They have all improved as actors over the past few years.  There's a thread about that somewhere around here…

Anyways, welcome to da best fandom ever (in my opinion, at least)! 

I didn't want to start a new topic so I decided to borrow this one.. hope you don't mind

I talked my mother into watching Castle and she started with the middle/end of season 2 until 3x12 now (we have a hiatus as well right now [Image Can Not Be Found]) and in the meantime we started watching the first season. What got me thinking was that my mother said, she liked season 1 better than the second and third season because the relationship between Castle and Beckett was funnier. Especially Castle constantly bugging Beckett. She's not really into this whole Castkett-thing…

And I think she's right somehow. While watching Season 3 I'm not laughing that much but rather thinking "Ooooh that's cute!". So what do you think? Is season 1 really the "best" season for non-Caskett freaks or is my mother just weird? [Image Can Not Be Found]

I really like it how it is now. Our lovely characters grew so much this season this is so unbelievable. When I look back at S01+02 it just makes me happy and I can't wait to see things AM has in store for us next season[Image Can Not Be Found]

little eve, I had not seen this thread until it got bumped up with a new post.  Now that I have read your post here I can say that you nailed 95% of my view as well.  All I would say is that I like the funnier and darker episodes equally, and I think they do a great job with the rhythm of the season and handling both kind of shows so well. 

little eve said:

Actually, to tell you the truth, I really like the fact that the show has changed since season 1. And that is not because I did not enjoy watching season 1. It was very funny, but the humor came out of the characters not knowing each other as well as they do now. The way I see it, each season represents a different phase of our main characters working with each other and knowing each other, especially Castle and Beckett. And just like in real relationships, the comments, jokes, and general way of treating each other change with passing of time. No relationship is static. The show has changed in tone and in the relationship between the characters and I believe that is quite realistic. And yes the humor has changed and Castle is not quite as outrageous in his comments as he may have been in season 1 and 2 but I think that is because he has changed, his relationship to Beckett and Co. has changed and he takes his "job" at the precinct more seriously.

Kate on the other hand now knows Castle better and knows that many of his jokes are just that…whereas initially she was not quite sure what he meant for real and what was a complete joke to him. Therefore her reactions are different. They still tease each other but they know each other so well by now that is not a "getting-to-know-you" game or the "God- why-do-I-have-to-put-up-with-you" game for Beckett but rather "oh, you are funny but let's get back to work" type of thing.

But that is just me, of course….Also, as much as I love the humor (Nikki Heat has to be my fav funny episode in quite some time) it is the dark side of the show that has me most enthralled. The acting just goes up several notches for everyone and makes me appreciate the humor more in lighter episodes all the more.