David Boreanaz

Celebrating that FOX will be broadcasting four new episodes of Bones on November 4,12, 19 and 26, show runner Hart Hanson did a media conference call, during which he gave some juicy hints on upcoming storylines.

For the November 12 episode, titled “The Con Man in the Meth Lab,” Hanson confirmed that we will learn more about Booth’s (David Boreanaz) family and history as his younger brother Jared enters the picture. The storyline was originally going to be explored last season, but had to be shifted to this season due to the writers’ strike. The writers will get dual mileage from the character, as he both sheds light on Booth’s character (described by Hanson as guarded for all his affability) and strikes some sparks with Brennan (Emily Deschanel).

Brendan Fehr (Roswell) plays Jared, and Hanson said he was delighted to find him. He had to search to find an actor who had leading man charisma accompanied by a dark side, looked at least a little like David Boreanaz, and was available. The show runner noted with a laugh that some previous conflicts on the ice rink between Fehr and Boreanaz (both play hockey) didn’t hurt their chemistry as brothers at all. The episode will give viewers a peek at Booth’s difficult childhood and his relationship with his grandfather.

Guest star Brenden Fehr joins the Booth cast on November 12th. Hanson confirmed that one plot element still to come this season is the question of Booth as a possible baby daddy for Brennan’s child. However, he noted that he is very wary about how fast to develop the main characters’ relationship because once one element is resolved, another one has to take its place. He is very aware of the danger of the Moonlighting trap, where resolved sexual tension took all the snap out the series, though he personally sees his characters as more in The Thin Man’s Nick and Nora mould. In addition to the danger of too much too soon in regard to Booth and Brennan, Hanson also said he has to be very aware of the balance between the procedural elements and the character driven elements, and that neither one takes over.

Turning to a question about the rotating Zack replacements in the lab, Hanson said the storyline was intended to help develop the lab-based B story in the episodes, and he sees it as so successful, the writers now intend to keep the interns for a while, instead of replacing Zack quickly. And that may not be a bad thing for Zack fans, as Hanson confirmed there is more yet to come about that character.

With psychiatrist Sweets knowing that there is more to Zack’s story, he faces a dilemma on how to proceed. Hanson said he has been looking into bringing back Gordon Gordon (English actor Stephen Fry) as the person to help Sweets sort things out, though Fry’s availability has not been confirmed.

It all sounds very exciting, with lots for Bones fans to look forward to. The titles for the next four episodes will be: November 5 — “The Skull in the Sculpture;” November 12 — “The Con Man in the Meth Lab;” November 19 — “The Passenger in the Oven;” and November 26 — “The Bone that Blew.” Bones airs on Wednesday at 8 PM (ET).