Bones: TV Show or Preposterous Fantasy?

  • Thread starter Evo
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In summary, the conversation discusses the television show "Bones" and its unrealistic plot lines involving forensic pathologists working on crime scenes and interrogating suspects without proper jurisdiction. The show is based on a real-life forensic anthropologist, but takes artistic license with its storylines. Despite its unrealistic elements, the show is still entertaining to watch. One of the characters, Sweets, is revealed to be a death metal fan. The conversation also touches on the use of special effects in crime shows and how they may be perceived by viewers.
  • #1
Evo
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I watch this show, but it's absolutely preposterous.

Take last night's episode, for instance. Workers at a cardboard recycling warehouse see what looks like an image of the "Virgin Mary" in a sheet of cardboard. So an FBI agent is sent (we have no idea how or why) to investigate, along with his sidekick from some private institution called the 'Jeffersonian Institute" (think Smithsonian Institute) since they seem to collect museum items but for some unknown reason they have a bunch of forensic pathologists working there that (and this is where the story line gets even flakier), these people run out and grab dead bodies (usually homicides) that were just discovered and bring them back to their lab to try to figure out the cause of death.

What?

Ok, first, the FBI has no jurisdiction in a local crime scene. Mysteriously, the FBI agent shows up with the sidekick and there are no police, no local authorities, the body is not taken to the local coroner's office for an autopsy. No effort is used to maintain the integrity of the crime scene. They pick up and remove evidence without keeping any records. :rolleyes:

"Suspects" mysteriously appear in a police type interrogation room where they are then illegally interrogated by civilian employees of the "Institute", oh and of course by the FBI agent that has no legal jurisdiction. :rofl:

Anyone else watch this show?
 
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  • #2
Watch any show for more than ten minutes and you'll realize how preposterous they are.

For example, there are only five Forensics Specialists in all of Las Vegas, which is why they're present on every case and are responsible for every aspect of the job, and several other department's jobs - from spending three days hacking through a block of ashphalt (what? no underlings?) to interrogating prisoners (what? no police?) to gunpoint raids (what? no SWAT?).
 
  • #3
I watch Family Channel and Disney Channel.

I don't think it gets more ridiculous than that.
 
  • #4
DaveC426913 said:
Watch any show for more than ten minutes and you'll realize how preposterous they are.

For example, there are only five Forensics Specialists in all of Las Vegas, which is why they're present on every case and are responsible for every aspect of the job, and several other department's jobs - from spending three days hacking through a block of ashphalt (what? no underlings?) to interrogating prisoners (what? no police?) to gunpoint raids (what? no SWAT?).
Do the pathologists arrest the suspects and take them to a private building and interrogate them without the knowledge of the police? :tongue2:

A new tv plot - "Forensic Posse". A team of renegade pathologists decide to take the law into their own hands...

Dr G...Medical bounty hunter. :rofl:
 
  • #5
I haven't seen Bones, but after Evo's glowing endorsement I'll be sure to catch the next episode :rolleyes:
 
  • #6
Evo said:
Do the pathologists arrest the suspects and take them to a private building and interrogate them without the knowledge of the police? :tongue2:

They should!

Part of the excitement.
 
  • #7
It's on right now.
 
  • #8
I love this show. My feelings are, if I wanted reality I'd go outside. But the outside is dirty and hot and I'd rather stay inside and watch TV. Plus, as insane as some of the plots are it still makes more sense than the crap that goes on in real life.
 
  • #9
I'm watching it right now. The episode after the one that you're talking about, dealing with death metal bands. I like it.
As for reality, call it artistic license. The show is based upon Kathy Reichs, who is a real-life forensic anthropologist, and the character Constance Brennan is named after the protagonist of the novels that she wrote based upon her work.
In the same way, Sue Thomas FBEye was based upon the real woman of the same name and same function, but I'm sure that the TV cases weren't even close to realistic.
 
  • #10
I love the show, but it really requires leaving reality at the door. When you stop and think about it, this could only happen in another galaxy, far, far away. :tongue2:

Did you love Sweets being a death metal fan? :rofl:
 
  • #11
Evo said:
Did you love Sweets being a death metal fan? :rofl:

It's always the quite ones... :uhh:
 
  • #12
Evo said:
Anyone else watch this show?
Yeah - nerdy chicks are hot!
 
  • #13
russ_watters said:
Yeah - nerdy chicks are hot!
:rofl: You are the last person I would have expected to watch this show!

Why are all of the women gorgeous and the men below average in looks? Except for "Steely Booth", I first liked him as Angel in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer".

Another wild thing in the show.
Another element conceived for the show was the "Angelator", a holographic projector
Got to love that.
 
  • #14
russ_watters said:
Yeah - nerdy chicks are hot!

Ok. I've got to watch it now.
I'll probably hate myself for it.
 
  • #15
Evo said:
Do the pathologists arrest the suspects and take them to a private building and interrogate them without the knowledge of the police? :tongue2:
Nooo... that's the job of the, Entomologist. :tongue:
 
  • #16
~christina~ said:
Nooo... that's the job of the, Entomologist. :tongue:
:rofl:
 
  • #17
Evo said:
Another wild thing in the show. Got to love that.

Well, your quote didn't show up in my quote, but in reference to the 'Angelator'... CSI (all versions) has been using the same SFX for a couple of years. I can't help wondering how many viewers think that such a thing really exists.
 

1. What is the premise of the TV show "Bones"?

The TV show "Bones" follows the story of forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance Brennan and FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth as they work together to solve crimes by examining human remains.

2. Is the scientific accuracy of "Bones" realistic?

While the show does incorporate real forensic techniques and procedures, many aspects of the show are exaggerated or not entirely accurate for the sake of entertainment.

3. How does the show portray the field of forensic anthropology?

The show presents forensic anthropology as a highly specialized and essential part of solving crimes, with the main character Dr. Brennan as a highly skilled and knowledgeable expert in the field.

4. Are there any notable scientific inaccuracies in the show?

Yes, there are several notable scientific inaccuracies in the show, such as the speed and accuracy of DNA analysis, the portrayal of forensic facial reconstruction, and the frequent use of dramatic and unrealistic technology.

5. Is "Bones" a preposterous fantasy or is it based on real cases?

The show is primarily based on the real work of forensic anthropologist and author Kathy Reichs, who serves as a producer for the show. However, the cases and events portrayed on the show are fictional and do not necessarily reflect real-life cases.

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