Richard Castle, Novelist and Gumshoe Makes "Castle"

What sets "Castle" apart from every other crime drama or criminal procedure show on TV? It may well be one of the main characters, the ruggedly handsome novelist and crime fighter Richard Castle(Nathan Fillion).

Castle works with Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) an NYPD investigator who is sharp and professional. Castle has been given special permission by to work with Beckett in order to help research and develop stories for his crime novels. As it turns out, Castle plays a crucial role in solving crimes along with Beckett.

There is the requisite sexual tension and flirtation between Castle and Beckett, but the two always manage to get the job done, case solved, and closed. The thing that sets "Castle" apart from other crime dramas in which there is a male-female relationship is that it is not the relationship between Beckett and Castle that makes the drama. The stories stand on their own.

The two share a working chemistry, but viewers get the sense that both Castle and Beckett know that if their relationship becomes too intimate it may ruin their working relationship. There is less sexual tension between these two crime fighters, but a tremendous, dynamic working relationship and sharply charged words.

While tension filled relationships are a classic hook to keep viewers turned in on crime dramas, viewers may wonder whether Castle and Beckett will ever hook up, but the writers manage to keep the stories so compelling that their relationship is not the driving concept. In fact, their relationship most often becomes incidental to the storyline. Their sparks make it fun.

Castle brings a package deal to crime fighting and sleuthing with Beckett. He is a character of depth, virtue, and keen perception. He is quick witted and often sharp tongued.

Because he is a writer Castle is not afraid to use his imagination to help reconstruct crime scenes. When the police investigators only see the facts, he is often the one who thinks outside the box with both an analytical and dramatic approach. Sometimes his imagination runs wild and his dramatics run high, but more often than not it is his gut instincts that put Beckett and her team of crime fighters on the right path.

Castle brings other enduring qualities to the ABC hit TV show "Castle." He is quick to speak, often constantly talking, whether anyone is listening or not. Every word that he speaks could be a building block to a crime scene or the beginning of a mystery novel.

He doesn't mind humor, even in the face of the macabre. Beckett roles her eyes at Castle's humor more often than not. His sarcasm adds levity to the crime drama to keep it from being too depressive or overwhelming. The unique mix of personalities allows writers to delve into horrendous crimes without losing the audience in horror.

Sometimes Castle is a little out of line or a little off track, but he always adds interests and, perhaps best of all, he irritates and attracts Beckett quite often.

Castle is more than an author and erstwhile detective, we clearly see his vulnerability and humanity through his interactions with his mother and daughter. He is a concerned dad and a good man with a big heart, who is easily manipulated by his family.

He is the perfect partner for Becket, whether she admits it or not - most often she does not like to admit it. The two have become so comfortable working with each other that they complete each others thoughts and sentences. Their easy relationships allow them to ask each other the questions that are popping up in the audience's mind.

Beckett is more dependent on Castle than she will ever admit. She often warns him to stay back, while she takes his information or brilliant deductions and moves in for the take down. Characteristic of Castle, he doesn't listen to Beckett and does just what he wants to do, which is usually stand by her side when she makes an arrest. Castle and Beckett rush from one fracas to another side by side, the perfect partners in fighting crime.

Watch full episodes of ABC's "Castle" online at ABC.com