The New TV Show Review Challenge: Bones

FOX's Bones, not to be confused with Snoop Dogg's horror film of the same name, stars Emily Deschanel as a forensic anthropologist and David Boreanaz as the FBI agent who often enlists her help on homicide cases where only the person's bones remain. This show has its good points but ultimately it's only so-so.

Deschanel plays Dr. Temperance Brennan, a renowned forensic anthropologist and part-time novelist. She's incredibly intelligent, can kick ass, and is a self-described "good shot." However, she has some trouble dealing with real people. She mainly squares off with Boreanaz's Special Agent Seely Booth. He's a former Army sniper who is a lot less technical in his approach than Temperance. In the premiere episode, Booth calls Brennan about a body found in the pond of Arlington National Cemetary. Brennan and her team determine that the body was that of a young woman. Further analysis reveals that the woman was someone who was rumored to be the lover of a powerful Senator. Brennan and Booth tackle the case as Booth puts himself on the line to trust Brennan's theories. By the end of the episode, Brennan and Booth are officially (or is it unofficially?) partners and have started to gain a little respect for each other.

The best things about this show are the lead actors. Emily Deschanel does a very good job with the character and makes her an appealing main character. David Boreanaz does a pretty good job as the federal agent who gets frustrated by Brennan but knows that she's brilliant and a good person. Deschanel and Boreanaz have pretty good chemistry as well. However, this show also feels a lot like "been there, done that." Another season, another crime procedural. The chemistry between Boreanaz and Deschanel and the fact that Brennan is a strong female main character are the only things that can remotely distinguish this show from the other shows of this type.

Bones is not a bad show, but it's one that could easily get lost in the shuffle because it's not really all that unique. There are better and more interesting procedural dramas on network TV. The fact that it precedes the hit drama House may help it last a while, but without something distinctive, it won't be back next season.