 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Castle
Common Sense Media says
Light crime procedural offers less violence than CSI.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this crime drama about a novelist (who also happens to be a devoted single dad) who tags along with a detective as she investigates crimes is much less violent -- and more lighthearted -- than intense procedural series like CSI. Many of the cases do involve murder, so some crime scenes feature shots of corpses, but there's little gore. Some episodes also include discussions about the sexual habits of both victims and suspects, and there's romantic tension between the main characters. Expect some social drinking.
What's the story?
Suffering from writer's block, successful crime novelist Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion) tags along with an NYPD detective hoping for inspiration. Though his partner, Kate Becket (Stana Katic), repeatedly tells him that he's only there to observe, the irrepressible Castle can't refrain from offering his opinions. Given his lack of police training and his background as a fiction writer, his ideas tend to go against the grain -- but they still display a keen understanding of human nature. These insights often take the pair's investigations in unusual directions and sometimes lead to important breakthroughs.
Is it any good?
Fillion is the main reason to watch CASTLE. Charming and witty, his character brings some fun to what's otherwise a fairly standard cop procedural. As a fiction writer, his point of departure when examining a crime is to assume that the most unlikely, impossible-sounding explanation is what happened -- in other words, the exact opposite of his detective counterpart, who starts with the facts and moves on from there. Their interactions, as Becket dismisses Castle's outlandish suggestions and then slowly concedes he might have a point, are the best part of the show.
The weak points are the crimes themselves, which are often so formulaic that any veteran viewer of TV cop shows can immediately tell which suspects are red herrings and which minor characters will be back in the final act. Still, TV police squad rooms tend to be environments filled with stress and uncertainty, as the cops try to fit together meager clues; introducing a writer to mix up this well-known environment is a fun twist that elevates Castle from mediocrity.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about whether this kind of crime show is more appealing than one like CSI. If so, why? Do crimes like murder seem less upsetting in this context? What's the impact of seeing violence on television?
Do you think Castle’s crime theories are believable or crazy? Even if you don’t find his ideas plausible, does the show telegraph the fact that his wild hypotheses will likely turn out to be true?
Families can discuss why so many TV shows revolve around "odd couple" pairings. Is it just a way to generate conflict? Do you think odd-couple partnerships are better for drama shows or comedies? Can you think of any real-life odd couples?
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AGE
Great Show!! But review the episode before showing children.
I absolutely LOVE Castle. Nathan Fillion was the reason I started watching and I absolutely enjoy it. I don't watch it with my siblings around because there is occasionally some sexual content depending on the episode. I admit that Season one was worse than the current one. I haven't seen ton's of explicit content in season three BUT, I do admit that I should rewatch them again.
All in all, I enjoy it, it's a fun break and often I find myself on the edge of my seat until the end of the show. I love the twists and turns that is included for the mysteries. And I love the romantic tension between Castle and Beckett.
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AGE
Good show, might give scares to some kids
I like this show as a good family show, however there are some moments which put down a scare (not for me, but noticed between my 5 yr. old sibling), and like I said in my Monk review, I don't recommend murder plots for those under 8...however this is pretty tame.
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AGE
Great cop show--teens and up
As we all know, ABC makes the stupidest programming decisions. Castle is really not "adult" enough for 10:00 p.m. For the most part, it could easily be an 8:00 p.m. "Family Hour" show. If you don't like graphic violence like that found on CSI and Bones, and if you appreciate smart comedy, Castle is for you. With all the great shows on TV canceled this season (Pushing Daisies, Eli Stone, etc.), don't be surprised if Castle is canceled.
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AGE
Great for teens that like crime shows
Love this show. but then again i like almost all crime shows, CASTLE is vey much like bones but the main focus is on xatching the muderer rather than all of the forensic type stuff. castle and beckett are a great team and all the characters are extremely interesting and funny. Castle is a single father with sole custody to his 15 yr old daughter alexis, due to her mothers chosen profession, he is also a very acomplished writer and insists on following Beckett around. Beckett is a single, bright, savvy woman, she works for the NYPD, a profession castle says she chose due to her mothers murder. There is very little swearing for example castle tends to use APPLES as his safe word for when he woud be swearing if it where a different show.
This is a very interesting and funny tv series, well worth praise.
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AGE
Most episodes are fine but watch out for those that are more explicit
I watch this show quite often with my 13 year old daughter. We both enjoy Castle and his relationship with his daughter and mother. And also his professional relationships with the police he works with. That said, there have been some episodes that I have not let her watch--usually the ones that are too "sexual" or inappropriate. I tape the episodes first so making that decision is easier. Overall it's a good show with interesting characters and storylines. It's not overly violent and it would be hard to have homicide detectives with no homicide. Toning down the sexual issues would be great but it's certainly not in every episode so we'll keep trying them.
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AGE
Woah. Did Common Sense even watch one episode??
Oh. My. Gosh. Did I just read this review????And did it just rate Castle with only THREE STARS!? And did they say it isn't GORY??????????????????????????? Well, I guess I must be left to set the record straight. Ok. Let's go.
In the episode "The Final Nail", a young woman kills another young woman with a nail gun. Her mangled corpse is shown with nails embedded in her skull. Blood is pooled around her head. In the episode "Nikki Heat", a young woman is shown dead, impaled on a stake fence. Blood is everywhere. Does that not sound gory??? Moving on to sexual content. Not much is in most of the episodes, but in the episode "Nikki Heat", an actress playing the part of the character based on Beckett in the movie adaptation of Castle's novel Nikki Heat pressures Castle to sleep with her in order to completely "grasp" the character. She then talks to Beckett in the most foul mouthed potion of the episode, using phrases such as but not limited to "verbal masturbation" and "steamy sex scenes". Coincidentally enough, adultery and prostitution is also mentioned in this episode, so please skip this one. This show has excellent comedy. Ryan and Esposito are always dropping gut busters. Castle is a loving and caring father to his teenage daughter, Alexis. However, Alexis is not always respectful but is shown to be resourceful and even provides helpful advice to her father on cases. If I were you, I wouldn't pass on this one. It can be a buddy buddy guy show or a woman's chick flick. Before I leave, I will warn you; in the season three finale a major character is killed and one of the two main characters' fate is left on a cliffhanger. And to whoever read gospurs57's review, ABC has announced that Castle will be continued into a fourth season and possibly more.
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AGE
A light-hearted funny CSI title.
A perfect show to watch when you want a very light-hearted mystery. Great acting, funny characters, mystery and intrigue, they all combine to make one of the few CSI shows worth watching.
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AGE
Good for Kids if parent is around!!!
I LOVE this show!!!! I watch every Monday even if it is a rerun. I am 16 and have a younger brother that is 12 and he watches the show with me. I still sit with him so he does not see stuff he shouldn't. I hope this helps!!
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AGE
Not such a bad show for Tweens, Teens, and Adults.
This show can be pretty intreging. My 9-year-old sister can watch it, but she's more mature than I normally give her credit for.
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| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | ABC |
| Cast: | Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Susan Sullivan |
| Genre: | Drama |
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