['Bones' - 'The Change in the Game']

After the tragedy of last week's 'Bones,' we were presented with a light and fluffy episode to round out the sixth season. Well, as light and fluffy as someone being crushed by a bowling pin resetting machine can be. Of course, being 'Bones,' the whole thing was treated with humor.

We also closed the season-long story line of Angela and Hodgins' new baby, welcomed Squintern Wendell back for another run, and said hello to a wheelchair-bound Max Keenan, who knew the murder victim. Oh, there was also this tiny, unimportant little thing at the very end of the episode that probably made long-time viewers of the show jump and scream for joy.

Big Spoiler Warning: Do not read ahead if you haven't watched this week's episode. You'll be angry if you do.

So Bones is pregnant and it's Booth's. Finally! First, this answered the question of whether they did or didn't do it when Bones ended up in bed with Seeley last episode. It was implied during Bones' conversation with Angela, but no details were given. Now we can finally exclaim "It's about damn time!"

Second, this wasn't really much of a surprise. Since Emily Deschanel announced she was pregnant and show creator Hart Hanson mentioned her pregnancy was going to be part of the show, it wasn't hard to piece everything together to come to this conclusion. And they were telegraphing it to the hilt this episode! The talk, while in their undercover roles, about not raising their child to be like one of the bowlers, the lingering shot of a contemplative Bones in the hospital waiting room, the, pardon the expression, pregnant pause when visiting Angela. It all added up to an episode-ending announcement.

Plus, they were being more personable to each other then they normally are. Even Max caught this, both in the diner and at the bowling alley. Watching the glimpses between them told you something else was going on. The question remains whether they were making secret glances due to a one-night stand, or if they are in a committed relationship, which they are trying to hide from everyone else.



Does this mean the show is ruined? That they'll now resort to a David-Maddie or Sam-Diane relationship full of bickering and anger? At first glance, no. The writers of 'Bones' seemed to want to assure fans nothing would change between these two now that the sexual tension was broken. Which is why their back-and-forth was much the same as in all of the other episodes when they weren't dating.

You can also think of it in this context: These two have been best friends for a very long time, while the other two couples mentioned above always had a contentious relationship before they moved to the next level. It was really the next logical step for them and, besides having a baby (which Booth seems very happy about), it doesn't look like their professional relationship will change. Then again, they could hate each other before the new season begins. It's all at the mercy of the writers.

Moving on, while there was a murder investigation, which featured Bones and Booth going undercover as a white-trash bowler and his fiancee, it took second place to the birth of Angela's and Hodgins' baby. Though we've seen the crazed mother-to-be and the unknowing father-to-be plot on dozens of other shows, it was still quite amusing. Particularly the moment when Angela went into labor. After being crazed for so long, Hodgins was finally being the calm father. Then Angela screams at him to get the car.

There were also a number of amusing moments in the delivery room as Angela went through the wonderful steps of natural child birth. Needless to say, there was some pain involved and she took much of her anger out on everyone else. One particularly painful moment involved her grabbing on to Hodgins' chest hairs for physical support during a contraction. I have a sore spot on my chest just thinking about it.

But then it got serious. With the baby about come out, Angela and Hodgins delivered some of the sweetest sentiments to each other. Then the tension mounted as the doctors checked the newborn's eyes to check for any of the blindness the two worried about. No problems whatsoever with Michael Staccato Vincent Hodgins. Frankly, it shouldn't have been any other way with this loving couple.

Okay, before we end for the season I need to make one more personal appeal to the creators of 'Bones' to promote Wendell to regular cast member. Out of all the Squinterns he appeared the most this season and had some of the meatier plots. With the passing of Mr. Nigel-Murray, Wendell is the most interesting, and most even-keeled, Squintern they have. Plus, the others have just gotten too annoying. Time to chuck them all and get a true replacement for Zack after all these years.

Next week on 'Bones': The team takes the summer off as Emily Deschanel gets ready to have her first child. See you in September.

'Bones' airs Thursdays at 9PM ET on Fox.

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