Season 8 Episode 17 - "Death Wish" Review

‘Castle’ : Wishes Do Come True

By Lisa Caputo

2016-04-12

The Castle team is back in classic form with Castle’s wild theories, a lot of laughs, and some truly memorable moments

While much of this eighth season of Castle explored new territory for the series and took the storytelling down deeply emotional and dramatic turns, the recent string of episodes have done well to return the focus back to the core of the show while providing the audience with the classic storytelling that has long made the series so appealing to viewers. While the Castle team has always stood out with its wide tonal range and rare ability to impact an audience so equally with both the darker and more dramatic episodes and the lighter and more comedic fare, there are certain elements that are always found within those quintessential Castle episodes. Monday’s installment hit all of those notes in pitch-perfect form; the full NYPD team was back together doing what they do best, the dialogue was witty and on-point, the case lent itself to a wild theory from Castle based on his vast knowledge of mythology, which also lent itself to having Castle and Beckett pitted against each other between their clashing views on fantasy and reality. And even with a lighter tone and a classic vibe to the episode, we were reminded in the closing scenes that there is always an emotional core to the story, a solidarity amongst the characters that we have come to know and love over the years, one that will resonate with us far beyond the final chapter of this story.

Penned by Stephanie Hicks, her first solo effort as a staff writer for Castle, and directed by the immensely talented Bill Roe, Monday’s episode, “Death Wish” was certainly a quintessential Castle episode, brilliantly timed at a point in the season where it would impact the audience the most and turn the season towards its final push of episodes. It was a wonderfully-written episode that captured all of the sheer magic and chemistry between these beloved characters, all while telling an interesting tale that allowed Castle, Beckett, and the whole team to get back to fine form solving the mystery together. There were many classic elements on display throughout the hour, including having the original cast together, the return of the hilarious (to some) interruptions between Castle and Beckett as well as the wonderful segue between the horrific murder scene and the opening Castle-family scene that oddly and humorously mirrored the murder, the lighthearted ribbing given to Castle by Ryan and Esposito, a Caskett moment halfway through the episode, and rotating interrogations that allowed the entire team to pair off together throughout the episode. But it also had a wonderful emotional core at the center of the story, with Castle and Beckett showcasing the many captivating sides of their relationship and partnership while the drama revolving around Jenny’s complications giving birth to her and Ryan’s second child forced the team to truly come together in solidarity and support, giving an otherwise lighthearted episode a brilliant jolt of emotion.

The case itself was one that opened the door to perhaps one of the most intriguing elements of the series; the argument between fantasy and reality that has always had Castle and Beckett pitted against one another. There is something magical that happens when these two find something to compete over, pushing each other and challenging each other’s beliefs, and while neither will ever fully back down from being who they are and believing what they will, we have seen over the years that they are always able to find a common ground while also giving in ever so slightly to support one another and their beliefs. Perhaps one of the most compelling aspects of this episode was that it brought Castle back into his element, providing a case that would not only allow him to indulge in one of his wild theories but also to showcase his vast knowledge of the world, particularly his knowledge of ancient mythology. While his unwavering belief in wish-granting genies may have seemed a bit much, it is important to remember that Castle has always been someone willing to cast away the doubts of the real world and put his faith in the unknown, in fantastical stories that allowed his imagination to run wild, perhaps something that is so innately part of who he is as a storyteller. It was wonderful to see that come to light in this episode, all while giving Ryan and Esposito a chance to get some laughs at his expense, another classic Castle element, especially when they taunted him with having learned the identity of his mysterious blonde genie, only to show him a photo of Barbara Eden as Jeannie from “I Dream Of Jeannie”. Likewise, it also gave Castle and Beckett a chance to engage in their electric and captivating style of verbal swordplay as they challenged each other’s beliefs (or non-beliefs) throughout the episode.

But there was also a wonderful sense of growth between these two as they debated whether or not the myth of Solomon’s lamp and the wish-granting genie within it could be real, something we saw when both were willing to put aside their own views to support one another instead. First, we saw Beckett asking Ryan and Esposito to make sure to include Castle when they were heading off to track down the lamp, even going as far as to tell them, “make sure he gets dibs on the first rub”, only to catch herself afterward and cringe at what she had just asked them to do, knowing full-well that while she thought the idea of magical wish-granting genies was ridiculous, she also knew that Castle believed in it and she knew how much it would mean to him to live out that boyhood fantasy of finding Solomon’s magical lamp himself. And after the team had gathered at the hospital to show their support for Ryan and Jenny during her difficult and potentially devastating childbirth, Beckett put her faith in the idea of magic and wishes being granted, all just to hope against hope that maybe if Castle was right, they could wish for Jenny and the latest member to the Ryan family to come through this ordeal together.

And in the end, with that dramatic ordeal behind them all, there was a wonderful moment between Castle and Beckett that truly captured the very essence of their relationship and what it all means to them. In one perfect line, Castle let his wife know that as much as he got caught up in the fantasy of having a magical genie grant him three wishes, he truly had no use for one, telling Beckett so beautifully, “I already have everything I could ever wish for.” With that, Beckett smiled and replied to him, “Right back at ya, handsome.” And even as they shared such a romantic and heartfelt moment, the two were quickly back in their bantering zone again, with Beckett taunting Castle with questions of whether he really would pass on wishing for In one perfect line, Castle let his wife know that as much as he got caught up in the fantasy of having a magical genie grant him three wishes, he truly had no use for one, telling Beckett so beautifully, “I already have everything I could ever wish for.” With that, Beckett smiled and replied to him, “Right back at ya, handsome.” And even as they shared such a romantic and heartfelt moment, the two were quickly back in their bantering zone again, with Beckett taunting Castle with questions of whether he really would pass on wishing for things she knew full-well he would never be able to turn down, including a time machine. And, in a moment of showing exactly how much Castle has grown and learned from his mistakes, he answered perfectly, telling his loving wife, “Only to go back in time to fall in love with you all over again.”

Speaking of the ending, those final scenes were truly remarkable and certainly memorable, culminating in one of the most stunning endings of any episode this season. After most of the episode had been lighthearted in tone and extremely funny, it was a clever and impactful twist to turn the story to an emotional side, switching gears so stunningly and allowing the episode to end with a dramatic and ultimately joyous turn. It was within these final scenes of the hour that we truly saw the team at their best; no case to solve anymore, no jokes to be made, just showing their full support and the power of their friendships with one another as they rallied around Ryan and Jenny at the hospital. It was clear from Castle’s line telling everyone to settle in that they were there for the long-haul because they were committed to being there for their friends in their time of need. And when Ryan returned once again to give them the joyous news that both Jenny and their newborn son, Nicholas Javier Ryan, had both come through those trying moments and were both recovering and well, the celebration amongst Ryan, Esposito, Lanie, Castle, and Beckett was one that ultimately showcased how deep their bonds of friendship are and reminded us so starkly why this story resonates so profoundly with us.

After all, this is a story about love; love between a couple who were fated to be together, who fought against the odds to make their relationship work, and who continue to tackle even the most difficult obstacles that come their way. But also the love between friends and family, a love that transcends their working partnership and, instead, has rooted that partnership within the deep bonds of friendship. These scenes should have done well to remind us that, whether its just a few scenes within an episode or a story arc that lasts many episodes within a season, it truly is the darkest times that allows us to step so solidly back into the light. Without those emotional and often heartbreaking moments, the times where we find it difficult to watch these beloved characters endure the hardships and challenges they have had to face, the moments of joy and happiness and love would be so much less powerful. As Beckett herself once said, “that’s what the great love stories are about, right? Beating the odds.” 


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