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Season 5 Reviews - Episodes 6-10

Season 5 Reviews - Episodes 6-10

6x06 - "The Final Frontier" Review

“Castle” Goes Sci-Fi

By Lisa Caputo

2012-11-06

A murder at a sci-fi convention reveals some interesting secrets from Beckett’s past

When your leading man is a god amongst cult-classic sci-fi fans, your show’s creator is a self-proclaimed sci-fi geek, a large number of your crew members are X-Files alumni, and your show has had a featured panel at Comic-Con in the past, it seems fitting to pay tribute to that sub-culture at some point during the run of the series. For Castle, Monday’s episode did exactly that. And then some.

“The Final Frontier” was penned by the uber-creative Castle writer, Kate Sargeant, who also wrote the fantasy-themed “Once Upon A Crime” last season and “The Mistress Always Spanks Twice” from season two, and was directed by Jonathan Frakes, known to Star Trek fans as Captain William T. Riker from Star Trek: The Next Generation. The combination of Sargeant’s wonderful sense of fantasy and Frakes’ passion for and knowledge of the sci-fi world, along with the talents of the Castle cast and crew, provided an incredible hour filled with witty pop-culture references, hilarious plot twists, and a great deal of humour within the relationship of Castle and Beckett.

With all of that said, perhaps the greatest achievement of this episode was the simple yet important fact that it paid homage to the sci-fi sub-culture rather than poking fun at it. Monday’s episode of Castle not only paid tribute to the sci-fi community, it also provided some incredibly intelligent insights into why fantasy is such a wonderful escape for so many people, giving them something to believe in beyond the reality of our world.

Monday’s episode began with a murder at a sci-fi convention where Castle was already stationed to promote his latest graphic novel. This clever setup led to a wonderfully hilarious moment between Castle and Beckett to set the tone for the episode itself. Beckett caught a distracted Castle’s attention by asking him to sign her chest, prompting him to look up and see who he was signing his autograph to. Not only was this a fantastic bit of comedy, but it was also another great throwback to the pilot episode.

Speaking of throwback moments, there was also a repeated line in Monday’s episode that called back to a line from writer Kate Sargeant’s, “Once Upon A Crime” episode from last season, with Esposito quoting The Princess Bride, uttering to Beckett a simple, “As you wish” after she instructed him to look into where their murder weapon came from.

The hilarity continued throughout the episode, with Beckett showing her fangirl side as they investigated a murder that centered around the fictional sci-fi series, Nebula 9, which Beckett proved to have quite an obsession about. Castle spent much of the episode giving Beckett a hard time about that despite his own admitted obsession for Star Wars. But this storyline also allowed Beckett to explain what her obsession had meant to her, learning from the strong female lead that a woman could be more than just one thing alone and that it did not matter what others thought. That character gave Beckett the belief that a woman could be smart, strong, and successful, yet also beautiful inside and out. It gave her the confidence to go after all of her dreams and to never settle for less than she deserved. It was a valuable lesson for a young Kate Beckett, and it was a strong message for the audience as well.

When Castle decided to shoot the real-life laser gun that proved to be their murder weapon, causing him to be exposed to low levels of radiation, it led to some of the most hilarious moments of the episode, with Castle ranting and raving about the potential harm from the radiation, just as he did in season two’s “Wrapped Up In Death” when he believed he had been cursed by the mummy. Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic were fantastically funny in these scenes, especially as Castle asked Beckett if she would still be attracted to him if he suddenly went bald, with Beckett caught off-guard and escaping the awkward moment in a hurry after failing to give Castle the answer he was hoping for.

Yet this also led to a brilliant moment of foreshadowing as well, perhaps signaling an all-important conversation or issue that may present itself in the future. As Castle ranted about the radiation possibly making him infertile, Beckett responded with a surprised reaction, asking him, “You want more kids?” Castle replied by letting Beckett know that he would at least want the option, and the conversation ended with that. But in true Castle fashion, this will likely be a conversation that is revisited again when the time is right.

Beckett’s obsession also led to the ultimate Castle ending for a hilarious episode such as this. Throughout the hour, Castle tried to persuade Beckett to wear her old Nebula 9 costume for him, finally achieving his dream by the end of the episode. But one last twist in the story led to one of the highlights of the episode, with Beckett sauntering into Castle’s bedroom backwards, revealing the bottom half of her costume before hilariously scaring the wits out of Castle as she revealed the horrific Creaver mask that she had donned. Thus, Castle may think twice about asking her to role-play in the future.

While this moment was truly one of the highlights of the episode, there was one that I found even greater throughout the hour. Early on in the episode, Castle discovered Alexis making her way through the convention, scantily clad in a very revealing costume, prompting him to jump into protective father mode. Nathan Fillion added his hilarious high-pitch voice abilities to the moment, with Castle feverishly trying to cover his daughter up with his coat before Beckett swiftly pulled him away. A little while later, the two discussed the situation, with Beckett wisely reminding Castle that Alexis is now a grown woman and not a little girl anymore. Castle lamented that his daughter was being ogled by fanboys at that very moment, to which Beckett slyly replied, “Can I just point out the fact that the costume that she was wearing is not so different from the one that you are asking me to wear?” before she sauntered out of the room. Game. Set. Match.


Overall, Monday’s episode was an hour of true Castle comedy, yet it still had those moments that reminded us of the heart and soul of the series itself, giving us a new spin on this grand story about these truly captivating characters. Shiny. 



6x07 - "Swan Song" Review

A New Perspective on “Castle”

By Lisa Caputo

2012-11-13

A documentary-style episode reveals further insights about the Castle characters

For the past few seasons, the Castle team has created unique episodes that used new storytelling methods as a way of breaking the characters out of their usual routines in order to provide a different perspective on them. In Season 3, Castle and Beckett found themselves in Los Angeles to track down a killer, taking them out of their New York City bubble and using a new setting to change the game. In Season 4, the team investigated a murder with ties to the 1940’s, prompting Castle to imagine each of the characters in this past world as the audience was treated to his unique perspective on each of them throughout this classic tale. Now, in Season 5, Monday’s offering was a documentary-style episode that provided a fresh new viewpoint from which to observe the team.

“Swan Song” presented Castle and Beckett with a murder investigation revolving around the death of an up-and-coming musician, with a team of documentary filmmakers following his band behind the scenes of their attempted rise to fame. When the director managed to convince the Mayor to let them document the full murder investigation as a means of securing positive P.R. for the 12th Precinct, Beckett and her team were forced to allow the cameras to follow them around throughout their investigation.

What ensued was an hour of hilarious comedy, classic Castle sound-bites, and a very different look and feel to the episode than anything the audience has seen before on this series. Yet it also provided a unique opportunity for the viewers to connect to the characters in a new way and was the ultimate example of how layered and heartfelt this series can be. Beneath the guise of a comedic and entertaining hour lay a perfect character-driven episode that revealed the true nature of each of the characters and explored how they ultimately want others to perceive them.

With the documentary camera crew serving as the audience’s eyes and ears, Monday’s episode allowed viewers the rare opportunity to step inside the Castle world with the characters while also presenting an interesting challenge to the entire cast as they shed their training to never look directly at a camera and, instead, had to play to and with the cameras as another character entirely. While Susan Sullivan and Molly Quinn were unfortunately absent in this rare and unique episode, each of the other ensemble cast members turned in truly astounding performances throughout the hour.

Seamus Dever and Jon Huertas were hilarious as Ryan and Esposito, both seemingly annoyed by the cameras at first but soon enjoying their fifteen minutes of fame. Early in the episode, the two attempted to one-up each other as they debated who brought more to the team and listed their qualities and qualifications in front of the camera crew. While Esposito seemed more inclined to show himself off, Ryan let his work speak for itself. In the end, the two displayed why they are television’s greatest bromance as they credited each other for their part in breaking the case rather than hogging the spotlight themselves.

Meanwhile, the fabulous Penny Johnson Jerald turned in a wonderful performance as Captain Gates, giving the audience a chance to see the Captain we all know and love behind closed doors while also proving that Gates takes great pride in her individual image as well. She hilariously took every opportunity to show herself as a strong, fair, and supportive leader in the precinct while the cameras were rolling, concerned greatly about leaving a positive impression. Ironically, her value as the Captain and her true persona of a supportive and loyal leader is something we have actually begun to see more and more glimpses of even when she is being her stern and powerful self.

Though her role in Monday’s episode was short, Tamala Jones absolutely stole the show in her scenes as Lanie quickly found a keen interest in having the cameras around. Although she started the episode with a clear disdain for the invasion of privacy as she did her job, she soon took the opportunity to strut her stuff for the cameras, something Tamala was really quite impressive at. Despite her limited time on-screen, Lanie was priceless in this episode as she attempted to charm the cameras.

Castle and Beckett, meanwhile, were much the way we would have expected them to be in front of the cameras, with Castle hamming it up and attempting to impress the documentary team with his knowledge while Beckett shied away and showed amused annoyance for the way in which the rest of her team reveled in the spotlight. Yet underneath what we already knew and expected from these two came some truly profound and heartwarming moments that showed us so much more. Stana Katic and Nathan Fillion have already proven to be the greatest on-screen couple on television, and these stolen moments between them in Monday’s episode further cemented that.

Early on in the episode, Castle and Beckett snuck away as Beckett expressed her disdain for the invasion of both her privacy and her job while Castle warmly expressed to her a sentiment that showed how much he cares for her and how much he sees in her, as he tried to convince her to just be herself; “These cameras, they’re not going anywhere. They’re going to see something. I just want them to see what I see.” Throughout the remainder of the hour, despite his reveling in the cameras himself, Castle complimented Beckett, encouraged her, supported her, and helped her to become herself around the cameras, taking pride in watching her open up and in the cameras seeing the real Beckett.

Of course, having the cameras following them around at every turn meant that even their seemingly stolen moments were caught on video as well. When Captain Gates asked to see the raw camera footage to ensure her team was acting appropriately at all times, Castle and Beckett feared their secret relationship would be exposed. In the end, despite a brilliant twist that had the viewers believing they had been outed, Gates was actually none the wiser as the documentary crew kept the one incriminating tape away from her.


Thus, Castle and Beckett’s relationship remains a mystery to the Captain, or at least it would seem that way. For now.



6x08 - "After Hours" Review

Opposites Attract on “Castle”

By Lisa Caputo

2012-11-20

A dangerous situation brings Castle and Beckett even closer together

Castle and Beckett have always been fundamentally different people, yet their differences have been the cornerstone of what has made them so dynamic together. They say that opposites attract, and in this case, that statement has always been true. Monday’s thrilling and heartwarming episode of Castle put those differences to the test as Castle and Beckett were forced to face their greatest fear; that they could possibly be wrong for one another. Through an hour of intense drama, suspense, and some very touching moments, they learned that being different does not mean that two people are not still perfect together.

Penned by the talented Shalisha Francis, who also wrote season four’s “47 Seconds”, Monday’s episode began with Castle and Beckett having a dinner together with Martha and Jim in an attempt to bring their families together as their relationship progressed. But when their parents seemed to clash because of their own fundamental differences, Castle and Beckett found themselves at odds as well. When the two were called away on a case and ended up on the run with their only witness, Leo, with no way of contacting the outside world for help, the classic Castle and Beckett bickering truly began.

As the episode progressed, Castle and Beckett became painfully aware that they were arguing not about their parents’ differences but rather their own, a clever twist that left them wondering if their relationship was doomed to fail, just as their attempt to bring Martha and Jim together as one big happy family had failed. In a pivotal moment during the hour, Beckett heartbreakingly asked Castle if they were just fooling themselves into believing their relationship could go the distance, revealing her own insecurities that her being nothing more than a cop may prove to not be enough to the world famous author.

This has always appeared to be a concern for Beckett, and certainly something that had kept her at arm’s length for so long despite her ever-deepening feelings for Castle. While she has begun to believe, little by little, that those fears may be unfounded, there are continued hints that she still has those concerns weighing on her mind every so often. In true Castle fashion, however, just as Castle was about to put Beckett’s mind at ease in what was shaping up to be an incredibly moving moment, the two were interrupted and were thrown back into the task at hand, thus prolonging the tension of the situation.

All the while, Martha and Jim took up residence in the precinct, waiting for word on their missing children. Despite their differences, the two began to bond over their love of their children and their feelings of how good Castle and Beckett were for one another, taking solace in knowing that at least their children had one another in this time of peril. Susan Sullivan and recurring guest star Scott Paulin were incredible as the concerned parents and each scene between these two proved to be heartwarming and stunning to watch.

Penny Johnson Jerald turned in another fantastic performance as Captain Gates, once again showing how much she has come to cherish her star detective and the clever writer. Her loyalty towards them and her concern for their well-being pushed her to take liberties within the investigation that she would never take otherwise, something that truly spoke volumes given her typical by-the-book attitude. Perhaps one of the most moving moments that we have witnessed from Gates came when she told Ryan that she could not face Martha and Jim again if she had to tell them that she had lost their children. It was a rare moment of vulnerability from the typically strong Captain, unable to even look Ryan in the eyes as she spoke, the full weight of her responsibility evident in her expression.

There was also a grand hint crafted into this episode that may further spark the fire of speculation that Gates is well aware of the supposedly secret relationship between Castle and Beckett. The Captain very much took note of Martha and Jim arriving at the precinct together, clearly not being total strangers and perhaps adding to her suspicions.

Meanwhile, Castle and Beckett were separated when they realized that one of them would have to stay behind to keep watch over Leo while the other attempted to get help at a late-night Chinese restaurant. It was a short yet heartbreaking moment as the two debated which one of them should take the risk of being caught, neither wanting the other to be in danger. Ultimately, Castle convinced Beckett that she should be the one to stay with Leo, telling her that everything would be okay. As her concern mounted, Beckett and Castle shared a quick yet desperate kiss, terrified that they may never see each other again. Her concern was even more evident as she waited with their witness, knowing that Castle was out there alone with a pair of killers on their trail.

In a brilliant twist, Castle was abducted by Dolan and his mobsters, seemingly at the mercy of the killers they were searching for. But when Dolan revealed that he was actually trying to hunt down the witness to find out who killed Father McMurtry, who had been a longtime friend of his, the tables were turned in true Castle fashion. It became Beckett who was in danger instead, now at the mercy of their real killer, Leo.

In the end, it was Castle and Beckett’s partnership and ability to know one another so well, with Castle picking up on a very sly clue that Beckett had given to him when Leo forced her to call Dolan and make arrangements to trade Castle for himself, that allowed Dolan to get the drop on Leo instead. Both were arrested for their crimes and Castle and Beckett shared a touching moment of relief when all was said and done.


In the concluding moments of the episode, Castle and Beckett were not only surprised to find that their parents had bonded at the precinct over their experience, but they also came to the realization that the two of them being different meant nothing in the end. Castle told Beckett, “So what if we don’t make sense on paper? We don’t live our lives on paper.” With that, the two proved that even two fundamentally different people can find a common bond, just as Jim and Martha had and just as Father McMurtry and Mickey Dolan had. After all, it is the differences between two puzzle pieces that actually make them fit together perfectly, as it so often is between two people as well.




6x09 - "Secret Santa" Review

Holiday Magic on “Castle”

By Lisa Caputo

2012-12-04

Castle delivered a fantastic Christmas gift with their midseason finale

‘Tis the season for the slew of holiday-themed television episodes, Christmas specials, and midseason finales. After four years of waiting, the Castle team finally delivered a special Christmas episode in the midst of one of the most remarkable and memorable seasons thus far. With Castle and Beckett celebrating their first Christmas together, the stage was set for the perfect time to tackle such an important episode and Monday’s midseason finale certainly did not disappoint.

“Secret Santa” was the first episode penned by one of two new writers to the Castle team this season, Christine Roum. It was a fantastic way to introduce the show’s newest writing talent, delivering an episode that truly felt like a traditional and classic Castle episode yet with something much more special and memorable about it as well. The episode centered around the murder of a man dressed as Santa Claus, with a case that provided the perfect combination of comedy and drama. Yet, as always, it was the personal storylines that were woven brilliantly throughout the hour that made the episode so special and provided such wonderfully memorable moments.

It was an episode that focused on family and traditions, with each of the characters dealing with the holidays in their own way. Martha and Alexis were ready to start their own traditions now that Alexis had a new beau and Castle had Beckett. Ryan prepared for a potential new family tradition himself, or rather a new family in general, with he and Jenny making the decision to have a child together. But he struggled with whether or not he was ready to bring a child into the world that he knows all too well can be a harsh one. In the end, Esposito gave him the advice he needed, telling him that while the world may be falling apart, it is having children and being a family that helps to keep it together. It was a brilliant scene with a wonderful message.

Esposito did get his happy ending, though, as he brought a Christmas miracle to a family still reeling over the loss of a loved one and was invited to join them for their Christmas Eve dinner. It was a touching moment that reminded us of the true spirit of the holidays. Gates, meanwhile, got in on the action as well, lamenting about having to spend the holidays with her monster of a mother-in-law. It seemed as though Gates was truly trying to be a part of her team on a social level, jumping into their early conversation about the case and turning it into a personal conversation instead, which was an interesting twist.

With all of that said, the heart and soul of the episode, as expected, was in it being Castle and Beckett’s first Christmas together. Of course, as with anything these two experience together, there were complications involved. It was nice to see that the fundamental differences between these two extend to their views on the holidays. Castle, of course, was in his glory with the magic of Christmas upon them, something that was very fitting for his sense of childlike optimism. His love of the holidays was evident in his extensive and magical Christmas decorations that adorned his loft, while his penchant for tradition and family spoke to the very heart and soul of the character himself. However, Beckett’s tragic past, especially with her mother’s murder happening so soon after the holidays nearly a decade and a half ago, had shaped her own holiday traditions. The dedicated detective had never celebrated a single Christmas since her mother’s death, opting to concentrate on her work each year to ensure that no other family would suffer during the holidays as she and her father had. Again, it spoke volumes towards the character herself.

While Castle continued to plan his ultimate holiday celebration with Beckett, it became heartbreakingly clear to him that she was avoiding this altogether. Yet unlike past moments where he has been hurt and remained silent about his disappointment, he stepped up to support her and ask her why she made the decision to work instead of to spend the holiday with him. Beckett explained her reasons, opening herself up completely and yet still so obviously wounded by her belief that she was hurting him in the process. But Castle surprised her by understanding and showing her all of the love and support he could. It was a beautiful moment, played brilliantly by Stana Katic and Nathan Fillion, who continue to provide the true heart and soul of this series as they portray the most incredible couple on television, complete with all of the chemistry they possess together.

In the end, the two parted ways at the precinct, standing in front of the symbolic elevator that has always provided some of the most memorable moments of the series between these two. With mistletoe hung overhead, Castle and Beckett shared an obvious moment of longing, still unable to express their feelings for one another publicly, and both so heartbroken that this would be the sad end to their first Christmas together. They parted with a simple and gut-wrenching “Merry Christmas” as they went their separate ways.

Of course, there was one final Christmas miracle to come, as both Castle and Beckett realized that there was nowhere they could possibly be except by each other’s side on Christmas Eve. Castle prepared to leave his family celebration to join Beckett at the precinct, opening his front door to reveal a surprised yet eager Beckett, as she had asked one of their colleagues to cover her shift for the night in order to join him. The two shared a heartwarming and extremely profound exchange between them, both expressing that it was time to begin a new holiday tradition and create new memories together.

With that, Castle and Beckett gathered by the Christmas tree, with the lights of the season sparkling nearly as bright as the love in their eyes, and shared a warm and tender kiss, wishing each other “Merry Christmas” in a way that fans have been waiting four years for. It was a sweet moment that cemented the promise of many more Christmases to come for these two, and it was the perfect ending to their very special holiday story.


As we prepare ourselves for our own holiday traditions as well as a month-long hiatus before the next new Castle, there is one Christmas miracle that we can most certainly believe in; the new year will surely be one to remember, continuing to deliver all of the magic and brilliance that we have come to expect from the series this season.



6x10 - "Significant Others" Review

The Seeds of Doubt on “Castle”

By Lisa Caputo

2013-01-08

Castle rings in the new year with a shocking twist

Monday marked the return of ABC’s hit series, Castle, with an episode that seemed to have all of the hallmarks of a classic midseason premiere; comedy, relationship drama, and a returning character who would act as a catalyst for moving the story between Castle and Beckett forward. Yet amongst the hilarious scenes and classic banter between television’s most dynamic duo lay something nobody could have seen coming; a bomb of epic proportions that would be dropped in the closing minutes of the episode and would serve to set the stage for this second half of the season.

Penned by talented longtime series writer, Terence Paul Winter, “Significant Others” found Castle stuck between a rock and a hard place when his first ex-wife, Meredith, returned to the fold to take care of a sick Alexis and opted to move into Castle’s loft for a few days. Of course, Castle was already set to play house with Beckett for the week while her apartment was being fumigated, setting the stage for some classic Castle hilarity.

With the case of the hour providing a perfect backdrop for the personal storyline within the episode, there were many great opportunities for Beckett to utter her usual brand of sarcasm, letting it be known that she was none too happy to be cohabitating with Castle’s ex-wife. There was an endless array of witty snipes about ex-wives and amicable divorces, along with a solid dose of banter between Castle and Beckett, yet it was also refreshingly clear that Beckett was more so annoyed at Meredith’s presence than concerned about the past that she shared with Castle. In and of itself, this was a fantastic way of showing that Beckett has come a long way and is now much more secure in her relationship with Castle and her place in his life.

Castle, meanwhile, spent much of the episode attempting to navigate these rather tricky waters between allowing Meredith and Alexis to have their time together while trying to do right by Beckett as well. It was a rather complicated situation and while he made the initial error of not standing his ground right away, it was key to see that he did try to make amends and find other solutions throughout the episode.

Much of the hilarity was also provided by the ensemble cast, with Ryan and Esposito giving Castle with their brotherly advice while Lanie attempted to set Beckett straight as well. Seamus Dever, Jon Huertas, and Tamala Jones were all brilliant in their respective roles throughout this episode as the trio of friends reveled in this golden opportunity to meddle in the relationship they have always had a personal interest in.

Meanwhile, guest star, Darby Stanchfield (currently staring on ABC’s Scandal) reprised her role of Meredith with such stark brilliance. She was witty and scandalous yet also with a great deal more depth to her character than we had previously seen, something that spoke volumes in and of itself as to how impressive the writing on this show has become.

Of course, the heart and soul of this episode, as with any classic Castle episode, was the relationship between Castle and Beckett itself, with both Stana Katic and Nathan Fillion proving why they make such a compelling on-screen couple. Presented with what could have been a massive roadblock for them, they both truly did show, throughout the entire hour, that they have come a long way together and are willing to make the effort to work through any potential issues to keep their relationship moving forward.

The opening scene between them, at least before their unwelcome guest made her entrance, was sweet and sincere, showing how committed they both are to making the other truly happy. The banter between them was hilarious and witty, as always, and despite the situation they found themselves in, they resorted to actually talking things through and finding solutions to their problems rather than pushing them aside.

Likewise, there was an incredibly sweet moment between Castle and Beckett towards the end of the episode, with the two sharing a sincere conversation where Beckett let Castle off the hook for his mistakes. While Beckett had come to understand that Meredith was simply the type that found a way to get her way, she had also come to understand a little more about what Castle may have seen in her to begin with, thus changing her opinion on his past relationship choice. The two agreed to set some boundaries for Meredith in the future and sealed their agreement with a few sweet and sincere kisses.

In the end, the two seemed stronger than ever, having survived this most recent test to their relationship and finding their way together. In the closing minutes, Beckett and Meredith said their goodbyes, with Meredith admitting that her reason for wanting to come to town was actually to check up on Castle’s new love interest. While the two exchanged a warm moment after Meredith gave Beckett her stamp of approval, Beckett asked Meredith for the one thing that I, along with most of the Castle audience, had been waiting a long time for; the truth about why her marriage to Castle had ended.

But while we were waiting for Meredith to spill the beans about how she cheated on Castle and left him and Alexis behind as she moved on with her life, we instead watched with heartbreak as she told her side of the story, letting Beckett know that, just like with Gina, Castle had excluded her from his personal life and his deepest feelings. With that, Beckett was left with a devastating punch in the stomach, wondering if her relationship would suffer the same fate, with Castle unable to tear down the same walls that Beckett had finally taken down in order to let him in to her heart completely.


In classic Castle fashion, the stage was set, in a heart-wrenchingly dramatic way, for what would come throughout the rest of this stunning season. With the seeds of doubt being planted in Beckett’s mind and the mention of Castle’s unknown father being thrown into the mix once again, it certainly seemed as if the Castle team had found an epic way of introducing some new conflicts, challenges, and emotional drama into this second half of the season, giving us much to look forward to in the new year.



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