Customer Reviews

Castle Season 2 [HD]

5 star:		(90)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Season 2 of Castle made me laugh harder than while any sit-com I've seen in the last few years. The writing and acting on this show are absolutely phenominal. Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic have such amazing chemistry together. The show manages to blend the daily life mix of comedy and drama which is what real life is more like.

The Double Down is one of the funniest episodes of the season and Tick, Tick, Tick & Boom will keep you guessing. The show wouldn't be what it is though without the great writing and the amazing supporting cast. My husband and look forward to every Monday night for this show. I highly recommend this DVD series if you want to watch an entertaing, quality show.

Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic are the most fun/serious/entertaining duo to come along in a long time. This tv show will keep you on the edge of your seat with drama and keep you giggling at the same time. Molly Quinn plays Castle's daughter Alexis, it is so refreshing to see a teenager be a teenager. Molly and Nathan have a connection that shows in their scenes together. They keep you laughing as Alexis is trying to "raise" her father because he is such a kid at heart. Nathan is such a versatile actor he brings life to Castle. Then you throw in Susan Sullivan as his mother? Her past rolls speak for themselves, she is and always has been an amazing actress. The supporting cast, Tony Award winning Actor Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Jon Huertas, Seamus Dever & Tamala Jones, make this the best crime comedy drama to watch. I would recommend season 1 along with season 2, and the book Heat Wave & Naked Heat both written by "Richard Castle" of course.

The "Castle" crew is back and better than ever with 24 new episodes of witty, comedic crime-solving. Season two of "Castle" brings just as much sass and fun to the crime scenes and murder storylines as the premiere season while still finding the time to delve a bit deeper into the lives and backgrounds of the main players. We learn a bit more about what makes all our favorite characters tick as they work together to unravel the mysteries of New York City murders. Fans of the show will be excited to learn that "Heat Wave," Richard Castle (Fillion)'s first Nikki Heat novel based on Detective Beckett (Katic), is in circulation in the "real world," appropriately a real-life New York Times Best-Seller. Season two gives the stellar actors and actresses a chance to really find their footing with the characters we've all come to love over the past year. With such distinctly spectacular writing and excellent performances by one and all, it's no wonder that "Castle" has picked up an even larger following this season. Recent through-the-roof ratings have secured another season for this enormously popular and refreshingly humorous crime procedural.

Castle is without a doubt the best show Nathan has done since he charmed audiences in Firefly! You just can't beat the cast chemistry, especially between Castle and Beckett. Of course they still haven't hooked up (seriously guys, just do it already) so I'm hoping for some more juicy situations in Season 3.

I personally LOVE behind-the-scenes stuff - something about seeing the actors out of character and describing the show fascinates me because it reveals the other side of making the show. It was disappointing to see this box set is severely lacking in extras and audio commentary, but I was looking around on Amazon and I found Castle: Cast & Creators Live at the Paley Center- it has some awesome stories from on-set, how they shot the pilot, and using the real-life Richard Castle novel as marketing tactic. If you like DVD extras this is a great accompaniment to the Season 2 DVD set. Watching this I could really tell that Nathan and Kate LOVE working together and that was so much fun to see!

Nathan Fillion (Firefly) has a knack for delivering a performance that is both humorous and dramatic at once. This series, which hopefully won't be cancelled, is very entertaining and rarely predictable. Writer (Castle) follows a female detective (Beckett) around to get ideas for new novels and help solve crime in a particularly dashing and endearing manner. Though appearances can be deceiving, the cast really looks like they have fun doing the show. The chemistry is definitely there, and the lines are delivered with perfect timing and body language. If the second season is half as good as the first, this is a great buy.

Due to the fact that the Federal Government pulled the plug on my analog television last summer, I was not aware this show had been renewed by ABC; it's future at been dodgy, at best. Thanks to the internet [where I have to wait 24 hours for viewing], I've been able to keep up with most of this season's episodes and must say it is quite an improvement over season 1. I believe one of the writer's from Firefly has come on board, and if I'm not mistaken, Castle even dressed up as Mr. Fillion's Firefly character for Halloween - what a hoot! And his Indiana Jones getup at the Mummy exhibition was another clever infusion of humor so indicative of this show - as was having Erick Avari, from the Mummy movie franchise, play the curator. This is a step above most other crime shows on television [NCIS being tops for me]and even has credible post-mortem medical examiner scenes, if you're into that sort of thing. Overall, this show deserves to outlast most of the drek that's on network tv these days. Fabulous casting all around[Stana Katic was a vampire in "The Librarian" with Noah Wiley] - long live Castle!

Season 2 is brimming with even more of the quick whit and snarkiness that made season 1 such a hit. The dynamic chemistry of crime writer Rick Castle (Nathan Fillion) working with Detective Kate Becket (Stana Katic) are what gives the show it's edge. Granted the comedic timing of every character on the show is dead on and makes the show even edgier; you just never know who's going to deliver the next great line.

One of the reasons the show stays fresh is that it isn't just about the "crime" it's also got Rick Castles family. Castes family throws in another wrench that always adds either hilarity, perverseness, clarity, or something to spin Castles life out of control. It gives more depth to each episode.

Showing Castle in the role of father and son has been a fabulous choice because without that dimension he'd just be another cute, fun, jerk. The writers utilize his family not only to move the story line along but also to build depth and sustenance to Castles character which makes him a really likable guy.

With great comedic timing, sensational acting, and terrific writing this is one of those shows you stay home to watch. It's one of the few shows where the entire cast is amazing.

They also launched the book "Heat Wave" in real life, which was a dynamic marketing strategy. Although I love the show, I didn't enjoy the book...which of course is a whole other review.

I love this show. There is something similar in flavor to Remington Steele. The writing is clever. The actors are clearly having a grand time making chemistry whether it's with the leads or the supporting characters (and a few guests like Alyssa Milano and Dana Delaney as well).

Sadly this second season does not have any commentaries with it. I could have sworn commentaries were recorded and available on the abc website. Why aren't they on this set? Because they wouldn't have been able to squish 5 episodes on each disc?

I loved the package for the first season because it included lots of witty commentaries that gave the listener a sense of the camaraderie of the cast, show-runners and writers.

One of the fun things about the show is all the meta-jokes that the casual viewer might miss, but hardcore fans will really enjoy. I know there are people who watch this show and have no idea that Castle's poker buddies are real-life mystery writers. Many Castle fans have no idea that the "Space Cowboy" Halloween costume Rick tries on was Nathan Fillion's costume from Firefly. (And the rest of the cast gets in on the act with their costumes of recently-played characters in the party scene at the end.)

I am sure there are a million other little bits of fun in the genesis, writing and production of the show and I wish there were commentaries to point them out. Even including the twitter comments by the cast members while they were filming would improve this package.

Still, the show is great fun and if you don't care about commentaries, this package is just fine.

With so many investigative/forensic cop dramas around, there is no dearth of procedural murder cases. So the networks tend to hang their hats on spectacular-looking lead characters who can string out the season by dint of sexy banter and the exchange of longing glances. It helps if there's chemistry. CASTLE's winning formula rests on the chemistry between Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic. But the writers can only draw it out for so long, that romantic tension between the roguish best-selling novelist Rick Castle and the no-nonsense homicide detective Kate Beckett. And maybe I do feel a bit let down that the show in its second season ends up catering to that old recipe of let's almost bring them together only to yank them apart, nyah nyah. Yes, that's what I'm focusing on. Not the weekly murder mysteries (which are mostly never that gripping anyway), not the interesting supporting cast, not the show's humor. It's all about: Can Castle and Beckett just please get a room? No? Okay, *sigh* sign me up for Season 3.

Rick Castle's pull with the mayor allowed him to shadow NYPD Detective Kate Beckett as she goes about solving mysteries. But the fact that Castle's fertile writer's imagination lends him a different perspective and insights into the cases, it's this knack of his that makes the 9th Precinct tolerate him (plus, it didn't hurt that he donated that fancy cappuccino machine to the precinct). Except the way the last season ended, the thought was that Castle may have finally stepped over the line. As Season 2 opens, Beckett is still cheesed at Castle for his poking his nose into Beckett's past, specifically into her mother's fatal stabbing. But Castle's exile from the 9th Precinct is resolved in the first episode (and the simplicity of how it's resolved is very cool), and so the Beckett-Castle crime-stomping team is back in business. For Kate, however, in a later episode, there would be a bit - just a little bit - of closure regarding her mother's murder (in the episode "Sucker Punch").

Okay, just because I was waxing all rhapsodic over the two lead actors, it doesn't mean I don't appreciate the supporting cast, a bunch of engaging characters. Detectives Esposito and Ryan (a.k.a. "Honeymilk") seem really fun to hang around with, and these two jokers provide the workplace levity. But my favorite supporting actor is Molly Quinn who is so good at playing Castle's too-good-to-be-true teen-aged daughter Alexis. I happen to think that those father-daughter moments between Quinn and Fillion are almost as key to the show as the flirtations between Fillion and Katic. Castle may foster this charming grown-up kid act, but he takes his parenting responsibilities seriously, and this lends him some needed credibility.

This time around, the series writers get 24 episodes to work with, and they play out several plot threads. Of course, there's the above-mentioned cold case centering around Beckett's mom. Castle's racy new creation, Nikki Heat (inspired by Detective Beckett), gets more run and Castle's book about her is even being optioned into a film. But then Castle gets a three book offer to write the continuing adventures of a certain British spy with a license to kill, except how is that going to affect his ride-alongs with the precinct? Things really heat up when the detectives hunt down a serial killer who leaves taunting clues to "Nikki Heat" (as he insists on calling Beckett) and the FBI takes over the case. These Feds are ramrodded by a frosty female profiler whom Castle declares is the federal version of Beckett (in the suspenseful two-parter "Tick, Tick, Tick..." and "Boom!"). To my disgust, the show even introduces a new prospective love interest for Beckett.

Other episodes I liked: "The Double Down" features the detectives and Castle partaking in a little wager to see who can first solve their respective cases; On Halloween Beckett and Castle bump into New York's undead community ("Vampire Weekend"); Beckett and Castle make an appointment with Lady Irina's House of Pain in "The Mistress Always Spanks Twice"; "A Rose for Everafter" has Alyssa Milano guest starring as Castle's lost love; and our guys tangle with an agency that immerses its clientele in fantasy espionage experiences ("A Deadly Game").

One of the cool conceits of CASTLE is the ongoing cameos of celebrity authors who tend to regularly sit in on Castle's poker nights. It's a personal thrill for me because I read guys like Stephen J. Cannell and Michael Connelly.

Also, it's nice to see that that fancy cappuccino machine is still going strong.

Five DVDs comprise CASTLE - THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON, with the following bonus material: a CASTLE Starter Kit which informs you on what you need to know, going in into this show; "On Set with Seamus Dever and Jon Huertas" has these two fun-loving blokes give you a tour of the show's set pieces; "On Location with Nathan Fillion" as he introduces various of the show's crew members; "Manhattan's Most Unusual Murders" is a behind-the-scenes peek at the production team's process of staging the show's murders; three deleted scenes (from episodes "Deep in Death," "Vampire Weekend," & "The Mistress Always Spanks Twice"); bloopers & outtakes; and two music videos: Hayley Blue's "Here Kitty Kitty" and Sky Blue's "Threshold" (from the episode "Famous Last Words"). These extras aren't bad, but an episode commentary or three would've been nice.

When a beloved show ends for the season, what's a devoted fan to do but go back to the archives. Therefore, I staged a season one marathon, a season I owned and had reviewed on Amazon a few years ago in my review entitled: "More Than Just Another Pretty Face." Who can forget the meeting of the intelligent, kind, handsome, fun-loving, intrepid writer and the valiant, complex, stunningly beautiful detective? One scene still had me laughing after two years. In this scene Rick and Alexis, while playing a father daughter game of laser tag, invite into their home a stunned Kate Beckett. And then Rick's mother makes a grand dame entrance in her green -clay facial. Humor, brilliant repartee, sight gags, fantastic ensemble acting, excellent writing and production values, humans in all of their diversity, evoke laughter, emotional tension and tears. I tried to talk to my family about my "issues," to no avail. I required more Castle weekly appointments. I wrote a review entitled "I'll Stand By You," about the season three finale and corresponded with a compatriot. How amazing the power of the internet and of Amazon to connect total strangers in an exchange of ideas and a meeting of the minds. Still I was in withdrawal.

I had to get my hands on Season Two; I ordered and waited.

I watched again a few of the remaining season three entries on demand, and while critically examining the few entries available, I drew more conclusions about the show. Today I wrote an additional review on" Knockout" and later greeted my UPS lady. My very own season two had arrived. Yes, another marathon or two is in store for me and probably another review, but first I wanted to share some additional conclusions I have made regarding the season three finale.

In "Knockout," Castle's third season finale, Kate says to Rick, "You don't know me, Rick, you think you do but you don't." And he responds that he knows she hides in her mother's murder case and she stays with men she doesn't love. He claims she could be happy, but she is afraid to be happy. This is true, but Rick, the same applies to you. You stay safe with frivolous women who mean nothing or two ex wives. Indeed, Rick Castle is a loving son and a magnificent father. A good friend and an intrepid partner, he is uplifting and fun. But he has a painful awareness, masked with good humor, that his mother doesn't even know who fathered him. Love his mother he does, but this knowledge has to hurt. He, too, is afraid of a deeper rejection or disappointment in love.

We know this fear of complete happiness and love runs through the valiant Kate. With a grieving but recovering alcoholic father and her mother murdered, her fears are manifest and masked with safe lovers who will not press her for the love she cannot give. She knows Rick is different, but he cannot or won't force her to acknowledge their mutual and powerful attraction. Everyone around them sees their love. Therein remains the frustration of the viewer and the genius of the writers of this tremendously human romance, drama, comedy and police procedural.

Vowed to have Kate's back, "always," Rick accompanies Kate to LA to track and capture the man who has killed Kate's mentor and friend. While staying together in a suite, Rick confesses to Kate, "You know what I thought when I first met you. You were a mystery I would never solve... I am amazed at the depths of your strength and your heart." And realizing that the moment is emotionally charged, he backs off with these words: "and your hotness." Kate responds, "You aren't so bad yourself."

The next scene is a metaphor for the show. Exposed by an obvious mutual desire, Kate panics and retires to her room. To distance herself Kate calls him Castle as he, stricken, remains and endearingly calls her Kate. Behind Kate's locked door the director focuses on the door handle and Kate's unsteady hand. Will the conflicted and sometimes shy Kate erase the barrier and go to Rick? With his heart racing or perhaps sinking, Rick waits for the woman he loves to make a choice, to come to him. Seconds pound or does time stand still. When Kate finally opens the door to go to Rick, it is too late. Humbled or heart -broken, Rick has retreated to his room. And Kate watches his door shut.

From the soundtrack, a fragment of a song permeates the air as this dance of love and desire unfolds. From Pearl Jam's Just Breathe, these words come through: "Oh, I am a lucky man to count on both hands the ones I love.......stay with me."

In the same scene Josh Ritter's plaintive song and words resound, reflecting Rick's unspoken words:

And I keep me in a vacant lot
In the ivy and forget-me-nots
Hoping you will come and untangle me one of these days
Come and find me now.