7x12 - "Private Eye Caramba!" Review

‘Castle’ : Making It Work

By Lisa Caputo

2015-01-19

Castle gets his first real case with Beckett’s help as the two find new ways to spend their days together…  and their nights…

Last week marked the return of Castle with their first new episode of 2015, delivering a stellar hour that quickly dispelled any concerns that Castle’s recent banishment from the NYPD would keep him and Beckett apart for too long. In fact, the two seemed closer than ever, finding a way to continue working together now that Castle was trying his hand at being a private investigator, all while opening the door for a plethora of memorable moments between them outside of the prying eyes at the precinct. While some may have doubted the benefits of this twist in their usual routine, the Castle team proved that there was much to be gained from taking the story down this unexpected and remarkably interesting new path.

Of course, the question still remained as to whether or not this storyline could continue over a number of episodes, especially being that Castle would not be able to squeeze himself into Beckett’s cases for very long without legitimately being hired to do so. Monday’s highly entertaining new episode solved that problem, exploring a rather believable and meaningful way in which Castle and Beckett would be able to bend the rules without crossing a line, and doing so while delivering an hour filled with those same classic yet heightened elements of comedy and romance that made last week’s episode an instant fan-favourite.

Helmed by two very talented rising stars, the longtime Castle crew member-turned writer, Adam Frost, and the incredibly promising up-and-coming director, Hanelle Culpepper, Monday’s “Private Eye Caramba!” found Castle at a bit of a standstill in terms of his new business, something that had Beckett and Martha sharing a heartfelt conversation of concern in the opening scene of the episode. With fans of his novels or people needing help tracking down lost pets making up the vast majority of his potential clientele, Castle’s hopes of using his private investigator’s license to spend more time with Beckett on her cases, or at the very least keep him busy with interesting investigations of his own, seemed all but lost. But the husband and wife had a quick yet meaningful conversation about it, all while on their way to Beckett’s crime scene, just like old times, and Castle reassured her that he was sure his luck would turn around soon, especially with a potential client lined up for himself.

It was still a bit heartbreaking to see Castle unable to cross the yellow tape with Beckett as he had done so many times before, both doing a poor job of hiding the pain that this seemingly unchangeable situation was bringing to them, though Castle’s hysterical attempts to get a peek at the crime scene, even straining in the background to see around Beckett and Esposito as they walked away, was the perfect way to lighten the mood again. In fact, just like last week’s episode, Monday’s installment had so many wonderful details and subtle moments throughout it that made it pure joy to watch from beginning to end.

The same was true of the performances of the supporting cast, who once again delivered hilarious and perfectly-delivered moments throughout the episode, just as they did last week. Jon Huertas was fantastic in portraying Esposito’s attempts to unsuccessfully hide his “fangirling” over the telenovela and its stars, even seeming to emote a certain Castle-like level of distraction while on the set of his favourite show. Meanwhile, Seamus Dever played his part perfectly as Ryan tried desperately to keep Castle’s spirit in the precinct alive, despite lacking the conviction needed when spouting out those ridiculous theories. Susan Sullivan was divine, as always, even despite having limited screen time, with Martha sharing a very meaningful moment with her daughter-in-law as the two expressed their mutual concerns over the most important man in both of their lives. While fans have all missed Tamala Jones in these first two episodes of the new year, recurring guest star Arye Gross came through with another fantastic performance as Perlmutter continued to revel in life at the NYPD without Castle and instead focused his sarcastic remarks towards Esposito and Ryan, perhaps secretly missing his sparring partner a tad bit after all. Even the absent Captain Gates seemed to have a cameo in the episode, with guest-star Daya Vaidya, who was absolutely brilliant in the episode herself, interrupted a very vivacious Castle and Beckett with a perfect delivery of  Gates’ infamous “Mr. Castle!” in a way that must have made Penny Johnson Jerald quite proud.

But once again, it was the chemistry and wonderful verbal swordplay between leads Stana Katic and Nathan Fillion that drove the episode. Their ability to deliver all of the love, respect, passion, and admiration that Castle and Beckett have for one another, all while also maintaining the couple’s uncanny ability to push each other and challenge each other as only they could, continues to provide a brilliant and compelling chemistry to the story each and every week. With a show seven seasons into its run, it is quite remarkably to see that chemistry only prove to get better and stronger week after week, a true testament to the magic that Katic and Fillion bring to the screen together.

It was extremely heartwarming to see the small ways in which Castle and Beckett tried to keep the door open to being able to work together, even despite their current circumstances. Beckett referring Castle to Sophia, knowing that it would give him at least somewhat of an “in” to get involved with their case, and the joy that was written all over her face when her referral did exactly that, showed beyond any doubt that she was willing to bend the rules as much as possible in order to continue working with Castle, at least in some small way.

While the two spent a tad bit more time working the case separately than they had in last week’s episode, there was never a sense of alarm with that. After all, when they were together, they certainly made the most of their time, including their hysterical role-playing scene at Castle’s office that had them giggling and pawing at each other like a couple of teenagers before they were interrupted by Sophia. Perhaps they will eventually learn their lesson and actually lock the door before getting frisky with each other. Though the interruptions, while painful for some fans, are usually quite amusing to this reviewer. After all, timing is everything and timing has rarely been Castle and Beckett’s thing at all.

In the end, Castle came through and not only solved his own case but also Beckett’s case as well, though he did need a little help from his friends to get him out of a sticky spot along the way. With that, it seemed more than evident that Castle, Beckett, Ryan, and Esposito, while all very much capable on their own, will always be far better together as a team. But with the fear of Gates catching Castle in the precinct again, their situation with that not yet resolved, Mr. and Mrs. Castle made their way home, another case worked separately but still very much together.

While it remains to be seen how long this current storyline can continue before the ways of having Castle and Beckett’s cases intersect become exhausted, it is evident already that there is a much greater purpose to this interesting new twist. With Castle and Beckett closer than ever before and continuing to find new ways of making things work, both on the job and at home, there seems to be a genuine and heartfelt appreciation for what they have together and what they wish they could regain as well. When that time comes, their partnership at the precinct will be even more precious to them, fully understanding how much it means to them to get to work together and play together every day. Until then, we can be sure that they will keep making it work, just as they always have.