ABC's CASTLE

[Famine]

Really? Unwatchably bad? Didn't think Castle could be that bad.

Yep.

Like you, I watched all of S1-6 pretty rapidly (though I started with S1). It was pretty compelling and funny - and a lot of people that know us recognise a lot of me & @PlanetPurple in Castle & Alexis.

But the number of "woo" episodes started to increase towards the end there and season 7 carries it on spectacularly - the suspension of disbelief required is just well over the top. The resolution of the season 6 cliffhanger is awful, and I've just totally stopped watching it now.

 

[JR98]

Yep.

Like you, I watched all of S1-6 pretty rapidly (though I started with S1). It was pretty compelling and funny - and a lot of people that know us recognise a lot of me & @PlanetPurple in Castle & Alexis.

But the number of "woo" episodes started to increase towards the end there and season 7 carries it on spectacularly - the suspension of disbelief required is just well over the top. The resolution of the season 6 cliffhanger is awful, and I've just totally stopped watching it now.

And I have heard that Castle has not yet been renewed for Season 8 so, since Season 7 didn't go so well, there is the possibility of there not being a Season 8.

 

[FoolKiller]

The ratings are still doing well (steady), and the ABC Studio Adversary Panel forums are very positive. @Famine the one noticeable bit about season 7 is that it is so focused on just Castle and Becket in its storytelling that Ryan and Espo are often split off to go somewhere else and we really get to see the entire ensemble cast together. However, the Habeas Corpus episode felt like quality Castle, with the dance routine bet and Ryan and Espo going head-to-head with Castle on a fun bit of side comedy.

And I have heard that Castle has not yet been renewed for Season 8 so, since Season 7 didn't go so well, there is the possibility of there not being a Season 8.

ABC rarely announces renewals before the upfronts in May.

That said, there is an issue with Castle other than just whether or not ABC wants it. Contracts are up for negotiations.

Here is an article on it and how Castle has been doing.
http://castletv.net/the-future-of-castle/


Ultimately, whatever becomes of Castle, Nathan Fillion will live on in Con Man with Alan Tudyk.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

But the number of "woo" episodes started to increase towards the end there and season 7 carries it on spectacularly - the suspension of disbelief required is just well over the top.

The worst episodes have always been the theme episodes, the ones that clearly started as an open question in the writers' room and never went beyond that - like "how do we get Nathan Fillion into an Elvis costume?".

It's still a whole lot better than its competition in the genre, though. "NCIS" hasn't actually done anything for years; everyone just stands around talking about what they have been doing off camera, or recapping the story in case you tuned in late.

The issues with the over-arching storyline for Season 7 probably stem from the resolution of the Bracken case. Marlowe and the writers knew they couldn't keep wheeling him out (likewise the Triple Killer) and keep the story going forever. So they wrapped both up and moved it along, but the groundwork for the new story should have been laid much, much sooner than the final two minutes of Season 6.

 

[JR98]

The worst episodes have always been the theme episodes, the ones that clearly started as an open question in the writers' room and never went beyond that - like "how do we get Nathan Fillion into an Elvis costume?".

It's still a whole lot better than its competition in the genre, though. "NCIS" hasn't actually done anything for years; everyone just stands around talking about what they have been doing off camera, or recapping the story in case you tuned in late.

I just watched that episode yesterday, one I missed in S4, completely idiotic episode.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Spoiler

So Castle's absence has been explained as his thwarting a major terror attack. Kind of predictable in retrospect, since they'd never go anywhere truly dark with the character. Though it would be nice to see a little bit of Malcolm Reynolds in him.

And am I the only one who secretly wants his amnesia to be explained by Vin Diesel throwing a car battery at his head?

 

[JR98]

Spoiler

So Castle's absence has been explained as his thwarting a major terror attack. Kind of predictable in retrospect, since they'd never go anywhere truly dark with the character. Though it would be nice to see a little bit of Malcolm Reynolds in him.

And am I the only one who secretly wants his amnesia to be explained by Vin Diesel throwing a car battery at his head?

All I've been doing to catchup is watching the teaser thingys put on YT and one jumped out at me:

Spoiler

He tries to remember what happens with a therapist or something. He remembers being in a jungle, with camouflage, a guy being shot and Castle trying to help him while in a green Army truck. He then sees a guy in a Jeep about to blow up when CHUCK NORRIS jumps in and blows up the Jeep.

I couldn't believe the stuff I was seeing and am wishing I got to see the whole of S7, but I don't have any of the channels it airs on.

 

[FoolKiller]

Spoiler

So Castle's absence has been explained as his thwarting a major terror attack. Kind of predictable in retrospect, since they'd never go anywhere truly dark with the character. Though it would be nice to see a little bit of Malcolm Reynolds in him.

And am I the only one who secretly wants his amnesia to be explained by Vin Diesel throwing a car battery at his head?

I'm really disappointed by how quickly and neatly they cleared up this mystery. They left it hanging from the season premiere and this was it?

I honestly expected something more. It's as if the writers left a cliffhanger, fearing the show might be canceled, then had no idea how to write their way out. Once they figured it out they made it a quick resolution and just moved on.

The problem is that there is no underlying story now. The best long-term drama we get is relationship issues.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Spoiler

There's still some scope for a story - Castle chose to have his memory wiped, and he somehow wound up adrift off the coast. If they're not renewed, everything is sufficiently tied up in a bow. But if they are, there's still scope for a broader story.

But if they are not renewed, at least we can take solace in the idea that Groot did it - Nathan Fillion is the prisoner who gets brained during the prison escape in Guardians of the Galaxy.

 

[FoolKiller]

You mean when they first arrive at the prison?

 

[prisonermonkeys]

You mean when they first arrive at the prison?

When Rocket is telling Quill and Gamorra what to get to aid their escape and Groot rips the battery from the wall. There's an unlucky prisoner who walks into frame just as Groot throws the plate aside; it hits him in the head and he goes down. The shot is out of focus, so you can't see his face, but it's definitely Nathan Fillion. He worked with James Gunn on Slither and on Gunn's webseries "PG Porn".

 

[FoolKiller]

When Rocket is telling Quill and Gamorra what to get to aid their escape and Groot rips the battery from the wall. There's an unlucky prisoner who walks into frame just as Groot throws the plate aside; it hits him in the head and he goes down. The shot is out of focus, so you can't see his face, but it's definitely Nathan Fillion. He worked with James Gunn on Slither and on Gunn's webseries "PG Porn".

His main cameo was as this guy, as confirmed by James Gunn in this Q&A:

James Gunn: "Nathan Fillion (Firefly, Castle) is the voice of the big purple guy that gets his nostrils ripped apart by Groot"

 

[Famine]

I'm really disappointed by how quickly and neatly they cleared up this mystery. They left it hanging from the season premiere and this was it?

Ah, glad I didn't bother then

I think the alternate dimensions episode was the moment the shark was nuked for me.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Re-watching the episode, it's pretty clear that the writers really had to move things along. The last ten minutes is pure exposition, explaining (almost) everything. It feels like a mid-season pitch, as if the writers are trying to build everything up to keep the network interested. Had they been given the time to do it properly, I imagine that the episode would have played out over the course of half a season, setting up the unresolved plot details for the end of Season 8. But because ABC don't renew shows until the eleventh hour, the writers appear to have felt pressure in making sure most of it was explained in case they don't get another season.

 

[JR98]

Regarding Season 8, Nathan Fillion has renewed his contract so if ABC renew it Fillion will be back as Castle but Stana Katic still hasn't renewed her contract for the show. Also, it is reported that Andrew Marlowe (Creator of Castle), Terri Edda Miller (Executive Producer) and David Amann (Showrunner) will not be returning for Season 8.

http://www.classicalite.com/article...es-nathan-fillion-contract-renewed-season.htm
http://tvline.com/2015/04/16/castle-season-8-stana-katic-leaving-nathan-fillion-returning/

 

[prisonermonkeys]

A couple of interesting call-backs to previous episodes in the season finale:

Spoiler

Castle once screwed with Beckett's mind by claiming that he had discovered the body of a child while on holiday as a boy - but then claimed that he made it up; ever the author, he has now appropriated the story. Admittedly it seems to be a shoe-horn by the writers, but it does explain a lot, and if the series is renewed for an eighth season, then it opens up some interesting avenues for development since the murder has clearly influenced him until now, but with it solved, his writing might suffer for it.

Meanwhile, Beckett is being groomed for a Senate seat - which is a callback to the episode with the supposed time-traveller who predicted that she would enter politics (and that Castle would write literature). While I doubt they will make time travel a thing, I wonder if Bracken's shadowy supporters aren't trying to set her up as a potential replacement for him ...

 

[Sprite]

I haven't watched the final episode yet but this last season hasn't been good. I'm beginning to feel like I need to take back my previous comments.

I've been catching the odd episode from earlier seasons and they were much better. I hated the wrap up of Castles story line. I agree with the above comments that a lot has felt rushed and that this must have something to do with season 8 yay or nay.

Truth be told I'm not looking forward to the last episode.

I like that but of trivia from Guardians.

 

[JR98]

Castle HAS been renewed for an 8th season!

Castle will return Monday 21st September at 10/9C on ABC.

Source: http://abc.go.com/shows/castle/news...15-2016-tv-season-8-premiere-date-fall-150610

 

[JKgo]

...I accidentally ran into this show's "ad" on youtube so decided to give it a whirl. Haven't seen an episodic procedural in years, since the Mentallist ended, to be honest.

So I watched the first, the pilot episode online, and it's actually pretty good. Good pacing, Fillion is a delight, and has a great chemistry with the cast he interacts with. The "central murder mystery" wasn't all that compelling but overall, I think the show has a potential. I'm off to watch the second episode later in the day. See where I go from there.

Oh and I managed not to read any posts here. What a feat that was.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

The "central murder mystery" wasn't all that compelling but overall, I think the show has a potential.

It started life as a mid-season replacement, so it played things a little conservative to begin with. It's not until you get to the episodes that deal with the over-arching story that things ratchet up a notch. If you don't watch every episode, at least try to catch "A Death in the Family", "Sucker Punch", "Knockdown", "Knockout", "Dial M for Mayor", "After the Storm", "Rise", "The Belly of the Beast" and "Veritas".

 

[JKgo]

It started life as a mid-season replacement, so it played things a little conservative to begin with. It's not until you get to the episodes that deal with the over-arching story that things ratchet up a notch. If you don't watch every episode, at least try to catch "A Death in the Family", "Sucker Punch", "Knockdown", "Knockout", "Dial M for Mayor", "After the Storm", "Rise", "The Belly of the Beast" and "Veritas".

...Oh believe you me, I don't do things half way. I plan to watch every episodes until I get bored of it. But can't binge, so I gotta divvy up my time wisely...

 

[prisonermonkeys]

...Oh believe you me, I don't do things half way. I plan to watch every episodes until I get bored of it. But can't binge, so I gotta divvy up my time wisely...

Well, if you do get bored of it before you get to "Veritas", make sure you skip ahead. After "Sucker Punch", "Knockdown" and "Knockout", you'll want to know how it ends.

 

[JKgo]

...So I finished the season 1, and was surprised it was only ten episodes long. Didn't know ABC did such a short(ish) seasons on their procedurals, but anyway....

So far, the impressions are good. Fillion is charming and infectious as ever, and has a good chemistry with the rest of cast. I'm also pleased that the creators didn't go down the route of "Castle brilliant. Castle knows everything before anyone lulz" route a la The Mentalist. Also noticed there have been a concerted effort to dress Beckett and Castle in contrasting colors as much as possible. That was a nice touch. It doesn't happen often, but happens enough in an episode to be noticeable.

But I can't see this format sustaining its steam; my first issue being it is still a rather trad procedural. Some important plot devices occur off screen and even though it harps on "it's a real world, not a book", some investigative procedures and over sights makes my eyes roll. Even worse, Castle is way too goofy in some scenes, and I remember in a couple of episodes where even if he wasn't present, it wouldn't have made any difference to the plot, making me question if the writers hadn't nuffed Castle the "brilliant mystery novel writer" too much.

Having said all that, I have enjoyed watching it so far, with my brain firmly in "off" mode. I'll see how it goes, further down the rabbit hole.

Oh and is that a coincidence with Castle being a writer and a certain Dr. Temperance Brennan also being a best-selling writer...? Hmm..?

 

[FoolKiller]

...So I finished the season 1, and was surprised it was only ten episodes long. Didn't know ABC did such a short(ish) seasons on their procedurals, but anyway....

It was a mid-season replacement. Those start between February and April and end in May.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I'm also pleased that the creators didn't go down the route of "Castle brilliant. Castle knows everything before anyone lulz" route a la The Mentalist.

That's one of the things that the show gets right - everyone has a role to play within the team: Beckett is the interrogator, Esposito is the heavy hitter, Ryan does the grunt work like pulling phone records, and Castle assembles evidence into a cohesive narrative and can point to gaps in their timeline and suggest where and how they might be able to fill them in. They don't deviate too much from that (with the odd exception), but compare it to something like "Criminal Minds", where one character is presented as an expert in behaviour, obscure psychology and criminal profiling, but many episodes have half a dozen characters sharing the same level of knowledge and experience.

But I can't see this format sustaining its steam; my first issue being it is still a rather trad procedural. Some important plot devices occur off screen and even though it harps on "it's a real world, not a book", some investigative procedures and over sights makes my eyes roll.

It's a problem that every procedural has. "Castle" has it considerably less than others. The best thing about it is the way stories actually go somewhere - there are usually several suspects, conflicting evidence and red herrings throughout.

Even worse, Castle is way too goofy in some scenes, and I remember in a couple of episodes where even if he wasn't present, it wouldn't have made any difference to the plot, making me question if the writers hadn't nuffed Castle the "brilliant mystery novel writer" too much.

It gets better. As a mid-season replacement, its first priority was securing a second season. Castle calms down and starts behaving himself before long.

Having said all that, I have enjoyed watching it so far, with my brain firmly in "off" mode. I'll see how it goes, further down the rabbit hole.

If you have seen the first season finale, you'll know that there is a rabbit hole. Just wait until "Sucker Punch", which builds on that story.

 

[JR98]

Season 8 will be starting on 21 September

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Looks like they're doing another "back in time" episode, like "The Blue Butterfly".

 

[JKgo]

...So then, I've managed to marathon through till the end of Season 4. My head's spinning, can't tell which was what etc, etc.

I'm gonna take a small break now...

 

[prisonermonkeys]

There's a couple of casting changes for Season 8, with Penny Johnson Gerald - Captain Gates - leaving the show, and two new characters being introduced; one major, and one recurring.

From the sounds of things, Stana Katic nearly left as well, but the good news is that this forced the showrunners to seriously think about how to proceed with the show.

 

[JR98]

Castle Season 8 "XY" Promo