There are rumors swirling that a tentative agreement has been reached and the strike is almost over, to which I say, “La la la I can’t hear you!” It’s not that I don’t want the strike to end, of course, but there have been so many rumors over the last few months that, until I hear official word from the WGA, I’m just going to pretend I’ve heard nothing. I’m not getting my hopes up for new episodes of Friday Night Lights and Gossip Girl until Nick Counter himself personally assures me that all has been forgiven and invites the picketing writers into a group hug.
I’ve been trying to use the strike time as productively as possible, though. This does not mean that I’ve been diligently working out or cleaning my house. Don’t be silly. It means, of course, that I have been catching up on missed shows on DVD.
After getting up to date with The Wire in time for season 5, I decided to branch out from my beloved serial dramas for a bit and try one of those shows that I never would have watched if not for its rather vocal fans: Bones.
Bones is, in fact, just the kind of show I tend to avoid. I’m not a big fan of the procedural, having seen, in my life, a combined three episodes of the Law & Order or CSI franchises. I don’t care whodunit or how or why. I have no interest whatsoever in the inner workings of a forensics lab and, having worked in law offices, even less interest in the details of legal briefs. I don’t care how you dress it up; ex parte documents will never be glamorous. Other than House, I have never watched a single procedural on a regular basis, and even that I watch purely for House himself. The patients could all die horribly each episode and I really wouldn’t care.
The procedural aspect wasn’t the only strike against Bones. It also stars David Boreanaz, and when the show premiered, I’d just come off eight years of watching him play a vampire with a soul. I liked him in Buffy and Angel, sure, but to tell you the truth, I was not convinced he could actually act. I blame the Oirish accent he used in the Angel flashbacks for that misconception.
If you do like procedurals and David Boreanaz, you’re probably already watching the show, but if not, here are a few more reasons to check it out. The characters are all three-dimensional, unique and believable, which is more than a lot of shows can claim (Torchwood, I’m looking at you). The female lead, played by Emily Deschanel, with her intimidating IQ, fierce independence and mad forensic skillz, is arguably the strongest female representation on television today. The interpersonal drama is certainly present, but the emphasis on the case-of-the-week A-plot allows those relationships to develop slowly and naturally, rather than being forced for the sake of a ratings stunt (ahem, Grey’s Anatomy). Most surprisingly, the scripts actually reflect that these characters are PhDs working in a top-level forensics lab. They speak and act like really smart people, and not just when discussing their work. It’s a show that respects its audience’s intelligence, a rare gift in the current glut of reality TV.
While the strike still sucks in at least ninety-eight different ways, I am glad it allowed me the time to find this program. It’s one I’ll keep watching, even after the writers return to work.
Any other Bones fans out there? And has the strike given you the chance to discover any new shows?
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February 6th, 2008 at 10:44 am
I am, a great fan of Bones. I love this show and I hope the strike ends soon to keep on enjoying it
February 6th, 2008 at 10:52 am
I’m lucky enough to still be in the middle of season 2, Sara — I have about 20 new episodes before I run out. For someone who really doesn’t like procedurals, I’ve been surprised how much I’m enjoying it. Plus, it is a welcome break from non-stop American Idol.
February 6th, 2008 at 11:00 am
I tried to watch Bones (mainly because my mum made me) but I didn’t like it. Perhaps I need to watch more than an episode or two, but I’m picky with my TV and if I have to force myself to get into something then I generally give in (I’m hanging on by a thread with The Wire, much to my disappointment). And, just to be all superficial, I don’t like Emily Deschanel. I don’t like her face, or her voice, or her mannerisms. I find her too annoying to watch.
As for other shows, I tried Chuck but it lost me after two episodes. I may go back, I may not. I enjoyed the first episode of Reaper but my mind wandered during the second one.
Basically I want my other shows back now please!
February 6th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
It took me about five episodes to get into Bones, but then I was hooked. It helps, I’m sure, that I really like Emily Deschanel — face, voice and mannerisms.
Clearly, we have some different tastes, Carrie, as I think Chuck is the best new show of this season.
February 6th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
I’m in the exact same situation! Several people had recommended it to me, I never had time to watch, and then bam, strike, Bones marathon…and now I’m totally a fan. I’ve actually been meaning to post about it!
February 6th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
I’m so glad someone else is a fan! I stormed through both seasons at the end of last year and loved it, though it does take a while to get going. Once it stopped being quite so cheesy and found a sense of humour, it got a lot a better.
Sadly, the one other person I know who has seen Season One, who is a huge fan of CSI and its ilk, hated it because she could not stand Brennan. I find her hugely appealing, as she’s so different from other female characters on TV at the moment. Can’t wait to see Season 3!
February 6th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Terrie, I don’t understand this aversion to Brennan that I’m suddenly hearing about. As you say, she’s a wonderful change from the typical TV female. I do hope that she develops more social skills as the series progresses, because her character is too smart not to learn from her mistakes, but I love how she is frequently awkward and out of her depth.
Liz, I’m glad to hear that someone else has shared my experience. Now I need to figure out what to watch next — Mad Men or Damages. At this rate, when the writers finally return, I’ll find myself with too many shows I want to watch.
February 7th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
I like Bones - mainly because of The Boreanaz (the man can *really* wear a suit, in my opionion), but I agree with you about the way Brennan’s character is written. (Plus, I love the way they dress her. Can I have those cool casual digs and funky necklaces, please? They seem just right for a scientist who doesn’t necessarily obsess over her appearance, but knows that she’s attractive). It’s one of those shows that I don’t obsessively watch as soon as it airs, but it is awesome to sit down on a lazy Sunday afternoon and realize that I have 2 or 3 eps on the DVR.
February 7th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Glad you had a chance to watch Bones. I have watched it since the beginning. Admittedly Season 1 is alright, but Season 2 and now 3 are even better! I never knew who Boreanaz or Deschanel were but their chemistry got me hooked.
February 8th, 2008 at 2:58 am
Hey! I’m glad you gave the show a chance and actually enjoyed it. I didn’t feel the need to watch any other shows during this strike. Bones is enough for me. And I used my time to show my support of the writers educate other folks about the strike. And as for Carrie’s comments above. I don’t know what you are talking about. Deschanel’s rock…all of them.
February 8th, 2008 at 5:17 am
I found Bones in the middle of it’s first season. It took me a couple viewings to get hooked, but it is definitely my favorite series of all time. The writing is intelligent yet funny, the characters are well-developed (and progress naturally), and the actors are terrific. What’s more to want?
February 8th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Yoda, sorry. Although I actually do love Zooey to bits!
I feel all bad now, like I should force myself to watch more Bones and fall in love with her or something….maybe one day.
February 8th, 2008 at 10:03 am
KristinKay, I know exactly what you mean about the way they dress Brennan. It shows an attention to detail and an awareness of the character that they don’t cram her into revealing outfits for the sake of ratings.
February 8th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
I love Bones and am struggling to find decent quality episodes to complete the series, and I love it for the same reasons as Terrie and Marcia and also KristinKay. Brennan seems as though she is the character she’s supposed to be, her dialogue and character and clothing all fit with the super achiever academic she’s meant to be and allow her to seem human, also the chemistry of the ensemble is great too. I mean they may be a little pally for people who work together but it doesn’t seem forced to make plot points in the way that some shows do.
I <3 bones in short. For me it falls nicely between the real quality of The Wire and the fantasy of Pushing Daisies, its blatantly not real and harsh but it is thought provoking in parts but it still has a lot of fun.
February 14th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
i also avoided bones for years because of the boreanaz factor (and, like you, most of my boreanaz issues stemmed from that horrible, horrible oirish accent), but then we happened to catch this year’s halloween episode (mainly because neither my husband nor i could change the channel away from emily deschanel in a wonder woman costume), and it’s one of the shows we’ve been slowly catching up on during the writers’ strike. that and…um…shaun the sheep, actually. we are nothing if not eclectic.
May 30th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
i started watching it a few years ago now i absolutely adore bones, the series finale of season three left me speechless!
is there a really good website that i can watch bones episodes inside the uk because i just can’t find one >_<
(carey that halloween episode was amazing!!!)