Does Castle get better?

[Starkers]

No spoilers please

Castle has only recently begun to air in the UK, and so far I've only seen the first three episodes. I find it diverting, if a bit generic, it's main strength so far is the casting, especially Nathan Fillion who's always good value. That said I find I enjoy the Mentalist much more in the vein of smug smart arse assists straight laced cops!

Castle seems to have a lot of fans though, so I was wondering if it grows beyond it's rather thin premise?

Perhaps I'm expecting too much after just a few episodes but there was a lot of hype!

 

[Roger Wilco]

Castle seems to have a lot of fans though, so I was wondering if it grows beyond it's rather thin premise?

Not really imo, but I think it's harmless, mindless fun. I thought the premise was ridiculous from the start and it hasn't got any more logical imo, but it's entertaining.

 

[Starkers]

Oh I definitely like it, I just thought it might become more than it has, and the premise is a bit ridiculous. I think I assumed that the killer basing their crimes on his books would be a reccuring theme. His reason for sticking around seems incredily thin, and surely at some point even the mayor will become annoyed that he's been following her around for 5 years without writing a single book

 

[Roger Wilco]

Well. [really tiny spoiler]

Spoiler: .

He does write a new book eventually.

 

[Starkers]

Well that's not so bad then

 

[Christopher]

^In fact, the book Castle "wrote," Heat Wave, is available in the real world -- a tie-in novel written as if it were the book Castle wrote in the show. And the show has referenced things that are actually in the published novel. It's a clever cross-promotion.


Does Castle grow beyond its premise? No, but it grows into it. It develops it pretty effectively. It's a show anchored by the characters and their relationships, and by the quirkiest, most convoluted mystery stories on television, some of which are weak (they sometimes rely on the cops overlooking the obvious clues and suspects for most of the hour), others of which are very effective.

 

[Kirkman1987]

Castle is just simple fun.

I like it because it doesn't take itself as seriously as a lot of the cop shows on television right now. The show also rides Fillion's charisma. I'm not sure the show could even work without him.

 

[1001001]

I agree with what's been posted already.

I've watched since the beginning, and Castle is best described as Light and Fun. The mysteries are just an excuse for Castle and Beckett to banter and flirt.

The relationship with his daughter is pretty nicely done, with some touching moments. And I just think Fillion is a guy you want to like. He is a natural.

If you accept it for what it is, Castle is very entertaining.

 

[iguana_tonante]

Does Castle grow beyond its premise? No, but it grows into it. It develops it pretty effectively. It's a show anchored by the characters and their relationships

This. The actors are really the shining part of the show, even with Fillion's hammy performance (which I love, but I understand it may not be everybody's cup of tea).

Fillion and Stana Katic have a great chemistry together, and their constant banter is very entertaining. The creators never made the mistake of making Detective Becket the butt of every Castle's joke: it's a two-way poking, and it's much more satisfying this way.

The rest of the cast is great too. Castle's mother is the best.

 

[Neroon]

Being a dad myself, I tend to enjoy watching Castle's relationship with his daughter, Alexis. She's smart and pretty but not perfect. She's also not the typical smartmouth brat we so often see in the televised portrayals of teenagers. In some ways Castle is the younger, less mature person... but in the end he is still the Dad, and she knows & accepts that.

Really, most folks have already said this, that it's the relationships between the characters and the palpable chemistry the actors have. It works so well, that the writers have extended that all the way into the more secondary characters - Castle's mother (Susan Sullivan still looking good and always a hoot), Esposito and Ryan - the detectives who work with Beckett. It's an enviable group.

 

[Starkers]

Thanks for all the responses. I was planning to keep watching anyway but its nice to know it does have a lot of fans. ^I agree with the point about the daughter. She does seem more mature than Castle, but then Castle seems more mature than his mum so I guess it makes sense!

 

[Greg Cox]

To go along with what everyone else has already said, CASTLE is by no means cutting-edge tv. But it's cute and charming and good comfort food at the end of a long Monday . . . .

The book was fun, too.

 

[Neroon]

To go along with what everyone else has already said, CASTLE is by no means cutting-edge tv. But it's cute and charming and good comfort food at the end of a long Monday . . . .

Succinct and well-put. The stories are not deep and challenging at all, but they are enjoyable because of the characters involved.

The book was fun, too.

I've been wondering how that was. It may have to go on my list....

 

[Christopher]

The creators never made the mistake of making Detective Becket the butt of every Castle's joke: it's a two-way poking, and it's much more satisfying this way.

By the same token, it's an equal crimesolving partnership as well. It's not just the brilliant mystery writer solving all the cases while the cops are clueless; Castle learns as much from Beckett as she learns from him, and they both get to make the breakthroughs. Really, calling it just Castle is misleading. It should be Castle & Beckett.

Being a dad myself, I tend to enjoy watching Castle's relationship with his daughter, Alexis. She's smart and pretty but not perfect.

Alexis... not perfect? Bite your tongue!

 

[Kirby]

If you're looking for a hard boiled police drama, go somewhere else, this show is just a lot of fun.
Typically when a show portrays the main character in both the work and family environment, I usually end up hating one or the other, but Castle does such a great job of balancing both, I love it all.

I'm glad to hear the book is a fun read. I will definately pick that up.

 

[WillsBabe]

I've only seen the first episode so far. Maybe my sig will clue you in to what I thought.

 

[Christopher]

^Keep with it. It's worth it. I was lukewarm after the first episode or two, but it's become one of my favorite shows.

 

[Buck Bokai]

Castle is the only show (besides Lost) that I make a point to watch as it airs or as soon after as possible. And I've found it one that I will sit and watch reruns of as well, because is just is that fun.

 

[IcecreamLtDan]

The book reads like one of the episodes, just fluffed out more since it's a book and not a script. It's also like the show from the stand point that it's not real deep or thought provoking, but that's not a bad thing for it. Much like the show, it's the interaction of the characters that keeps it moving and the way it's integrated with the show itself is very clever and when the little hints about it in the show happens it never fails to bring a smile to my face.

 

[AJBryant]

Being a dad myself, I tend to enjoy watching Castle's relationship with his daughter, Alexis. She's smart and pretty but not perfect.

Alexis... not perfect? Bite your tongue!

Indeed. She *almost* makes me want to be 17 again.

ALMOST.

Ah, hell.

Okay, I'd take the hit. Yeah.