tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post1838890189571864842..comments2024-03-25T19:18:14.047-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: Castle, "The Fifth Bullet": Face doesn't ring a bellAlan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-28426127544442196012009-12-10T22:14:34.678-05:002009-12-10T22:14:34.678-05:00I was surprised to see a "Castle" post, ...I was surprised to see a "Castle" post, because it doesn't really seem like the kind of show you'd review, Alan, even if you loved it. As you say, procedurals don't give you much to sink your critical teeth into on a weekly basis.<br /><br />I don't completely understand the "Bones" comparisons that are getting made, because I've watched that show a couple of times and been left completely cold by it. I've said it's because it's so awkwardly written, but I could say the same about "Castle"--the writing is often sloppy, both in plotting and in getting the NY details right (I cringed when Castle once referred to a "4th storey walkup" instead of a "4th floor walkup"). But basically, Boreanaz doesn't do a thing for me, while Fillion just charms the pants off me. So I would watch anything with him.<br /><br />Stana Katic has improved exponentially from the first season. Beckett is much more playful now than her original, boring character. So it's nice to watch the interplay between Beckett and Castle.<br /><br />I also really like the daughter, although the mother is a bit of an embarrassing cliche.<br /><br />They also need to round out Ryan and Esposito some more (at least as much as "The Mentalist" has with Rigsby, Van Pelt, and Cho [who is my favorite after the star himself]). They've gotten a tiny bit better--the first season, I never even knew their names--but they're still too generic.<br /><br />But any show that brings back Riley Finn--er, Marc Blucas, will forever be in my good graces. And Fillion and Blucas together? That's early Christmas, that's what that is.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01288100796201737845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-3157091884297623452009-12-09T23:45:50.725-05:002009-12-09T23:45:50.725-05:00@ Matt:
Thanks for the link to the scripts on the...@ <b>Matt</b>:<br /><br />Thanks for the link to the scripts on the internet. I love reading the scripts and comparing them to what I see on the screen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-49598797997829263192009-12-09T18:21:18.271-05:002009-12-09T18:21:18.271-05:00I think Castle gets dismissed as fluff or a Nathan...I think Castle gets dismissed as fluff or a Nathan Fillion vehicle but I think it's got more strengths than that.<br /><br />The writing is solid and knows how to play both to the humorous and the mystery.<br /><br />The supporting cast is pitch perfect, there's not a badly cast member among them. Beckett is surrounded by men who appreciate her as a capable detective, Castle is surrounded by women who bring out his deeper side. I've read comments that the sexiest thing about Castle is his relationships with his daughter and mother and I agree. This is a guy who immediately morphs from air guitar playing clown to solid daddy when his daughter needs him. With the plethora of self-centered man-children on TV today, this is a welcome change.<br /><br />The writing for the relationship of Castle and Beckett is very well done. You don't just see two people who are attracted to each other, you see how they learn to appreciate each other and are falling in love. If any show can break the Moonlighting curse, this is the one.<br />The pop culture references are a lot of fun to work out (and leave House in the dust). If I want intellectual challenge, I'll watch PBS or go to a Tom Stoppard play. If I want something I know I'll enjoy, I'll watch Castle or NCIS.<br /><br />I see it as a sleeper series like NCIS, not noticed by the critics because it's not edgy or off the wall, but appreciated by fans who just want some dependable entertainment after a hard day. <br /><br />I find Castle is much better written than White Collar which has a habit of stealing what Castle did earlier and doing it less well. More fun and more subtle than Bones (Fox has a tendency to carry out relationship teases till they go bad or ridiculous) and I don't have to bang my head against the wall at the stupidity of the plots as I do with House, The Good Wife or The Mentalist, or cringe as I do with Cougar Town.<br /><br />Basically, it's my favourite new show.Ariadnenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-78734822919585199792009-12-09T18:15:00.116-05:002009-12-09T18:15:00.116-05:00It's become one of my favorites. It started wi...It's become one of my favorites. It started with just enjoying Fillion, but it's progressed. I think the writers do a nice job creating Life/Pushing Daisies-esque crime scenes, relying on some beautiful imagery to enhance the funny dialogue and sometimes easy mysteries.<br /><br />And, hey, Firefly shoutout!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-50189036672322517682009-12-09T17:06:34.460-05:002009-12-09T17:06:34.460-05:00Castle is s show that just makes me smile.It has g...Castle is s show that just makes me smile.It has great characters and I love Nathan Fillion, he's so enjoyable to watch. I really love the scenes with Martha and the very beautiful and wise Alexis. I don't need to compare it with other shows, it's just an fun hour of television.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-37223533992534117552009-12-09T16:06:37.446-05:002009-12-09T16:06:37.446-05:00It's a fun show. The one thing I would sugges...It's a fun show. The one thing I would suggest is that Castle could focus a little less on the gore, since other than that it's a fun little family mystery show driven by Fillion's charisma and how fun his character is.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-50718839102926022822009-12-09T14:41:59.574-05:002009-12-09T14:41:59.574-05:00@Hannah Lee
There were days of chatter on TWOP ab...@Hannah Lee<br /><br /><i>There were days of chatter on TWOP about the immigrant father in that episode, how he wasn't a stock character and Ivo Nandi's captivating performance in a very small role.</i><br /><br />And he deserved all that chatter given his amazing performance. Those are the kinds of turns that I wish got Emmy nods - as opposed to the Big Name stunt casting for Very Special Episodes - but that's another issue entirely.<br /><br />Getting back to Alan's original question, <i>Castle</i> has consistently great guest actors. Not just for sweeps episodes or Emmy-bait episodes, but <i>every week</i>. They're used to great effect, often playing more nuanced characters than your typical procedural. While the core cast is fantastic and a big draw, I appreciate that the writers take the time to do something with one-off actors, too.kimshumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18005838506598631616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-21921030297582551972009-12-09T12:32:45.703-05:002009-12-09T12:32:45.703-05:00just from your first paragraph it sounds good (I c...just from your first paragraph it sounds good (I checked in cause you don't write about it)<br />but I'm still somwhere early in season 1 (though I plan to get back to it sooner than Medium (i'm in season 2) cause it feels like Spenser (for hire? or just the novels?) with a touch of Captain Hammer thrown in. (or at least, such is my view from ep 1.05)Pamela Jayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06135379188588301400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-37260177008929609262009-12-09T11:55:06.211-05:002009-12-09T11:55:06.211-05:00That episode was about an immigrant from eastern E...<i>That episode was about an immigrant from eastern Europe who worked for a rich NY family. .... Everyone's allowed to be a character, not a representative of a whole group.</i><br /><br />@kimshum, you're right about that.<br /><br />That episode also a great example of the use of strong guest stars to play those complex characters. There were days of chatter on TWOP about the immigrant father in that episode, how he wasn't a stock character and Ivo Nandi's captivating performance in a very small role.Hannah Leenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-14351382734508297832009-12-09T11:12:13.943-05:002009-12-09T11:12:13.943-05:00Count me in as one who loves Castle. As others hav...Count me in as one who loves Castle. As others have said, it is nice to have a light, fun show to watch to balance out shows like Lost and Battlestar Galactica.<br /><br />The main thing I like, though, is that it is really non-stereotypical. Yeah, Beckett does sometimes wear revealing outfits, but it is usually for a purpose. She doesn't go to crime scenes with cleavage showing way far down. Plus there are the three great generations of Castle's family. And they are so accepting of alternative lifestyles rather than treating it as something that is really strange and/or something to be studied.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16684375326753146212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-31620590037850029252009-12-09T11:10:35.464-05:002009-12-09T11:10:35.464-05:00I love watching the joy Fillion seems to have on t...I love watching the joy Fillion seems to have on this show. The supporting cast is fabulous as well. I agree that the cases are weak, but the two pluses above override that. <br /><br />I've been having a hard time this season liking Kate. Maybe because it is due to her model-like hair.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-59512216225734278772009-12-09T11:06:30.625-05:002009-12-09T11:06:30.625-05:00What's with needing more Alexis? This season ...What's with needing more Alexis? This season we've had a death centered around her musical group passion, a serious plotline around her school friend and going to an adult party, and she was IN the station for a few days and she got to solve her own little mini case. She's becoming buddies with Beckett independent of Castle. <br /><br />-EmeraldLizAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-69862749662529580842009-12-09T09:49:09.811-05:002009-12-09T09:49:09.811-05:00Haven't watched this week's yet, but I'...Haven't watched this week's yet, but I've really been enjoying it. The character is fantastic and would fit right into USA's stable of fun crime-solvers. <br /><br />Fortunately, while Fillion is still the meat of the show and worth watching it for, Katic has grown to be a great leading lady, his daughter has become a great character to root for (great move making her the responsible one) and Ryan and Espisito have definitely grown as characters. (I didn't even used to know their names.) I actually think splitting the M.E.s has worked to flesh out the world. The mysteries have varied this season, but when they've been good, they've been very good. I loved the Halloween episode and used it to hook a friend onto the series.Kenthttp://www.theflamingcat.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-2146443626358327092009-12-09T09:18:29.567-05:002009-12-09T09:18:29.567-05:00I enjoy Castle a lot,Fillion and Katic are great, ...I enjoy Castle a lot,Fillion and Katic are great, the daughter and the mother are wonderful, BUT the stories have got to get better. The mysteries themselves, as many have pointed out, could be more interesting, but they also have to be more intense. The show works best when the light-hearted banter among the main characters is a reprieve from the seriousness of what's going on in the plot. This week's episode didn't work for me because the plot itself was too sappy, too funny at times, too much like the reprieve.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07267506957951929187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-3355942331565596082009-12-09T08:54:31.892-05:002009-12-09T08:54:31.892-05:00I love Castle! I don't mind at all that it is ...I love Castle! I don't mind at all that it is character driven and the crime takes a back seat to the witty repartee and family interaction.Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05040416772190103045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-33039838783724481502009-12-09T08:40:17.381-05:002009-12-09T08:40:17.381-05:00But no specific comment love for Susan Sullivan? R...<i>But no specific comment love for Susan Sullivan? Really? I adore her in this role, especially when they pull out the Falcon Crest-era head shots. She was over the top then, she's over the top now, and hallelujah for it.</i> <br /><br />I can never decide if Sullivan or Holland Taylor is queen of the flamboyant mother role, but Sullivan is fabulous. I think she was the real star of Dharma and Greg. And she's so great on Castle. She brings a lot of love and breeziness to a role that, when done differently, turns into Lucille Bluth (also hilarious, but not what I want to see on Castle).Maurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17301288188119355801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-45745344222917455452009-12-09T07:56:11.688-05:002009-12-09T07:56:11.688-05:00Anon said "I find it interesting that so many...Anon said "I find it interesting that so many people who profess to be fans of the show are getting Stana Katic's name wrong."<br /><br />I confess to being one of those people. However, I also get my kid's names wrong and I am a fan of theirs as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-10545356475882418902009-12-09T07:03:34.969-05:002009-12-09T07:03:34.969-05:00I too watch it for NF, and the writer namedropping...I too watch it for NF, and the writer namedropping and cameos. They were really milking the Stephen King references the other night. Alan, maybe you could comment on what looks to me like a trend since Veronica Mars: shows with single fathers raising a teenage daughter. Castle, Shark, Lie to Me. There maybe more, but I don't see any equivalent with father/son or mother/son relationships padding a lead character in a procedural.Bethnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-34127954951601551272009-12-09T03:48:44.998-05:002009-12-09T03:48:44.998-05:00I love Nathan Fillion and I echo the positive comm...I love Nathan Fillion and I echo the positive comments in this thread. It's eye candy both with its cast and the overall look. It's fun.<br /><br />But no specific comment love for Susan Sullivan? Really? I adore her in this role, especially when they pull out the Falcon Crest-era head shots. She was over the top then, she's over the top now, and hallelujah for it.Betseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16338003372479543645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-495671861624525602009-12-09T02:20:45.113-05:002009-12-09T02:20:45.113-05:00One more comment.
Bones takes itself serious. ...One more comment. <br /><br />Bones takes itself serious. I'm not so sure Castle really does. It knows it's fluff with a good heart and works from there. Bones tries hard to be a drama and fails.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-53175892932128071842009-12-09T02:17:06.748-05:002009-12-09T02:17:06.748-05:00Fun show. Nuff said about that!
DID ANYONE ELSE ...Fun show. Nuff said about that!<br /><br />DID ANYONE ELSE NOTICE SEAN FROM BOY MEETS WORLD?<br /><br />Jeeze, I hadn't seen kid in a long time. Kind of looked liked FrodoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-36296281918723654082009-12-09T01:57:40.530-05:002009-12-09T01:57:40.530-05:00I'm glad to see Castle having a bit of a love-...I'm glad to see Castle having a bit of a love-fest here in the comments.<br /><br />I can probably count on one hand the crime show I've tried and quit (monk, ncis:la, csi:miami, probably a couple more I've blocked), and I don't watch the rest for quality writing. (Crime shows I watch-- or rather listen to-- while doing other things.)<br /><br />Starting out I thought Castle would be too cute in the Monk kind of way, but the writing is a bit more grounded in a way I appreciate. That, Nathan Fillion, and Castle's healthy home life (and the fact that he's a writer) cover a lot of ills.anniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08324828987699178581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1960378986495360572009-12-09T01:56:12.073-05:002009-12-09T01:56:12.073-05:00We're enjoying Castle more and more -- each we...We're enjoying Castle more and more -- each week there's something particularly funny, it seems. <br />And I like the relationship between Castle and his daughter and his mother -- so many shows have such annoying or nutty relatives (Shark, NCIS, 24, Bones, Lie to Me) but Castle's family likes him and each other. I agree with the comments above about the lightweight characterizations of the other detectives but week by week they're being better written too. All in all, enjoyable.Cathie from Canadahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11418899090537597360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-3849261537718959042009-12-09T01:37:02.223-05:002009-12-09T01:37:02.223-05:00Here's a fun question - who's a more impla...Here's a fun question - who's a more implausibly skinny, drop-dead gorgeous female homicide detective - Kate Beckett or Lilly Rush?<br /><br />Personally, I find both Stana Katic and Kathryn Morris beautiful. But sometimes, with those skinny arms and tiny waists, I have trouble buying them as homicide cops.<br /><br />Karrin Murphy, they're not.<br /><br />/geek<br /><br />Wordcheck: swore<br /><br />Really? If you insist. F*ck!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-70076848436474223512009-12-08T22:50:06.040-05:002009-12-08T22:50:06.040-05:00I enjoy the show for what it is - it's entert...I enjoy the show for what it is - it's entertaining, and for a procedural, it's not usually that heavy. Plus, I'm always a sucker for the kind of fast talking crime solving relationship show - I think an article I read before the show started compared it to Remington Steele, Moonlighting, Bones and the X-files (all except for Bones are shows that I was pretty obsessed with back in the day), and I knew this show was right up my alley.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com