How did BONES fans put up with five seasons of will-they-or-won’t-they?!
That’s the question we find ourselves asking after last night’s CASTLE season finale that culminated in a serious (albeit not-expected) detour on the road to Beckett and Castle’s happily-ever-after in the form of Castle’s ex-wife. An ex-wife who, as luck would have it, will be spending the summer “editing” Castle’s book in the Hamptons leaving poor Beckett back in New York too pick up the pieces of her shattered romantic life having just broken up with Detective Tom Demming upon finally realizing what everybody around her has known for two seasons now: Castle is the man for her. Yes, only on TV does it take a single girl two years to catch onto the awesomeness that is Nathan Fillion… but we digress.
Now, don’t get us wrong, we’ve watched enough TV to realize that this is how the game is played. The classic “will-they-or-won’t-they” is one of television’s go-to TV tropes for a reason: It keeps fans coming back. Unfortunately, it also brings with it the nasty side affect of angering loyal viewers like ourselves who may in fact not enjoy the feeling of being jerked around by writers — who more than likely at the behest of nervous network executives — believe that the the main couple getting together is akin to signing your show’s death warrant (Or, as it’s commonly referred to in the biz as the MOONLIGHTING curse)
A belief which incidentally we couldn’t disagree with more. After-all, if PARENTHOOD (aka. our favorite new show of 2010) has taught us anything, it’s that two characters in a genuine loving relationship does by no means signal the death of drama. Rather, if handled correctly, it’s usually the start of it! (See another Jason Katims run show, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS)
Of course, this being CASTLE’s second season (which really for all intents and purposes should count as a season and a half courtesy of an abbreviated first season) we’re going to cut CASTLE creator Andrew Marlow and Co. a little bit of slack. But not without first putting them on notice that we best not be having this same conversation come next May. We’re just sayin’ 