Bones is a crime-meets-science procedural that premiered on Fox in 2005 and ran for 12 seasons. It focuses on forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan (Emily Deschanel) and FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz), who work together alongside Brennan’s team at the Jeffersonian Institute to solve crimes by studying the victims’ bones and other remains. Dr. Brennan’s highly intelligent yet socially awkward nature and Agent Booth’s guy-next-door lawman attitude created a fascinating dichotomy for viewers, establishing them as one of the most complementary acting duos on TV at the time.
At the show’s start, Brennan’s right-hand man in the lab is her assistant, Zach Addy (Eric Millegan), who remains at her side for the first four seasons. When Dr. Addy is eventually institutionalized after secretly working as an apprentice for one of the show’s most despicable villains, a serial killer called Gorgomon, his character left a hole in the show that needed to be filled. Subsequently, Bones brought on a rotating cast of interns for the remaining eight seasons, affectionately nicknamed “Squinterns” or “Squints” by Booth. Each came with their own unique backgrounds and personalities that kept the series fresh and exciting — though some certainly meshed better than others.
10
Oliver Wells
Oliver Wells (Brian Klugman) takes the cake as the least likable intern on Bones. As a polymath, he is highly educated on a variety of topics, including physics, astronomy, wildlife ecology, forensic anthropology, and law. His intellect contributed to him developing a know-it-all attitude that rubs everyone at the Jeffersonian the wrong way. He is outwardly rude to others and perceives himself as smarter than everyone — he even went as far as to read a book during an autopsy to prove his multitasking skills. Still, his intelligence contributed to solving cases, making him equally irritating and impressive.
Oliver Wells Is the Worst Intern on Bones
Though Oliver did manage to make friends with the team’s entomologist, botanist, and mineralogist, Dr. Jack Hodgins (T.J. Thyne), who has a soft spot for most of the squints, even Dr. Brennan knows he is widely disliked and openly comments on it. As Angela Montenegro (Michaela Conlin), the team’s forensic artist and Brennan’s best friend, often represents the viewpoints and opinions of the audience, she is the voice of the people when she hands Oliver a bucket list in Season 9, Episode 5, “The Lady on the List,” that read, “1. Don’t be a douche. 2. Really, don’t be a douche. 3. Work and play well with others, so I’m not perceived as a douche.” Needless to say, he didn’t earn himself much favor on- or off-screen and became one of the show’s most disliked supporting characters.
9
Rodolfo Fuentes
In Season 9, Episode 17 of Bones, intern Rodolfo Fuentes (Ignacio Serricchio) is introduced as a forensic anthropologist from Cuba who has sought asylum in America. He is required to return to school since his credentials aren’t valid in the United States, but that doesn’t diminish his view of his abilities. He comes off as arrogant at first glance, since he sees himself as an equal to Dr. Brennan, though she refuses to accept his expertise until it’s proven to her and isn’t afraid to let him know where he stands.
Fuentes Thinks He’s The Man
Dr. Fuentes’ confidence also translates to his romantic interests, as he makes suggestive comments to the women on the team, including Bones, who is unimpressed, and Angela, who is charmed by his looks and flirtations. Rodolfo is eventually welcomed into the team officially when he is gifted a monogrammed lab coat by Dr. Camille Saroyan (Tamara Taylor), pathologist and director of the forensic unit at the Jeffersonian. As Rodolfo only appears in nine episodes across four seasons, fans didn’t have much opportunity to bond with his character. Unfortunately, he became one of the few Bones cast members to fail at leaving a lasting impression.
Related
Emily Deschanel’s 7 Best Performances, Ranked
Emily Deschanel made a return to the spotlight on TV earlier this year in Devil in Ohio. Here’s a look back at her best performances, ranked.
8
Jessica Warren
Jessica Warren (Laura Spencer) joins the Bones team in Season 9, operating with a “trust your gut” mentality. She immediately displays blatant disregard for protocol and a habit of speculating based on “vibes” instead of science. She grew up in an educational cooperative, and a background check later reveals that she was a member of Greenpeace, establishing her as one of the more “hippie”-esque of the interns. She makes her overly high opinion of herself obvious, both in terms of her job and her romantic life. Jessica integrates herself with the other characters more quickly than usual when her inappropriate come-ons result in a one-night stand with the team psychologist at the end of her first episode.
Jessica Warren Is Unapologetically Reckless
Dr. Brennan finds Jessica’s creative approach to science disconcerting at best and detrimental to cases at worst, as do most viewers. Jessica’s risky behavior in the lab — like soaking a skeleton in pineapple juice without knowing if it would damage the bones — elicits a sense of betrayal in fans who expect and respect the professionalism their favorite characters usually display. Her conceitedness is vexing and doesn’t make viewers want to root for her. In Season 11, she begins a flirtation and eventual relationship with Booth’s new partner, FBI Agent James Aubrey (John Boyd), increasing her involvement with the team. Their will-they-or-won’t-they romance isn’t unlike Brennan and Bones’ beginning. However, both characters are so new to the show that there isn’t much history for the audience to be invested in. Though Jessica does mature throughout her 11 episodes, she remains low on the list of favorite squinterns.
7
Colin Fisher
Colin Fisher (Joel David Moore) was an immediate fan-favorite squint when he was introduced in Season 4 of Bones. With a pessimistic personality, fatalistic worldview, monotone voice, and dry, dark humor, he quickly sets himself apart from all the other characters. In a comical juxtaposition, Fisher is also known for his prowess with women. After almost getting kicked out of the forensic anthropology program for sleeping with a suspect in a case, he manages to keep his exploits out of the workplace. However, he does offer to be a sperm donor for Dr. Brennan when she considers having a baby, though she politely declines.
Fisher Mixes Mental Health with Humor
Despite his perpetual apathy and intermittent depression, for which he is periodically institutionalized, Fisher brings a sense of levity to the show that endears him to viewers and, eventually, the Jeffersonian team. His issues with mental health make him relatable, and it lends a sense of hope to viewers when he continuously perseveres. In a meta-like scene from Season, 12 Episode 5, “The Tutor in the Tussle,” he reveals to Brennan that he is a longtime fan of the crime novel series she authored and admits to once writing a fan fiction about “a tormented intern who had an affair with his boss.” Not only does this revelation delight Brennan, but it’s a fun wink to the audience. Fisher is a walking existential crisis who can simultaneously make you laugh and question your own existence. What’s not to love?
6
Finn Abernathy
Squint Finn Abernathy (Luke Kleintank) appears on Bones in Season 7 as a seemingly sweet and polite young man from North Carolina who quickly impresses Dr. Brennan with his knowledge. However, his good first impression is short-lived when the team discovers he has a juvenile criminal record and suspects him of murdering his abusive stepfather. Finn admits that his interest in forensic anthropology stemmed from his previous desire to hurt his stepdad, but that he had never acted on the impulse.
Finn initially bumps heads with Hodgins, who pokes fun at his thick accent and southern colloquialisms. However, in an adorable story arc, the two eventually become friends and even go on to create and market a hot sauce based on a recipe from Finn’s grandmother. He becomes even further entrenched in the cast when he begins dating Cam’s daughter, Michelle Welton (Tiffany Hines). Cam initially disapproves of the relationship but soon relents when she realizes Finn’s genuinely kind nature.
Finn Is a Character to Root For
Finn’s tragic family backstory lends itself well to fan appreciation and contributes to the Jeffersonian family accepting him. It’s impossible not to be charmed by his Southern gentleman persona, making it that much more heartbreaking when he is wronged. Michelle eventually cheats on him and ends their relationship, earning him plenty of sympathy on-screen and off. Finn only appears in seven episodes from Seasons 7 through 9 but remains a fan-favorite due to his charm and easily likable personality.
5
Clark Edison
Introduced as somewhat of a mirror to Dr. Brennan’s character, Clark Edison (Eugene Byrd) begins his Bones journey with an extremely professional demeanor. His dislike of the interpersonal drama at the Jeffersonian is evident, and he is slow to reveal anything about himself. However, he eventually opens up in later seasons at the behest of his girlfriend and is able to connect with the other team members on a more authentic level. After some time, Clark is offered a parallel position to Brennan as the head of the archaeological anthropology department. In this role, he can step in for her and lead the team when she is unavailable — like when she is on the run after being falsely accused of murder.
Clark Edison Acts as Brennan’s Mirror
Despite everyone’s irritation with Clark’s annoyingly particular protocols and inflexible leadership techniques, their respect for him is obvious through the amount of responsibility put on him and their trust in his abilities. When Clark himself is accused of murder due to a mistake he made as an undergraduate, Dr. Brennan publicly defends him and works tirelessly to clear his name. His character provides an excellent backdrop to highlight Brennan’s growth toward acceptance and connection, both professionally and personally. This insight into her satisfying character arc is exemplified in Season 11, Episode 20, “The Stiff in the Cliff,” when she tells him, “Mistakes make for better scientists, Dr. Edison. Every expert today has made a past error of some kind. Besides, that’s what friends and teammates do. They stand up for each other.”
4
Vincent Nigel-Murray
Another beloved squintern is Vincent Nigel-Murray (Ryan Cartwright), whose extensive knowledge and incredible memory make him an asset to the team. His compulsive habit of blurting out random facts that may or may not be relevant is somehow endearing instead of annoying — especially after he confesses that it is a tactic he uses to combat anxiety. (Did you know tongue prints are as distinct as fingerprints?)
Vincent Changes the Trajectory of Bones
Though he only appears in 11 episodes across Seasons 4 through 6, Vincent had a profound effect on the team at the Jeffersonian. He is the only intern on Bones to die, bleeding out in Dr. Brennan’s arms after being shot by a suspect. During Vincent’s final moments, Brennan confesses that he is her favorite intern, and she is devastated by his death. Many fans view Vincent’s passing as a distinct turning point in the series as it is a catalyst for Brennan and Booth to finally act on their romantic feelings for each other after years of hesitation. Angela and Hodgins also pay tribute to the late intern when they name their son Michael Vincent in his memory. Vincent’s impact on the show is reaffirmed in the series finale of Bones when a commemorative plaque in his honor is saved from the Jeffersonian after an explosion — six years after the character’s final appearance.
Related
Where Is the Cast of Bones Today?
A vast army of diehard crime drama fans developed over the course of Bones’ 12-season run on TV. But where is the cast of Bones nowadays?
3
Daisy Wick
When Daisy Wick (Carla Gallo) was introduced as one of the rotating squints on Bones in Season 4, fans had no idea how significant her character would eventually become. With an overly bubbly personality, nonstop chattering, and hero worship of Dr. Brennan, she grates on the nerves of the Jeffersonian team and viewers alike. She becomes more tolerable when she strikes up a romance with Dr. Lance Sweets, played by John Francis Daley in one of his best roles, though they break up and make up over the course of several seasons. Daisy eventually earns Brennan’s begrudging respect, and the two even go on a year-long anthropological dig together.
Fans Hate to Love Daisy Wick
Daisy more literally ingratiates herself into the Jeffersonian family when she becomes pregnant with Sweets’ baby. However, in a tragic twist of fate, Sweets is killed in Season 10 before the birth of their child. Both Brennan and Booth step up to act as mentors and a support system for Daisy as she ventures into the world of single motherhood while navigating her grief. Daisy’s gratitude is evident when she names her son Seeley in honor of Booth, who was particularly close to Sweets. With Daisy’s transformative character arc across nine seasons, she is an integral part of the Bones universe.
2
Arastoo Vaziri
Arastoo Vaziri (Pej Vehdat) added a much-needed element of diversity to Bones when he was brought on as one of the rotating interns. When he first arrives, it’s apparent that his Muslim faith is important to him, and he is concerned about how that will be received by others. Dr. Brennan, an atheist, struggles to understand how someone can dedicate their life to science and also be religious. Arastoo’s spirituality remains at the core of his character, and his ability to sympathize with victims on an emotional level provides a new and fascinating lens through which to view the show.
Arastoo Brings a New Perspective to the Team
Despite their differences, Arastoo is welcomed into the Jeffersonian family and is even rescued by the team when he gets kidnapped while visiting Iran. He and Cam become romantically involved, and after Arastoo ends their relationship, he deeply regrets it and tries to win her back. When Cam realizes how committed he is to building a life with her, she proposes to him. The couple marry in the penultimate episode of the series, with many characters, including fellow interns, in attendance. After surviving an explosion in the finale, Cam and Arastoo announce they are adopting three foster children together, solidifying themselves as one of the show’s happiest endings.
1
Wendell Bray
When he joined the show, Bones fans were immediately enamored with Wendell Bray (Michael Grant Terry). Characterized as a boy-next-door type, he is able to find a work-life balance that many of the other lab rats struggle with. With his blonde all-American look, interest in sports, rags-to-riches story, and genuine kindness, it is impossible not to love him. With brains and brawn (he can make a battery out of a potato and fix your car), Dr. Brennan is impressed with his skills, and Booth is thrilled to have another “guy’s guy” around. Even after a brief romance with Angela doesn’t work out, Wendall remains good friends with her and creates a close bond with her eventual husband, Hodgins.
Wendell Is the Best Squintern of All
As Wendell appeared in over 40 episodes across nine seasons, he had plenty of time to earn a dedicated fanbase among viewers and develop as a character. When he is diagnosed with a type of bone cancer called Ewing’s Sarcoma in Season 9, it is Booth who convinces him to find a will to live and fight his illness and who supports him when a fellow friend with cancer dies. Later, when he is dismissed from the forensic anthropology team for using cannabis to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy, Brennan and Booth work hard to ensure he remains at the Jeffersonian in some capacity. His eventual remission comes as a relief for his on-screen friends and off-screen fans. Wendell is irreplaceable and remains one of the most beloved squints. Viewers would surely expect to see him in any potential Bones revival.
Every season of Bones is available to stream now on Hulu.
- Release Date
-
September 13, 2005
- Seasons
-
12
- Studio
-
Fox