There are a few shows I love so much that I know I’ll watch again, so I buy them through iTunes. And, I’m spoiled — I hate commercials and I love high-quality viewing. CASTLE is one of those shows.
The one draw back is that I usually have to wait an extra day before I can see the show, because its not available for download until it’s aired, meaning once Hawaii gets to see it, it’s available for download. That’s usually between midnight and 2 am.
Because I was finishing revisions for DEAD HEAT Monday night, I didn’t even remember CASTLE was back on until I got the email from Apple that my download was ready π I finished my revisions Tuesday at 5 PM and the first thing I did (after feeding the kids) was sit back and watch it.
WOW. One of the best episodes EVER. I cried. I rarely cry in TV shows. (Disney movies? That’s another story!) It was gripping and emotional and showed the best of ALL characters.
Some shows start strong and every season is equally strong (JUSTIFIED.) Some shows start solid, get better, but some seasons are so-so (NCIS season 10-yuck, BONES season 6-double yuck.) Fortunately, BONES has had a great start to season 9. NCIS? I don’t know; I’m behind in watching. They’ve lost something, and not just Ziva. And some shows start amazing, then slowly fizzle until you wonder why they didn’t quit while they’re ahead. (SUPERNATURAL. Okay, Season 9 has been MUCH better than the last 3 seasons, so I’m hopeful. I still think they should have stuck with Eric Kripke’s five season story arc. But that’s another blog.)
CASTLE is one of those shows that started solid and every season has improved. The only season that I didn’t love as much was Season 4, but it didn’t suck rotten eggs. With Season 6 they have outdone themselves.
So I started thinking about WHY. I’ve been watching the entire series again with my daughter Kelly, who absolutely loves the show. We’re in the middle of season 5 now, so after two viewings, I have a good grasp of what the show delivers.
First, they have a solid team of actors. While the focus is rightfully on Castle and Kate, the writers have given each of the secondary characters depth and a story arc that has shown growth through the series. The first two seasons they didn’t focus as much on the secondary characters, which I had thought was a weakness even with the great leads. But starting in season 3, the writers did some amazing work in integrating stronger story lines for our secondary characters, which make Castle and Kate shine even more. The actors are all top notch — no one is lacking. I love the dynamics between Javier and Kevin, I’ve always loved the relationship between Castle and Alexis and Martha. And writing in the incredibly annoying Pi (from a parent’s perspective!) was very smart, even though he annoys me.
Second, the writers. Yes, the actors are all good, but the writers shine. CASTLE writers are among the best in television today, and I don’t say that lightly. First, they GET writers. I didn’t realize how well they get us until I watched the series again with my daughter and she pointed out all the things that Castle does that I do — some things I didn’t even realize I did. Nathan Fillion pulls it off so well. They have serious episodes and funny episodes, but everything works. And truth be told? Without good writers, the show wouldn’t rock. You need both — actors and writers. But great writers can make actors even better, and CASTLE writers have elevated an already talented cast. (Of course, I’m a bit biased β¦)
Third, they didn’t screw up the romance, like BONES, which took two seasons to recover from their eff-up. Not only did CASTLE get everything RIGHT in the relationship between Rick and Kate, they gave us the pay-off — twice. At the end of season four when they get together, and the end of 5/beginning of season six when he proposes. They’re not boring. They still argue. They still have the sexual attraction, but it’s a better, deeper relationship–like any relationship with time and love. They LIKE each other. And that goes for the entire cast — they mesh so well, that I would be stunned if I found out they didn’t like each other off screen as well.
Fourth, the characters are flawed. They’re not perfect, they make mistakes, they understand their limitations and their strengths. These can both help and hinder them from episode to episode.
My friend Lee Lofland, a former cop who also organizes the Writers Police Academy, has a blog where he highlights the procedural mistakes of CASTLE. There were far worse mistakes in the first couple of seasons. It’s fun to read about them, but honestly? I’m willing to suspend disbelief because the show is that good.
One of my favorite shows was their 100th episode, near the end of Season 5. Familiar? π
And please — it’s a writer’s fantasy. A perpetual ride-along with a hot cop? Of course, my fellow female writers wouldn’t pick Stana Katic. We’d pick someone of the male persuasion. So I got to think about who? Raylan Givens? Nope, I’d be shot and killed in the first episode I was in. Karl Urban in Almost Human? Yes β¦ that would work π But I’d have to compete with a robot. Now if Jeremy Renner or Chris Helmsworth or Benedict Cumberbatch were a detective and wanted a permanent ride-along partner, I’d be the first to volunteer. Of course, I’d have to kill all my competition π
So what do you think? Why do you love CASTLE? Or don’t you? And if you could be on a perpetual ride-along with a hot cop, who would it be?
Allison Brennan is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of nearly three dozen romantic thrillers and mysteries, including the Lucy Kincaid series and the Max Revere series. She lives in Northern California with her husband, five children, and assorted pets.
We love Castle at our house, too. I think we watched 4 different episodes last night.
LOL!
I really need to turn on the DVR & watch it. I fell asleep early Monday night. Guess I won’t do that again. Thank you, Allison. You are truly a writer for the fans!
Yes, definitely record it! I’m sure they’ll replay it as well. It was one of the best episodes they’ve aired.
Love Castle…My aunt got me hooked on it…and I watch reruns now…I did miss some…last nights was awesome…I cried to…love to go on a ride along….hot cop to ride along?
Hmmm…Gerald Butler..he would make a great cop or Matt Bomer..he played a cop in White Collar once early episode…
I love Castle because of the excitement of each case the solving of the case, love all the characters..I love Javier and Kevin.. I’d ride with them any day…
Gerald Butler as a cop β¦ I can totally see that π Matt Bomer, I wouldn’t stop looking at his eyes. Might get myself killed that way β¦
I think my favorite thing about the show that I forgot to include in the blog post was the WRITER vest. OMG, I love it.
I love Castle. That’s one show that doesn’t stay on the DVR all that long before we watch it. The characters are what make me come back week after week. Well, that and the actors!
As for a perpetual ride-along with a hot cop? Yeah, Karl Urban would be my choice. I’ve had a “thing” for him ever since I saw him on “Red.” Or maybe it was “Bourne Identity.” Whatever! He’s a cutie! π
Yes, I’ve loved Karl Urban in everything I’ve seen him in. π
OMG! I cried, too. I was terrified they were going to make it a two-parter and then I was going to be all pissed that I had to wait a week to find out what happened. And I have to admit, they had me fooled on the perp. I admit I was a little distracted at the beginning so may have missed the key clue. Castle is one of my top shows.
NCIS isn’t bad this year. I miss Ziva but the character they’ve brought in to replace her is quirky and interesting and I love how Gibbs in adapting to her rather than forcing her to adapt to the way the team’s always been before. Last night’s episode is a two-parter with a HUGE cliffhanger.
I love Almost Human. The by-play between Kennix and Dorian cracks me up. Oh, yeah. I’ve ridden with long-time cop partners who are just like that.
Okay, who would I pick for a long-term ridealong? I’d have to consider Gibbs, even though he’s not a “cop.” Chief Reagan in Blue Bloods, though he’s not on the street anymore, but…*sigh* He’s mature (like me!) and damn sexy. I wouldn’t mind sitting in the back just to look at and listen to Kennix and Dorian… Decisions, decisions. π
I have NCIS recorded. Ten seasons I bought, but this one I didn’t.
With Castle I was fooled for a really stupid reason. I thought the firefighter that was at both crime scenes was the bad guy because he’s been in a lot of other shows in the past, and often they have the “special guest” be the bad guy. I was wrong! LOL. But it made sense, so it worked.
Love Chief Reagan. π
I thought it was the female arson investigator. I’m trying to figure out who played the fire chief. He’s one of those actors that you know but can’t automatically name. I need to IMDB the episode. π
He was in Body of Interest with Dana Delaney, and I really liked him. Can’t remember his name β¦.
I love Castle, too. It’s my favorite prime time show. If I can’t stay awake to watch it, I make sure it’s DVR’d. I haven’t seen Monday’s yet, but I will make sure and watch it soon. I started watching it from the very first season and haven’t missed a single one. I love when “the guys” come to Castle’s house for a night of poker and share thoughts and ideas. They haven’t done that for a while, but I hope there are more in future. I’d have to give the ride along question some thought…maybe Shemar Moore? I don’t watch enough TV to know who all these guys are. I’m more and A&E and NatGeo person. I did ride alongs when I worked at my PD…nice cops, all of them, but “hot”? Umm…just regular guys.
That’s why we have the fantasy, Laurie β¦ we can pretend π
I love the poker nights. I hope they’ll bring Lisa Gardner in for one of them.
OMG, Lisa Gardner would be a great guest at the Castle poker table. What about you Allison, you’d be great too.
Thank you thank you! But it needs to be a #1 NYT bestselling author like the others he’s had. Lisa fits the bill, plus she’s cute, nice, and talented.
Love Castle! The characters, writing, cases they work everything about the show is good. I cried for the last 20 min of this weeks episode. I was worried about NCIS without Ziva but I like the new girl a lot. This weeks episode was really good. I wouldn’t mind going in a ride along with Ryan & Esposito or Derek Morgan from Criminal Minds.
I saw the episode where she was introduced, but I’m a couple behind. I’ll have to give it a try. I actually liked her character because she’s different and quirky, and I love quirky. What I don’t like is that Tony is reverting. He showed the most character growth. I like the episodes where they let him be a great cop–because he’s a cop at his core–but too much the last two seasons they have him being the brunt of jokes, made fun of, etc.
I don’t watch too many shows on TV but this is absolutely my favorite and the only one I never miss. I have to assume you’ve seen him in Firefly too? Castle replaced NCIS that went to second for me lol. I don’t even have a 3. I too love all the characters but those two are irreplaceable.
I loved, loved, loved FIREFLY and totally blame the network for screwing up that show when they aired it out of order.
I have to watch Castle on demand because my husband does not like it. We watch separate TVs during the day (long story) but at night we watch the same one. I am retired so it is not a big problem. I just love the dynamics and storylines on Castle!
Bad husband! π β¦ my husband and I don’t usually watch TV together, either. He likes what I call the “boring” channels (educational, LOL) and when he watches my shows, he tends to fall asleep. But I also watch TV late at night because of my writing schedule, and he’s an early to bed, early to rise kind of guy.
Castle is a must watch at my house. I’d watch Nathan Fillion read the phone book, but Castle is so much better than that. Great characters, great stories, great relationships between the characters. This weeks episode was just WOW!!
As for a hot cop to ride around with, as someone else mentioned Frank Reagan isn’t technically a cop anymore, but I’ve always had a thing for Tom Selleck. Steve McGarrett (Alex O’Loughlin) would be a good choice. Easy on the eyes and a take no prisoners attitude.
Tom Selleck has aged well. He’s rugged and I love the lines in his face! I’ve had a thing for him since Magnum PI. Loved that show! LOL.
Always a Castle fan–really a Fillion fan as I’ve never missed a show he was in. NCIS was a little to the party but because of a stroke–caught up and Love the cast (yes, the do mess with Tony sometimes) the new girl reminds of Diane Krueger’s character in The Bridge. Ride along? Any of the above named-BUT throw in John Simm or Philip Glenister from BBCA’s ‘Life on Mars’ and I’m there! Also Lucas Bryant and Eric Balfour from SyFy’s ‘Haven’ mmmm.
I love Haven!!!
I have mixed feelings about The Bridge. I watched the first 7-8 episodes, but just didn’t care enough to finish. I still leave the shows (they were cheap on iTunes, so I bought the season.) Do you know if it’s been cancelled? I liked that it was different than other shows out there, and I liked the dynamic between the characters because it wasn’t romantic, but there was no one to really root for. If wasn’t just that everyone was flawed–because I like flaws–so I’m not exactly sure what it is. Maybe I’ll finish watching the season to figure it out.
We just watched the “Rear Window” episode again tonight!
I love Castle because it does exactly what you said {and I love that you also compared it to Bones, who screwed up the romance royally!!} – it gets the romance right! You get to see Castle and Beckett come together and then grow as a couple. The cases keep coming, but you actually care about the lives of the characters – ALL the characters.
All for your ride along character choices, too. Love Karl Urban in “Almost Human.”
I just love that episode. We’re almost at it again while I’m re-watching with my daughter, and I can hardly wait. I don’t think she’s seen Rear Window though β¦ Hmm, might have to see that first.
I’m a certified Castle addict and Lee’s co-Castle blogger. I’ve loved the show since day one. And as you said, it just keeps getting better and better. Andrew Marlowe is a wizard. Thanks for the shout out for the blog!
Hi Melanie! And I am SOOOO glad you’re there to balance Lee out π I love his blogs, but I’m willing to overlook most anything with this show. There are a few things I cringe at because they would have been easy to get right, but other things I can let slid because they only have 42 minutes to keep the pacing of the show.
Castle is my favorite show, ever! I never miss an episode, and often watch the reruns on TNT, even though I own the DVDs. Everything about it works. Nathan Fillion’s face is so expressive. He could remain silent through the whole show and you’d still know what’s going on with him. Brilliant! I love the whole cast. I’m even learning to like Captain Gates a bit more. π
As for the ride-along, I’d chose Steve and Danny from Hawaii Five-O. Those two crack me up. Plus they’re seriously hot.
I agree, Gates took some getting used to — I think it was because they didn’t really flesh out her character when she was first introduced. It’s getting better.
For me it’s the humour. It’s so dry and always tickles my funny bone. You have to watch carefully too — sometimes it’s the quirk of an eyebrowβ¦
As for the ride along, I’ll sign up with Damian Lewis. Yeah. Damian. His intensity jumps off the screen.
Damian Lewis β¦ yep, I agree. I loved him in LIFE. Was SOOOO bummed when they cancelled it. I haven’t seen HOMELAND. I know, I know, I should β¦ I just don’t have time. I downloaded BLACKLIST and have yet to watch it even though everyone tells me I need to see it.
I have loved Castle since it first started and have attempted to get my daughter to watch it, with no luck. To me, it seems as if each character in the show adds a little something to the overall appeal (at least for me) and when “Sarah” was introduced, I cried like a baby. This particular episode goes down as one of those “feel good” ones that you can watch again and again!!
As for a ride along “hot” cop….give me Tom Selleck any day, because he just seems to get sexier!!!
Sarah Grace — we knew as soon as Ryan talked about the names, that they were having a girl π I’m so glad my daughter likes it β¦ and she’s almost caught up to me! π