Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Whodunnits with string attached...

I was recently watching the ABC's new show "Castle". Its one of the detective/police/crime series with a bit of humor. ABC was lacking a TV series in this genre of A guy and a girl doing Police work, guy being a little quirky/interesting/mysterious/mischievous and girl being the more serious/no-nonsense/uptight kind.
The shows that are falling into this genre are
1. Life (NBC)
2. Mentalist (CBS)
3. Castle (ABC)
4. Bones (Fox)
5. Lie to me (Fox)

Well those are pretty much the channels I watch, so don't know any other similar series that might be running.
Each of these shows have some common themes. The mystery isn't really that much of a mystery, its not CSI kind investigation. Its a kind of drama that has a new story every episode with a story thread being carried through. Though Bones is a bit different and castle is a new one.
Taking a look at Life, the thing that keeps the show interesting is not the weekly whodunnits but the eccentric character of Charlie Crews - a man enjoying his freedom and all the good things that he missed in prison like fresh fruits. The story thread that keeps the series interesting is who framed him and hows his wall developing.
Mentalist is closest to Life in a way for born again/reformed "psychic" and his way of working with the team of detectives. Again the common thread is the "Red John" the killer who killed his family and still eludes law and even dares it.
Much like in bones the digger and the shorter thread that was carried in the series. Of course the angle of will they won't they is the story thread (I guess).
Lie to me is a bit interesting as well especially because it has Tim Roth. For those who don't know him, I suggest watching Rob Roy.
Castle is still developing but it seems to be in a similar mode, having the boyish/rebellious charms of a writer and an uptight/secretive detective of opposite sex.

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