And I still say the show isn’t the same without Zackaroni!

Also points off for the definitely weak resolution of the first mystery, and for the egregious and cringe-worthy bad history!moment--I still want to slap the Bones writers for that one.....

3.5/5 (for both combined)

Anyway...yeah, I'm over Clark. I want to see what other interns or whatever they have rolling in.

Yeah, I was over Clark back in episode 1 of season 3 when he was first introduced--I've NEVER liked him, and am glad to see him go, though I don't know if I want a whole train of interns--hasn't Fox learned from House that people loose interest in a show that suddenly has lots of new characters?!

Um....and the Angela/Hodgins stuff? oooookkkayy, whatever you say Bones writers. Lamest breakup ever. I mean, what was that? Who breaks up after a long relationship for that?! Obviously, the whole scenario was meant to be more dramatic or something. BUt ti just didn't translate. I kinda feel like the writers just wanted to break them up....kind of like they just wanted the whole Gormogon mess to be an inside job. For convenience's sake.

Yeah, I don't know what the Bones writers are smoking/thinking these days.....*shakes head*

(btw, Jenni, I chose Pritch as the murderer in the second half I was wrong! ) However, the last scene with them walking off together! That was great. So....

Yeah, I did too....but I definitely guessed the Butler, from the time he first appeared--but I didn't expect for him to just confess (with NO motive!) and give in easily, with everyone accepting it right as rain..... I think that's a much lamer resolution than in the second mystery.....and shows a lack of creativity on the writer's part, that they couldn't extend the mystery into two hours!

Another point that I saw somewhere else is that Booth was not just annoying, he was also the ass from America this episode. And I agree, Booth was terrible. How old is the guy? He comes to England and all he does is actig like a bratty American 12 years old. I miss the Booth from the first two seasons, he became judgemental, blunt and dumb.

Well said!

Yeah, the break-up was so contrived it was unbelievable. Like you can never be jealous or possessive in a relationship without it meaning you don't trust your partner. That's preposterous. It's like the writers just decided they didn't want a happy couple so they made up some very poorly constructed reason to break them up.

Exactly! Very unbelievable and contrived.....but the classic "there can't be a happy couple on tv, we must add forced drama!" aspect you see so often--which you see with B/B too to some extent, in their refusal to let them get together (which has led them to become ever more forced in their moments). It's very stupid, and shows they're running out of writing ideas.....I hope it doesn't last!

Well, I've seen a ton of fan disappointment with the show, starting even before the finale. And I get it. It's justified. But I don't take the show too seriously. I like it and it's fun and enjoyable. DB is so awesome on this show and I was never really a fan of him, even on Angel. And I love the usually witty and funny banter between him and Brennan. It's really what the show is for me. So, I get it. But I am not worried. It's still fun enough for me.

Well see, IMO the "usually witty and funny banter" b/t B/B was NOT that witty and funny in season 3, but more like forced and extremely lame and cheesy--so even if that was all I liked about the show, I'd be disappointed (as it is it is a major part, and one of my major complaints about the season).

I think that either they got new writers who don't know the characters well enough since season 2, or they just forgot how to write them after season 2--because things have not been quite the same since then, for the most part, with a few exceptions. Booth's crossing the line in acting like a dumb American jackass (this is supposed to be a special FBI agent and he's acting like this? Give me a break....) or wearing that beer hat last season are examples of the bastardization of Booth's character at the hands of the writers lately.....and between the wanton and needless destruction of Zack's character last season, and the wanton and almost equally ridiculous destruction of Hodgela in the premiere, I don't think the Bones writers can be trusted to provide quality storylines for their characters anymore.....