Nerds That Geek Miniseries Review: ‘Bag of Bones’

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

One unfortunate constant in life, is that at some point or another, we are all going to have to deal with the loss of a loved one and the trauma that comes with that. Which is something that is so powerful and so unique, that no one is ever really prepared to handle that unfortunate moment and the fallout that comes with it. Which is why I firmly believe, that we see so many stories out there that revolve around this life changing event, so that others can find strength and guidance when they too, have to face the prospect of saying goodbye. 
 
But while it is wonderful to know that we can find a story that chronicles this journey with relative ease, the true task is finding a story about trauma and loss that properly examines this experience in a raw and honest manner. For film and novels do have a tendency to gloss over the details of how hard this experience can truly be, in order to keep the entertainment factor at the forefront of the story. But there are stories out there that hold nothing back when it comes to the horrors of losing a loved one and recently, I had the opportunity to revisit a horror miniseries that dove into this matter in supremely rough and unique fashion in Bag of Bones.
 
Now in this particular miniseries, originally released in 2011 and based off of Stephen King’s novel of the same name, we are introduced to a writer named Mike Noonan and Mike, is living the good life. For his books are extremely successful and he has a loving wife named Jo, who is genuinely his muse and it seems that nothing can bring Mike down from the great life he is living. But life’s unfortunate surprises changes that for Mike one day when his beloved Jo is killed in a car accident, an act that robs Mike of his gift with words and sends him into a tailspin of depression. But to complicate matters further, some unsettling discoveries about Jo’s life before she died leaves Mike wondering if she was as faithful and devoted to the marriage as he was, prompting him to head to their lake house to search for answers on the matter. But what Mike will uncover when he arrives there, will change his life in ways he never thought possible. 

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​So, I made mention of the fact that this miniseries dives deep into the power of loss and trauma and I wasn’t kidding when I said that. Because this story really does provide the audience with a powerful look at the downward spiral that we all experience when a loved one departs from this earth and honestly, I applaud that. Because it makes Mike Noonan supremely relatable when all is said and done because let’s not mince words here; few of us understand the life and times of a best-selling writer. But what we can understand, are those moments where nothing matters because someone, we cared dearly for is gone, or the nightmares that plague us in those first tender weeks after they’ve passed and I really appreciated the fact that the story went there in bold fashion because it certainly evokes a response in the viewer.
 
Yet while this is all fascinating and powerful to watch in its own right this is a Stephen King themed horror story, and what makes this tale so unique is the sheer fact that it uses a ghost story to express the fact that whether we like it or not, we have to make peace with what we’ve lost or it will forever plague us. Which the ghost portion of that, is an unexpected surprise to find in this story since it really seems as though this was going to be about Mike and only Mike. But that theme also fits in line with what the story is trying to accomplish, and honestly, how it is explored is quite compelling. For there really is a grandiose mystery to be found in this story and it unravels nicely for the audience and for our characters too, and it does in essence promote healing and closure, which brings this story to a satisfying conclusion.
 
As an added bonus, there’s also a stellar cast featured here as well, since horror veterans Matt Frewer and Annabeth Gish appear as Sid Noonan and Jo respectively and of course, you really cannot go wrong with the star of this saga; Pierce Brosnan, who plays Mike Noonan. Because Pierce in essence steals the show by providing us with a subdued and powerful performance of a writer at the end of his rope because of the hard times he’s going through and really, all of the elements make this miniseries a true treat to watch. For this one really does move you and it features something for everyone and I honestly wish King would do more stories in this vein, simply because this really is a special story and it would be incredible to see what this gifted writer could do with more down to earth tales. But for now, this will do. For everything works in this particular tale and this is one that will stay with you for some time thanks to its frank presentation of how others handle something all of us must face.  

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