The Memories in the Shallow Grave

Hi Bones Booth Pod!

This episode always makes me a little nostalgic, because it was the first one I saw live after joining the fandom earlier that year. I think it does a good job of transitioning the show into the start of its second half, (the half where Booth and Brennan are finally together).

I know that not everyone agrees with this, but I actually really like that the show jumps ahead a few months after the events of the season 6 finale. I often hear the complaint from some that after 6 seasons of waiting, we "skipped" getting to see the early stages of Booth and Brennan's relationship. No we didn't. We saw 6 seasons of them slowly falling in love with each other. This season opens to them making breakfast in their kitchen, kissing each other, and later in the episode saying their first on screen "I love you's". As far as I am concerned, we didn't miss anything.

I also appreciate that we get to see the growing pains in their relationship as they navigate what finally being a couple actually looks like. Real couples have disagreements. Real couples sometimes struggle to effectively communicate. Just because they love each other, doesn't mean their relationship is going to be without conflict. After several seasons of watching them dance around their feelings for each other, it's nice to see them settle into the next phase of their relationship, even if that includes watching them argue about where they want to live as a family.

The case itself is pretty standard for "Bones". Nothing too exciting, but I also don't think that it needs to be. The episode largely focuses on Booth and Brennan's relationship, and that is where the focus should be. It is nice to also see Wendell again and to see Hodgins and Angela interact with their baby. Overall, a solid start to the season.