Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Dem Bones

"Bones" Season 10, episode 16 was also the 206th episode in the series. 206 is also the number of bones in the adult human body. The episode's B plot involved Dr. Brennen working on an anatomically accurate version of "Dem Bones" when she learns her daughter is learning the original version in school. This was a mechanic  for ensuring all 206 bones in the human body could be mentioned in the episode.

What isn't discussed in the episode, yet adds a a substantial subtext to the entire B plot is the fact that the "Leg bone's connected to the thigh bone" song known by so many kids is a verse from a spiritual about a vision in Ezekiel 37:1-14.

The entire discussion about the song and its accuracy is a proxy debate about religion between Bones and Booth. Extending the proxy debate into a parenting metaphor puts some very fascinating twists on the final scene where their daughter is singing the re-written song.



The scene essentially says that religious accommodation will happen in the parenting of the children, but will always be subordinate to science and accuracy. Brennan has become comfortable with limited religion in her daughter's life, but will not tolerate it coming into conflict with the real world as she sees it.

Booth, for his part, appears perfectly comfortable with letting this happen, as it allows his daughter to have the parts of religion he values most.