Chemistry Brings An Impetuous Mystery Novelist And Savvy Detective Together In Investigating Murder

These "snapshots" cover the first 3 episodes during season one of the popular television series "Castle". Mystery writer Rick Castle and NYPD Detective Kate Beckett join forces to find the culprit in three mysteries -- "Flowers for Your Grave" "Nanny McDead" and "Hell Hath No Fury".

Castle - Flowers for Your Grave - 4 Stars (Excellent)

What would motivate a brother to kill his sister other than for monetary gain? In this pilot episode of Castle, an apparent serial killer beings knocking off victims exactly as the murder scenes portrayed in author Richard "Rick" Castle's (Nathan Fillion) murder mysteries.

When Detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) of the New York Police Department (NYPD) cannot discern a motive for 3 murders based on Castle's best-selling novels, he is brought in by Captain Roy Montgomery (Ruben Santiago-Hudson) to help solve the case. Thus starts the unlikely relationship between what appears to be a playboy writer with little personal discipline and responsibility, and a savvy, attractive, serious, hard-nosed female detective.

Castle and Beckett bump heads frequently in this first episode before they develop a somewhat mutual respect, and form a relationship that will impact both of their lives. Bonus: See Castle's sensitive side as his live-in mother (Martha Rodgers as Susan Sullivan) and teenaged daughter (Molly Quinn as Alexis Castle) are introduced into this popular television series.

Castle - Nanny McDead - 3 Stars (Good)

Being a nanny is a big responsibility. Being more than a nanny can be deadly. Detective Kate Beckett's call to investigate a murder finds her looking at a young, pretty victim cycling inside a laundry room coin-op dryer. Two nannies who are friends are both having affairs with the fathers of the children they are babysitting. Or are they?

One ends up being murdered but by whom? Leave it to Beckett and famous mystery novelist Rick Castle to sort through the clues in this Episode 2 of Season 1. Bonus: See how Castle, who is somewhat smitten with Beckett, uses his city-hall connections to force Kate to endure additional research because she has become the main character in Castle's next novel.

Castle - Hell Hath No Fury - 4 Stars (Excellent)

A family-values politician develops some misplaced values on his way to reelection as a New York City councilman. His indiscretions prove costly, leading to blackmail and, ultimately, his life. Since his opponent in the campaign is way ahead, the motive for the killing lies elsewhere. The question is, where?

After sifting through three suspects with motive and opportunity, the culprit comes home to roost. Meanwhile, the charming novelist Rick Castle begins to make himself indispensable to Detective Kate Beckett's ability to solve cases. Castle even gets the ear of Captain Roy Montgomery, who compliments the duo on their detective work, singling out Castle and then adding, "and you too, Beckett" in this Episode 3 of Season 1.

Bonus: Watch Kate become very upset when she inadvertently learns that Castle, who is basing the character in his new novel on her, names his character Nicki Heat. Nicki, a smart, savvy detective, is also a little slutty according to Castle. Indeed, hell hath no fury (like a woman scorned).

The first three episodes of this new series finds an unspoken relationship beginning to develop as the two strong personalities of Rick Castle and Kate Beckett duel with a battle of words that the viewer senses could become something much more.