Bones - Season 3 (DVD, 2009, 5-Disc Set, Checkpoint; Sensormatic; Widescreen)

Like the famous duos in THE X-FILES and MOONLIGHTING, the prickly pairing of Dr. Temperance "Bones" Brennan (Emily Deschanel, GLORY ROAD) and Agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz, ANGEL) is what drives this crime series. As Brennan and Booth butt heads, they attempt to solve grisly mysteries with his FBI experience and her knowledge of forensic anthropology. The show's adept mix of crime and comedy rides on the strong shoulders of their chemistry. This drama draws inspiration from the life and work of bestselling author Kathy Reichs, a forensic anthropologist like her onscreen counterpart. In addition to featuring all 15 episodes from the third season, this release allows fans a look behind the scenes with commentary, bloopers, extended episodes, special director's takes, bonus season four episodes, and more.

This is the abbreviated third season of Bones, cut short by the writer's strike, adding versions of a couple of episodes that weren't aired, and the first four episodes of season four. To say that this show has jumped the shark isn't exactly accurate - it's more like it has leaped numerous sharks in a single bound. Nevertheless it's immense fun, and somehow gets away with a series of increasingly implausible stories and story arcs involving the murder of an FBI director, a cannibal serial killer, a psychotherapist assigned to study Booth and Brennan (for no obvious reason), and the love lives of most of the characters.

As a Londoner I'm less than impressed by the double-length British-set episode that starts season 4 - it has every cliche of every American cop show that ever aired a London episode, not least David Boreanaz's attempt at a Cockney accent (which makes Dick Van Dyke's performance in Mary Poppins look good), a woman police officer with an implausibly aristocratic accent, and the constant re-use of the same bits of London that appear in every other TV show ever set there. I could forgive that, but both halves are also particularly weak episodes in other respects.

Having said that, the rest of the set is pretty good, and episodes occasionally rises to heights of comedic genius. Just don't expect anything like a realistic crime show, because this really isn't it.

Bones Season Three has a few new surprises: the return of Zack Addy, Brennan reconnecting while he's in prison, Brennan and Booth in therapy and the serial killer Gormogon. As usual, Brennan are partners and taking down the bad guys. This DVD contains a couple unaired extended versions of episodes and three bonus season four episodes. I enjoyed Brennan's family conflicts and the chemistry between Brennan and Booth.

I like this show because of the interactive humour between all the characters. The scripts are well written to carry the flavor from episode to episode, largely due I'm sure to the overseeing by Kathy Reichs, the real 'Bones' Brennan. This season was the 'short' season due to the writer's strike but still has excellent stories to tell. I enjoy the ability to watch a show that can be interrupted by me when needed and not subject to local news or weather interrupting me. The only bad thing is as usual, multiple pack cases often suffer damage through rough handling in the mail and often have the disc gripper teeth broken and no longer hold a dvd firmly in place

I loved this season of Bones. The chemistry between Bones and Booth is as strong as ever and there is a lot of character development in their relationship. The introduction of the psychologist was a great add. I found him very funny and like-able. The bonus episodes from season 4 were so great because at the end of season three you just could not stop! I highly recommend this season for lovers of the Bones series!