No real relevance to the post title, except that it’s an actual episode title that I thought was cool.
Basically, this post is all about the Bones pimpage now that I am 100% caught up. I did watch tonight’s episode of The Office and then opted to watch last night’s Bones rather than Scrubs or Grey’s Anatomy.
I watched 35 episodes in seven days, and I liken it to the Harry Potter dilemma every time a new book is released. On one hand, I want to prolong the awesomeness of a brand-new HP novel — especially the next one, since it will be the last one. (Sob) But on the other hand, not only do I read fast naturally, but I also am desperate to find out what happens and so I always read them in one day. No exception. I didn’t board the HP insanity train till the first three were already released, but I read Goblet of Fire, Order of the Phoenix, and Half-Blood Prince the day they came out.
Same with Bones. I wanted to pace myself, to have longer to enjoy the new (to me) episodes, and yet with the conclusion of each one, I grew that more addicted and simply had to find out what happened next. Hence the 35 episodes in one week deal.
I touched on this a little bit in my first Bones post earlier this week, but I can now elaborate some more. I was talking about the show with my friend on the way to Bible study tonight and explaining to her why it is so excellent and why anyone would love it, even if he/she didn’t like procedurals/crime dramas.
It is definitely character-driven. After one and a half seasons of Bones, I know more about the six prinicpal characters than I know after seven seasons of CSI, or 1256 seasons of Law and Order. No episode concludes without at least one of the characters personally and emotionally identifying with the A storyline, and we continue to learn more about what defines and drives them from week to week.
Everything is symmetrical as well, which I appreciate.
Dr. Temperance Brennan (or Bones) is one of the most fascinating characters I’ve ever seen. She’s got a highly troubled past and is also extremely brilliant. She rejects anything that is not purely rational and proven by science, and so she thinks religion is a sham, that marriage is a sham of an institution, that psychology is a pseudo-science, etc., etc. But she doesn’t voice her opinions in an antagonistic way — she is very clinical about it and recites them in much the same way she’d give a lecture. She’s also very literal, has little to no social skills, and has not a clue about pop culture — all of which make for some hilariously awkward situations.
Conversely, you’ve got her antithesis in Special Agent Seeley Booth, who was an army sniper before joining the FBI, who believes in rules and regulations and justice, and who is devoutly Catholic. Plus he’s hot and overly confident (but not in an arrogant way) and can charm his way into (or out of) any situation in which he finds himself.
Then there are Dr. Jack Hodgins and Dr. Zack Addy. Hodgins is at least socially adept, but they’re still just a couple of science geeks, especially Zack.
Which is why the writers are brilliant for introducing a character like Angela Montenegro. She was an artist before (seemingly reluctantly) becoming a scientist, and therefore she brings a breath of fresh air to a team ruled by science, practicality, and black/white rationality.
As it was explained in a scenario where Angela goes to talk to the family of a victim, she’s better with the living than Brennan or any of her team, all of whom are more comfortable with the dead.
The science is really interesting, of course, and another example of why this show differs from the CSI genre is that there are actual life-and-death cases and investigations going on in which the characters are avidly involved (instead of just coming in to clean up/identify the mess.) The multi-episode story arc with serial killer Howard Epps, for example, reminded me of the ongoing Temple Gault case, for anyone familiar with Patricia Cornwell’s early work. (He appears in Cruel and Unusual and From Potter’s Field and is mentioned in The Body Farm.)
The dialogue is incredibly clever and well-written and infused with a great deal of wit and sarcasm. David Boreanaz (who I have a full-blown crush on once more) and Emily Deschanel are quite adept with the banter and the UST. So are Michaela Conlin (Angela) and TJ Thyne (Hodgins), for that matter. And like I recently remarked to a friend of mine, it is so foreign — and welcomed — to see David Boreanaz in a role where he doesn’t have to brood and feel guilty for all eternity. I’d forgotten the guy could smile. (Which is why you must check out the first video clip included.)
I really do adore this show and part of me hates that I now have to wait week to week for new episodes.
Anyway, I highly recommend it. And here are a couple examples why:
