For 12 seasons, the Fox series Bones followed a successful procedural formula. The will-they-won’t-they relationship between its lead characters, played by Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz, sat alongside investigations that used human remains and bones to uncover what had happened. Although Bones became a hit, its spin-off did not achieve the same success.

In the sixth season of Bones, viewers met Geoff Stults‘s Walter Sherman in an unusual backdoor pilot titled “The Finder.” The character inspired the spin-off The Finder, which premiered on January 12, 2012. Like many television series, it was canceled after one season, leaving little time to establish its place with viewers.

What Can You Expect from ‘The Finder’?

The Finder is a crime procedural about Walter Sherman (Geoff Stults), a Bones character known for finding anything, from highly significant objects to everyday items such as a pair of socks. Walter’s ability developed after he sustained brain damage while serving in the Army in Iraq, which also made him deeply suspicious of the people and world around him. The brain damage is also connected to Walter’s persistent urge to find missing things, which earns him the nickname “The Finder.”

Walter is supported by Leo Knox (Michael Clarke Duncan), a former lawyer who owns a local bar and serves as Walter’s manager and, at times, bodyguard. Walter lives in the Florida Keys and relies on Willa Monday (Maddie Hasson), a rebellious teenager who becomes his assistant. The unlikely team handles cases involving missing people, stolen valuables and unexplained disappearances.

Why Does ‘The Finder’ Deserve Another Chance?

Fans of Bones may have welcomed the news of a spin-off, but The Finder never matched the parent series’ success. The series faced scheduling obstacles from the start: after initially being scheduled for Thursday nights, it moved to Fridays and aired episodes out of order. Its mid-season premiere also put it at a disadvantage, since returning shows were already well into their seasons and The Finder had to find an audience outside the usual fall launch period.

Although critics were not especially enthusiastic, The Finder received a warm response from viewers, but not enough to secure another season. The series has an 82% Popcornmeter score on Rotten Tomatoes, where reviews described it as “entertaining and fun.” One viewer called it a “Good, lighthearted, fun show” with a “Talented and engaging cast,” adding that each episode made them want to watch another and wonder what Walter would be asked to find next. The Finder was also among Michael Clarke Duncan’s last credits before his death on September 3, 2012. Duncan died four months after the series ended.

Although The Finder did not match the audience or success of Bones or the comparable procedural Tracker, it offers a different take on the crime-of-the-week format. The series combines an unusual lead character, a supporting ensemble and cases built around puzzling discoveries, making it a light procedural for viewers looking for a weekend watch.