New ‘Castle Rock’ Episode Cements Series as Best Show You’re Not Watching

"Castle Rock" has made its way to Hulu. And “The Box” is the episode that shows exactly what Stephen King is capable of. Plus, it’s proof that you don’t even need to be a King fan to love the show. And here's why.

And the show certainly pays a bit of service to fans of King’s work.

Easter eggs abound on Castle Rock. In fact, the show’s opening title sequence is littered with newspaper headlines outlining stories from King’s other novels. And real King fans will take note of one-liners that reference films like Stand By Me or Pet Sematary.

 

And it’s the second collaboration between Hulu, King, and J.J. Abrams.

[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"] The first was 11.22.63, a sci-fi thriller about the JFK assassination and the consequences of time travel. No Emmys, but the miniseries did take home a Saturn Award for Best Television Presentation and currently holds an 80% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

 

And the writing is outstanding.

It’s a show centered on mysteries, the majority of which the audience doesn’t even realize is a mystery until they’re given the answer. Instead, there’s a lot of, “Huh. That’s kinda weird,” moments. Moments that will almost immediately be forgotten until two weeks later, when something monumental happens that’s directly related.

 

And some serious questions have been raised.

Like why would ex-warden Dale Lacy have just offed himself when he’s been keeping some kid locked in a cage in an abandoned portion of his prison? And who is that kid, anyways? Why is it the only things he can seem to say are cryptic bible passages?

 

And it’s done masterfully.

[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"] Set to Roy Orbison’s “Crying,” Dennis’ shooting spree is shown from the very same perspective that he’s been forced to witness every prison abuse so far: through Shawshank’s security camera system. In and out of frame, from one camera to the next.