A girl scout leaders guide

I didn’t write these I copied it from imdb.com I just thought that if anyone hadn’t seen it it wuld be hard to discuss.  So read it and discuss and I will be back later to give my opinion.

If it’s time for “Bones,” then it’s time for a badly decomposed body. So here we go!

Two fishermen sit on rocks chatting about nothing in particular. Suddenly, one notices something strange floating in the water. Guess what? It’s a badly decomposed body! Specifically, it’s the upper half of a skeleton.

Booth and Brennan arrive at the ol’ ocean-side fishin’ hole to discover Camille already on the prowl for evidence. She is accompanied by Brennan’s grad student Nigel, who speaks with a British accent (which immediately makes Booth suspicious). Brennan notices the lack of a pelvic bone but guesses the victim is female due to a badly degraded swimsuit. Camille estimates the time of death as two or three weeks ago.

“What do we do next?” Booth asks.

“Find the other half,” Brennan quips.

Back at the lab, Nigel notes that the eye sockets have been ground down due to cosmetic surgery. Also: fake breasts. Camille runs the serial number on the implants and comes up with a woman named Patricia … and also an address.

Booth and Boone hit the road. “Disappeared three weeks ago,” Boone says of the victim. “Presumed drowned after not coming back from a morning swim.” The woman also lived in a small community of no more than a few thousand people. Brennan wonders why a person would spend so much on plastic surgery and then live in relative obscurity. Booth points out that maybe she tried to change her looks before going into hiding. Hmm …

The two bickering buddies arrive at the woman’s house to discover that she was a pastor of a gross roots community congregation (and was even in the middle of writing a sermon). A pastor with fake breasts and veneers? It doesn’t add up, Brennan says. Patricia happens to have a message on her answering machine from a man named J.P. Poor J.P. sounds like a heartbroken ex-boyfriend.

Suddenly a cell-phone call! The lower half of a skeleton has just been discovered a few miles away. “Send it over to the lab now!” Booth says.

Back the lab, Camille and Nigel examine the new remains. Odd thing, though: While the pelvic bone is male, the sex parts are, well, NOT. “It’s called a vagina,” Camille explains to stricken Nigel. “We have one victim with two sexes.” Cue raised eyebrows!

Lance theorizes that Patricia was transgender and underwent an operation to become female. “I put in a request to find his previous identity before he was a woman,” explains Booth, obviously struggling with the whole he-she thing. Our manly man is most uncomfortable with the idea.

Booth and Brennan arrive at Patricia’s sea-side funeral. A small, but sad congregation prays for her immortal soul. They lay flowers and disperse. The investigative pair is also introduced to Chuck, a man in a wheelchair who acted as Patricia’s assistant. Chuck is less than pleasant and confesses he used to be a meth addict. He doesn’t want to believe that Patricia’s death was anything an accident.

Booth and Brennan bring in J.P. for questioning. Turns out J.P. is not only a congregation member, but also a recovering alcoholic. He explains that he joined the church to help him battle his addiction. Not surprisingly, he denies any involvement in Patricia’s death.

Angela, meanwhile, looks at photos of J.P. and Patricia and guesses that the former knew the latter’s secret. Booth doesn’t understand how Angela can know this from a simple snapshot but — sure enough — the man confesses to knowing Patricia’s history. Booth then plays back the answering-machine message from earlier.

“I didn’t want to develop feelings for Patricia but I did,” J.P. says. “And that didn’t change when I found out who she used to be.” Nevertheless, J.P. says he never acted on those feelings as he is married to a woman named Rita and devoted to saving his marriage.

In the meantime, Nigel and Hodgins chat. And by chat, I mean that Nigel annoys Hodgins, who continues to be in a super-surly mood. Angela approaches, which doesn’t help matters much. She presents a sketch of Patricia as she might have been as a man. “It doesn’t look like anybody you recognize?” Angela says.

“It’s that guy!” Nigel says.

And who is “that guy?” It’s a televangelist named Patrick Stephenson, who disappeared six years ago in the Thailand. What’s more, the televangelist had a wife and kids.

Booth and Brennan interview the pious wife. Brennan informs the woman that a sex change operation in Thailand would cost $25,000. “You want me to believe that Patrick stole money and then had himself transformed into a woman?” the wife asks. “Patrick was a religious man. He would never offend God in this blatant manner.”

But, in the end, she accepts the truth. The DNA match is undeniable (”Do these people believe in DNA?” a clueless Brennan asks). The wife then explains that son Ryan is in California undergoing a “crisis of faith.”

Booth, Brennan and Lance watch an old recording of clean-cut Ryan Stephenson preaching. In the middle of a particularly vehement prayer, the youth quits the palace-like church. Turns out Ryan’s crisis of faith was renouncing the showiness and greed of his parents’ church. Lance theorizes that the boy is not in California, but doing God’s work in hospitals and halfway houses nearby.

“Ryan Stephenson is literally atoning for the sins of his father,” Lance explains. “I’ll bet he’s within 20 miles of that giant church he fled as a confused adolescent.”

Guess what? Booth owes Lance $20. Before you can say commercial break, Ryan — now sporting tattoos and earrings — is in the witness room. Booth shows Ryan pictures of Patricia. Much to Booth’s shock, the boy is proud to learn that dad started a church that welcomes drug addicts, felons and others who his parents’ old church rejected.

Booth is downright touched by the boy’s reaction. “Did you ever consider returning to the ministry, Ryan?” he asks. Booth promises to give Ryan his dads Bible when it is no longer considered evidence.

Back the lab, Camille informs Brennan that Patricia was struck by a boat … twice. Markings on the two halves of the body indicate that the vessel struck Patricia, turned around and then ran her down again.

As Booth and Brennan hit the road again, Nigel corners Camille. The intern — surprise, surprise — wants to quit. “All in all, I’d rather be like me than like you,” Nigel says. Camille understands and lets the boy go. Time to get another intern, although we suspect that Zack can’t be too far from returning.

Back on the case, Brennan has discovered the make and model of the boat that killed Patricia. The boat belongs to — wait for it — J.P.! Booth, Brennan and Hodgins arrive on the dock. Once again, J.P. denies everything and with good reason. Booth, after trying to sit in the boat, discovers that it wasn’t restored for a man of J.P.’s size. No, it was restored specifically for his wife — a suggestion of Patricia’s aimed at bringing the estranged couple together, J.P. explains.

All this time, J.P.’s wife stands in the background looking mighty guilty.

“I waited for you to get sober,” Rita says. “And all you did was fall in love with another woman!”

Booth places J.P.’s wife under arrest. The woman is led away in front of the entire congregation. Case closed.

The episode ends with Ryan preaching … and holding his father’s old Bible. Booth and Brennan sit in the audience, bickering good naturedly. All is well again in Bones-ville.

Prentiss and Spencer arrive at a remote compound where they find a man named Benjamin Cyrus, the leader of a religious group. The pair poses as child abuse investigators (not revealing any ties to the FBI for fear of spooking the leader). Cyrus is cold to the team, but welcomes them inside.

Prentiss interviews a young girl at a school desk. She explains that the reason for their visit has nothing to do with the community’s religious beliefs. “We received a phone call alleging that an adult male member of your church was having inappropriate relations with the younger woman here,” Prentiss says.

“You’re talking about Cyrus,” the girl says. “Is it inappropriate for a husband to share a bed with his wife?”

Silent alarm bells go off. The girl, Jesse, explains that Cyrus is her husband and “a prophet.” “It’s an honor to bear his children,” the 15-year-old says defiantly.

Suddenly, Cyrus and a group of men burst into the room carrying automatic weapons. Unbeknownst to Prentiss and Spencer, police are about to raid the compound! Officers break down the doors and rush the school and church. From above, compound members open fire on the police. In the course of the shoot out, a state police officer accompanying Prentiss and Spencer is shot dead through the chest.

The police pull back. The stand off is on.

Back at the office, the team gets the call. Hotchner, Rossi, Derek and J.J. board the next jet to Colorado while Garcia briefs them via video feed. The Liberty Ranch was founded in 1980 by Libertarian Leo Kane, who is currently serving 17 years in prison for tax evasion and “going after four IRS agents with a Louisville Slugger.”

Hotchner suggests contacting Kane for information about Cyrus, who took over the compound eight years ago and introduced a religious element into the mix. Also of interest: Prentiss and Spencer weren’t alerted to the raid beforehand because the state attorney general kept it quiet. Turns out the AG, named Wells, has aspirations of becoming governor in the next election and didn’t want the raid jeopardized. Derek is furious.

The team arrives outside the compound. Rossi is assigned primary negotiating duties by Hotchner. At that moment, Wells rolls up in a limo, shouting orders and demanding information. Hotchner threatens to have Wells charged with negligent homicide. “Get off my crime scene,” Hotchner growls.

Rossi gets on the phone with Cyrus. “Let’s stop this before things get worse,” Rossi says. “Please, Benjamin, send out your wounded. I promise they will be well taken care of.” Cyrus asks for supplies, saying the group can “tend to our own.” Rossi agrees, saying he will deliver the medical relief himself.

A few hours later, Rossi drives up to the front doors of the ranch. Listening devices have been hidden in the supplies and agents line the grounds with large microphones. Rossi is let inside and introduces himself to Cyrus. He shares a furtive glance with Prentiss and Spencer, careful not to reveal their true identities.

“I had hoped youd let me take the children,” Rossi tells Cyrus.

“They’re our protection,” Cyrus counters. “I remember Waco. We all do. They stay for now.”

Once Rossi is gone, Cyrus begins pouring cups of wine — even for the smallest children. Prentiss and Spencer, meanwhile, watch Jesse’s body language in reaction to Cyrus. “She literally worships him,” Spencer said. “There’s no way she made that 911 call.” Jesse’s mother, meanwhile, immediately steps between the two. Could she have dialed the police?

Rossi returns to team headquarters outside the ranch. “He’s too calm,” he tells Hotchner. “It’s like he was waiting for this happen and now that it has he feels vindicated.” The team, meanwhile, gets a feed from the listening devices. “We will be with Him soon,” Cyrus says. “They’ve drank the poison together.”

Rossi and Hotchner listen in horror. Inside, Prentiss wants to act, but Spencer stays her hand. He claims that Cyrus is bluffing. Indeed, the “prophet” just wanted to see the reaction of the people in his congregation. Anyone not crying or panicking is being put on a loyalty list. In short, it was a test of faith.

Hotchner, who was about to send in the troops, exhales deeply. Crisis narrowly adverted. J.J. enters with an announcement: Leo Kane has arrived.

Derek questions the former Liberty Ranch leader. Kane explains that he kicked Cyrus out of the compound years ago for “messing” with younger girls. Cyrus returned sometime later claiming he had found God and reformed.

“How does a kid like that get rid of you?” Derek asks.

“One day he came to me and said God him that I should leave the ranch,” Kane explains. “I said ‘If God felt that way, God can tell me himself.’ He put a gun to my head and said, ‘He just did.’”

Derek asks Cane to draw a map of the compound he commanded for 20 years. The angry inmate is only too happy to help.

Back outside, the team gets frightening news: Wells has leaked news of an undercover FBI officer to the press. Inside, Cyrus sees the report and challenges Prentiss and Spencer. “Which one of you is it?” he asks. “Which one of you is the FBI agent?” He points a loaded gun at both. Prentiss, fearing for her partner’s life, claims to be the lone agent. Cyrus smacks her, punches her, throws her against a mirror. Outside, the team listens in horror. “I can take it,” Prentiss says with a mouthful of blood.

“She’s talking to us!” says Hotchner, listening via headphones. “She’s telling us not to come in.”

The beating (complete with fervent scripture quoting) finished, Cyrus calls Spencer into an office and demands to know whether he knew the true identity of his partner. Spencer denies any such knowledge. Then the geek, thinking quickly, suggests that Cyrus test the trustworthiness of the men outside by trading a child for the name of the agent.

Hotchner and Rossi, of course, overhear the entire exchange and are ready when Cyrus calls. The sect leader sends out a child and Rossi gives the name Emily Prentiss. The ruse works perfectly. A child is safe, Cyrus believes Rossi can be trusted and the team has not revealed any information that Cyrus didn’t already know.

Back inside the compound, Cyrus reads names from the list those followers who failed the loyalty test. The unbelievers are sent outside to safety. Then, Cyrus makes a call to Rossi. “We’ll surrender tomorrow at noon,” he says. “I want the press there to make sure that were treated fairly.” Cyrus also requests food.

But Spencer sees through this ruse immediately. Clearly, Cyrus is only preparing those he deems worthy for a “final act.” Rossi, listening on headphones, stands up. “This is it,” he says. “Time is run out! We got to go in!”

The team brainstorms their next move. The raid will occur at 3 a.m. But how to signal Prentiss and Spencer? Hotchner hatches a plan. He writes: “New owners! New hours! Open until 3 a.m.!” on one of the dinners being delivered to the compound. “Let’s hope it’s that easy,” Derek says.

And it is. Spencer sees the top to the dinner and understands immediately. He also requests to stay with Cyrus so as to “tell your story.” Cyrus, meanwhile, begins unloading sticks of dynamite from a crate. “Now that the false believers have been cleared from our midst, we make our final preparations,” he says.

Upstairs, Jesse’s mother brings Prentiss a glass of water. The team member looks the woman in the eyes and goes for broke. “Cyrus is planning a mass suicide,” Prentiss says. “You made that 911 call.” Prentiss then tells the woman to gather her daughter and the rest of the children and get them into the basement before 3 a.m.

But will mom follow through?

As Cyrus rigs the place with dynamite, police make the raid. Derek enters from the downstairs and discovers Jesse’s mother leading the children toward him. Prentiss is with the group. She warns Derek about the explosives. Just then, understanding dawns on little Jesse, who pulls away from her mother. She runs upstairs to find Cyrus, her beloved husband.

Cyrus, meanwhile, is about to detonate the explosives when Derek enters the chapel and shoots the self-proclaimed prophet dead. At that moment, Jesse enters the chapel and sees her husband lying dead on the floor. She reaches for the detonator.

“Run!” Spencer screams.

The compound EXPLODES in the night. Derek and Spencer come stumbling out into the front yard, much to the relief of Prentiss, Rossi and Hotchner. They embrace.

Jesse’s mother, crying, searches in vain for her daughter. Prentiss doesn’t have the words to comfort her.