Bones (TV Series) The Perfect Pieces in the Purple Pond (2008) User Reviews

What a surprise!

[lastliberal · 9/10 · 25 September 2008]

This was one fantastic episode that really had some fascinating stuff going on.

I really liked the theme of OCD and the various ways it was played.

I would have never guessed the ending. It was just too perfect.

The surprise return of a former cast member added immensely to the plot and made it even better.

The new intern just couldn't handle the pressure. I could imagine that it would be a bit much for anyone working in that office.

If they are going to have more shows like this one, I will be there religiously.

Loved it

[gobananas93 · 9/10 · 20 October 2008]

The Perfect Pieces in the Purple Pond is by far the best episode of Season four and possibly season three by far. I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the episode and didn't feel cheated or over-informed. The story line was fabulous, including a great amount of depth, explanation, and completeness. The character development was fabulous, and had just the right amount of development to seem very realistic, not just some made up fluffy crap or cold hard murder case. The surprises were the perfect amount as to not seem ridiculous, but to make sense and seem like real life. All in all, I really freaking love this episode and believe it made not only a great installment, but a great moving piece in the Bones series/season four.

Nasty and funny

[ctomvelu-1 · 8/10 · 7 December 2008]

A dissected body, minus head, is found in a waste water pool behind an old factory. It actually doesn't take long for the team to figure out who he was, but without the head, they are at a loss to figure out how he died. Turns out the stiff belonged to an author suffering from OCD, which ultimately figures into why he was killed. A fly and the number 12 lead to the solution. Meanwhile, the latest intern has trouble coping with the zany crew. A funny subplot has Booth suffering from back trouble, which Brennan keeps offering to alleviate. The opening revelation of the body is a bit gruesome. It also involves someone performing a certain bodily function that would have been unthinkable on TV a few years ago. Not for the faint of heart or the more delicate among us.

Jail break

[mitchrmp · 8/10 · 23 July 2016]

This episode is about a young OCD man who's body was cut into 12...er...13 pieces and tossed in a pool of water. The team works hard to figure out who did this. The answer is really very shocking. It takes a special person to find out the truth.

Zack appears in this episode (and one more after this at the end of the season). Jack helps Zack by asking him to look over the evidence and see if he can figure anything out. Booth is not happy to see Zack. I suspect Booth is still mad that he broke Brennan's heart, but that's just what I suspect...Whatever the case, he makes a big confession that could change his life, but he swears Sweets to keep it secret. Sweets, as far as I know, took it to the grave with him.

Booth is on a protective kick for Dr. Brennan (which could be another reason he was so rude to Zack). He jumps in to defend her several times, and she puts him in his place quite well. At the end, they help each other out - it was sweet.

Hey Bones Booth Pod!

[queen_of_drama-34586 · 10/10 · 9 March 2022]

Yay love that it's purple my favorite color. It is awesome to see Zack again even if he did use poor Sweets. Love me some Wendell Bray. I feel bad for Hodgins he's really going through it. Ofcourse she's wicked literal Sweets. As someone who's father married someone 10 years younger than me I agree with David Sutton just creepy. So happy to see Zack back in the lab but it's crazy the Jeffersonian is still running with the lack of security. Lol Zack promised not to kill Sweets. WHATS IN THE BOX?!!!

Poor Wendell

[vampthropologist · 10/10 · 10 March 2022]

Hey Bones Booth gang!

Big fan of this episode. I had completely forgotten how much I loved it until I rewatched it and was reminded of how great it is.

I loved seeing Hodgins visit Zack, I missed their rapport, despite it being slightly tainted by the fact that, you know, Zack's in the "Looney Bin".

Another new intern! I love Wendell a lot, he's definitely one of the more 'human' interns so to speak, which is probably why he, in future episodes, gets along with Booth so well.

I enjoyed Cam and Hodgins' scenes together this episode. Hodgins still seems to be dealing with the loss of both Angela and Zack quite poorly and Cam is a decent balance of firm and understanding when he starts taking his frustration out on her.

The secondhand embarrassment I felt during the whole Wendell/Brennan/Angela side plot was immense. Such a silly misunderstanding which adds to the already overwhelming evidence that Bones is a comedy.

Lots of B&B car scenes this episode (with Brennan driving, yay!!). There were even two back to back, discussing Zack, one of which I remember vaguely and another I don't at all. Maybe it's because I'm watching it using the box set, who knows.

Random side note about the coffee cart guy, usually I'm really good at recognising people from other shows who show up in as random guest stars in procedurals eg Bones, Criminal Minds, etc. But only now on my zillionth rewatch of the show have I realised that he plays Samir, Linus' dad, in Stitchers. Completely irrelevant but I felt the need to purge that information from my brain

Zack confessing that he didn't actually kill the lobbyist was a great addition to the episode. Even though no one but the audience and Sweets know that, it helped make Zack's departure a little less tense and made it so we don't have to feel guilty that we still love him as a character.

Overall, I really loved this one. The case was interesting without being too convoluted and the character plot(s) were also really well done. 10/10

-

------ SEASON 11/12 SPOILERS------

It's really fascinating that a lot of what's in this episode contributes to the reveal of Zack's return in season 11 as well as the proper conclusion of the Gormogon storyline in season 12.

Zack telling Sweets he didn't actually kill anyone and that the actual murderer of the lobbyist was killed by 'The Master', even Wendell and the cigarette behind his ear. So good.

Why is Wendall fictional

[maddiestoerp · 9/10 · 22 March 2022]

I love this episode. The way Hodgins is a complete mess and is still grappling with the way his life has turned upside down makes him seem so human. And despite everything with Zack, everyone celebrating seeing him again feels so realistic. The Jeffersonian's love for Zack didn't burn out, and they certainly didn't forget him. This episode is so layered with emotions and a pretty interesting case.

We also meet Wendell, the best Squintern, who makes my incredibly irritated that the men his age I see at school are the type of men who think that Impractical Jokers is peak comedy.

Zach Is Back/Sort Of

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 28 January 2023]

I really liked this one. A young writer, beset with OCD, is found dismembered in a pool. His head is missing. He is quite the conventional nerd, which Booth makes fun of (he has no compassion for anyone not in his predetermined realm). There are some touching scenes where Sweets and Hodgins visit Zach. This leads to Zach illegally leaving the institution for a time and assisting the gang. There is a new guy in the lab and he is having trouble figuring out the dynamics of the crew (especially their individually connections). The author, basically a kid, is having an affair with a middle aged woman and Bones, in her wide eyed innocence asks the new guy if he could be involved with an older woman. Well, imagine what the guy thinks. The rest of the episode has really good plotting an direction.

Loved it!

[adrianhosendove · 8/10 · 6 November 2021]

I thought this was a very solid episode of Bones. The dynamics between characters were great as always and introducing new characters as well as reintroducing old characters was nice to see. Can't wait to watch more.

Angela steals the show.

[absoluteparties · 9/10 · 28 December 2021]

Hi, Bones Booth Podcast.

English Jan here.

As a teacher/writer and all-around English language lover, I have to confess a deep and heartfelt joy at the scene between Dr Sweets and Zack in the mental hospital where Sweets describes crap as drivel, blarney, nonsense, balderdash, twaddle, bull, bunkum, hoowee. It pleases me no end to see the richness of the language used in this way (But maybe that's just me.)

I also like how Booth is protective of Bones when he believes the FBI tech is being snippy with her. Bones returns the favour in kind when she notices that Booths back is sore. I enjoy this tit for tat rapport between them, highlighting the growing relationship between them.

I like how Angela takes Wendel under her wing in the forensic platform by telling him that they both need to talk. Angela is the star of this episode stealing all the scenes she is in.

The scene in the victim's bedroom with Sweets, Bones and Booth makes me laugh every time. The Psycho-sexual proxy bit where Bones asks Booth if all men keep their Mastubry aids in their shoes. I would have thought that by the age Bones is supposed to be that she would have found this information out for herself by now, but hey, let's just roll with it.

The love and friendship that Zack and Hodgins have for each other shown in the loony bin scene between them are very touching.

The scene between Wendle and Angela is excellently written, where he comes to her asking for advice, and she tries to put him at ease.

The most toe-curling scene comes next in the interrogation room. Booth once again steps in protecting Bones against the publisher guy. Please, Bones could best that man with one arm tied behind her back; he is of no threat to her. Yet she turns to Booth for confirmation. This is not the fisty anthropologist of earlier seasons who kicked ass first and asked questions later.

One goof that gets me is that Bones didn't consider that the phenolPhthalein might react to something other than blood in a garden centre. It's very odd, especially after discovering that they use coffee grounds and sea kelp as fertilizer.

The heartbreaking scene at the diner is when the Jeffersonian gang are all sat laughing and joking with Zack until he stands up and says, time to go-excellently acted by all.

As is typical for the Bones writers, they saved the best till last. The scene in Bone's office between the lady in question and Booth. Sexy scientist and Sexy FBI agent - priceless. Then as if this wasn't enough to make us smile, Booth goes on to quote Bone's book reviews to her. Be still my heart.