Castle

bretonlass · Post by **bretonlass** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 12:13 am

Well, I know it's not strictly SF or Fantasy, but...

I thought I'd mention that Nathan Fillion (of Firefly/Serenity fame, if you didn't know already) is back and kicking in a new show named Castle, airing on ABC monday nights.

In a nutshell, Richard "Rick" Castle (Fillion) is an author facing the dreaded white page after killing off the cult detective character of his latest mystery series, and is asked to collaborate with the police to solve a case inspired by some of his more obscure works. In the process, he meets detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic), who becomes his inspiration for a new character. He gets the permission to hang out with the cops (ostensibly to do some on-site study), and there the series launch.

After watching a few episodes, I have to say that it is a thoroughly enjoyable ride. To borrow a term coined by Athena, Rick Castle is quite the snacho, provoking Beckett to no end, yet we see that he's got a heart of gold, as illustrated by his relations with his mom and daughter (they're hilarious, but for entirely different reasons). And Kate Beckett is a very strong character, just pretty enough to make Castle's obvious interest believable, yet also very, very smart and cunning. A fine example of a modern, independent, worldly woman with a sensitive side.

What I especially like about the show is its quick pace (it reminds me of The West Wing in that respect) and its good-natured humour, which a thin veneer on the serious nature of the subject matter. Also, it's got a likeable supporting cast and a no-nonsense 'tude I find refreshing. All in all, I'd recommend you give it a try and see what's what.

And I dearly hope that this show actually stays on for next year. It's too much of a gem.

Cheers,

Eloise

Post by **Windwalker** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:51 pm

Thank you for this review, Eloise! I had heard of the show and was wondering about it, because it got mixed responses -- some accused it of being too similar to Moonlighting. As you point out, Fillion counts as snacho in my books whatever his role and it sounds like the women in it are strong, so based on your opinion I'll watch it!

Network TV has developed this awful habit of dropping shows before they get a chance to attract an audience. Reality "shows" are much cheaper and have proliferated like poisonous fungi. I'm also puzzled that Fillion hasn't landed substantial film roles. He was very good in Serenity, and he has all the attributes of a leading man.

bretonlass · Post by **bretonlass** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 9:22 pm

I'm not a huge TV watcher, so I don't really know much about Moonlighting. I can only judge Castle on its own, and so far it's been good. To tell the truth, I firstly got interested in the show when I saw the previews and went: "Oh! Nathan Fillion! That's got to be something..." Athena, I can only thank you for making me go see Serenity, way back when. Since then I've become quite partial to her Captain... *refrains from utterly fangirlish squee*

Anyhow, I wondered if you got the chance to watch last episode. If so, I'd be curious as to your opinion on the thing. I won't give away anything relevant in terms of plot, but I have to say that one particular sequence took full advantage of Nathan's skills, and got me smiling huge. In it, we see Castle and daughter playing a laser VR game across their flat, in full combat mode (camp humour included). I swear, when they got interrupted, I almost expected Castle to go all Mal Reynolds on us and say: "What's your gorram excuse, then?"

And I really hope that the show's schedule (with Dancing With the Stars as lead-in) is an indication of how serious the network is with that one...

Cheers,

Eloise

Post by **Windwalker** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 12:35 am

I haven't managed to see the show yet, Eloise! I now have to commute one hour each way to work, so I often get back home at 10 or 11 pm, and at that point I'm wiped out. Also, tomorrow I'm going to Greece for two weeks, to see my parents while they're still both here. It's been five years since my last visit.

But I'm primed to see Castle when I get back! As for Serenity, I still think it's one of the best sf movies ever.

Post by **Windwalker** » Wed May 13, 2009 9:23 am

Eloise, I finally succeeded in seeing an episode of Castle, the season finale. As you say, Castle is wry and amiable and Beckett is tough and smart. The major problem that I see is that, in this episode at least, they lacked chemistry. The secondary characters are sturdy, if not particularly original, the show is good-natured and the dialogue is intelligent. If it has a second season, I'll try to see more and form a "global" opinion.

bretonlass · Post by **bretonlass** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 1:25 pm

I agree that the chemistry between Castle and Beckett was a little bit off on that episode. But as it was the season finale, ABC probably wanted to pack the 45 minutes with enough suspense to maintain the watchers' interest through the summer. So perhaps the interaction between the two leads wasn't explored as much as it could have been. And what with the ex-boyfriend being in the hospital, I suppose Beckett's mind was not so much on her wiseass author sidekick...

The upside, though, is that, according to IMDB, the show has been reconducted for next fall. Besides being great news for Nathan and co., it means we'll be able to continue to discuss the show's merits.

Cheers,

Eloise

Post by **Windwalker** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 1:29 pm

bretonlass wrote:The upside, though, is that, according to IMDB, the show has been reconducted for next fall. Besides being great news for Nathan and co., it means we'll be able to continue to discuss the show's merits.

Agreed! Do I detect a growing fondness for Nathan Fillion?? (*laughs*)

bretonlass · Post by **bretonlass** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 1:42 pm

Windwalker wrote:Do I detect a growing fondness for Nathan Fillion?? (*laughs*)

Well, as a famous scoundrel would have said: "Who, me?!"

Cheers,

Eloise

Post by **Windwalker** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 11:21 pm

Eloise, I caught the Castle pilot rerun. I liked it better than the season finale. Fillion is his roguish lovable self and Katic is strong (I love her two hovering male subordinates). Castle's three women are fun, too -- sort of like the archetypal Maiden/Mother/Crone trinity (*laughs*). I still think the sparks don't fly between him and Katic and it is modeled after Moonlighting. But I'm curious enough to watch more, if I happen to be at home at the right time!

bretonlass · Post by **bretonlass** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 4:13 pm

Just a friendly reminder...

Castle's season premiere airs on next monday, Sept. 21 at 10PM on the usual channel, that is ABC.

As last year, it's straight after the ever-popular Dancing With The Stars. I can but hope it's a sign that the studio's firmly behind the series, and that it's here to stay. All well and good for Nathan, I say.

Oh, and for those living in the US, you can catch up on previous episodes via streaming video on ABC's website.

Cheers,

Eloise

Post by **Windwalker** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 2:53 pm

Thank you for the heads up, Eloise! I'll make a point of following the series this fall.

bretonlass · Post by **bretonlass** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 11:59 am

Just a wee update...

There has been some good news for Castle, as ABC has picked it up for a full season. That means nine more episodes of Nathan Fillion goodness, which is altogether great.

I also have it on rather good authority that this week's episode (that is, running tomorrow), about Halloween and its sundry traditions, features Nathan pulling a Cap'n Reynolds on us, complete with browncoat and suspenders. Just so you'd leave the 'verse well enough alone for one hour and catch this wave...

Cheers,

Eloise

Post by **Windwalker** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 12:30 pm

I saw the trailer -- they reference not only Firefly and Buffy, but also Underworld (the Vampire/Lycan feud). I think tomorrow will be a short day at the lab! *smile*

bretonlass · Post by **bretonlass** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 12:10 am

Ai yah...

The openin' sequence was all sorts of awesome. 'Twas bang-up shiny, and that's bein' full truthsome. Gorramit, but I miss my Mal somethin' fierce, and I'm wishin' they might conjure that puttin' forward scratch to finance another wave could just be peachy.

*sighs*

Other than that, well, the show was in its usual form. And Nathan... he must have entirely too much fun, that one.

Cheers,

Eloise

PS: Is that me or did Alexis' green party disguise reference Gaila in Star Trek?

Post by **Windwalker** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 1:36 am

I only managed to see the last 10 minutes! Which means I missed all the best parts *grumble* I'll just have to pounce on the reruns... that means next spring.

But you're right -- I so wish they had given Firefly the chance it deserved. Fillion was made to play Mal.