The follow-up
season of Fox’s hit series (based on a book written by an anthropologist) had a
few new dynamics working for it. One of which were romantic sparks between its
leading couple where season one built a friendship and nothing more.
Fortunately for fans that prefer their television to bring cleaner scripts to
the table, the first half of this season is tolerably clean – and then the
second half rolls around.
Resulting
from a car sitting in the middle of the train tracks, a train has crashed and
killed three others on the passenger train – including a prominent senator. The
body of a man is found in the car suggesting suicide but best-selling author
and anthropologist Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan (Emily Deschanel) finds
evidence to the contrary. She doesn’t think that the man who authorities
tentatively identify as a well-known business entrepreneur is really that man –
and he certainly did not commit suicide. Her FBI partner Seeley Booth (David
Boreanaz) comes under pressure from more than one person to see the case closed
quickly because of the high-profile death tangled up in the case. Intersecting
with their case is the arrival of the new head of forensics at the Jeffersonian,
and Bones new boss, Dr. Saroyan (Tamera Taylor). Coincidentally, the woman also
happens to have a romantic past with Booth – something Dr. Jack Hodgins (TJ
Thyne) quickly picks up on after he overhears their conversation. After that it
isn’t long before the entire staff knows.
Throughout
the whole case, Bones cannot stand the woman and her authoritative way of going
about running the Jeffersonian – Bones and the “squint squad” like the way
things were done and as it always meted results, Bones sees no reason to carry
on in that same vein. Why mess with a good thing? Zack Addy (Eric Milligan) has
finally completed the requirements to become a full-fledged anthropologist, but
since he is no longer a student, his new title puts his job in jeopardy because
his boss feels uncomfortable putting someone like him on the witness stand
should any trials arise. Meanwhile the free-spirited Angela (Michaela Conlin) finds
her life complicated when she and a co-worker realize there is more than just
meaningless sparks of chemistry between them.
If anything, Bones has steadily gotten better since
its debut – something that is not unusual for a network show. There is a strong
emphasis on relationships and the meanings behind them, and as it would happen becomes
an important subject over the whole scope of season three. Some of the best
“Bones memories” are found during these twenty-one episodes. I’ve been so
entertained by the relationships within
this team of scientists, lawmen and “normal” people (i.e., Angela). Angela is
such an integral part of the show – I appreciate her friendship with Brennan
and the ways she can get through to her unemotional personality where no one
else is able to (also her calling Brennan “sweetie” is so endearing). We also
finally meet Bones father (Ryan O’Neal) and find ourselves struggling with a
love-hate relationship in regards to his character. On the one hand we
semi-like him as a character (although he turned his son into being just like
him – a fugitive) and on the other we despise him for his misuse of his
daughter’s fragile trust and emotions.
More amusing
and some of the less-serious topics include one character undergoing a makeover,
Bones falling for a guy who wants her to run away with him, and two others planning
a wedding only to have it interrupted. I loved the finale of season two. It was
whimsical (not a word I would use to describe Bones in general, believe me), yet not a cliffhanger that left us
with our mouth hanging open… but there
were some hints of unanswered questions used as incentive for fans to want to come back for a brand-new season
of crime-solving. From reviews and other’s remarks I do know that later seasons
do end with shockers but so far I’ve liked that this show hasn’t ended with a host of surprises because when it all comes
right down to it, the sign of a “better” show is when writers don’t have to use
some sort of a bombshell twist to get their audience to return for the next
season.
There are
some sobering cases and some enlightening ones. “The Girl with the Curl” and
“The Stargazer in the Puddle” are both gloomy looks at a mother’s idea of
“love.” The former is a glimpse inside the pageants young girls participate in
and the latter is just twisted. Be on the look-out for one of the most
emotional episodes yet involving a near death situation and two of the main characters.
(The one episode that was priceless is
called “The Woman in the Sand.”) Whatever the episode, the one thing we can
always be assured of with this investigative team is creativity. That alone
speaks for itself.
(Rated TV14 for some mature content: dozens of
bodies are seen in varying forms of decompose. Each victim dies different ways
– some are raped, others stabbed, and some are “boiled,” others shot to death.
Several people are seen in bed together this season. One episode puts Booth in
bed with his ex in the opening of the show, and by the end, he has fallen into
bed with a different ex-girlfriend. Continuing with a casual attitude about
intimacy, Bones is seen about three times
in varying states of undress and in bed with her boyfriend; Angela and
Hodgins are constantly making out at work [we see them under the covers once].
Sexual remarks are made and there is the standard use of profanity.)
One of my favorite episodes EVER is in this season....the one with Bones and Hodgins buried in the car. LOVE that episode!!
ReplyDeleteMe, too, Ella! It reveals a LOT about Booth's feelings about Bones - and of course, Angela's also.
ReplyDelete