Bones (TV Series) The Witch in the Wardrobe (2010) User Reviews

Alteration X 10

[ttapola · 8/10 · 25 December 2010]

"The circle is now complete." So, Kathy Reichs served as an inspiration for Bones (presumably both the character and the series - the credits sure don't make a distinction), and now she has actually written an episode! But - please note that she did not do it *alone*: staff writer Pat Charles is also credited, which is perfectly normal since the bonus material on several US TV series DVD/Blu-ray box sets seems to indicate that most TV shows have a Writers' Room, where scripts are changed based on whatever decisions result from collective discussion about the script. Gone are the days when J. Michael Straczynski wrote over a season's worth of consecutive episodes all by himself. Or when Quentin Tarantino left his distinctive mark on an episode of ER.

Whatever the creative contributions behind this episode, the fact remains that it is a great episode. Almost at the end of the *fifth* season, and Bones shows no signs of fatigue. The show delivers yet another bizarre murder case and builds around it an episode that is not only creative (can't spoil the twists!) but also heartfelt and full of quality funny moments. CSIs, eat your hearts out. William Petersen was right when he stated his dislike of Bruckheimer & co stretching the show into a full-blown franchise. Bones shares the same kind of magic dynamic between its two lead characters as The X Files (no hyphen!) did in its glory days. Remember when Anderson and Duchovny started to take time off, let alone when they were replaced? Thanks to the special status of Brennan, she cannot be replaced, and though Booth could be replaced *in theory*, only a fool would try to continue this show without Deschanel and Boreanaz. Supporting characters are pretty good too, especially Sweets - that joke about his age never gets old. Ha! I made a meta-joke of it!

It's almost become unnecessary to review an episode since they all seem to be at least a 7/10, but this is an 8/10 thanks to character development and great guest stars Kate Vernon (of BSG) and Wade Williams (of the "great in season 1 and 2, $#it in season 3 and 4" Prison Break). Now if Brennan only would start to believe and make us viewers happy...

Why is it so hard for people to do a little research?

[cinnamon-th55 · 7/10 · 4 June 2020]

I enjoyed most of the episode but the stuff about witches was so, so wrong. It would have been easy to do some research but it seems no one bothered. Guess they never heard of books or the internet. I know shows use subjects as a framework for their stories but bad info like that makes my eye twitch. And yes, I am a witch so I do know what I'm talking about.

A great episode, for fans of Kathy Reichs.

[the_curious_tongue · 9/10 · 13 May 2010]

This is an episode written by Kathy Reichs. Fans will know who she is, as she not only is the inspiration but the female scientist in Tempy's books also bares the same name, as homage. I don't read her books, as I already am working through many books and will start with her after all the Gemmell and Peter Morwind novels have been read. I have however read much about her, and she is basically a bloody genius! She is a certified forensic anthropologist. Dr. Reichs is one of only eighty-two forensic anthropologists ever certified by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology. I mean com'on! If she doesn't know a crime scene and the workings of the lab who does?!?

I am not gonna put any spoilers. This is just information.

The script is good, with good banter which is indicative of Bones.

The plot is very good, with some truly funny moments. Though it may not be the best ever episode is is interesting to see Dr Reichs' spin on the show. Which was a little different to normal.

My only problem is that like many other episodes, this is a stand-alone ep. Though there are moments that will have ripples into the next episode, there isn't a great enemy like other seasons. Maybe they need to do another Gorgonzola type (I don't mean another one, but just a bad guy who is more than a 1 part episode, which ends up being a crime of passion or greed. Maybe something pure evil, for the joy of killing, like past ones.... also the Gorgonzola is on purpose)

All in all though worth the watch, and though the rating seems low, IMDb members can be harsh at times.

Hodgela!

[abbyrd88 · 2 October 2011]

This was overall a very good episode. I am a big fan of Angela and Hodgins as a couple- they are an ideal couple! The truly balance each other out, much like B&B. Them finally realizing this in jail of all places was really cute and romantic. Looking back in retrospect, It's amazing that this show is at the end of its 5th season and still awesome. It makes me want to keep watching more with each episode. This is probably the only show I have ever watched where each season is equally as good as the last. I hope that Bones keeps going for many more seasons as I truly think it has some of the best characters, acting, couples, and writing on television.

love the men in the jail/definitely SPOILERS!

[momcat316 · 10/10 · 14 July 2015]

I am watching the Witch in the Wardrobe for at least the 5th time.as time moves on I remember why this episode is so memorable. great actors, great characters, a wonderful twist in the plot line. I have rediscovered two actors I will search on IMDb so I can catch them in reruns of other series. William Stanford Davis and Wade Williams are standouts. as the barber/judge, Davis is too perfect for his character not to be repeated in another episode. Williams as the sheriff is priceless, especially throwing the confetti while trying to maintain his official persona. I don't think a thing needs to be changed or augmented. My one not met expectation was that in this brain trust, not one person denied the existence of witches. This season will be my next CD purchase

Spooky and funny at the same time

[ctomvelu1 · 8/10 · 8 May 2010]

B&B investigate the deaths of an apparent witch in a cabin fire. Also found in the fire is the skeleton of an 18th century witch, dressed in a wedding gown and sealed in a closet not damaged by the fire. This leads them to a Wiccan coven, members of whom act rather suspiciously from the get-go. But there are other suspects as well. And get this: Not all of the bones of the 18th century skeleton are hers! A subplot has Hodgins and Angela under arrested for some minor thing, and they end up falling into each other's arms while in jail. Angela haters, who are legion, would do best to avoid this episode, as she is in a good deal of it. I myself am not a big fan of hers, but I will admit the jail scenes are very funny, involving as they do a romance awkwardly rekindled, a Mayberry-type sheriff and a judge who is also the town barber.

Hot Mess, But Fun

[maddiestoerp · 8/10 · 28 September 2022]

It will never cease to amaze me how much product placement is tied into the plot of this show. The catalyst for Angela and Hodgins of them going to jail and getting married is Hodgins wanting to show off the Toyota's lane warning system. I find their wedding really adorable and very Angela.

It feels like a lazy writing choice to have Sweets conveniently have a background with witches, especially when he had conveniently had a background in the circus last season. As unrealistic as their portrayal of historical and current witches was, the ridiculousness of 'high on flour ritualistic rival witch murder' makes up for it.

The Prius Helps You Stay in Your Lane!

[vampthropologist · 10/10 · 13 March 2023]

The fact that we started with Toyota product placement and ended up with a Hodgela wedding - in jail - officiated by Mr. Johnson from Abbott Elementary is absolutely amazing. Of all the ways to get Hodgins and Angela back together, I'm glad Kathy Reichs went with his one.

I love this episode a lot. If I'm in the mood to rewatch a random episode of Bones, I tend to end up watching this one. The back and forth between Clark and Hodgins over the video calls between the jail and the Jeffersonian is pure gold, especially when Hodgins is bragging about identifying the bat bones from jail and Clark replies with "that's right, you're a criminal".

The case itself is quite fun, with Sweets getting all excited about witches and all the fun spooky stuff that goes on, however, the B plot definitely takes up most of my attention.

One thing that confuses me about the wedding though, is the ring that Angela gives to Hodgins. I have absolutely no clue what Angela is hinting at in regards to where she got it from and at this point I'm kinda scared to find out. Another thing is Angela's name. If she legally changed it to Angela Montenegro, then why would she need to tell the judge her "real name"? It makes no sense.

Confusion aside, this episode is one of my favourites, Hodgela forever, 10/10.

Misinformed

[wickedwicche · 7/10 · 18 May 2021]

Great episode... But the amount of wiccan references was cringe. Relating wicca to witchcraft is just offensive. Witchcraft predates Christianity by thousands of years... Wicca isn't even 90 years old.

a landmark episode

[sandcrab277 · 10/10 · 22 July 2018]

Jack and angela resolve their differences and get married ... it took 100 episodes to finally arrive what everyone else knew from the onset ... it makes me believe that the writers don't know a thing except to create roadblocks so they can extend their paychecks ... perhaps they will let some of the courage rub off on booth and brennan

A Lot to Ingest

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 9 February 2023]

Things begin strangely when a woman's skeleton in a wedding dress is found in a steel cabinet after a fire. Not long after, a more recent body is found in the weeds nearby. All the forensics are completed and Hodgins and Angela are driving away. Hodgins loses concentration and swerves. The cop who was at the previous scene pulls them over. Of course, Hodgins can't resist shooting his mouth off and they are put in jail, pending a visit from a judge. A Wicca group comes into play, as well as the Salem Witch Trials. Booth has another one of his boorish, shortsighted moments. But a major event takes place as the episode ends.

They blew it with this episode

[debdshaw60 · 4/10 · 17 September 2022]

If you're going to make an episode where there's a coven of Wiccans you probably ought to talk to some Wiccans before writing the script. It was full of urban legends and nonsense. If they think no Wiccans ever use psychedelics, they have another think coming. We also don't go throwing rye flour around. Booth's disgusting remark that "you never get to see the ones you'd want to see naked" was sexist, ageist, and just inappropriately nasty.

I love this show but this episode was so bad. Another glaring error is that elderly bones do not get green stick fractures. Only the bones of children and young adults do.

The B plot is everything.

[sooners-97767 · 9/10 · 5 March 2023]

Hi Bones Booth! My first rating of an episode because I finally caught up on your podcast.

Sweets running into the diner to tell them that he figured out a connection in the ancestry was so funny. Love that this episode was written by Kathy and it feels like a Kathy type episode. Overall I was uninterested in the case because the only thing that matters to me is the B Plot. Angela & Hodgins. FINALLY. I LOVE this episode mainly because they finally find their happiness together. The Sheriff throwing confetti & the judge/barber crack me up every time I watch this episode. So much fun in that jail.

A plot snoozevill - B plot :)

[krahnnikki · 10/10 · 3 November 2022]

Hi bones booth!

The details of this case are always lost on me idk what it is but I check out of those scenes every time I re watch this episode! But I'm always tuned in to hodgins and anglea! Obviously love their outcome. The whole scene in the car cracks me up & feels so natural and not forced by their characters. I think that's what I like about them is they act better together than apart! Also the cop at the jail is one of my favorite side characters - when he throws the confetti LOL. Love sweets helping out on this one & that the scenes are ending with b & b but trying to est. New grounds.