Airdate: Thursday, May 5, 2011 9/8c

Rating [rating=4]

Tensions run high and patience runs low after a young girl covered in blood, wielding a bloodied knife, is found in an alley and brought to the Jeffersonian. Because she’s a deaf mute and uncooperative, Caroline (Patricia Belcher) seeks out Brennan (Emily Deschanel) to solve this mystery. However, Brennan usually deals with dead people and their bones; not live bodies. Caroline says, “We need your forensic voodoo to tell us who she is and who her victim might be.”

L-R: Brennan (Emily Deschanel) and Grace Meacham (Michelle L. Gardner) disagree on how to approach Jane Doe (Mackenzie Applegate)

Is Brennan PMS’ing? Did someone urinate in her Cheerios? She’s very snippy and I don’t care for her snide tone through about half of this episode. However, I was most intrigued by the young Jane Doe (Mackenzie Applegate). Applegate’s performance was superb! I tried to find out more about her online to find out if she’s truly deaf, but I wasn’t able to find much information. Either way, her convincing portrayal as a terrified young girl who’s a deaf mute and the victim of child abuse for nearly 12 years blew me away.

I’m so surprised Hodgins (TJ Thyne) and Brennan presume Jane is guilty without knowing all the facts. Yes, she was covered in a ridiculous amount of blood brandishing a knife, but what happened to “innocent until proven guilty?” While Hodgins tries to collect particulate samples from Jane while she’s strapped to a chair, the Child Protective Services attorney Grace Meacham (Michelle L. Gardner) and Brennan exchange frustrated comments. Intern Arastoo Viziri (Pej Vahdat) also looks aggrieved by how things are being done. Grace is looking out for Jane’s civil rights while Brennan is insensitively trying to get evidence. The situation becomes increasingly uncomfortable; the tension is palpable.

Hodgins (TJ Thyne) tries to collect samples from Jane's (Mackenzie Applegate) hair while being supervised by Grace (Michelle L. Gardner)

Booth (David Boreanaz) doesn’t take kindly to the abusive parents, Mike (Sean O’Bryan) and Denise (Pamela Gray) Shenfield. During questioning, Mike strikes Denise in order to keep her from saying anything more damaging. This sets Booth into a rage – he throws Mike against the wall and slugs him! I was a little surprised at how angry Booth became but I understand where it comes from – his father was abusive. But I know Booth has to constantly restrain himself because if he doesn’t, he could lose control quite easily I think.

Parents-to-be Angela (Michaela Conlin, L) and Hodgins (TJ Thyne, R)

While everyone is working on the case, Angela hides her Braxton Hicks contractions from Hodgins. I sort of understand why she did it – but then again I don’t. Yes, Hodgins was a bit thoughtless earlier when she was trying to talk to him, but he was under pressure to determine what the particulates contained. However, she is having his baby and that trumps particulates in my book every time. It was hilarious how he freaked out when she had more contractions – I guess those birthing classes were a waste of time.

The person who lightens the mood for me is Caroline. Her little comments to Booth crack me up. Booth may have a lead on the case using the money they found on Jane Doe – possibly stolen from the person she stabbed. Caroline says, “You’re cute when you’re trying to make me happy.” Booth quickly determines  the money was taken out from an ATM and it’s traceable. Caroline comments, “Now you’re just downright handsome.”

One recurring theme throughout “The Signs in the Silence” is Brennan’s stint in foster care. She was 15 years old when her parents disappeared and she was put in the system. She was old enough to have developed the ability to be compassionate. Dr. Sweets (John Francis Daley), who also was in foster care, is very confrontational when he thinks Brennan isn’t interested in finding out why Jane was kidnapped. But he is wrong – she does want to find out. “I’m not as cold as everyone assumes, Dr. Sweets.”

Brennan (Emily Deschanel, R) and Booth (David Boreanaz, C) help reunite Jane Doe (guest star McKenzie Applegate, L) with her family

Overall, while I enjoyed the episode, I’m having issues with Brennan’s cold demeanor throughout “The Signs in the Silence.” The case, however, was very interesting, especially the various methods used to deduce the clues and evidence found. I mean, who knew you could use a wisdom tooth to collect isotopes that would determine where you grew up! After Brennan works her “voodoo” on the wisdom tooth, Jane, whose real name is Samantha, is heart-warmingly reunited with her birth parents.

I hope Brennan warms up before the season is over. If my calculations are correct, it has been quite a while since she’s been intimate with anyone. Perhaps her lack of physical human contact is the reason for her iciness. Just saying. Maybe she can visit “The Finder,” Walter Sherman (Geoff Stults) – I’m sure he could loosen her up. (giggle)

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