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mistletoeWell here we are and because I had no preconceived ideas on this one or expectations, I was pleasantly surprised.
First off though I thought David directed this one so I was surprised when Mr de Paul's name popped up. So then I remembered there were going to be a couple where we were going to be David-lite because he would be prepping for the one/s he would be directing, so then I was a little worried. As it went though the whole thing was OK, better than The Hero in the Hold anyway because there was still BB interaction and the plot was procedural heavy, and Booth wasn't needed to keep the dialogue snapping along. This was largely thanks to the lugubrious Mr Fisher and a surprise success: Sweets. I think it was because the plot played to everyone's strengths so no one was either OOC or put into unbelievable situations.
Taking it more or less from the top, the set-up of why Booth was unavailable was believable and done with a pleasingly light touch. The cameraderie felt genuine; Booth's total faith that Bones could cure him was convincing and the facial expressions from charm smile to omg what have you done complete with crack of spine and falsetto voice were funny. This allowed David to play it for laughs for the rest of the show. I lfound the constant reminders he was on Vicodin and therefore not responsible for what he said enjoyable. Being adversely affected by codeine myself in the past few weeks and remembering what happened in Season 1 when he was high, just added tio the effect. I also like how he was in denial throughout, particularly when he was pretending on the phone that he was all right while he was in absolute agony, but silently. However, Bones was not taken in. This time, Bones' scientific detachment was entirely in character and appropriate to the situation. Indeed, she was in denial herself and refused to acknowledge Paretta's suggestion that she was being protective. There is none so blind and all that. So Paretta probably thought the field was clear when she turned up with the chilli at the end. It was funny that both women were too ambarrassed to be in Booth's apartment when the other one knew she was there so they both had to leave. Poor old Booth ended up all alone.
So, the irony of a murder set in the fantasy world of television and comic cons was particularly apposite. Just like Booth, everyone was living in unreal ways from the blacksmith, to the princess to the medieval torture implement dominatrix they were role playing. How Angelus would have loved it! Just as well David wasn't asked to be at the convention, with the Buffy reference and all. However, this allowed Sweets to come into his own. Of course he would be a trekkie and what a good job he was. Everyone had their role to play - even Bones as Xena warrior princess.
I liked how it played out, I liked the motive and who the murderer was, I liked the red herrings.
All in all satisfying ensemble work.
Favourite bits:
*good dialogue that made me giggle
*good characterisation - there's a surprise
*Booth trying to be part of the case via laptop and then being shut off
*David's knowledge of back pain (he hurt his in a car accident during Angel if I remember and had to have an operation)
*resting his head on a bowling pin to watch cartoons
*the corset (and how thin it made him look)
*no silly boxers or socks
*Sweets asking Brennan if he could call her Bones - cheek
*Fisher and Hodgins' 'my breakup ripped me apart more than yours did' face-off.
*Cam's reaction to the pear
First off though I thought David directed this one so I was surprised when Mr de Paul's name popped up. So then I remembered there were going to be a couple where we were going to be David-lite because he would be prepping for the one/s he would be directing, so then I was a little worried. As it went though the whole thing was OK, better than The Hero in the Hold anyway because there was still BB interaction and the plot was procedural heavy, and Booth wasn't needed to keep the dialogue snapping along. This was largely thanks to the lugubrious Mr Fisher and a surprise success: Sweets. I think it was because the plot played to everyone's strengths so no one was either OOC or put into unbelievable situations.
Taking it more or less from the top, the set-up of why Booth was unavailable was believable and done with a pleasingly light touch. The cameraderie felt genuine; Booth's total faith that Bones could cure him was convincing and the facial expressions from charm smile to omg what have you done complete with crack of spine and falsetto voice were funny. This allowed David to play it for laughs for the rest of the show. I lfound the constant reminders he was on Vicodin and therefore not responsible for what he said enjoyable. Being adversely affected by codeine myself in the past few weeks and remembering what happened in Season 1 when he was high, just added tio the effect. I also like how he was in denial throughout, particularly when he was pretending on the phone that he was all right while he was in absolute agony, but silently. However, Bones was not taken in. This time, Bones' scientific detachment was entirely in character and appropriate to the situation. Indeed, she was in denial herself and refused to acknowledge Paretta's suggestion that she was being protective. There is none so blind and all that. So Paretta probably thought the field was clear when she turned up with the chilli at the end. It was funny that both women were too ambarrassed to be in Booth's apartment when the other one knew she was there so they both had to leave. Poor old Booth ended up all alone.
So, the irony of a murder set in the fantasy world of television and comic cons was particularly apposite. Just like Booth, everyone was living in unreal ways from the blacksmith, to the princess to the medieval torture implement dominatrix they were role playing. How Angelus would have loved it! Just as well David wasn't asked to be at the convention, with the Buffy reference and all. However, this allowed Sweets to come into his own. Of course he would be a trekkie and what a good job he was. Everyone had their role to play - even Bones as Xena warrior princess.
I liked how it played out, I liked the motive and who the murderer was, I liked the red herrings.
All in all satisfying ensemble work.
Favourite bits:
*good dialogue that made me giggle
*good characterisation - there's a surprise
*Booth trying to be part of the case via laptop and then being shut off
*David's knowledge of back pain (he hurt his in a car accident during Angel if I remember and had to have an operation)
*resting his head on a bowling pin to watch cartoons
*the corset (and how thin it made him look)
*no silly boxers or socks
*Sweets asking Brennan if he could call her Bones - cheek
*Fisher and Hodgins' 'my breakup ripped me apart more than yours did' face-off.
*Cam's reaction to the pear
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2009-02-21 12:21 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-02-21 12:30 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-02-21 12:35 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-02-21 08:01 pm (UTC)Dorky Booth, in the right milieu, is always fun!
(no subject)
Date: 2009-02-21 07:22 am (UTC)*resting his head on a bowling pin to watch cartoons
This was so cute and I can totally see Booth doing it! Doubly cute when you know he's on the vicadin.
I also really enjoyed Fisher's and Hodgin's geekiness in this.. loved the Buffy references and medieval speak. Just, a lot of fun.
David's knowledge of back pain (he hurt his in a car accident during Angel if I remember and had to have an operation)
He hurt his back? I thought that he had knee surgery in Season 5 of Angel. I hadn't heard about his back.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-02-21 08:08 pm (UTC)He did hurt his back in Season 1, round about the Rebecca episode. I think he had a touch of whiplash made worse when he tumbled down the fire escape in the fight scene when they left the premier via the back door. I'm almost sure he had back surgery in the hiatus.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-02-23 04:52 am (UTC)Ah, poor guy. I do recall some information I read (probably on IMDB) where he wanted to sue the other driver, or something like that. I didn't realize he hurt his back.