What did you think of “Double Trouble in the Panhandle,” the first of the two episodes of Bones to air last week? It was certainly one of the riskiest episodes we’ve seen from our dynamic duo of Brennan and Booth. The risk? Their unadulterated glee at getting to go under cover as circus performers to catch the murderer of two conjoined twins.
The show completely threw itself into this assignment, from the elaborately painted trailer used in their disguise to the brilliant Russian costumes they don for their act. The episode was no-holds barred, from the phony accents to the knife-throwing itself.
So, what did you think? Was it too much? Was it slightly embarrassing to watch? Or was it brilliant and funny, thrilling in its very audacity? I really think that the show falls into one of the extremes. I don’t think there was a middle ground for this one.
I was actually torn, while I was watching, between these two extremes. Part of me wanted to be horrified … but, I wasn’t. I was charmed. I thought Brennan and Booth were both completely within character during this episode. The show has put them in enough situations for us to completely believe that they would love being under cover in the circus. And for us to completely believe that they could pull it off.
I think that both actors’ effusive enthusiasm in their characters really saved the show from being a failure. There was simply no other way to play it. I really believe that both Brennan and Bones are complete hams at heart. Brennan was having so much fun during the knife-throwing act that I never believed she was actually in danger. However, watching Booth fling knives at her nervously was still thrilling to watch.
What did you think? Did it work? Or did it fall on its face?
Clacked by Jen Creer
on Jan 26, 2009 @ 19:53 EST5EDT
I wasn’t loving it. I know it was meant to be adorable, fluffy and serve as total fan service, but it didn’t do it for me. In the past, I loved their Las Vegas undercover bit with street-smart Wanda & her boxing boyfriend. I even liked the Hockey ep, even though it seemed a bit of a vanity project. However, this one didn’t do it for me. Also, I thought Sweets suddenly coming from carny folk seemed a bit too convenient.
I felt that to make up for the long break the Bones producers/writers decided to give us these back to back fluff episodes. I only started re-watching Bones mid-Fall, as it returned to its ability to balance the fun and the relationships with the science and crime-solving, so if that doesn’t go away, I can deal with a couple random eps.
I enjoyed it, and thought it was pretty funny.
I enjoyed it ultimately, but I was annoyed with the silly set-up for them having to go undercover in the circus in the first place. They had to go undercover before the cause of death was even determined, really? Nonetheless, once they got into the show, it was cute.
Actually I like that episode and hated the one after it.
However anyone notice that none of the episodes are in any real order? What’s her name girlfriend was brought up, even through they have broken up and gotten together about 5 times this season. I would just like them to show episodes in order!
I enjoyed it for what it was. Nothing too taxing on the brain. There was a crapload of TV on that night, so it was a welcome respite.
I have to say I was completely taken aback by David’s utter lack of body hair. Kind of freaked me out for some reason. I guess if that’s all I took away from the episode, I won’t be watching it twice.
Enjoyed both episodes. Not the best or worst, but I had fun watching.
I really have moved away from liking Bones. It seems too intent on sexual innuendo and hamming and less interested in showing Brennan in the lab and the squints. The balance that made the show into an interesting play between science and intuition is gone.
my wife and I watched them in two separate viewings (as they were intended to be seen). The circus one was interesting enough, especially in that it ended up NOT being a murder. The fact that Brennan kept pushing the high wire was consistent with her character, but also pointed towards the solution.
but the second one, while having enjoyable parts, ended with a heck of a whimper. it will be important to the series overall in terms of Booth’s character, but the murder was solved way too quickly. I liked the female FBI agent (I recognized her from Boston Legal), but they let Booth be WAY too involved in a crime he was possibly involved with.
I loved the circus episode, a large part of which is because I am fascinated with the circus. But I also thought the choice of the knife act was a really great metaphor for the Booth and Bones relationship. A knife act is all about the tease, the threat of penetration, and that’s what makes it so amazing to watch — that tension. If Booth and Bones ever hook up, we’ll lose that tension, that tease, that keeps the show interesting.
I enjoyed the 2nd episode better than the circus one. They were not scheduled to be a double header but the presidential address moved the circus episode back 1 week. I thought it would’ve been interesting to see the 2 attempting to (actually sleep) together given the sexual tension. I am addicted to the show but I will definately be glad when they bring Zach back or pick a intern already. I do like the intern that was in the hockey episode. I think they could develop the character more and he could be the new little brother. Or he could cause a little trouble w/ Hodgins by seeing Angela and possibly even make Booth a little jealous w/ Brennan. I think it would fun to see Brennan date the younger guy and make Booth feel like maybe he has lost his young charm. :) Either way I love it.