Bones (TV Series) The Signs in the Silence (2011) User Reviews

another favorite

[kols · 10/10 · 6 December 2011]

Ditto Metalrox - I've got a lot of favorite episodes from Bones but this is my sentimental topper mainly because of Ms. Applegate's performance and a script that keeps its focus on the unraveling of her story.

Often forgotten in the grit of the realism that has pervaded the medium since Hill Street Blues is the fact that TV is Fantasy and there is always room for a happy ending now and then; this is one of the better ones.

A P.S. After the first watching, looked up Ms. Applegate and was surprised that she wasn't deaf, making her performance that much more impressive.

10-23-13

Just reviewed the reviews and that one negative review does make a good point about Amy's initial presentation - she's shown as being virtually feral and Brennen's is, in the beginning, totally unsympathetic and cold towards her. But those parameters are essential to to the episode's impact.

Through Brennen, as she learns how to humanize Amy, the audience shares that experience - the experience of personal growth triggered by the realization that her initial attitude was inconscionable. As Bones slowly recognizes that Amy has been a life-long victim of severe abuse and trapped by her deafness the echos to her own story, inexplicable abandonment and the dehumanization of the foster-care system, resonate. Brennan's native, undamaged but deeply hidden humanity emerges in a virtually cathartic response to Amy's case. That case's resolution becomes a very personal reprise of her own search for answers. By making Amy whole she takes a step towards accepting the emotional damage she, herself, has suffered and understanding that resolution is possible.

That's what makes this episode a classic fairy-tale and is why it's fairy-tale ending works.

Amazing pace and performances save standard story

[metalrox_2000 · 10/10 · 26 May 2011]

After reading a terrible review by someone who is not a fan of the series, I felt compelled to write this review.

Another IMDb reviewer was upset that Dr. Brennan treats the girl at first like evidence. Looks like he has never seen the show at all, or else he'd know that is Bones' process.

The team needs to figure out why a deaf teen girl is covered in blood. while Bones does treat the girl badly in the beginning, they form a bond when she learns that like her, the deaf girl is a foster child.

The hunt is on to find out the truth, and during the hunt, Booth has a moment in which is questions if he is more like his abusive father then he would like to admit, while Angela and Hodgins have close calls with Angela going into labor.

The bond between the deaf girl and Bones works, and McKenzie Applegate gives a simply amazing performance that leads one to think she has a major film career ahead of her.

One of the better episode of the season, bar none!

Wonderful emotions and a great pace

[pzlgirl · 8/10 · 9 June 2011]

The writing and acting in this episode were much better than the past two episodes. McKenzie Applegate was fantastic.

I agree with a previous review that the treatment of the girl was on the harsh side in the beginning and even though Bones is logical, it seems like she would have logically deduced a better method of cooperation if the direct approach wasn't working. So, I was confused why Sweets wasn't brought into the case sooner. Actually, I'm confused why this falls under the FBI jurisdiction vs. the police anyhow... but I don't know a whole lot about that, so I'll just go along with that.

Abuse and the foster system are not new topics but they are unfortunately a constant in this world and therefore need to be kept in everyone's minds... so I had no problem seeing this done again.

I agree with previous reviewer that the pace was excellent and the emotions seemed real. Booth's angry reaction was spot on. Would he get in trouble for that or would it be considered necessary action? Hodgins freaking out was a little over the top... but it was still cute. He's one of my favorites.

Overall, great show!

Beautiful Episode

[abbyrd88 · 9/10 · 3 December 2011]

I am writing this review largely out of annoyance from the first reviewer who complained about the treatment of Amy as evidence. Clearly this reviewer is not a Bones fan WHATSOEVER, and had no grounds to write such a negative review. I would not be surprised if this was the first episode of Bones she has ever seen. Brennan treating Amy as evidence was 100% in character and appropriate. Anyone who knows Brennan would know that she objectifies herself from cases to avoid clouded judgment. With the help of Sweets and her connection with Amy, Brennan is able to move past this boundary. That said, this was an outstanding episode, certainly one of the best of this season thus far. We got long overdue character development from both Brennan (plot line with Amy) and Booth (losing his temper plot line.) Hodgins' reaction to Angela's false labor was hilarious and adorable. He told the nurse to boil some water.... :)

This episode actually reminded me of The Graft in the Girl in certain ways. Amy's plot line was quite moving.

Overall a beautifully done episode.

One of my favorites

[fiabunnii · 10/10 · 21 October 2020]

Somehow I can never NOT cry when watching this episode. Even after watching it 7 times over several years. It's so good, all of it. The emotions.. Wow. Definitely 10/10 of a show that has a lot of amazing episodes along with a few less good ones as well.

Mixed Bag

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 14 February 2023]

I found Brennan's initial reaction to the little girl really nasty. There is no evidence that the girl was in control of anything. If she hurt someone, no one knows if it's self defense. Brennan immediately starts treating here like she is a piece of evidence. Of course, at some point she has an epiphany and realizes how fragile. Even if she is the killer, she is wholly traumatized. Once we get past that, the forensics team starts to put together who she is and find the real perpetrators. Ultimately, he insights of Sweets and Brennan are critical to breaking through the barriers and defense mechanisms of the girl. This was stretching reality a little. Oh--and is that baby ever going to be born before Hodgins ends up in a rubber room?

Mixed bag

[RipleyBlondeMacManus · 4/10 · 22 August 2021]

It's strange to see the number of reviewers taking issue with an older review criticizing the treatment of Amy at the beginning of the episode as though Brennan's foibles and limitations regarding human interaction are all that would inform a case like this. A young girl, practically feral, covered in blood and disabled to boot would NEVER be left in the hands of a bunch of scientists to be pawed at, manhandled, and medically tested against her will. It's unconstitutional as well as unethical and extremely disturbing to see that so many people think that Brennan's characteristic dehumanization/objectification of dead bodies would (and should) be allowed to extend to a LIVING, UNDER-AGED girl. Yes, the rest of the episode has a lot of great content and excellent character moments but that fact that a young, disabled, abused girl had to be further victimized and violated by a group of adults who claim to dedicate their lives to justice and the pursuit of greater truths was extremely disappointing and marred what could have otherwise been a very good episode.

Worst Bones episode yet

[avillarrealpouw · 1/10 · 9 May 2011]

The idea of treating a possibly underage, terrified girl as "just evidence" and giving her the treatment of a murderer with a still-missing victim makes this episode hard to see to the end. Whether the girl is or is not the killer, she deserves humane treatment, including a shower, clean clothes and somebody explaining to her what they are trying to do.

Even a casual observer sees in the first five minutes of the episode that the girl is probably underage and probably the murderer of someone who terrified her out of her wits, so she deserved the treatment of a possible victim.

The watcher who endures the first 5 minutes ends up not caring whether she is a cold-blooded murderer or the totally innocent victim.