Castle - The Complete First Season
Richard Castle is a world-renowned mystery author. His Derrick Storm series has made him an international sensation. The problem is Castle’s just written the final book in the series and he finished the book by killing off his cash cow crime fighter. Castle, in his arrogance, believes he can just write up a new hero and stay on top of his game. The problem is he’s hit the wall and he’s too proud to admit that writer’s block has him beat.
Castle (Nathan Fillion (Slither, Desperate Housewives) is brought in as a consultant when the police discover a killer recreating murder scenes from his books, with real victims. Castle meets Detective Kate Beckett (Quantum of Solace’s Stana Katic.) Beckett is a straight shooter, keeping her eyes on the details of the case and infuriated that Castle can’t focus on anything other than himself. As Castle charms everyone else in the precinct with his antics, Beckett puts up defenses, intent on getting Castle out of her personal and professional life as soon as possible.
Once Castle helps Beckett find the copycat killer, she feels relief, but he feels something else…inspiration. Beckett becomes the model for Castle’s new mystery series; a character named Nikki Heat. As he says, “it’s a cop name.” Beckett’s retort; “it’s a stripper name!” Castle uses his influence with the mayor to sign on as a consultant and to follow Beckett. And thus, a series is born.
Just like other popular police shows, each episode of Castle is an individual investigation. The introductory sequences reveal different victims with a musical tie-in. From there, the police find the body and Castle joins to add his own speculation and “expertise.”
The series’ strength is its ensemble cast. Castle lives with his mother, Martha (Falcon Crest’s Susan Sullivan); an ex-Broadway star who boasts the experience of a lifetime in the industry. His daughter, Alexis (Quinn), is smart, honest and a great counterpoint to his flamboyant nature. Just as Castle is surrounded by women, Beckett is surrounded by her police family of men. Her two underlings are Ryan (General Hospital’s Seamus Dever) and Esposito (Jon Huertas).
The first season introduces each character and carefully unveils specifics in layers, like onions. Viewers are granted a deep dive into Castle, understanding a lot about the author, but still given enough room to learn the many hidden years and adventures of his back story. Beckett’s deep ties to her job are revealed mid-season, and viewers will warm to her as they learn why she does what she does. Sullivan and Quinn are constants, which are absolutely necessary as viewers see more of Castle’s antics. By the end of Season One, fans will have fallen for the chemistry between Castle and Beckett, and will be chomping at the bit to learn more about the two, and how they grow together.
Castle mixes all the normal guy crime fighter aspects of the Rockford Files with the underlying sexual tension of Moonlighting. The series can only go as far as the tension lasts. Castle is well-composed in all aspects; lighting, post-production, casting, and writing. The episodes in Series One constantly improved; a tribute to the writers’ ability to work the “slow reveal” style. If the momentum continues, Series Two should be even better.
The DVD features a number of bonus features. Misdemeanors: Bloopers and Outtakes speaks for itself. Whodunit introduces the cast and how Castle came from other character-rich shows. Castle’s Godfather is a sit-down with legendary mystery writer Stephen J. Cannell, series creators Andrew Marlowe and Rob Bowman.
The relationship that Castle has with his mother and daughter, as well as the relationship that Beckett has with Esposito and Ryan, not to mention the skills of the actors portraying them, is exemplary.
However. Of all the previous Fillion roles - and yes, I get Slither, as it's kind of awesome ("I'm Bill Pardy"). . .how do you you mention Desperate Housewives before Firefly/Serenity?
Really, dude, really?
Oh, and Stephen J. Cannell is still the man.
AJ,
Same reason I always choose the roles to identify a guy with. I never saw a frame of Firefly or Serenity. I'm sure I'm missing out, but I get so little time to watch anything, and I have a queue of indie films to review. Now that I know he was in that series, and my wife is a HUGE Wheadon fan, I'm sure we'll be buying that next.
Though, having a wife who's big into the Buffy/Angel world isn't always bad. She just bought the Dollhouse DVD. Eliza Dushku....mrow!
OK - I've got the Firefly and Serenity Blu-Rays. Catwalk, you and AJ come to my house, bring your significant others, and I'll make a big batch of lasagna and we can all watch Firefly and Serenity together.
And then we can watch Slither and White Noise 2 and Buffy season 7 and Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog! No, I don't have a fixation on Nathan Fillion, why do you ask?
I didn't even know it was still even ON until Nick and AJ mentioned it to me. I'm going to have to DVR this and give it a look. I really like Fillion and his everyman quality, and that Rockford Files description completely got my attention as I LOVED that freakin' show (I'm old enough to remember when it was actually on the NBC schedule!! AAARGH).
I confess I didn't watch the first season - I couldn't bear to watch a Fillion show get canceled (again). But AJ talked me into it and now I'm watching it on Hulu (I don't have cable and can't get reception at my house). It's not "Firefly 2: The Return of Captain Tightpants" but it's clever and fun, and the characters (not just the two leads) have great interaction.
But really, man, I was just giving you shit - I tend to do that, as I abuse sarcasm on a daily basis. I just saw the DH mention and it tickled me so I thought I'd bust on ya for it. To echo Jim, again - you really called it with the Rockford Files thing; that's just so dead on I can't get enough. I mean, yeah, if you REALLY want to get into it - it's a trifle, not a masterpiece on par with The Wire or anything, but: it's SO good at what it does and what it simply wants to be. An entertainment, no more, no less. But that never means you have to sacrifice good character or interesting plotting, either. So, I say once more - I'd pretty sure I'd have given it 5 Skulls too, thought your take on it was dead-on, and would strongly recommend it to anyone I know who likes good TV.
My favorite thing about the show (other than the casting/writing, etc.)
Let me start over. My favorite little easy-to-miss thing is just how brutal the murders are, with soft melodies as each episode opens. The dichotomy is great. Viewers get the soft image of flower pedals or feathers, and then a chick drowned in motor oil or a guy suffocated three weeks ago.
Here's the thing I don't dig. The tension angle between Beckett and Castle is a double-edged sword. Just like Moonlighting, the moment they get together, the show loses a key component to its chemistry. I hope the writers get this, and I'm certain they do.
Cat
Yes, it's "Heat Wave" written by "Richard Castle" and I got it yesterday. Haven't started reading it yet, but by all accounts it's just like an episode of the show, only with mild swearing and a sex scene.
SB,
Catwalk went out and BOUGHT ME all of them ;) So I've seen them, several times. Now he won't let me see Slither...but I'm up for White Noise 2.
And what I love about the show?
He's a beta male with an alpha female and STILL manages to make a powerful impact. The writing is fun, tight and entertaining. I'm not even focused on the murders, but perhaps that's why Castle is enticing SO many romance writers to focus on the show.
Just sayin'
And Fillion gets naked in it. Full frontal!
Oh, that's just the Euro director's cut, though...hmmm....
My White Noise 2 review is there. The movie itself has lots of flaws, but Fillion is VERY good in it. It's a change from his Castle role because he spends most of the time being mopey and sad (with good reason). Worth a rental if you're a fan.