Castle

It was a surprise when they did it. I think they weren't thinking clearly enough about how they planned their repeats. I hope this episode delivers on its potential and we don't have "Chet" moments. Maybe we'll see Doc Haydon (aka Motorcycle Boy) for a few minutes to remind ourselves that he actually does exist.;)

T Not as big of a letdown as whiny Red John, but definitely not satisfying.

watch the Mentalist do ya? :lol: I used to but not so much anymore

Yes, I was a big fan of The Mentalist for most of the first two seasons until that diaster of a second finale. Now, I find that viewing recorded episodes (I NEVER watch it live anymore) is more a chore than an entertainmnet.:sigh: And all because of poor archvillain casting. I love Castle a lot more than I ever liked The Mentalist, so I'm hoping that Castle avoids the mistakes, pitfalls, and pratfalls that have plagued The Mentalist and Bones.

hmm...no comments on tonight's episode??

hmm...no comments on tonight's episode??
:eyebrows: I do ;). Loved the kiss (kisses) between Castle and Beckett... finally :yuhup: :D! Anyone else have any thoughts on their kiss (kisses)?

It was SO worth the wait.

As for the episode, it was pretty much average... but overall ok.

And see I thought that was a darn good episode, highlighted by a kiss. The Captain got put through his paces, Ryan and Esposito were interesting. The hitter had a lot more gravitas than the Triple Killer (which really doesn't bode well for the future of the series since Triple is supposed to be a continuing nemesis). I was relieved, but also a little disappointed that Motorcycle Boy is getting the complete Chet treatment. What's more, they turned him into Charlie Casey--off at a moment's notice to remedy the world's medical disasters. I didn't get that hit off the character when they introduced him. Hasty rewrite? As for the kiss(es)--excellent and totally worth the wait. Notice, they also played the reactions well and that beat that was missing from Prepon's episode (when Kate asked that uncomfortable question and neither of them reacted) was there when Castle said "That was amazing!" I also liked him saving Beckett with his fists, even better than the mutual save with the guns in the season premiere. I don't know if this will progress fast or far, but I know that if they try for more artificial separation during the season finale (a la Bones), I shall be most put out.*mock severe Prince Humperdink stare*

Oh, forgot to mention--two casting gripes and one writing gripe. No Alexis, no Lainie. More importantly, however, who was the third member of the cop kidnapping squad from the early '90s?:huh:

Missed Alexis this episode. The Kiss I guess was one of the most awaited scenes of the series. and I loved Beckett's last words in the episode. I will wait until a miracle happens.
Castle with his fists was nice to watch

Missed Alexis this episode. The Kiss I guess was one of the most awaited scenes of the series. and I loved Beckett's last words in the episode. I will wait until a miracle happens.
Castle with his fists was nice to watch
Me too. Definitely :agree:, and it was well worth the wait :). Same here.

Again, they keep coming up with solid episodes (and this was a really good one) but they can't figure out how to mix in their entire cast. Two episodes ago, no Captain or Lainie and nothing substantive for Alexis. This time, no Alexis or Lainie. The episodes are solid to great, but they haven't found a way to substantively work in the entire regular cast. If they do, it will be all sorts of awesome.

I keep wondering if they're saving up Alexis' film time for a big episode with her. And I agree about missing Lanie.

I'm guessing the third cop is the one they are all afraid of, but I'm really not sure.

Doesn't really seem like that. Even a well-connected corrupt cop wouldn't be "The Dragon" that would terrify everyone he's ever met (including two hitmen). It sounds a lot more like someone like Vulcan but with better connections. Speaking of Vulcan, I've missed Jonathan Adams since he was dropped from Bones and he's only had sporadic work. I hope he returns to Castle and that Vulcan proves to be a recurring adversary. He has a lot more gravitas than the Triple Killer or either of the hired guns we've run into on the Johanna Beckett case.

Well it could be the corrupt cop who is now maybe a politician or become a gangster

That's possible, but can you see someone with that much ambition, charisma and juice using broken down gamblers and drunks like the dead guy and his academy buddy as a Gang of Three? Someone so connected and scary that he gives Vulcan puase? I suppose if all three of them went through the academy together, it's possible. Still that just seems unlikely to me (although the third cop could be the mastermind and just be a loose thread they're deliberately NOT addressing).

I just started watching this show recently and i just saw the episode with the kiss. That was great. Also Castle actually punching the guy instead of using a gun was awesome. Then Beckett threatened the guy in jail. Good episode.

I think what i like about this show is how it is Castle's point of view and they sort of make you wonder about Beckett because we never see her at home or see her private life except the few times when it had to do with a case or the few times when Castle was in her home. Usually a show lets us see things from both points of view but this show while it does go away from Castle when it has to do with the cases it does a lot of talking that makes you sort of wonder what more there is to know about the characters past and such. I am a fan.

So am I. Another solid episode that was both interesting and a little bit ridiculous. That young punk who was so OUTRAGED that Hickston snaked the winning lottery ticket needs to get in touch with reality. His foster father died intestate. The money would have gone to the nephew he never saw. The punk never would have gotten anything.

Loved the undercover scene at the club. It's interesting, as Castle and Kate have gotten closer his behavior has swung on a pendulum. In their first few cases together, he might have tried to sneak a peek at her in one of the undercover outfits to be playful or for "writing material" but now they're close friends and very attracted to one another. Before the kiss, he probably wouldn't have been distracted, but after it, it was like he couldn't help himself. Interesting arc. You have to wonder if one or the other of them not being totally focused on a UC assignment is going to play a role in a major turning point for the series.

Good episode. The butler didn't do it which was too bad. I liked the whole what would people do if they won the lottery and in the end Castle figured it out and did something for Beckett.

Another thing i like about this show is the whole cop thing isn't out of control. It is much more realistic then it is in a lot of shows without all the high tech nonsense. They actually have to work their way through paperwork and background checks and such to try and figure out what is going on. I like that.

You have to wonder if one or the other of them not being totally focused on a UC assignment is going to play a role in a major turning point for the series.

Well it seemed from the trailer for next week's episode is just that. I hope they don't use the disagreement -- if it's anywhere near what was shown -- to push them apart again. That would be really annoying.

I saw the show live and taped it, but still didn't see that preview. I hope that the writing staff on Castle heed recent history and avoid the blunders of shows like Bones as such missteps could kill an excellent and entertaining series.

Another thing i like about this show is the whole cop thing isn't out of control. It is much more realistic then it is in a lot of shows without all the high tech nonsense. They actually have to work their way through paperwork and background checks and such to try and figure out what is going on. I like that.

That's one of the things that attracted me to this show - that we the viewers have a chance to figure it out for ourselves. The case doesn't turn on some obscure bit of evidence that we would have had to analyze ourselves to know what it means.

I was a little disappointed when Ryan said he knew all about Lanie. They could have played that out a little longer - Ryan setting him up on a blind date, for instance?

They could have made a joke of pretending not to notice longer, but the reaction to being attacked for the changes his fiancee made in hiim was within character and perfectly understandable. I'm rather depressed that in spite of how good the episodes are we've gone to one speaking scene for Alexis and one speaking scene for Lainie. I know with an ensemble show certain characters will get short-changed every week but it seems that Lainie and Alexis are the ones losing time.

Good episode. This was a good case. I actually wasn't sure if the husband would be implicated or not in one of the murders. I thought not and then in the end he was. That is one thing i like about this show.

This got twistier than their normal ep. It was really interesting to see the evolution of the case, but Castle busting his "mentor" was a classic ending (almost to the level of Beckett's prison conversation with the hitter in "Knockdown"). More like that please.

This got twistier than their normal ep. It was really interesting to see the evolution of the case, but Castle busting his "mentor" was a classic ending (almost to the level of Beckett's prison conversation with the hitter in "Knockdown"). More like that please.
Yea it defintely did. I finally got to watch a whole episode last night, since 'Diners, Drive-ins and Dives' was a rerun :D.

It was worth the watch... didn't see that one coming. Seconded :agree:.

I'm not sure I like the idea of a "dirty bomb" plot on Castle. Obviously with the two-parter, they're trying to capture the magick of "Tick, Tick, Tick..." and "Boom!" from last season when they had Dana Delaney guest-star as a hotshot FBI agent and Beckett and Castle almost shared that interesting breakfast. I suppose it has potential, but I'm not sold yet. However, I do have a request. Give Alexis something substantive and interesting to do during this two-parter PLEASE!!:sigh: We've missed her.

I'm not sure I like the idea of a "dirty bomb" plot on Castle. Obviously with the two-parter, they're trying to capture the magick of "Tick, Tick, Tick..." and "Boom!" from last season when they had Dana Delaney guest-star as a hotshot FBI agent and Beckett and Castle almost shared that interesting breakfast. I suppose it has potential, but I'm not sold yet. However, I do have a request. Give Alexis something substantive and interesting to do during this two-parter PLEASE!!:sigh: We've missed her.
Me neither. I'd be worried that someone would be killed that I really liked on the show itself.

BEST CASTLE YET!!! Watching it again and can't wait for next week!!

BEST CASTLE YET!!! Watching it again and can't wait for next week!!
Awesome, I missed seeing this week's episode :(.

You'll have to see it. And LOVED the Serenity mention.

You'll have to see it. And LOVED the Serenity mention.
Guess I will, if I have the chance too. Been rather busy as of late.

Edit: Just read a good article in this week's Tv guide... about Castle and Beckett :D.

They're keeping them together :clap:!!!

I'm so happy I could squeal :).

Fawkes, your spoiler . . . :hmm: What do you mean? Did I miss Castle and Beckett getting romantically involved?

Last week's was an excellent episode. The two of them growing closer and working better together than the enitre squad under Nate Petrelli...er, Adrian Pasdar. I'm not wild about Lochlyn Munro as a minor villain AGAIN. Those seem to be the only roles he can get since the Charmed Fiasco a decade ago. The article was excellent enough to earn a pumped fist and a happy dance from me.:D:clap: As for that spoiler:

The series creator confirmed that Castle and Beckett will become a couple well before the end of the series. He cited the Moonlighting thing again. He feels that there's writing and exploring to be done after this investigative team becomes a couple (I would say that there's anecdotal evidence around Medium and NYPD Blue to name a pair of shows that supports his contention). Note, that doesn't mean it'll happen this season or next (necessarily). However we'll be spared the BONES nonsense.

Is the spoiler about tonight's episode?

No, it's general info about where the series is eventually headed in character arcs. Nothing specific about tonight (though there was a little information about the opening sequence in that article).

ETA--nice episode. However, it was like they couldn't pick a way to write themselves out of the jam, almost like they were setting themselves up for a series finale twist--"Oh, by the way...everything that's happened since the middle of Season 3 was Castle's fantasy as he and Kate died in one another's arms in that freezer.:grumble::grumble::grumble: They still aren't doing anything to flesh out Motorcycle Boy so aside from being a guy who randomly walks through scenes and hugs Beckett, he was a deus ex machina device to save them from the hole they wrote themselves into with the showdown during the first half of the two-parter.:sigh:

I may not have liked Motorcycle Boy's interference or the fact that he was there to treat them meaning that he'll be around for most of the rest of the season when he doesn't really add anything (he's now probably used up 3 of his 9 episode contract). I did, however, like the way that Castle was completely cool as he walked away at the end of the episode (at least as he was talking to Beckett). Classic Castle. Also, they managed to include almost all of the regulars except for Tamalia Jones in the second half of this two-parter (and they got some substantive things to do). Nice work.

Thanks for posting that spoiler. I hadn't read that article. It's good to hear that they're conscious of the Bones fiasco plan to handle Castle/Beckett much better. :tu:

No, it's general info about where the series is eventually headed in character arcs. Nothing specific about tonight (though there was a little information about the opening sequence in that article).

ETA--nice episode. However, it was like they couldn't pick a way to write themselves out of the jam, almost like they were setting themselves up for a series finale twist--"Oh, by the way...everything that's happened since the middle of Season 3 was Castle's fantasy as he and Kate died in one another's arms in that freezer.:grumble::grumble::grumble: They still aren't doing anything to flesh out Motorcycle Boy so aside from being a guy who randomly walks through scenes and hugs Beckett, he was a deus ex machina device to save them from the hole they wrote themselves into with the showdown during the first half of the two-parter.:sigh:

I may not have liked Motorcycle Boy's interference or the fact that he was there to treat them meaning that he'll be around for most of the rest of the season when he doesn't really add anything (he's now probably used up 3 of his 9 episode contract). I did, however, like the way that Castle was completely cool as he walked away at the end of the episode (at least as he was talking to Beckett). Classic Castle. Also, they managed to include almost all of the regulars except for Tamalia Jones in the second half of this two-parter (and they got some substantive things to do). Nice work.

Yes, but isn't that the point about Motorcycle Boy? He's not really there for her unless it fits in with his schedule. It's like a neon sign saying he's temporarily in the series. By the way, do we really know the reason he came back? Was it his decision to be with Beckett, or did something just go awry with the project plans/scheduling and he didn't say? Or did I miss something?

I think that Beckett was watching closely as Castle tried to recover as Motorcycle Boy broke the mood & Castle remembered Beckett said "it means we have a chance" (she & M.B.)....she seemed to notice something was a bit off.

Fawkes, your spoiler . . . :hmm: What do you mean? Did I miss Castle and Beckett getting romantically involved?
Yea...

I figured that they were... until they brought in her boyfriend again :rolleyes:.

Wasn't very happy about that :lol:.

@ jordmundt: Thanks for clearing that up. It's easy enough to misconstrue that kind of info every so often :lol:.

So yeah, the second part wasn't as good as the first, but they redeemed themselves at the end. I knew they couldn't die, but couldn't see anyway out of the bomb going off except for it to just not go off and Castle ripping the cords out was priceless. Did not see that one coming. Awesome.
I can wait for them to get together. The tension is half of the fun after all. I hope this series goes long and I don't want to rush things. But now if they have Castle hook up with someone else again, I will be annoyed. There's a certain pleasure in seeing him longing for her. Something to relate to.
I just love this series!

Oh and it was fun seeing Petrelli again, but if he's just guesting on this show, I would think that means he's having a hard time finding work. Too bad.

Pasdar had a noteworthy career before Heroes--there was some buzz about him working with part of this crew on a spin-off for this character (I think it was all white noise, but I'm not sure).

They don't have to rush them together even this season, but they need to keep showing the progression of the relationship and whoever replaces Motorcycle Boy has to provide an actual demonstrable, defensible alternative to a Castle-Beckett coupling. They want to avoid the Moonlighting mistake (the one most often cited) but they're just as mindful of Lois & Clark and JAG (where desperation to keep the leads apart and maintain tension crashed the show so that the actual coupling became an anti-climax). The article was referenced putting them together well before the end of the series at the "right" moment. That's why Stana's little clip on the dry-erase board "Don't wait too long to say 'I love you,'" (or something close to that) is so important and why the series creator has that displayed prominently in his office. They've already shown that they can provide viable, vibrant interesting alternatives for Castle--we've seen Kyra Blaine. They need to dip into that same sort of well for Beckett's next legitimate love interest if the plans for uniting the pair aren't immediate. In L&C speak, they need a (male) Mayson Drake equivalent for Beckett.

Fawkes, I get suckered plenty by published articles and interviews, but the tone and stance of the article was so refreshing (no it's not going to happen immediately, but it's not a gimmick we're saving for the end of the series) that I felt like celebrating. This is markedly different form, say, the way that Bellisario discussed the relationship between Harm and Mac on JAG (just as an example).

It would be good to see Pasdar in something else. He plays this type of character well.

I don't know Moonlighting or JAG, but I do know L&C and yes, they killed the show with them getting together and not doing a good job about it. But yes, they will have to step it up if they're going to have another interest for Beckett, or Castle really, before they finally get together. It would have to be as if they've played every last card that they could to have a viable reason to finally put their fear aside and hook up. Making it so that it seems that every other person they've had just couldn't compare.
But again, I can wait. The writing is superb and so unless they somehow really botch things, I'm just going to enjoy the ride and see how they take things.

The botch on L&C wasn't the actual wedding or their couplehood after it, but that Clone/Amnesia arc where they were so terrified of putting the leads together they threw in ANY excuse to keep them apart (though to be fair, that was partially to appease the arm of WB that was distributing the comics and held the rights to the movie franchise).

I can wait if they keep writing well and the relationship keeps progressing. If they start to verge into Bones-territory botching to avoid putting Castle and Beckett together, I'm going to lose patience.

Did anyone watch this week's episode with all the soap opera actors? It was a fun episode, and I enjoyed seeing some soap stars I used to watch parody themselves on Castle.

It was a fun episode. I'm not into Soaps, so I didn't know any different, but it was also good to see Corbin Bernsen on there and Tina Majarino. I was surprised that Castle played modest with his "Let's sleep on it" statement. I thought he would play it up more.

I think he was trying to rebound from his "soapy" comments from earlier. I think if "The Kiss" hadn't happened, he might have played it up a bit more. This Chet trend is really starting to worry me (not that I miss Motorcycle Boy, but if we're going to have actual foils, they're going to have to be full characters who actually do things). It was a fun episode, even with that good-natured poke at their own (and practically every) fanbase.

This Chet trend is really starting to worry me (not that I miss Motorcycle Boy, but if we're going to have actual foils, they're going to have to be full characters who actually do things).
Agree. They've really never expanded beyond their core characters. Even Lainie is two-dimensional. I wish they'd show more of her and Esposito. What was the couple name Castle invented for the two of them?

He called them...Esplainie, I think. It seems like the secondary character outside the squadroom who's getting the most screentime and "development" is Martha. Lainie's there for a line or two of exposition (mostly) and Alexis gets about the same amount when she's even present. We know much more about Javier than we do about her.

He called them...Esplainie, I think. It seems like the secondary character outside the squadroom who's getting the most screentime and "development" is Martha. Lainie's there for a line or two of exposition (mostly) and Alexis gets about the same amount when she's even present. We know much more about Javier than we do about her.I like Martha. I wish they would show a bit more of Castle and Alexis. It seems like she used to be more present in the show than she has been recently.

I like Martha. I wish they would show a bit more of Castle and Alexis. It seems like she used to be more present in the show than she has been recently.

She has her own life, though...isn't she on the verge of college? Kids get so busy, they're almost never home.

I like that the show is from Castle perspective for the most part and we only see what he knows about. Since he doesn't know more about Becket's relationship with motorcycle boy then i don't think they should show it. It makes you wonder about it and about what Becket is thinking and i think that is interesting.

We saw her fight-flirting and dating the robbery cop, we saw the history with the federal agent. If it's HIS perspective, why didn't we see his second ex-wife AT ALL except for briefly in one episode and as a cell phone picture in another? This is a writing flaw.

This episode was good. A good case. Sort of political which made it more interesting.

I really liked last night's episode, too. It was something a little bit different, and it was good to see the captain and Alexis a bit more than usual. :)

It was good to see Alexis have a plotline (even if it's her being almost too good to be true again). I liked the case and the resolution. Seems like Bruce Davison (who played the DA) has been getting steady paychecks for the last five years or so as a villain. It's strange, even though the DA's motives were overtly political, that part of the plot seemed like a tagalong compared to Chicago Code (where the villain is a corrupt and powerful Alderman) or Blue Bloods (set in the same city as Castle).

It was good to see Alexis have a plotline (even if it's her being almost too good to be true again). I liked the case and the resolution. Seems like Bruce Davison (who played the DA) has been getting steady paychecks for the last five years or so as a villain. It's strange, even though the DA's motives were overtly political, that part of the plot seemed like a tagalong compared to Chicago Code (where the villain is a corrupt and powerful Alderman) or Blue Bloods (set in the same city as Castle).
Yea it was nice to see that. Missed most of the episode though. But what I did get a chance to see was pretty good.

Found out recently, that Charter was offering it via their On Demand service in 'Free Primetime'... but sadly, it isn't available on my box :grumble:. So now it's time to call them to let them know about it.

Seems like Bruce Davison (who played the DA) has been getting steady paychecks for the last five years or so as a villain.
I know! There are a couple of actors who, as soon as I see them in a movie or show, I know they're going to end up being the villain. :lol:

Yeah whenever it is a known actor you always are like killer. It's him.

Well, that's not always true. Bill Smitrovich spent most of the '80s and '90s playing a rat or a villain on TV shows, but he also had a couple of heroic roles and seems to have graduated to the fatherly/grandfatherly role recently. There are some actors who just make bank playing villains. I'll always remember Arnold Vosloo as Pic from Hard Target, but he's been a movie villain for two decades and he's surfed several shows recently, including Chuck and Bones (he's the rogue sniper this year).

I had hoped for more action in response to a nice themed episode. What is with Gary Basraba? He's been all over the place in the last year. He was "mobbed up" Nick in this episode of Castle. He was an ex-enforcer who killed an accountant on an episode from the final season of Cold Case, and he was a corrupt Commander within the NYPD on Blue Bloods (who had once saved Frank Reagan's life). Nice episode. Interesting attempt at making Alexis less idealized (although the resolution totally undid all the previous work). But now, no Martha. Are they incapable of having the entire Castle family contribute even as much as they did in the pilot?

My gosh I just love this show. This like no other I can get lost in. Which also reminds me that I miss Lost.
It's heating up!! Things are going to come together quick! I LOVED Castle's restraint and respect. He doens't want to mess it up with her and he knows that he needs to allow her to make the first move.
And I loved seeing all the guest stars. Gene Simmons was just fun. Dominic Purcell I've always been a fan of since Blade 3 and then Prison Break. It'll be good to see him in something regular again. And then DB Sweeney has been around guesting on the Event and others and now this.
Those Esposito and Ryan actors were hilarious.
And we get another new episode next week!!!

I'm a John Doe fan, so I really like Purcell. I saw him in Blade Trinity and he can make an excellent villain. All in all, rather a waste of his talent--though not if he were coming back. Jonathan Adams was great as Vulcan Simmons in Knockdown (even though he was only in that one interrogation scene) but he has possibilities because he's still out walking around. Both Ganz and Vulcan were a lot more charismatic than the Triple Killer.:sigh:

It's also too bad they burned Royce that fast--he was the most interesting challenge to the Beckett--Castle relationship.

It was a ncie episode and seeing Esposito and Lainey act like a couople was good. However, no Martha and No Alexis. They seem to be bulding quite well, though.

I agree. I loved this episode. Becket was hysterical. The guys playing the two sidekick cops were great. There was just a lot of great humor in this episode and not many shows make me actually laugh.

The scene where she came back into the living room in the hotel and he was entering his room. That was so great. What a great if only moment. I agree with what you said too Ginny, i like that he didn't push her because it would have been the wrong thing to do. Also at least now we know what she is thinking because they rarely tell us what Becket is thinking and they actually did a little bit in the is episode. Great episode. I can't wait until next week.

I accidentally read that they might have Alexis go to Stanford to be with her Ashley for next season. That she's not coming back next season. Which will be sad but fine too. If Castle Beclett get together they'll need some alone time to get solid and the more time on the screen with the two of them the better. So no daughter distraction. Not that I don't love Alexis, I do, but if she's served her purpose and Castle will be busy so it'll be a win-win.

On your spoiler--if they sell it, it might work--but this is one of the best father-daughter relationships on TV--like, imagine if Chris Haydon had actually embraced and excelled at being a single father. I'd miss the relationship if it weren't there. Besides, I'm not sanguine about Molly Quinn's selectivity with her projects outside Castle--the only one I've caught is her in the Gwenivere role in some modern-teen King Arthur Disney flick.

Who's Chris Haydon?

Yeah, she's not been in too much. She was briefly in this one movie with Renee Zellweger, who is at least reputable. But then she was also apparently in Walk Hard, which isn't so reputable. And then the Disney show and that's about it.

But yes, the father-daughter relationship is the best out there and so it'll be sad to see that go. And as far as the selling goes, when has she not gotten what she wanted?

Chris Haydon--he's Rory's biological father on Gilmore Girls. He's Rabbit (from Updike's Rabbit Run) come to life, or the living embodiment of a Peter Pan complex.

Well, I suppose I'd be okay with it, but it'd have to be this big important sendoff and crucial to the episode in which it happened--it couldn't be a Chet reference or a cell phone photo, or Motorcycle Boy, or muscled robbery cop. They'd actually have to put a lot of time, thought, and effort into it.

Oh, never really watched Gilmore Girls.

I agree with you, Jord. They would have to make it a big deal with lots of heart, soul and tears. Nothing wishy-washy. Nothing behind the scenes. They should make half the episode about it and not just the usual 2 minutes of screen time in between the murder mystery to solve Alexis' problem, with phone calls and occasional conversations with Beckett about it. It's a big deal. She's helped keep him grounded and be a deeper, fleshed out character. More than the wealthy playboy. Hmm...now I am getting sad about her leaving!

O man i will miss her she is beautiful. I am her fan since Gilmore Girls.

Hmm? Well, that was odd.

So, decent episode. Locating the suspect became like a game of three card monty after awhile. Motive and opportunity--nope, alibi--no, wait...a different alibi.;) Unfortunately, I think that's the closest we're ever going to get to a real Alexis send-off episode. I don't hold out much hope for a more extensive treatment at the midway point of next season--wait, has it been renewed yet?

The finale looks both intriguing and infuriating. Knockout looks like it has as much potential as Knockdown...but some of the scenes looks like they're reverting back to the end of Season 1.:sigh: What are the odds of really losing two cast members at the midpoint of next season?

Yes, Castle has been renewed for next season.

It better be renewed!

It was a good episode and yes, Jord, I think that that may be all we get for Alexis with next weeks season finale. I'm sure there'll be a couple of scenes with her but that may be it.

yeah, I'm not sure what to make of the finale. But then I've also noticed that ABC likes to edit the promos together in just a way to make it misleading. So I'm not taking too much stock into it other than they probably put all the good parts together and then mixed them up to make it seem other than what it really will be.

But I'm sad that it'll be the last one until September!!!:upset:

Yea it better :lol:. It's starting to get really good.

Me too. It seems as if a lot of the networks are doing that. Just so people will watch the shows.

Same :(.

I am really looking forward to Castle tonight. The commercials have seemed intense and i like it when they have a show about Becket's mother's case. It has been an interesting back story there. I hope they don't pull a Bones though and break up the team for the summer and right when Castle and Becket were getting close.

I'm really liking this show. Good to hear it's been renewed :)

I think it's better written then most other crime dramas, which is appropriate considering the main character is a writer :p

Yeah, the second season finale had a bit of a Bones disaster didn't it? I hope this one delivers throughout instead of hamstringing itself in the last five minutes.

You know i have thought for awhile that they might be going there. There has always been something shady about the chief cop for me. At least for this season. And then once this episode started i was like yeah they are going there. They definitely pulled a Bones eh. We will see how the show turns out. Fifteen minutes left.

PS.

Alright then. So i thought someone said that the show was continued for another season. They aren't going to end this show like that. I am assuming that they are placing her under some sort of protection so that she doesn't get killed by making the people believe she is dead. At least Castle finally said he loved her.

You know i have thought for awhile that they might be going there. There has always been something shady about the chief cop for me. At least for this season. And then once this episode started i was like yeah they are going there. They definitely pulled a Bones eh. We will see how the show turns out. Fifteen minutes left.


Yes, I figured that one out, too. Very upsetting, though.



PS.

Alright then. So i thought someone said that the show was continued for another season. They aren't going to end this show like that. I am assuming that they are placing her under some sort of protection so that she doesn't get killed by making the people believe she is dead. At least Castle finally said he loved her.

Thanks for that. I'll bet you're right. Roy did say he fixed it so HE couldn't get Beckett. I'm wondering if HE is her father.

Thanks for that. I'll bet you're right. Roy did say he fixed it so HE couldn't get Beckett. I'm wondering if HE is her father.

Good idea. That would make sense to me. I wish that the captain would have just said who was behind it all though i guess i understand. I really feel like i need to see the end again. They did a great reveal there when the guys found out it was the captain and they just went crazy for a moment and then were like oh no Becket. I am glad that the captain turned himself around there in the end.

Though it seemed like the captain was putting his affairs in order so maybe he sent out some sort of information that will help them find the guy.

I wonder if Castle will know that Becket is alive or if they are going to keep that a secret even from him. He didn't seem to know what was going on, but who knows. I always think it is lucky when they pull something like this that the shooter didn't take a head shot.

Okay, I didn't call the shot as fast as you folks but maybe 10 minutes before the reveal.

First off, this is as close as I've seen to a believable "Dumbledore is Evil" type storyline, but they tagged redemption in an absolutely awesome exchange and then an excellent action scene. However, this is not Star Wars. I think Mr. Beckett isn't our big bad. He's a broken down, recovering alcoholic on a pension. Whoever the dragon is, he might be an ex-cop, but he's exceptionally rich and powerful now.

I'll miss the cast member and the character, but it was a spectacular send-off.

On the final scene--That was a Bones move. However, it was a Bones move done right, done better than Bones did it.

Three seasons ago, during the whole Gormagon serial-killer saga, there was an insane woman who fixated on Booth and shot him at a karaoke bar. The episode ended with him bleeding out in Bones' arms and her saying "C'mon Booth! C'MON!" with a whiteout that made it seem as if the character died. Then the next episode they had a fake funeral and it was revealed that he survived and they proceeded to throw the character of Zach Addy under the bus. THIS episode of Castle can be compared to ending that season of Bones one episode early with Booth shot.

P.S. The show has been renewed, so...

It's important to note that there was absolutely no blood from Beckett's wound. I think either it was a set-up and a blank, or she was wearing heavy body armor to stop even a normally armor-piercing shot. It should be noted that in the Bones episode I mentioned, Brennan doesn't confess feelings for Booth even as she's exhorting him to live and putting pressure on a bullet wound. This treatment is better and more thorough and each character except Lainie got a serious, important moment.

There was blood. I thought i remembered seeing blood. Maybe the mayor is the big bad. It just made me wonder if they are going to go there, but who knows. I think it makes more sense to me though that it isn't someone related to the cops or anything. I hope it isn't Becket's dad because that would suck for her though i think that makes the most sense based on what we know at the moment.

It could be an unknown character.

I haven't seen anyone I'd believe. My hope is that whoever The Dragon is, he's as awesome as Vulcan Simmons. I also hope that we see Vulcan himself back sometime next season.

Wow, fantastic season finale! :tu:
O.M.G.

They warned us that this finale would be a game changer. They said it would be so intense it would blow our minds. They were right. Season 3 concluded with easily one of the best Castle episodes yet

Editor Rating: 4.9 / 5.0
User Rating: 4.9 / 5.0 (101 Total Votes)

Read more: http://www.tvfanatic.com/2011/05/castle-review-knockout/#ixzz1MaZ3kLqg

I was on edge the whole time. Some serious drama, great acting, twists and cliffhanger...but I thought someone said it's been renewed for next season? :hmm: They can't really continue without the female lead, can they? :( Then again the show is called Castle, not Beckett... :whistle:

I looked it up to check and the show has been renewed as far as i can tell. They wouldn't end it like that anyways. They are probably just putting her into some sort of protection for the time being.

Hmm, so pulling a Lt. Gordon? :whistle: I'm sure it's been done before Nolan's Batman film but it's the most recent example that comes to mind...

Yeah, that actually did surprise me and then felt like a cop-out (no pun intended). It felt a little too forced. But it was also nice to see that he tried to do the right thing in the end. Someone now has all the information. But now Beckett is shot, and of course she won't die (which also seemed dramatically unneeded and lame to me, I mean come on! they can't kill off the main character!), but it allowed Castle to finally say what he needed to say. Which actually disappointed me. It was a little too cliche. But I guess there's not much else that could have been said in a moment like that. So it'll have to do. I'll wait for the flowery stuff later when she recovers.

OH! but I LOVED the tete-a-tete between he and Kate in her apartment when they finally were honest about their relationship and that he was able to see through her bravado into how she really is.

It was a great, and solid season finale though. Esposito and Ryan were full fleshed and supporting their own weight. We had glimpses of Mom, Alexis and Laney. Full cast present and as much apart of the episode as it would allow.

So then her mother's case continues with whoever has the mysterious file and who actually ordered her killed. I love it.

And then what will happen next between Castle and Beckett? Where will it pick up? 3 months later and she's recovered or right after? Dang, but we'll have to wait till September to find out!!! Agony!!

Don't forget that Capt. told Lockwood that he fixed it so that neither he nor the Big Guy could get her. That whole shooting thing was a setup to get her into protective custody. The added bonus was Castle telling Kate he loved her.

I think Montgomery didn't tell Becket who was behind it all to protect her and to protect his family.

The whole thing was so intense and emotional I'm surprised I could watch it all. That's a testament to how well done it was. Ryan's and Esposito's reactions were completely believable.

The best moment for me was in the hangar when Montgomery called Castle to take Becket away. He was there for her and he and Montgomery were going to protect her in spite of herself.

I'm going to miss Captain Montgomery but his final moments were heroic and redemptive and in spite of what he said earlier, a victory.

Yeah, that actually did surprise me and then felt like a cop-out (no pun intended). It felt a little too forced. But it was also nice to see that he tried to do the right thing in the end. Someone now has all the information. But now Beckett is shot, and of course she won't die (which also seemed dramatically unneeded and lame to me, I mean come on! they can't kill off the main character!), but it allowed Castle to finally say what he needed to say. Which actually disappointed me. It was a little too cliche. But I guess there's not much else that could have been said in a moment like that. So it'll have to do. I'll wait for the flowery stuff later when she recovers.

OH! but I LOVED the tete-a-tete between he and Kate in her apartment when they finally were honest about their relationship and that he was able to see through her bravado into how she really is.

It was a great, and solid season finale though. Esposito and Ryan were full fleshed and supporting their own weight. We had glimpses of Mom, Alexis and Laney. Full cast present and as much apart of the episode as it would allow.

So then her mother's case continues with whoever has the mysterious file and who actually ordered her killed. I love it.

And then what will happen next between Castle and Beckett? Where will it pick up? 3 months later and she's recovered or right after? Dang, but we'll have to wait till September to find out!!! Agony!!
Yea I'm wondering as well, since he said 'I love you' to her :love:. I hope things will be ok for them and for Beckett herself.

What a great episode! There were so many wonderfully tense edge-of-your-seat moments: the argument in Kate's apartment, the reveal of the hitman in Montgomery's house (is he going to kill the Captain?), the reveal that Montgomery was the third cop, Ryan and Esposito finding out about Montgomery, the confrontation at the hangar, Beckett forgiving Montgomery, Castle carrying Beckett away, the funeral, the sniper, the "I love you"! Great finale.

I definitely saw blood on Beckett's gloves when Castle ran over to her. And in an interview with EW.com, the showrunner confirmed that she was not wearing a vest. I wouldn't be surprised if she set that up herself, though, to fool the "bad guys" so that she could pursue her mother's killer.

So who do you guys think Montgomery sent the envelope to? Castle? :huh:

There was blood. I thought i remembered seeing blood. Maybe the mayor is the big bad. It just made me wonder if they are going to go there, but who knows. I think it makes more sense to me though that it isn't someone related to the cops or anything. I hope it isn't Becket's dad because that would suck for her though i think that makes the most sense based on what we know at the moment.

It could be an unknown character.

The mayor is my guess. I think what Montgomery said (something along the lines of "the Mayor can't make me do anything. If I want Castle gone, he's gone") is a subtle hint at who it is. It's got to be someone powerful...someone rich (which the Mayor could be).

Also, next season opens either with Beckett on a gurney being pushed through hospital doors on her way to emergency surgery, or with a fake funeral. 0% chance she doesn't live, because her mom's case is not solved. This show is as much about her as it is Castle at this point.

Castle was renewed for next season quite awhile ago, so if you're looking for it in recent news, you won't find it. But yes, it has 100% absolutely positively been renewed for next season.

What a season finale. who could the main villain be? the mayor do you think? kate obviously wont die but i agree she could have seen the sniper and managed to get hit in a non vital spot and go along with the part to act dead. i do think the envelope was posted to castle but could there be a way to delay the arrival?

Well if it is the mayor then he could have someone handling the mail in some way. I could see them getting around that if they wanted to, but the might not want to.

I started watching this show in season two, I think. My friend suggested it to me. I immediately fell in love with it. But I think I like the writer-angle more than the cop one.

I have the first two seasons on DVD. I can watch these episodes over and over without getting bored with them. It's not like that with most cop shows; once you know what happens, you know...

Did not realize there was a Castle thread on here! I absolutely love this show! Started watcing during season 2. Finally bought Season 1 and 2 on DVD and cannot wait to get Season 3 and for Season 4 to start in September

Welcome to the thread, The Writer and AccioHP!:welcome:

I also can watch this show over and over and never get bored. I think it's the chemistry between the leads. It's perfect.

The mayor would be a good villian. They're always talking about him and yet we've never actually seen him.

The Mayor? Really? The Mayor of New York? I don't get the impression that Rick Castle would be golfing buds with a machine master. Besides, he wouldn't appear to have enough juice to be a Dragon, a Kaisir Sose/Tom Riddle Jr. level bad guy. If it is a machine guy, he'd have to be powerful, super-rich and just as imposing and serpent-tongued as someone like Vulcan Simmons. In fact, from the build-up we've had, he should be at least Vulcan Simmons squared or cubed. I can't see any mayor filling that bill.

Why not? You never know people. And we know very little of the Mayor, other than he plays golf with Castle, who anyone can do, mastermind or not. I'm thinking more along the lines of Lex Luthor, but sneakier. For the Chief to feel that he has to bow down to someone else, to me says that the really, really bad guy not only has to be someone rich and powerful but also a public figure.

Who's Vulcan Simmons?

Vulcan Simmons was the cornrowed (or were those dreads or twists) drug kingpin who was the initial suspect in Beckett's mother's murder when they found out about the killing of that undercover FBI Agent from that crooked cop (the one that was shot right in front of Beckett and Castle). The episode was called Knockdown. He pegged her immediately and wound her up so bad that she smashed him into the mirror/observation window of the interrogation room and cracked it. He laughed mellifluously at her when she did that. Someone with that much panache, brains, and menacing screen presence but with money and clout. I like the Lex Luthor idea, but I can't see a mayor of New York pulling that off (mostly becaue I have either Rudy Giuliani or that whiny twit of a character from Blue Bloods in my head). Neither of those are good models for an archvillain.

Oh, that's right. Hmm....Yeah, but I still think it needs to be some sort of public figure. So that's why the mayor comes to mind, like Mugglewizard thought. I think they could pull it off with a TV mayor. Of course it's never real, but with all the other characters on the show who suddenly have a hidden past or hidden agenda (ie the Chief) anything is possible.
But then watch, it's going to be some nobody!
Either way, I like that there's a clear purpose with the show. I'd watch it regardless, but I like that they have a story that they're following too. And not just about getting Castle and Beckett together!

I like that they have a story that they're following too. And not just about getting Castle and Beckett together!
I like that, too. It's kind of unusual for this type of show; they're usually stand-alone episodes. I like how this story is a thread woven throughout the show.

Well, it has been tried before, but it's more cohesive than NYPD Blue (for example) where there are spurts of subplots that appear and then disappear and then reappear. Monk was the WORST at this--Trudy's murder was the case that was supposed to hold everything together, but after maybe the third season, Trudy's case would get mentioned in premieres and finales and almost nowhere else. Here, the case sleeps for long stretches, but you can tell it's there and it's around for more than two episodes per season (or seems to be) which is good.

I definitely saw blood on Beckett's gloves when Castle ran over to her. And in an interview with EW.com, the showrunner confirmed that she was not wearing a vest. I wouldn't be surprised if she set that up herself, though, to fool the "bad guys" so that she could pursue her mother's killer.
I was thinking the exact same thing! I figured it would be the perfect time to fake her own death in order to get the answers she needs. The only thing that drove me crazy about this season finale is how reminiscent it was of the White Collar season finale from last year.

People need to come up with different cliffhangers besides shooting a main character and fading out with gushing blood. Just sayin'.

I'm really loving Castle and the moment. Initially I was half-hearted about it, but now I find I'm enjoying it even more than Bones, which I think has become a little soap opera-ish and the quality of its cases has suffered. Nathan Fillion is brilliant.

Heads up... there's a Castle marathon on TNT going on tonight through 11pm -- eastern standard time :). Been watching parts of it when I can.

I am ready for a new Castle. Monday. I mean she gets shot and they just leave us hanging. I think i not in favor of cliffhanger endings. I think that each season finale should be able to be a series finale as well.

Heads up... there's a Castle marathon on TNT going on tonight through 11pm -- eastern standard time :). Been watching parts of it when I can.

Thanks for letting us know! Flipped to it immediately and am watching now! :D

Heads up... there's a Castle marathon on TNT going on tonight through 11pm -- eastern standard time :). Been watching parts of it when I can.

I've had my own marathon going for last season. I've been watching it on Hulu Plus, three episodes a day. I hope to watch them all before the season premier on Monday.

I've had my own marathon going for last season. I've been watching it on Hulu Plus, three episodes a day. I hope to watch them all before the season premier on Monday.

Oooh good idea! I'd like to rewatch the episodes relating to Becketts moms murder.

Both Knockdown and Knockout were on the TNT marathon (bless the invention of the DVR). They really didn't promote that marathon before it happened, it sorta just happened. Silly on their part. As for the "faking" thing. Uh, no. She was really shot and it looked like Castle got into a shoving match with Josh in the waiting room in the preview I saw. I think Josh's specialty as a cardiac surgeon is going to be of use before his character is given the boot.

I watched the marathon, so glad it was on! And got my friend addicted hehe. I am so excited for Monday! I can't wait to see what happens.

Both Knockdown and Knockout were on the TNT marathon (bless the invention of the DVR). They really didn't promote that marathon before it happened, it sorta just happened. Silly on their part. As for the "faking" thing. Uh, no. She was really shot and it looked like Castle got into a shoving match with Josh in the waiting room in the preview I saw. I think Josh's specialty as a cardiac surgeon is going to be of use before his character is given the boot.
Yea that kind of sucked there. There should have been some more promotion about it.

Looking forward to the new episode tonight :D.

Nice premiere. We actually got to give Josh one moment (of him messing up, natch) before he got tossed out on his ear. Excellent look at The Case (I think we should agree to talk about everything from the dead Fed to Johanna Beckett to Raglan to Roy Montgomery as The Case just for the sake of shorthand), and a nice opening to restart the partnership. PJJ is an interesting choice as the new Captain. She seems to be dusting off her Mrs. Palmer (Lady MacPalmer) chops from 24 for the role. Important scenes for Lanie, Ryan, Esposito, and even Martha. We missed Roy, but he got a spectacular character sendoff.

Excellent lead-in to next week, as well.

Um, did we know Beckett had a boyfriend? I sure didn't...hmm, parallels recent events in my own life. Well anyways she's kicked him to the curb (still waiting for my acquaintance to do the same) so maybe Castle is free to move in now. :)

As for the new boss, I don't like her at all and what is up with the "sir" ****? I'm pretty sure even female officers in the military are not called "sir". And it's not sexist or anything...I know it has a connotation of importance sometimes but it's just simply a title that refers to men...

She had him for most of last season. If you recall, that's the guy who told Castle he had a moderate case of hypothermia after the freezer scare. Beckett had been dating him for a couple months by then. He was the guy Castle was talking about when he ranted about Kate's "nowhere relationships" with "men [she] do[es]n't love" in the season 3 finale.

The "sir" thing is a quirk that's supposed to make her unique and, I think, harken back to Margaret Houlahan of M*A*S*H*

Well and there is the very issue of sexism within language. The very idea that there are two different words miss and ma'am is sexist when there is only one for men. The idea that it changes when you get married as if you are not an adult before is ridiculous. The idea that calling someone ma'am is really calling someone the little wife. I totally get where she is coming from. And she is older and from a different generation then us where those issues really came to a head.

It's not just English though. I recall learning how to differentiate between all of these in multiple foreign language classes

Sir (adult male of any age)
Ma'am (adult female)
Madam (adult female)
Mr + last name (any man)
Mrs + last name (married woman who uses her husband's last name)
Ms + last name (married or unmarried woman; common in business)
Miss + last name (unmarried woman)

Anyways, my Dad thought it was weird too. He was talking to the TV saying "sir??? Um lady, in case you haven't noticed you're not a sir" :lol:

I acknowledge the point, but I didn't want a discussion of a pretty entertaining season premiere (roles reversed from the season 3 premiere) to evolve into a discussion of gender bias in language. Any thoughts on the premiere other than the eye-opening stance Captain MacPalmer has on gendered descriptives?

It is true that it is the same way in other languages not only English.

I felt like this was a pretty much just a reset episode. There was a big time gap and then everyone was back together for a case. That was about it.

I thought the interpersonal stuff was quite interesting though. It might have been just a reset, but Lainie, Alexis, and Martha all had interesting and meaningful moments, and felt as integrated into the show as they've ever been. The dynamics with Kate's faked memory loss and genuine PTSD have a lot of potential. Nice to know that our Blofeldt isn't just a drug dealer or Mayor of New York.

Excellent episode.

The "sir" doesn't bother me. It's a control issue. She tells everyone to call her sir and they fumble when they don't. She then has control.

Question. Was the guy Montgomery sent the files to the psychiatrist? It was a little too dark to see clearly, but I thought so. So there's Becket, spilling her guts to the same guy that controls whether or not she gets crossed off.

It was a wonderful moment when Becket got back to being Becket again. Castle backing her up like that, talking her through it, was wonderful.

Ryan and Esposito are great characters. I said this before but they are good cops, not just the fumbling bumbling comic relief.

Good murder, too. The team back together again to solve murders and fight crime.

I like the way Castle talked Beckett into letting the investigation go for a while. That means we can keep the mystery going for the rest of the season.

I felt like this was a pretty much just a reset episode. There was a big time gap and then everyone was back together for a case. That was about it.

I thought it was a good episode but yeah, there was some really poor editing.

Could you give me examples of the poor editing? Was it the Deep Throat thing, or something else?

I just didn't like the time jump. I thought that was poor editing because here we thought that her life was in real danger and then there was just a three month time jump and she is fine. A little PTSD which is to be expected after getting shot, but that is about it. And Castle's daughter has a little PTSD as well.

I still really liked the episode. All the old gang back together being themselves. And i thought that the new Captain was interesting enough especially once they get her on their side and to work around until that happens. I am glad Kate remembered what Castle said, but i thought she was lying the moment she said she didn't.

I just didn't like the time jump. I thought that was poor editing because here we thought that her life was in real danger and then there was just a three month time jump and she is fine.

Exactly

I just didn't like the time jump. I thought that was poor editing because here we thought that her life was in real danger and then there was just a three month time jump and she is fine.

Yeah, that's network TV. A big, jaw-dropping, game-changing season finale gets written off in 2 minutes, almost like it never happened. It's one of the things that frustrates me.

Also, I'm not high on the new captain as a character. One of the things I really liked about the dynamic of the show before was Montgomery trusted his people, and gave them the benefit of the doubt almost always. This "the boss doesn't trust us and gives us problems all over the place" storyline has been played out a thousand times. Maybe they'll bring something new to it, but I'm not holding my breath.

Sorry, I'm getting a bit too pessimistic about an otherwise fantastic show.

Yeah, that's network TV. A big, jaw-dropping, game-changing season finale gets written off in 2 minutes, almost like it never happened. It's one of the things that frustrates me.

I have decided i don't believe in big, jaw dropping, game changing season finales. I don't think it works. Like this for example. It is pretty much just meaningless and an excuse to reset the relationships which i find annoying.

Character growth. Let's do it. And there has been, but no reason to reset in my opinion.

It doesn't look like they are content to rest. They didn't wipe out the whole incident. Kate opened up more to Castle than she ever has to anyone in that last discussion and they're working on the problem together. This isn't lather, rinse repeat like Harm and Mac on JAG (for example).

DO. NOT. like the new "captain" at all.....

I was curious as to why Beckett lied about remembering the shooting at first...

My only thought is she shares Castle's feelings but is scared and didn't want him to know she heard him...but IDK

Accurate. But I think there's another level. She broke up with Josh because of Castle, but she's petrified of hurting him, alienating him, losing him. She doesn't think she's capable of being happy, of committing totally with the case hanging over her head and twice now, Castle has brought her back from the brink. First, it was his writing helping her cope with the immediate aftermath and the frustration of her early years as a cop. Remember, that's how she became a fan of his writing. More recently, it's been Castle himself as her partner and friend keeping her from disappearing into a sinkhole over the conspiracy. She doesn't want to jeopardize what she has for the possibility of something she can't commit to yet.

will be interesting to see how things develop :)

I liked yesterday's episode. I thought that it was a little dumb that the first place they would look wasn't the creator of the comic book. But i loved the super hero killer. It was pretty funny at times. Good episode.

I liked yesterday's episode. I thought that it was a little dumb that the first place they would look wasn't the creator of the comic book. But i loved the super hero killer. It was pretty funny at times. Good episode.
Same here :lol:.

As for Castle and Beckett -- I liked how she opened up more to him, but I wasn't thrilled that she lied to him about what she remembered. My only guess there was that she did that so he wouldn't be too worried about her.

The new captain -- DO NOT LIKE :p *coughs her up like a bad hair ball* I have a feeling that she'll be a thorn in their sides through out this season.

That's practically her only role. I haven't warmed up to the "sir" thing, either (which seems to be her hook). She reminds me too much of the skeevy head of the CBI on The Mentalist. Everything is political, everything is weighed through the sieve of its impact on her career, her rise. That's fairly common in TV but it's TERRIBLE in a cop or a teacher.

I liked the opening up and the twist redeemed them from invalidating that last moment of the season finale. However, I'm not sure I liked the anvils crashing as they explored the rookie cop turned vigilante who basically was Year 2000 Beckett and the reporter who was a poor-man's Castle with a beard. Did we really need that elevator kiss? Is that as close as we'll get this year to kindling the spark?:shrug:

That's practically her only role. I haven't warmed up to the "sir" thing, either (which seems to be her hook). She reminds me too much of the skeevy head of the CBI on The Mentalist. Everything is political, everything is weighed through the sieve of its impact on her career, her rise. That's fairly common in TV but it's TERRIBLE in a cop or a teacher.

I liked the opening up and the twist redeemed them from invalidating that last moment of the season finale. However, I'm not sure I liked the anvils crashing as they explored the rookie cop turned vigilante who basically was Year 2000 Beckett and the reporter who was a poor-man's Castle with a beard. Did we really need that elevator kiss? Is that as close as we'll get this year to kindling the spark?:shrug:
Interesting. She kind of reminds me of Toothpick Man from NCIS.

Hopefully not.

I liked the episode overall, but I definitely hope that they don't mess things up. That would REALLY stink.

I suppose it could be similar to our first impressions of Leon, but we've seen so much more of him since his wife had to kill that assassin that I had forgotten that he was or forgiven him for being a political animal. He has a heart that beats and a soul that loves. Ma'am/Sir doesn't yet.

Let's give Iron Gates credit. She did give Beckett an out for not arresting Hastings. And she did the twitchy lips thing at Castle, trying not to smile.

I'll always miss Montgomery because that was a team that worked together. Everyone had their moments.

I rewatched the season finale and the first episode back to back the other day. Both really well done.

Yes, both the season finale and this latest season premiere were very well done and all of the characters had interesting and valuable moments (something that had gotten lost over the course of last season). "Iron Gates":sigh: But again, the out wasn't a Montgomery sort of out (this is the right thing) it's a political out (if we don't do this I have egg on my face) which is why she jumped the gun on announcing they had the killer twice. Beckett should make a new rule.

"Sir, to save time and aggravation, why don't you hold off on informing the press, the chief, or the mayor about a suspect in custody until:

a. We have a confession, and

b. I make sure it's legit. It'll be simpler for everyone."

I thought the same thing. I was like why don't they wait until they have spoken to the guy before they inform anyone.

I thought the same thing. I was like why don't they wait until they have spoken to the guy before they inform anyone.

I guess she's just anxious to make her bones. :eyebrows: But it was a stupid move. Does not show leadership ability.

For which she then blames Kate (and Castle) Dumb, dumb, DUMB. Once is okay, barely. Twice is a huge stretch. Three times (next week) would be a lazy writing pattern.

For which she then blames Kate (and Castle) Dumb, dumb, DUMB. Once is okay, barely. Twice is a huge stretch. Three times (next week) would be a lazy writing pattern.
:agree: Let's hope that they don't do that :whistle:. That wouldn't be good.

Another great episode. I've always liked Castle's interaction with Alexis and this week he had to be the grown-up. That's a hard role for him to play.

Good murder and excellent ending. I didn't guess it until just before Castle and Beckett did.

It was another unrequited/eternal love story. I just hope they don't decide to drop anvils in their murder plots in lieu of having Castle and Beckett's relationship show actual progress.

It was a good Alexis plot (although it made about as much sense for her to get rejected by Stanford as it did for Rory to get rejected by the New York Times on Gilmore Girls). That is, it made no sense with the character's track record but showed they were trying to keep Molly Quinn around longer. Yay!

I think my favorite scenes were the ones with Lainie this time. My favorite one was her using a saw to interrupt the mutual theorizing.:D:D:lol::rotfl::elaugh:

Another great episode. I've always liked Castle's interaction with Alexis and this week he had to be the grown-up. That's a hard role for him to play.

Good murder and excellent ending. I didn't guess it until just before Castle and Beckett did.
:agree: They did well this time around. It was nice to see him having to be the grown-up :). I was proud of him.

I was pleased to see everyone have a bit of a role again and Ryan can carry an episode as well (or as competently anyway) as Esposito did last season. I'm still not sold on 3XK as a big bad. He's just not interesting. By the way, could we dial it back on the star-crossed true love episode by episode? We've now had poor-man's Rick and Kate get together after the superhero murder and this week it was a Romeo and Juliet thing. If they're pumping up the volume on ancillary romance to distract us from Rick and Kate, newsflash--it isn't working. It's becoming a little annoying. However, I suppose this is better than the Chet/Josh/Demming routine they did over the last two seasons. Incidentally, with rubberneck viewership of the post-Charlie Sheen Two and a Half Men down, it seems like quality might actually be getting served. Castle won it's timeslot outright on Monday. YAY!:D:elaugh::D

Next week's episode looks interesting. Jealous Beckett is always fun (I wish we'd get some of the old foils back, the only one who has made a repeat performance is Kelly Carlson--I think. Maybe not even her).

I didn't get a chance to see Monday's episode :(. Darn Lions game :lol:. Along with some other stuff on tv... oh well. Guess I'll be waiting til' next week's episode. Good to hear that this week's episode was good though.

Next week's episode looks interesting. Jealous Beckett is always fun (I wish we'd get some of the old foils back, the only one who has made a repeat performance is Kelly Carlson--I think. Maybe not even her).
I think a more serious turn in the relationship is around the corner. There was a line by Castle at one point Monday, where he asks her again if she remembers anything. And she says no, just a blank; even though she's still going to therapy admitting the opposite.

There was a line by Castle at one point Monday, where he asks her again if she remembers anything. And she says no, just a blank; even though she's still going to therapy admitting the opposite.
Yeah and then Castle gave a skeptical look like he wasn't sure she was telling the truth.

Yeah and then Castle gave a skeptical look like he wasn't sure she was telling the truth.

Or, he may be wondering if she heard it but either doesn't feel the same or is waiting for him to say it again; or wasn't sure what she heard. Either way, I think she's holding back because she realizes Castle is serious & so is she, and that scares her a little. She wouldn't have broken off her relationship with what's-his-name if she wasn't serious too.

Well, we have our answer. She heard it, and she's petrified (and yet jealous). It works out pretty well, and our cat burglar turned insurance investigator was an interesting foil. That character was rather like Russo in Thomas Crown Affair (remake) meets Zeta-Jones in Entrapment (but not as flashy or as much gravitas as either character). Still, a fun episode. This new season seems to be the promise of good things. Let's hope it delivers. One side note--Iron Gates seems to be both obsessively careerist and aggressively incompetent. This is her third episode in..four? where her lust for advancement caused her to jump the gun (while insulting Beckett and Castle), get bit by it, and then try to blame the whole thing on Beckett. Find her a new niche, please. This one's boring.

I was suspicious of the insurance investigator from the get go. Surprised Beckett didn't check out her bona fides from the beginning. And if she was in a meeting with her boss at the time of the murder, what was she doing in evening clothes?

And wasn't it Castle that found the hand? Shouldn't he get the finder's fee?

Sorry, feeling picky. Very bad rain-drenched day. I'm still drying out.

All that being said, it was another enjoyable episode. Although, Jordmundt, I definitely agree that Iron Gates' schtick is getting pretty old. How did she get to be a captain when she makes so many mistakes?

I think we were supposed to be suspicious of her from the time Gates made her remarks about expertise and "value add, for a change.":rolleyes:

I definitely agree that Iron Gates' schtick is getting pretty old. How did she get to be a captain when she makes so many mistakes?
Her character has been bothering me since she entered the show. I feel like a lot of her motivations are superficially added to fit some required character mold the writers had predetermined. It doesn't make sense to me that she would welcome the insurance investigator with open arms and yet still dislike Castle (who has, in my mind, proved his worth to the police department several times over). I guess it just seems that she is intentionally confrontational when it comes to Castle but we haven't yet been given a real reason why.

Her character has been bothering me since she entered the show. I feel like a lot of her motivations are superficially added to fit some required character mold the writers had predetermined. It doesn't make sense to me that she would welcome the insurance investigator with open arms and yet still dislike Castle (who has, in my mind, proved his worth to the police department several times over). I guess it just seems that she is intentionally confrontational when it comes to Castle but we haven't yet been given a real reason why.

Easy. Castle is a man and the investigator is a woman. She comes down hard on Beckett, too, but there's an agenda there. Beckett made detective six weeks before she did, so Gates missed out on the kudos for that. To make things worse, Beckett doesn't care about that sort of thing.

Actually, she didn't miss out on the kudos. That was her record (probably for more than five years) and Beckett broke it.

Actually, she didn't miss out on the kudos. That was her record (probably for more than five years) and Beckett broke it.

Even worse from Gate's egotistical pov.

She is acting like that because she is taking control. This is her way of controlling the group. I understanding not liking her style, but i understand why she is doing it. She is the new person in the group and yet she needs to be the leader. Becket sort of acts like that as well. It really hasn't bothered me. I do hope that there is growth in the character and trust, but i get where they are now with the character.

Only got to see the end of this week's episode. Glad to see the woman who was with Castle for a bit there realized that there was another woman (Beckett) in the picture :). Really made me smile there. Didn't see the rest of the episode due to my mom watching Anthony Bourdain :p.

Now that you guys mention it, why does the captain hate Castle? Is it because he went over her head and got the mayor to let him stay there? I don't know. I just really can't stand her. I hate when shows do that--bring in a new boss who's the enemy. I understand they want to set up a new dynamic between the team and the new boss, but do they have to be so simplistic about it?

Side note: I've been trying to get my coworker to start watching Castle. He has been trying to annoy me by putting down Nathan Fillion. His Fillion put-down: "He's just Jason Bateman." I literally :lol:ed when the informant brought that up! And then Castle immediately said, "Hey, that's gotten me out of a speeding ticket." :rotfl:

Now that you guys mention it, why does the captain hate Castle? Is it because he went over her head and got the mayor to let him stay there? I don't know. I just really can't stand her. I hate when shows do that--bring in a new boss who's the enemy. I understand they want to set up a new dynamic between the team and the new boss, but do they have to be so simplistic about it?

Side note: I've been trying to get my coworker to start watching Castle. He has been trying to annoy me by putting down Nathan Fillion. His Fillion put-down: "He's just Jason Bateman." I literally :lol:ed when the informant brought that up! And then Castle immediately said, "Hey, that's gotten me out of a speeding ticket." :rotfl:
I have no idea... maybe she has a bug up her butt :p. On a more serious note, that's a good point... going above her head would definitely tick her off.

That doesn't explain her treatment of Beckett, though. Is it really that ego point (plus, Beckett doesn't play the political game so we know she EARNED her shield with a lot of work). If we use the playing of the mayoral card as an excuse for her behavior toward Castle, I think it might be that he initially disappeared without complaint and then outmaneuvered her as publicly as possible after he and Beckett patched things up. I don't particularly like that explanation because it doesn't make much sense, but it's all I can postulate.

Incidentally, the actress who played cat burglar Kaye actually worked with Nat Fillion on that short-lived Fox series Drive. It also included Emma Stone and Amy Acker.

That doesn't explain her treatment of Beckett, though. Is it really that ego point (plus, Beckett doesn't play the political game so we know she EARNED her shield with a lot of work). If we use the playing of the mayoral card as an excuse for her behavior toward Castle, I think it might be that he initially disappeared without complaint and then outmaneuvered her as publicly as possible after he and Beckett patched things up. I don't particularly like that explanation because it doesn't make much sense, but it's all I can postulate.

Incidentally, the actress who played cat burglar Kaye actually worked with Nat Fillion on that short-lived Fox series Drive. It also included Emma Stone and Amy Acker.
Yea. Maybe it's due to the fact that she (Beckett) hangs out with him :hmm:. That's my best guess there. As for the political take, that's kind of a weak excuse by her... there has to be more to it.

I do think that she is just trying to establish her dominance. It is really as simply as that. Like i said you don't have to like her way of doing it, but i do think that this is a known way for people to behave to stake their leadership. I have had bosses that act the way that woman acts. And it isn't necessarily about ego. It is just a way of pushing the point that she is in charge. I don't think it is quite the right way to go about it, but it seems real and i get it. And really her way of going about it isn't all that wrong. Be tough at first and then ease up once she knows that people will listen to her.

And i don't think it means she doesn't trust Becket, but really Becket would have to prove herself all over again and i could totally see why a woman like the captain would have a problem with a civilian being on the team. Especially since she is such a stickler to the rules.

I've had bosses like that, too. Personally, I think it's a terrible way to relate to your employees, but I'm not a woman in law enforcement, either. Like the "sir" thing. Maybe she thinks she has to act that way to be respected as a female in charge, but Beckett is the complete opposite and she is very well respected by their whole department. :shrug:

I disagree. I actually think Becket does act like the captain. I certainly see the similarity in style. The new captain may be more abrasive, but that is because we are used to Becket and we know she can laugh and be caring as well. We just haven't seen the captain ease up in that way and i am assuming that eventually her character will ease up and become more likeable.

Tonight's episode was good. Good case. A lot of good humor. As well as a bit of screen time for each of the characters. You can definitely see how Castle and Becket have become more relaxed around each other. A sort of creepy case too just in time for halloween.
I was seriously creeped out when they went into the hidden room. It was funny when the rat was on Becket and she didn't even freak out, but Castle did. Classic. Also Castle freaking out when that body fell on him was great.

It was a good Halloween ep, and I like the way they've been working Alexis in this year. It's more consistent than in past seasons. The humor was fun and the interactions between Castle and Beckett were really enjoyable.

It was a good Halloween ep, and I like the way they've been working Alexis in this year. It's more consistent than in past seasons. The humor was fun and the interactions between Castle and Beckett were really enjoyable.

Well said. Another great episode.

Well said. Another great episode.
Definitely. I really enjoyed it. I look forward to next week's episode.

I always enjoy Castle, but I especially loved the Halloween ep. So much great humor from Castle. Great moments for all the characters. No captain. :evil: Plus a send up of ghost hunting shows! What more could you ask for?

I always enjoy Castle, but I especially loved the Halloween ep. So much great humor from Castle. Great moments for all the characters. No captain. :evil: Plus a send up of ghost hunting shows! What more could you ask for?
I didn't even notice that she wasn't there :lol:. Yep :D. And maybe there might be more episodes without her :whistle:. It's the most we'd could ask for :p.

You know what I forgot about in all my excitement over the ep? Javie and Lanie broke up. :( Why?

Writer boredom? It felt like writer boredom when they got together in the first place, but they carried it off well. Probably the best sustained interpersonal relationship in the history of the show. I think the writers just got bored and ran out of ideas, so this was the solution.

Writer boredom? It felt like writer boredom when they got together in the first place, but they carried it off well. Probably the best sustained interpersonal relationship in the history of the show. I think the writers just got bored and ran out of ideas, so this was the solution.

Hmm. That's annoying. I wonder if it parallels the new Nikki Heat novel. I haven't read the third one, but Javi and Lanie became an item in the second book so then when it happened on the show I wasn't surprised. I really like them together.

Okay, first alllow me to allay some fears if I can.

Javy and Lainie didn't fully break up, they decided to slow down (which presumably means no Hodgins-Angela level scheanigans in the morgue...yuck). It does mean they are still dating, just not exclusively. I have faith that they'll realize their mutual attraction and need yet.

Instead of losing Alexis early in this season, we lost Ashley. Fine. Okay. We can deal with that. All in all, a good episode. I don't particularly like the actor they had playing the hostage negotiator because I always think of him as one of three people (Doug from the West Wing, an overinflated officious idiot who crashed Bartlett's inner circle after the announcement of the MS; Ricky, the stupider, haughtier, intransigent and insufferable half of the idiot writing team of Ricky and Ron on Studio 60; or Lee Scanlon's serial killer and rapist brother on Medium). Take a look at that character list. Let me know when you find something redeemable on it.

It was an interesting case and a nice rhythm episode as they show Castle and Beckett growing closer. Best of all, no Iron Gates for the second week in a row. Sadly, also no Lainie.

All in all, a good episode. I don't particularly like the actor they had playing the hostage negotiator because I always think of him as one of three people (Doug from the West Wing, an overinflated officious idiot who crashed Bartlett's inner circle after the announcement of the MS; Ricky, the stupider, haughtier, intransigent and insufferable half of the idiot writing team of Ricky and Ron on Studio 60; or Lee Scanlon's serial killer and rapist brother on Medium). Take a look at that character list. Let me know when you find something redeemable on it.

It was an interesting case and a nice rhythm episode as they show Castle and Beckett growing closer. Best of all, no Iron Gates for the second week in a row. Sadly, also no Lainie.
Same here about the hostage negotiator... except it wasn't due to him being in other shows... I just thought he was rather annoying :p.

:agree: :tu: I really loved how at the end of the episode, that Beckett went over to Castle's place for dinner. How cute :love:... and I also loved the banter between them in that scene.

I enjoyed last night's episode. I don't watch this show regularly, but I am glad to see Beckett and Castle getting a bit closer. I liked the way Castle was able to get information to Beckett from inside. One thing that bugged me a bit was Beckett's tone while talking to the lead robber. She sounded way too friendly at times with "hey, how's it going". But other than that, great episode.

Interesting that Alexis broke up with Ashley. I remember he'd gone away to school. Given the way he seemed to be shrugging her off I'd say she made the right call (I haven't seen the show since the end of last season so I don't know how much lead-in to the break up there was).

Last nights' episode was ok... not the best one so far this season though. Just seeing the chief of police/captain (sp?) once again kind of dragged it down :rolleyes: :p. I swear she has a seriously HUGE bug up her butt about Castle and Beckett. And from the look of things it seems to be due to the fact that he's a writer and not a cop... but still that's kind of a lame excuse to have to dislike them like that.

On a side note though, it was nice to see be brought down to earth by having to actually work ;). Then she could have somewhat of an idea of what both Beckett and Castle do.

One of the best parts of the episode was seeing Castle and the other cops dressed up like Elvises :rotfl:. Just priceless :p.

Any other thoughts on this episode?

I sure hope that the Chief/Captain (sp?) can get over this dislike of them over the course of this season... because her attitude is getting on my nerves :grumble:...

I look forward to seeing next week's episode and I hope that Castle/Beckett's relationship doesn't get messed up too bad by Chief/Captain (sp?) Spoilpants...

There's actually a week's break and then they're dealing with a serial-killing sniper (which causes trauma and stress for Beckett because it forces her to think about the hitter who almost ended her life). I think this is supposed to be this seasons version of Knockdown. Let's hope it lives up to it.

Apparently, my view of Javy and Lainie was too rose-colored. They are, in fact, broken up. Seeing Castle and the boys don the Elvis costumes for the initial disguise was humorous. I'm not too thrilled with the guest spots Richard Burgi has gotten since he signed on to play Susan's ex in the first season of Desperate Housewives. Also, what we're finding out is that Martha is more vital to the rhythm of the show post-Montgomery than Iron Gates is. There were some cute moments in this ep, but it was a letdown after the heist ep last week. I forgot to mention how much I loved Beckett's grin when she spotted Castle in the vault. My favorite moment in an episode full of enjoyable ones.

Also, this is Alexis' first full-on standalone plot, and it was a dud. I suppose we're supposed to chuckle as both Castle and Alexis have supposedly fun situations that spin totally out of control, but this felt like a rehashed plot element from Ten Things I Hate About You (the film, not the TV series). If it didn't work for Dead Man's Party on Buffy a decade ago, why would it work for Castle with no effort put in to individuate it, or make it interesting. It's rather like that screenwriter who "updated" his own rather weak screenplay for Can't Buy Me Love and dashed off Love Don't Cost a Thing. Mistake. Also, I hope they're not back to their pattern from a few seasons ago where the first witness they interview is the killer. The murder plot had decent construction, but I don't want them to fall into that pattern again.

Definitely not the best of the season, but the mystery was pretty good. That is until I remembered the first one they talked to (the ex) and knew who'd done it.

Definitely not enough Castle/Beckett interaction.

The Alexis story was pretty flat. Are you going to tell me that Castle doesn't live in a building with security and that Alexis couldn't have stopped all those kids from coming in?

Still, it's Castle and the Elvis moment redeemed an otherwise mediocre (for Castle) episode.

The Castle Elvis moments were good. The Castle-Beckett interaction was good. The rest of it...:sigh: Hopefully, the ep we're waiting two weeks for will be as good as Knockdown and will atone for this misstep.

I liked all the stuff with Castle and the guys. Especially the trio of Elvii. :rotfl: That slow strut into the casino and Castle's impression. Priceless. I also liked the small exchange between Javi and Lainie at the crime scene. I think they will be getting those two back together eventually. They clearly still care about each other. And for the very first time I did not despise the captain. When she was actually working the case with Beckett she just seemed normal. Not someone I want to watch on TV, but not someone I actively hate, either. They need to move this character along. Enough with making her the sort-of-villain. But yeah, not enough Castle/Beckett interaction, and the Alexis storyline was totally cliche. Looking forward to the next episode.

I liked all the stuff with Castle and the guys. Especially the trio of Elvii. :rotfl: That slow strut into the casino and Castle's impression. Priceless. I also liked the small exchange between Javi and Lainie at the crime scene. I think they will be getting those two back together eventually. They clearly still care about each other. And for the very first time I did not despise the captain. When she was actually working the case with Beckett she just seemed normal. Not someone I want to watch on TV, but not someone I actively hate, either. They need to move this character along. Enough with making her the sort-of-villain. But yeah, not enough Castle/Beckett interaction, and the Alexis storyline was totally cliche. Looking forward to the next episode.
:rotfl: Yea that was one of the big highlights from the episode. I still do when she's a jerk... but I can see what you mean by that. I don't hate her as much now once she was brought down a peg or two.

:agree: I hope that they bring in more of their interaction. Here's to hoping that the 'dear' Captain/Chief doesn't prevent that from happening too much :grumble:...

I was sort of annoyed that there was no episode this week. Early takes on the sniper/serial killer preview?

I know. Why is it this week that is being skipped instead of next week?

Why is it this week that is being skipped instead of next week?
Not sure. But here they had a special on with Gabrielle Giffords and her husband in the place of Castle.

Maybe they'll work a Thanksgiving theme into the new sniper episode?:sigh:

Wow, that was a really good episode. Nice to see Esposito able to talk her down when no one else could. And Alexis was too brief, but at least much more believable than the out of control party.

Javy got a starring role in this ep and they played it well. A couple times, I thought I was watching a blue moon--Gates and Castle working together at the murder board almost as equals. That's...surprising.

Also, Martha MIA again. Why? Did they cut down on the actress' workload for some reason or are they deciding to try to avoid the sillier plot tangents by simply having the character be "away" when they can't think of anything creative for her to do?

Wow, that was a really good episode. Nice to see Esposito able to talk her down when no one else could. And Alexis was too brief, but at least much more believable than the out of control party.
Yea it was. Only got to see parts of it though :(. But they did a good job in terms of handling Beckett's PTSD.

I like that Beckett is finally admitting some things. She's on the path to opening up.

Yes! The final scene was great. She is ready to Start moving on from her moms murder. Maybe we will see her admitting her feelings for Castle...

That shrink has had two great episode ending scenes with lines from Beckett. "I remember everything" had more punch, but this one was good. The tone was very different from most Castle episodes and quite jarring. It was well done, but I hope they don't go to this particular well very often.

Also, Martha MIA again. Why? Did they cut down on the actress' workload for some reason or are they deciding to try to avoid the sillier plot tangents by simply having the character be "away" when they can't think of anything creative for her to do?

I think she was there with Alexis, when they were talking about staying inside until the guy was caught. So it was brief, but she was there.

Saw last night's episode -- was rather disappointed in it though :sigh:.

The plot was just weak in places.

Not going out to search for Beckett and Castle right away -- after the fact that one of the characters mentioned that they were doing just that... weak :rotfl:.

Also, the whole interaction with the bad guys at the end... not believable.


Onto the good parts --

Loved the banter between the two of them :D.

And :love: the fight... their first real one :p.

And I really loved the 'handcuff' comment at the end of the episode :eyebrows:. Didn't see something like that coming from Beckett in reference to her and Castle :p. Kinky ;).


Anyone else see last night's episode?

I watched it last night.

The whole tiger smuggling thing was kind of weird, although a welcome change from smuggling drugs and/or illegal immigrants.

I did enjoy the episode because of the interaction between the characters. That's the best thing about Castle and it rarely disappoints.

I really enjoyed last nights episode. I agree the case wasn't the best that i was really freaked out at the end by how close the tiger seemed to be getting to them. Good episode though. Great dialogue.

I really enjoyed last nights episode. I agree the case wasn't the best that i was really freaked out at the end by how close the tiger seemed to be getting to them. Good episode though. Great dialogue.

It's been a long time since I've seen a tiger up close and personal. Didn't realize how big they were. Or maybe it was just camera tricks. But, yes, it was pretty freaky.

The interaction between them was great. The parallel to Javy and Lainie was great. The case wasn't so great--No Martha or Alexis this time.:grumble: We did see what is probably the best side of Iron Gates, though. Additionally, I love that moment when Ryan grabbed her wrist after he caught a glimpse of the other side of the note. I'm pleased that Iron Gates isn't turning out to be a Lady MacPalmer rehash, but I hope we get the opportunity to have her character get close to that layered.

I also liked Gates' new squad rule. Hopefully, it will cut down on lazy writing.

Tough to tell whether my favorite moments were from the intro (with Kate freaked out and Castle calm if bewildered) or that last flirtatious exchange at the end of the episode. Truly a tough call.

I really liked the episode. Just watched it today. There were so many great character interactions--Castle n Beckett, Javi n Lainie. Also liked the tiger aspect because it was unexpected. And the captain is becoming less one-note, which is always good.

It's been a long time since I've seen a tiger up close and personal. Didn't realize how big they were. Or maybe it was just camera tricks. But, yes, it was pretty freaky.

Yeah that is probably it. Seeing a tiger that close to a person i just didn't realize how big a tiger is in relation to a person and it was sort of crazy. I am sure they did camera tricks and there wasn't a tiger that close to them. And it was like swiping at them like a cat would which was crazy.

Best episode this season. usually its so dark but this one was light with banter and the episode's theme was good.

This is the castle that made me follow it.

Yeah, the rerun with the insurance investigator was one of their best so far this season. It was comparable to Laura Prepon's guest episode last season, but with a genuine competition and jealousy instead of just a shock-value spit-take (though Beckett's reaction to the actress' first question was absolutely PRICELESS).

So happy to see Castle on again this week. I was a little disappointed in the murderer because there had been hardly any interaction with her at all. A good story and the usual good chemistry between the four.

I really liked the ending with Lanie and Espo.

So happy to see Castle on again this week. I was a little disappointed in the murderer because there had been hardly any interaction with her at all. A good story and the usual good chemistry between the four.

I really liked the ending with Lanie and Espo.

Very nice episode. The moments between Castle and Becket are really picking up. I always think the cases are obvious on this show, but that is okay. The are still fun to get through.