Bones is an American drama television series that premiered on the Fox Network on September 13, 2005. The series is very loosely based on the works of real-life forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs, who is herself a producer on the show. Its title character, Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan is named after the protagonist of Reichs’ crime novel series. The show is a forensics and police procedural drama in which each episode focuses on an FBI case file concerning the mystery behind the human remains brought to Dr. Brennan’s forensic anthropology team at the Jeffersonian Institution by FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth.
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Main characters
Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan (portrayed by Emily Deschanel) is a forensic anthropologist working at the renowned Jeffersonian Institution in Washington, D.C. and a best-selling crime novelist. She is intellectually brilliant, but is narrowly focused on her work, as well as lacking in social skills.
Brennan aids F.B.I. Special Agent Seeley Booth (portrayed by David Boreanaz) in his investigations involving human remains that cannot be identified without her skills in forensic anthropology. In contrast to the other main characters, Booth has limited knowledge of science and is often used to provide a layman’s translation of the scientific jargon-filled dialogue.
Brennan is helped by her colleagues at the Jeffersonian Institution: Angela Montenegro (portrayed by Michaela Conlin), Dr. Jack Hodgins (portrayed by T. J. Thyne) and Dr. Zack Addy (portrayed by Eric Millegan). While she specializes in forensic facial reconstruction, Angela is also Brennan’s best friend and has a contrasting personality to Brennan’s social awkwardness. Hodgins is an entomologist and an expert on spores and minerals, and is also fascinated by conspiracy theories. His skills allow the team to approximate the time of death of the victims. At the beginning of the series, Zack was Brennan’s graduate student and assistant at the Jeffersonian. In the second season, after he received his doctorate in forensic anthropology, he was hired as a forensic anthropologist. His character is similar to Brennan in that he finds it difficult to relate to an average person.
All of the above five characters have appeared in every episode. The two other main characters of the series include Dr. Daniel Goodman (portrayed by Jonathan Adams) and Dr. Camille “Cam” Saroyan (portrayed by Tamara Taylor). Dr. Goodman is the director of the Jeffersonian Institution and a former archaeologist. He appeared in the first season only. Cam was introduced in the second season to replace the character of Goodman as Brennan’s superior. As a pathologist, her working style clashes with Brennan’s and the two often have disagreements. The tension between them stems from Cam’s authoritativeness and a previous relationship she had with Booth. As the series progresses, Cam and Brennan become more respectful of each other.
Recurring characters
There are several characters who have had recurring appearances in the series. Howard Epps (portrayed by Heath Freeman) is the only murderer in the series so far who has made recurring appearances. Introduced as a death-row prisoner in the first season episode “A Man on Death Row”, Epps used Brennan and Booth to delay his death sentence and eventually escaped prison. He was proved to be a serial-killer whose initial targets were blonde teenage girls before he targeted Brennan. He later fell off a balcony to his death following a confrontation with Brennan and Booth.
Recurring in the first season only, Sam Cullen (portrayed by John M. Jackson) is a Deputy Director of the FBI and consequently, Booth’s boss. He does his best to keep Agent Booth on track and frequently disapproves of Dr. Brennan’s involvement in FBI field investigations.
Caroline Julian (portrayed by Patricia Belcher) is a prosecutor and works in the U.S. Attorney’s office. Although she has a very demanding and bossy attitude, Caroline frequently offers help to Booth and Brennan in their cases. She has appeared numerous times to have Booth and Brennan in court and to help solve their cases.
In the second season episode “The Girl in the Gator”, when Booth is sent to get a psychological evaluation after he shoots an ice cream truck, he meets his psychiatrist, Dr. Gordon Wyatt (portrayed by Stephen Fry). The character, Dr. Wyatt, provides comic relief to the show through his interactions with Booth and Brennan. FBI Special Agent Tim “Sully” Sullivan (portrayed by Eddie McClintock) was introduced as Dr. Brennan’s love interest during Booth’s absence and worked on a case with her. Over the next three episodes, he develops a serious relationship with Brennan but later decides to leave for the Caribbean.
Dr. Sweets was introduced in the third season as a young therapist assigned by the FBI to Booth and Brennan.
In the current season (3) a new recurring character is Gormagon, a cannibalistic serial killer.
