We have managed to avoid getting attached to very much fiction TV, but a couple of shows appear regularly on our DVR. One of those is "Numbers," which I first started watching because I have a little crush on Rob Morrow, but we kept watching because of consistently good writing (and for me, the very well-played relationship between the characters of Morrow, Judd Hirsch, and David Krumholtz). The other is "Castle." The first time I saw it, I watched just because it was on after "Dancing with the Stars" and I was too lazy to get up or change the channel, but I ended up enjoying it a lot, and fortunately Mr. P likes it too. What do I like about it?
First, it's about a writer, which is fairly uncommon. Second, it shows the writer actually doing things a writer would do. Third, it's both funny and smart. Fourth, I like the central relationships: between the writer and his cop, between the cop and her colleagues, and between the writer and his family. It's (sadly) unusual to see a TV father who is affectionate, engaged, and intelligent.
The show's writers rather cleverly created a storyline that led naturally to a tie-in novel, which I read last Christmas, and which purports to be the book written by the show's title character Castle, inspired by the show's second lead, the detective Beckett. The book shares the show's virtues and really, my only complaint would be that it was a bit short. At just under 200 pages, it doesn't quite account for itself - it's supposed to be a bestseller, and most mystery authors manage well over 300 pages. Just a note for the next one, guys.
The book, "Heat Wave," includes some of Castle's wish fulfillment/fantasies about Beckett while also feeding the show's fans with a romantic payoff they may not get in the series. Although, I think they could "go there" with the series without seriously damaging their story and character arcs. The show does not depend on an artificial will they/won't they, of which I understand the most eminent forerunner is "Moonlighting." Frankly, I don't buy relationships in which two people are supposedly in love but spend all their time bitching at each other.
The Castle and Beckett characters genuinely share interests and have complementary abilities. They push each others' buttons, but respect each other. I enjoy the show as it is, but I think it would be great to have an adult romance on TV again. There used to be a few. I don't think it would take anything away from the mystery/action/thriller/comedy aspects of the show. We'll see how it goes. If nothing else, I'll have a couple of seasons of a literate, witty and likable show to remember.
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