It’s Valentine’s weekend - a time to celebrate
love for a spouse, parents, children, siblings, friends, chocolate, and television
shows. Yep! I said TV shows. Many networks will be running marathons this
weekend. While I do enjoy a good Hallmark love fest, the one I’m looking
forward to is a two night premier of new episodes of Castle.
I discovered this show several years after it first premiered. Home sick one day, I came across an all day marathon of the first season: There are two kinds of
folks who sit around thinking about how to kill people: psychopaths and mystery
writers. I’m the kind that pays better. I was hooked.
In case you've never seen an episode and are wondering "Who is Castle? Why should I watch?" here’s the intro for the first
couple of seasons:
If that intro isn’t enough to show you why I’m such
a big fan of this show now in its eighth season, here are five more reasons why
I enjoy the series so much:
1) Nathan Fillion is a writer
who hangs out with other writers. In each episode we are treated to some of his
wild theories on the cases. He focuses not just on the crime, or suspect, but
motives – often injecting the most ridiculous plot ideas including aliens, time
travel, international spies, treasure hunters, vampires, and even paranormal
activity. These are perfect examples of how writers play with stories, trying
new twists, and character introductions in order to find that perfect
combination for a truly memorable tale. The audience is given a high energy,
intelligent, and lovable protagonist. Viewers are also treated to scenes with
real-life writers from time to time. James Patterson, Michael Connely, Dennis
Lehane, and the late Stephen J. Cannell have made appearances at “the writer’s
poker table.” In one episode, Castle calls Wes Craven for advice.
2) Fabulous Femme Fatale – Stana
Katic’s character, Kate Beckett, becomes Castle’s muse for his new series. While
it’s all too easy for mysteries to offer a flat or carbon copy femme fatale,
this show gives us one who is not only beautiful, but smart and strong as well.
Does it necessarily follow that she must bring misery to any man who is with
her? Castle is definitely willing to find out. See video below for an example:
3) Amazing Supporting Characters –
the show focuses an equal amount of time on relationships with family,
partners, and friends. This series offers us some of the most witty and lovable
characters to fill these roles. Castle has a daughter and his mother living with
him. Beckett has two male partners, and female coroner best friend. Whether the
episode gives you a police procedural, psychological thriller, or a twist the
comedy relief and loving support of those secondary characters carries as much
weight as the two leads.
4) Frequent nods to scifi and fantasy fans
– Hat
tips have been offered to shows like Buffy,
X-Files, Star Trek, and Star Wars.
There have also been a few references, and guest appearances, from Firefly (another Nathan Fillion series).
And viewers discover in an episode, The
Final Frontier, that Beckett, Castle, and Alexis are all science fiction nerds
who enjoy Comicons. That one episode alone is FULL of visual, plot, and
dialogue references to the popular genre. For a list of those references go here.
5) Musical references – nearly
every episode has some melodic reference. From the musical opening, to settings
in music competitions, and a full episode such as Swan Song (a behind the scenes documentary style episode) the
series offers many lyrical references. Sometimes characters merely recite a
single line from a song, or briefly refer to a musician’s actions in passing.
Viewers might even miss it in the snappy dialogue if they are not paying close attention. Occasionally, the supporting cast may offer musical numbers (that's right, many of the actors have musical skills). We are left with no doubt that the amazing writers are also music fans
of every genre and age.
If this list isn’t enough abc put together a list of
100 reasons you should watch when they aired the 100th episode. Isn’t
that cake gorgeous? You can find those 100 reasons here.
WILL YOU BE WATCHING?
3 comments:
I have been watching! It's a great show.
I watch Castle too, it's one of the few police shows that has a believable, feisty female lead who doesn't make me gag. This is a well cast show and has even surpassed the Mentalist as entertainment in my mind. I like it!! Initially it intrigued me since he's a writer, and a sexy one at that. . .
Is it really in its eighth season already? I feel so old for having watched the premier episode when it first aired! It's a great show.
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