Bones: Season One

It's no secret that CSI has spawned a spate of forensic-based police procedurals—this Fox-aired series being one of them—but the bottom line is that Bones is cleverly written and well-cast. Loosely based on the novels of forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs, the drama pairs likable Emily Deschanel as Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan, a cool rationalist who's a genius at deciphering clues from highly decomposed human remains, with charismatic David Boreanaz, the erstwhile vampire of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, as cocky FBI agent Seeley Booth, her protective but sometimes exasperated partner. The two bicker in screwball comedy fashion while showing halting signs of romantic possibilities as they uncover the truth behind a succession of complex and often gruesome deaths in these 22 episodes from the program's 2005-06 debut season. The mixture of intense crime-solving and lighthearted banter between the main duo forms the heart of the show, but Bones is also blessed with a stellar supporting cast of eccentric colleagues at the doctor's Washington DC lab, and the result is a combination of murder mystery and gallows humor that works surprisingly well. Presented on four double-sided discs, DVD extras include audio commentary for two episodes (one by Boreanaz and Deschanel) and three featurettes: on the cast, the show's scientific terminology, and the creation of the series, including excerpts from an interview with Reichs. Highly recommended. (F. Swietek)