Bones: TV Show or Preposterous Fantasy?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the TV show "Bones," focusing on its portrayal of forensic science and law enforcement. Participants express their opinions on the show's realism, character portrayals, and plot elements, with some comparing it to other shows and discussing the nature of television storytelling.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants criticize the show's depiction of FBI jurisdiction and forensic procedures, noting inconsistencies such as the lack of local police involvement and the removal of evidence without proper protocol.
  • Others argue that many TV shows, including "Bones," are inherently unrealistic and rely on artistic license, suggesting that viewers should not expect real-life accuracy.
  • One participant highlights the show's basis on the work of a real forensic anthropologist, suggesting that while the plots may be exaggerated, they are inspired by real-life scenarios.
  • Several comments reflect a humorous take on the show's absurdities, with suggestions for new plotlines involving pathologists taking on law enforcement roles.
  • Some express enjoyment of the show despite its flaws, indicating a preference for entertainment over realism.
  • Discussion includes observations about character dynamics and aesthetics, particularly the portrayal of women and the use of fictional technology like the "Angelator."

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express a mix of agreement and disagreement regarding the show's realism and entertainment value. While some find the show preposterous, others appreciate its escapism and creativity. No consensus is reached on the show's merits or shortcomings.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various aspects of forensic science and law enforcement without delving into specific technical details, leaving some assumptions and definitions unexamined.

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. :smile:

Anyone else watch this show?
 
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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?).
 
I watch Family Channel and Disney Channel.

I don't think it gets more ridiculous than that.
 
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? :-p

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. :smile:
 
I haven't seen Bones, but after Evo's glowing endorsement I'll be sure to catch the next episode :rolleyes:
 
Evo said:
Do the pathologists arrest the suspects and take them to a private building and interrogate them without the knowledge of the police? :-p

They should!

Part of the excitement.
 
It's on right now.
 
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.
 
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. :-p

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

It's always the quite ones... :rolleyes:
 
  • #12
Evo said:
Anyone else watch this show?
Yeah - nerdy chicks are hot!
 
  • #13
russ_watters said:
Yeah - nerdy chicks are hot!
:smile: 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? :-p
Nooo... that's the job of the, Entomologist. :-p
 
  • #16
~christina~ said:
Nooo... that's the job of the, Entomologist. :-p
:smile:
 
  • #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.