deird1: chibis of Kitty and Lydia from P&P, with text "fangirls at large" (Kitty Lydia fangirls)
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.
deird1: Faith looking thoughtful, with text "deep thought" (Faith thought)
I've been rewatching Castle. Towards the end of each season, they break up Castle and Beckett's friendship in some new way, and send them off to do their own thing. Then, the next season, they repair their friendship, and resume the status quo. Eventually, you get very cynical about the latest kerfuffle: "Oh noes, they're broken up for real this time!!! ...wonder how many minutes this one will last."

I think I've decided it's a problem of having a show that's both character-based and team-based.

Veronica Mars, for instance, is a character-based show. The narrative follows Veronica, and other characters appear or disappear as they become relevant or irrelevant to Veronica. If Veronica had a nasty argument with her best friend, we could be genuinely uncertain as to whether the friendship was over or not.

(But clearly, Veronica won't actually die, or the show would be over.)

NCIS, on the other hand, is a team-based show. The narrative follows the team, and various characters appear or disappear as they join or leave the team. If a character is in danger, we can be genuinely worried as to whether they'll survive or not - because the show will keep going with or without them.

(But clearly, NCIS won't completely disband, or the show would be over.)

And then there's Castle. Which is not only character-based - and about TWO characters rather than one - but also team-based.

So, Castle can't die, or the show would end. And Beckett can't die, or the show would end. And Castle can't leave the crime-fighting foursome, or the show would end. And Beckett can't leave it either, or the show would end.

It removes far too much uncertainty. And the show is the poorer for it.
deird1: Sokka looking upset, with text "you're making me tearbend" (Sokka tearbend)
I've now reached the end of Leverage season 2, and Castle season 3.

Can anyone explain to me why the season ending of one is so much better than the other? Because I'm slightly baffled.

spoilers within )

I think it's the writing. It must be the writing. But I don't know exactly WHY.
deird1: Willow, with text "I am Willow. I am Death. 'Kay?" (Willow death)
Here's the thing: I like murder mysteries.

Murder mysteries - you know? Those stories where someone gets murdered, and they have to find out who the murderer is, or maybe they don't even know the death was a murder until the one person who did know tries blackmailing the murder and a second murder happens, and anyway there are only a few people who could be the murder, and the detective is running around trying to figure out who it is, and one suspect is clearly the most likely person so it can't be them, and then someone else gets killed...

Yep. Them.

a strange lack of stories )
deird1: Fred looking nervous (Fred nervous)
I almost went with Glee, but in the end...

Castle )

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