Introduction to the TV Series "Bones"

"Bones" makes for an interesting twist in the crime drama genre. The series first aired in September 2005. Dr. Temperance Brennan, played by Emily Deschanel, is a forensic anthropologist with the Jeffersonian Institute in Washington D.C. She teams up with Seeley Booth, played by David Boreanaz, an FBI agent and together, with the help of her team, they solve crime. The show is inspired by a real-life forensic anthropologist and writer, Kathy Reichs.

The difference found with the series from many other crime dramas is that crimes are solved using evidence found on or in remaining skeletal parts of the victims. Dr. Brennan is an expert in forensic anthropology and personally relates to the bones that surround her better than she does to the people she works with. She received the nickname "Bones" from Seeley Booth, hence the show's title.

As of season 6 the forensic team on "Bones" consists of Dr. Jack Hodgins, played by T. J. Thyne, as a spore, mineral and insect expert. Angela Montenegro, played by Michaela Conlin, is an artist that reconstructs facial features and crime scenes. Dr. Camille Saroyan, played by Tamara Taylor, is the laboratory's supervisor, although she tends to defer to Dr. Brennan. Dr. Lance Sweets, played by John Daley, is a FBI psychologist who assists in profiling. The show has had several graduate lab assistants over the years, each with a unique personality that added to the mix.

Season 6 of "Bones" brought quite a change to the atmosphere of the past five seasons. Booth and Bones had always been on the verge of a relationship with the underlying tensions that the situation creates. Dr. Sweets had been engaged to a former lab assistant, Daisy, and Angela and Jack finally became married. At the end of season five Dr. Brennan announced that she was leaving the Jeffersonian and going to Maluku with Daisy for anthropological work which broke up the team.

Season 6 began as a bit of a shock. Dr. Saroyan is now working at the Federal Coroner's Lab and has no real team to help her with a case she must solve. A request for help is sent by Caroline Julian. Booth returns from a voluntary tour in Afghanistan and is now dating a war correspondent. Dr. Sweets and Daisy are no longer engaged. Dr. Brennan returns from Maluku still unsure of human relationships. The only survivors of the changes are Angela and Dr. Hodgens, who return from Paris to assist and who are now expecting a baby.

"Bones" can make for some excellent television viewing although the show is not for the squeamish. The series takes a different look at how crimes are solved and how identities are determined through anthropological forensics. Whether the present interaction between characters, or the lack of it, remains the theme can only be known by watching the next episodes.

New episodes of "Bones" air on FOX on Thursday evenings at 8 pm ET. Previous episodes of "Bones" air on TNT Monday through Friday at 7 pm ET with additional episodes at 8 pm ET depending on the evening.

References:

http://www.tnt.tv/stories/story/?oid=37054http://www.fox.com/bones/