The Mezzanine

So they're both the same show, for one thing.
- The lead male actor used to star in a Joss Whedon show.
- The man is a loving single father, with a kid he'd do anything for.
- The woman's mother died under mysterious circumstances, leaving the woman emotionally scarred.
- The cop is teamed up with a civilian who tags along on their cases.
- The civilian writes very successful crime novels, broadly based on their own life.


That being said...

Castle is better, because the police investigations are way more exciting and less dry and boring.
Bones is better, because watching the nerd squad get excited over nerdy forensic science is really fun.
Castle is better, because it's snarkier.
Bones is better, because it has more emotional heart.
Castle is better, because his family dynamics are so interesting.
Bones is better, because they spend so much more time solving the crime, rather than getting into the characters' family lives.
Castle is better, because they get at the heart of the crime's story, and think about what makes sense.
Bones is better, because they really look at the science and facts, rather than getting distracted by story.
Castle is better, because Beckett is so snarky.
Bones is better, because Brennan wears SENSIBLE SHOES rather than Beckett's ridiculous heels.
Castle is better, because the characters annoy each other in such entertaining ways.
Bones is better, because the characters have a background that predates the show, so it's clearer why they care about each other.
Castle is better, because it has more silly fun.
Bones is better, because it has more explosions.



In summary: These shows are identical. And they're both better than each other.