Bones frees "The Patriot in Purgatory"

This week's installment of FOX's Bones is one of the best stand-alone episodes the series has ever made. I do not say this lightly, as despite it's procedural format, I highly enjoy the show most weeks. It may be the only procedural I hold in such esteem. The credit goes to a truly fantastic ensemble cast, and the quirkiness of the various characters. In "The Patriot in Purgatory," these people are taken to new levels of emotion.

The hour begins with Dr. Brennan (Emily Deschanel) bringing together her five best interns so that she can try out some coaching skills she learned from reading Phil Jackson's book. Yes, Brennan is finally into some small aspects of pop culture, most likely thanks to her ever-deepening relationship with Booth (David Boreanaz). She assigns these five to examine old bones with new technology in the hopes of identifying many remains that have never been named.

At first, the squad humorously argues and gets competitive, each trying to outdo the other ones. This is to be expected, as Brennan has, until now, created a fiercely competitive environment. Each jockeys for Brennan's favor, and tries to prove they are better than the others. Had this been the way the rest of the episode played out, it still would have been good, because seeing these personalities clash is entertaining.

Yet, "The Patriot in Purgatory" soon deepens when Vaziri (Pej Vahdat) becomes obsessed with a homeless man. Taking the ignored case to heart, as the police clearly didn't do a thorough investigation the first time around, Vaziri becomes obsessed with figuring out who this man is, even if he neglects the other bodies in the process.

It isn't long before his fellow interns are also drawn in by the mystery. Wendell (Michael Grant Terry), Clark (Eugene Byrd), Finn (Luke Kleintank), and even, eventually, Fisher (Joel David Moore) each lend their strengths, which differ from person to person, to the case. Only together, can they solve the puzzle. This is not only a display of what a great team the Jeffersonian has, and more proof that Brennan picks the right interns, but also an inspiring tale about a quest for justice.

Before long, the guys decide that their bones belong to a man who died shortly after 9/11 due to injuries suffered on that fateful day. Not only that, he is a soldier. This quickly draws Booth into the mix, becoming just as determined to solve the case as the squinterns, and everyone else helps, too. Thankfully, this time murder isn't involved, but there is a huge disservice being done to a guy who should be a national hero, and Booth will not rest until the truth comes out, and the body is honorably buried.

"The Patriot in Purgatory" is a holiday episode. Not many shows tackle a Veteran's Day theme, but Bones shows that an inspiring tale can be told at this time of year. It took such a series, with a character like Booth, who is devoted to the military, to do it right. While not based on anyone that actually lived, at least, not that I know of, it is a spotlight on the sad tragedy of what happens to many soldiers who return from war, and the neglected heroes living among us.

This also provides an opportunity for each of the squinterns to share their 9/11 story. Wendell's, in particular is sad, but Vaziri also gets to give voice to many an American Muslim who suffered on that day because of the actions of extremists. He reminds us that we should not hate the religion, which isn't really to blame, but the people who take it and twist it into something ugly. Christian history has plenty of similar examples. Let's not forget that.

In the end, tears flow, and viewers are left feeling deeply moved. There is some serious drama and character development here, all perfectly executed. This is why "The Patriot in Purgatory" deserves to be watched and remembered. And maybe, like the best of Christmas-themed specials, dusted off every few years to be rewatched and enjoyed again on the holiday it celebrates.

Bones airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my website, JeromeWetzel.com! First posted on TheTVKing

The "Secrets" come out on Wilfred

The season finale of FX's Wilfred has many big events. Jenna (Fiona Gubelmann) and Drew (Chris Klein) get married. Ryan (Elijah Wood) is accused of being a mole within his former company, and selling trade secrets. Amanda (Allison Mack) is exposed as being completely insane. And Wilfred (Jason Gann) finds himself in a drawing that Ryan made as a child.

The last is the secret with the biggest impact, at least as big a finale as last year's disappearing basement. The implications of such a find, a drawing Ryan doesn't even remember making, but finds proof that he did, as well as the age of it, are enormous. Was there a Wilfred before this Wilfred? Is Wilfred an imaginary friend of Ryan's from childhood that has re-emerged and is projected onto the neighbor's dog? Or is Ryan completely insane?

Wilfred has always danced around the idea of insanity, without fully committing to it. Ryan's mother (Mary Steenburgen) is most definitely mentally unstable, as we've seen during visits to her hospital. Ryan hallucinates, too, as viewers witnessed in season's two "preview" episode. Does "Secrets" reveal once and for all that Ryan is on the same path that his mother took? Is there no hope for him?

Amanda appears a way out for Ryan. Someone who can make him happy, and maybe even negate the need for the man in a dog suit that Ryan sees as Wilfred. But when we learn she is off her rocker, there's kind of an "Oh, right" about it, seeing how Ryan could be drawn to someone like him, albeit a bit more of a criminal. Plus, if one stops and thinks, the signs about her mental state were present right from her very first appearance.

It's not like the others around Ryan are perfect. Jenna admits to using him, knowing of his feelings for her, but stringing him along to help her out. Kristen (Dorian Brown) shoves her child off on James (Eugene Byrd), the guy that comes to accuse Ryan of embezzling. These are not the actions of the best people. Perhaps if Ryan could break away from this group, he might stand a better chance of healing.

Jenna was always a possible way for Ryan to lead a "normal" life, but "Secrets" burns that bridge, or at least soaks it in kerosene, when she marries Drew. Now she is no longer an option for Ryan. Would she have even accepted the real Ryan, anyway, or been able to help him? Who knows, but it's quite surprising that the writers take the character out of play as a love interest. At least for now.

How interesting would an arc be where Ryan spends several months living with his mother in the hospital? Not only would we get more of Steenburgen, always a treat, but progress could be made on Ryan's condition, and there would be invaluable insights into his psyche as he is treated. Maybe Amanda could be there, too. This story doesn't have to ditch the titular dog, but rather, allow Ryan to better understand why he sees Wilfred, and of what value that might be.

Who knows what direction Wilfred will take if it gets a third season? This oddball dramedy is full of surprises, and could end up being about anything. Given the brilliant acting and the completely original writing, I hope we get the chance to find out.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my website, JeromeWetzel.com! First posted on TheTVKing

Bones is the future and the past

Grade: 94%

BONES is back! Not just the series, which returns to FOX this week, but also the character affectionately nicknamed Bones by her partner, Dr. Temperance Brennan (Emily Deschanel).

The eighth season premiere, “The Future in the Past,” begins months after last spring’s finale. Brennan is still on the run with her baby, Christine, and father, Max (Ryan O’Neal), and she has been replaced at the Jeffersonian. But she hasn’t just been hiding. Instead, she has found one of Pelant’s (Andrew Leeds) early victims. She leaves clues for her old gang to find, and works discretely to help them in the goal of clearing her name and taking down a true monster.

As sad as it is to see Brennan’s office redecorated, it’s cool that one of her own interns, Clark (Eugene Byrd), gets the promotion. Sure, there is some push back by the rest of the staff, who don’t want to adopt his binder system. But at least he’s one of their own. It could have been some selfish outsider who wants to do things their own way, and would resist giving up the job if Brennan re-emerges. This would have been predictable and boring. With Clark, he takes his more experienced co-workers’ flack with grace, and works diligently to help Brennan, even if that means losing his prime spot. I’m not sure every squintern could have done as well in this situation.

Everyone on the team helps in their own way. The one who is the most fun to watch this week is Cam (Tamara Taylor). As the boss, she can’t act as openly in Brennan’s interests as everyone else. That doesn’t mean that she is an obstacle, though. She gets out of their way, even when she knows they are blatantly going against the rules and the law, and even stirs up a bit of mischief when she thinks she can get away with it. She’s really come a long way since joining the cast, and this attitude cements her as a humorous and important character.

These two character shifts, more than anything else, change the dynamics in the group. With Brennan in command, everyone is focused on a specific goal, and while they have quite a bit of freedom, their activities are pretty structured. Since Brennan is gone, Cam can’t lay the hammer down, and Clark has no desire to make friends into enemies, there is a wildness in this episode not usually present in the series. Characters keep secrets from one another in order to protect everyone, but it also strains relationships as loyalty and trust are tested. It’s a great, solid way to build a story, and it keeps things interesting eight seasons in. Better yet, we finally get to see just how smart and capable these people are individually!

It’s too bad as it’s not going to last. I won’t spoil the ending of the episode by revealing if Brennan’s name is cleared yet, or if things return to normal. But as a formulaic procedural, every fan knows that this is exactly what will happen, sooner rather than later. BONES is allowed to stray a bit from the weekly structure because its long tenure and high ratings have earned it the right to do something bold every once in awhile. But it refuses to change the foundation of the series because that could drive away long-time viewers, so status quo will be restored.

That being said, it’s still entertaining to explore various changes. Booth (David Boreanaz) is not only is missing his family, he’s been demoted. Flynn (Reed Diamond) is an intriguing new element, taking Booth’s spot, and proves to be a person whose motivations are hard to pinpoint. Ms. Julian (Patricia Belcher) is still suspended, which might make her a tad grumpier than usual. Angela (Michaela Conlin) is more determined than we’ve probably ever seen her. All of these things add up to make “The Future in the Past” special.

In “The Future in the Past,” we discover something very shocking about Hodgins (T.J. Thyne). Hodgins is many things, but a dangerous or violent man is not one of them. How much can a person take before being pushed to their breaking point? What is a good man capable of when people he cares about are threatened? This episode not only opens the door on a fresh side of the character, but also asks some tough questions, and exposes who Hodgins is at his core.

Another plot point of note is when Booth needs someone he can trust to offer protection when he can’t, he calls Sweets (John Francis Daley). The mind doctor has often lived up to his last name, and the relationship he has built with Booth is touching. The season premiere really tosses that in a different light, stripping away the goofiness and the ribbing to reveal what Booth really thinks of Sweets. Moments like these define a series, and this is merely one example of the strong emotions that bond the entire central cast.

Also, it must be said that BONES picks fantastic music! When a perfect song is needed for just the right moment, the series delivers, and this episode is no different.

All of this praise might make one think that the episode is perfect. It isn’t quite there, of course. The most glaringly obvious mistake is the wig that Emily Deschanel is forced to wear in this episode. Yes, it’s supposed to be hair dye, but it’s pretty obviously a fake, and an unattractive, poorly made one at that. Surely BONES could have spared a little budget to give its lead some decent hair?

Overall, BONES remains arguably the best procedural on television. The smart writing and brilliant ensemble raise it a notch above other case-of-the-week shows, and at times even put it up as a valid contender among those series that don’t stick to a formula. Eight seasons in, not only has the show lost nothing, it continues to grow better, adding more complicated situations, relationships, and villains. It won’t likely run for another eight seasons, but if it bows out anytime soon, it will do so at the top of its game, rather than just being put out of its misery.

BONES returns to FOX Monday at 8 p.m. ET.

Wilfred has "Avoidance" issues

This week, on FX's Wilfred, Ryan (Elijah Wood) encounters an old friend named James (Eugene Byrd, Bones) who betrayed him years ago. Ryan doesn't want to talk to James, but Wilfred (Jason Gann) thinks Ryan should really get James's side of the story. When Ryan doesn't seem receptive to this, Wilfred stages a situation to prove to Ryan that he's right. Things end all warm and happy, with friendships restored.

Maybe it's just me, but this episode, entitled "Avoidance," didn't feel special. The formula of Wilfred has now been established. Wilfred gives Ryan advice, Ryan dismisses the advice, Wilfred hounds him until he makes his point. Many times, bad things happen to Ryan en route, but it all ends up happy enough.

"Avoidance" also feels pedestrian, in that it takes the plot of a standard sitcom. Comedy of errors is not new, by any means, but done in such an obvious way keeps the story from feeling fresh, since so many other shows have done the same thing.

Where is the mystery of Wilfred in "Avoidance?" Where are the questions of morality, and the hints at what really might be going on? When do we question Ryan's sanity? These are the questions one watches Wilfred to see, and none of those even come up in this episode.

Admittedly, it is kind of interesting to learn a bit more about Ryan's past. We know he was a lawyer, and that he has issues with his father. Bringing James into the tale, adding another chapter of back story, gives some depth to the lead character. It would be good is James began recurring now, considering their relationship has supposedly been fixed. But sadly, I doubt that will happen.

Also, clearly Wilfred will have to bring Ryan's father on board soon, and all of this is just set up so that viewers will know who the man is when he finally shows up. In this, Wilfred actually deserves credit. Many series will just toss a new character in without warning or prior mention. Assuming I'm right and daddy will be coming, I like that Wilfred actually takes the time to prep for his arrival, so that it makes sense within the larger arcs.

The thing that saves "Avoidance" from being mundane are the dance numbers. Yes, they get a little bit silly, but they also look like fun. It's hard not to be caught up by Wilfred and Ryan's infectious enthusiasm for their new hobby. The montage is a bit like an '80s flick, but that's OK, too. And the entire thing gets the modern, Wilfred-esque twist when Wilfred jizzes on Ryan, another humorous happenstance.

One does have to wonder if some clever writer wanted the dance stuff in this episode simply because the word 'dance' can be seen in the word "Avoidance." Yes, the writers on this show do appear to be very clever, and while that's something a lot of people may have missed, once it's seen, it's pretty on the nose. A little too much so, for my taste. Without catching this, the dance bits would have been slightly more enjoyable.

Overall, Wilfred is still a serious worth watching. It's original enough most of the time, and there are parts that are sure to make you smile, if not laugh out loud. The actors totally commit to the ridiculous scenario, lending the entire thing credibility.

Wilfred airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on FX.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my new website, JeromeWetzel.com
Article first published on TheTVKing