Play to the bone

Lead actor of Bones, Emily Deschanel never fell prey to mudslinging representatives of American tabloids. She tells Mathures Paul about the popular television character Dr Temperance Brennan

What motivates advertisers to spend millions on any Indian television show remains a mystery. Abroad, the weirdest of shows are well researched (save for the likes of Bold and the Beautiful) before any network presents pilot episodes. While shows are on air, stars get together during weekends to discuss plots for weeks ahead. Since time is money, directors of most international serials detest going on sets without proper planning. Be it Friends or CSI or Bones, every show pans out like a well made movie. Differences in the Indian and international scenario became clearer after speaking to Emily Deschanel, better known as Dr Temperance Brennan of the popular TV show Bones, shown on Star World. Deschanel speaks to The Statesman.
Bones is an investigative drama inspired by a real-life forensic anthropologist and explores the humanity behind scientists who investigate “horrific crimes”. Dr Brennan is an in-demand forensic anthropologist who moonlights as a novelist. When investigators fail to identify the badly decomposed body of a murder victim, she is called in to read clues left behind in the victims’ bones. She teams up with Special Agent Seeley Booth, essayed by David Boreanaz. Unlike her, he believes in good old-fashioned investigative work; digging up truth by questioning witnesses and suspects. Their styles prompt clashes and on-screen chemistry.
“What excited me to sign on the serial is the relationship Dr Brennan and Booth share. The sexual tension is strong with a hint of humour. She is confident, brilliant and not at all ‘girly’. At the same time, both are trying to discover their romantic lives. Besides, I am interested in forensic sciences and have been drawn to the sciences since school,” says Deschanel.
Bones may draw comparisons with X-Files or CSI but the three have different storylines. “The rating of the pilot episode quenched that fear. The characters here are smart and speak about their personal lives. CSI is mostly about crimes. In Bones you get to know more about relationships characters share. There’s humour to an extent and investigations revolve around bones, which tell much about how a person lived and died.”
Deschanel comes from a family of actors and singers. Her father is a well known director and sister a singer and actor. Thus, growing up was fun. “We were always performing plays. And we were kind of like boys, fighting at times. Now, all of us are busy with our professional lives.”
A section of fans would like Dr Brennan and Booths to become a unit, which may turn out to be fatal for the show’s storyline. “There is sexual tension now. In season three things will get slightly physical. But the show is doing well and the need to unite them hasn’t arisen.”
The theme of Bones can be called “dark” because the plots deal with the morbid side of life. “Bodies show on Bones don’t scare me anymore. Finding a real body, of course, would freak me out... But the show takes a toll on all of us. We were discussing the topic at the end of season one. In America we push death away. Once a person dies, he or she is immediately moved to a cemetery. We must realise that everyone dies. This allows us to think of death as a part of life.”
Returning to more cheerful matters, she speaks about the research that goes into Bones. “I bought a good deal of books dealing with forensic anthropology. I have also had to understand certain formulas. Imagine, a few facts gathered from bones can decipher mysterious circumstances in which some people die!”
Her relationship with David on the sets is that of between good friends. “He is not at all moody. We all have bad days and he is not an exception to the rule. Sometimes we showcase our competitive side and at times we try to be supportive.”
Deschanel is one star who doesn’t find place in gossip rags. “I don’t like to party. People who attain much at a young age get trapped by a section of the media. My work is Bones and once home, I am busy with my life. Parties can wait.”