Replacement(s) for Zack

[ThyneAlone]

Maybe all the Twitter people need to send a message?

[Jude40]

That's a very good idea Steph, certainly can't hurt I did say on my tweets that we had been discussing it here and the consensus was could it not be something to 'have fun with' and I said to TJ to check the discussion out if he wanted more info although I know he tends to stick to the chatbox.

But I reckon that a few additional tweets particularly to HH would be good.

Jude x

[btdart]

Do any of you honestly think that HH would write anything not appropriate about Bypolar Disorder after spending 3 years working with Eric, supporting him while he suffered so terribly with this disorder? Please have a clue people. It Is not a coincedence that Hart mentioned writing about a squint having BD the same week that Eric opened up in two amazing You tube interviews about what the last fews years have been like for him.

[brooke34]

btdart, you're entitled to your opinion, of course, and if you believe that HH will write this story in a sensitive and educated manner, then I think everyone would agree you're within your rights to say so. I haven't been here as long as some, but one thing I've learned is that this board houses a variety of opinions on a lot of different topics, and generally everybody's respectful.

However, I must say I think it's more than a little disrespectful, if you've read this entire thread so far, to say to those who have told their own personal, painful stories to "have a clue, people." You believe that HH, if he goes ahead with this storyline, will handle it well and sensitively, and he might, given his kind support of EM during what was apparently a painful and difficult time. But some here are not so hopeful, and they don't want to see a storyline that could potentially enlighten and educate treated as comic relief, given that they've gone through it in their own lives.

Hillarie

[JennyLea]

btdart, I'm not saying that Hart Hanson will treat this disrespectfully. His working with EM would have given him some more insight into this. The concern arises from all of the Squinterns to this point being viewed as comic relief with each of their own identifying idiosyncrasies. Brennan as a character has been regressing in her compassion unless Booth is involved.

Please don't disrespect my valid concern. It is very disrespectful. I love watching "Bones" and for the most part have few issues with what is happening.

Incidentally, Hart Hanson has responded to my Tweet. Here is his response.

HartHanson I am fairly well acquainted with bipolar disorder and wouldn't dream of treating it without respect, compassion, humour. @JennyLea1982about 2 hours ago from web

HartHansonYikes! Mental illness isn't "fun". The potential for insights, character reveal and drama is writerly fun.Fertile.Good Lord! @JennyLea1982about 1 hour ago from web

This makes me feel infinitely better about the whole situation. i also have faith that my concern has been acknowledged and hope he reads my story.

There are many forms to bipolar disorder so there are many ways to cope and deal with it. I have every faith that it would be treated appropriately especially because of EM's ordeal, but because of my own experiences I do still have concerns.

Coincidentally, it was Eric's courage coming out and telling us about his ordeal that gave me the courage to tell my own very painful story. He is an inspiration and I greatly admire him for it.

[Jude40]

Hi all

Its seems like good news over this with HH's views, I've just read his comments on Twitter Jenny and I think we are all going to have to take him at his word and see how it works out.

I think its good that we expressed our opinions and it can never hurt for those with the power to know how the viewers feel. Btw btdart that is all we were saying and none of this thread was ever in any way intended to be disrespectful to HH and the makers of 'Bones'.

Personally speaking I absolutely love the programme, I wouldn't be taking part in these discussions if I didn't. That doesn't mean however, that I love everything they ever do with the programme and I am pretty sure that as a creative person HH would be glad that people feel strongly about the programme and display passion in disussing it.

All just my opinion of course and the more opinions the better on these forums, makes the discussions more interesting.

Anyway catch you later

Jude x

[ThyneAlone]

Thanks for that, Jude, that's a really good summing-up; I feel this is being sorted out to an extent now. I am really glad people decided to send the tweets (and I am sure they were anxious tweets, not hostile ones, btdart!) and that Hart Hanson was concerned enough to give a reply and clarify.

Just a quick summary of why, as a viewer, I think this has aroused alarm.

The chief problem, pretty much as usual, I have to say, is that HH has said what he wanted to say in a rather ambivalent manner. Sometimes he does open his mouth and put his foot in it. It is his casual word 'fun' that has so misled both our members here and many others in similar communities. That and the fact that interns have almost invariably been used as comic relief. No-one would deny HH's compassion towards Eric, but an individual relationship does not necessarily give an insight into the entire range of this particular mental condition; one would hope that he will now research this in detail in order to portray it in a rounded manner.

He is also quoted specifically referring to Brennan's reaction, saying she would consider it 'irrational' behaviour. The trouble here is that, increasingly, the occasions on which Brennan rates something as irrational have been utilised as mild, and more recently somewhat clumsy, humour, so I can certainly understand people taking that the wrong way too. Especially as it implies that the whole emphasis is on that reaction; since S1 we have seen the show's writing become less subtle and more BB-centric. Will it be a real picture if it is seen mainly through the eyes of an individual who has a pretty idiosyncratic view of the world?

And finally, sadly, the fact is that as far as I can gather, as a consequence of the ruckus about the S4 finale, many people are putting everything that Hart says under a huge microscope because they don't trust him.

These are the roots of the worries expressed very movingly here. Actually I think you have a perfectly reasonable point, btdart; it's always good to be reminded of the other side of the coin. To be fair, though, it was decided we should contact Hart about this for reassurance, rather than condemning him out of hand. Now that this reassurance has been received, now we know HH is talking about a writing challenge rather than a source of amusement, I imagine we will look forward with somewhat greater confidence to a 'meatier' arc than we had perhaps expected.

[JennyLea]

Finally I would like the thank HH for addressing my concerns. He took the time to read my story and understand my fears. I believe that he is a great writer. I loved my Grandfather dearly and didn't understand why everyone thought him a monster.

Here are the final two tweets from HH. With these tweets I feel that this matter can be put to rest.

HartHanson@JennyLea1982 Anyone who has been exposed to bipolar would react the same way! Good for you. I just want to assure anyone of my concern.

HartHanson@JennyLea1982 I read your story. I hope that if I decide to push forward with this story idea, that I do it in a way that makes you proud.

[ThyneAlone]

Good for you Mr Hanson, you have risen a couple of degrees in my estimation.

I'd like to thank all the people who have contributed so thoughtfully and sincerely to this discussion, and made HH aware of some fears which may from his perspective have been unfounded, but which were nonetheless valid. Also a big thank you to him for relieving our concerns in a sensitive manner.

[MariaDiaper]

It still annoys me that they haven't chosen a full time assistant, because it makes the episodes where the grads are trying to impress Brennan so much really awkward to watch.

On the other hand, I quite like having the variety, as this means our darling Zack is never truly replaced.

[Sculder1013]

I like all the Squinterns really apart from Daisy... not sure what it is about her I just find her really annoying haha! Fisher can also be a bit annoying sometimes but I think although they are all great at their jobs, none of them could ever replace Zack. Zack was awesome... and I really wish he would come back for more episodes.

[MariaDiaper]

Oh Daisy, she's horrible! Ugh!

Sorry for my bluntness, I just really don't like her.

[stargazer]

I'm hoping that maybe the writers will find it in their hearts to bring back Zack for just one episode in the possible last season, just to appease us fans. It would be so awesome!!

[Sculder1013]

I'm hoping that maybe the writers will find it in their hearts to bring back Zack for just one episode in the possible last season, just to appease us fans. It would be so awesome!!

Fully agreed. Even if its just to see Zack and Hodgins together one last time. aaaw that would be awesome!

[MariaDiaper]

I suppose it's all down to Eric, and whether his illness gets in the way again. Poor guy.

[Sculder1013]

I suppose it's all down to Eric, and whether his illness gets in the way again. Poor guy.

aaw no... I didnt know anything about this. What's up with Eric?

[ThyneAlone]

As mentioned elsewhere, he has bipolar disorder. Like a surprising number of figures in the public eye, including our own Stephen Fry, who has made no 'Bones' about it (!) and even did a documentary about the condition. Mental illness is very difficult to live with, as sufferers seem to look & act perfectly normally most of the time, even when having a nightmare existence; and of course when this disorder is rapid-cycling, as I believe Eric's is, the ups and downs are quick and extreme. I do know people who suffer in this way and it's horrible. I think Eric made it public some years ago.

[MariaDiaper]

As someone who has some fairly close experience with bipolar, I can say it is horrible, both for the person and for others around them. So even though I would love Zack to come back for just one episode, I can totally understand all the stuff that could go along with it. I totally respect and admire Eric for coping so far into the series before he realised it was getting out of hand.

[Sculder1013]

aaw no way I didnt realize that. Poor guy.

Yeah it would be great to have him back but not at the risk of his health.