Oh, it’s been a long summer.  How I missed my Bones.  I fought a duel for the television to see this premiere: you can’t doubt my dedication.

And we begin in England!  Our dear Dr. Brennan is giving a speech in Oxford University to a group of highly interested students, an extremely attractive British man stands behind her, and Booth snores in the background.

In any case, there’s a bit of a tense moment addressing the departure of Zack during the speech, and it’s clear from the later conversation between Booth and Brennan that there’s still some tension regarding that issue.  No matter, as the aforementioned British man comes to the forefront.  My attention, formerly at strict uni-Boothal, switches with the speed of an Olympic runner.  Why, hello to you too, Dr. Wexler.  No, the pleasure is all mine, really.  He seems to be more interested in Brennan than me, however, and they flirt lightly while Booth stands just out of hearing range.  Booth, my dear, it would appear you have some competition.

Dr. Wexler is Brennan’s across the pond counterpart, one of the top forensic anthropologists in England.  He takes Brennan and Booth to a crime scene involving a submerged SUV and (surprise) a skeleton.  A bit of morbid humor between Brennan and Wexler follows (Is the skeleton female or a transvestite?) and then we meet Wexler’s partner, Pritchard.  There’s an obvious parallel between B/B and these two; I’m still annoyed with Brennan’s flirting with Wexler and Booth’s with Pritchard.  No, no, no!

And that, folks, was the teaser.  Don’t you just love this show?  New credits, by the way… Very nice.  Sweets now warrants the full name, but Zack is gone.  How very depressing.

And cut to the lab!  Our squints are still stuck back in the colonies, but they’re having their own relationship issues.  Angela’s husband Grayson makes an appearance – a very good one, if Cam and Company’s reaction is any measure.  There’s a quick kiss hello between Angela and Grayson, short enough to prevent my heart attack, but long enough to not be entirely innocent. Her request for a divorce soothes my soul.  Hey, I have to root for all my couples, here.

The episode progresses with the usual– we find out a convoluted plotline involving sex, foul play, and royals.  Ok, maybe not so typical.  The difference lies in the abundance of American/British jokes – I’ll hold the image of Booth cursing out the (left lane driving) streets in my heart forever.