The Ultimate "Bones" Guide: The Essentials of Season 1

Welcome to the first part of my "Essentials of Bones" series! I did an introduction about it in the beginning of the month, that explains what this series is going to entail. But mostly, I am using this as a fun way to get back into a good writing head space. As a reminder, this blog is never spoiler free. I will be doing a comprehensive breakdown of Season 1 in this post, so if you haven't seen it, and don't want spoilers, leave now. But, if you have seen the show, (or you haven't but you want to learn something new), then this post is for you! During the past month, I have been re-watching at a pace of roughly two episodes per day, just to give myself enough time to really sit with each narrative arc, and re-examine it with the time and attention it deserves. (I will be continuing with a similar pace for the other seasons as well). But without any further ado, here is my Season 1 breakdown. (Note: It is very long and detailed, [About 14,500 words worth of detailed, oops] but I still want to keep all my thoughts in one place). 

Season one of Bones is simultaneously one of the most important, and the most frustrating seasons of the series. It is a starter season in its most apparent form. This means that even though it lays very important foundation work for both the narrative and characterization, it is also tonally uneven, and struggles to know exactly what it wants to be. The episodes are very exposition heavy, which is good for better understanding our main characters, but isn't as great in terms of pacing, and tone. It is a much slower season, but it still rewards the audience by giving us insights into our main characters, that will become vital to our understanding of them in future episodes. However, with these characterizations, come some inconsistencies. I will discuss them at length when I get to the episode(s) in question, but for now I will say that there is at least one plot hole that never gets fixed, and it is one of the only things that have ever truly bothered me about the show. The cases are also in many ways darker and grimmer than what we see in future episodes, and are more consistent with what you would find on a more "standard" procedural. But Bones has never been a standard procedural, and as soon as the show (the writers, actors, and the audience) realized that it was special, (and better) than any other show in the crime genre, the cases started to get more unique and Bones-like with each season. 

The tone of season one is at times both emotionally darker, and also cinematically darker. If you compare it to future seasons, the lighting is literally darker, and it does make every scene function differently than it would with different lighting. Additionally, because it is an establishing season, the sets, wardrobe, and even the haircuts look different than the rest of the series. It is something that can be overlooked, because it isn't super important, but it does make it funnier to go back and see how different things were initially. However, the most important thing that doesn't change in between the first two seasons, is our love for these characters. Despite the occasional plot inconsistency, the core six are so well defined, and so unique, that everything else frustrating about the season can be overlooked. These characters are the reason this show always functioned so well, and it is the reason that the show lasted as long as it did. I will be examining every character in detail later, but for now, just know that I love every character on this show, and I appreciate the writers and actors that created them for us, and made me wish, (and still do) that they were real people. 

It may seem unfair to compare the first season with the rest of them, but it is actually important for establishing a complete understanding of how the show functions. The show would not have become what it was without the first season, but it is also important to recognize the ways that the show and its characters evolved. It may seem like I am complaining a lot about a show that is supposed to be my favorite, but that is how criticism works. To establish new ideas, there has to be more to discuss than just "Bones is the greatest show of all time". If I want to be comprehensive, I have to talk about the aspects of the show that don't function as well, in order to emphasize and elevate the elements that do. So no, season one is not my favorite season. In fact it ranks in the bottom third of all the seasons, but that doesn't mean that I hate re-watching it. Some of the most important episodes of the series happen in season one, and some of the most important narrative threads are established in the beginning as well. I will be using the rest of this post to elaborate on more of those specifics. I have done a breakdown of each episode in order to address the elements of each episode that either function really well, or don't. I won't necessarily be doing this for every episode of the series, but I thought that it was important to do so for this first post. 

* Denotes episodes that I believe are truly essential. 

*The Pilot: 

Watching the pilot episode of Bones is like finding a rare bird. It is unique and special, and things like it are hard come by. In forty-five minutes, it manages to lay so much narrative ground work for both the season and the series as a whole, that it doesn't feel like a pilot episode. Too often, pilot episodes don't do a great job of hooking an audience, or of establishing an emotional thesis statement, but Bones does hook us. While the season as a whole struggles a little bit tonally, the pilot doesn't waste any time trying figure out what it wants to be. It accomplishes this in a few ways. First, it has a very straight-forward case, where the case itself is far less important than seeing the group dynamic that is forged while solving said case. We are introduced to our characters and we get to immediately see their working dynamic, as well as their personalities. We understand that there is conflict between Booth and Brennan, even if we don't understand exactly what their personal or working history is. (We will eventually). We are given an initial characterization of both Booth and Brennan that will establish their working and personal dynamic for the rest of the season. Booth is characterized by his strength, and heart, even if these qualities are not immediately apparent. Brennan is characterized by her intelligence, her hyper rationality, and initially, her inability to open up emotionally. By making these qualities apparent from the beginning, it gives the audience a lot to work with in future episodes, as Brennan's personality becomes even more refined (and defined) and we become more invested in her backstory. By the end of the pilot, the show establishes the dynamic between Booth and Brennan so effectively, that even if you don't know where the story is going, you know that these two have a connection that will carry the entire series. The closing shot of them walking away from the funeral, while Brennan gives Booth a playful nudge, is an ideal visual representation of the opening of the story. We are being invited to follow them on their journey, whatever that entails, and it is the most satisfying way, (in my mind) to end the first episode. 

Additionally, the pilot introduces us to Brennan's relationship with Angela. It is apparent that while they are very different in personality and motivation, (Angela is more carefree and passionate, while Brennan is more rigid and closed off) both women clearly balance each other out. Even if we have yet to discover the greater nuances of their relationship, it is obvious that they are very good friends. In the pilot we also get to see a little bit into the lives of Zack and Hodgins. We discover that despite his intelligence, Zack is socially inept. We get to see Hodgins with his original characterization as well. He is intelligent, but arrogant. He is angry and a conspiracy theorist, and doesn't work well in team environments, despite being on a team. It is this characterization that makes Hodgins so compelling, and pulls the audience into the story. That becomes true for all of the core characters. As an audience, we get only a small tidbit into their lives, and by the end of the pilot, we want to know more. We are invited to experience this emotional journey with them, and the pilot makes it clear that we are only just getting started. 

What makes the pilot essential viewing, other than the obvious things, is that it puts everything out there. It tells the audience exactly what it can expect from the show, while also giving us a taste of everything that is to come. It is a pilot that is so well executed, that even if some of the details changed over time, when Hart Hanson wrote the first episode, and conceived of the original premise, his vision was clear. Even if it took the first season to get the tone just right, he knew unambiguously what he wanted for Brennan, Booth and the rest of the team. He knew what their motivations were, and how to combine those motivations, with the "case of the week" to tell a complete story. It was always in the writing, even from the very beginning, and it is one of countless reasons the show is so important to me. I will be talking a lot in these posts about how the narrative and tone evolve throughout the series, but all are testaments to a clear vision, and good writing. Overall Grade: A

The Man in the S.U.V.: This episode has always seemed like a weird one to follow such a strong pilot episode. The case is compelling enough, but it certainly isn't essential viewing. The most important thing it does is give us insight into Booth's characterization by showing how he functions in a relationship that isn't with Brennan. We also get a better understanding of what haunts him. We know from the pilot that he is a former Army Ranger and expert sniper, and that he carries around a lot of guilt about the lives he took during the war. This translates well to this case, especially when he has to take the life of the suspect by episodes end. We additionally get brief insight into what motivates Booth. He is a deeply religious man who asks God for strength, for the things he struggles to change. It is subtle, but if you know what to look for, it is clear that he is talking about his gambling addiction, and being part of a twelve-step program. While the conversation he has with Brennan is brief, it is evident that what he is unwilling to say at the time, will resurface eventually. Like most of the season, this episode is exposition heavy, but that ends up being okay for pacing purposes. It's a nice episode to revisit occasionally, but if you are not feeling it, it is an episode that you could potentially skip. Overall Grade: B

The Boy in the Tree: The thing about this episode is that for all intents and purposes, it is an objectively good episode. The case is well-structured, a little sad, and it is paced well. This episode does an even better job of expanding on characterization than episode two, and we get to see our core five in their element. It is yet another opportunity to better understand what motivates Booth, and we become more privy to some of his flaws. He is impatient and hot tempered. He is territorial, but also makes room in his life for Brennan, because of how important she is to him. Additionally, this episode is our first introduction to Booth's dislike of corrupt authority. The episode takes place at a prestigious boarding school, and it is apparent that Booth is deeply bothered by the elitism he sees, and the notion that rich and influential people can "do whatever they want" and get away with it. It will become an important narrative thread throughout the series, and it is important to see it emphasized so early on. 

Elsewhere, we get to see more of the dynamic between Angela, Zack, and Hodgins. This dynamic is so central to the functioning of the show, and the fact that this episode allows us to see more of the humor amidst the heartache of the case, is essential for the overall effectiveness of the episode. We also get to see a small glimmer of Brennan's vulnerability, particularly in the scene with the victim’s mother. It is important to show that while Brennan is at times emotionally closed off, and rigid, there is a reason behind it. By showing compassion towards the victim’s mother, we start to see her cold exterior crack slightly, and by the end of the season, we will get a satisfying explanation for why Brennan acts the way that she does. 

Despite all of the great elements of the episode, I would not consider it essential viewing. In a show of great episodes, this episode is merely good. It does lay important ground work for later in the series, but in the context of season one, it doesn't make as much of an impact as some of the stronger episodes do. Overall Grade: B

The Man in the Bear: This episode is interesting; because it is the first time we get to see Booth and Brennan outside of the confines of the Jeffersonian and D.C. in general. The episodes location is beautiful, but that doesn't give it extra points on the re-watch scale. The change of setting does allow Booth and Brennan to forge a deeper personal and working relationship. We get the first glimpse that Brennan is wealthy, and Booth is not, and the fact that it gives him a complex. Additionally, we see the first hints that they are attracted to each other, even if they are not yet ready to do anything about it, or even admit it to themselves. Despite this, the case itself is not very memorable. A narrative about cannibalistic murder is much better served in season three. (But more on that later). Additionally, the "B plot" doesn't give the rest of the team a lot to do, and that is a shame. Ultimately, the episode doesn't contribute enough to the overall narrative arc of the season to be worthy of a frequent re-watch, or warrant further discussion. It is decent enough, but is nothing special. Overall Grade: B-

*The Boy in the Bush: This episode is both extremely essential to the narrative, while also being difficult to re-watch often. The case of the week deals with the sexual assault and murder of a child, which is never easy to process. However, this case in particular is used as a vehicle for discussing the greater faults of the foster care system, while also establishing one of the defining narrative threads of the whole series. In this episode, we learn that Brennan was in foster care at some point in her childhood. While we don't learn more details until future episodes, this is an absolutely vital step to understanding Brennan's backstory, and how it dictates her present life. While Brennan starts the episode by arguing to both Zack and Angela, that the key to successfully handling their challenging jobs is to remain clinical and detached, her actions throughout the episode contradict that notion. She convinces herself that in order to produce her best work, she has to remain objective and hyper-rational, but when the case hits too close to home, we again start to see her tough exterior crack. She is a person who seldom lets other people into her life, emotionally or otherwise, but she starts to open up around Booth. This episode further establishes Brennan as a dynamic character, and it makes the rest of her narrative in season one, that much richer. 

Speaking of "rich" and vital narrative threads, this episode also reveals that Hodgins is independently wealthy. While it may not seem as important early on, this fact becomes crucial to our understanding of his motivations throughout the series. He makes it very clear from the offset though, that the most important thing to him is his work. I will continue to delve more into why this revelation is so important, in future posts. 

Ultimately, this episode is vital viewing, even if its plot is also deeply sad. We gain a lot of insight about our characters, and that is what makes it important for at least occasional re-watches. Overall Grade: B+

The Man in the Wall: As I mentioned above, season one struggles to find an appropriate tone and pace at times, and this episode is a good example of that. The plot itself is interesting enough, but the pace is so much slower than it needs to be, and the episode suffers as a result. Additionally, the episode is placed in between two very important episodes, and even if you don't focus on that fact, it just seems out of place with the rest of the season. In a series that has some truly incredible episodes, this one comes across as pretty inconsequential. It has a decent enough case of the week, but it doesn't stand out as particularly memorable. For those reasons, it is not essential viewing. If you are hard core like I am, you will want to watch it every few years, but otherwise, it can skipped. Overall Grade: B-

*The Man on Death Row: What can I say about Howard Epps? This episode introduces us to the first serial killer of the series, and Howard Epps is an interesting choice to start with. While it is hard to compare with the serial killers later in the series, (they all have very different motivations) one important difference, is how Epps is introduced to us. His arc spans across two seasons, but he is at least initially presented in a similar way as serial killers on run-of the-mill procedural shows. There is still what I would consider a Bones "flare" to the case, but the structure and tone are similar to that of maybe CSI. What I find most compelling about this first episode is that we are presented the evidence of the case in the same way the lawyer wants it presented to a jury. We can assume that Epps is guilty, but we are never completely sure until the end of the episode. Watching his tone change from pleading, to maniacal is still jarring every time I re-watch. By the end of the episode, you know the full extent of what he is capable of, and it makes the prospect of future Epps episodes, that much more intriguing. The episode is paced well, and it is an interesting enough to keep us invested. 

While it isn't fair to compare Epps to other serial killers on the show, I will say that despite effective storytelling, he isn't my favorite. As I mentioned, the tone isn't exactly right for this point in the series, and that is why he usually ranks at the bottom of my list. The episodes are great, but my biggest problem is that they feel so out of place for the show. The show evolves so much during the first two seasons, that this particular story does not feel like it belongs with the rest of the narrative, once we get evolution of tone. I will be discussing the other episodes in the arc when I get to them, but for now I will leave it at this. They make for very strong stand-alone episodes, and are well paced and truly thrilling. However, because they don't fit in as well with the rest of the narrative, they aren't entirely essential. It is a good episode to watch if you are looking for a well written serial killer arc. But, if you are looking to delve deeper into the rich narrative pulse of the show, there are better episodes that do that in season one. Overall Grade: A-

*The Girl in the Fridge: This episode is one that unfortunately gets overlooked a lot during re-watches, but not because it isn't good. It is an objectively good episode, because the case is interesting enough, and it allows us to see an even more open, and emotionally vulnerable Brennan. However, amidst that emotional vulnerability, is a glaring continuity error. Based on the plot of this episode, it should have aired after "Man in the Fallout Shelter", but doesn't, and it throws everything in the episode a little off. So before I continue any further, I want to officially state that despite the air date and the production order, this episode really should be viewed as the ninth episode of the season, and "Man in the Fallout Shelter" should be viewed first. I will move forward with that viewing order in mind. 

This episode is interesting, because it is the first time we see how Brennan interacts with people outside of a professional, working dynamic. Even though we don't get the full story, it is apparent that the connection Brennan shares with her former professor, is even more meaningful than she lets on. What we know about Brennan's characterization up until this point is that she is emotionally closed off, but that she has very valid reasons for being the way that she is. It is the lack of general coldness that makes her relationship with Michael so compelling to watch. We get to see a more relaxed, open, and even more cheerful Brennan than we would normally see. However, it is this exact display of vulnerability that causes conflict within the episode. When she is around Michael, there is a clear power struggle between them. While she is clearly the more accomplished and intelligent scientist, when she is around Michael, she unintentionally re-assumes the role of student/subordinate. He makes her question the integrity of her work, and forces her to seek approval in ways that she would normally never need to do. She also divulges more information about the case than she would ever do with anyone outside of work, and it comes back to harm her later. She sees the consequences of being that open, and by episodes end, she almost shuts down completely. 

The case itself is nothing special, but the way it is presented to us, mirrors the rest of the episodes narrative, so it ends up working really well. There are points during the episode, that despite knowing all of the facts of the case, we begin to question whether our interpretation of that information is correct. It is the exact same tool that Michael attempts to use in court, in order to sway the jury in his favor. He delivers his alternative interpretation of the crime in a more casual and inviting tone, while simultaneously undermining everything that Brennan says and does. It is an effective form of manipulation, which is done for reasons beyond just winning a case. It is evident that Michael is threatened by Brennan's professional success. On a more speculative level, I would argue that despite what Michael says about having always seen Brennan as an intellectual equal, he doesn't really feel that way. No matter how you slice it, he was still her professor at the time that they dated, and viewed her as sexually viable because, despite her intelligence and maturity, she was still the young and emotionally impressionable student in need of "teaching". His motivations for sabotaging the case come from a place of insecurity, so it is emotionally satisfying when Brennan still triumphs in the end. But, in order for that win to happen, it requires her to be the most emotionally raw we have seen of her up until this point. The only part that frustrates me is how her revelation in court comes about. Booth manipulates the situation by forcing Brennan to divulge an important (and very private) aspect of her life, in order to gain compassion from the jury. He does it for the sake of winning their case, which is important, but the fact that it comes at the expense of Brennan's feelings is plain and simple, a crappy thing to do. I love Booth, in all of his complexities, but he does make a lot of mistakes throughout the show, and this is just the first of many. I will go into a more comprehensive character breakdown of Booth later, but for now I will leave it here. I appreciate that Brennan doesn't let him off the hook at the end of the episode. She makes it clear that he has crossed a line, but they are still able to continue their working relationship. Unlike what Michael does, Booth's actions (while terrible) are not a complete reflection on his integrity, and therefore Brennan is able to forgive him. 

As I mentioned above, this episode is good even if it gets overlooked a lot. It is what I would consider quintessential season one content. It is exposition heavy, and deeply entrenched in establishing the dynamics and characterizations of our core members. While there are still a few episodes in the season that do an even more effective job of this, I would still consider this episode essential viewing. Plus, if you skip it, you miss out on the fact that Brennan went to Northwestern. It is a fact that is only mentioned one other time on the show, but when you are hardcore like I am, it is an important thing to keep in mind. Overall Grade: B+

*The Man in the Fallout Shelter: This episode is not only the best of season one, it also ranks highly as one of my favorites of the series. It is the epitome of a bottle episode, (one of many throughout the series) and like with everything else in this show, it is done with extreme care and precision. At this point in the season, we know a decent amount about our central characters, but we don't yet know enough. This problem gets solved easily, by trapping our core six in the lab for three straight days over Christmas, and nothing to do but wait and talk. It is an organic way to have Booth interact with the rest of the team, and for secrets to come to the surface that would have otherwise remained hidden. We find out a lot about everyone's respective families, but we also get to solidify these six as the family that they choose. It is a family that will grow and change throughout the seasons, but that will remain just as important for them, (and for us) as is forged during this first Christmas together. This episode allows us to see our characters grow, and as a result, we get to fall even more in love with them, and that love only intensifies with every episode that comes after. Additionally what makes this episode work so well, is that the case, while simple enough in conception, is heart-wrenching, but also beautiful and satisfying, (much like Christmas itself). 

In this episode, we get to learn more about everyone. We learn that Goodman has kids, and we learn that Angela's father is Billy Gibbons. But most importantly, we learn that Booth has a son, and that Brennan had a very painful childhood. There is definite narrative build-up to both of these revelations, but they are still shocking the first time you hear them. Finding out that Booth has a son, Parker, is such an important revelation, because it humanizes him. Until this episode, we saw Booth as a tough, "toe-the line" kind of person. He is aggressive, stern, and in many ways is just as emotionally closed off as Brennan. However, we know that despite these initial characterizations, that he has a soft and vulnerable side too. He is a rule follower, and yet he wears creative socks, ties, and belt buckles (even though they are against the FBI dress code) as a mini act of rebellion. In this episode, we also see Booth's goofy side, (and not just because of the anti-fungal drugs). We get to see him for relaxed and open, something we didn't initially see as part of his personality. So, when it is revealed to everyone that he has a kid, it becomes yet another juxtaposing part of his characterization. We learn that despite his strict Catholic values, and time spent in equally disciplined organizations like the military and the FBI, Booth does not always subscribe to every notion that these institutions outwardly stand for. He is human, and therefore flawed. He makes mistakes. However, Parker is never viewed as a mistake. We won't learn more about Booth's relationship with Parker's mom, Rebecca, until season two, but what we do know is that they love and care for their son, and that is ultimately what matters. This information allows us to better understand Booth's motivations in future episodes. Making Booth a father, alters how he navigates certain cases, and is vital to our understanding of how he functions. 

Brennan's revelation in this episode is the crux in which the series is initially based. While we get a few hints early on that Brennan had been a foster care kid, we don't learn any greater details until this episode, (assuming you watch this episode before "The Girl in the Fridge"). Finding out that Brennan was abandoned by her parent’s right before Christmas, when she was a teenager, (and that she never found out what happened to them) is both incredibly sad, and incredibly powerful. Yet again, this show delivers with perfectly planned out reveals. It makes both the case, and Christmas seem all that more sad, but it also explains so much about Brennan that we didn't previously understand. She is characterized by being emotionally closed off and distant, and being clinical and hyper-rational in her work and interactions with others. This episode allows us to understand that these are defense mechanisms used by someone who has been carrying around immense pain and confusion for over a decade. We understand that being emotionally closed off has allowed her to excel in her work, but has made it nearly impossible to establish real and lasting connections with people, because she is constantly worried that they too will leave her. It is a narrative thread that is revisited and expanded upon throughout the series, and I will elaborate when I get to those particular episodes. But even for an initial reveal, itestablishes a deeply compelling narrative that makes Brennan's life even more important for the audience to follow. Like with Booth's reveal, it humanizes her by showing us that she is so much more than what she initially presents to the world. She is a dynamic, flawed, and wonderful woman. This episode ultimately serves to show us that her story, and the stories of our "found family" are just getting started. The episode invites us to experience the deeper purpose of the show, and we gladly and actively choose to invest in this emotional journey. 

The case coincides expertly with the rest of the narrative, by having it be about a man who left the world without getting to share his story. Brennan makes it her mission to search and provide the answers that the man never got to share, and it serves as an emotional proxy since she never got answers to her most longing questions. The case is a heartbreaking story, that ultimately ends on a bittersweet, but hopeful ending. Brennan gets to provide someone with answers to decade’s long questions, and the hope for a fruitful future. The episode ultimately ends with Brennan opening the presents from that fated Christmas, and the episode fades out with her crying and smiling. A bittersweet, but hopeful ending. We know that this is just the beginning of her journey, and we are left with the hope that however her story unfolds, that it will have a satisfying ending.

The episode works so well, because it gives the audience so much new material to work with. By isolating the setting to just the lab, we get to focus more on the characters, and their motivations, than just the case alone. The case it what ties them all to the lab, but it ultimately isn't the most important aspect of what allows them to emotionally connect. Additionally, the episode carries around the essence of Christmas, not just because of the lights and decorations, but because of how the episode makes one feel. (Joy and hope mixed in with some sorrow, all while spending time with the people you love). It captures the true essence of what Bones is as a show, and why I love it so much. It is essential to the overall narrative, but it should also be on every mainstream list of good Christmas episodes. Overall Grade: A

The Woman at the Airport: This episode has given me some conflicting feelings upon re-watch. I used to really enjoy it, but now I don't as much. There is nothing wrong with that, (I did mention earlier that season one is uneven, and opinions are allowed to evolve and change over time) but it did surprise me. The plot of this episode serves a dual purpose. The case of the week brings Brennan and Booth to Los Angeles, while the rest of the team is tasked with authenticating the remains of an ancient warrior. Both cases revolve around the notion of identity. For Booth and Brennan's case, it is about a woman who went drastic lengths to obscure and erase her identity, and for Goodman and Hodgins, it is about finding ways to give meaning to remains that are ambiguous. In both cases, it is about restoring identity to two lost souls. 

While the initial premise of the episode seems interesting enough, it doesn't emotionally satisfy in the ways that other season one episodes do. It is nice to see Booth and Brennan outside of their D.C. "bubble" for the second time, but beyond that, the case is frustrating and weak. Beyond the commentary on identity, there never seems to be a valid motivating factor during the case, and when the killer is eventually caught, her motivations seem unimportant. We do get to see Booth and Brennan's casual side, and more of their banter, but it doesn't make up for everything else that the episode fails to do. Additionally, the case at home does little to provide new insight for our characters, beyond demonstrating Goodman's method for working, and showing us more of Hodgins angry and paranoid side. It is ultimately what I would consider inconsequential. It is not an essential episode, and isn't one that needs to be re-watched often. Overall Grade: C+ 

The Woman in the Car: This episode, while not strictly essential, is still compelling to watch. Having the episode air during the mid-point of the season is deliberate, because without the narrative build-up, this episode wouldn't even be possible to do. At this point, we have started to learn all of the most critical things about Booth and Brennan's backstory. We know that Booth has a child, and we soon discover that due impart to her fierce independence and her traumatic past, Brennan doesn't want children. Both facts are relevant to our understanding and examination of this episode. The case revolves around the murder of a mother and the kidnapping of her child. While the plot of the case isn't as pertinent to the rest of the season one narrative, it does allow us to see how Brennan in particular, responds to the finer details of the case. She is a person who prides herself on being distant, objective, and hyper rational, but this is in episode that yet again challenges her world view. The father of the kidnapped boy is in many ways similar to Brennan. They are both highly intelligent, socially inept, and driven. These are qualities that make them great at their jobs, but often hard to work with, or be around socially. When the father has to make an important decision about whether or not to testify in a grand jury, (something that is morally right) he questions his decision because of his son. Despite everything we know about this character, he is willing to give it all up for the safety of his child. In this regard, his actions then align more with what we know about Booth. In many ways, this character serves as a vehicle for our examination of Booth and Brennan's individual needs and personal motivations. While we know Booth to be a tough, "no nonsense" guy, we also know him to be much kinder and softer than he initially appears. We also know that as a father, he would do anything for his son. We also know that Brennan is more vulnerable and kind than she shows outwardly, but that she still has abrasive qualities, and thinks she lacks maternal instincts. It is for these reasons, that she is unable to emotionally relate to the needs of the father in this episode. She is still aware of his needs on a cognitive level, but won't understand the emotional aspects until a bit later on in the series. (I don't want you to think that I am incorrectly characterizing Brennan with these particular assertions, rather I want you to see it as an alternative explanation for her actions during this part of the season). 

This episode does an effective job of demonstrating how Booth and Brennan balance each other out, and it lets the audience know that their dynamic will only get stronger and more important as the series continues. While the rest of the case might not be essential, their interactions are. Elsewhere in the episode, we get some comic relief, when an agent from the State Department comes to the lab to interview and evaluate every member of the team. It adds levity to an otherwise emotionally dense episode, and it is comical because the woman conducting the investigation is such an abrasive stickler. Despite the ridiculousness of it, we do learn more details about our core characters. We already knew that Hodgins was an angry conspiracy theorist, but we understand it to a greater extent in this episode. He despises corrupt authority, but despite that, he still works with a big government agency. It is a part of his characterization that will be further explored later in the series, but it is nice have it as a recurring thread throughout the season. Additionally, we get to see Zack, Goodman, and Brennan be as sassy as they are capable of, as a means of showing the State Department agent that they are not amused or threatened by her presence. Finally, the most significant thing we learn during the investigation is that Angela has done extensive travelling to various countries, and that she is married! I had almost forgotten this significant narrative detail, because it isn't reintroduced until the end of season two, but it is important. I will discuss it in more length when the time comes, because it is one heck of a narrative thread. Ultimately, I would consider this a medium episode. Not super vital to the plot progression, but in no way is it a bad episode. Overall Grade: B 

*The Superhero in the Alley: This episode is the epitome of a classic Bones episode, both in terms of tone and plot. It is the type of episode you would want to show to a friend who is curious about Bones, (but who hasn't watched it yet, for some weird reason) because it is a good and solid episode, but doesn't thrust someone into the middle of an established story arc. It is an ideal way to get someone immersed in the narrative world, if they aren't ready to commit to the whole season yet. The reason this episode works so well as a stand-alone, is because of the case of the week. The case itself focuses a lot on the notion of what it means to be a hero, but it is also interested in exploring the implications, and real world value of fiction. The victim was interested in creating a fantasy life where he got to be a "white knight" who rescues a "damsel in distress". But what might initially seem like a take on a familiar and sexist narrative trope, soon turns into a conversation about survival. This is a story about a boy who was suffering from a debilitating and fatal illness, and was trying to bring some good into the world before he left it. It is about fighting against obvious wrongs, and helping someone escape a dangerous and abusive marriage. It is a heartbreaking story, but has a good ending. 

It is yet another episode where the victim can be seen as having characteristics of both Brennan and Booth. The victim represents the strength and compassion in both of them, and it is important that Brennan see herself in that strength. The episode also addresses the importance of storytelling, not only as a means of escape, but also of survival. It is mentioned within the episode that through art and writing, we reveal more about ourselves than we think, even if indirectly. This rings true for the victim, but it also causes Brennan to questions the validity of that statement. How much of herself does she inadvertently divulge through her writing, and how much more is she willing to reveal? Additionally, she starts to question the role work plays in her life, and whether she uses work as a means of escaping the pain of her childhood. While she is partially correct as far as her motivations go, she fails to see the ways that her work, and her interactions with other people, allow her to grow. She doesn't yet see how much her emotions drive her motivations, but by the end of the season, she will start to. 

This is an additionally good episode for the audience, because it allows us to consider the implications of fiction, and how this particular narrative impacts our lives. (The short answer is a whole darn lot) I additionally like Brennan's comment that the real world version of things always pales in comparison to its fictional counterpart, and that sometimes feels true with this show. Life is great, but it is also very challenging, and sometimes this particular fictional version of life, (despite all of the death and destruction) seems preferable. Ultimately, it is a solid mid-season episode. It isn't the strongest of the season, but it has enough good aspects to rank pretty high on my list of essential episodes. Overall Grade: A-

The Woman in the Garden: When I mentioned earlier in the post that season one suffers from some pacing and tone issues, this is what I was talking about. Starting with this episode, through until episode nineteen (but excepting "Two Bodies in the Lab") the season struggles with dramatic shifts in tone. It isn't to say that the episodes are bad, but they do feel "off" from what the audience has grown to expect at this point in the season. This episode feels particularly slow in its build-up of vital plot details. The narrative thread of the episode additionally feels less important to the overall plot than other season one episodes. However, despite some of its misgivings, "The Woman in the Garden" still has some good qualities. In this episode, we get to see Hodgins outside of the lab for the first time, and we get to see more of his interactions with Booth. It is a relationship that is complex and often fraught with tension in later seasons, but it is nice to see the formation of their relationship here. Additionally, we get to see Brennan showcasing her knowledge of multiple languages, by having her speak Spanish. 

The episode itself has an interesting enough case, but that isn't ingrained enough in the narrative to feel significant. It is the type of episode that if I were not so hardcore about the show, I would probably forget exists. It just doesn't pack a narrative punch, and even the conclusion of the case feels forced and inconsequential. Additionally, the behavior that Booth displays throughout the episode borders on "out of character". While an examination of Booth's entire characterization would be better suited for a different time, I will say that having him yell at a traumatized and confused suspect’s wife, was so far beyond something Booth would ever do. While he certainly has his flaws, he isn't cruel, and so his behavior in this episode just feels off. Ultimately between a pretty forgettable case, discontinuities in characterization, and a slower pace, this episode is one that can be skipped. Overall Grade: C+ 

The Man on the Fairway: What I find interesting about this episode, is how tonally different it feels from every other episode in the season, and series as a whole. The plot of the episode is really designed to work as a catalyst for Brennan, and to push her to action as it relates to the search for her parents. Apart from that, the episode is almost entirely inconsequential to the overall narrative. Additionally, the pacing is probably the strangest of all 246 episodes, and if I didn't know better, I would argue that this episode doesn't even align with the overall values and objectives of the show. It isn't a bad episode, strictly speaking, but it is weird. I guess the best way to describe this episode, is intentionally unfulfilling. 

While the tone is not consistent with the rest of the series, it is consistent within the confines of the episode. The micro-thesis is about searching for answers when everyone else refuses to look, and in pursuit of those answers, sometimes coming across information that is unpleasant, misleading, or less gratifying than you would hope. It also means that you sometimes don't get any of the answers you were hoping for. It epitomizes how the characters feel, and how we as an audience feel at the conclusion of the episode. While the episode starts with a plane crash, with six victim's (one extra body than was accounted for), that particular case is unimportant to the overall plot. The few answers that we do receive about the case are inconsequential, and ultimately serve as a distraction from the central case. What becomes more important, are the bone fragments found near the plane crash site. When a man comes in claiming that the bone fragments were that of his father, it sets the team on a whole new trajectory. This man seemingly comes out of nowhere, and yet knows far too much about our central characters, and Brennan in particular. His pursuit of answers about his own father's disappearance has in many ways driven him crazy, but it has also kept him constantly searching for some type of closure. At this point in the series, we know some details about Brennan's past, and her parent’s disappearance, but wedon't yet know enough, because she doesn't know enough. She has no sense of closure. She has never allowed herself to become as vulnerable and fixated as this other man has become in his pursuit of justice or truth, but his presence during the case does have an impact. His discussion with Brennan about her parents, serves as a catalyst for future action, and by episodes end, she opens up enough to ask Booth for help in finding some answers of her own. 

By episodes end, we also discover that the bone fragments belonged to another person altogether, and it feels less satisfying than we are led to initially believe, and yet it still works tonally with the thesis of the episode. Booth still gets to arrest a killer, and we get emotional closure for that case. But, it also creates opportunities for so many new questions to be asked about Brennan's backstory, and other character motivations, as the series progresses. Just like the man in the episode, we do not get answers to our most probing questions, but that ends up being okay. The episode ultimately feels incomplete, and unfulfilling, but it allows the audience to become even more entrenched in Brennan's story. As she begins to open herself up emotionally, and puts herself at risk of not finding the answers or the closure that she wants as it pertains to her family, we become even more invested in her as a character. While the episode certainly feels "off" from other episodes in the season, it is still so vital to the overall narrative, and therefore is important viewing, at least every once in a while. It does an effective job of grounding itself on a narrative level, and contains narrative threads that are vital to our understanding of the end of the season. Overall Grade: B

*Two Bodies in the Lab: This episode has been one of my favorites since the very first time I watched it. Now that the series is complete, I will admit that there are other episodes in the series that are stronger than this one, but even with that being said, this episode is one of the most outstanding of the early seasons. It is well paced, creates effective narrative suspense, and shows us more of what we love about our core characters. This episode also marks the first of many episodes that could be considered thematically "intense" and action based. Up until this point in the story, emotions have been the driving force of the action, but in this episode, gruesome murder, explosions, and other visually stunning moments’ drive the narrative momentum. This episode is also what I would consider "classic essential" because it has all of the makings of great and vital viewing. It occurred to me that even though this post is entitled "The Essentials of Season One" I have yet to truly define what that means. In the future, all "classic essential" episodes will be denoted in some way. 

For an episode to truly exist near the top of my list it must possess specific qualities: 1) The case of the week has to be particularly memorable and compelling. 2) It must showcase our core characters functioning well as a team, or must give us new insight into their motivations or experiences. 3) It must have re-watch potential. If the episode is truly wonderful, it will hold up after multiple re-watches, and over long periods of time. An episode is truly essential if it is still enjoyable ten plus years later. Finally, the last quality of an essential episode that is important but not as vital, is it must have cute Booth and Brennan moments. As it just so happens, "Two Bodies in the Lab" has all of these qualities. While it works well within the narrative, it is also a very strong standalone episode to show someone who is interested in watching, but is not yet convinced they want to indulge in the entire series. 

This episode functions well, because of the way it utilizes misdirection to establish suspense. Nothing happens the way you would expect it to, but is more satisfying than you could conceive at this point in the series. Similar to the pilot, the episode hits every classic narrative beat that you would expect from a standard episode of drama, but does it even better than every other show. I like this episode because it really showcases how effective the writing on the show is. It functions well at the midpoint in the season, because we know these characters well enough to throw something unexpected at them, or put them in danger, and have us truly care about their safety. We care that both Brennan and Booth's lives are at risk, and while we are certain that neither of them will ever actually die, the episode needs us to think that they might. It shows us how integral they are to each other, and how valuable their friendship has become. It also gives us the first of many truly romantic moments of the early seasons. If as an audience, you weren't already shipping them, this episode gives you compelling reasons to start. First you get to see the first pangs of jealousy from Booth, when Brennan is showing interest in dating someone who is not him. Then, we get their conversation in her apartment, complete with their first of many dance sessions to "their" song, "Hot Blooded". Finally, we get the sequence where a bloodied and battered Booth escapes the hospital, despite the extreme pain he is in, in order to save Brennan's life. Also we get to see that look between them. (No I can't post the photo here, but please look it up if you don't know what I am talking about). 

Ultimately, the episode gives us everything that we could possible want from these characters, and is the ideal "big" episode to have before the all-important season one finale.  I honestly don't have anything else constructive to say, because the episode is just that good. It doesn't need to be dissected or over-analyzed, and it works best if you just watch it. Overall Grade: A 

The Woman in the Tunnel: The weird thing about this episode as it pertains to me, is that I overlooked it for a very long time, and only watched it for the first time last year. It was interesting to go back after watching nearly twelve other seasons, and see how much the show truly evolved after the first season. But the main reason I mention this, is that as a result of not having seen it during my initial viewing, my thoughts on this episode are not as well developed as the rest of season one. But, I have seen it three times, so I will try my best. This is another episode that struggles a little bit with tone, and yet it still seems to function well with the rest of the season. It is an interesting choice to have much of the plot take place underground, and be about "hidden cities", and "lost treasure" In many ways, it is similar to another season one episode, "The Man with the Bone", although the plot of this episode works a little more effectively. This episode also gives us the classic Booth and Brennan "flashlight" scene that is used in the opening credits for much of the rest of the series, so that is a nice visual to see. 

Again, I don't have as much to say about this episode other than it's decent. It showcases the team dynamic well, and is visually beautiful, but I can also see how I accidentally missed it the first couple of times I watched the series. It just isn't particularly memorable, and that is its greatest flaw. It has the makings of a good episode, and despite the tonal issues, it does fit well with the rest of season one, but as far as being pertinent to the overall narrative, it isn't as important, which is why it doesn't get a spot at the top of my list. It is ultimately not essential viewing. Overall Grade: B

The Skull in the Desert: This episode is probably the ideal example of what I mean when I say that season one struggles with pacing and tone. The case itself is strong, but the episode is very very slow. It also feels noticeably different from the other episodes, because of its location, lighting, and theme. It is yet another episode where we get to see Booth, Brennan, and this time, Angela outside of the confines of D.C. The location is brighter and more colorful than what we usually see, but that ends up working well. It also allows us to explore more of Angela's backstory beyond what the season has already given us, and it is now her turn to be emotionally vulnerable. This episode is a lot more personal, but because of that it does feel a little more removed from the central narrative. When Angela's boyfriend ends up dead, she relies on Brennan to solve the murder, and also just be there as a source of support and comfort. 

While Brennan is characterized by her lack of emotional openness, she has never failed to be supportive of Angela and her needs. Even when she doesn't always know how to be vulnerable, she does know how to be compassionate and encouraging. Her friendship with Angela will always be one of the most important aspects of the show, and this episode in particular, does an excellent job of conveying how important these women are to each other. At the end of the episode, when Angela questions the openness of her own heart, and whether she will ever be capable of true love again, Brennan is there to say all of the right things, and is encouraging. She additionally tackles the case with extreme sensitivity for Angela's sake, and it is a beautiful thing to witness. 

While the episode is most importantly about Angela, it is also important to note the ways in which the episode treats our other characters too. By bringing Booth to help with the case, Brennan is surrounding herself with the most important people in her life. She trusts Booth to have the same compassion and sensitivity towards the case as she does, and while the episode is not strictly about her, we can already see how much she has grown and changed throughout the season, and that level of progress is going to be vital during the season finale. Additionally, we find out that Zack has become a little too comfortable in his role as an intern, and as a result has stopped working on his thesis. We see a lot of conflict between Hodgins and Zack in this episode, and we discover that it is all in an effort to coax Zack out of his comfort zone. Goodman, Hodgins and even Brennan agree that some tough love is needed to help motivate Zack, and it is nice to see this development. We know that Zack has been Brennan's intern for nearly two years at this point, so it is important to see how his work is impacting both his personal and professional life, and it is even more important to see that every narrative thread in this episode has a purpose. It is something I will continue to say throughout these posts, but it really is incredible how focused and deliberate the narrative progression on this show is. Even when you don't always know why something is written or explained the way it is, it has a way of always working out even better than you could imagine. While it isn't true for every single plot point, I will say that almost everything in the entire series was very carefully planned out before being executed, and even the points that weren't, feel very seamless to the overall narrative. 

Ultimately, this episode functions well because it is rooted yet again in character development. It suffers from pacing and tonal issues, but it makes up for it with its plot. The episode also feels like a break in intensity as we gear up for the finale, and is just a very quiet and understated episode. While it doesn't make it to the top of my list because of the pacing problems, it is a really important episode. It may not be as essential as some of the other episodes of season one, but it is still worth watching. Overall Grade: B+ 

The Man with the Bone: This episode unfortunately suffers from "often overlooked" syndrome. There is nothing technically wrong with it, but it just isn't as engaging as other season one episodes, and as a result, does not rank highly on my list. While the episode does give us a lot of insight into Hodgins, beyond that, it feels almost like filler. It also doesn't help that this episode comes right before one of the best episodes of the series, and really pales in comparison. The episode does have some virtues though. We get to see Hodgins outside of the confines of the lab, and we learn that he has three doctorates, and is even more passionate about his work than we ever thought. We already know that Hodgins works at the Jeffersonian despite having enough money to do anything he wants. We know that he chooses to do science because he truly loves it, but we really see his passion for his work on full display here. Additionally, the episode explores how Brennan reacts when she can't control her environment. She gets anxious, angry, and ill at ease. It is important to see some of these even minor character flaws, because it humanizes her, and makes us love her even more. 

Other than that, the case of the week is a little lackluster. While it does provide some new character insights, the episode is largely forgettable. While it is still worth watching, it can also just as easily be skipped. Overall Grade: B-

*The Man in the Morgue: This episode is not only one of the most immensely satisfying of the season, it is also one of the best of the series. It establishes suspense really well, and constantly makes the audience question what they know about the case, and about Brennan. It additionally utilizes the rest of the team seamlessly with the central narrative, gives us endearing moments, and introduces us to one of my favorite recurring characters, Caroline Julian. It also serves as yet another opportunity to see Booth and Brennan function outside of their roles in D.C., and the case itself is fascinating. 

When the episode opens to Brennan regaining consciousness, bloodied on the floor, and with no memory of the events of the previous day, it sets up one of the most compelling plots of the season. We question what happened to her, and then later, (despite what we know about Brennan) we question if she is somehow capable of murdering someone. It is an episode that is centered on mythology, and magic, but is still well grounded in a reality that we can understand. It makes for a truly unprecedented case, and it is part of what makes it so memorable and special. 

When Brennan can't remember what has happened to her, she calls on Booth for support. When he shows up in New Orleans, he does so out of so much concern for her well-being and safety, and it is beautiful to watch their interactions. While they are not yet aware of their romantic love for each other, they both care deeply about each other as both partners and friends, and it is clear that his support in Brennan's time of need is greatly appreciated. Additionally, when she is arrested on suspicion of murder, it is Booth who puts his faith entirely in her, and calls in a personal favor to get her the help that she needs. This is when we are first introduced to one of my favorite minor characters of the series, Federal Prosecutor, Caroline Julian. She is sassy and acerbic, and has the best one liner’s throughout the series, and this episode is no exception. While we don't get a full introduction to her character in this episode, we do understand enough about her to know that she is very cautious around Brennan. She clearly respects and trusts Booth and the work that he does, which is the only reason she agrees to help Brennan. This will continue to be the case throughout their working relationship, but I will expand on Caroline more when we get to some of her more significant episodes. 

Elsewhere, we see how the team functions in the absence of direct communication from Brennan. When she can't provide any useful insight into the case they are working on, it is up to them to use their skills and discretion to reach the best conclusions. One of the most heartfelt scenes also comes during the lab scenes, when Angela starts to question Brennan's behavior, and observes how much she has changed since she started working with Booth. It is the conversation that she then has with Hodgins that ends up resonating well with Angela, and the audience. He argues that Brennan started to evolve and change "the moment [she] came into [Angela's] life". While Hodgins' statement is accurate, in that Brennan has started to evolve because of the people in her life, he is also paying Angie a compliment. This is the first episode where we get the tiniest glimmer that Hodgins has feelings for Angela. It is an attraction that is explored more deeply in season two, but for now, it is nice to see the formation of those feelings. It is evident that both of them respect the other, and through working together they have established a supportive friendship. That is why the scene between them in this episode is so significant. More than anything, Hodgins is there to reassure Angela that she is a good friend, and that Brennan isn't going to change so drastically that she no longer "needs" Angela. It is an endearing moment between the two of them, and it establishes narrative threads that will be valuable later on. 

The other take-away from the conversation remains: Brennan has changed a lot just in the span of the first season. She has started to open up about her past, she has shown moments of extreme vulnerability, she has started to trust and rely on the people in her life, and she has developed strong friendships with Angela and Booth. She is changing in ways that even she doesn't always anticipate, but it is because of those changes, that she will be better equipped to deal with the events of the season one finale. I will explore some of the more specific changes when I get to my discussion of the finale. 

Ultimately, this episode functions well, because the plot is compelling, and we get to see our characters at some of their most vulnerable. It has a different tone than some of the other episodes of the season, but in this case, that ends up being a good thing. It also serves as an effective final push to get us to the important events of the end of the season. It is the epitome of essential viewing. Overall Grade: A

*The Graft in the Girl: This episode is one of the underrated gems of the series. It often gets overlooked in favor of some of the "flashier" episodes of season one, but it is just as compelling as the bigger ones. The reason it gets overlooked, is because it functions differently than most of the other episodes, (again, season one does struggle to maintain a consistent tone). It is a lot more personal than any of the others, but that is also what makes it work so well. The episodes main victim is Amy Cullen, the FBI Deputy Director's daughter. What starts out as a trip to the hospital to show Cullen some important evidence, soon turns into something much more important, when Brennan realizes that Cullen's daughter is dying of a rare form of cancer, and that it was likely caused from an infected bone graft in her leg. The case then becomes about grand scale medical malpractice, black market bone harvesting, and the pursuit of answers for a confused and terrified, dying girl. The episode functions differently than most, because the initial patient isn't dead yet, but she will be. It is an absolutely devastating episode, because we know that Amy won't get better, and watching her suffer is challenging. But, just as Brennan puts it to a pleading, and terrified Amy, by uncovering this malpractice, she is helping to save the lives of countless other people. It doesn't help comfort Amy, but it is important for her to know that she isn't going to die in vain. 

Additionally, this episode functions well, because we get to see Angela be vulnerable again. She forges a connection with Amy, when she realizes that they both have a passion for art and painting. She helps comfort her, and offers advice on how to make the most of her experiences, to fuel her art. It is both beautiful to watch Angela get so emotionally attached to someone outside of what we normally see, but also heartbreaking. If the situation had been different, and Amy wasn't dying, maybe Angela could have been Amy's mentor, and they would have learned and grown as artists together. But, since that isn't the case, she is still able to leave Amy with a beautiful gift. After receiving another encouraging pep-talk from Hodgins, Angela decides to make a virtual rendering of The Louvre. It is a thoughtful gift to give to Amy, since she will never otherwise see it, and it gives Amy something to cling to in her final weeks. 

The most surprising thing about this case is how well it works with the rest of the season one narrative. It somehow manages to craft a full and complete story for a minor character, and have it still feel seamless. Until this episode, what we know about Cullen, is that he is strict, a stickler for rules, and prefers to do things without the aid of Brennan. However, when it comes to the health of his daughter, he is willing to push his misgivings aside, and focus on getting any help that Brennan is able to provide. Having this episode be about him and his family, serves to humanize him, and makes us more understanding of his own personal plights. We never see his character again after this episode, but that is okay. Cognitively, we accept that after Amy died, it must have been too difficult for him to continue at such a demanding job. We can logically assume that he took early retirement, and spent time with his wife, as they grieved and tried to rebuild. While he wasn't the most vital character of season one, I appreciate that his story was consistent, and satisfactorily concluded. 

Ultimately, this is a strong and meaningful episode. While it may not be the most vital for our core characters, it is still essential to our understanding of how they function as a team. Also, it is just a really heartbreaking, but good episode. For those reasons, I would consider it essential viewing. It doesn't possess some of the same qualities of the other star episodes, but it is still worth absorbing and appreciating. Overall Grade: A-

*The Soldier on the Grave: This episode, while not the strongest of the season, is certainly one of the most important episodes of season one, especially as it pertains to Booth's characterization. The plot centers on the murder of one solider, and the accidental death, and subsequent cover-up of another from the same team. The case itself is interesting, but its integration into the central narrative is what is far more important. Throughout the season, we become privy to aspects of Booth's personal and military past, but it is not until this episode, that we start to get more explicit details about who Booth fundamentally is as a person. We know that he was an Army Ranger and expert sniper during The Second Gulf War, and part of the Iraq War. We know that he carries around a lot of guilt about the lives he took during those wars, but that he is still patriotic and supportive of the military. We also know that he chose to join the FBI as a means of serving his country in a different way, and that his goal in catching killers is to bring justice to murder victims, but to also use it as a means to atone for his guilt. (To catch at least one killer for every life he took). We are also given subtle hints throughout the season, that Booth has a gambling addiction, but it is not explicitly referenced until this episode. As we begin to dig deeper into Booth's past, and see him in more vulnerable positions, the more dynamic he becomes. He has always existed as multi-faceted and complex, just like every character on this show, but now we are provided with even more insight into those complexities. He is human and therefore flawed, but despite his greatest issues, learning more about Booth only makes us love him more. 

This episode is also important for our continued understanding of Hodgins, and for our understanding of Booth and Brennan's relationship. For Hodgins, we know that he is a conspiracy theorist, and that he despises authority. We also learn how staunchly opposed he is to the War, which becomes a source of conflict between him and everyone else, but particularly with Booth and Angela. The last thing that Booth would ever need, is a reason to question the integrity of an institution he believes in, but Hodgins does try to question that. It additionally generates conflict with Angela, because despite their close friendship, she is able to give him some hard truths about his behavior. I am always so proud of her ability to cut through crap with people, and hold them accountable for their behavior, especially when it is for the people she loves. Despite his personal convictions, Angela implores Hodgins to think about someone else's feelings and experiences outside of his own, and show compassion towards Booth. He is able to on his own, but most importantly he does so after realizing how upset Angie is by his actions. He makes the difficult but "right" choice, because he values Angela's opinion of him. You can already see in season one how much better they make each other, so it is that much more rewarding when their friendship moves towards romance in season two.  

Similarly, this episode allows us to see the continued progression of Booth and Brennan's relationship. Even when Brennan also doesn't agree with some of Booth's most fundamental convictions, she still finds ways to be as supportive of his needs as possible. The most vital thing she does, is indicate how much she cares, by truly listening to Booth, and demonstrating how committed she is to his well-being. It is for this reason, and every other bit of character development throughout the season, that allows him to finally open up to her. He delves into the darkest reaches of his past, and she is there to do nothing but listen, and provide an encouraging touch. It is a beautiful moment in and of itself, but since I also know how vital his war story becomes later on in the series, it is also an extremely cathartic moment to re-watch. We know that like with the story of Brennan's missing parents, this is just the beginning of Booth's story. We will continue to explore it with depth and compassion as the series continues. This episode merely serves to establish the narrative threads and character development that will be so vital to telling the rest of the story later on. 

Ultimately, this episode (and really the season as a whole) exists to establish solid narrative ground in which to use the rest of the series to explore. It doesn't always make for the most compelling story, but it is much needed work for developing everything that comes later. It is for this reason, that I consider this episode to be essential viewing. It isn't a perfect episode, but it does have beautiful moments. Overall Grade: B+ 

*The Woman in Limbo: At long last, we reach our discussion of the all-important season one finale. It truly serves as a culminating event, following a season full of deliberate and intensive character development, and narrative progression. Compared to some of the more thematically and visually intensive season finales that we get later in the series, this finale is more restrained. However, that isn't a bad thing. Considering the overall tone of the season, it makes sense to have a finale that is exposition heavy, in order to propel the narrative into the following season. More than the pace itself, it is the plot of the episode that is most vital to our understanding of the rest of the series. We know up to this point that Brennan has finally decided to let Booth help aide in her search for her parents. Since Brennan spends most of the second half of the season engrossed in other projects, her parents aren't on the forefront of her thoughts, or the audiences. So, when a body taken out of "limbo" turns out to be Brennan's mom, it takes us just as much by surprise as it does for Brennan. It is heartbreaking to watch Brennan fall apart throughout the episode, because we know that her greatest fears have finally been confirmed. She waited her whole life to find out the truth, only to discover two very important things. One, that her mother had been dead nearly this whole time. And two, that her parents were not who she thought they were. She discovers that her parents had an entire criminal past that she was never made aware of, and that Temperance Brennan isn’t even her given name. It is as jarring a revelation for the audience as it is for her, because this entire season builds up this emotional need for catharsis, and then it isn’t what we expect at all. However, just because it is unexpected, doesn’t make it any less satisfying. As I have mentioned before, the entire initial premise of the series hinges on this revelation, so it still makes for a great end to the season, with an episode filled with satisfying answers.

The episode gives us a lot of great answers about how Christine Brennan died, and the type of person she was whilst alive, but most importantly, this episode gives us a lot new characterization for Brennan. We see a lot of her confusion and pain, expressed outwardly in this episode. For a person who prides herself on her ability to be objective, professional, and even a little emotionally distant, she is the opposite here. When it comes to dealing with her family, she becomes incapable of hiding her pain, but it allows us to see the most vulnerable side to Brennan to date. Booth sees her pain and vulnerability too, which is why he decides to spend most of the episode comforting her. While the lines between working partner and friend have always been blurry for Booth and Brennan, they become even less clear when Booth shows up to Brennan’s house in the middle of the night. However, this relationship has never been concerned with “professional” boundaries, so the audience sees the situation for what it is. Booth is at Brennan’s door with food, in the middle of the night because he is a concerned friend who wants to be there to comfort her. It is a touching gesture that confirms to us that Booth and Brennan are good for each other. Even before they are ready to admit to any feelings that they have, we see the development of a supportive and passionate friendship. It is the depth of that friendship that will make their eventual coupling even more satisfying.

This episode also introduces us to Brennan’s brother, Russ. It is a complicated relationship, because without realizing it, Brennan pushed Russ away after their parents left. She blamed him for abandoning her the way their parents did, without realizing that at least emotionally, she was the one who had abandoned him. Without even being aware of it, Brennan abandons most of the relationships in her life, before the other person has a chance to abandon her first. It is a coping mechanism, but an ineffective one. It is a complicated realization that will take seasons to unpack, but this does a good job of establishing that pattern of behavior. Her relationship with Russ is one that will continue to have tension and development in future seasons, but for now it is nice to see their initial interactions. By the end of the episode, they are able to reach at least a bit of an understanding by being honest about their feelings.

The episode additionally shows us how strong the team has become. They are willing to put everything else aside, if it means helping Brennan. They function effectively as a unit, and it is important to witness this dynamic in its present state, so we can comment on how it evolves and changes in future seasons. Chief among those changes is the absence of Dr. Goodman, and the introduction of new members of the team. We never see Goodman again after this episode, but that ends up being okay. We do find out in season two that he is on sabbatical. The assumption is that after his sabbatical ended, he either found a new job outside of D.C., or he decided to focus on raising his family, and was less concerned with having such a high-profile job. Either way, it isn’t too profound a loss. He was a good addition to the team, but was never central to the season one narrative.

The most compelling part of the entire episode comes when Booth and Brennan are questioning Christine’s murderer. He is a terrible man, who gets his way by using threats and intimidation to coerce people into doing what he wants. He additionally manipulates Brennan in her already emotionally compromised state, in order to confuse and dehumanize her. When she starts weeping and uttering “I am Temperance Brennan, I work at the Jeffersonian, and I am a scientist” over and over again it is heartbreaking but powerful. She is attempting to cling to any sense of identity she has, because otherwise she will fall apart completely. Thankfully Booth is also there to give her a hug, and assure her that she matters, and that no one can take her knowledge or identity away from her. It serves as an interesting commentary on how Brennan sees herself. She uses her status as the world’s best forensic anthropologist as an integral part of her identity. Without it she wouldn’t know who she was anymore. This scene conveys that very well, but it is only the beginning of our conversation about personal identity in Bones. Identity will become a very important motif throughout the series, for Brennan especially, but for our other central characters as well. I will discuss it in further detail when it becomes relevant again.

While this episode is probably the most essential of season one, it is not without its issues. While it is narratively and emotionally compelling, it also has some glaring continuity problems. Chief among them is the timeline. The claim is that Brennan started working at the Jeffersonian in 1999, but there is no evidence in future episodes to support that assumption. Additionally, the episode establishes that Brennan was born in 1976, which I could almost accept as being true, except time jumps in future seasons, and her 40^th birthday celebration in the final season contradict that. While these seem like arbitrary details to get caught up on, they matter to me. It is very clear by the time we get to later seasons, that the timeline is irrelevant and that the show no longer takes place in “real” time. But, that means that when the show is still in real time, the timeline should matter. So, that means that I just have to suspend my disbelief on some of the details, make Brennan’s year of birth, 1977, (The year Brennan’s portrayer, Emily, was born) and then accept that time is mostly fluid during later seasons. Other than those non-issue issues, it is still a very good episode. It is the foundational text on which the rest of the series is based, and it does a great job of propelling us into season two. The episode ends on a mini-cliffhanger when Brennan, Booth, and Russ return to Brennan’s apartment to discover a message on the answering machine that says “you have to stop looking for me, please! It isn’t safe, you have to stop looking”. The episode closes with Brennan stating that the message is from her father. It is a surprising but satisfying way to end the season, because it sets things up really effectively for season two, as we delve even deeper into Brennan’s past, and her relationship with her father. The episode is ultimately the most essential of season one, but only in the context of the rest of the season. The season builds narrative tension in order to create an episode that is as satisfying as this one. Overall Grade: A

Final Thoughts: Overall, despite some of its pacing and tone issues, season one is the ultimate foundational text on which the series is based. It certainly isn’t the strongest or most interesting season, but it makes up for it with exceptional exposition. Since this blog series is called “The essentials of Bones” of course season one is essential, (if I didn’t already make that clear in the 14,000 words I just wrote). If it wasn’t evident before, I hope that it is evident now, how important this show is to me. While my future posts probably won’t be written exactly like this, (I will be commenting a lot more on specific themes, and I might also discuss the acting and writing choices more specifically) I wanted to make this first one as comprehensive as possible. It was a little frustrating at times, because I sometimes felt like I didn’t have meaningful things to say, but it was ultimately just a good writing exercise. I have been struggling to get effective writing done since I finished school, which is why I decided to start this series. I might not be challenging myself by tackling new information, but at least I am writing. Anyway, if you have somehow managed to make it this far, thank you for reading my post. I will be moving forward with my re-watch of season two this month, and I will have something else up soon. I will leave you with my updated ranking of season one episodes. What I considered “definitive” before was largely misguided, because A) That ranking is about three years old, and B) Now that I have re-watched in order, I have different opinions about where things should rank. Also, while it isn’t necessary to rank things on a list from best to worst, I find it helpful. I am sure that the list will change again in a few years, but for now, here it is. Overall Grade for Season 1: B 

My 2018 Rankings of Bones: (Season One)

 (My favorite episodes)

1) "The Man in the Fallout Shelter"

2) "Two Bodies in the Lab"

3) "Pilot"

4) "The Man in the Morgue"

5) "The Woman in Limbo"

(Episodes that are great, but not enough to be in the top five)

6) "A Man on Death Row"

7) "The Graft in the Girl"

8) "The Skull in the Desert"

9) "The Soldier on the Grave" 

10) "The Woman in the Tunnel"

11) "Superhero in the Alley" 

12) "The Girl in the Fridge"

13) "A Boy in a Bush"

14) "A Boy in a Tree"

15) "The Man on the Fairway"  

(Episodes that are okay, but not enough to re-watch often)

16) "The Man in the Bear"

17) "The Man in the S.U.V."

18) "The Man in the Wall" 

19) "The Man with the Bone"

20) "The Woman in the Car"

21) "The Woman at the Airport"

22) "The Woman in the Garden"