"BONES: SEASON 2"
DVD Review
by Rachel Buccicone
| MOVIE: **** (out of 5 stars)
DVD EXPERIENCE: **** (out of 5 stars) STARRING Emily Deschenel as TEMPERANCE “BONES” BRENNAN David Boreanaz as SEELEY BOOTH Not Rated Studio: 20th Century Fox Created by Hart Hansen Back to DVD Review Home |  |
The shooting of a clown, death threats and a wedding highlight yet another brilliant season of “Bones”. The cast viewers came to love in season one have really come into their own with the release of the triumphant season two on DVD.
“Bones” chiefly surrounds Dr. Temperance Brennan (Emily Deschenel) who is a forensic anthropologist working at the Jeffersonian Institute in D.C. She has acquired the nickname ‘Bones’ because that’s what she does: she examines skeletal remains in order to solve crimes. Partnering with Bones is Special Agent Seely Booth (David Boreanaz), an FBI agent in charge of the legal end of the crime-solving. At the super high-tech lab of the Jeffersonian, a number of anthropologists assist Bones, each with his own specialty.
While Booth is the terribly confident and outwardly sexual figure, Bones is self-admittedly useless in social situations. Her intelligence is so great that she absolutely lacks social skills to many a comic end. She views sex on strictly scientific terms: as a biological need. However, the sexual aspect doesn’t go to discount the quality of the actual crime-solving on “Bones”. Always complex and often with a twist, the science is way over the average viewer’s head but always summed in lay terms.
While the first season essentially ignored the personal lives of all characters besides our main two - Bones and Booth - season two has a romance develop and hit its climax between two supporting characters. This yet again distinguishes “Bones” from similar programs in that, while there is clearly something between our lead characters, it’s the secondary ones who get the romantic attention.
Other distinguishing features of this season: The crew gets a new, female boss, with whom Booth had a prior relationship - steamy. The entire crew has its lives threatened by the fugitive whose incarceration was the secured by Bones’ work - scary. This might have lead to the shooting of a clown figure atop an ice-cream truck by Booth, thus leading to his removal from duty as he undergoes mandatory therapy - funny. Booth’s absence here leads Bones to work with another agent with whom she carries on sexually - sexy. This development causes the revelation of Booth’s true feelings for Bones - cute. On the whole, this is a rather personal and exciting season.
Besides the role of Booth, the remainder of the cast is composed of anything but name actors. All give great performances, a couple filling fairly nerdy roles and Deschanel (“Glory Road”) convincing us that nerdy is cool.
“Bones” uses some of the “CSI”-style editing, but mostly relies on the supposed technology of the Jeffersonian to bring things to life. The set and equipment used illustrate how much effort and money is behind the show.
A few good extras come with the DVD set. Select episodes feature audio commentary, plus we’re offered a gag reel, deleted scenes and two featurettes: The Memories in the Season and Visceral Effects: The Digital Illusions of Bones.
Season two of “Bones” only went to further my obsession with this show. The cases are different from any other crime series and the relationships among the characters are unique and intriguing. “Bones” deserves admiration if only for presenting a cast almost solely of nerds and making that entertaining. Anyone into crime dramas should give “Bones” a look, and anyone who thrives on subtle sexual tension (as apparently I do) will quickly find himself hooked on this smart, fun show.
Specifications: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. Widescreen (1.78:1). English and Spanish Language Track. English, Spanish and French Subtitles.
