Castle: Banter, Battery – and (*gasp*) Murder!

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There’s SO many television shows that are similar, it makes for a difficult time of keeping them all straight. Or this would be my dad’s reaction. In the promotional spots for Castle, my mother and I would howl with laughter each time. We impulsively bought the first set, got home late that night, and still eagerly put the first disc into the player. In anticipation for the premiere of Castle’s fourth season, I cannot resist re-visiting one of my favorite TV crime-fighting duos. So here we are, writing a post on just one of my (many) favorite television genius’. castle: banter, battery – and (*gasp*) murder

Kate Beckett and Richard Castle – what can be said about the pair of them!? They are impossible, stubborn, and prideful but never have two people been better together. (So I have just the teensiest bias about this show.) The series is born when the two meet after NYC Detective Beckett comes up against a killer who is copying the murder scenes straight out of celebrity author Richard Castle’s mystery novel. Castle is like a little kid when the NYC police department approaches him for questioning. Later they require his assistance on the case. Needless to say, Beckett is not please with the circumstances; but one thing she determines is to never let on just what a fan of Castle she is. Nevertheless, the two solve the case and Beckett gleefully counts down the minutes until Castle is off her back. Turns out, she’s disappointed. Castle just happens to know the chief of police… and the mayor… and he kind of likes hanging around the tough-as-nails Kate Beckett. After all, she is the cure for his pesky writer’s block and inspiration for his newest bestseller.

With that, the reluctant Beckett and overgrown kid Castle are off to protect the dark streets of the Big Apple.  

TV SHOW REVIEW | ‘Castle,’ Season One: A New Kind of Buddy Cop Show

Castle: Banter, Battery – and (*gasp*) Murder! #fromthearchives Share on X

Instantly I fell in love with this series. True, there isn’t anything life-changing about it… but it’s cool and enjoyable… and good old-fashioned FUN! So often comedy and crime don’t mix or if they are put together, it’s a poor match. Here there’s just the right amount of wit; I think writers gain an even better handle on it in the latter seasons. The fact that a hard-nosed cop and big-shot writer are paired together is an interesting one to say the least – and one that in real life likely wouldn’t be allowed. Castle understands some of the flaws that make human beings… human, and they aren’t afraid of bringing alive characters who aren’t above reproach.  

Early on in the show, we learn that Kate has secrets (I know: imagine that, right!?), secrets that Castle picks up on. During one of their dynamic scenes, Kate warns Castle to stay out of her private life because if he doesn’t, they’re “done.”

Naturally – Castle being Castle – he doesn’t keep his nose out of her business and instead uses connections in gaining access in places he shouldn’t have been privileged too. It is in that research that he learns a devastating truth. He had good intentions in wanting Kate to face her past, to be able to leave behind the cobwebs and move on. Kate’s anger is towards her so-called partner for a little while. But really, she doesn’t have the right kind of attitude about bitterness and anger, period. Her grudge i long-standing and one that she needs to have long since let go of. Writers seem to have a firm grip on the love-hate relationship between Beckett and Castle. Their friendship might be one of the best currently on screen today.

It merges into a deep trust that isn’t easily broken now the pair has, without recognizing it, an honest rapport. The pair of them go through a lot together; from a death that closes the door on Kate’s long-standing investigation to Alexis’ tumultuous teenage years. Now, after almost four years, it doesn’t hurt things that Castle finally uses the three little words.  

This show – funny as it may be or serious as it sometimes is, has a lot more than meets the eye. So many of us want “intelligent” TV because we don’t want to be insulted. Castle has its fair share of both instances (like one time when Castle has a bullet-proof vest custom-made which proudly proclaims his occupation) but it can be a poignant hour-long time slot. Something about the show works because the summer time-filler vehicle it once was is now a highly-rated evening timeslot.