Was he always good and we just didn't see it because he was being pretty?

Some people have always seen it.

While his talent in, say, Pretty in Pink might not be on a par with Laurence Olivier, I think he's always been talented as hell. Granted, he tends to stick with roles that are, more or less, James Spader Is A Freak Who Likes To Get His Freak On. But that's okay.

Seriously, sex, lies, and videotape is literally 25 years old. (Jesus Christ, it's 25 years old.) And he was fantastic in that.

I love Spader but am getting a little tired of the Blacklist.

I only watched my first ep last night. Wasn't the first one because I was at Hulu's mercy but I liked it enough to watch more.

Eta: and I adore James Spader. His voice is kryptonite.

You know, I like Tricia Helfer, and I really wanted to like her new show, but it's a bunch of crap filled with tired tropes and unbelievable story lines. And Marc Blucas has unfortunate facial hair.

That's kind of a relief? I feel like it was being presented as something I ought to like, but also that I would not like it

I liked the first couple but this last one was painful.

Yes, definitely a disappointment (and up against 2 other shows I like, I suppose this becomes "if one of the others has a re-run, then I guess maybe").

Castle: I'm a dick, I guess, but I read the "Formulaic" comment and said "Lately?" But I guess it's not fair to comment on something I saw five times and never really liked because I figured out the reveal in three minutes. Oh, and the precinct coatrack kept stealing scenes from Stana Katic. (/bitchy critic)

I continue to enjoy Castle - because I like the characters, and always have. Even when the show isn't at it's best it sort of feels like checking in with friends.

ETA: It doesn't hurt that I have a huge crush on Nathan Fillion. So there is really no objectivity in my enjoyment of the show as a procedural.

And once they eased up the obsession on the Kate's mother thing it's a lot better. It's good background tv.