Brennan was left reeling after her father’s heroic death, and just as she decided she needed some space, Sully, the man Angela described as “the only guy besides Booth who ever stood a chance” showed up on her doorstep. 

Our TV Fanatics Ashley Bissette Sumerel and Christine Orlando are joined by Pam, a Bones fan, to debate Sully’s return, if Booth was right to head to Canada, and who was at fault for Max’s death on Bones Season 12 Episode 8.

What did you think of Sully’s return?

Ashley: I generally enjoyed it. I think it was nice that he was the voice of reason in a way, and that he wasn't there to stir up trouble in the slightest.

The only issue I had was that it felt a little out of the blue for him to show up since we haven't heard about him in so long. 

Pam: It was pretty lackluster. There was no real reason to have him back, and clearly no story line for him in closing out the series. I wish the writers had used him a long time ago and in a better way. His return fell really flat for me. 

I liked Sully in Bones Season 2 and his character was fine in this episode, but it was a missed opportunity for previous seasons. I know the actor has been busy working a lot, but still, this was a dud.

Christine: I barely even remembered Sully, but I enjoyed his return, even though I saw no real reason for it. Brennan needed someone she could talk to who was a little bit removed from her regular circle, and Sully fit the bill nicely. 

Was Brennan right to send Booth away? Was Booth right to go?

Ashley: Nope and nope. However, I can certainly understand why Brennan would ask for space, and I can understand why Booth would give that to her. I don't think it was right, but I get their motivations. 

Pam: No, they have faced so many sorrows in their past, and this just didn't sit right with me. Booth should have assigned another agent and stayed home. He and Max had an understanding over the years. Booth was always the one easing Bones back into a relationship with her estranged father. 

I think, as in all things in their life, they should have faced this together. Angie should have been the one for her to turn to, not Sully. Angie is her best friend and knows her so well, while Sully has been gone 10 years.

Christine: Sometimes you need a little space to work through your emotions, even from the people who love you the most. I was a little surprised that Booth left, but in the end, I think it was the right thing to do.

Brennan needed to stop feeling smothered, and Booth's absence gave her the chance to miss him a little. In the end, a couple of days apart brought them closer together. 

Booth obviously feels guilty. Was Max’s death his fault?

Ashley: I mean, technically, yes, Booth's actions led to this. But that doesn't mean Booth should have to shoulder the blame for it. More important was the fact that Max died while protecting his grandchildren. 

Pam: Booth had no control over the general's son, who came out of his past from his army life as a sniper. Hard to control the revenge of a hateful person who happens to be a mental case. 

Bones asked her father to stay with the children; she begged him. Max choose to protect his family, his grandchildren, with his life. He was a hero. You could say that Booth was in a round about way responsible for Max’s death, but under the circumstances, it was out of his control.

Christine: Yes and no. When he killed the general, that shot had a ripple effect that led to Max being killed decades later. But Booth was doing his job, and he had no way of knowing what the future would bring. Some psychopath’s plot for revenge years later isn’t Booth’s fault.

What, if anything, disappointed you in this episode?

Ashley: Again, the Sully thing felt a bit contrived for me. That doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it, but I think it could have been done better if it hadn't felt so rushed. 

Pam: Yes, Booth and Bones never kiss anymore; they hug like they are friends and not lovers.  At least we got an "I love you" from both of them.

I felt Sully was used as a ploy just to bring the actor back one more time, and I wish he had been used better in an episode.

Christine: Although Sully’s return did feel a little rushed, I can’t say there was anything that I really disliked about this episode. 

What was your favorite quote or scene?

Ashley: My favorite scene was Brennan opening up to Booth when he came home. It was so sweet and so emotional. 

Pam: The opening scene with the camera zooming in on Bones. It was the first time I can recall in the series that a scene has begun without setting up seeing a dead body in a long time. Maybe another tie up for the series' final season.

Christine: The cream soda scene in the beginning really got to me. It really felt like something grieving people go through, but I also loved the dialogue between Booth and Brennan upon Booth’s return. This Bones quote was my favorite…

Brennan: I want you to understand why he's important. It's because without Sully I don't think I would have been ready for you, for this, and because of that I will always be grateful to him because I love this. I love you.
Booth: I love you Bones, always.

• Permalink: I love you Bones, always.

Check back in two weeks for our review of Bones Season 12 Episode 9, and if you can't wait for more, you can watch Bones online here at TV Fanatic. 

C. Orlando was a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. Follow her on Twitter.