By The executive producer for Bones has discussed the events of the shocking premiere that aired in the US last night (September 25).
In the episode, Dr Lance Sweets - played by John Francis Daley - was killed while helping with the investigation into the FBI conspiracy.
Stephen Nathan explained that the decision was made after Daley became increasingly busy with other projects.
"It was a complicated and very difficult decision for us," he told TVLine. "John's career as a writer and director has been taking off the past few years, and [this year, he's helming] a remake of National Lampoons' Vacation, which coincided with the start of the season.
"We didn't know what to do. And then we realised that this fit in very well with the conspiracy arc. It gives us something very rich and very emotional to play within the first half of the season.
"Everybody's affected very deeply by this. And it also seemed to be a surprising way to start the season."
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Nathan stated that it was important to pay off Sweet's relationship with Booth (David Boreanaz) and Brennan (Emily Deschanel) in his final moments.
Much love to the cast, crew and fans of "Bones." I grew up with you guys.
ā John Francis Daley (@JohnFDaley) September 26, 2014
"Right up to the end, Sweets was helping the people he loved," he explained. "His last act was to reassure Booth that everything he went through and was going through now would resolve itself.
"It was a final ultimate act of love and kindness. And it continues in next week's episode when we deal with finding out who killed him and also give Sweets a nice farewell."
Nathan also described Daley as an "important and valued member of the family", adding: "It was really painful to lose him."
