The team continues their search for the serial killing "Puppeteer" who lives with his victims’ bodies before disposing of them. Brennan, still guilty over her temporary retirement the previous year, suffers from nightmares and a loss of sleep. After gathering various clues and pieces of evidence, Booth realizes who it is but is too late to prevent Brennan from being kidnapped by said Puppeteer-former Jeffersonian intern Zack Addy.
Tropes
- The Bus Came Back: Zack Addy returns for the first time since his last appearance in the 100th episode, only this time he kidnaps Bones in an effort to clear his name in regards to being Gormogon's apprentice.
- Dreaming of Things to Come: Brennan has dreams about burnt remains coming to life, and at one point dreams of a Wendell with a cigarette behind his ear and with burned hands telling her "If you knew what I knew, you'd be so proud of me". Dream Wendell's line and burned hands are both nods to Zack in the season 3 finale "The Pain in the Heart". Guess who shows up at the end of the episode.
- Mass "Oh, Crap!": When the team believes that Zach Addy has become a serial killer.
- Red Herring: Maybe the best the series has ever produced.
- Season Finale: The show's eleventh. Zack Addy returns while the team investigates the mysterious Puppeteer killer.
- Wham Episode: The episode ends with the revelation that Zack Addy is The Puppeteer, and he's kidnapped Brennan.
