The Definitive Ranking of Dr Temperance Brennan's Extraordinary Interns

The main characters in the crime drama Bones have excellent chemistry, which greatly contributes to their successful case-solving. However, the Bones cast interns frequently bring a fresh dynamic to the show. Since the departure of Brennan's (Emily Deschanel) original intern Zack (Eric Millegan), the series has featured a rotating cast of interns. These characters are all pursuing degrees in forensic science with various specialties, each bringing a unique perspective and personality when introduced.

While some of the Bones cast interns have longer story arcs, others secure jobs at the Jeffersonian and continue working with the group after graduating from their intern status. The least successful interns are those who struggle to fit in with the eccentricities of the main characters and the rules of criminal investigations. On the other hand, the best interns are those who integrate seamlessly into the team, becoming integral to the narrative while sharing their own knowledge and learning from their experiences. Unlike Bones guest stars Betty White and David Alan Grier's characters, who are often adored by fans, all of these Bones interns appear in multiple episodes.

Douglas Filmore

Being Canadian and primarily involved in a transfer program, forensic podiatrist Douglas Filmore (Scott Lowell) had limited screen time compared to the other interns. As a result, the audience had insufficient opportunity to truly understand his character. Furthermore, he was portrayed as a clichéd and excessively polite Canadian, lacking depth in his characterization. The small glimpses of his personality that were showcased in the series revealed that he struggled with an intense sense of inferiority toward Dr. Brennan, impacting his confidence and occasionally affecting his work. Additionally, he did not seem to possess the same level of imagination as the other interns, making it difficult for him to fully integrate into the team.

Jessica Warren

The Jeffersonian welcomed Jessica Warren (Laura Spencer) as the latest intern to join the Bones cast. Unlike many others, she doesn't feel intimidated working with Dr. Brennan and often disregards the rules, much to the annoyance of Cam (Tamara Taylor) and Brennan. Due to her upbringing in a free-spirited co-op, she struggles to adapt to the lab's structured environment, leading to difficulties in properly preserving the chain-of-evidence and preventing damage to the evidence.

Although Jessica had a romantic involvement with Aubrey (John Boyd), their relationship always felt contrived. It seemed as if Aubrey's character was supposed to enhance her likability. However, given her late introduction in the series, it was challenging for her to truly blend in with the team, and the relationship did not improve her integration with the group.

Oliver Wells

Oliver Wells, portrayed by Brian Klegman, was intended to be an unlikeable character among the interns of the Bones cast. However, there comes a point where this unlikeability becomes hard to watch. While Brennan acknowledges her lack of social skills and actively works on improving them, Oliver shows zero interest in being well-liked. This can even result in him appearing hostile at times. Additionally, he failed to win any fans when he chose to read a book during an autopsy instead of focusing on the task at hand.

Despite his exceptional intelligence and competence in his job, Oliver's demeanor makes him the least anticipated intern by the audience when he enters the lab. Being the smartest person in the room is not inherently problematic, but his constant challenges to Brennan's authority border on disrespect. Furthermore, he displays an excessive open-mindedness that clashes with the team's rigorous scientific approach. For example, during a case where two sets of remains showed similarities, Oliver attempted to persuade everyone to entertain the possibility of time travel instead of considering that the bodies could be related. While having a theory is acceptable, it must be supported by factual evidence.

Vincent Nigel-Murray

Mr. Nigel-Murray, portrayed by Ryan Cartwright, possessed an extensive knowledge of obscure facts which served as a treasure trove of useless information. Interestingly, he utilized these tidbits to enhance his focus on the cases, delighting the audience with intriguing and valuable insights, such as the distinctiveness of tongue prints akin to fingerprints. Through his ability to establish connections between seemingly unrelated elements, Mr. Nigel-Murray elevated the intrigue of the cases he worked on. His charisma and wit endeared him to the Bones cast interns, making him a favorite among fans.

In a significant turning point, actor Ryan Cartwright's departure from Bones occurred when his character Vincent fell victim to criminal sniper Jacob Broadsky. This unexpected loss deeply impacted Brennan, who struggled to comprehend the loss of such a young and promising individual. The shocking event forever altered the show, as it served as the catalyst for Brennan and Booth, played by David Boreanaz, to finally acknowledge and act upon their feelings for one another.

Rodolfo Fuentes

In Cuba, Rodolfo (Ignacio Serricchio) was the head of forensic anthropology for the government. After defecting to the United States, he had to restart his career and worked as an intern. While his experience was valuable to the Jeffersonian, his flirtatious behavior caused issues with the staff. He initially tried to charm every woman at the Jeffersonian, which did not make him popular with the audience.

Hodgins (TJ Thyne) made an effort to welcome Rodolfo to the team, allowing viewers to see the homesick yet determined man behind the charming smile. Despite Ignacio Serricchio's status as a heartthrob, it is Rodolfo's humanity in the lab that keeps the audience engaged.

Colin Fisher

Fisher (played by Joel Moore) found the perfect fit for his intellect and fascination with death in the field of forensic anthropology. Despite his time in various mental health facilities, he declared that his work was his sole source of enjoyment. As a result, he had no issues being surrounded by death as one of the interns on the Bones cast.

While everyone else found Brennan's blunt manner off-putting, Fisher appreciated knowing exactly where he stood. His appearances in the lab always provided a refreshing balance to the chaos. When actor Joel David Moore took a hiatus from the show, other interns were introduced, but none could replace Fisher's dark humor. His willingness to continue helping with cases even after completing his internship demonstrated his exceptional teamwork skills.

Daisy Wick

Daisy (Carla Gallo), who initially appeared as the most irritating intern among the Bones cast, gradually transformed into a more complex character. Starting off as an ambitious overachiever, she aspired to emulate her idol, Dr. Brennan. However, it was her involvement with Sweets (John Francis Daley) that allowed her to develop further. Although she still occasionally demonstrated thoughtlessness by prioritizing her career over relationships, her connection with Sweets helped her evolve beyond being a mere Dr. Brennan wannabe.

Following the loss of Sweets in season 10 and the birth of their child, Daisy proclaimed that the Jeffersonian team had become her true family. As she began displaying more typical human interactions and fewer traits of a teacher's pet, she improved as an intern. This growth led Brennan to entrust her with greater responsibilities and increased trust within the lab.

Finn Abernathy

Finn (played by Luke Kleintank) joined the interns of the Bones cast in season 7 under suspicion, as his stepfather's mysterious disappearance led the team to suspect him of foul play. However, as time passed, they grew to appreciate his grounded perspective on life. The audience also grew fond of Finn due to his unwavering honesty. In a candid moment, when Brennan directly asked him if his interest in forensics stemmed from thoughts of killing his abusive stepfather in the past, Finn admitted that it did.

Being the youngest intern, the team took it upon themselves to guide Finn through life without a father figure. They provided advice on how to navigate newfound wealth, as he experienced having a significant amount of money for the first time. Despite only appearing on the show for two seasons, Finn consistently injected a breath of fresh air into the excessively scientific world of the show.

Zack Addy

Brennan’s original assistant, Zack Addy, left a significant void that the other interns had to fill. His brilliance was coupled with a lack of social skills, often causing him to face difficulties with the outside world. Throughout the series, Brennan, Hodgins, and Angela regularly found themselves explaining social situations to him.

Zack's vulnerability and limited knowledge of the real world made him an easy target for the serial killer Gormogon. Manipulated by the criminal, Zack became involved in a murder and was subsequently confined to a mental health facility. Despite this, Zack managed to undermine Gormogon's activities while still assisting in solving cases, due to his exceptional intelligence and seamless integration with the team. The revelation of Zack as Gormogon's accomplice was a major shock to both the audience and the Jeffersonian, prompting the need for a rotation of new interns on the Bones cast.

Arastoo Vaziri

Arastoo (Pej Vahdat) initially adopted an accent when he joined the Jeffersonian, concealing his faith to avoid scrutiny. However, once his true identity was revealed, fans discovered his intriguing complexity. His faith and expertise in forensics were regarded as separate facets of his character, ensuring that his beliefs did not interfere with his work.

Having been labeled a political exile in Iran for expressing his thoughts on love and democracy through poetry, Arastoo's romantic nature became apparent. This was particularly evident when he began a relationship with Cam in Bones. Despite his unwavering dedication to science, his compassionate nature made him an immensely likable and indispensable member of the team at the lab.

Clark Edison

Clark, portrayed by Eugene Byrd, took over as the first intern of the Bones cast after Zack, becoming the litmus test for the success of this rotating intern experiment. Setting himself apart from Zack, Clark prioritized work and showed no interest in the personal lives of his colleagues at the Jeffersonian. Initially, his attempts to remain detached seemed abrupt, but they made sense given that he was the immediate replacement for the previous intern who had been arrested. Nevertheless, he found himself frequently becoming involved despite his efforts to stay disconnected.

Once Clark obtained his doctorate and secured a regular position, he became an equal to Brennan and was treated as such by the rest of the laboratory. In fact, he filled in for Brennan on multiple occasions when she was unavailable. As the head of Historical Anthropology for the Jeffersonian, he worked in a separate division but was always willing to assist with crime scene investigations when necessary.

Wendell Bray

Wendell Bray (Michael Grant Terry) emerges as the standout intern among the Bones cast. While each intern makes their mark, Wendell distinguishes himself by not only excelling in the lab but also by forging deep connections with the team outside of work. He forms a romantic relationship with Angela, shares a close friendship with Hodgins, regards Booth as a role model, and leans on all of them during his battle with cancer. The trust and camaraderie he builds in their personal lives spill over into his work in the lab, where Brennan and Hodgins entrust him with tasks beyond his job description. Wendell's relatable charm, strong work ethic, and grounded perspective make him an invaluable member of the team. Interestingly, it is his diverse range of interests beyond forensic anthropology that ultimately leads him to explore other fields. Encouraged by Brennan, Wendell seeks a profession aligned with his passions but still makes a significant return in the final episodes of Bones to lend a helping hand in solving a case.