Am I Alone in my Disappointment?

For the past couple of months, all I keep hearing about is how much everyone just *loves* this season, and I cannot see why.

I feel as though these characters are just treading water. It is like the writers are too afraid to move the characters forward and the show is suffering because of it.

I am sorry, but I thought the season opener was lame. And though the intern shuffle provides a gag, it needs to be resolved. Yes, I understand that replacing Zack is difficult, but if you didn't want to have to do that, then you should have ended season three differently.

Then I thought that the circus episode was really lame. This show has NEVER relied on slapstick before, and I felt as though this was an episode built on getting cheap laughs. Granted, there have been funny moments before, none derived in such an unbelievable way before.

Then the whole gravedigger thing. What a cop-out that was. Some random chick-who CLEARLY could not have knocked out Booth and pulled him through a window and tied him onto a ship-what was her motivation, and where was she before? Then the lack of emotion by the entire team. I thought the acting when Jack and Brennan were in the car was brilliant, and you could feel the tension of the entire team building as the time ticked down. NONE of that emotion was there. Jack stealing evidence, was very out of character, for, let’s be honest, if he had done so, he would no longer be working in the Jeffersonian (remember season one, with the background checks??-yes, Jack likes to break the rules, but not the law, no matter how passionate he feels). And Brennan in that episode was completely unaffected. Yes, we know she is in denial about her feelings, but she has showed emotion over Booth before, and I felt as though the chair hitting thing was too little too late.

Oh, and the ghost. Since when is Bones that kind of show?? It was considered to be one of the most accurate shows on television, but now ghosts are popping up! Give me a break.

Also, this past episode. Brennan has been in interrogation before, and done wonderfully. Anyone remember that orphan kid she talked to? We have seen her get better at it in a natural way, but the last episode was two steps back for her, which followed the two steps back her character made after the cheap "just a partner" gravedigger thing. Remember when Max had to help her find Booth in season two? She was more emotional then, and that was two years ago. She is not stupid, but I feel as though she is being written that way. Suddenly first season-totally clueless Brennan-is back. Yes, she still has a lot of things to learn, but you can show this AND still move forward.

I understand that putting Booth and Bones together is risky, but I would rather the show move forward and keep everything I hold dear, rather than keep them apart and destroy what I loved about it. I feel as though if the writers were honest, there would have been further steps and less treading of water.

Ah, it feels great to get this off my chest. I still watch Bones, but lately it no longer holds the joy that I once had for it. Sure, I could always change the channel, but I hate to give up on something I used to love so much.

Season one was good, season two was great, season three outstanding (and with wonderful linear development) but this season, everything has reached a plateau.

I have hopes that this show will return to its former glory, but right now, I am a little weary, which saddens me because the show is finally getting the attention it deserves, yet not at a time I feel like it should.

All I can say is that, I hope as the characters step forward, I will once again be proud of this series, because right now I don't think it is performing at its potential.

Anyone agree? Or am I once again alone in my thinking?

I agree, I also miss serious and sophisticated cases and (anyone with me?) some kick-ass action - In season 1 and 2 we saw Booth and even bren use some violence to stop someone or make them speak, etc, For God sake, its FBI, dont tell me their job is so nice and easy that they dont have to kick somebodys ass from time to time, and I would really like to see some Ranger`s fighting skills or Bren`s martial arts training. And it seems like Booth`s promise from Fire In The Ice - "Nothing`s gonna change between me and you" - really works, they are still in the same place with their relationship.

Completely agree with both of you. As much as I love the character based stories, I loved how it was a scientific show to start with, and now it seems like it's become a drama, but not in a good sense.

I do agree. I feel like the show is really centred on B&B and like we hardly see Cam, Jack, and Angela this season. Don't get me wrong I love B&B, but in past seasons, B&B would work with the team and solve the case with bits of humour shoved in there and then at the end of the episode we would have our B&B "awww moment". This season, the squints don't really have a storyline it's like they are just there to run tests. The cases have been a bit out there too. I think just a slight more focus on more serious/realistic cases would be all Bones would need to get back to a better balance of science/character development. I like Bones because of the characters and their storylines but I also like it for the cases they used to have and see all their reactions to the cases. I think throwing in funnier episodes like Panhandle every once in a while is good. I love Sweets and think he is hilarious but I think it should go back to him being present only when B&B have a session with him.

I still love Bones and I'm certainly not going to stop watching it, I have enjoyed this season, just because I'm happy to see it every week, but it is certainly very different compared to the last three season, and I feel I like the set up of the last 3 seasons better.

Sorry, I've probably contradicted myself a few times, I'm not the best at this kinda of thing, hopefully I made some sense.

Sorry folks have to disagree. I agree the show has moved a different direction from the first couple of seasons, but i love where it is going.
Think about how boring it would get if the show didnt delve into the personal lives of the characters> It will always be a scientific based show, and a bloody brilliant one at that, but you need the drama, its what keeps the show going..

I have to disagree, too. I have loved this season, with the exception of a few random episodes (mostly the ones at the beginning, but those were technically fillers). I'm really loving where this season is going. I think it would be boring, too, if it never delved into the personal lives of the characters. That's what I love so much about this show.

I am sorry, but the other seasons went into the characters as well, that is not why I don't like this season.

When they did go inside the characters, there was no need to start silly fights with clowns, talk to ghosts, or ingnore previous character development.

It's not that I dislike this season, I just find it really different than the past seasons and I just don't adjust to change well To me if they just reeled in the B&B just a touch(I love B&B please don't think I don't) and gave a bit more attention to Cam, Jack, and Angela and perhaps had slightly more realistic/suspenseful cases then I think things might be a better balance. I do enjoy the lighter episodes too, but maybe just have them occur a little less. The only episode this season I haven't completely enjoyed was the hockey one. I certainly don't want it to become completely case driven and have zero character development because then it's like CSI and all the other forensic shows. Booth imaginary friends don't even bother me at all, it's how he dealt with the GD, just like Brennan and Hodgins used their science to survive. I ♥ Bones and I look forward to it every week.

Only four more days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CanadianBones wrote:It's not that I dislike this season, I just find it really different than the past seasons and I just don't adjust to change well To me if they just reeled in the B&B just a touch(I love B&B please don't think I don't) and gave a bit more attention to Cam, Jack, and Angela and perhaps had slightly more realistic/suspenseful cases then I think things might be a better balance. I do enjoy the lighter episodes too, but maybe just have them occur a little less. The only episode this season I haven't completely enjoyed was the hockey one. I certainly don't want it to become completely case driven and have zero character development because then it's like CSI and all the other forensic shows. Booth imaginary friends don't even bother me at all, it's how he dealt with the GD, just like Brennan and Hodgins used their science to survive. I ♥ Bones and I look forward to it every week.

I so agree with you regarding the 'ghost'...as I keep trying to say, it was how Booth got through it. The viewer didn't have to believe, Booth did, and his character would. I don't think the show was trying to make us believe in the supernatural, they were just trying to delve into Booth's character, and I loved it.

But I, for one, have enjoyed each season for what it is, and I think this season is very good, as a whole. There are a few eps I haven't liked, but all in all, I've been happy.

CanadianBones wrote: Booth imaginary friends don't even bother me at all, it's how he dealt with the GD, just like Brennan and Hodgins used their science to survive.

This precisely the way I looked at it as well. Booth has that gut instinct and experience he's going to draw on to get out of the situation. I still refuse to call it a ghost though...

flyersfan35 wrote:

CanadianBones wrote:It's not that I dislike this season, I just find it really different than the past seasons and I just don't adjust to change well To me if they just reeled in the B&B just a touch(I love B&B please don't think I don't) and gave a bit more attention to Cam, Jack, and Angela and perhaps had slightly more realistic/suspenseful cases then I think things might be a better balance. I do enjoy the lighter episodes too, but maybe just have them occur a little less. The only episode this season I haven't completely enjoyed was the hockey one. I certainly don't want it to become completely case driven and have zero character development because then it's like CSI and all the other forensic shows. Booth imaginary friends don't even bother me at all, it's how he dealt with the GD, just like Brennan and Hodgins used their science to survive. I ♥ Bones and I look forward to it every week.

I so agree with you regarding the 'ghost'...as I keep trying to say, it was how Booth got through it. The viewer didn't have to believe, Booth did, and his character would. I don't think the show was trying to make us believe in the supernatural, they were just trying to delve into Booth's character, and I loved it.

But I, for one, have enjoyed each season for what it is, and I think this season is very good, as a whole. There are a few eps I haven't liked, but all in all, I've been happy.

That is all well and good, maybe that IS how he got through and, I would be okay with that IF he had been able to do what he did by HIMSELF. As Brennan points out, the stuff he did needed TWO people, which, I do not believe could have been done solo. He could have had a ghost as company, sure, but Booth (no matter what happened) could not have gotten out the way he did. And yes, seeing the ghost could very well be in character, but again Brennan saw him too, which I find eye-roll worthy.

However, you do read stories of people in deadly situations that are able to more than they are capable of. Adrenaline and other hormones released during extremely emotional periods have the ability to muddle what people think they can do and they are able to in fact have "superhuman strength," clearer vision, and the ability to see things in slow motion. So I do believe that Booth could do it by himself.

As for Brennan seeing him, I can't come up with anything for that, other than that it was a symbol of the trust that they have as someone said earlier I think.

I think that was one of the better episodes this season and I agree that it just doesn't feel the same. I do believe though (as my own personal belief to justify what the writers are doing) is that they are concentrating on the later portions of the season because they know what they want to do. I think that they are building up for something spectacular and we will see the Bones writers that we all remember again. I liken it to when I write and you have a particular scene in your head and you have to come up with something not that strong to lead to that good scene.

This is just my belief of how I can justify what the writers are doing and we can only hope that the next ten episodes are better.

Kasper, you said it. Exactly what I was thinking. There have been times during this season where I was disappointed. Panhandle was one of those times; I really didn't like that epi and that has never happened before. I also think that Angela has been *extremely* underused. I think Cam and Hodgins have had their fair share of the cases, but Angela, not so much. Even with all of this, I keep watching because I have faith in Hart Hanson. Yes, the show is changing; it is VERY different from Season 1. But that is the whole point of a primetime drama: CHANGE and development. I don't think Brennan took steps backwards when she asked Sweets to help her interrogate. Yes, she has been in the interrogation room many times and yes, she connected to the foster child, but generally, she can't do what Booth does. Instead of being a step backward, I see her plea for Sweets' help as a step forward because she acknowledges what Booth can do and she wants to try and emulate him. She admits to him in the end that he is better than her at something...and she is OK with that. THAT is the huge deal for her...admitting that someone else is "smarter" at something than she is. Admitting this=BIG time character development.

Okay, that was a bit of a rant, sorry. Anyway, I think that everything is leading up to something bigger. We have to keep in mind that this is Season 4. We had Season 1 to set up the characters and their relationships. Season 2 developed the relationships a bit further and we had a lot of B&B "awwww" moments at the ends of episodes. Season 3 propelled Brennan's character much further with her dad's trial and it showed what both Brennan and Booth would do for each other. Now, it is Season 4. This is the crux of a primetime drama (and yes, it IS a drama). This is when things get tricky. The writers want to move the characters forward, yet they also need to keep some of the same flow that they have had with the previous 3 seasons. They have to try and propel the B&B relationship without sacrificing the other aspects of the show. Arguably, they have run into some rough spots or we wouldn't even be having this conversation.

We as fans need to try and keep the faith in the creator and in the writers. There are still 10 episodes left in the season...A LOT can happen in 10 episodes. I think some of these epis have been fillers and that we will get to see a lot more character development (with everybody, not just B&B) before the end of the season. We just need to sit tight through the aggravation and keep tuning in. At least that's how I feel. And I have typed WAY more than I thought I would, so I will shut up now.

I think the constant breaks in the season haven't helped with the dissatisfaction some people feel. Expectations get too high - I'm talking 'Panhandle' and 'Hero' for me, in particular. I've enjoyed far more the ones where I didn't really expect to like it, like 'Fire' and 'Outhouse'.

I suppose this also links to me being spoiled into oblivion. I've decided to stop worrying now and just wait and see. I'm quite looking forward to watching them all in order again, with the exception of 'Bones that Foam', which for some reason, I just can't warm to!

I'd be interested to see the episodes people liked and didn't like so far - that would be really interesting to see if they were the same ones.

i agree with you shopgirl.

i haven't been particularly fond of this season at all compared to the prior ones. id have to say there has only been maybe 2-3 episodes I've truly thought were amazing.

i don't hate bones in any way. but i do feel like they are getting too out there. and if possible not putting more thought or equal thought into the cases as they have been with the characters personal lives.

Kasper wrote:However, you do read stories of people in deadly situations that are able to more than they are capable of. Adrenaline and other hormones released during extremely emotional periods have the ability to muddle what people think they can do and they are able to in fact have "superhuman strength," clearer vision, and the ability to see things in slow motion. So I do believe that Booth could do it by himself.

As for Brennan seeing him, I can't come up with anything for that, other than that it was a symbol of the trust that they have as someone said earlier I think.

Oh, I definitely agree, it could be done. And while agree that this season hasn't been as great as the earlier ones, and some eps have been disappointing, they have had some really great ones, and I'm definitely looking forward to the next 10.

I also find it comforting that there have been many new fans popping up that have gotten hooked from this season...4 just that I know personally, and I've heard of many more. Perhaps we, as fans from the start, are just a bit too critical and have our expectations too high...lol.

I agree with all your points.
The Circus episode was really bad for "Bones".
I find the "Just Partner" phrase is getting OLD. They are FRIENDS. So why can't the characters come out and say it. That is my biggest "issue" with the show. The ending of 'Bone that Blew' was a classic example of where they (writer's and HH) SHOULD HAVE had Booth say, "No a friend thing." Would it be so detrimental to the show to have B&B admit they are FRIENDS? Don't think so.

Although I didn't care for the ghost aspect in HERO, I loved Teddy's character so that helped me somewhat get over the fact that he was a ghost.

Very interesting commentary from all. I know this was probably already brought up and correct me if I am wrong. Are some of the Season 4 episodes, ones that should have aired in Season three, but because of the prolonged strike, they did not air and re-worked or edited them for Season 4. Never saw any definitive theory on that. So far on Season 4, I am enjoying. Yes, there are some episode that were just so, so, but there were others that were awesome. Still don't like how they broke up Ange and Hodgins, need to resolve that. Also, what about the secret Sweets is keeping from Bones, Booth ( Zack did not kill the Congressman or anyone for that matter), what will Bones, Booth do, if they ever find that out. Do we know how Bones, Booth spend the away from work time....together or not together. In a season two episode, Bones commented she had been practicing some of the Black Ops that Booth had been teaching her. Bottom line, the show is getting better and better I think. Am looking forward to the remaining episodes. I just finished re-watching Season 1-3,.....Booth did not start wearing the Cocky belt buckle until over half way through Season two.

otismotis wrote:... Bottom line, the show is getting better and better I think. Am looking forward to the remaining episodes...

May I sign it?
I liked all seasons but I like every new season more than the previous one.

hmmm...Sweets is always keeping secrets, seems like.

And what bugs me the most is how they spend the night in Double trouble in that small mobil home with just one tiny bed I really hoped they gonna shw sth with that but...

Meegs82 wrote:Kasper, you said it. Exactly what I was thinking. There have been times during this season where I was disappointed. Panhandle was one of those times; I really didn't like that epi and that has never happened before. I also think that Angela has been *extremely* underused. I think Cam and Hodgins have had their fair share of the cases, but Angela, not so much. Even with all of this, I keep watching because I have faith in Hart Hanson. Yes, the show is changing; it is VERY different from Season 1. But that is the whole point of a primetime drama: CHANGE and development. I don't think Brennan took steps backwards when she asked Sweets to help her interrogate. Yes, she has been in the interrogation room many times and yes, she connected to the foster child, but generally, she can't do what Booth does. Instead of being a step backward, I see her plea for Sweets' help as a step forward because she acknowledges what Booth can do and she wants to try and emulate him. She admits to him in the end that he is better than her at something...and she is OK with that. THAT is the huge deal for her...admitting that someone else is "smarter" at something than she is. Admitting this=BIG time character development.

Okay, that was a bit of a rant, sorry. Anyway, I think that everything is leading up to something bigger. We have to keep in mind that this is Season 4. We had Season 1 to set up the characters and their relationships. Season 2 developed the relationships a bit further and we had a lot of B&B "awwww" moments at the ends of episodes. Season 3 propelled Brennan's character much further with her dad's trial and it showed what both Brennan and Booth would do for each other. Now, it is Season 4. This is the crux of a primetime drama (and yes, it IS a drama). This is when things get tricky. The writers want to move the characters forward, yet they also need to keep some of the same flow that they have had with the previous 3 seasons. They have to try and propel the B&B relationship without sacrificing the other aspects of the show. Arguably, they have run into some rough spots or we wouldn't even be having this conversation.

We as fans need to try and keep the faith in the creator and in the writers. There are still 10 episodes left in the season...A LOT can happen in 10 episodes. I think some of these epis have been fillers and that we will get to see a lot more character development (with everybody, not just B&B) before the end of the season. We just need to sit tight through the aggravation and keep tuning in. At least that's how I feel. And I have typed WAY more than I thought I would, so I will shut up now.

I feel like you have expressed my thoughts much clearer than I have. By no means am I giving up on this show or HH...I'll be there until the end. Perhaps I'll just have to wait until everything is said and done for this season to see the "bigger picture" so to speak and see how everything fits in.

otismotis wrote:Very interesting commentary from all. I know this was probably already brought up and correct me if I am wrong. Are some of the Season 4 episodes, ones that should have aired in Season three, but because of the prolonged strike, they did not air and re-worked or edited them for Season 4. Never saw any definitive theory on that. So far on Season 4, I am enjoying. Yes, there are some episode that were just so, so, but there were others that were awesome. Still don't like how they broke up Ange and Hodgins, need to resolve that. Also, what about the secret Sweets is keeping from Bones, Booth ( Zack did not kill the Congressman or anyone for that matter), what will Bones, Booth do, if they ever find that out. Do we know how Bones, Booth spend the away from work time....together or not together. In a season two episode, Bones commented she had been practicing some of the Black Ops that Booth had been teaching her. Bottom line, the show is getting better and better I think. Am looking forward to the remaining episodes. I just finished re-watching Season 1-3,.....Booth did not start wearing the Cocky belt buckle until over half way through Season two.

When the cast of Bones was at ComicCon in San Diego, Hart explained that all the episodes are where they should be.

Although they filmed the episodes out of order, the actors knew the correct order and had notes in their trailers and such that told them where each character was during the particular episode. The footage is still on youtube if you want to check it out.

Also, I really do not understand why you brought up the belt buckle. Is it perhaps to show that things change on the show? If so, I have NO problem with that. It is when they have silly cases and out-of-character moments that I do not enjoy watching the show.

I used to be able to believe what I saw on the show, I enjoyed how accurate it was. Now I feel as though the show is mocking the institutions they are representing.

One of my issues with this season...and I cannot believe I'm saying this...but they're those "aww" inducing episode cappers. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE them. I do. They're cute little scenes, or deep moments between the two. But the problem is that as of late it seems like they're just having them to just be cutesy and "aww" inducing. That works, but few of them have really moved the BB relationship much further. I get not all of them can or have to, but it would be nice if a few of them would.

And another thing that has been missing, aside from more of the squints, is the whole Brennan/Angela friendshipness. I mean, I love that Ange is there for Brennan, but I feel like in their quest to slow down Brennan's growth in her relationship with Booth they've stunted her everywhere else too. I was hoping she'd be able to be a better friend to Ange after the whole Hodgela break-up deal, but all we really got was "I could fire him."....I get they're best friends, but we don't really see why anymore.

And can I say something about the whole "Partner" thing? Obviously, they're friends. I'm pretty sure they've said so before. But that's just it. Friend. Sure, you'd do a lot of things for your friend. But would you kiss them so they could have Christmas? Would you lie on the stand because you knew it was what would make them happy? Would you risk your entire career for them? Some people would obviously, but with Booth and Brennan, it's more than that. There's a deeper emotion there--love obviously--that they haven't come out and discussed. They veil it with guy hugs and cups of coffee, and "Partner things."...for now.