ABC’s Castle Experiences Writer’s Block

Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic on ABC's Castle

I started watching ABC’s Castle from when the pilot episode first aired, mostly because I am a huge fan of Nathan Fillion (Firefly, Dr. Horrible). The show’s premise was somewhat less than intriguing, but I thought I’d give it a shot and hope for the best. Basically, the show centers around Richard Castle a very successful mystery novelist who has decided to follow around local detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) for writing inspiration. Castle makes himself quite valuable when it becomes clear that his fantastical writer’s mind can help solve her cases.

Despite my initial hesitations, and what seemed like a contrived plot, I found myself really enjoying the show. The flirtatious banter between Katic and Fillion was a lot of fun, and the budding romance gave the show a little something extra. That is, until, nothing progressed past this point. The show is just winding down its second season and has aired 31 episodes to date, and yet there has been little to no progress on the romantic relationship between Beckett and Castle. I understand that resolving a source of the show’s dramatic tension could be a problem, but if the show’s writers are half as good at writing plot as they are at witty banter, then it shouldn’t be an issue.

What’s particularly frustrating, is this pattern that the writer’s have created. Something will happen that brings Beckett and Castle closer together, there is an argument (because they are both to stubborn to admit their true feelings), Beckett or Castle has eyes for another guy or girl, and the shunned party glowers in a corner. This would have been acceptable, in terms of character plot, for about one season (see Grey’s Anatomy season 1 for reference). But to drag all this out over 31 episode’s is just absurd. I really wish the writer’s would just decide whether they want Castle and Beckett to be together or apart and just roll with it to see where it takes them. Otherwise, they’re going to be stuck in this awkward plot limbo for too long and people are going to get bored with it.

They had a good thing going earlier this season in the episodes “Tick, Tick, Tick…” and “Boom” when Beckett’s life was in danger after a bomb exploded in her apartment. The emotional part of me obviously wanted her to be alright, but the rational part of me really wanted her to be seriously injured in some way, just so we could see Castle’s reaction. I thought that was a perfect missed opportunity for them to bring this whole situation to a head. All that being said, I have not quite given up on this show and will continue to watch it, if for nothing else then to enjoy the witty banter and the fun crime drama aspect.

DISCUSS: Have you watched Castle before and if so, what’s your take on the Beckett/Castle romance drama? Should the writers find someway to bring it to a close?