The End in the Beginning

There is so much here it's hard to evaluate it. Since it is a dream, it doesn't fit into the Bones saga. The fun is in the characterization, using every element of the Bones menagerie and placing them in a police drama which takes place in a night club. Some of the characters have similar personalities; others are exaggerated. Still others maintain their original being. All this happens as Booth is undergoing brain surgery after agreeing to be the father of Brennan's baby. The cool thing is that everyone plays it straight. There is no effort to just do it for laughs. If someone were to chance on this episode without knowing the series, it would work pretty well.

One of the hallmarks of a great series is the ability to step back (or forward) and demonstrate a sense of humor about itself. Not that there isn't some dark humor in Bones (after all, if nothing else Shakespeare made that a must to disrupt tragedy/drama). In this episode every character slips neatly into an alter ego that matches their regular series character as slick as slick can be. This is a ride. You don't take an amusement park ride seriously, you just enjoy it for what it is: an escape from the daily grind. This episode is a fun house. The mirror distortions are just enough to make you smile; but if you are a regular viewer you know just as you get to the end you will find yourself once again in the "real" world of the series. And that is just what happens here. And who doesn't like Iceland?

Brennan and Booth are a happily married couple who own a swanky nightclub that looks suspiciously like the Jeffersonian lab. A body is discovered on the premises, and Booth falls under suspicion. Saroyan and Booth's brother are the investigating detectives. Various employees, including Sweets the bartender, Mr. Nigel Murray the entertainment director, Jared the chef and Zack (yes, Zack), who does something or other at the club, all lie to protect Booth. That's because they all think he's guilty, including Angela, the club's hostess. Brennan, of course, knows better and it is us up to B&B to solve the case. Hodgins, interestingly, is a best-selling crime writer who hangs out at the club and narrates this story. And Brennan's dad is a crooked councilman who is of little help, since they never paid him off. Maybe the slyest character nod is having the one black intern who was the most conservative and quiet among the interns show up as a flashy, bad-ass rapper/impresario/gangsta. Now, we all know Booth went in for brain surgery in the previous episode after having crossed paths with Stewie of FAMILY GUY. So could this be Booth dreaming while under anesthesia? Just wait for the denouement. It will knock your socks off, and maybe have you shedding a tear or two. The episode goes on a little long, but it is devilishly clever. And we get to see B&B in a tight, naked, sweaty embrace in their boudoir. Like House getting it on with Cuddy, it was a long time in the making.

This is easily in my top 5 episodes of Bones. I know some people aren't super huge fans of the whole 'Booth's coma' thing, but it's so fun! Zack makes a cameo, Bones and Booth are technically together, Sweets sings in a fedora, and Wendell is an overly loyal bouncer (insert heart eyes here). It's nice to see everyones faces on screen under different circumstances.

Alternate reality, all the Jeffersonian favs, funny throwbacks and nicknames. And how about Sweet's voice? And Clark - who knew!? And who doesn't love to see booth and bones together!!?