The SO’s We Love to Hate…Or Do We?


So our two favorite shipper shows brought in significant others this season and I’m sure I wasn’t the only one cringing when I read those spoilers. Come on! What good has ever come of bringing in a character who exists only to keep our favorite couple apart. Yet the writers of both Castle and Bones seemed to think it was a good idea. We’re about a quarter of the season in, so let’s take a look at how they’re doing.


Bones – Hannah

I planned on hating Hannah but I just can’t. Unfortunately my reason doesn’t bode well for the show. As we enter season six of Bones I just don’t seem to care if they ever get Booth and Brennan together. This is a couple I used to root for but last season seemed to be the nail in my shipper coffin. They’ve simply dragged it out too long with too many silly obstacles. Brennan seems to take one step forward and three steps back emotionally and I’m tired of it. Booth deserves better and maybe Hannah is it. Hannah is gorgeous, smart, funny, and brave, and she obviously cares about Booth.

I may not love Hannah but I don’t hate her either. I’m not waiting for the day the writers decide to move her out and I think that’s a problem. Although I still find Bones entertaining, I had four new episodes stacked up on my Tivo before I watched the premiere. I’m certainly not helping the show's ratings. I’ll keep watching because I like all of the characters. It’s just a little sad when you no longer care what happens with your main couple.


Castle – Gina

This one was a surprise for me. When I saw Gina on the season two finale (after I stopped throwing things at the TV screen) I figured they brought her back because it would be easy to write her out. As Castle’s ex-wife it was plausible that they reconnected but just as probable that they’d crash and burn over the summer leaving Castle available to follow Beckett once more.

I give the Castle writers credit for making things complicated in an entertaining way. Castle and Gina survived and even thrived over the summer and I never saw that coming. Then they even went ahead and did the unthinkable. They made me like Gina! What the hell is up with that? I’m suppose to hate her.

I actually like the fact that the writers are using this relationship to show that it took both of them to make their marriage fail. It certainly wasn’t all on Gina. And now they’re using this relationship as a nice bit of character development for Castle. The added plus is that Beckett now gets to see him in a stable relationship instead of the womanizing playboy. I have to believe that bodes well for their future.

Don’t get me wrong, I still want Castle and Beckett together and I want that badly. These two will be wilding entertaining as a couple. But I am enjoying seeing how the writers play this out. I can’t wait for Gina to go but I’m equally intrigued by how the writers do it and how Castle will grow from the experience. I just can’t wait to see where the writers take these character.


Castle – Josh

I can’t say I care one way or the other about Josh. We’ve only seen him in one scene. Gorgeous, motorcycle riding, cardiac surgeon, no one can say that Kate Beckett settles for second best. I’ve read that Victor Webster who plays Josh will be around for about 9 weeks and not be on air for all of them. (Just a rumor folks. Don’t hold me to that.) So my hope is that Castle and Gina will break up. Josh will stick around to make Castle unendingly jealous and this time he’ll actually do something about it. I really don’t care how they write Josh out as long as he goes. I can’t imagine that Kate will break up with him for Castle unless Castle admits he has feelings for her. She won’t set her self up for another Demming/Gina debacle. But other than that Josh’s demise is fair game and I look forward to it.

To recap: I like Hannah and she can stick around for as long as she likes. I like Gina but can’t wait to see how they write her out. Josh will hopefully find the exit when the time is right.

Maybe it is because Bones is in season six and Castle is only in season three. Maybe it’s because I think the Castle/Beckett chemistry is still off the chart while the Brennan/Booth chemistry has been relegated to something akin to brother/sister status. Either way, the significant others have definitely had their effect. I just wonder if in both shows it was the effect the writers intended.

I know there are lots of Bones and Castle fans out there. Agree? Disagree? Let me know here or e-mail your comments to proudtvjunkie@gmail.com and I’ll post them below.


Comments:

Leftfield (11/05/2010 - 01:01pm)

-You've pretty much hit the nail on the head.  I reluctantly gave up on Bones after the 100th episode.  It was a perfect opportunity to change things up for those two and it didn't happen.  Booth and Hannah seem happy.  I like her, so good for him.  Booth should take his happiness where he can find it.  All of season five was pretty lackluster and season six seems to be more of the same.  I can't help but wonder if TPTB over at Bones, especially in light of a possible spinoff, are getting bored and are ready to move on to the next project.  Now that I don't much care about the ship, I find I'm enjoying the show a bit more.  Hodgins has become my new reason to watch, he always has the best lines.

Castle, can't say enough good things about Castle.  They've chosen to walk a pretty tight line this season, with both in relationships and trying to keep the spark alive.  So far, IMO, they have done a pretty good job of it.  But I'm really, really looking forward to seeing Gina and Josh wave bye-bye.  Then we can see Castle and Beckett's smoldering embers come roaring back to life.

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skylark66 (11/05/2010 - 02:30pm)

-After last night's Bones episode, there is a serious hate for the Hannah character, seems she has lost more of her fans. Immature behavior and little commitment to Booth. Hope he is not going to get hurt again. Although it has only been 5 episodes it feels like she has been around forever. Just get it over with and back to the core cast and their stories. Castle is in its third season, I guess, I watch but am not that vested in the series. From what I hear, it will be years before they get together too. So hang on for another bumpy ride. I do like the cases and much less romantic angst for me there. Maybe I just can't ship more than one couple at a time.

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Karen (11/05/2010 - 05:34pm)

-I'm afraid I have to disagree with skylark66. I still like Hannah. She's the better version of Brennan in some ways. Smart, beautiful, gutsy, and wants to have a relationship with Booth. I'm sure they'll get rid of her sooner or later but I'm OK if she's around for a while. Of course I've never loved Bones as much as I love Castle. Those damn Castle writers made me care about Gina but I still want her gone. Josh too. The sooner the better.

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Tvmusiclover (11/06/2010 - 10:28pm)

-I actually felt bad for Gina in 3x05 anatomy of a murder because she told castle she felt like an outsider... I really don't know what to think about Josh we saw him for like a minute but onthe other hand, he did seem kinda cocky when he said sup boys to castle Esposito and Ryan...

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Kyo (11/08/2010 - 01:38pm)

-i don't mind the SOs for all of the reasons mentioned above. I liked the Castle episode with Gina although Im anxious to see her go. The lack of flirting is what kills me. Last week's ep had so many moments for serious flirting (the strip club, her outfit) but we never got it, probably because Castle and Beckett are involved with other people. Bring back my flirty banter!

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KalliopePL (11/08/2010 - 05:19pm)

-Gina may seem likable, but for me she's the kind of person who's going to stab you in the back when you're not looking... she's all about money, I don't like it. And I'm afraid that Castle's money might be in danger at some point.

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