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While most clever TV dramas seem to get the axe long before their time is up, it’s nice to see that ABC’s quirky crime series, Castle, has managed to make it through its mid-season premiere and its sophomore season—and it’s already diving into season three. But before you dig into that new episode that’s waiting patiently on your DVR, it’s time to refresh your memory with a look back at the show’s second season.
As the season opens, best-selling author Rick Castle (Nathan Fillion) is preparing for the debut of his new Nikki Heat crime series—and his muse, Detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic), is dealing with the constant attention of the press. But although he seems to be over the severe case of writer’s block that brought him to Beckett in the first place, Castle isn’t ready to walk away. So he continues to tag along with Beckett, Ryan (Seamus Dever), and Esposito (Jon Huertas)—with his Kevlar “Writer” jacket always nearby.
While the first short season of this quick-witted crime drama was a whole lot of fun, the writers didn’t choose to sit back and phone it in for season two. The murders are just as creative as the victims: pop stars, models, vampires, famous baseball players, and celebrity chefs. Each story is loaded with an abundance of twists, turns, movie references (everything from Ninja Assassin to Snakes on a Plane), and snappy one-liners from the ever-charming (and lovably cheesy) Fillion. And the solutions are often just as creative as the crimes themselves—but as you follow along, trying to guess who’s really to blame, you’ll also be entertained by the lovable characters and their ongoing stories.
After all, there’s more to each episode than just another bizarre murder for Beckett, Castle, and the rest of the team to solve. Throughout the season, Beckett and Castle continue to carry on a will-they-or-won’t-they relationship. Castle struggles with his own discomfort as his teenage daughter, Alexis (Molly C. Quinn), becomes more and more independent. Castle’s mom, Martha (Susan Sullivan), reconnects with an old flame. And Beckett is once again forced to deal with her mother’s unsolved murder.
In its second season, Castle continues to be just as much about the characters as it is about the crime-solving. And the more you get to know them, the more you’ll care about them. You’ll love Castle’s over-the-top behavior—which gives the show much of its comic relief—but you’ll also understand his insecurities. You’ll admire Beckett because she’s strong and no-nonsense—but you’ll also understand that she’s more than just a hard-nosed cop (she also looks great in red, in case you haven’t noticed). Each character gets a moment or two in the spotlight this season—from Esposito, whose former partner is suspected of criminal activity, to ME Lanie Parish (Tamala Jones), who gets to do a little sleuthing of her own.
At times tense and dramatic—and, at other times playful and witty—Castle is a series that’s not to be missed. In fact, you might even say that it’s a crime to miss it. So if you aren’t caught up on the second season yet, be sure to pick up a copy on DVD before starting season three.
DVD Review:
The five-disc DVD release of Castle’s second season contains more than just 24 smart, funny, mysterious episodes of the show. It also offers fans a look behind the scenes, touring the bullpen, the morgue, and even the hallways on the set with Seamus and Jon. You’ll also go on location with Nathan to meet various members of the crew—from sound mixing to costumers to craft services. Thanks to the show’s fun-loving stars, both are some of the most entertaining behind-the-scenes features that you’ll find on a TV DVD release.
Another feature, Manhattan’s Most Unusual Murders, explores the bizarre (and disgusting) murder cases, and it introduces fans to some of the stunt actors who have been given the challenge of portraying the corpses. And the special features menu closes out with a short blooper reel (made all the more hilarious by Fillion’s on-set antics), three deleted scenes, and two music videos from the pop star episode.
At less than eight minutes each, all of these features (aside from the videos, which aren’t especially noteworthy) are well worth checking out. So after you finish watching the last episode of the season, don’t miss your chance to spend a few more minutes with the show’s lovable cast and crew.
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