castle v. mentalist

two shows i'm avidly watching are Castle and The Mentalist. There are several similarities between the two shows and I can't decide which one i like more. So i thought I'd do a side by side comparison.

Show description

Castle - When someone starts using his books as the blueprints for brutal murders, a mystery novelist begins assisting the NYPD with some of their homicide cases, whether they want his help or not.

Mentalist - A man, once a fake TV psychic until a personal tragedy, has an uncanny ability to read people. He now uses his powers of observation to help the police solve crimes.

Lead Hero

Castle - Nathan Filion stars as the charming, wealthy and witty mystery novelist, Richard Castle. I find him very cool, funny, sexy and handsome. He is not super smart, but uses his skills as a mystery writer to think like the suspects and most of the times, his analysis and thinking is a great help in solving the crimes. He is also a great dad to Alexis and son to Martha. Castle is happy-go-lucky and sensitive and caring to his family and his colleagues.

Mentalist - Simon Baker stars as the charming, intelligent but troubled ex-TV psychic, Patrick Jane. I find his intelligence really impressive, he can also be funny and charming (esp with that sexy smile). However, his know-it-all attitude sometimes border on arrogance (and his observation and analysis is almost always never wrong), though once you find out his tragic past, you somehow get to understand why he is that way. I guess it's his way of coping with his loss and hiding from the pain. He is mostly intense and a bit quirky and loves showing some of his "magic" skills and hypotizing people.

Win: Castle. If given the chance to go out with both of them, I think I would go for the charming and funny Rick Castle. He's sure to give the ladies a great time! (and I love guys with a great sense of humor). Jane is also hot but he's too mysterious and too cynical.. I would probably go out with him if I wanted some angst in my life. hehe.

Lead Heroine

Castle - Stana Katic is Detective Kate Beckett (and Nikki Heat). She's smart and beautiful, is a perfect match to Castle. I love the chemistry between the two and i love how the writers are slowly developing their "love story". Beckett is usually very business-like and it's nice to see her sometimes show her girly side (when we find out she's a huge Castle fan, when she was fangirly over Joe Torre, or when she went out on a date with the fireman). It's also cute to see her little jealousies over Castle's women. Even though I want them to get together, I think the possibility would still be far away (maybe in Season 4 or 5). For the meantime, i dont mind them continuing with their playful banter.

Mentalist - Robin Tunney stars as Detective Teresa Lisbon. She's also smart and tough. Like Beckett, she also has a past (something to do with her childhood. In Beckett's case, her mom was murdered). I've only seen her break down twice. I think she comes off as a more mature and serious detective (kinda like Jane) that's why they also work well together. Jane can sometimes do unorthodox things and even breaks the law but it's surprising that Lisbon is okay with it. I don't feel any sexual attraction between the two (though they hinted at it once or twice). While Castle and Beckett comes out as a love story, Jane and Lisbon feels more like a great partnership.

Win: Kate Beckett. I find her prettier and more "human" than Lisbon's too serious character. Also, I think Beckett solves the cases with Castle, while in the Mentalist, it seems like Jane is usually the one cracking the case. And while Beckett solves the case with logic and analysis, Jane and Lisbon usually performs tricks and playacting (based on Jane's hunch) to solve cases. So hands down Beckett.

The Team

Castle: Detective Esposito and Detective Ryan. Great members of the team. They're usually the ones checking out leads, talking to the people. I like them both, they seem like goofball detectives, the ones who will always be fun to have around but also good with what they do. They seem to keep the office mood light and cheery. It's also nice to see them being good friends with Castle, and ganging up and teasing Beckett.

Mentalist: Detectives Rigsby, Cho and Van Pelt. Also great members. Unlike Castle, they seem to have more personalities. Cho is usually the lead inteviewer, he's tough and doesn't smile much. He seems to be the closest to Jane. Rigsby and Van Pelt are the ones searching for evidences and going after clues. I love their side "love story". It's funny that they think no one knows about them but I'm sure everyone knows about them (Jane has been teasing them, Rigsby confides to Cho and I'm sure Lisbon knows what going on).

Win: It's a tie. I love all of them. They're all smart and good detectives and provide great support to Castle/Beckett, Jane/Lisbon.

The Boss

The Boss is the head of the unit where Castle and Jane works. They don't always come out in the episode and when they do, it's usually just to ask for status updates on cases. I think both of them are very bosses and very supportive of the team, though i think I like the boss in Castle more because he comes off as more less serious and more relaxed boss than the one in Mentalist who seems to take his job seriously and very strict.

The Family

The one thing that makes Castle more enjoyable is the presence of Castle's daughter and mom on the show. They provide some laughter and loving support for Rick. Sometimes they also show some logic and smartness that helps Rick solve the cases. Of course, in Mentalist, the main story is Red John killed Jane's wife and daughter so he is filled with anger and wants to take revenge.

I'm so happy Castle got renewed for a third season! Haven't heard about Mentalist but i'm sure it will be renewed too!