What They’re Saying About Castle
Nathan Fillion’s Castle premieres Monday night on ABC. It’s the latest crime procedural drama starring a very well loved TV actor (whose cult following are fans of his former TV show, Firefly).
Following is what critics have said about Castle (which I have yet to watch sometime later…)
“Castle” may be playing it safe for now, but you never know—if its characters are given more texture and if a genuine spark develops between the leads, this dramedy may end up being an enjoyable bit of escapist piffle. — The Watcher
There’s an almost meta undercurrent to the show that gives it a unique flair - Castle’s written every murder cliche there is so he can spot them a mile away and in turn, informs us the audience the same about the show itself. In other words, by poking holes in the obviousness of the case they’re working on, he’s inadvertently poking holes in the obviousness of the show itself, making it amusingly self aware. Helping matters is that Fillion is always a lot of fun to watch - he’s the go-to guy for the roguish, devil-may-care types that secretly harbor a strict moral code (in this case, that “the story” is important above all else). There’s definitely a show somewhere in here… — The Futon Critic
The main reason to watch is Nathan Fillion. He was wasted last season on Desperate Housewives and never got a chance to shine on FOX’s very short-lived Drive. But now, on a big network airing after a huge hit, a show with Nathan Fillion in the lead is in a perfect position to survive, and hopefully America will embrace him as much as Whedon fans have from the first time they saw him. I defy you not to be won over by him. I dare you to watch Castle and not become an instant worshiper at the church of Nathan Fillion. There’s a reason people still congregate to honor a show that only lasted for nine episodes on Friday nights on FOX, and while Joss Whedon may be part of it, it’s Fillion who stole our hearts. — Buddy TV
There’s a been-there-done-that quality to much of it and early on I’m not sensing the same kind of effortless chemistry between the two leads that was there from the start with David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel of “Bones.” Still, Fillion, with the help of some clever writing, manages to keep things interesting. And a plum time slot behind “Dancing With the Stars” will probably assure that “Castle” gets plenty of initial visitors. — Mercury News
