Review: Bones, Season 6, Ep 20 "The Pinocchio in the Planter"

Airdate: Thursday, April 28, 2011 9/8c

Rating ★★★★★

Is it just me or is Booth (David Boreanaz) a bit more cocky, even more short-tempered than normal? Why is he questioning Hodgins’ (TJ Thyne) presence at the crime scene? I mean, Hodgins is the bug and dirt guy, so why wouldn’t he be there? Yes, he’s not always there on every case, but I just didn’t like how Booth questioned his being there – he was being slightly rude.

Review: Bones, Season 6, Ep 20 "The Pinocchio in the Planter" 1

Hodgins (TJ Thyne, L) finds hookworms and Brennan (Emily Deschanel, R) explains to Booth (David Boreanz, center) a little too cheerfully I might add, about anal sphincters and defecation

While I enjoyed “The Pinocchio in the Planter,” I wasn’t amazed by it. The theme of the episode was “radical honesty” and how being honest is freeing, emotionally-speaking, that is. But, a wealthy award-winning advertising executive, Ross Dickson, may have been too honest. When his remains are found at a local community center, we learn he joined a group, the “Honesty Policy.” Seems being honest landed Ross on a few “hit lists,” literally. His face has been broken four times in one year. Ouch! His former employer, Nicole Francuzzi (Terri Hoyos) even took a slug at him.

The “Honesty Policy” group is lead by a lawyer, Burt Iverson (Eyal Podell). Of all people to lead an honesty group, a lawyer wouldn’t be my first choice. “Check your lies at the door.” Cheesy. How convenient their group meetings are held at the same community center where Ross’ remains are found. But before any questions will be answered, Booth has to reveal a truth about himself that no one knows. “Sometimes when I don’t have any clean underwear, I go commando.” Wow. TMI, Booth. Not that I’m complaining, but of all truths to reveal, I wonder why he chose that one.

Brennan (Emily Deschanel) thinks the world would be better if everyone were truthful. But I agree with Wendell (Michael Grant Terry) when he tells her she can be “abrasive.” Speaking the truth in some situations is necessary but as Sweets (John Francis Daley) points out, it’s the “little white lies” that display our compassion in sparing someone’s feelings with abrupt truths. Brennan was surprised to find out Booth hasn’t always been truthful with her.

Bones: “Do you lie to me?”

Booth: (hesitates) “No, Bones, I don’t.”

Sweets: “I would argue you’re doing it right now.”

Review: Bones, Season 6, Ep 20 "The Pinocchio in the Planter" 2

Booth (David Boreanaz, L) and Brennan (Emily Deschanel, R) questioning a suspect, Dorothy Emridge (not shown) about her affair with the victim.

While Angela (Michaela Conlin) has coffee with Sweets, she gets a call from hubby Hodgins, but instead of answering it or letting it ring through to voice mail, she does a “pre-complete ring off,” which leaves Hodgins confused. Angela has concerns about their unborn child’s potential for having “leber congenital amaurosis” and feels Hodgins is over compensating by smothering her with attention. This is where honesty is needed.

Review: Bones, Season 6, Ep 20 "The Pinocchio in the Planter" 3

Hodgins (TJ Thyne, L) and Angela (Michaela Conlin) discover the source of the titanium found in the victim’s remains – the paint on the new monkey bars.

Wendell tells Hodgins using words like “couth” makes him seem even stranger than usual. So Hodgins fires back with a little honesty, “When you were dating Angela, I once planned your murder in great detail.” This is where the little white lie would have been better.

The slew of suspects range from the questionable lawyer; the victim’s son Jonah (Steven Crowley); the former employer, a woman, Dorothy Emridge, with whom he’s been having an affair; and a clown – a creepy guy named Toby (Andy Milder) (shudders). Like Booth, I do not like clowns and as soon as I saw this guy, I pegged him as the killer – just because. Unfortunately, he’s just a d’bag with a warrant out on him for assault.

What I love about Bones are the various elements of detecting clues and unveiling the anatomy of the remains that highlight everyone’s unique abilities and contributions to solving the cases each week. I will say I’m a little disappointed that Angela has become more ‘techy’ rather than artsy. She’s brilliant, don’t get me wrong, but I used to love how she would reconstruct the victims’ faces using the skull and a few details about each person.

Tune into Bones, Thursdays at 9/8c only on Fox.

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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.