Customer Reviews

Bones: Season Three

5 star:		(127)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

**Plot SPOILERS alert**

BONES keeps on keeping on. Two excellent seasons under its belt, and a truncated Season 3 (damn you, writers' strike!) finally all wrapped up, and predictably, these are good episodes, as well. But only fifteen of them! As Season 3's first episode ("The Widow's Son in the Windshield") opens up, we learn that Bones has been reluctant to go in the field with Booth and she won't say why. However, a head flung off a bridge forces her to reconnect with Booth. This episode also begins a new serial killer arc, this one being particularly even more gristly and diabolical than most, and of which resolution later down the season would have tragic consequences.

Season 3 doles out several other subplots. As per the startling news learned at the altar from Season 2's finale, Angela is already married. An ongoing story arc becomes Hodgins and Angela's search for her long-time but vaguely remembered husband. "The Secret of the Soil" introduces Dr. Sweets, a 22 year old psychotherapist assigned to counsel Bones and Booth, this stemming from the FBI's concern due to Booth having arrested Bones' father. These sessions are generally funny stuff as, mostly, Booth can't help but treat Sweets like a kid. Plus, these scenes tend to open things up even more between Bones and Booth.

I've a couple of Season 3 favorites. "The Widow's Son in the Windshield" introduces the cannibalistic Gormogon killer, which would become a key ongoing story arc of the season. "Mummy in the Maze" is a very neat Halloween show, wherein Booth's shameful phobia is unveiled and Bones's costume is...simply awesome. "The Knight on the Grid" is a taut thriller as the Gormagon killer returns, this time with a personal vendetta against Bones and Booth. And "The Santa in the Slush" is a standout sentimental episode and provides one of the best moments in the series as Bones cuts a deal to have Christmas brought to her incarcerated father and brother. Cool ending, too. "The Baby in the Bough" has Bones forced to babysit an infant involved with a case (you see the potential, right?). Meanwhile, "The Wannabe in the Weeds" (in which Zach and Bones both sing) and "The Pain in the Heart" are striking for their ability to stun the audience, even if the latter episode definitely had a rushed feeling to it. I feel that the after-effects of "The Wannabe in the Weeds" should've been developed further in "The Pain in the Heart." In fact, "The Pain in the Heart" - which wraps up the Gormogon killer storyline and, by the way, will upset busloads of fans - could've really, really benefited by being a two-episode arc.

The cases are still bizarre and the corpses borderline grotesque. But the draw remains Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz, and that electric "thing" between them. These two still get aces in chemistry, and are still the smokingest hot couple on television. Emily Deschanel continues to nail her role of Temperance "Bones" Brennan. And while her character might've loosened up a little bit (not too much), there's still that endearing naivette and vulnerability which peek out occasionally. And, of course, her refreshing bluntness (some call it social awkwardness) has never left. Boreanaz, he's just a great leading man. Confident and charming, bristling with machismo, yet with a sensitive side. His unveiling of his Christmas present to Bones in "The Santa in the Slush" is one of the best, most touching scenes of the season.

Tack on the rest of the offbeat but familiar crew from the Jeffersonian Institution, and these folks continue to provide the best show in forensics crime-solving. All the ingredients to the series' success are on display for Season 3 - the boosts of levity, the whiffs of romance, the chilling mysteries, and the ongoing character developments. BONES just keeps on keeping on.

What CSI tries to do with unreal science, Bones does right. Every word is pronounced correctly (!) a biggie for us physicians - they push the science, but believably so - 87 complex murders in Vegas per year? No way-50-60 per year under FBI special unit, sure - with the budget to do it. The characters have geek chemistry, and I'm so happy David Boreanaz is bopping w/o Buffy -was afriad he'd die, and he's too good. If you're uneducated, it will lose you - if you want to learn, or already know science, it's a thrill - hot chicks, cool cops, nerdy geeks all together.

This season of Bones was as fantastic as it's two predecessors... Ok, the writers strike didn't help and there are only 15 episodes in the season, but the scripts were still fantastic and the chemistry between Brennan and Booth was palpable and very nicely portrayed by the actors. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to buy it!!!

Usually when great books are made to movies/TV, they lose something, but not Bones. Tempe is as awesome on TV as in the books. Booth and her chemistry is amazing. I love shows that are smart/intelligent and can make you laugh out loud as well. Highly recommend this show :)

It is the show that takes us through intriguing mysteries while offering the best will-they-won't-they chemistry on Tv. As enjoyable as it has always been in its third season we get pure Booth and Bones looking out for each other and catching surprising and unlikely criminals. Pure fan plus makes you think, laugh and be romantic. How many times does that happen?

Once more DVD comes to the rescue of a TV series that has turned from so so ratings to solid hit. The series is BONES and there is no better way to watch this than on DVD. Why? Because once you get into the series you'll want to continue on rather than wait for the next episode.

Just released is BONES SEASON THREE: TOTALLY DECOMPOSED EDITION. How can it be that this show has been on that long already? For those unfamiliar with the show its time to catch up.

Based on the real life of forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs, the story revolves around Dr. Temperance Brennan (Emily Deschanel), a forensic specialist who works at the Jeffersonian in Washington, D.C. When the FBI comes calling for assistance in the form of Agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz), Temperance takes to field work like a pro with an intense interest in each case presented.

Along with Temperance, known as Bones to Booth, are a team of equally dedicated professionals at the Institute. Among them are Angela (Michaela Conlin) who specializes in facial and body reconstruction via sketches and computer software, Dr. Jack Hodgins (TJ Thynes) who specializes in organic materials and Dr. Zack Addy (Eric Milligan) who knows more about bones than, well, Bones. Each member of the team adds to a complete whole not only in their expertise but in their character functions as well.

For the first two seasons we were allowed to explore the world of the "squints", Booth's nickname for the intelligent research team at the Institute. But as the show continued, we watched as Booth came to appreciate each individual in their own way. We also watched the sexual tension between Booth and Bones grow in the most subtle of ways as they worked case after case together.

There you have it, the main crux of the series. But it's more than that. It involves cases being solved using clues found only by this team of forensic anthropologists. Each week they discover clues no mere mortal would find with the naked eye. And each week Booth and Bones have the chance to put the guilty behind bars. At the same time we get to watch the interplay between the characters as well.

What you have here is a combination of age old detective show combined with the technological side shown in the various CSI series. But rather than focus mainly on the science of evidence we get that as well as interaction between characters in more familiar TV territory. Romance and buddy systems are seen in each episode as opposed to straight police work.

This brings us to season three. This time around we begin with Bones acting unlike herself. Could it be because Booth sent her father to prison at the end of last season? Could it be the attraction between Bones and Booth became too much? Or could it be because Zack had decided to take a leave and head out to work in Iraq? Just as the stories offer clues to the murders, the series offers clues and at times answers to these questions.

As the season starts we find Hodgins and Angela still very much in love, still planning on marrying and still searching for the man who was a one night stand Angela married in a drunken stupor. This was an arc left open from season two that finds an answer this year.

Zack returns from Iraq a bit different. Fortunately for fans of the series (and Zack) he shows up in the first episode, just in time to save the day and help find the criminal.

Bones and Booth start off not nearly as close as before. Whichever of the reasons discussed that seem to have had an effect on Bones is clearly visible from the first minutes of episode one. And as the pair start to work things out, they begin therapy to help with their work.

The first show offers a new challenge for viewers and the team as they encounter a secret cannibalistic society that has left their calling card. While the Gormogon killer may not be a familiar name to most, it will be by the end of this season. Not only are the guilty not found by shows end but they continue to show up during the season.

A more in depth view of Bones sex life is offered as well (no, not seen) as we begin to meet the men she dates. This seems to upset Booth who does his best to hide it. The affection between these two characters may be more blatant than Scully and Mulder of X FILES but it is still held in check for the present.

Humor, mystery, relationships and friendship are all regular topics in each episode of the series. And Season Three brings forth more of the human characteristics of each member of the forensic family found here. It is these human qualities and interaction between characters that makes this show the success that it is. While Bones comes off as cold and out of touch with the world around her, Seely comes off as having lived more than his years would seem. Put these two together and you come up with one of the most successful teams since Nick and Nora Charles.

Extended episodes, alternate episodes and more make this box set worth adding to your collection. And if you don't have them already, buy the first two as well.

This is a fresh series with great acting that makes the entire production believable. And that is what makes for good TV. And good TV now means good DVDs. Take a 3 day weekend or the holidays to get acquainted with the Bones family. It's a great mystery filled time for all.

Disc 1:
The Widow's Son in the Windshield
Soccer Mom in the Mini-Van
Death in the Saddle
Bonus Material
Directors Take:
The Vault
Making of the Body
Car Crash - Exploding Van
Squints
The Angelator
Gag Reel

Disc 2:
The Secret in the Soil
Mummy in the Maze
Intern in the Incinerator
Boy in the Time Capsule
Bonus Material
The Knight on the Grid - Extended Episode
The Santa in the Slush - Extended Kiss Scene
Player Under Pressure Original Version

Disc 3:
The Knight on the Grid
The Santa in the Slush
The Man in the Mud
Player Under Pressure
Bonus Material
The Baby in the Bough - Extended Episode

Disc 4:
The Baby in the Bough
The Verdict in the Story
The Wannabe in the Weeds
The Pain in the Heart

Disc 5:
Bonus Season 4 Episodes:
The Yanks in the UK, Part One
The Yanks in the UK, Part Two
The Man in the Outhouse
The Finger in the Nest

Don't get me wrong, Bones continues to be a family favorite at our house, but the new plotline about the therapist for Brennan and Boothe just doesn't quite work, and some of the momentum seems to have died with the writers strike this year, now that the show s going again, it doesn't sound like we are going to get a full season out of any show, but at my house we are hoping that our favorites like Bones are exceptions to that.

When you have a favorite like Bones, and you want the DVD set, you want a whole season! If that doesn't happen I guess I will download all of these episodes, since they can be stored in the Amazon digital locker, to avoid crowding my Tivo.

I gave firm 5 stars to the first 2 seasons but this one does not merit it. Three. And after I saw the 3 bonus episodes from the 4th season I am not even sure of that. Part of the problem is the short season - and that was not their fault, of course. But some of the things done to the show alarmed me (as a fan).
Something similar happens to all the best shows (and some book series) - the authors start with an incredibly interesting - albeit rather sociopathic - characters and then decide to "humanize" them. Look at the second season of Dexter. Look at the lovely O'Connell series about Kathy Mallory. Same started happening here.
The problem is some of us just like them as they are: logical, non-sentimental and very clear minded. And that's the main problem with the 3 season for me. I miss the dry, funny, sometime black scientific humor and dialogue, I miss the clear logic of the plots. What used to be brilliant sharp moments of black humor starts turning into simplified buffonade images that do not add to the characters or plot development.
I really do not want to see a funny brilliant forensics show with SMALL elements of romantic tension turn into another TV soppy romance with small elements of scientific logic and lots of adolescent jokes.

The chemistry between Boreanaz and Dechanel is still wonderful and it is a great credit to both of them that one tends to forget that there are two gorgeous looking actors, and see their characters instead all the time. The whole cast is very good. Some of the episodes were quite interesting from the plot poin of view (though it is a pity they dropped the "chinese-gymmast" skeleton without developing that one - it was bizarre and hysterically funny.
Let's hope for less romance, less cheap circus and more firm and funny plotting in the 4 season. And much better writing as well - those who have written text for most of the episodes of season 3 really should be fired.

I love Bones. I think it has gotten steadily better from the beginning, and I think the addition of Sweets has added a great new dynamic to the cast. Even though it was shortened by the strike, season 3 was still a great season of television, until the last episode kind of struck out a bit...

The only thing that kept me from giving this set the full 5 stars was the extras. The previous sets have had great extras, with several featurettes and multiple commentaries. Season 3 has one of the slimmest offerings of special features of all the TV shows in my collection. The first disc seems to offer a bounty of featurettes...until you realize that while there are several of them, they are all 2 - 5 minutes long each. Outside of that, the only other 'special' features are the original version of "Student Under Pressure" (since it was originally supposed to air during season 2), and a couple of random extended scenes. Oh, and the first four episodes of season 4 are offered as well...but not one measly commentary. I know that most people won't care about that, but it was a big letdown for a commentary junkie like me.

Don't get me wrong. I highly recommend picking this one up. I was just a bit miffed at the sudden downgrade in extras.