Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion) is a best-selling crime novelist. He is good-looking, fun-loving and having a blast. He has tons of fans, a teenage daughter so responsible that would make any parent jealous, a colorful/ex-actress of a mother and yeah, a lot of money. His one problem though, he is late delivering his final manuscript and his ex wife/publisher is doing his head in.
NYPD Detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) is a fan of the genre and Richard’s books. One very carefully arranged&decorated crime scene makes her realize that the killer is a copycat and she has to look for answers in Richard’s books. However, she is less than amused when she meets him in person. He is smart but a real wiseass who talks and flirts too much. He is also actually proud and happy that he has a copycat- something he can brag about at the poker games he plays with other best-selling authors. So Richard is more than happy to assist with the case. He gets to go to real crime scenes, disobey Kate’s orders, steal evidence (to help solve the case, but still…)….
When they solve their first case together, Kate can’t wait to get rid of Richard. However, Richard has other plans. He has decided on the protagonist of his new novel: A tough but hot female detective called Nikki Heat, based on none other than Kate. Moreover, he has also persuaded her captain that he should be allowed to hang out at the police station, follow her around and help solve the cases. Kate’s objections are of no use, because well… Richard has the mayor on speed dial, is friends with the judges and he knows what he is talking about.
So we have a half-mandatory/half-willing partnership with lots of intriguing murder cases, witty one-liners, funny events, some emotional moments and real chemistry between the two leads. Richard’s smug and flirting attitude is well-balanced with him being a loving father. This makes a show very entertaining to watch. Castle is engaging, thrilling and funny.
You were probably familiar with Nathan Fillion before. I first watched him in Two Guys and a Girl (with Ryan Reynolds), co-starring as the Girl’s boyfriend (and then husband)- Johnny Donnelly. He later had the leading role on the short-lived but critically acclaimed sci-fi/thriller TV show Firefly, created by Joss Whedon (creator of Buffy The Vampire Slayer). He guest-appeared on Buffy as one of the villains. He got to play his role in Firefly again when Joss Whedon made a movie out of the series, called Serenity. He has also appeared on Dracula 2000, starring Gerard Butler. It is always fun to watch Nathan on the screen – his performances are never strained or boring and you can always feel that the guy is really enjoying what he does, no matter what the role.
This is the first time I saw Stana Katic but I have to admit she does a really good job as Kate. Sure, her role is in the danger of being a little-clichéd- considering that she is the pretty, rule-obeying, smart, savvy yet emotionally preserved female character but the originality of the script, her fun cop friends and the presence of the character Richard, makes her character fun and easily watchable. I also love Castle’s scenes with his daughter- brainstorming on the murder cases with her. He is also one ” strange” parent that thinks her daughter should party more…
A show where I enjoy every minute of every episode. Strongly recommended- for everyone, especially so if you are into the crime/mystery genre attached to lovely comic relief.
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Why Every Writer Should Watch Castle
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Castle on Amazon
Season 1
Season 2