As a Canadian it's always interesting to see how American TV portrays us. As Bones has been one of my favourite shows since it first began, I anticipated this episode when I read it would involve a Canadian forensic expert who specialized in feet. I wasn't bothered too much that the Canadian was a bit of a goof, although a smart goof. I was more bothered , and surprised, by an underlying premise. The biggest cliché Americans have of Canadians is our supposed excess of politeness. What was interesting is that here politeness is presented as a psychological weakness!! "You're in America now," Hodgsen's says to the Canadian scientist, "It's OK to get angry." I found it a weird perspective. Maybe politeness and the ensuing psychological problems is the price Canadians pay for a much lower murder rate?
Aside from that, the show had some good moments. The best is the scene where we first walk through the cadaver decomposition farm. It has to be one of the most surreal, pleasurably sickening scenes I've ever seen. But what makes the scene great is Bones' giddy joy at the scientific technique of it all, she literally skips like a girl, compared to Seely's composed queasy disgust.
I also thought that the writer had given some personality into all the minor characters. Sometimes writers only make an effort in fleshing out the major parts, but the minor ones add depth and reality. As an example, at the very beginning the two police officers (I think they were police) are nicely realized as the "veteran" and the "rookie". Their conversation is believable and amusing and gets the show off to a nice start.
It would have been nice to have seen a better portrayal of Canadians, but I enjoyed the show.
Aside from that, the show had some good moments. The best is the scene where we first walk through the cadaver decomposition farm. It has to be one of the most surreal, pleasurably sickening scenes I've ever seen. But what makes the scene great is Bones' giddy joy at the scientific technique of it all, she literally skips like a girl, compared to Seely's composed queasy disgust.
I also thought that the writer had given some personality into all the minor characters. Sometimes writers only make an effort in fleshing out the major parts, but the minor ones add depth and reality. As an example, at the very beginning the two police officers (I think they were police) are nicely realized as the "veteran" and the "rookie". Their conversation is believable and amusing and gets the show off to a nice start.
It would have been nice to have seen a better portrayal of Canadians, but I enjoyed the show.
