Bones Review

So in honor of the blog that inspired me to start one, I wanted to write my first review on the tv show Bones.  I literally watched all three seasons in about 2 1/2 weeks.  It was fantastic.  This show is a forensic show specializing in using bones to solve a murder.  It stars the enchanting Emily Deschanel (Glory Road, and sister of indie fav Zooey Deschanel) as Dr. Temperance Brennan, affectionately called "Bones" by her partner.  This FBI partner is Special Agent Seeley Booth, played by the amazing David Boreanaz (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel) who has created his own following from starring in shows imagined by cult creator Joss Whedon.  I wrongly assumed that since the premise centers on an anthropologist helping solve murders, this show would be another poor man's version of CSI (i.e. CSI:Miami, CSI:NY, NCIS, etc).  Being a chemistry graduate student, I enjoy the science of the show.  I can understand and follow the techniques of the show even without knowing the anthropological names of everything, and I especially appreciate the "nerd humor" often present between the squints.  However, this is not the actual strength of the show and is not why it has such a strong and faithful following.  The true beauty of the series is the focus on the relationships between the characters, in particular Booth and Brennan.  Unlike other forensic based shows, Bones strategically focuses on the relationship between the colder, scientific Brennan and the heroic, but emotionally driven Booth.  I realize the harsh stereotype that is assigned to Brennan (not all scientists have trouble relating to people), but it allows for growth in the character.  It enhances the show because Booth acts as a catalyst to her understanding of human behavior and psychology.

Most of the other characters in the show have focused on the hard science of the show.  Dr. Jack Hodgins (T.J. Thyne), Dr. Zack Addy (Eric Millegan), Angela (Michaela Conlin) and C

amille (Tamara Taylor) provide the scientific evidence for each case.  Hodgins and Zack often add the sincere nerdy humor that is truly present in scientific labs.  It is a relief to know that other people can realize scientific humor and accurately portray it to a general audience.  It makes me feel slightly better about being a chemistry nerd.  Angela is Brennan's best friend and represents the humanity within the lab environment.  Camille was introduced mainly as Booth's love interest, but has finally settled in as a member of the lab and has dissociated herself from being a romantic interest.  At the beginning of this series, there were more characters that focused on the hard science as opposed to the human behavior.  Recently there have been more additions to focus on the other aspects of the show/case.  Dr. Caroline Julian (Patricia Belcher) is a DA who offers her less than subtle opinions and rightly pushes Booth and Brennan to their first kiss.  Caroline is like a breath of fresh air every time she is on screen.  She never holds back and it's a joy to watch her energy.  Dr. Lance Sweets (John Francis Daley) is the couples therapist for Booth and Brennan who pokes and asks them difficult questions about their relationship.  I love watching the scenes with Sweets.  He asks the questions we often want to ask and points out slight nuances of the relationship that we are watching.  The other random character that adds a lot of insight is Max Keenan (Ryan O'Neal), Brennan's father.  He challenges Brennan's ideals of justice and family.  

For the die hard fans of the show, we're all enamored with Booth and Brennan's relationship.  We anxiously watch each glance and reaction waiting for them to realise and act on the love they have 

for each other.  Amid the science and FBI cases, this show has so many different types of emotions involved: excitement, heartbreak, frustration and love.  I'm excited to watch season 4 along with everyone else.