FORGET the crimes. Ignore the clues. Never mind the cops and criminals. When it comes to a show like Castle, the only thing that really matters is the chemistry.

At first glance, this new ABC series — which premieres Monday at 9 p.m. — seems like a police drama, filled with all the requisite murder and mayhem and investigative mumbo-jumbo leading to an episode-ending, climactic application of the cuffs.

But a closer look reveals that, at its heart, Castle is a romantic comedy in the grand tradition of Moonlighting and Remington Steele and Pushing Daisies and, as such, its success depends wholly on viewers’ willingness to fall in love with its sparring/flirting romantic leads…

…From their first moments together, sparks fly — naturally, the first ones are prompted by annoyance rather than amorous intent, since Castle’s something of a cad and Beckett’s got something buried in her past that makes her believe that most, if not all, men are pigs…

…by the first episode’s end, the show’s producers have concocted a wildly illogical premise that will allow Castle and Beckett to coexist uncomfortably well into the foreseeable future.

If, that is, viewers buy into the romantic tension and make a viewing commitment that generates renewal-worthy ratings. The betting here is that they will — or, at least, they should — because Fillion and Katic generate some legitimate small-screen heat, and it might be fun to stick around to see how far it goes, and how long its writers can keep it from going too far (remember David and Maddie’s ill-considered mambo?).

The cases in the first two episodes previewed are interesting, and the supporting cast is able. But the Castle-Beckett coupling is the only thing that really matters, and it works.

Full Review at www.winnipegfreepress.com