I’ve promised
myself that after this review, I won’t post any more seasonal reviews of Bones on my blog. Partly this is because
television show reviews are not in the highest demand here (that could have
something to do with my seeing them a year late *grin*) and secondly because I
don’t want to bore you all with my continuous raving about this show. (Can I
help it if this show makes it easy to write about? Plus it is way more fun than
it should be.) So without further ado, here are my thoughts on season four of Bones – which finds the duo in jolly old
England.
Just as fair
warning: anyone who may not have seen season three yet, spoilers will be revealed in this review.
In their
field of expertise, they are the best, which is why FBI Special Agent Seeley
Booth (David Boreanaz)
and Dr. Temperance Brennan (Emily Deschanel) are asked to give lectures on
their chosen fields – only this time, it
isn’t on U.S. soil. Booth is invited by Scotland Yard to give a speech and
“Bones” is lecturing at a college – a class which Booth sleeps through and
receives a scolding from his very literal partner for it. While in the U.K.,
the pair of them interact with their mirror counterparts. Booth flirts with the
pretty Scotland Yard investigator who coincidentally works with the scientist
who arranged Bones speaking engagements – the guy who is trying his hardest to
make a good enough impression on her to engage in a no-strings-attached fling.
The four of them get caught up in a murder investigation with American ties but
it isn’t until the case is closed, and Booth and Bones ready to head home that everything
really gets dicey.
Dr. Wexler is found in the burnt ashes of his apartment the morning of
their departure and Scotland Yard requests – as a personal favor that Booth and
Dr. Brennan remain behind in order to solve his murder. With the assistance of her
team stateside – Dr. Hodgins (T.J. Thyne) and Cam (Tamara Taylor), Bones
manages to find cause of death that eventually leads them to the killer.
Meanwhile, Jack and Angela (Michaela Conlin)
finally obtain the divorce they worked so diligently to get from Angela’s hubby
but will they now be able to move past the doubts about their relationship?
There is so
much to love about this show… and so much to detest about it. It is one of
those shows that we love and hate all at once. What is bad about the show is
its blatant disregard of moral behavior – if it isn’t the victims or suspects
being a-moral, it is the main characters themselves. This season was one of the
most interesting yet. Starting out in the beginning several episodes, the fall-out
from Zack’s betrayal is dealt with as is the awkwardness between Angela and
Jack. Losing his best friend and fiancée has greatly affected Jack, and it was
interesting to get to see more of what makes this character tick. No longer is
he interested in yelling “king of the lab” (those who have watched the entire series
know what this means) or partaking in experiments and he would rather snap at
everyone than adopt an easy-going work place attitude. Fortunately, he moves on
from his downtrodden grouchy attitude, and in one of the most entertaining episodes,
Zack (Eric Milligan) makes a surprise return to help them solve their case. It’s
as emotional as it is amusing, especially when Booth leaves Sweets (who is now
a cast regular) in charge of seeing Zack returned to the facility he was sentenced
to, and he meekly asks Booth not to leave him alone with Zack.
The attraction
between the liberal, blunt Bones and the responsible, empathetic Booth grows
tenfold in this season. It is all found in the subtle things like Bones
actually questioning her belief that two people could maybe commit to each other. Never has arguing over an office chair
been so much fun, and this series has the cutest endings in the history of
television shows (or in my limited experience). Look out specifically for “Fire
in the Ice,” it is one of the best. Plus, Bones announces that she wants a baby
in the most unexpected setting. We also are treated to meeting Booth’s charming
“little” bro (he even kisses Bones!), Jared (Brendan Fehr). Despite his being a
jerk, there is something about him we love. The fact that he losses his job
over helping Booth is an interesting dynamic because we do feel bad no matter
his shortcomings because he was successful in his work.
Other
highlights this fourth go-round is the wrap-up of the “grave digger” case which
does build excellent suspense before it concludes to be surprisingly
anti-climatic and also Bones is more approachable as a character. In a huge let-down,
we learn that a main character engaged in a same-sex relationship during
college and resumes that relationship for a brief period of time in the present
(from “The Skull in the Sculpture” through “The Salt in the Wounds”). It makes
for an awkward few episodes not to mention seeming totally unrealistic knowing
this character. Stories range from original to being inspired by
headline-making news, but as usual, we are always assured a unique one. The
characters are endearing and I loved getting to know Dr. Sweets (John Francis
Daley) better, seeing him interact with his co-workers and adorable girlfriend
Daisy while also finding the “rotating” squints that come through the
Jeffersonian amusing – most of whom are still popping up in the seventh and
current season. “The End in the
Beginning” is an unforgettable episode
in which the characters take on a whole new persona although the episode will literally
leave you saying nooooo! Unless, of course, you cheated (like I did *wink*) and
already know what’s coming.
Who is your
favorite television crime-fighting duo?
Related
Posts:
(Rated TV14 because of countless sexual
innuendoes [including references to the anatomy] and encounters [one same-sex
kiss is seen – and it isn’t just a peck! Plus one person sleeps with an ex immediately
following the break-up]. Cam sleeps with Angela’s ex once and in one episode
Bones is seeing two men but only being intimate with one. Bodies are seen in
varying forms – some are nothing but the bone structure, others have more flesh
but they are always gross. Profanity is less obtrusive but is worthy of
mention.)
I used to watch Bones faithfully, but departed the series sometime before Angela became a bisexual.
ReplyDeleteFavorite crime-fighting duo? Easy. Sherlock and John. =)
It is really all Ella's fault that I got addicted to this show. =D
ReplyDeleteThat addition to the show was a real disappointment - particularly since it makes no sense (other than to trash the show up and be PC). Angela was constantly talking about the men in her life and hitting on any good-looking man that crossed her path.
Sherlock and John... they are AWESOME, aren't they!? ;D