Bones

:

Season 1
  • Network: FOX
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 13, 2005
Season #: 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Metascore
55

Mixed or average reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 29
  3. Negative: 5 out of 29
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Critic Reviews

  1. Cleveland Plain Dealer
    Reviewed by: Mark Dawidziak
    60
    There's a fine line between clever and labored, and "Bones" sometimes strays over that line with one-liners about skull fragments, blood samples, X-rays and microbes. That's where "see how cleverly we can banter" writing creeps into the otherwise crisp proceedings.
  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Paul Brownfield
    60
    Rather too slick for its own good.
  3. Orlando Sentinel
    Reviewed by: Hal Boedeker
    60
    Deschanel exudes a luminous quality that elevates this grim, conventional show.
  5. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    50
    The quality of the mystery in the pilot, no better than mediocre, is what keeps this series from starting off with a wider lead at the opening gun.
  6. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Storm
    50
    It could use a little more dramatic meat on its predictable framework.
  7. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Alessandra Stanley
    50
    Clings to proven formulas.
  8. The A.V. Club
    50
    Boreanaz and Deschanel have nice chemistry... but the script also tends to undermine its brighter moments with dialogue that repeats the exposition and the characters' defining traits over and over again.
  9. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Sid Smith
    40
    The scientific setup may be intriguing... But the dialogue, including the contrived sexual tension between Temperance and Seeley, is strictly canned and cutesy.
  10. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    40
    It's an (occasionally) frothy mix -- comedic moments tumble into serious scenes of forensic examination -- that's not altogether terrible, but neither does it beg to be watched on a regular basis.
  11. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: Melanie McFarland
    40
    "Bones" probably will remind more viewers of a cross between "CSI" and "The X-Files," except with more humorous banter than the first, and more romantic heat than the latter.
  12. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    40
    Deschanel comes off a little too much like a sorority girl rather than a scientist with missing-parent issues.

Awards & Rankings

39
#39 Best TV Season of 2005
10
#10 Most Discussed TV Season of 2005
19
#19 Most Shared TV Season of 2005

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 294 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 211 out of 294
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 294
  3. Negative: 63 out of 294
  1. ToyB
    Aug 28, 2006
    10
    The character dynamics hook audiences, the dark humor appeals, the cases are well-thought out, and the acting is superb on all aspects.
  2. MargoB
    Aug 28, 2006
    10
    Talented cast, great chemistry, fun dialogue, the inspiration of Reichs, the talents of Hanson, character driven as opposed to the usual Talented cast, great chemistry, fun dialogue, the inspiration of Reichs, the talents of Hanson, character driven as opposed to the usual procedural, and the Boreanaz charm and talent are all the reasons I won't miss an episode!… Full Review »
  3. Weeksie21
    Feb 14, 2013
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. This is used to be a show about scientists doing science, and Brennan's character being a believer in facts and evidence over faith in anything supernatural was central to this theme. The so-called epiphany she experiences in the latest episode (Shot in the Dark) along with the precedent of ghosts and psychics being verifiably real (Ghost in the Machine) goes against the every point of her character. More than that, it blatantly perpetrates the worst misconceptions about atheists: That not believing is the result of something 'being wrong' with the person; that atheists are cold, emotionless people who live unfulfilled lives devoid of any kind of warmth or happiness; that Brennan's non-belief has somehow limited her in her life, despite the fact that she's one of the most renowned and successful experts in her field.

    In the end, this episode, like so many before it, was nothing more than sloppy storytelling, lazy writing, and propaganda, plain and simple. And though I'm an atheist, I'm less offended by the (oh-so-common) prejudice against non-believers and more offended by the sheer absence of logical character behavior and progression.    … Full Review »
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