The finale is often one of the highlights of a season as its function goes beyond that of a regular episode. Generally, a finale’s job is to tie up all the loose ends established in the previous episodes in addition to leaving viewers always wanting more.
Given Bones’s popularity during its original run, it’s fair to say that the show delivered many strong finales, placing characters in peril or leaving viewers hooked on dramatic cliffhangers. However, some finales were definitely less well received than others. We’ve compiled a list of all of the Bones finales, ranked from worst to best.
“Stargazer In A Puddle” (Season 2)
The majority of Season 2 was an adrenaline-fuelled rollercoaster ride, introducing forensic pathologist Camille Saroyan, as well as featuring the return of notorious serial killer Howard Epps. This all made for a truly stand out season which is why it was doubly disappointing that the finale was completely underwhelming.
There were no long-running arcs to tidy up in the episode and instead of adding something new to the series, the finale remained true to the normal case-of-the-week format. The final nail in the coffin was the absence of a good cliffhanger, which is something Bones was usually adept at delivering.
“The Change In The Game” (Season 6)
Season 6 was a bit of a hit-and-miss period for the show. It contained some amazing episodes and introduced Angela and Hodgins as expecting parents for the first time but a lot of the storylines just didn’t sit well with its audience.
The season finale suffered from the same affliction as Season 2, in that it was just a regular episode that happened to be closing out the show’s sixth run. What set it apart from the previous entry on this list is that it did actually move the show along, with Brennan informing Booth that she was pregnant with his child.
“The Beginning In The End” (Season 5)
In hindsight, it’s clear that Bones wasn’t really sure how to deliver an appropriate finale in its earlier seasons. The Season 5 finale remains easily forgettable to this day. Again, all of the season’s main arcs had finished prior to the episode, leaving the finale to consist of just a normal case.
There was the occasional storyline that carried over from the previous episode such as Brennan wondering where her place really was after the Gravedigger’s trial and the finale did end on a cliffhanger but it was a case of too little, too late.
“The Next In The Last” (Season 10)
This episode was irritating because it had so much potential to be something great. Instead it messed fans around by hinting at the return of Christopher Pelant who was seemingly shot and killed by Booth in Season 9.
The finale failed to deliver, instead choosing to focus on one of Pelant’s proteges which went against everything we already knew about the serial killer. To make matters worse, it completely skipped out on his return by having Brennan literally turn him off as he appeared on a screen in the Jeffersonian. It was a rubbish send off for a great villain.
“The End In The Beginning” (Season 4)
This was probably the most confusing episode of Bones. In fairness, it did make an effort to set itself apart and for that, it should be congratulated. Unfortunately, that’s about as good as it gets.
The finale itself takes place in a dream world where Booth and Brennan are married and owners of a nightclub. Sound weird? It turns out this is Booth’s fantasy as he recovers from brain surgery. The episode closes with Booth having no idea who Brennan is, a satisfying cliffhanger if it were not for the fact that it’s completely ignored in the Season 5 premiere.
“The Pain In The Heart” (Season 3)
The third season finale of Bones is viewed as rather controversial amongst fans, mainly in part due to the twist near the end of the episode. While the episode does everything a season finale is meant to do, it portrays a couple of characters slightly inaccurately.
Dr Lance Sweets deliberately neglects to tell Brennan that Booth is alive purely for the sake of his own research, a cold and callous move that directly contrasts the youthful and loveable man the audience thought him to be. Additionally, the reveal that Zack Addy was working with a serial killer caused some fans to abandon the show in its entirety.
“The Secret In The Siege” (Season 8)
Any episode that features Pelant has the potential to spin a fantastic narrative. Whilst still a promising finale, this is one of the antagonist’s weaker appearances. Mainly the episode falls short due to a lack of confrontation between Booth and Brennan and Pelant, with the writers choosing instead to focus on the heart of the show.
The episode deals with Booth and Brennan’s relationship by having the couple get engaged, one of the sweetest moments of the series. However, it then throws a curveball when Booth is forced to later reject Brennan’s proposal, leaving the viewers unsure of where they will end up.
“The Woman In Limbo” (Season 1)
Bones’s first season finale seems comparatively tame when it comes to high stakes and dangerous situations. However, that appears to be its only fault.
“The Woman in Limbo” sees Brennan identify the body of a Jane Doe as her own mother, Christine Brennan. This is obviously a lot for anyone to handle but Brennan deals with it in her own logical way. The area where this episode shines though, is through its slow reveal of Brennan’s early childhood which is incredibly heartbreaking. The episode also depicts Booth and Brennan growing closer as the former helps the scientist come to terms with her loss.
“The Nightmare Within The Nightmare” (Season 11)
This finale felt more like a psychological thriller than an episode of Bones, which wasn’t necessarily a bad idea. The episode revolved around the recurring antagonist, the Puppeteer, a genuinely creepy killer. It also focused on Brennan’s guilt for not catching the villain earlier due to her leaving the Jeffersonian during the previous season.
This guilt manifests itself in her nightmares, providing viewers with some impressively disturbing imagery as Brennan struggles to discover who the murderer is. The episode’s one drawback is that the killer himself doesn’t actually appear so Brennan’s conflict seems to be one-sided.
“The End In The End” (Season 12)
It’s satisfying that this particular finale is so near the top of this list as it’s not only the end of the season but also the last stand of the series itself and boy, does it end with a bang.
Technically, it begins with a bang as the Jeffersonian is destroyed by a large bomb hidden in the lab. The majority of the main cast are caught in the explosion and the first half of the episode explores their fate. Brennan, in particular, suffers a blow to the head and finds she can’t recall any of her skills or knowledge. The lack of a memorable antagonist fails to put a dampener on a great way to end the show.
“The Past In The Present” (Season 7)
Season 7 is one of Bones’s strongest seasons and the finale doesn’t fail to deliver. It features the return of Pelant who is on fine form, having been established as a worthy foe earlier in the season. As any good finale should, it also focuses on the two main characters in a way that changes their relationship for seasons to come.
Pelant manages to frame Brennan for a crime she didn’t commit. As the evidence stacks up around her, the Jeffersonian team are powerless to stop Pelant’s plan. Brennan’s dad, Max, offers a solution that ultimately saves Brennan temporarily but breaks her family apart in the process.
“The Recluse In The Recliner” (Season 9)
This finale was simply stunning. Since Pelant died, the season had been struggling to find an equally dangerous replacement. With this episode, it managed to find exactly what it had been looking for. Booth unwittingly gets caught up in a conspiracy that is still confusing even after a third viewing, which is of course what good conspiracies are all about.
The episode culminates in a tense shoot out between Booth and armed agents at his family home. The icing on the cake is Booth getting arrested after he recovers. The episode delivered everything and promised even more.
