I'll admit that when I first started tuning into Castle it was chiefly to check out Nathan Fillion's newest attempt at a TV series. It never sat quite right with me what happened to Firefly; Fillion's sci-fi western show imagined by Joss Whedon. Castle of course wasn't his first try at a new TV series, but FOX's Drive looked bad right out of the gate. Castle coasted on the affable charm of it's lead actor for a little while after it debuted, but the great boon for the show came as the secondary characters slowly became more and more realized. Every successful show sinks or swims on the talent of the ensemble cast. If a show weighs everything on one element, the show never really achieves any traction.
So season 3 debuted on Monday night, and I completely missed it. As luck would have it, the trusty DVR picked it up and in a lazy haze I stumbled across it tonight. The show opens with a fantastic flash forward. This is secretly one of my favorite plot devices of all time, so when Rick Castle comes face to face with Kate Beckett and they angrily draw guns on each other...? Pure elation. From here it's a wonderful display of a TV show hitting it's stride. Sure, all the classic elements of a Castle episode are present and accounted for, but they're working in a way that doesn't feel tired. There are the misdirects, the witty banter between the detectives, the serious moments, the whiteboard with all the pictures. It's all been done before and even though it's a little played, the characters and their interplay have become substantial enough that the core mystery of each episode is no longer as crucial to making a good episode.
There's not much else to say about this premiere other than it's well worth your time. In the downtime between seasons a few things have become clear. The writers have given more prominent and strong characterizations to Ryan and Esposito. The jokes and delivery thereof have become much more amusing. Somehow Stana Katic got more attractive -- which, on that point, huge props to the wardrobe department for dressing her in more appealing attire. I think we all get the fact she's a tough, no-nonsense bruiser who doesn't have time for fashion over function, but it seemed to me that this season she was much more pleasing to my eyes. Nathan Fillion continues to turn in a wonderful performance that is at once baffoonery, charm, and stark seriousness in measured and appropriate doses. Lastly, the chemistry between Castle and Beckett is still as palpable as ever. Even though it is slightly frustrating the levels with which the writers are flaunting it, it is still cute enough that I don't mind that there hasn't been a clear resolution as of yet. That being said and referring back to my 'hanging the show on one element' comment: Castle would do well not to drag the will-they-won't-they thing out any more than is necessary (even though it's more of a 'when-will-they' at this point). I myself draw blanks when I think what would happen were they to resolve this soon, but I know it would have to be better than two more seasons of it.
Either way, it's great to have new shows back on TV. Speaking of which, Glee returned and it seems that it may be hitting a good stride between melodramatic and hilarious. Also, is it just me or is Sue Sylvester ten times funnier this season. Overall it seems to be a much better written season so far. I also checked out How I Met Your Mother. It was more of the same, but it worked pretty well. Let's see if they can take any steps forward in the narrative this season.
No comments:
Post a Comment