Written by our own Christine ~ 13 Shows on the Bubble

[Deleted]

www.tvfanatic.com/slideshows/13-shows-on-the-bubble-should-they-stay-or-go/

[kman]

Thanks for posting this CK....The Castle comments are spot on. I want Marlowe and Caskett back as well , but if not , let the show die in piece, but give us the Wedding We Deaerve next Christmas!!!!

By the way, what a great picture of Castle and Beckett. It looks like someone stole the espresso machine!

[tycho657]

Good article on the bubble shows. I agree with her assessment of these shows.

[castle1174]

When Marlowe was in charge, fans wanted him out, now they want him back in. What will change from the time before when fans thought he didn't know how to write a love story and that he destroyed Beckett's character with 6 23 and numerous other complaints throughout his tenure. I personally feel he let Castle slip to a level that would make the job of restoring it almost impossible. The best we can hope for is that the show runners steer the ship into a direction that we can enjoy. I say, give them time, maybe in season 9 (if we are so lucky) we will feel the love again.

[angie1379]

This is definitely a little harsher than I would have been. I actually think the writing of individual episodes has been great. Even Locksat would be okay if it weren't for the subsequent break-up.

And I agree with castle1174. Marlowe was crucified for various decisions over the years, including the seemingly interminable presence of Josh in season 3, the lies that lasted all of Season 4 and kept them apart, the emotional roller coaster from "47 Seconds" through "Undead Again," and especially for the end of season 6.

So I'm not calling for heads to roll -- only for a return to a show in which our lead characters are solving interesting cases together and falling in love with each other week after week. It really doesn't seem like much to ask.

[joana]

I totally agree with the comments on Castle, but I do hope we get the renewal scenario. I don't want to not have Castle anymore....

Regarding the writers/showrunners, I admire Marlowe for being the one who created these amazing characters and this amazing history. And while I was really mad with 6x23, I feel that in all previous seasons there is a logic line in the evolution of all characters and an amazing writting. Now I don't see any of those.

[Deleted]

Hawley and Winters ruined my enjoyment of Castle. The breakup so didn't have to happen. But since they went that route..I just can't get into Castle like I use to. I found myself not watching live or just not watching at all.

But then again there's an old saying that Rome wasn't built in a day. What we were asking was for the impossible. We were asking for Hawley and Winters to correct something that "JMO" happened in season 5 and derailed at the end of season 6.

Yes, they buried the train with this season, and maybe just maybe if given another season they just may surprise us and resurrect what we came to love about the show. I would be willing to give it ago if ABC does decides to give Castle another season...albeit a shorten season

[Deleted]

Yep. What Angie said. Them being in love, falling in love over and over again, and solving the cases. I could even handle Castle as PI if they could allow Castle back at the precinct more. Participating in interrogation, making coffee in the break room, banter at the boys' desks....and I want his chair back. Somewhere in Kate's office. And him sitting in it. Preferably, next to her desk again, but where, doesn't even matter at this point. Even if they just show it in her office once in awhile.

I'm totally for change, but not changing the fundamentals of what I fell in love with. I understand the "muse" situation can evolve, but I don't think they needed to change the formula so drastically. We need more sauce, sass and flirty class. I miss their chemistry. I miss their banter. I miss their love-eyeballs.

What do I know about TV writing, producing & directing.

I just miss my beloved show. That's all.

[Deleted]

If you know how to write and understand the concept of romance. Then you probably could do a better job then what they're doing currently. I feel what we need are not men show runners but women. I am pretty sure that at least 25% of women in this day in age have read a romance book.

[willtcastle]

Been a while since I last posted. Was away for a few months and have yet to catch up with where the show is right now. (Just a cpl of episodes to go now

Was just searching for news about ABC renewals and found that around 15 shows have already been renewed by a new ABC president. It is disheartening on both accounts, esp since Paul Lee seemed to be a genuine supporter of the show.

It seems the demo is holding (Albeit at very low levels), but TVBTN seem to place the show in cancellation territory.

It also seems that their has been some ridiculous scheduling of the show and ABC hasbeen/is trying to see if other newer shows will work better in the 10 PM Monday slot, which is never a good sign. To top it off, this ridiculous breakup storyline just seems to want to continue endlessly.

As the article above and the comments describe so aptly, the show has completely moved away from what made it successful and what its USP was. It was about the shenanigans and adventures of a writer following his muse and the unbelievable chemistry that the two leads brought to the Beckett-Castle dynamic. How do you expect the viewers to watch and ENJOY the show when its anything but about Caskett now? What it is, is a haphazard mishmash of separate storylines involving Castle PI, Captain Beckett, Investigator Alexis and Hayley, without meshing all the storylines together on a weekly episodic basis.

I don't know if the writer's hands have been tied by issues between the lead actors or if its their own choice, but I (And going by ratings and fan reaction) and a significant section of the fanbase are not satisfied with a few cuddles and a cpl of conversations between Rick and Kate every episode. I was just reading that through most of the season the two leads have been together on-screen for an average of less than 15 min, in some episodes only 7-10 min. For a show that built its success on the interaction b/w the two lead actors (Wit the side characters' stories meshing into their lives seamlessly), Can someone please tell me HOW the TPTB can justify the lack of Caskett screen time through most of the season. And things become even more ridiculous when a lot of their decision-making and important events in the plot are skipped over/left till the last few episodes for explanation. To add to that I just read some ridiculous rumours about the lead duo's contracts apparently having clauses for only working together 2 days a week. (And they are present everywhere I have been on the interweb. It is just freaking insane)

The TPTB in a recent interview are HOPING (rather than optimistic) for a renewal and it seems both actors have new projects lined up. Nathan with 'Spectrum' and Stana apparently is developing and acting in a cable series along with a cpl of indy movies. (Which are awaiting a production company to take them up to ensure a good theatrical release). Does anyone have any more info on these new projects and whether they are ones that the actors will take up during the hiatus or if it is goodbye to Castle for them? With how late the negotiations with Stana went last year (Which makes you wonder if she thought about leaving the show at the end of S7), if she does have a Cable series it would still take up a lot of her time (As most shows are 10-13 episodes) and I don't think she can commit to Castle because her next project will define her career going forward. As many other female actors who have been associated largely with a single hit Tv seres have found (Yvonne Strahovski, Nina Dobrev and Anna Torv among others), it is very difficult to find another show/project as good as the one they starred in if their next cpl of ventures don't work out.
Have the lead actors given any interviews about the direction of the show, the characters and the storylines and it future at all this season? (I genuinely couldn't find any since the start of the season) till about Season 6, both the leads (esp Stana) used to give such interviews at various times during the season to help promote it, but it SEEMS both the actors haven't done so during the course of S8.
A lot of the fans seem to be hoping for a 13 episode final Season 9 to tie up the loose ends, possibly airing on the weekends, but I just don't know if both the lead actors will commit to it (If they have other projects already lined up) and even if they do, their contract demands might not allow ABC much room for negotiation considering the fall in ratings. (And hence revenue)

Any further news concerning the show's renewal and the status of both actors (Their is no Castle w/o either of them and the TPTB considering one is a recipe for disaster.)? Would appreciate everyone's views on the same. If this is going to be the last season, then I just hope we can get Caskett together and bring back the romance for the last few episodes culminating in a finale which will satisfy everyone who has stuck with the show thus far.