Brennan's dad Max goes on trial for the alleged slaying of the rogue FBI director who tried to kill the Brennan son. Everyone but Brennan is allowed to testify for the prosecution. Brennan realizes something has to happen fast or her dad stands a good chance of going to prison. Lots of oddball humor lightens up this slow-going courtroom drama. Booth and Brennan are supposed to keep their distance during the trial. but this proves difficult for both of them. Everyone on the team gets equal time in this episode, with Angela a standout on the witness stand as she decides to do what's right from a moral standpoint. Booth is bit conflicted during the trial, but in the end deliberately plays right into Brennan's ploy to save her father.
12 Reviews
Listen to The Bones Booth podcast
uniqueboutiqueofkona15 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Aloha. It's too late for Bones Booth to see this I think, but since this is the answer to the poll they posted on Twitter and that is how I found the podcast, I wanted to at least review this episode. I'd give this episode 10 stars for Ernie Hudson alone. I've always loved watching him and listening to him because That Voice. I could listen to him speak all day so the fact that my favorite show had him guest star was amazing. I took a star away because I would've liked to see Max go to jail. I actually don't hate his character and he's needed to a degree for the sake of Dr. Brennan but if this were Dateline (my other favorite show) I would've been pissed that he got away with murder. And I would've been yelling at my tv at the family who wouldn't accept or admit to his guilt in spite of the evidence.
Stella.
Stella.
DC correction
friendlyslp14 September 2008
Warning: Spoilers
In general, I like this series. For the most part, they make references to DC that generally have some geographical accuracy. However, a plot hole found in this particular episode stands out since it is a central theme ... there is no death penalty in DC where the case is being tried. At one point (Angela and Brennan's jail house conversation about electrocution vs. lethal injection), it sounds as if the dialogue tries to suggest that DC falls under Maryland's jurisdiction, which, of course, it does not. Washington, DC, is bordered by Maryland and Virginia; however, as the capital city and seat of the federal government, it belongs to no State.
That's a lot of heart, Bones
Everything_happens_eventually22 October 2021
While it's really kind of weird that a show about solving murders makes you want to root for the murderer to get off, I love this episode. Max is a good example of a 3-dimensional character, who in despite of his flaws, is someone you want to root for. I also love this episode for showing Brennan as more than the rational scientist, demonstrating that she has a heart, something which people often question, including herself *cough* 5x16 *cough*. Also, Booth talking to her about the case even though he shouldn't is a great moment of proving his love for her, because he wouldn't put his job at risk for anyone else.
Hey Bones Booth Pod!
queen_of_drama-345862 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I would like to see the outcome of the this case with the tied up skeleton and the one with a guy stuffed in a truck tire. Hello Caroline always a better episode with her in it. They're always picking on poor Sweets. Hahaha yes Clark you tell them you're a man. The line "There is no friendship in a homicide trial," was hilarious. Ooohhh Clark got you Zack. Effective tactic to create reasonable doubt using Bones it helped Max get away with a murder he clearly committed.
someone needs to learn how to write courtroom scenes
niobecat13 September 2008
Warning: Spoilers
* * * contains spoilers * * * I love this show, but every time they have a courtroom scene, I just cringe. I have rarely watched a show that gets legal procedure so wrong. First, since Brennan's dad was in custody, he would have received a trial date quite soon--not just before the case was going to trial. Second, this no-nonsense judge would not have allowed the attorneys to argue during opening statements--you can't do that until the end of the case. Third, unless the Jeffersonian team has been declared hostile witnesses, the prosecutor cannot lead them through their testimony. She must ask open ended questions, not ones that can be answered yes or no. She also cannot ask argumentative questions. Conversely, the defense attorney, when he has Booth on the stand, opts for the strange strategy of asking openly worded questions that allow him to discuss Brennan's character, when he's trying to get out the possibility that she had time to commit the murder. Dr. Sweets' testimony about psychological capacity to kill is not admissible evidence.
Fourth, restrictions on witnesses talking about the case seems unheard of. Judges often issue gag orders to keep people connected with high-profile cases from talking to the press, but I've never seen witnesses barred from conversing with each other, as Brennan and Booth are admonished. Jurors are the ones required not to discuss the case until time to deliberate.
What isn't realistic is that the witnesses would be allowed to sit together in the courtroom and watch each other testify. Witnesses, except experts and designated investigators, would be excluded. (So Brennan's brother, at least, should have been waiting outside for the whole trial.) When Dr. Clark discovers evidence that rules out the original murder weapon, the proper procedure would have been for him to take the stand to testify--not be admitted "pro hac vice" as a lawyer (which he isn't) to question Zach.
Finally, when Angela tells Brennan that the prosecution will be gunning for the death penalty, that should not come as a surprise to anyone since, if the prosecutor wants to seek the death penalty, a formal notification process is required in advance of trial, and juries are questioned about their views of capital punishment during the jury selection process.
In fact, given that the prosecution presumably is seeking the death penalty and that Brennan's father admits that he committed the murder, it's surprising that there's even a trial at all. Normally, faced with that situation, his defense attorneys would seek a plea bargain to avoid the death penalty.
The one thing that I did like about the courtroom drama was when Angela refused to testify based on the First Amendment, since that protects freedom of association, and therefore, in her mind, protects friendship. That's so Angela! And, at least there, the writers get it right that her refusal lands her in jail.
Fourth, restrictions on witnesses talking about the case seems unheard of. Judges often issue gag orders to keep people connected with high-profile cases from talking to the press, but I've never seen witnesses barred from conversing with each other, as Brennan and Booth are admonished. Jurors are the ones required not to discuss the case until time to deliberate.
What isn't realistic is that the witnesses would be allowed to sit together in the courtroom and watch each other testify. Witnesses, except experts and designated investigators, would be excluded. (So Brennan's brother, at least, should have been waiting outside for the whole trial.) When Dr. Clark discovers evidence that rules out the original murder weapon, the proper procedure would have been for him to take the stand to testify--not be admitted "pro hac vice" as a lawyer (which he isn't) to question Zach.
Finally, when Angela tells Brennan that the prosecution will be gunning for the death penalty, that should not come as a surprise to anyone since, if the prosecutor wants to seek the death penalty, a formal notification process is required in advance of trial, and juries are questioned about their views of capital punishment during the jury selection process.
In fact, given that the prosecution presumably is seeking the death penalty and that Brennan's father admits that he committed the murder, it's surprising that there's even a trial at all. Normally, faced with that situation, his defense attorneys would seek a plea bargain to avoid the death penalty.
The one thing that I did like about the courtroom drama was when Angela refused to testify based on the First Amendment, since that protects freedom of association, and therefore, in her mind, protects friendship. That's so Angela! And, at least there, the writers get it right that her refusal lands her in jail.
Move On
Hitchcoc27 January 2023
This is the courtroom drama involving the murder trial of Brennan's father. He killed an important FBI director, but even though the guy was totally corrupt, there must be a trial. Evidence galore against the guy. All the Jeffersonians are involved, testifying to the nature of the crime and how the murder weapon was used. It is a quiet circus with all kinds of sincerity to go around. The reason for the low score is the ridiculous court portrayal. The regulars pretty much run the trial. The judge ,who considers himself a hard ass, lets people get away with fundamental misconduct. What leads to the outcome of the case would never be allowed.
what was this sht show of an episode
www-trelohybrid22 June 2022
Booth wanted to arrest brennans father for so long and is pretty sure that he is the killer like Brennan does but somehow thery are all ok with implying that it was her all along that killed the FBi Director !!! Father of the yeart so he can get out of jail and brennan is ok whith that ? Are you all braindead?
Plot Holes
nickic12265 May 2008
Warning: Spoilers
I usually enjoy this show but they tried too hard in this episode and created a huge plot hole. The defense supposedly created reasonable doubt by alleging that Dr. Brennan could have committed the crime since she was also in all three places that the particulate evidence connected to the murder weapon. What they forgot was that the defense had already proved that the pipe with the particulate evidence on it was not the murder weapon. Therefore, the particulate evidence was irrelevant. Brennan's father could have gotten off without making her a suspect. I guess they just needed a sentimental end so they forgot what the show is supposed to be about--the forensic evidence.
Some of the best parts of Bones, and some of the worst
indie038526 January 2019
There were parts of this episode that I enjoyed. Loren Dean is one of my favorite recurring characters on Bones, and I enjoyed Brennan's interactions with Booth and the team. However, I can't rate this episode any higher because as another rater mentioned, the elements of the trial are ridiculous. Also, Caroline is one of my least favorite characters on this entire show, and I can't any scene she is in.
a review doesn't retell the story
sandcrab27716 July 2018
Booth and brennan are both bullies ... always sure to a fault ... yet chinks in their armor are too easy to show .... when booth referred to the team in a previous episode he called them jagwires in lieu of jaguars ... as astute as brennan is supposed to be she still says "snuck" in lieu of "sneaked" ... i doubt anyone with a higher education would make that mistake ... but the real point is, they compete endlessly over anything at the drop of a hat ... now there are serious seeds of doubt sowed
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