Bones is one of the most popular crime drama series out there, and it is known for its fantastic characterization as witnessed by several characters such as Brennan, Booth, and the topic of the day, Lance Sweets.
After learning that the character of Lance Sweets won’t be incorporated into the show anymore, fans of Bones, both long-term and those who have yet to catch up with all the seasons, are devastated.
Apparently, Lance Sweets, played by John Francis Daley, was killed off in the season ten premiere “The Conspiracy in the Corpse.” While it was intentional, the reason behind the character’s death is due to the fact that the actor, Daley, wanted to leave the show to pursue filmmaking and screenwriting.
Here’s an in-depth take on why Lance Sweets was killed off in the series and how it will affect the series from here on.
What Happened to Lance Sweets on Bones?
Introduced in the third season, Sweets was an FBI psychologist who helped both Brennan and Booth solve countless cases throughout the seven seasons, as well as adding comic relief to the series.
However, he was killed off abruptly in the tenth season premiere, but the departure was satisfactory to many viewers. After promising Booth that he would watch out for her once she gets out of prison, Bones stumbles on crucial evidence of a case he’s working on.
The evidence unexpectedly puts him at odds with the president of the Shadow Government, Glen Durant, eventually leading to his tragic death at the hands of a Navy Seal named Kenneth Emory.
John Francis Daley’s performance added a whole new level of emotional depth to the scene, but what made it even more tragic was that Sweet was expecting his first child with Daisy during the case.
Why Did John Francis Daley Leave the Show?
While there is no way that he can stay in the story after getting killed off, there is a more substantial reason for the actor’s departure from the series. During his work on the series, Daley reportedly received other opportunities.
He wanted to pursue his career from behind the camera and was chosen to work in National Lampoon’s Vacation franchise, leaving him with no option but to give up on his current project.
His departure was not as easy as he thought it would be, though, as he explained how he felt while leaving the set after the scene in an interview with TV Line. Here are the exact words,
“I had a strong bond with Sweets. I really did feel like I was losing a part of me. I had so much compassion for him. He was such a good person… He had gone through so much, and to see him die in such a grim way was shocking.”
Furthermore, when asked whether he would be willing to jump back into the show after finishing his other opportunities, he said that would be the best thing to happen to him. In his words,
“I walked out of a nearly empty stage and couldn’t say a proper goodbye to people. And as I was walking to my trailer, I sort of realized, “Oh, s–t, this is weird.” And then the tears started coming. It was very cathartic.”
It looks like the character won’t be returning to the series again, as they made it clear that he was killed during the investigation. However, the series made sure to keep his memory alive, with the other characters constantly lamenting over Lance Sweets’ untimely demise.
Even the writers had a hard time letting go of the character and actor who embodied it perfectly. Nonetheless, they had to make the choice at the request of Daley, and they did.
Bones is currently streaming on Hulu.
So, if you haven’t caught up with Bones season 10 yet, you may find this information a bit shocking. What do you think about his decision to leave the series?
Let us know your stance in the comment section below.
Source: TV Line