‘BONES,’ SEASON FOUR (2008)

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Ok, so I did promise myself that after this, I won’t post any more seasonal reviews of Bones here. Partly this is because television show reviews are not in the highest demand here, and secondly because I don’t want to bore you all. (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.

Bones, Season Four (2008) Fox TV 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 giving lectures. Only to give them, they must travel to England. Scotland Yard invites Booth to give a speech and “Bones” lectures at a college; a class which Booth sleeps through and receives a scolding from his 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 arranges Bones speaking engagements. The four of them get caught up in a murder investigation with American ties. But it isn’t until the case closes, and Booth and Bones ready to return that everything gets dicey.  

They find Dr. Wexler in the ashes of his apartment the morning of their departure and Scotland Yard requests 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 finds her clues. Meanwhile, Angela (Michaela Conlin) finally obtains the divorce she works so diligently to get but will she and Jack now be able to move past the doubts of their relationship?  

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There is so much to love about this show, and so much to detest about it. It’s 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. This season is one of the most interesting yet. Starting out in the beginning, the fall-out from Zack’s betrayal is the theme as is the awkwardness between Angela and Jack. Losing his best friend and fiancée greatly affects Jack, and it’s interesting to get to see more of what makes this character tick. Fortunately, he moves on from his grouchy attitude; 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 Zack.  

The attraction between the liberal, blunt Bones and the responsible, empathetic Booth grows tenfold in this season. It’s 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’s one of the best. Plus, Bones announces that she wants a baby in the most unexpected setting. We also meet 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.  

Other highlights this fourth go-round is the wrap-up of the “grave digger” case which does build excellent suspense. Also good is Bones being more approachable as a character. In a huge let-down, a main character resumes a same-sex 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 off-base knowing this character. Stories range from original to headline-making news, but as usual, they’re all unique. The characters are endearing and I love getting to know Dr. Sweets (John Francis Daley) better (with co-workers and his adorable girlfriend, Daisy). Another fun thing is the “rotating” squints that come through the Jeffersonian, 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 cheat (like I did *wink*) and already know what’s coming.

Content: there’s 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. We see bodies 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. The show is TV-14

Photos: Fox