Hello. Well, another week without a new episode of Bones (due to the World Series), so I thought I'd fill the space that is usually reserved for a review to ponder a question that many have asked since the start of the series. Should FBI Agent Seely Booth (played by David Boreanaz) and Doctor Temperance "Bones" Brennan (played by Emily Deschanel) get together in a romantic situation?
My answer would be no. I would also add nyet, nada, nuh-uh, no way, absolutely, totally should not happen! Having these two fall for each other would not be a very good thing that could happen to the show. Why do I feel so strongly? One word: Moonlighting.
Jump ahead read why a Bones and Booth romance would have Bones jump so high over the shark that the shark would be a dot.
Moonlighting's David Addison and Maddie Hayes; one of the better comedy duos on television during the 1980's. You could compare their bantering/bickering relationship to something you'd see between Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn, or Spencer Tracey and Katherine Hepburn. It was extremely entertaining when those two were on screen. In addition, there was enough sexual tension between the two that there was always that 'Will they or won't they' dynamic. Then they took the next step and became romantic with each other. All of a sudden the dynamic of Moonlighting changed and not for the better. They tried to get the magic back between the two characters, but all was lost.
Bones and Booth have a similar bickering/bantering dynamic. Bones belittles Booth for not seeing things her way, and Booth brings Bones to task about not showing her humanity enough. Their discussions aren't as off-the-wall as some of David and Maddie's but they are entertaining nevertheless. And, there is that underlying romantic tension between the two.
My fear is that will all be lost if the producers of the show get these two together in a relationship. Oh, they could have the same conversations, but they will take on a different tone. Booth may feel small when he realizes his girlfriend is constantly putting him down. Or, Bones could get easily hurt when her boyfriend tells her she is just a unfeeling robot. That's not amusing anymore.
And, if the producers decide to break them up? What does that do to the dynamic of the show. I remember the breakup of Ross and Rachel during the third season of Friends. I was very uncomfortable watching those episodes because of all the tension between the two characters (Yes, it was a sitcom, but there was still tension and awkwardness). I could see that type of tension creeping into Bones and changing the dynamic of not only the Bones-Boot team, but of the whole Jeffersonian Institution group. If I had to watch all of that tension and awkwardness during each episode I'd probably drop the show.
Of course, this is all speculation. The program may go on for 20 years without Bones and Booth even sharing a kiss. But, since there's no new episode on this week it's nice just to speculate and play devil's advocate. So, let me know what you think.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-25-2006 @ 9:35PM
patricia gillman said...
TOTALLY AGREE. They are working fine the way it is you can feel the closeness without intimacy. More like a brother sister relationship with a little bit of othello in there.
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10-25-2006 @ 9:58PM
Ilana said...
While I don't necessarily disagree with the idea that resolving tension between two characters can lead to boring TV, I get instantly tired whenever anyone trots out 'Moonlighting' as the big ole example of this.
'Moonlighting' went wrong in dozens of different ways at the same time David and Maddie got together. There are sites out there that catalogue all the woes. The David/Maddie thing was definitely not the only issue, and it's boring to say it is.
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10-26-2006 @ 10:18AM
Blackacre said...
Agreed. Look at the X-Files. Carter swore he'd never go the Moonlighting route with Mulder and Scully - yet look at the last 2 seasons of the show! It was bad enough Mulder was MIA - but Scully went from a tough, smart agent to a blubbering mess.
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10-26-2006 @ 2:41PM
suzanne said...
They should only hook up at the end of the final show. Otherwise you will lose the chemistry that is so critical to the show.
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10-26-2006 @ 5:30PM
Edgeoforever said...
I don't buy into the Moonlighting accepted lore of the reason for its demise. I watched and loved that show till the end and remember perfectly that whatever changed was not due to the fact that 'they did it" but rather to the horrible real life report between the actors involved (Bruce and Cybil).
That being said, my answer to your question is:
Why not?
Inserting a shrug smilie for effect)
I'd love the show regardless, but I don't see why a relationship can't get interesting "after" they did it. I know they can be interesting in real life, and I even saw it happen in fiction (Farscape anyone?)
Of course there's the counter-argument of Stand-off - but that's just bad writing and acting all around.
Just trying to put out there the idea that the start(or not) of a relationship is not necessarily the only sexy/interesing part of it.
Based on what I've seen so far, i trust the writers on this show. Besides, I'd watch DB no matter what the characters are or are not doing.
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10-28-2006 @ 6:28AM
Gayle said...
I'm soooo loving the tension & implied emotions now...
Please don't stop, mr. writer.
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11-03-2006 @ 10:57AM
natalie said...
i JUSTED started watching this show, my first one i saw was the beauty pagent one, pure genius. i completely agree with you, i relationship would screw the whole thing up. and i think a hook up on the last episode would be sorta cool, nicw ay to end it, you know?
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11-04-2006 @ 10:01AM
jacqueline said...
I do not agree that a relationship would spoil the show! BTW, i enjoyed this last episode of the girl with a curl. Brilliant! Shows like the six million dollar man and his wife the bionic woman: that was interesting!
To have a relationship in the last episode would be too predictable.It would be great to see interesting storylines of their relationship while they still work on cases together.
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11-10-2006 @ 11:09PM
Elizabeth said...
I disagree. The writers could do that night in shinning FBI armor thing with a helpless bones and very romantic booth rescue. Another idea could be the ooops drunkin hook up. freak them both out call it quits then spend the next few seasons really wierded out trying not to think about how much they really mean together. And working together tension. Or the playing a couple thing again and at least kiss her, he is soooooo close. i don't know a new years eve kiss thing a birthday kiss thing something. Oh well I am a fan regaurdless so I guess I will just have to keep watching....
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11-26-2006 @ 4:13PM
gayle said...
this is a cool forum of bones: http://www.tv.com/bones/show/33332/board/14865/topics.html&page=0?tag=nav_bar;1
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11-29-2006 @ 9:12PM
Steve said...
I agree wholeheartedly w/ your stance and for the example given: Moonlighting. The sexual tension and banter between the 2 would be altered dramatically and let's face it- that's 1 of the main reasons to watch. Be interesting to see how Angela and Hodges work out.
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12-14-2006 @ 7:27PM
Che said...
They MUST get together!! Every show has a great relationship that brews for a few seasons and then has it's issues just as most relationships do. I think the way things are going right now with the two getting to know more about each other and becoming more comfortable with one another is the best way to go. If the writers/producers want to throw a smooch in there now and again, it's enough to keep the viewers going in hopes of a real romance one day. Are they meant to be?? Maybe...maybe not, but one thing we do know, is they work well together, both in their jobs and with the romantic tension.
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