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Forensic anthropologist, Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan, and cocky FBI special agent Seeley Booth build a team to investigate murders – and quite often, there isn’t more to examine than rotten flesh or mere bones.
After twelve seasons of lab-based, scientific drama, “Bones” is not about to be buried and put away after two hundred and forty-six episodes of forensic bliss. The series that began in September of 2005 and ended in March of this year (2017), left us with a tremendous amount of longing for the Brennan and Booth effect that captured our hearts and minds at a time when CSI was already capturing the airwaves with behind-the-scenes analysis of crimes and the criminal psychology of its perpetrators.
The entire premise of “Bones” was loosely based on the real life of Forensic Anthropologist and Novelist, Kathy Reichs, whose heroine in her writings was Dr. Temperance “Tempe” Brennan, who we all know as “Bones.” Reich, who holds down several professional roles in the community also stayed on as Producer “In order to keep science honest.” Reichs’ contribution as a well-respected Scientist and Teaching Scholar, was inspirational in maintaining the integrity of the show’s concept and working with Director and Creator Hart Hanson, proved to continually bring the human side of crime to the forefront. The series, which was the longest running one-hour drama produced by 20th Century Fox was mostly filmed in Los Angeles, California even though the setting for the fictional Jeffersonian Institute Medico-Lab which collaborated with the FBI, was based in Washington, D.C.
The characterization and plot development of the show was instrumental in bringing about the success of the relationships that withstood the pressures of the lab as well as the personal lives of each member of the “Bones” crew. While David Boreanaz (Special Agent Seeley Booth) was the first to be recruited for the show, Emily Deschanel (Dr. Temperance Brennan) was personally recommended by Director Jerry Bruckheimer who had just completed filming “Glory Road” with her. Bones’ purely scientific, atheist- reasoning and clearly-stated logic behind everything was put to the task against Agent Booth’s devout belief in God and his skilled investigative training as a Decorated Veteran of the Army Rangers, where he had been a Sniper. As many other roles intertwined with these two main characters, the basic storyline took on roots developing into a series that proved itself worth watching over and over again.
The supporting actors and actresses in their most notable roles included Angela Montenegro (Michaela Conlin), a Forensic Artist, Dr. Jack Hodgins (T. J. Thyne) Entomologist, Dr. Zack Eddy (Eric Millegan) initial intern who later received his Doctorate in Forensic Anthropology and Mechanical Engineering and was hired full time in the lab, Dr. Daniel Goodman (Jonathan Adams), an archaeologist who was Director of the Institute in Season One, Dr. Camille Saroyan (Tamara Taylor), Pathologist and previous New York City Coroner who replaced Goodman as Head of Forensics Division, Dr. Lance Sweets(John Francis Daley) Psychologist, James Aubrey (John Boyd) Junior FBI Agent working under Booth, Arostoo Vaziri (Pej Vahdat), Cam’s fiancé, Caroline Julian (Patricia Belcher) Assistant DA from Department of Justice, Max Brennan (Ryan O’Neal) father of Temperance and her brother Russ, Dr. Clark Edison (Eugene Byrd) intern who was later hired as a Forensic Anthropologist, Jared Booth (Brendan Fehr), Seeley Booth’s younger brother who always seems to be in trouble, Wendell Bray (Michael Grant Terry), diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma in Season Nine and then full remission by season end, Daisy Wick(Carla Gallo) had an on and off-again relationship with Lance Sweet and later bore a son, Seeley Lance Wick-Sweets, Colin Fisher (Joel David Moore) had a very dark sense of humor and suffered from depression, Dr. Rodolfo Fuentes (Ignacio Serviccho), Cuban Forensic Pathologist and Finn Abernathy (Luke Kleintank) youngest intern who had criminal issues as a juvenile and dated Cam’s adopted daughter for a short time.
Each of the twelve seasons has titles which are mostly based on the way in which the victims were discovered or provide a brief description of the main plot of the season itself. The Seasons and its highlights are as follows:
- Season One: Booth and Brennan team up as business partners whose different investigative styles both clash and complement one another. He gives her the nickname “Bones” which she initially hates and then learns to love. Their chemistry and ability to solve crimes is based on her clues from the dead and his clues from the living.
- Season Two: Brennan gets a new boss, Dr. Camille Saroyan who replaces Dr. Goodman as head of the Forensics Division.
- Season Three: Totally Decomposed – Brennan and Booth are faced with cracking the case of the Gormagon Killer who they find has a possible link to one of their own.
- Season Four: Body Bag – A double-set edition that finds the crime-fighting pair solving murder mysteries on the flight to China while their investigative team known as the “Squints” take care of the minor gruesome details back at the lab.
- Season Five: Beyond The Grave – Introduces us to the 100th episode and allows us to witness an unexpected marriage between Montenegro & Dr. Jack Hodgins. Brennan & Booth take a much-needed break from the lab.
- Season Six: Cradle To Grave – Brennan and Booth return to the Jeffersonian Institute with more incredible chemistry between them and Brennan is challenged with Booth’s involvement with a new reporter. Angela Montenegro’s pregnancy is no longer a secret and Booth and Brennan welcome a daughter into the world. In addition, a caseload of crimes involving Chupacabra keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
- Season Seven: Brennan becomes a murder suspect while at the same time trying to adjust to motherhood and the changing relationship with Booth. The Pastor’s wife shows up missing and the squints are making their show business debut.
- Season Eight: Once Upon A Crime – Brennan’s slate is finally cleared and Booth has to deal with his mother showing up after a 24-year absence.
- Season Nine: Till Death Do Us Part – Brennan and Booth finally realize they are truly inseparable and their decision to tie the knot gives someone the idea to kill.
- Season Ten: Bones Snaps Into Place – Booth is framed for the murder of three FBI agents and Brennan is on the verge of committing a crime in order to set him free. Booth is honored by the birth of Seeley Lance Wick-Sweets after Lance’s death.
- Season Eleven: Death And Disappearance – Six Months after Brennan and Booth leave the lab to start a new life, Booth goes missing and the collaboration between “Bones” and “Sleepy Hollow” make for an interesting match between Ichabod Crane and FBI Agent Mills.
- Season Twelve: Final Chapter/Nearly Departed – Brennan is kidnapped and Booth makes a life-changing decision. Brennan’s father is killed while protecting his grandchildren.
“Bones” received two Emmy nominations and there are also two books related to the series. One is a novel and the other is an official guide. The entire collection is a highly-acclaimed representation of one of the most exciting crime series of our time and one of the most liked on social media. If you’re a fan, you’ll be sure to appreciate the collection of the Brennan and Booth camaraderie that we all have grown to love over the past twelve seasons, and if you’ve not yet jumped on the bandwagon, perhaps you’ll become a late follower in which this elaborate culling of forensic drama will provide an outlet to bring you right up to speed.
“Bones: The Complete Series” is now available on DVD
