'Bones' Plays Out Like A Romance Novel
I must admit that I'm addicted to the new TV show 'Bones.' In fact, it is the only thing that can distract me from my nightly ritual of writing.
Why, you may ask? Why is 'Bones' that good it tears me away from the laptop, when my husband, a house fire, or a million dollars arriving on my doorstep are unable to get this response?
The secret is this: I think 'Bones' plays out like a romance novel. And if there's two things I love in this world, its writing romance and reading romance. And now, seeing romance.
Yes, I know its a forensic/whodunnit show, but the underlying sexual tension between the two lead characters is unmissable. Obviously, because I just read a review in the TV guide liftout in the paper, that totally bags this said tension.
It had to be a male that wrote it.
After all, us females love this sort of 'will they or won't they...' Obviously we do, or top romance novelists wouldn't sell 300 million copies of their books worldwide. Romance is the number one category that sells...
And who can forget Joey and Dawson? Or Joey and Pacey? 'The Nanny?' 'Moonlighting?' Sexual tension sells...and is addictive viewing.
So, back to the reviewer had-to-be-male-thing...perhaps 'Bones' is aimed for women? Perhaps males just don't get it (was going to add something else, but don't want to offend my male audience...after all, my husband is male...I have a best mate that is male...my father is male...so on, and so on. Better just keep quiet). After all, the show is based around real life forensic anthropologist and author, Kathy Reichs - a female.
One of my best friends (not male this time) commented to me once that she really didn't get the female character in 'Bones,' Temperance Brennan. She felt she was too standoffish, and lacked serious social skills with other people.
This is true, if you watch the show. But I think the writers have latched onto something here, in the same vein as romance novels - if we go to my theories on Heros and Heroines, Temperance is your classic Heroine all over. She's top of her field (forensic anthropologist, working alongside the FBI), she's gorgeous, she's outspoken, she's intelligent, and, yes, she lacks any sort of people skills whatsoever...which is part of her charm.
The Hero is none other than David Boreanaz. Hello! Need I say more? He is the ultimate Hero...gorgeous, a little bit bad, he works for the FBI (and isn't that hot in itself??), and he talks back to our Heroine. Talks back, is short with her, they argue alot...
They drive each other insane. All in all, the tension runs thick and hot.
Just like a romance novel.
Some of you may point out that this show is based on Kathy Reichs books involving the same Heroine...but they're nothing like the show. In fact, her fiction books are very much like the forensic murder investigations that feature in each week's show, but the romantic tension is just not there. She's just not a romance writer - she is a top scientist, after all. She's probably far too busy for romance.
Thankfully, someone in television decided to make 'Bones' out of her books. Any 'Moonlighting' fans out there? This is the 'Moonlighting' for the noughties.
Love it.
Why, you may ask? Why is 'Bones' that good it tears me away from the laptop, when my husband, a house fire, or a million dollars arriving on my doorstep are unable to get this response?
The secret is this: I think 'Bones' plays out like a romance novel. And if there's two things I love in this world, its writing romance and reading romance. And now, seeing romance.
Yes, I know its a forensic/whodunnit show, but the underlying sexual tension between the two lead characters is unmissable. Obviously, because I just read a review in the TV guide liftout in the paper, that totally bags this said tension.
It had to be a male that wrote it.
After all, us females love this sort of 'will they or won't they...' Obviously we do, or top romance novelists wouldn't sell 300 million copies of their books worldwide. Romance is the number one category that sells...
And who can forget Joey and Dawson? Or Joey and Pacey? 'The Nanny?' 'Moonlighting?' Sexual tension sells...and is addictive viewing.
So, back to the reviewer had-to-be-male-thing...perhaps 'Bones' is aimed for women? Perhaps males just don't get it (was going to add something else, but don't want to offend my male audience...after all, my husband is male...I have a best mate that is male...my father is male...so on, and so on. Better just keep quiet). After all, the show is based around real life forensic anthropologist and author, Kathy Reichs - a female.
One of my best friends (not male this time) commented to me once that she really didn't get the female character in 'Bones,' Temperance Brennan. She felt she was too standoffish, and lacked serious social skills with other people.
This is true, if you watch the show. But I think the writers have latched onto something here, in the same vein as romance novels - if we go to my theories on Heros and Heroines, Temperance is your classic Heroine all over. She's top of her field (forensic anthropologist, working alongside the FBI), she's gorgeous, she's outspoken, she's intelligent, and, yes, she lacks any sort of people skills whatsoever...which is part of her charm.
The Hero is none other than David Boreanaz. Hello! Need I say more? He is the ultimate Hero...gorgeous, a little bit bad, he works for the FBI (and isn't that hot in itself??), and he talks back to our Heroine. Talks back, is short with her, they argue alot...
They drive each other insane. All in all, the tension runs thick and hot.
Just like a romance novel.
Some of you may point out that this show is based on Kathy Reichs books involving the same Heroine...but they're nothing like the show. In fact, her fiction books are very much like the forensic murder investigations that feature in each week's show, but the romantic tension is just not there. She's just not a romance writer - she is a top scientist, after all. She's probably far too busy for romance.
Thankfully, someone in television decided to make 'Bones' out of her books. Any 'Moonlighting' fans out there? This is the 'Moonlighting' for the noughties.
Love it.
A very witty post. And informative.
Your comment about two things you love in this world reminds me of that joke: “There are three types of people in this world: Those who can count, and those who can’t.” (I don’t have a reference for it).
I haven’t seen Bones but I’m not sure if I want to watch a TV show where the main character’s name is Temperance.
While you are still on the subject of men having to be bad in romantic films, I’d like to nominate two actors from romantic films that fit the bill: George Shevtsov as Ken Sherry from the Australian film ‘Love Serenade’ (okay, so it’s a romantic comedy) and Aaron Eckhart as Chad in the Canadian film ‘In The Company of Men.’ (okay, so it’s an anti-romance). Somehow I don’t think many women will like either of them in either film.
H.J.
I've never actually watched this show. You now have me intrigued. I will be watching it the next time it's on tv.
V8 Supercar Pitstop
I guess the main character herself, Temperance, grew on me slowly, over the first couple of episodes but since there's nothing else to watch when it's on, I'll keep tuning in.
Didn't David Boreanez used to be a vampire?
P.S. Moonlighting ... Bruce Willis was definitely a perfect romantic hero.
H.J.
Thanks for reading...I think we've got some unwritten law happening here...must read and comment on each other's posts...its nice! A constant in this mad, messy, blogging world...
I kind of like her name...not that the show, or the books have mentioned it, but isn't it odd that Temperance turns into Temper so easily?? A classic heroine has to have a bit of fire, a bit of temper, in her...
And no, haven't seen those movies...and, I'm not going to lie to you, I probably won't...tell me what makes these males bad...
Personally, I love Ryan Reynolds, in anything he does...he's done two romances...if you can call 'Van Wilder' a romance...but I love that movie, so I've thrown it in...
Vin Diesel in that rip-off of 'Kindergarden Cop'...can't even think of the name....should go research and reference, but don't have the time (an excuse, I know)...Paul Walker in 'The Fast and The Furious...' John Cusack in 'America's Sweethearts...' Okay, so he wasn't so much a bad boy in this, but cutely neurotic....
I could go on forever...in fact, I think you've inspired a future post for me...which actors, and characters they play, in movies are the romance novel type heroes....
Thanks for that!
K.L.
To Anonymous,
It is on tonight...830pm...Channel 7...
K.L.
To Andrea,
Yes, I love the 3D imaging, too...love all the scientific stuff...I was studying archaeology before Miss Toddler, and plan to finish my degree (one day), so I love all the forensic anthropology stuff in it...
Don't get me started on David Boreanaz again...love him! Yes, he was on 'Buffy,' then had his own spin-off show, 'Angel.'
Sigh.
And, oh, I'm so glad you love 'Moonlighting...' Bruce Willis as David Addison was super-hot and a great character for the romance genre...a little bit damaged, funny, gorgeous, but determined not to admit his true feelings for Maddie. Just like any good romance...
Love it!
K.L.
Small Business Scope
When I saw the advertisement for Bones I really wasn't all that interested.
Last week though I watched my first episode (the one about the body in the fridge) and really rated it.
And I'd have to agree K.L - David Boreanz is sizzlin'....and the on-screen chemistry is impossible to miss!
But it kind of leaves you in a catch 22 because whilst we might hope they 'get it on' what happens afterwards can often be the end of the show (eg. The Nanny).
I'll have to read your books to get a sizzle fix then....
I enjoy reading your posts. Blogging on about any form or genre of writing with other writers can only aid the writing process itself … It sure beats wasting my best material on an adult sex site chatroom (oops … way too much info).
I like your take on Temperance turning into Temper so easily. That’s been my experience also, whenever I’ve tried to abstain, or even cut down to less than a slab per day. But seriously, who would name their daughter Temperance? Mind you, if I ever have a daughter her first two names will be Victoria Bitter …
What makes the two guys in the movies I mentioned so bad? Ken Sherry is as arrogant as arrogance gets, Chad is cruelty incarnate.
And I won’t lie to you either. I haven’t seen any of the movies you’ve mentioned, and am probably unlikely to … but that’s okay … I will read your future blog list about actors, and you might just convince me to watch one or two of them …
H.J.
H.J.
Who has not watched these movies??
Okay, your homework is to stop writing, and to rent the following movies:
The Pacifier (Thought of the movie! The one with Vin Diesel)
The Fast and The Furious
America's Sweethearts
Van Wilder
Just Friends (Ryan Reynolds)
Alright, my approval rating with you will drop...as per the favourite word comment on your blog...but I can assure you, you'll enjoy the dip in ratings...
I think.
Oh, and anything by Bruce Willis (but if you haven't seen any of the Die Hards, I really will begin to worry about you).
K.L.
To Cinico,
I completely agree with you...the archaeologist in me is the only reason I picked up Kathy Reichs' books...
I agree, the end of the show is near when the two characters get together....'Moonlighting' kind of died after David and Maddie slept together...
That was it, all the sexual tension was gone, and the show never recovered.
Your point with 'The Nanny' was very true...I agree...who cares once they're together?
Precisely why my series of romance novels, about 12 all up, possibly more, sees the two leads get together not till the very, very end....
Keeps the reader interested...of course, there's all the fun (ie. sex, sexual tension!) on the side...but that's different...
Thanks for reading!
K.L.
P.S. When I'm published, I will send you my books.
Small Business Scope
Well at least I've seen the Die Hard movies, and quite a few with Bruce Willis in.
It's far too late to be renting movies tonight, but will keep your list in mind for tomorrow and onwards ...
H.J.
Motherhood
To Cinico,
Of course!
K.L.
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
Thought you'd like a visit from the new kid on the block,
but a quick perusal tells me, you're not in some dreaded rut
You're doing very well it seems, no longer need my pink unseen
but just in case you missed it, that pink quilt is there.
It awaits your very prescence with its poorly sewn scenes
but even more importantly it's the Bobby you must see again,
As I've left some explanation of the meanings underneath
to encourage your perception, forget Homer and his dreams
His story telling mind took him way beyond mere mortals
but I join with those he nurtures in his family of orblers.
No more buckets of tears I see nor weeping from within,
you're much hardier now but continue on with your Romantic Dreams
If ever I should again perceive you're feeling just a little blue
I'll prepare once more some images in pink to shut out blues.
Continue with your writing life and into Eternity, where you'll really then be free at last
To express all that's within.
katyzzz
(Sorry about the anonymous tag ... time pressure and all that .. dial up ... It's H.J.
I'm finally online at home ... for limited hours ...
Just letting you know that I've downloaded Betrayal onto my magnificent pink laptop ...
and will begin reading today ...
H.J.
To Katyzzz,
Love your poem...is magnificent!
H.J.
Could not be happier that Betrayal is about to be read on a pink laptop...warms my heart!
K.L.
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
Thanks for your kind words. Glad you liked it!
katyzzz