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The Worst Episodes of Bones

Every episode of Bones ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Bones!

Dr. Temperance Brennan and her colleagues at the Jeffersonian's Medico-Legal Lab assist Special Agent Seeley Booth with murder investigations when the remains are so badly decomposed, burned...
Genres:CrimeDrama
Network:FOX

Worst Episodes Summary

"The Ghost in the Machine" is the worst rated episode of "Bones". It scored 6.7/10 based on 1515 votes. Directed by Milan Cheylov and written by Hart Hanson, it aired on 12/3/2012. This episode scored 0.1 points lower than the second lowest rated, "The Murder of the Meninist".

  • The Ghost in the Machine
    6.7/101,515 votes
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    #1 - The Ghost in the Machine

    Season 8 Episode 9 - Aired 12/3/2012

    A psychic joins the investigation of a death of a little boy whose soul is believed to be still alive, prompting the team members to reflect on their beliefs of life after death.

    Director: Milan Cheylov

    Writer: Hart Hanson

  • The Murder of the Meninist
    6.8/10693 votes
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    #2 - The Murder of the Meninist

    Season 11 Episode 12 - Aired 4/21/2016

    The team investigates a body found in a car crash, the remains of which belong to a founder of a men's rights organization who may have been the victim of domestic abuse. As Brennan learns more about the tenets of the victim's organization, which claims middle-aged white men are oppressed and feminists are man-haters, Brennan uncharacteristically loses her cool during an interrogation and assaults the organization's co-founder. Meanwhile, Angela and the team struggle to deal with Hodgins post-wheelchair bitterness and Booth is convinced Brennan is a jinx for the Philadelphia Flyers.

    Director: Ian Toynton

    Writer: Hilary Weisman Graham

  • The Carrot in the Kudzu
    6.9/10725 votes
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    #3 - The Carrot in the Kudzu

    Season 9 Episode 18 - Aired 3/24/2014

    When an actor known for playing a popular character on a kids' TV show is murdered, unexpected suspects are discovered; Brennan and Booth plan a party for Christine's birthday; Clark asks for opinions on his novel.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Diamond in the Rough
    7.0/10968 votes
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    #4 - The Diamond in the Rough

    Season 8 Episode 10 - Aired 1/14/2013

    The Jeffersonian team investigates the death of a professional ballroom dancer who was murdered three days before her audition on a popular dancing competition show. In order to solve the case, Brennan and Booth go undercover as dance competitors to see if they can find potential suspects.

    Director: Alex Chapple

    Writer: Nkechi Okoro Carroll

  • The Strike in the Chord
    7.0/10714 votes
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    #5 - The Strike in the Chord

    Season 11 Episode 16 - Aired 5/19/2016

    The team investigates the death of the leader of the Lynwood University male acapella singing group, "The Whippersnaps," whose body was found in the school rat lab. The victim recently kicked out Ian Jansen, one of the group's best singers, sending Booth and Aubrey to question Ian and other current members of the male group and some stars of the competing female acapella group to get a handle on the group dynamics and what could have led to the murder of one of their own. Meanwhile, surprising information about Aubrey's own college experience is brought to light, Hodgins applies for an experimental nerve regeneration study, Booth tries to plan a summer trip with Parker and a new intern joins the Jeffersonian lab.

    Director: Michael Lange

    Writer: Yael Zinkow

  • The Purging of the Pundit
    7.1/10799 votes
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    #6 - The Purging of the Pundit

    Season 10 Episode 3 - Aired 10/9/2014

    The remains of a right-wing radio host are found in a storm drain, and the investigation reveals some surprising extracurricular activities that narrows the search for suspects. Meanwhile, Agent Aubrey tries to get Booth to trust him, and Brennan worries about her husband's state of mind.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Psychic in the Soup
    7.1/10746 votes
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    #7 - The Psychic in the Soup

    Season 10 Episode 11 - Aired 3/26/2015

    Angela’s psychic friend is enlisted when the body of a local psychic is found.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: Lena Waithe

  • The Baker in the Bits
    7.1/10676 votes
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    #8 - The Baker in the Bits

    Season 10 Episode 13 - Aired 4/9/2015

    When the body of an ex-con is found in pieces, the Jeffersonian team investigates a local bakery known for employing former felons.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Putter in the Rough
    7.1/10667 votes
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    #9 - The Putter in the Rough

    Season 10 Episode 14 - Aired 4/16/2015

    The team take a look into the death of a mini-golf superstar. Brennan is concerned about her dad.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Radioactive Panthers in the Party
    7.1/10583 votes
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    #10 - The Radioactive Panthers in the Party

    Season 12 Episode 10 - Aired 3/14/2017

    When the burning, bruised body of an aspiring writer/director crash-lands onto a passing car, the team investigates a series of odd locations and characters that are connected to his film. Meanwhile, Bones seeks guidance from Dr. Mayer on the meaning of passion in the work place and Booth allows Aubrey to take the reins on their current case.

    Director: Michael Lange

    Writer: Keith Foglesong

  • Death in the Saddle
    7.2/101,117 votes
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    #11 - Death in the Saddle

    Season 3 Episode 3 - Aired 10/9/2007

    Things get kinky when Booth and Brennan follow murder clues that lead to a lodge used as an S&M retreat for "jockeys" and their "horses." Meanwhile, Angela tries hypnosis in an effort to figure out her elusive husband's name so she can finally divorce him.

    Director: Craig Ross Jr.

    Writer: Josh Berman

  • The Maiden in the Mushrooms
    7.2/10814 votes
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    #12 - The Maiden in the Mushrooms

    Season 8 Episode 21 - Aired 4/1/2013

    The Jeffersonian team investigates the murder of a TV producer. Meanwhile, Brennan has trouble accepting the fact that Christine might be an "average" child, when her daughter gets accused of biting another classmate. Then, Hodgins uses all of his tools at the Jeffersonian to chemically recreate Finn's special hot sauce.

    Director: Jeannot Szwarc

    Writer: Lyla Oliver

  • The Money Maker on the Merry-Go-Round
    7.2/10717 votes
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    #13 - The Money Maker on the Merry-Go-Round

    Season 10 Episode 7 - Aired 11/13/2014

    The team investigate a billion dollar hedge fund company when severely damaged remains from human's are found under a merry go round.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Big Beef at the Royal Diner
    7.2/10657 votes
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    #14 - The Big Beef at the Royal Diner

    Season 10 Episode 16 - Aired 4/30/2015

    The team are called in after the remains of a celebrity chef are found in a local park.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Promise in the Palace
    7.2/10618 votes
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    #15 - The Promise in the Palace

    Season 11 Episode 7 - Aired 11/12/2015

    The team investigates the murder of an escape artist whose body is found in the woods. They discover that the victim worked at the Magic Palace, and had some secret activities in the works that might have made him enemies in the magic community. Meanwhile, Brennan and Booth poll their friends as to whether or not the tooth fairy should visit Christine, and Angela continues to work with Sebastian Kohl on her photography.

    Director: Jeannot Szwarc

    Writer: Joe Hortua

  • The Man in the S.U.V.
    7.3/101,657 votes
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    #16 - The Man in the S.U.V.

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 9/20/2005

    When a man is killed driving an SUV registered to a Middle Eastern man, Dr. Brennan and her team find themselves tracking a terrorist.

    Director: Allan Kroeker

    Writer: Stephen Nathan

  • The Boneless Bride in the River
    7.3/101,120 votes
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    #17 - The Boneless Bride in the River

    Season 2 Episode 16 - Aired 3/21/2007

    The team investigate the death of an Asian woman found without any bones left in her body.

    Director: Tony Wharmby

    Writer: Gary Glasberg

  • The Man in the Outhouse
    7.3/101,063 votes
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    #18 - The Man in the Outhouse

    Season 4 Episode 3 - Aired 9/10/2008

    The body of the host of a popular reality TV show is found partially decomposed in an outhouse, and Booth and Brennan must find out who the killer is. Meanwhile, Booth learns that Brennan is juggling two relationships.

    Director: Steven DePaul

    Writer: N/A

  • The Crank in the Shaft
    7.3/101,035 votes
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    #19 - The Crank in the Shaft

    Season 4 Episode 6 - Aired 10/1/2008

    The remains of a despised office manager are discovered in an elevator shaft, and Booth and Brennan must figure out which employee killed him. After some investigating, they find that the manager had more than a fair share of complaints on file. Meanwhile, Angela and Hodgins try to make peace in the lab after their break-up.

    Director: Steven DePaul

    Writer: Elizabeth Benjamin

  • The Beaver in the Otter
    7.3/101,022 votes
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    #20 - The Beaver in the Otter

    Season 4 Episode 24 - Aired 4/30/2009

    When a human body is found inside the strung up Otter mascot uniform of a rival school, Brennan and Booth investigate whether the body inside the costume was dead beforehand, or killed during a Middlesex University bonfire event. The body is identified as Jimmy “Beaver” Bouvier, a fraternity brother at Middlesex University. When Brennan and Booth question his fraternity brothers, they learn that Beaver had a money-making operation on the side and was making a killing of his own. Meanwhile, Booth offers to help his brother Jared find a new job after being dishonorably discharged from the Navy.

    Director: Brad Turner

    Writer: Scott Williams

  • The Tough Man in the Tender Chicken
    7.3/10984 votes
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    #21 - The Tough Man in the Tender Chicken

    Season 5 Episode 6 - Aired 11/5/2009

    Remains of a chicken farmer are found on the bank of a nearby river, and Booth and Brennan are called in to investigate. The farmer, who was an animal rights activist, was about to inherit a chicken factory and had many enemies with motive to kill him – leaving the team with a lot of murder suspects to sort through.

    Director: Dwight H. Little

    Writer: Dean Lopata

  • The Rocker in the Rinse Cycle
    7.3/10998 votes
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    #22 - The Rocker in the Rinse Cycle

    Season 5 Episode 19 - Aired 4/29/2010

    Booth and Brennan investigate a death at a rock-n-roll fantasy camp where the murder weapon is a Gibson ‘57 Les Paul “Black Beauty.”

    Director: Jeff Woolnough

    Writer: Karine Rosenthal

  • The Couple in the Cave
    7.3/10978 votes
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    #23 - The Couple in the Cave

    Season 6 Episode 2 - Aired 9/30/2010

    When the remains of a couple are discovered in a cave at National Park, the team must piece together the identity of the man and the woman as well as solve the crime. After interrogating two viable suspects, the team identifies the woman as a marketing executive who also served as her partner’s AA sponsor, providing clues that lead them to expose the truth. Meanwhile, Booth’s girlfriend and Afghanistan war correspondent, Hannah Burley, makes a surprise visit. After meeting Burley and sensing the couple’s genuine happiness, Brennan re-evaluates her own relationship with Booth, and he tries to teach her that love is not always logical.

    Director: Milan Cheylov

    Writer: Stephen Nathan

  • The Sin in the Sisterhood
    7.3/10903 votes
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    #24 - The Sin in the Sisterhood

    Season 6 Episode 12 - Aired 2/3/2011

    A body disguised as a scarecrow is found with a bullet wound in a remote cornfield, and the team is forced to work against the clock to avoid a storm and potential complications that would affect the evidence. Booth and Brennan interrogate the victim's three wives, who are also sisters, and learn that jealousy between the sisters and their desire for their husband's attention had caused a major rift in the family. Booth and Brennan also question one relative who disapproved of the victim's polygamy. Meanwhile, Cam loses confidence in her relationship with her on-call doctor boyfriend, but they both realize they need to make their relationship a priority.

    Director: Rob Hardy

    Writer: Karyn Usher

  • The Pinocchio in the Planter
    7.3/10886 votes
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    #25 - The Pinocchio in the Planter

    Season 6 Episode 20 - Aired 4/28/2011

    The team identifies the remains of a successful ad man found in the grounds of a newly built community center playground. Upon inspecting the victim’s home and interrogating his former partner and employer, Booth and Brennan discover that the victim burned bridges by adopting an aggressive attitude toward honesty and was a member of a radical honesty support group. Meanwhile, each of the team members attempts to adopt a more honest way of communicating that doesn’t always lend itself to good relationships, and Angela urges Hodgins to confront the realities of their pregnancy

    Director: François Velle

    Writer: Keith Foglesong