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« Roush Dispatch
Bones Is Back, and Other Happy TV Thoughts
Why not start off a glorious spring week — a week that continues the welcome rollout of shows returning from long strike hiatus — with some positive thoughts? Starting with the return of Bones to Fox’s schedule. For those keeping track in this confusing midseason, Mondays are now the new Tuesdays for Fox. And once House kicks back in with new episodes starting April 28 (a House repeat airs next Monday), Mondays will almost feel like the new Thursdays with so many choices on the suddenly overstuffed night, as Fox’s first-rate drama combo faces ABC’s blazing-hot Dancing with the Stars, CBS’ terrific comedy lineup and the ever-popular CSI: Miami, as well as a cult fave in the CW’s returning Gossip Girl and NBC’s ubiquitous Deal or No Deal. Whew.
But back to Bones, one of TV’s most purely enjoyable procedural crime dramas. Yes, there are icky remains to deal with (a body boiled in a sulfurous mud pit), but the fun of Bones is in the playful interplay between the characters as they crack these messy cases. You’ll hear a lot of “No Changees” and “No take-backs” in tonight’s clever episode, as “squints” Hudgins and Zack joust for “king of the lab” title while FBI guy Booth and Bones herself (the terrific twosome of David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel) indulge their creative side by going to a ceramics therapy session with their baby-faced shrink (John Francis Daley, who’ll always be associated with Freaks and Geeks to me) and his girlfriend. I smiled more during this hour than I normally do through most comedy series, and you can chalk that up to affection more than to the one-liners (although there is one reference to the Three Stooges that made me laugh aloud). Welcome back, Bones. Good luck in your challenging new time period. At least it’s not (as has often been threatened) Fridays.
Looking back to Sunday night, another thumbs-up to Desperate Housewives, returning in top form by putting this season’s greatest new asset, Dana Delany’s mysterious minx Katherine Mayfair, at center stage. Delany embodies the show’s themes of glamorous desperation and unbridled bawdiness. She is hilarious when trying to keep her busybody neighbors at arm’s length, ridiculously sexy when bedding Susan’s hunky cousin (having deflowered him when he was a teen) and harrowingly dramatic when revealing her need to her estranged husband while getting him to lie again to her rightfully suspicious daughter. A bravura performance.
But I also enjoyed the subplot involving Lynette’s post-trauma curiosity about religion, raising her hand mid-sermon to challenge the Presbyterian pastor (to Bree’s hypocritical dismay, naturally). How funny was Bree’s advice for free-agent Lynette not to go Catholic: “I go for worship, not a workout.” The Catholics, at least, won’t judge Lynette for her overabundant brood of brats. And in the spirit of her search for answers, Lynette even forgave Bree by the end. Bless their hearts.
Finally, shout-outs to two terrific series nearing the end of their runs. The charming Eli Stone, in a special post-Housewives stunt (lost quite a bit of the lead-in, but still, nice to see it get some attention), extended its own “faith” metaphor as Eli finally predicted the looming earthquake accurately. (So it wasn’t the “big one” by Irwin Allen disaster-movie standards, but the Golden Gate did look the worse for wear. Thankfully the mayor was a believer, or just being cautious.) What I love most about this show is the way it reveals just how Eli has rocked the world of everyone he knows — most notably, in this episode, his boss Jordan (the wonderful Victor Garber), who makes a case to the firm’s board that Eli “reminds us of the best parts of ourselves.” Jordan loses the vote and his managing-partner position — until the quake conveniently asserts itself. “I’d like a re-vote,” Jordan quips. Just like we’d like a recount of those pesky Nielsen numbers that show a lack of support for this underrated underdog. I’ll weigh in again before Thursday’s four-hankie finale, which the Eli Stone faithful can’t afford to miss.
With Sundays suddenly busy again, don’t let that deter you from sticking with HBO’s magnificent John Adams miniseries through next Sunday’s heartbreaking finale. (There are plenty of viewing options to catch up during the week, as well as On Demand.) Last night’s episode gave us an unvarnished look at Adams’ unhappily turbulent single-term presidency, beset by provocations of war, dissension at home (leading to the unfortunate signing of the Alien and Sedition Acts) and family tragedies. Perhaps most startling was the depiction of the unfinished White House the First Couple miserably moved into, a grim and empty estate amid a wilderness of mud and misery. “Half-fed slaves building our nation’s capital,” clucks Abigail (the remarkable Laura Linney). “What possible good can come from such a place?”
Nothing but good can come from watching John Adams. The April 20 finale, titled “Peacefield” after the Massachusetts home to which John and Abigail retire, could just as well be called “Requiem for a Curmudgeon.” To the end, Adams (Paul Giamatti) was a proud, pugnacious patriot consumed with thoughts about posterity and his place in American history. First David McCullough’s acclaimed biography, and now this gritty and fascinating historical drama, have brought this figure back to resounding life. It really is one for the ages.
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Apr 14, 2008 1:02 PM
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First, I'm thrilled that Bones is back. I only started to watch last year, but it's quickly become a favorite. I agree that it's the characters of the show that draw me more then the mysteries themselves. I could care less about the "Gormagon" or whatever it's called, but I'm completly invested in Angela's "husband" and the Christmas kiss between Bones and Booth. Can't wait to tune in tonight.
Second, Eli Stone has been one of my favorite new shows this season. It started mostly out of my love for Johnny Lee Miller, but quickly became about the story. The conflict in Eli between mere coincidence and simple faith is so well played. Plus I can't resist a show that so wonderfully breaks out into song with out looking like a joke. Watching Eli and his friends and family come to have faith in him, how ever so slowly, has made me more emotionaly invested in this show then I have ever been with any other. Who hasn't lost faith in themselves or had those close to you lose faith in you? It's an awesome show and I wish that more people could appreciate it.
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Apr 14, 2008 1:37 PM
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I've been pleased over the last few episodes to see Eli Stone grow in stature and tug more on the emotions. But I can't help noticing that those same last few episodes had nobody singing, no George Michael (except maybe on the soundtrack) and fairly limited visions. I hope the show gets renewed, but wouldn't want it to lose its quirkiness along the way.
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Apr 14, 2008 3:23 PM
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What's with John Billingsley and characters named Foote? Last night on Eli Stone, at first I thought he might somehow be playing the same character he portrayed on The Nine, but then they gave his first name and it was Daniel and not Egan. Anyone know if any of the writers are the same on these shows?
I'm very excited for new Bones. Will have to remember to record it on Mondays now!!
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Apr 14, 2008 4:18 PM
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Bones is back and all is right with the world. 
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Apr 14, 2008 4:35 PM
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I am thrilled that Bones is back, but there is no way I am going to miss DwTS so, I'll tape it, along with the Season Finale of New Amsterdam.
Speaking of which, if tonight's episode isn't great, I don't think I'll be back for Season 2. The show simply hasn't lived up to its promise. Next!
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Apr 14, 2008 6:18 PM
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About to watch Bones right now (thank you Mr. DVR) and couldn't be more pumped. Hard to believe it's been 5 months since our last Bones-Booth fix. Thx for the preview Matt!
As for Eli Stone, can't say enough about last night's epi. Loved it! And, I personally enjoy the song-free episodes more too.
Last night's episode was the first non-Lost show in years that I've immediately watched again. Is it wrong to root for an earthquake?! Heck, even Maggie isn't very annoying anymore.
Thx for the write-up Matt, especially given the lack of a show blog. Let's just hope Thursday isn't the series finale.
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Apr 14, 2008 8:56 PM
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magicman . . . it is nice to know someone else is thinking like me. I watched Eli Stone and thought, this is the only time in my life I am actually rooting for an earthquake to rock the world.
People . . . watch Eli Stone!
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Apr 15, 2008 8:58 AM
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Yes, 2 great shows! I hope ABC has the sense to bring Eli Stone back next season.
Until this weekend, I had no idea that Jonny Lee Miller was a Brit (or that he had been married to Angelina Jolie). His American accent is flawless! His Eli is vulnerable and strong at the same time. A really wonderful actor.
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Apr 15, 2008 10:01 AM
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I heartily agree with your assessment of the John Adams miniseries. I started watching based on your recommendation and have been thoroughly enjoying it and reading the book along with it. The book and series shed a whole new light on the experiences, pressures and conditions surrounding the birth of our country.
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Apr 15, 2008 1:17 PM
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Mr. Roush,
Once again, you hit several nails on the head. I cannot disagree with a single assessment.
I will second you on John Adams, quite possibly one of the most brilliant miniseries of all time. Paul Giamatti caught an unfair amount of hell by some critics, but he has been a revelation and consistently so. Laura Linney, an actress I always respected but never really liked all that much, has been utterly mesmerizing as Abigail. I thought that Phylicia Rashad had wrapped up the acting in a miniseries or tv-movie Emmy wrapped up for A Raisin in the Sun but this is Linney's to lose.
But it is Stephen Dillane, an actor I had never known before, who has simply blown the doors off John Adams as Thomas Jefferson. There is not a scene where Dillane does not completely command the screen and even, dare I say, steal it from his illustrious costars. While clearly a supporting character in this narrative, Dillane has created an indelible portrait of Jefferson that may be at odds with actual history but is some of the finest acting I've seen in years.
And special mention to David Morse, whose George Washington was simply and nobly unforgettable.
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Apr 15, 2008 10:09 PM
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Thank you for giving Desperate Housewives the respect it deserves! After a few shaky seasons, it's back and better than ever. The writing is crisp, the one-liners are fresh, and the acting is some of the best on television. Dana Delany is giving the performance of her career and Lyndsay Fonseca as her troubled daughter Dylan is a powerful young actress.
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Apr 17, 2008 1:53 PM
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