Bones: Putting My Finger on What’s Wrong

Last night’s episode of "Bones", “The Finger in the Nest,” again seemed more focused on the relationships between the characters than the crime itself. I think I’ve come to the conclusion that this show has ceased to be about the crimes and forensic anthropology. This change has happened over a period of time, and while it seems to be a natural progression, for me, it still seems a little off.

The murder case in this episode was about a veterinarian who was killed because he was going to expose a dog-fighting ring. The murder is first uncovered when Booth’s (David Boreanaz) son Parker finds a dismembered finger in a birds nest, which just happens to be low enough for him to get into with only a short climb into a tree.

While Temperance “Bones” Brennan (Emily Deschanel) and her staff work on the murder, Booth is more worried that his son will be forever scarred by finding that finger. While he is enlisting the help of the ever-annoying Dr. Sweets (John Francis Daley) to determine if Parker is suffering from post traumatic stress after finding the finger, I come to the conclusion that Booth is becoming a total wuss. (I called him a “doofus maximus” a few weeks ago. I now officially add “wuss” to that description.) I don’t like what they are doing with Booth and what kind of man he is becoming.

Without going into the details of the forensics – frankly why bother since the show seems to make it just a backdrop to the “dance” that is going on between Booth and Brennan – they crack the case relatively easily. It’s not without another casualty, though. A dog named Riley, who was instructed to kill the vet by its master, is euthanized before Bones can adopt him. Booth and Bones bury Ripley in what looks like a park. I hope it wasn’t in a park that I will be going to soon.
It’s not that the show isn’t entertaining. It is. Booth and Bones have great chemistry and the cast seems to mesh very well. Well, except for Dr. Sweets and Dr. Saroyan (Tamara Taylor), who I both wish would just go away. As a matter of fact, I am finding harder and harder to rationalize why Dr. Sweets plays such a major role in the work at the Jeffersonian, except to be an outlet for Booth and Bones.

So as far as the chemistry element of the show, I give it an A-. But as far as the crime element of the show, I give it a C. The science is there, yes, but it seems to only be a convenient plot device to advance the relationship between Booth and Bones. If I had to compare it to anything, it seems like I’m watching a modern version of Nancy Drew. If they are trying to make Booth and Bones into a new version of Mulder and Skully, I say nice try, but at least Mulder and Skully had story lines that seemed more fitting for people over the age of 15.

By the way, the soap-opera element will only get worse, as they are adding a new twist to the show by throwing another wrench into the Angela and Jack’s relationship. Read on from Eonline:

Bones Casting: Meet Angela's Lesbian Lovah

Meet Angela's new...woman! Angela Montenegro (Michaela Conlin) on Fox's Bones is currently torn between two male lovers—ex-fiancé Jack Hodgins (T.J. Thyne) and ex-husband Grayson (Sean Blakemore)—and now a fourth party will be added to the mix!

Fox confirms to us that the adorable Nichole Hiltz, who is best known to most TV viewers as Marshal Mary Shannon's ditzy but well-meaning sister, Brandi Shannon, on USA's In Plain Sight, will appear in Bones' Nov. 12 episode, "The Skull in the Sculpture."

Nichole plays Roxie Lyons, an artist's assistant implicated in her boss' death. Roxie, however, is more than just a suspect—she shares a romantic past with Angela. (She debunks the theory that she killed out of sexual jealousy by pointing out that she is a lesbian and that her boss was a man.)

Now what does this mean for Angela's love life? Well, it certainly isn't going to make Jack any happier with her! I ran into T.J. Thyne (whom I adore) at the Fox party, and when we discussed his character's love life, he said, "Thank you for knowing that she dumped me!" Sounds like Jack isn't going to be forgiving and forgetting any time soon.

In other news, yes, they are now casting for a hottie to play Jared Booth, Seeley's high-ranking Navy officer brother. Jared has a strained relationship with Booth (David Boreanaz), a fond friendship with Cam (Tamara Taylor) and eyes for Brennan (Emily Deschanel). I'm pretty sure that's not going to go over well with Booth, but I get the feeling the situation between Jared and Seeley is more about sibling rivalry than romantic competition.

David himself tells us, "We'll dive into Booth's past a little bit this season. Maybe we'll see his younger brother and his grandfather. And we'll see a little bit more of a vulnerable side to his character."

More deets on that in a future post, along with dish from David, Emily and Michaela themselves about what's to come in season four—but for now, post in the comments about what you think of Nichole's casting and who should play Booth's brother...
—Additional reporting by Jennifer Godwin and Natalie Abrams



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