The TV Beyond Castle Thread: What Other TV Shows Are Your Favorites?

[MaryM47]

If you are missing the good old days of Castle, may I recommend The Mysteries of Laura. Similar red-herring-filled procedural (last week's ep featured a Strangers on a Train set-up much like Castle season 2's The Double Down, but with a twist) good fellow cop sidekicks, enough lighthearted moments to keep it from taking itself too seriously, and a couple of romantic B stories. Also a nice bit of hair porn with Debra Messing's flowing auburn locks, while we wait for the return of Nashville and Connie Britton's silken tresses. 

[WendyCR72]

For a more lighthearted procedural, Elementary is pretty good, too. It even takes place in NYC (and films there). The leads, Johnny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu, who play Sherlock and Watson, have a deep, platonic vibe, and the cases are intriguing.

[MaryM47]

Another similarity between Castle and Laura - I'm pretty sure they use the same building from early Castle eps in their establishing shot of "just outside the precinct" to cue the viewer that, hey, we're heading to the police station now.

[femmefan1946]

I've found Jessica Jones on Netflix as well as Call The Midwife, which has later seasons playing on PBS. I've also seen a couple of episodes of Miss Fisher Investigates which seems promising.

I've found a suit pattern in my size and a red hat, so now I just need a tailor for an Agent Carter cosplay in time for NorWesCon in Seattle in March. (I can sew, I just don't sew.)

 

FWIW. We boomers complain about how few programs are aimed at us, but for other reasons I was looking at the demographics of the Canadian population the other day  and found that while the Boomer (1946 to 1964) make up nearly 25% of the population, the Echo (1980-1999) are just over 36%.

The USA is probably similar, although we accept a higher percentage of immigrants than the USA. (Around 250,000 annually since 1975 into a population 1/10th the size of the US.)

[pepper]

I've just discovered "Madam Secretary" and I've fallen in love with "Billions". The writing is so intelligent and if there is better acting on TV, I don't know where. I watch "Billions" on Sunday and it makes me almost embarrassed for "Castle" on Monday. "Castle" is like sugar... you know it's bad for you, but it's a hard habit to break, even though you feel a bit sick afterward. Ok, maybe that's just me...

[madmaverick]

Castle is comfort food TV.  Maybe felt better watching it years ago, but I still feel good watching it which is why I continue to do so.  It's never been gourmet food to me.  At its best it might have been something uncomplicated but nevertheless tasty like a great cheeseburger.  It was never an avant garde, sophisticated, labour intensive Michelin meal.  I might wish I could have gourmet food every day, but if I actually did have it every day, I would probably find myself wishing for the occasional comfort food.  I enjoy my Castle especially on its good days, and I enjoy more challenging fare like Billions on other days.  And now I'm hungry!

 

As a Sherlock buff, I'm spoiled between Sherlock and Elementary.  Elementary is pretty good as a mystery solving show featuring two leads with a strong relationship.  I don't miss the romance on that show.  The secondary characters on Elementary are better developed and given more to do there than on Castle and the writers have created a world rich with characters that pop in and out, the sort of which are missing on Castle.  I have noticed though that show also goes through periods where the two leads are no longer in every scene of every episode together but have branched out to carry storylines on their own with other characters or even had extended arcs with them (Kitty).   I don't think that kind of thing is unique to Castle; I never did.  It's the same on Madam Secretary, which I'm also enjoying.  The couple have separate storylines most of the time and don't interact much except at home, but the solidity and intimacy of the relationship still comes through because of good writing and acting.  They are in danger of Mary Suing the husband a bit there too.  Both shows are still going fairly strong, but we'll see how they fare in S8. ;)

 

The pilot of Angie Tribeca is worth watching alone for Castle viewers to recognise all the TV tropes they make fun of on our show in that show. 

Edited February 13, 2016 by madmaverick

[madmaverick]

Finding American Crime Story: The People vs O.J. Simpson to be very compelling.  This week's episode was the best yet.  John Travolta's face does take getting used to, but that aside, all the actors are doing a fantastic job.  You really don't see them anymore, just the people they are portraying.  My prediction is they will be showered with awards.

 

Also really enjoying Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, which you can catch on youtube as well.  She was always one of my favourite correspondents on The Daily Show and it was a crime that she wasn't in the running to be Jon Stewart's successor.  But now we get to enjoy more of her brand of satire on her own show, and she provides a uniquely funny, feminist perspective.  If anyone needs some laughs to make this American presidential election more bearable, highly recommend this show. 

[BkWurm1]

Castle always reminded me of a modern Remington Steele and I saw a promo for a new show and it suddenly struck me how much it sounded like a variation of Remington Steele.  Now RS was a female PI from LA that in order to be taken seriously faked a male boss (yes, the 80's) and a con man just happened to step in and fill the role.  Naturally it was them solving cases and falling in love.  It had Pierce Brosnan.  Enough said. 

 

Anyway, now here comes The Catch, a smart female PI from LA that gets taken by a conman who apparently broke his own rules and fell in love.  She's out to track him down and in the mean time solves other cases.  It's another Shondaland creation so expect something fast paced and dramatic but I can't help wonder how long it would be before she finds him and suddenly he's a part of her solving cases?  I could be wrong about that last bit but it's enough for me to have to check it out.  (March 24th, ABC) 

[TWP]

No, no, no, people over on Media thread, do not wish my only show, Castle, away (flails arms, kicks feet in tantrum). Or if you're going to wish it away, honestly, find me a replacement....with the understanding that I boycotted Shondaland with the baby stolen from womb cliffhanger on Private Practice and will never go there again.

What could be a true replacement for Castle, in reasonably fun, non-sadistic television? Elementary, NCIS, too dry. Scorpions, too stupid. Superhero shows, too superhero-ey. Blindspot, too torturey. Rizzoli, short-term.

[madmaverick]

Watched the pilot of Laurie Zaks' new show on ABC and I can tell you it's not going to be a replacement for Castle. ;)  I have no idea what ABC has in the pipeline for their schedule next year, but honestly, if it's shows like this one, then I'm not surprised if they opt for another season of a crime procedural like Castle despite ratings decline and creative upheaval.  It wasn't...unwatchable, I guess, but I don't see the show becoming a hit and would not be surprised if it's cancelled soon.  The actors weren't bad, although Joan Allen seems to have done something to her face like so many others sigh, but the writing was not so good.  There was a sex scene in an interrogation room, I kid you not.  Made me laugh.  The creator's a disciple of Shonda's so maybe that's to be expected.  A dreary, soapy family drama  with secrets and lies and probably conspiracies down the line ;), if anyone's up for that.  Poor man's Broadchurch (UK version).  No comparison, really.

 

The success rate of ex-Castle EPs in getting shows onto the air that aren't cancelled quickly is close to nil?

[TWP]

Laurie Zaks was also involved in Wicked City, which lasted 3 episodes.  I am pretty sure she'll be considered radioactive soon.

 

Thanks for watching The Family, so I don't have to.  Just what we need, another bad night-time soap. Anything from Shondaland is off my radar screen.  She and I have creative differences ;-).

 

If the leads will sign, I'll bet a whole $5(!) that Castle's getting another season ;-).

[femmefan1946]

I saw the Real McNeals last night. Not awful and I may watch again if I remember, but not up to Fresh Off the Boat or the Goldbergs. And that's in spite of having Martha Plimpton, who has been a favourite of mine for ages. Such a face! (Isn't it nice when an actress has a real face and not just something drawn on by the makeup crew?)

Right now I am dressed in black because Agent Carter is on hiatus.

[S55]

I'm just biding my time until The Americans and Silicon Valley come back. 

[jhlipton]

Mysteries:
iZombie and Elementary (which wins major kudos for the platonic and only platonic relationship between the leads)

 

Other:

Brooklyn 99 (amazing cast, and a "man-child" who deeply loves and respects his girlfriend [he gave her a BINDER!!!])

Sleepy Hollow (another great cast, Nichole Beharie is soooooooooooo beautiful and one of the very few shows to star a black woman)

Black-ish (well-done and well-acted, and they deal with pretty heavy subjects with a lot of humor.  Worth seeing just for Diane.)

[S55]

Other:

Brooklyn 99 (amazing cast, and a "man-child" who deeply loves and respects his girlfriend [he gave her a BINDER!!!])

 

YES! B99 has filled the Parks and Recreation-hole in my heart quite nicely. 

[jhlipton]

YES! B99 has filled the Parks and Recreation-hole in my heart quite nicely. 

 

I didn't care for P&R at all.  I haven't seen Amy Poehler be funny in anything (when she's with Tina Fewy -- ugh!).   And the folks were mean -- something B99 is not.

[westwingfan]

I think Nordic Noir will become my main viewing pleasure for the time being, just started watching the original " The Killing" trilogy from the beginning again, and then there's "The Bridge" and "Trapped", also looking forward to S2 of "Fortitude". Can't decide if I prefer the original Swedish "Wallender" or the Kenneth Branagh version.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36106213

Edited May 8, 2016 by westwingfan

[madmaverick]

Just finished watching Trapped and thought it was fantastic.  Very interesting to watch a series in Icelandic though I think I would find much of the language unpronounceable.  Sounds even tougher than Danish.  Know of all the above Nordic Noir type of series and enjoyed many of them.  My favourite is probably The Killing (original) S1 and Borgen.  If you have any more recommendations, please share.

I recently watched Deutschland 83, a series set in Germany 1983 about a young East German sent as a spy to West Germany.  Recommend it, especially for those interested in history.

I like watching series other than Anglo-American ones to get a flavour of what the rest of the non English speaking world is watching and there should be lots to choose from if only they all had subtitles!

[femmefan1946]

It's French, not Nordic, but you may enjoy Les Revenants a slow build horror story about a small isolated town where long dead locals are returning, just as they were at their deaths, (no zombies) and unaware that they were dead.

It had a US remake as The Returned, almost as good but no full frontal male nudity. It featured Jeremy Sisto, who was very creepy.

[westwingfan]

11 hours ago, femmefan1946 said:

It's French, not Nordic, but you may enjoy Les Revenants a slow build horror story about a small isolated town where long dead locals are returning, just as they were at their deaths, (no zombies) and unaware that they were dead.

It had a US remake as The Returned, almost as good but no full frontal male nudity. It featured Jeremy Sisto, who was very creepy.

I discovered Spiral in S5, very gritty with a very unglamourous female lead, latest season had her discovering she was pregnant but it didn't stop her chasing the villains, interesting way they handled her pregnancy, initially she wants to abort it but then gradually her feelings change and the season ends on quite a cliff hanger. Hoping they make more. First two seasons only 8 episodes, last three have been extended to 12. I guess, much like the Scandinavian shows, and some British ones, where the show is much more serialised, a shorter season makes more sense so there is less need for "filler" episodes, as seems to be the case on Castle.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0477507/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

[madmaverick]

Thanks.  I've heard of both French series but haven't gotten around to watching them yet.  Also watched a bit of Les Temoins on the plane which was promising though I didn't get to finish it.  Featured a strong female lead detective.  Kinf of a French Broadchurch.

[MaryM47]

FYI for any Galavant fans out there - sounds the show producers are putting together a stage version of the show

http://tvline.com/2016/05/12/galavant-stage-version-cancellation-alan-menken/

[femmefan1946]

I keep meaning to watch Broadchurch as well as Gracefield (the North American remake  which was filmed here in Oak Bay BC just before we moved here).

Now I have to find the DVDs of Galavant, of which I saw only about four charming episodes. Unless it is on Netflix. No? These streaming casts don't seem to have anything I like.

Except Grace and Frankie and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. And The Mindy Project is playing new episodes on Global TV (Canada).

And we saw Mr Turner tonight and Life of Pi on Saturday and Foxcatcher on Friday last, because there was nothing on TV.

Edited May 13, 2016 by femmefan1946

[MaryM47]

So are there any shows you have seen, past or present, that were not poisoned by the Moonlighting Curse, or the HIMYM nuclear option, or the Loksat Letdown (that's a thing, right? that should be a thing). A show that started strong and stayed true to its promise, or maybe even struggled at first, then found its way. I thought about Parks and Rec, which most critics agree had a rough first season, then it all clicked into place. And since they knew their last season was indeed their last, they were able to take their time and craft thoughtful endings for their characters. 

[oberon55]

To have been on for 11 seasons I thought Frasier did a pretty good job of staying true to its characters & that it's finale was satisfying if not great. I also really liked The Sopranos. Great actors & acting all the way around. It's finale left a little to be desired but I thought it stayed well within the spirit of the show.

[pennben]

2 hours ago, MaryM47 said:

So are there any shows you have seen, past or present, that were not poisoned by the Moonlighting Curse, or the HIMYM nuclear option, or the Loksat Letdown (that's a thing, right? that should be a thing). A show that started strong and stayed true to its promise, or maybe even struggled at first, then found its way. I thought about Parks and Rec, which most critics agree had a rough first season, then it all clicked into place. And since they knew their last season was indeed their last, they were able to take their time and craft thoughtful endings for their characters. 

I was thinking Parks and Rec as I was reading your post, and then you brought it up.

I'll always recommend this show: Friday Night Lights. It has a few hiccups along the way, but it is a completed series that is wonderful and will not disappoint.

[MaryM47]

So how about we look forward to the future. Along with the bloodbath of yesterday's cancellations, networks announced several pilot pickups, some which may become the next Friends or Friday Night Lights, some which will last 2 episodes and never be heard from again. Here is a link to a list of potential pilots, with many already noted as being picked up or passed over.  Maybe we can find a new show to dissect come September.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tv-pilots-2016-complete-guide-845373

[Mom x 3]

10 hours ago, MaryM47 said:

So are there any shows you have seen, past or present, that were not poisoned by the Moonlighting Curse, or the HIMYM nuclear option, or the Loksat Letdown (that's a thing, right? that should be a thing). A show that started strong and stayed true to its promise, or maybe even struggled at first, then found its way. I thought about Parks and Rec, which most critics agree had a rough first season, then it all clicked into place. And since they knew their last season was indeed their last, they were able to take their time and craft thoughtful endings for their characters. 

Season 5 is not yet over, but Person of Interest has been damned good throughout its run.  

[MaryM47]

Quote

I'll always recommend this show: Friday Night Lights.

Jason Katims has a new show picked up for this Fall:

Pure Genius* -- ORDERED TO SERIES
Logline: A young Silicon Valley tech titan (Augustus Prew) enlists a veteran surgeon (Dermot Mulroney) with a controversial past in starting a hospital with a cutting-edge, "new school" approach to medicine.
Cast: Dermot Mulroney, Odette Annable, Augustus Prew, Brenda Song, Reshma Shetty, Ward Horton, Aaron Jennings

[TWP]

My question is what show is going to be TVLine's pot-stirrer next year.  They don't get to troll Castle anymore.

[TWP]

Since it was brought up some time ago, I thought I'd mention that Private Eyes starts tomorrow.  On Ion.  Here's a link

The picture at this link gives me the willies for a couple of reasons, but I'll leave it to you to judge for yourselves.

[Mom x 3]

On 2/10/2018 at 11:20 AM, TWP said:

Since it was brought up some time ago, I thought I'd mention that Private Eyes starts tomorrow.  On Ion.  Here's a link

The picture at this link gives me the willies for a couple of reasons, but I'll leave it to you to judge for yourselves.

The boob mashing into his arm?  Or the fact that they couldn't even get their two lead to pose for promo photos together?