Castle The Complete First Season

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Ngan Poskitt says...

I originally checked this show out, due to another actor saying in jest(I hope) that Castle was copying the series he is in. I'm glad I did, because this show is fantastic!

Rick Castle(Nathan Fillion) a best selling novelist and father, and Kate Beckett(Stana Katic) a straight lined NYPD detective, have a great chemistry on screen. It's their banter and chemistry that make this show.

All of the actors in this show are very talented. Fillion, I knew from Firefly and Serenity. I hadn't heard of Katic before, but I'm glad they were both was cast in these roles, because I am loving these two characters and actors more and more with each episode.

This is more a dramatic comedy, than just another cop show. Check this show out! It gets better with each episode. It really is the best new show out there at the moment. 5 stars!

Posted on October 14, 2011

Neda Abigantus says...

Witty, suspenseful and fresh!The first season of "CASTLE" is the modern "Moonlighting" featuring a cool cast and each episode with an entertaining storyline.



"CASTLE" debuted on ABC as a mid-season replacement and began airing on March 2009.Created by Andrew M. Marlowe ("Air Force One", "End of Days" and "Hollyw Man") and executive produced by Rob Bowman ("The A-Team", "The X-Files", "Day Break") comes a new drama series on crime solving.



The first season which featured 10 episodes stars actor Nathan Fillion ("Firefly", "Drive" and "Desperate Housewives") as Richard Castle.The famous mystery novelist who is adored by many but behind-the-scenes, he is a playboy who has an on-and-off fling with his ex-wife (who is an actress), another ex-wife who is his publisher and lives with his bright teenage daughter Alexis (Molly Quinn, "My One and Only") and his meddlesome mother and former Broadway actress, Martha Rodgers (Susan Sullivan, "The Nine", "Dharma & Greg").



There is a lot of pressure on Nathan to create another book and with him stuck, his luck starts to change when he meets by-the-book Detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic, "Heroes", "The Spirit", "Quantum of Solace") who is investigating several murders which have taken place and the way that they were done were like the murders featured in several of his novels. Because of his knowledge of how things end up with his books, he gets the opportunity to assist the detectives in their case.



Eventually, Richard Castle discovers that he can do several things in his life.Write his new book based on Detective Beckett, see if he can woo Detective Beckett and most of all to investigate other murders which he can incorporate ideas for his new book.At first, it seems implausible but with Castle being so well-known and friends with the mayor, Captain Montgomery (Ruben Santiago-Huds0n) will do what he can to make the mayor and his boss happy, so he allows Richard to tag along with Detective Beckett.



Needless to say, she's not happy about it but with his skills of mystery writing and her skills as a detective, the two find out that together, they can be an effective duo in crime solving.Also, joining Beckett are Detective Javier Esposito (Jon Huertas), Detective Kevin Ryan (Seamus Dever) and forensics doctor Dr. Lanie Parish (Tamala Jones).



"CASTLE - The Complete First Season" features 10 episodes on three discs.Included are (spoiler-less summaries):



DISC: 1



* EPISODE 1 - Flowers For Your Graves - A copycat killer is on the loose and they are using Rick Castle's novels as a source of ideas.With the NYPD Detectives having a tough time with the case, Castle offers to assist the investigators.

* EPISODE 2 - Nanny McDead - A nanny is found dead inside a laundry machine and Investigator Beckett must find out who the killer is.Meanwhile, Rick Castle pulls strings with the Mayor and Captain in using Beckett as a source of ideas for his upcoming book, thus allowing him to tag around Detective Beckett on cases.

* EPISODE 3 - Hell Hath no Fury - A body is found wrapped in a rug and Castle and Beckett and it appears to be a politician.Who killed him?

* EPISODE 4 - Hedge Fund Homeboys - A man who once was from a wealthy family is found dead and while Beckett and Castle try to investigate, his friends try to do their best in stopping them.



DISC 2:



* EPISODE 5 - A Chill Goes Through Her Veins - A woman is found frozen, her husband is found dead.Beckett and Castle investigate.

* EPISODE 6 - Always Buy Retail - Why are women who have been buying fake Gucci bags being targeted for death?

* EPISODE 7 - Home is Where the Heart Stops - Someone is murdering the rich and famous and robbing them of their jewelry.Can Beckett and Castle stop the person before they commit another murder?

* EPISODE 8 - Ghosts - A woman is found dead in a bathtub filled with motor oil. And the woman who last spoke to her happens to be a mystery ghost writer.Will Beckett and Castle find out who the true killer is?



DISC 3:



* EPISODE 9 - Little Girl Lost - A little girl has gone missing and for Detective Beckett, she is reunited with her former flame from the FBI.

* EPISODE 10 - A Death in the Family - Detective Beckett warned Rick Castle not to look into the death of her mother but wanting to help her, he does. Meanwhile, the two investigate the death of a plastic surgeon.



VIDEO & AUDIO:



"CASTLE - The Complete First Season" is presented in Widescreen (1:78:1) and is enhanced for 16

Posted on October 14, 2011

Rolland Alstad says...

I'll freely admit that the reason I watched the premiere of Castle (and every episode since) is because Nathan "Captain Mal" Fillion is in it. Love the man. LOOOOVE him. He was pitch perfect as the futuristic dashing spaceship captain, a hoot in Dr. Horrible's, and he's got an incredible comedic ability blended with good acting chops and toothsome looks. He's great.



So, finally, we see him get top dog billing on a prime time show on one of networks. He's Rick Castle, a bestselling author who is drawn into a partnership (of sorts) with police detective Kate Beckett played by Stana Katic when murders by a serial killer are based on Castle's novels. She's the reluctant partner, he's having a grand old time (with lots of humor), needling her while also being insightful and helpful due to his myriad connections. (I do enjoy how, as the show progresses, we see how he puts that celebrity of his to good use.) That's the core of the show, the conflict and chemistry between the cop and the writer.



It works because of Fillion's immense personal charm, humor, and snap-crackliness. Stana is fine in her semi-tense, driven, cop-girl who doesn't eat enough way, but the show is Nathan's.



It was nice to see Susan Sullivan of Dharma and Greg fame again, this time as flamboyant mom--oh, those bright outfits, that hair--to Castle. She's good in anything, frankly. We also have a cute if way, way, way too sweet-and-nice daughter to Castle. (Pulease, I haven't met a teen this squeaky nice since Sunday School decades ago. Given grandma's dramatics and dad's wicked sense of humor, where did she come from?)The scenes of daughter and dad tend to be really squishily heartwarming, and that's okay with me. Sometimes, I need that sentimental dose.



The supporting cop cast adds to the fun--watch them enjoy their espresso in the episode where Castle springs for one for the crew.



Whether Katic will be able to keep up is my main worry. She is doing okay, and there are moments when you're glad she's the crankier one, "straight man." But this show will rise or fall on not just Fillion's talent and charisma--and yes, hottienss--but on whether she can really ramp it up and keep the core hot.



If you like a less serious cop show, and you are a fan of Fillion's, you've gotta watch/get CASTLE.

Posted on October 15, 2011

Verlene Ansbro says...

I never watch television. I'm something of a TV snob and the only show I ever watched "religiously" was "The West Wing" because I found it intellectually stimulating. When my mother raved about "Castle" I didn't take it too seriously because she is of the "American Idol" school of thought and watches whatever is on. Imagine my surprise when I found this show to be a deliciously witty, clever hour of television. The dialogue crackles and Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic have incredible chemistry. There's no hint of two-dimensional personalities on this show, and the one liners leave me laughing for days afterwards. "Castle" has wide appeal, and it's an all-around good show. There is no gratuitous violence, the writing is intelligent and sharp, and the actors are phenomenal. I'll be recommending this show to my TV snob and non-TV snob friends because in either case, "Castle" is a fun show for whomever watches it.

Posted on October 16, 2011

Manual Guttery says...

Nathan Fillion is brilliant as ABC's new world famous author-turned-pseudo-cop Richard Castle. Behind the veneer of an arrogant celebrity, who seems to have let dozens of best sellers and world acclaim go to his head, Castle is truly a kind-hearted man and a compassionate father.Besides writing, his favorite hobby seems to be irritating Kate Beckett (Stana Katic), the NYPD detective who was in charge of a investigating a string of copy-cat murders modeled after Castle's own murder mystery books. Since he's killed off the main character of his last series, Castle needs new inspiration for his next set of novels, and he finds his muse with the charming but difficult-to-crack detective. The chemistry between Fillion and Katic is astounding, leaving the audience with more to follow than just the murder cases. Unlike most criminal investigation shows, Castle has a heavy focus on humor and the strong development of its characters and their relationships. Not quite a drama and not quite a comedy, this primetime series has elements that appeal to any sensibility. The twisted murder storylines will keep you guessing for the full hour until the conclusion you never expected.



Bonus material for the DVD includes behind the scenes interviews with the stars, out takes, deleted scenes, and more. Strong first season. I'm greatly looking forward to watching this show thrive and burgeon into big-name status.

Posted on October 16, 2011

Buster Parenteau says...

Nathan Fillion is of, course, the main star attraction in Castle, and everything that has been said about him in the above reviews is absolutely spot on:he is wonderful in this roll he was born to play. But don't overlook Stana Katic.She is phenomenal. Her intensity is pitch perfect as a foil to Castle's bonhomie.He sparkles and she reacts, with humor or aggravation.She is intensely private;he is extremely open.His family is funny, loving, and endearing;she really has no one, except a distant, grieving father.She is all business, and he is ostensibly all pleasure.But, of course, he has depth.It is wonderful to see him get under her skin and help her to feel, and relax, while revealing his often hidden strength of character.



The camera loves Stana.She has an intensely, beautiful face and fine bone structure. The close ups of her interrogating a suspect or consoling a victim are like nothing else in the usual round up of television's female detectives. She grieves for the victim and slices the suspect with her clarity.Her eyes are luminous and reveal intelligence, and compassion, as well as grit and determination. Nate eyes are all twinkle, but awareness of the depth and sometimes despair in his "partner's" eyes is not far from the surface.



She is toughness and dedication to duty personified;he is not afraid to appear silly and shallow, traits he has perfected, with not too much depth ever expected of the playboy author.



The two of them are magnificent foils to each other; the stuff of good drama and comedy. The show embodies a good mystery, often paralleling the events in Castle's and Beckett's lives, and with sharp writing, excellent secondary characters are drawn to the delight of the audience, but make no mistake, the show is about Castle and Beckett, and they simply light up the screen. Because of their partnership, both characters grow and share their individual lives, feelings and true personalities. Need I say I love this show. It is a joy to see them shine, Nate and Stana, Castle and Beckett and demonstrate through this high quality show that neither one is"just another pretty face."

Posted on October 17, 2011

Jerrold Zambo says...

Nathan Fillion is fabulous in this series. I look forward to this every week. I will certainly purchase the series on DVD.

The entire cast is first rate and perfect for each role.

Love it!

Posted on October 17, 2011

Jennette Carnahan says...

CASTLE is one hell of an entertaining piece of light, fluffy cop television. It's the perfect antidote to those who are wallowing in the dark sewers of cop shows like LAW AND ORDER SVU or CRIMINAL INTENT or the brilliant but extreme THE SHIELD. Creator Andrew Marlowe, perhaps best known as the screenwriter for AIR FORCE ONE, has created a very breezy and incredibly fun cop show that's primary purpose is to counter the altogether too intense police procedurals that the public seems to inhale like cigarette smoke (you know it's not good for you, but you can't help it). He's also added the perfect actor for a show like this: Nathan Fillion. Many people weren't familiar with Fillion's work until he became a cast member of the horrifically awful DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, but before that, he was a key player in what's known as The Whedonverse, starring in the all-too shortlived FIREFLY and also guest-starring in the final season of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER. He was also featured in one of Whedon's more recent and brilliant creations, DR. HORRIBLE'S SING-ALONG BLOG, where he wonderfully plays a shallow, over-confident superhero. He also appeared in another VERY shortlived Fox television show called DRIVE, which was cut down before it could reach its potential. He's been featured in films like the FIREFLY sorta-sequel SERENITY, a wonderful indie splattergore comedy called SLITHER, and some unfortunate direct-to-DVD fare like WATER'S EDGE and WHITE NOISE 2: THE LIGHT. But as he proved with FIREFLY, he has more than enough talent and charisma to carry a show on his own if necessary (even though it wasn't necessary with how great FIREFLY was).



And that's very much the case with CASTLE. As mystery writer Richard Castle, this is his show. Despite some strong supporting performances by actors like Susan Sullivan, who plays his flamboyant, vibrant, and at times, annoying mother, and a sometimes over-her-head Stana Katic as his professional and personal foil, NYPD Detective Kate Beckett, this show and everything great about it is planted rightly and firmly on the charm and talent of Fillion.



The show is very much in the vein of a program like MOONLIGHTING, pitting the goofy yet irrestistably charming lothario against the by-the-book, stalwart, intelligent and sassy and undeniably sexy-but-sexless woman as the two of them get into one wild adventure after another. The thing about this show that gives it perhaps an even stronger catch than a show of this type should is that it has a specific "mythology" arc that will carry it for at least another season; namely the unsolved murder of Beckett's mother, and Castle's determination to solve it, even if it means that he will lose a friend and potential love interest in Beckett.



So I say bring on Season Two, and continue the tone that the show has given us, and don't let it conform to what the "hitmakers" see trending with the too-upsetting cop shows. Keep it easy breezy. And hopefully the show will get the audience it deserves, and Fillion will get more of the opportunities he deserves.

Posted on October 19, 2011

Faith Harder says...

This is a show for all those of you who appreciates perfection.

Nathan Fillion's role absolutely fits and the Detective and even his mother and daughter.

This show is solid and deserves to stay.

The story starts with a speech for Castle (who is the main character that is played by Nathan) and his ex-wife introduces him and the relation between them too is strictly business. His mother lives with him and his daughter. Then the police shows a mysterious murder that is based on Castle's novels so they try to track the killer and uses Castle's help.

It is so funny and well written. Deserves a solid 5

Posted on October 20, 2011

Leeanna Spanos says...

The first disc features an audio commentary on "Flowers for Your Grave" by creator/executive producer Andrew Marlowe, executive producer Rob Bowman, and actors Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, and Jon Huertas. The book launch sequences were actually shot on location in New York City as part of a presentation before the show was picked up. Marlowe talks about the challenge of introducing all the regular characters while also telling a mystery story. Marlowe and Bowman talk about casting Fillion and Katic. Meanwhile, Fillion cracks jokes and is his usual entertaining self.



The second disc includes a commentary on "A Chill Goes Through Her Veins" by Marlowe, Bowman, Fillion, Katic, Huertas and Molly Quinn. They talk about the challenge of filming on an actual construction site. Marlowe and Fillion talk about their approach to the character of Castle. Katic goes into detail about her character's backstory and how it informs what she does.



Disc three starts off with two commentaries on "A Death in the Family." The first one features Marlowe, Bowman, Fillion, Katic, Huertas, and Quinn. Everyone banters back and forth while sharing anecdotes about shooting this episode. Katic talks about the dramatic material in this episode and how it changes the relationship between Castle and Beckett.



There is also another commentary for this episode by Huertas and fellow cast member Seamus Dever. These guys crack jokes and praise the episode's guest stars. They also tell all sorts of filming anecdotes.



"Whodunit: The Genesis of Castle" features Andrew Marlowe talking about the origins of the show - a desire to hearken back to shows like The Rockford Files - Season One and Moonlighting - Seasons 1 & 2. Fillion, Katic and the other regular cast members talk about their characters.



"Castle's Godfather" is an interview between Marlowe, Bowman and T.V. producer/writer and legend Stephen J. Cannell. Bowman knew Cannell when he was a kid and got his start on T.V. working for him. The two men share entertaining anecdotes about some of the shows they've worked on together.



"Write-Along with Nathan Fillion" is a hilarious mock-featurette as the actor spends the day with Cannell. The actor shows up to the man's house late and is forced to camp out until the next day. Fillion hangs on Cannell's every word but seems more impressed by the T.V. mogul's numerous classic cars. This is a fun extra as these two guys play well off each other. Give these guys their own show!



Finally, there is "Misdemeanors: Bloopers and Outtakes" which is an amusing montage of the cast goofing around and blowing their lines with Fillion getting the lion's share of the laughs.

Posted on October 21, 2011