Castle

[huntergrayson]

God, Stana Katic is insanely gorgeous. She - and the rest of the cast - have taken to Twitter in Nathan's footsteps. I'm midway thru tonight's ep and it occurred to me that I actually think she is the best-written of the female leads on the procedurals I watch (this, Bones, SVU) even though the show has the lightest tone. Beckett's tough and no-nonsense at her job, but also seems like a normal human being with a sense of humor and a life. It doesn't seem too forced -- she seems like a real person rather than "tough lady cop" type (or a collection of tics like Bones).

[iClaudia]

I actually think she is the best-written of the female leads on the procedurals I watch (this, Bones, SVU)

I agree with you. I have only watched a few episodes of Bones, SVU and the other procedurals so Castle is the only one I watch regular but Beckett is indeed an exceptionally written female lead. As you say, her character is very well-rounded and while plotting is not be strong point of Castle's writing team, they do characterization very well. The show is extremely female-friendly as the supporting female cast is also very well written (strong, funny,vibrant, smart but still genuine and "real" despite living in the Hollywood-ized version of New York City). The writers are careful to ensure that the dialogue between characters reinforces their characterizations. I'm never left confused about a character's motivations or left to feel that one is behaving out of character.

[biondetta]

I'm now completely caught up on the series. I definitely agree that they've done a really good job with Beckett. She's not a goody-two-shoes, nor is she Holmesian in her ability to solve cases, she's real. She teases Castle, but also lets him know when he's been useful. There's really a nice balance to her. All of the characters are fun and interesting and you don't get too bogged down in their personal stories, but get just enough of each of them to make the characters interesting.

I've also liked how they've handled the story with Beckett's mother's murder. They do one or two episodes per season and give some closure, but leave other bits open. It may be on the fluffy side, but overall the show really is enjoyable and well-done.

[Deleted]

I've got to say, this has become one of my favorite shows, just because I love the dynamic between Castle and Beckett so much. Its so good I am not even dying for the eventual hookup because it keeps me enteratained as is. That's a rarity. I am also so glad Nathan Fillion finally landed a successful show. (Nathan will always hold a pervy little place in my heart for Dorian and Joey on OLTL. Don't judge me. )

[borborygmus]

Has anyone else noticed how haggard Stana K looks now? She needs to stop losing weight, because she looks 10 years older than she did in the first season. Nathan, otoh, looks better than he did in S1. I kinda hate myself for watching this show; it's sort of soft-brained, like Murder She Wrote, but I have this undying affection for Firefly, so I will doggedly watch NF in anything.

[huntergrayson]

I was stunned at how bad she looked in the premiere.

Also, I thought the writing of Alexis wanting to just take her boyfriend's classes and follow him anywhere was really out of character. I had always thought that the writers and actress had done a good job of making a realistically independent teenage girl that wasn't too precocious or bratty and that just felt off.

[biondetta]

Yeah, Alexis suddenly giving Castle such a hard time and wanting to take all of her boyfriend's classes didn't fit any of the Alexis we've seen in past seasons. I hope they knock that off. She's always been smarter and more mature than that.

[Deleted]

I agree about the Alexis bullshit and also about Beckett's continued weight loss. Her hair also looked thinner.

[garnet927]

Anyone else still watching Castle? Much as I'm over long-term "myth-arc" mysteries (ie. the conspiracy behind Beckett's mother's murder.) on TV shows in general (I bailed on The Mentalist once Jane shot a guy he thought was Red John, and Red John still was out there.), I admit I'm just enough of a shipper to watch the finale to see if Beckett & Castle sealed the deal .

[reck]

I'm still watching and I loved the season finale.
I'm not a huge shipper or anything but I hate shows that drag the whole relationship thing for so many years or they make things happen offscreen (both Bones & X Files with the pregnancies) that I liked how everything was handled here.
And after all the angst of this season it was nice that at least they talked and all the secrets are over, plus it was kind of hot. Now I want next year to go back to the fun of the early seasons. Oh, and Ryan broke my heart, poor guy.