Bones: The Complete Eighth Season

The eighth season of this long-running crime procedural starring Emily Deschanel as socially awkward but brilliant forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan and David Boreanaz as FBI agent Seeley Booth opens with Brennan in hiding, framed by genius serial killer Christopher Pelant (Andrew Leeds), and ends with Pelant still at large on a personal mission to make the lives of Brennan and Booth miserable. The crime-solving partners are now living together (but unmarried) and are the parents of a baby girl, and between bouts with Pelant, they fall back into their familiar crime-scene camaraderie. The rest of the “squint” team returns as well—Tamara Taylor as veteran coroner Cam, Michaela Conlin as resident artist Angela, and T.J. Thyne as bugs-and-slime specialist Hodgins. And psychologist and profiler Dr. Sweets (John Francis Daley) even moves in with the couple after he breaks up with his girlfriend. The series has earned its popularity with its solid mix of science-speak, eccentric personalities, and humor, and this set continues to play with the formula, with undercover assignments at a dance competition and a roller derby league. Plus, fans will finally hear the long-awaited marriage proposal. Compiling all 24 episodes from the 2012–13 season, extras include episode commentaries, behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, and a gag reel. A strong optional purchase. (S. Axmaker)