Season nine’s blistering finale showed that Bones is still at the top of its game. The episode ended on a dramatic cliff-hanger with agent Booth (David Boreanaz) in hospital and under arrest, while a devastated Brennan (Emily Deschanel) was dragged away screaming. You can expect that action to continue into season ten as early sneak peeks show Brennan working hard in the forensic anthropology lab to free her husband, and Booth trying to survive in prison, amongst many criminals that he had a hand in putting there.
In the finale episode, it became clear that Booth had become the next target of the unresolved ‘Ghost Killer’ conspiracy that appears to have permeated right to the top of the government agencies. Under threat after getting too close to discovering the truth, Booth loses his job after classified information from his past is used against him. In one of the best action scenes of the entire series, Booth turned his home into a kind of fort (C4 included) against the agents coming after him, taking them on with characteristic determination, three against one. The sequence packed a serious emotional punch too, as Booth made Brennan and daughter Christina leave him, unsure of his fate. In the crucial moment, however Brennan returned to help her wounded husband survive.
Boreanaz directed the final episode himself, knocking it out of the park once again. He navigates the Bones path of drama, dark humour and heart with enviable ease; the show is unfairly amusing for one littered with so many mutilated bodies.
Bones works best when the duo is united, with the Jeffersonian team behind them helping to solve seemingly impossible cases. Earlier in season nine there had been some tensions between the couple as the long-running threat of the murderous character Pelant interfered with their relationship and wedding plans. The death of the serial killer put an end to that particular arc and allowed Brennan and Booth to finally make it official, sealing the deal on their enduring ‘will-they, won’t they’ romance. In a show fond of recurring villains, season nine soon included the mysterious Ghost Killer, and the cover up of these murders led to the present conspiracy that faces the characters.
Bones has skilfully beaten the so-called ‘Moonlighting’ curse, with many wondering if the series could continue on without that particular element of suspense. However, watching these characters endlessly argue over their opposing worldviews, and yet continue to stand by each other has proved just as rewarding. Brennan’s unrelenting literal perspective and frequent tactlessness still contrasts with Booth’s more emotive responses, providing plenty of opportunity for banter and conflict.
The Jeffersonian team provides such a strong supporting cast, which is no doubt one of the reasons for the show’s enduring success. Sweets (John Francis Daley) has enjoyed an expanded role this last season, stepping out of his psychologist role to take on more of the detective work alongside Booth. Couple Angela (Michaela Conlin) and Hodgins (T. J. Thyne) give Bones much of its needed light relief and heart; Angela is a necessary counter to the cold science of the lab, while Dr. Camille Saroyan (Tamara Taylor) as head of the lab has often been a lost character, despite Taylor’s obvious talent. However, she gained a love interest in season nine, the complications of which will no doubt play out over the coming episodes.
So tune into what might be the final Bones season, it looks to be one of the best yet.
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