Customer Reviews

Bones: The Complete Fifth Season

5 star:		(71)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

At the beginning of the fifth season of the wildly popular forensic drama "Bones," many viewers tuned in trepidatiously after the spectacularly strange fourth season finale. Thankfully, all fears were allayed and relieved when the fifth season kicked into high gear in the very first episode and maintained that pace throughout the season; "Bones"' fifth season is perhaps its greatest yet.

The one thing that has always set "Bones" apart from the countless other procedurals on the airwaves right now is the focus on the characters solving the crimes rather than the crimes themselves, and the strength of this approach shines through brilliantly in every episode of this season.

David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel return to the roles of Booth and Bones and deliver their strongest performances yet as each character is shaken to their core. As Booth struggles to regain his sense of self, he has to confront the knowledge of his feelings for his partner, while Bones herself goes through a whirlwind of emotion as the emotional barriers she has erected around her heart begin to crumble down, leaving her questioning not only herself but her relationship with Booth as well as her work at the Jeffersonian itself. The tension between the two has never been more delicious or more addictive, and both lead actors knock their roles absolutely out of the park.

But while the relationship between Booth and Brennan becomes increasingly more complex, the wonderful supporting cast of engaging characters at the Jeffersonian keep the show moving along briskly and lightly. Cam (Tamara Taylor) must run the lab while dealing with the challenge of being a good mother, guiding the team effectively toward each conclusion; Sweets (John Francis Daley) continues to provide invaluable insight into the minds of the team; Angela (Michaela Conlin) remains the emotional heart and soul of the team as she opens her heart to love's possibilities; and Hodgins (TJ Thyne) struggles with his feelings for Angela as he returns to his abrasive, loveable self.

The cases themselves have regained a fascinating light as the mysteries the team confronts become more complex, and the special effects department has outdone themselves in the gore and goop department this year as Booth and Bones investigate some of the most gruesome crime scenes in history, all moved along by the brisk black humor the show excels at; the team investigates a possible secret agent locked in a truck for days, a would-be rocker torn to pieces by an industrial washer/dryer, a gamer literally melted in a vat of fast-food grease, and a dozen more cheerfully disgusting cases where the outcomes of the mysteries hold the power to shock and surprise the audience; the writers have once again caught the perfect balance between the whodunnit and the drama to craft a truly unique show.

But it's not merely the cases that hold the viewers' attention this season; season five is full of true powerhouse episodes: heartbreaking cases like "The Plain in the Prodigy"; darkly comical shows like "The Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood"; truly shocking mysteries like "The Proof in the Pudding,"; and even a historically fascinating case written by the author of the original Temperance Brennan novels Kathy Reichs herself ("The Witch in the Wardrobe") -- however, all of these merely lead up to the three knockout moments of the season:

In the fifth season, "Bones" reaches its 100th episode, "The Parts in the Sum of the Whole." Likely the most beloved and most contested episode in the show's history, the 100th episode completely redefined Booth and Brennan's relationship as it showed the viewers the pair's first meeting, something never before revealed, and circles around to one of the most hearbreaking and yet most powerfully hopeful moments of the series. "Parts" was also directed by David Boreanaz, one of the series' leads, and the sheer emotion wrung out of Boreanaz and Deschanel by the end speaks volumes to the talent of the show's leads.

As the series continues, however, the characters were shocked to their cores as they were forced to come face-to-face with their most terrifying adversary yet: the cunningly frightening sociopath dubbed The Gravedigger, in "The Boy with the Answer," a nail-bitingly tense hour of television that had viewers' hearts pounding as Heather Taffet, the Gravedigger, proved that her true arena was the courtroom, tearing apart her victims and throwing the entire future of Brennan's life into question.

This only segues into the season's amazingly dramatic finale, "The Beginning in the End." As the team investigates the home of a hoarder, Bones questions what she truly wants to do with her life, Booth's past comes calling, and Angela's father blows back into town, all leading to a truly shocking season ender, a masterful finale that not only redefined the very foundations of the show and the characters but also contined to set the show on a rising point, ensuring that every faithful viewer of "Bones" will be frantically waiting for the sixth season to premiere in the fall.

In the past five years, "Bones" has redefined the procedural while producing a truly unique show filled with drama, comedy and the most satisfying romantic tension between two characters in years. Featuring challenging cases, intriguing mysteries, gruesome discoveries, fascinating character interactions, and truly touching and shocking turns in the lives of a cast of characters an increasingly growing fanbase have come to know and genuinely care about, "Bones" has proven that it still has plenty of tricks to show, and this wonderfully strong drama will remain on television for seasons to come.

Five out of five stars.

NOTE: The fifth season also features the return of Max (Ryan O'Neil), Brennan's father, as well as a memorable cameo by Zooey Deschanel (Emily's real-life sister) as Brennan's zany cousin, as well as a truly touching show introducing Booth's grandfather, as well as the return of Jared Booth (Brendan Fehr), Seeley's younger brother, who has some news of his own.

Also, it is important to note that in the fifth season, the writers managed to fix a truly annoying plot device: the revolving interns, who alternated between odd and downright annoying throughout the fourth season, have now managed to find a balance and a home on the show, with each character's unique traits adding to the episode they are featured in, providing some much-needed comic relief as well as some unexpected drama along the way.

I absolutely love this show. It might be the most amazingly well-crafted t.v. show ever, along many dimensions. I agree with all of the positive comments of other reviewers. I don't have one negative comment to make, even though, I, too, miss Zach and thought he was a terrific character, well-acted. I even think the Daisy character provides an important role in the balance of the cast, as long as she is not there all the time. No show is complete without little jabs from a distracting annoyance. (Remember Eddie Haskell on "Leave it to Beaver?")
On the other hand, EVERY review that I read left out what, to me, may be the most important dimension of the show. The unspeakable gore and horrifying plots would be meaningless and perhaps sadistic if regarded as entertainment alone. The scientists, each using his or her unique area of expertise, employ the most subtle of clues to recreate an individual's identity and dignity. In addition, often the victim's family and friends are able to obtain closure on the person's disappearance and death. It is a story with a noble theme.
The acting, the characters, the group and individual dynamics, the continuing subplots, and the humor are absolutely extraordinary. Those attributes would be seriously compromised almost to the point of superficiality, however, without the serious outcome of the lab's work. The lab's skill and commitment provide the viewer with the powerful experience of redemption as the horror becomes gradually transformed into dignity. To me, that element is the absolute core of the series. Everything else is built around it.

I can't wait until Season 5 is available and until Season 6 begins.

BONES is far, and away better than all of the other procedurals on the air. The two leads ( Emily Deschanel, and David Boreanaz ) are hands down the best romantic couple around, and the supporting cast is pitch-perfect. The only disappointment I felt about season 5 was that I had half-hoped that Zach might return. The cases are as gruesome as ever, but are never allowed to take away from the developement of the characters. Can't wait for season 6.

Five years on, the episode after episode inability of Booth and Bones to come together as other than crime partners is wearing thin. The first four seasons were highly comedic and capitalized on Bones's and Booth's relationship as a crime fighting duo who were also reluctantly attracted to one another. However, this season, they are a mess over one another. He is clearly and unequivocally in love. She is also in love but is scared to death of ever acting on it. This conflict occurs in every single episode.

I frankly think to break this impasse it would be better to marry them off and then have the comedic friction come from their problems as a Nick and Nora Charles type couple ("The Thin Man"). The unrequited love is sapping the considerable energy and magic of this show plus Bones and Booth as a comedic detective team. Fortunately, the development of Hodkins and Angela is a lot more satisfying for the viewer. We also have another wonderful guest appearance by Stephen Fry as Gordon Gordon, psychiatrist turned chef.

The "X Files" developed the same unrequited problem as it continued and it took 9 seasons to bring Mulder and Scully together. Yes, I kept watching and will keep watching this show for the very same reason, i.e. the episodes week to week make it worth it. The forensic cases week after week, the interaction of the full cast, the comedy involving the full cast, all of this makes it worth while watching week after week. But the unrequited love over nine seasons made the final few seasons of the "X files" barely watchable and I hope that doesn't happen here.

I agree with Phoenix Child in almost every detail. Bones is a wonderfully crafted show that shows terrific character development and incredible plot development as well as being inspirational to viewers as a testimony to science "squints". However, I have serious irritation issues with Daisy and spend many minutes each episode missing Zach. Wendell was good in the role of assistant, but the others were annoying and Daisy was absolutely nauseating. I kept wanting to slap her into the reality of being aware of others' feelings. How can Sweets be sweet on this girl? I so hope they can figure out a way of bringing Zach back. I wait with bated breath for season six to begin!

The fifth season set includes a lot more extras than previous seasons: three featurettes, two extended episodes, episode commentaries, a gag reel and deleted scenes. It also includes all 22 episodes of season 5.

SPOILER ALERT

The season opens with the wonderful Cindy Lauper guest starring as a psychic, which was a treat. Booth realizes his romantic feelings for Bones, though he is unable to tell her, and he battles the aftereffects of his brain surgery. Arastoo "comes out" about his fake accent, as well as describing the relationship he feels exists between Islam and science. Diedrich Bader is Andrew Hacker, Assistant Director to the FBI, who gives a wonderful performance, especially in his frequent attempts to impress Bones, who he has a hopeless crush on. We get to meet Booth's grandfather, who reveals a secret to Bones and encourages her to tell Booth "when the time is right." Zooey Deschanel (Emily Deschanel's real-life sister) guest stars as Bones' cousin in one episode. Angela and Wendell begin a relationship, though it ends pretty quickly, and a few episodes after that Angela and Hodgins finally get married (just like we knew they always would.) Cam finally begins dating, and the Grave Digger trial concludes with the Grave Digger being convicted and sent to jail.

MORE SPOILER ALERTS

The 100th episode (or episode 16 of season 5), Booth finally professes his feelings to Bones. It's also the first Bones episode that is directed by David Boreanaz. It's mostly flashback, and we get to see the first time Bones and Booth work together, but the flashbacks don't feel like filler (as a lot of flashback episodes are.) Bones declines, and their relationship stays the same, though slightly more awkward in following episodes. It's a good episode, and we even get to see Zack again, in his role as Bones' grad student.

There's a lot of great story arcs in this season, and the season finale is done very well, opening up lots of new possibilities for the next season.

I have every Bones and I'm a big fan - it's a must have for all Bones fans. It's great if you missed any of the shows

I Have Just Finished Watching All 5 Seasons Of Bones And I'm Looking Foward To
Season SIX//This Series Is Really Very Special/It Has Drama-Mystery-Forensic Science
add a Bit Of Comedy(Humor)The Hard Work That Went Into The Making Of BONES is There
For Anyont To See After Watching 5 Seasons/The Scripts The Direction The Pacing of
these Episodes are Just Wonderful//The Episode GRAVE DIGGERS Could Have Been A Movie
and the Episode of Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood where They Include The Song
THE GOOD LIFE/ the Tony Bennett Hit was Just Great//Dr. Temperance Brennan(BONES)
played by Emily Deschanel is Not Only Breathtaking Beautiful To Look At But She is
One Great Actress and I'm Sure Will Be Seeing A Lot Of this Fine Actress as the Years Go by/FBI Agent Seeley Booth Played By David Boreanaz was perfectly Cast as
BONES Partner/Angela Montenegro Played by Michaela Conlin A wonderful Actress and
also Lovely to Look at//Jack Hodges played By TJ Thyne //Dr.Cam Saroya Played by Tamara Taylor Both Pros and Last but Not Least Zack Addy Played By Eric Millegan
a Wonderful Actor Who I Wished That He Would Not Have Left The Series/and Every so
often Ryan O'Neil Shows Up and He Adds Mystery and A Bit Of Comedy///
BONES Has to be One Of The Best Series If Not The Best Series Ever Made//
With Shows Like Criminal Minds/The Closer/Heroes/Prison Break/ American TV Is Getting Much Much Better//If You Haven't Seen BONES Then You're Truly Missing Something Special//
Stanley Cooper Jupiter Florida
zoundz@bellsouth.net

What a great TV show. The humor is tremendous, with a socially awkward genius Dr. Brennan (Ms. Deschanel), a strong and steady Agent Booth (Boreanaz), and a lovable assortment of associates; all trying to solve the most recent case involving a death and bones. The acting is excellent and the quirky nature of the show adds tremendously (guitarist Billy Gibbons is Angela's father).

The undercurrent of a potential romantic relationship always stretches my patience. After 5 years get on with it! The best episode I remember was the one with Bones and Booth married, owning a disco. The Thin Man movies showed a married couple could sustain comedy and mystery.

Anyway, these DVDs are totally worth owning.

I must admit, at first I didn't think this show had the capacity to last more than 1 or 2 seasons. It started off so cookie cutter-ish that I couldn't see myself continuing to watch it. But the relationship between Booth and Bones has been so well crafted that I'm now totally hooked! The show still manages to walk that fine line between dark comedy and intense (often graphic) subject matter. Wish they had brought back Zack, though...what a great character and so well acted.

I've always wondered what Emily Deschanel was like in real life (does she actually posses real social skills?) so I picked up Bones: Cast & Creators Live at Paley...Loved hearing her take on Dr. Temperance Brennan. It was also neat to hear from the creators of Bones and learn about their inspiration for the show. With all the crime series out there, it's interesting to learn about what makes this one so unique. I hope they can keep it up for all of Season 6.