Though the theme of this episode, which involves the main characters being buried alive has become pretty common ( mainly since Tarantino's Kill Bill movies and his two CSI episodes,) here it is well executed and fits into the series really well.
Temperance and Booth discover two corpses left by the mysterious "Gravedigger", a villain that buries his victims alive asking for ransom within a time limit. He also abducts Temperance and buries her alive along with Hodges. While the most obvious couple of characters buried alive in a car would be Temperance and Booth the episode works because it takes advantage of their confessions to each other throwing light to both Booth/Brennan and Hodges/Angela's relationships (especially to the latter which has been on the spotlight throughout the season) The episode, in general, throws some more light into it's "secondary" characters and the ways they are connected making them appear more than just a few "squints" (to quote Agent Booth's characterization).
We also see, for the first time, the spiritual side of Temperance and what she thinks about God. Her skepticism serves the episode well in terms of dialog and gives depth to her character.
Trapping the main characters into a car deep underground doesn't lead the series out of the fields of science. As Temperance and Hodgins are trapped inside the car they try to find ways to survive, including how to cope with Hodgin's wounds (he was hit by "Gravedigger's" car) and how to communicate with the outside world etc. Thus though with time the agony elevates, the series does not enter the field of "scare tactics" and maintains its focus. As for the ending it showcases the slow changes in Temperance's psyche and brings her a bit closer to Agent Booth. A crime novelist that follows "Gravedigger's" path is also shown here (played by "shield's" Benito Martinez) but his character is not analyzed thoroughly (but that's way to much to expect from a 40 minutes episode and the ending definitely leaves space for him to appear in the future?).
In all one of the best episodes of the second, much improved series, which demonstrates its true quality in characters and script writing. Another proof why a good forensic show can be effective and satisfying in many levels.
Temperance and Booth discover two corpses left by the mysterious "Gravedigger", a villain that buries his victims alive asking for ransom within a time limit. He also abducts Temperance and buries her alive along with Hodges. While the most obvious couple of characters buried alive in a car would be Temperance and Booth the episode works because it takes advantage of their confessions to each other throwing light to both Booth/Brennan and Hodges/Angela's relationships (especially to the latter which has been on the spotlight throughout the season) The episode, in general, throws some more light into it's "secondary" characters and the ways they are connected making them appear more than just a few "squints" (to quote Agent Booth's characterization).
We also see, for the first time, the spiritual side of Temperance and what she thinks about God. Her skepticism serves the episode well in terms of dialog and gives depth to her character.
Trapping the main characters into a car deep underground doesn't lead the series out of the fields of science. As Temperance and Hodgins are trapped inside the car they try to find ways to survive, including how to cope with Hodgin's wounds (he was hit by "Gravedigger's" car) and how to communicate with the outside world etc. Thus though with time the agony elevates, the series does not enter the field of "scare tactics" and maintains its focus. As for the ending it showcases the slow changes in Temperance's psyche and brings her a bit closer to Agent Booth. A crime novelist that follows "Gravedigger's" path is also shown here (played by "shield's" Benito Martinez) but his character is not analyzed thoroughly (but that's way to much to expect from a 40 minutes episode and the ending definitely leaves space for him to appear in the future?).
In all one of the best episodes of the second, much improved series, which demonstrates its true quality in characters and script writing. Another proof why a good forensic show can be effective and satisfying in many levels.
