Bones: Season 12

Season 12 overview

The season opens with Brennan's kidnapping and the team's belief that Zack is responsible for the Puppeteer murders. A decades-old body shifts the investigation and identifies the true killer.

Key story beats

1. Brennan Is Kidnapped — Zack has taken Brennan into the Jeffersonian basement, while Booth searches for them.
2. Zack's Protective Motive — Zack explains that he acted because he believed the real killer was threatening Brennan's life.
3. The Old Body Clue — The discovery of half a body from twenty years earlier changes the interpretation of the Puppeteer case.
4. Puppeteer Case Resolved — The evidence identifies Dr. Roshan as the true killer rather than Zack.
5. Brennan's Birthday — Brennan celebrates her fortieth birthday and nominates Daisy for a position at the National Forensics Lab.
6. Appeal Date Set — Booth gives Brennan the news that Zack's appeal date has been scheduled.
7. Retirement Home Murder — The team investigates the death of an elderly man whose body is found at an acid dump site.
8. Future Family Plans — Brennan and Booth discuss the possibility of having more children.
9. Aldo's Hidden Sacrifice — The team investigates Aldo Clemmons's death, and Booth learns that Aldo killed himself to protect Booth's identity.
10. A Dangerous Past Returns — A killer connected to one of Booth's military kills becomes linked to the death investigation.
11. Tutor Murder Investigation — The team investigates the murder of a tutor and examines several possible perpetrators.
12. A Father's Arrest — The returning con artist connected to the case is turned in to federal authorities.
13. Body Parts In A Dumpster — Two boys searching through animal remains discover human body parts and flee.
14. Family Argument Interrupted — Booth and Brennan argue about how to teach a child to ride a bicycle before a case call interrupts them.
15. Safehouse Evacuation — Booth and Brennan place their family in protective custody because deaths connected to Booth's military past continue.

Character relationships in season 12

• Temperance 'Bones' Brennan — Forensic investigator and FBI investigator — Seeley Booth: Their professional partnership structures the season's case-of-the-week investigations.
• Temperance 'Bones' Brennan — Kidnapping and disputed culpability — Zack Addy: Their bond is temporarily placed under severe pressure by Zack's illegal actions and the accusations against him.
• Seeley Booth — Supporter of legal appeal — Zack Addy: Booth's support for the appeal indicates that his position toward Zack becomes more legally constructive.
• Zack Addy — Defendant and trial prosecutor — Caroline Julian: Their connection is defined by the formal legal process surrounding Zack's case.
• Temperance 'Bones' Brennan — Mentor and colleague — Daisy Wick: Brennan actively supports Daisy's professional advancement.
• Daisy Wick — Scientific colleague and later problem-solver — Temperance 'Bones' Brennan: Daisy becomes part of the effort to compensate for Brennan's temporary cognitive impairment.
• Temperance 'Bones' Brennan — Senior forensic anthropologist and trainee colleague — Rodolfo Fuentes: Their relationship reflects the development of forensic expertise within the laboratory.
• Temperance 'Bones' Brennan — Laboratory colleagues — Clark Edison: Clark functions as part of the forensic team supporting the investigation during the finale.

Seasons

• Season 1
• Season 2
• Season 3
• Season 4
• Season 5
• Season 6
• Season 7
• Season 8
• Season 9
• Season 10
• Season 11
• Season 12

Interactive Features

• Character Relationship Map — Explore character connections and alliances for Bones Season 12.
• AI Plot Analysis — AI-powered story structure breakdown and character arc tracking.
• Full Series Character Map — Cross-season character evolution and relationship changes.

Episode Guide