ABC Gives CASTLE a Full Season Order

Hallelujah!

Unlike last season, when the fate of our beloved mystery drama did not come about until later into the year, the alphabet net has given us a gift this year. Rewarding strong, solid numbers posted each Monday night, ABC has not fallen victim to the premature cancellation hammer other networks are now known for. Instead, the net has smartly contextualized each night as its own measure of success and failure. Compared to the other broadcast nets who program at 10 p.m. on Mondays (and there aren’t many), “Castle” has fared well.

While more high-profile shows garner a lot more press and buzz, there is something to be said about being slow and steady winning the race. “Castle” is exactly that type of show. Averaging in the low to mid-2s in the coveted 18-49 demographic but steadily increasing after each episode — last night’s had a 2.4 — it’s not about the splashy numbers that a “NCIS” receives on a weekly basis.

We all knew there was a small, loyal audience for a witty (and retro, as this week’s issue of Entertainment Weekly noted) mystery drama with two completely opposite personality types, but what we didn’t know was if it could sustain itself amongst the spinoffs gracing the small screen. So if modesty is what gets a show in its sophomore season (is still learning about itself, improving its storytelling each week and reimagining the crime procedural formula in its own voice) the right to remain on the air for 22 episodes, then we’ll take it.

If the last three episodes, which have improved drastically from the start of this season, have indicated, the show is finding its groove. It might not be as fast as we’d like, but it’s treading its waters carefully, fusing Castle’s personal, professional and celebrity worlds seamlessly to weave a uniquely entertaining story we’d all be crazy to give up.

Here are the ratings for Season 2’s episodes:
Ep. 2×01 – 9.26 (total viewers); 2.9 (18-49) ** includes Live+7
Ep. 2×02 – 9.15; 2.8 **
Ep. 2×03 – 9.23; 2.2
Ep. 2×04 – 9.76; 2.3
Ep. 2×05 – 9.69; 2.4

In celebration of “Castle’s” pick-up, there will be an in-depth character analyses (from Season 1 to last night’s episode) for the main characters within the week. If you have anything character-related you’d like to bring to my attention, feel free to leave a comment! Also, if you attended last night’s Heat Wave (which debuted at #26 on the New York Times Best Seller list) signing event with Nathan Fillion at The Grove, please drop a line!

Philiana Ng works at an entertainment trade publication in Los Angeles.