Wanna make out?
With the exception of a well-played Karate Kid reference, Monday's Castle was another dark, tumultuous episode—and one of the best of the season thus far. "Knockdown" contained close-range gunfire, glass-shattering, water torture, and fist-fighting. Oh, and Castle and Beckett kissed.
In the coming weeks, Castle (Nathan Fillion) and Beckett (Stana Katic) will say they smooched only for the sake of a case—how else would they have distracted that bodyguard in the alley? But it's obvious that the mackin' meant something more. Now that they've made the "connection" we've been waiting for, and now that Castle's single again, Beckett's going to have some major soul-searching to do.
Lainie (Tamala Jones) Jenny (Juliana Dever)But the kiss wasn't even the climax of the episode. While the Castle and Beckett were busy making out, Ryan (Seamus Dever) and Esposito (Jon Huertas) were being tortured by bad-guy-with-info-about-Beckett's-mom's-murder Hal Lockwood (Max Martini)—and watching them struggle for air in that icy cold water was, indeed, torture. Fortunately, because this is television, Beckett came to their rescue. Then Castle came to her rescue. And then Lockwood was thrown in jail. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.
Well, except for the fact that Lockwood refused to tell Beckett who ordered the hit on her mother. Beckett vowed to visit him every week to ask, which means we may see more of him in future episodes—and that the case of Beckett's mother's murder is still open.
I was expecting the show to close it; last fall, we met the Triple Killer, a.k.a. the 3XK, and his storyline would have been a suitable new multi-season arc. But Beckett's questions about her mother's murder are still unanswered. Do you think we'll see them resolved anytime soon?
"Knockdown" also threw a "character development" bone to nearly everyone in the cast. Castle and Beckett experienced yet another hostage situation, but this time around, Beckett didn't roll her eyes—she asked Castle for a "stupid idea," and then used it. Theirs isn't a pigtail-pulling relationship anymore—it's an intimate one, even if they're not sleeping together.
And Captain Montgomery (Ruben Santiago-Hudson) played his rank card, taking Beckett and Castle off the case and appointing Ryan and Esposito to lead the investigation. Beckett may have disobeyed her orders and ended up saving their lives, but before she did, we got to see Ryan and Esposito in the interrogation room—and they kicked ass.
Finally, Susan Sullivan got a break from uttering cheeky one-liners: Martha Castle took the threat on her son's life very seriously, and forced him to admit to himself why he was following Beckett around. It looks like he's got some soul-searching ahead of him, too.
What did you think of "Knockdown"? And what did you think of the kiss?
Follow TV.com writer Stefanie Lee on Twitter: @StefAtTVDotCom
I still think Bones is better, and that this show takes parts of Bones that have not been done/ haven't been done well, and does them, coming out as better, and making the fans happier.
At this point I should know better than to expect that if there is a kiss in the promos it will actually mean something in that episode. I do like the episodes where the central storyline is Beckett's mother's case. And I like when Castle & his mother (or Castle & Alexis) have their own weird versions of a heart to heart.
I love Castle; storyline, witty, characters, and most of all murder solving! What do we need more?
It was a great episode, and a grat kiss. Of course, the characters will stay in denial about what it really means, and as frustrating as that can be sometimes, it can also be kinda fun. To a point. (Case in point; Bones stretched the Booth/Brennan tension for too long, hitting on it too hard, and now I just watch the show for the Hodgens/Angela relationship and the cases, not the two main characters)
Castle is getting better. not many shows do. (also fringe)
By Far the BEST CASTLE EVER!!!! Loved everything about the whole show. I think the only thing missed was Alexa, but given the gravity of the script it kinda made sense her not being seen. CAN'T WAIT TILL NEXT WEEK!!!!
AGREED, this episode of Castle has got to be my favorite!
Classic 'Castle' double meaning when Kate said "Let's go... yeah" after Castle said it "that was awesome... the kiss I mean". She acknowledged the nice move knocking out the guard, but her facial expression I think clearly showed she thought the KISS was awesome too... why would she make the "tigress" move and wrap her hands around Castle during the 2nd kiss!
It was a fantastic episode. Things have progressed so quickly in one episode than in every single season of Bones. And that's just awesome cause dunno about you guys but I got tired of the same blah blah Im afraid of revealing my feelings thing.. they've kissed and in the next weeks they'll gonna talk about it. Something is gonna happen soon..Hope the writers don't go all Bones on that one.. just postponing the inevitable and annoying the viewers..
It's almost been a week since 'Knockdown' premiered and i'm still raving about the episode, because it was that great! You read articles and recaps online regarding the episode, absorbing everyone's take on it, even though it means reviewing what happened all over again. I totally don't mind, however, because I love the fact that it's receiving well-deserved rave reviews! Looove Castle, looooved the episode, and looooved the kiss! :D
awesome, finally and the best kiss on tv in a whiem hope there is more to come
Susan Sullivan deserves to have more input sometimes! She is used too sparingly!
Susan Sullivan deserves to have more input sometimes! She is used too sparingly!
I love how this show's moved from a quirky mystery platform for Nathan Fillion's considerable charm to a quality character drama with an increasingly irresistible supporting cast. I rather adore Ryan and Esposito, and am very happy to see them getting some love.
The show just keeps getting better and better, and last night's ep was a proof ..
well the psychic was right then, weren't she?
best episode of the season so far
I really liked this episode. I thought it was good.
This was a particularly strong episode-- on a consistently good show. I'm hoping now that Castle's admitted to his mother, himself, and to Beckett that he has feelings for her, and that they both kissed (and it went well), we'll see some romance develop between the two of them. I don't understand why TV shows don't allow romance-- teasing the audience just gets tiresome, and there's plenty of comedy and drama possibilities whether the relationship works or doesn't work. Time to try something new!
GREAT EPISODE! enjoyed every minute of it
AWESOME EPISODE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Martha Rodgers, not Castle.
top notch !
best ever. awesome
Best Episode Yet!!! Absolutely loved it. Every actor/actress brought it and it showed. Loved Martha's motherly side showing, ryan and esposito got there shine, and Beckett an Castle relationship moving past flirtation. Super Intense interrogation Beckett goin Hulk mode n slammin brothaman into the two way mirror was awesome. Torture scene and rescue was amazing. Cant wait for more episodes like this one
Terrific episode, everyone operating on a high level. And Max Martini as the bad guy!! Go Max!!
This is definately my new favourite show and this could be my new favourite episode, with the episode 'Nikki Heat' running a close second! It was great to see Ryan and Esposito have a bigger role and to see the new twist in Castle and Becketts relationship, once again not sure I can wait a whole week for the next episode!
i also LOVED IT! it i think IS easily the best one so far this season! it won't surprise me if they deny it & say it was just for a kiss. we know damn well that that was not just a peck on a cheek. & we also know that once castle pulled away she pulled him back in. i was thinking to myself, dang they should get a room! lol. i don't think hooking them up would ruin the show. if written well it could work. but i also think that since it's only season 3 i doubt it will be this season.
Arguably my favorite Castle episode -- certainly my favorite of the season. Good looks at Esposito, Ryan, Capt. Montgomery, Castle's mother, and of course, at the relationship between Kate and Castle. The torture scene was cool too. The kiss? Good for them, but it's not like I was as giddy about it as Castle was (lol @ his reaction).
great episode the kiss made my night
I'm not embarrassed to say I squealed with glee during the kiss, which clearly went on WAY longer than it was suppose to. As for the Johanna Beckett murder, i'll be solved by seasons end and the 3XK will become the new most wanted (Castle's version of Red John). We're getting all kinds of supporting character development this season, Ryan's getting hitched, Esposito and Lanie are an item and now the Cap is acting like a Captain. I'm still waiting for the "Castle's Dad" episode.
Ryan and Esposito created a riveting performance! They were just amazing! and Stana and Nathan nailed that kiss! :D Hope to see more kisses in the next few episodes! :D
A great episode. I especially loved Ryan and Esposito :)
They hooked me in with the scene referencing Firefly last year. They have me for the run of the show and beyond.
Great Episode This is really becoming my favorite show on tv with episodes like this.
Now my number 1b "must-see" series (NCIS remains 1 a). Perfect.
One of the Best Episodes of Castle Yet
I truly love this program. The story line is always good, but there are the random comments and jokes that keep you smiling. The heat between Castle and Beckett is great, really keeps you wanting more. I think they need to keep that going because once they start dating it will be all over !!! We just keep hoping !!The cast works so well together, it's what I look for after a hard Monday at work.
First post, and more importantly, WHAT AN EPISODE!This has been by far, one of the best this season, if not in Castle history. The back and forth we have been seeing since day one with Castle and Beckett, has come to another point in which these two need to admit to themselves and each other the truth. It might take the writers and the show a little bit of time to stretch it out, but it is not of writers block, or creativity in the complex nature of their relationship; it is for the passion of each other. The show is moving in a good direction, and looks to be a promising future for this show.
Even the introduction of the episode was well done with the quote from A Christmas Carol.
The torture scene was amazing and loved the fact they would go through fire for each other. Also Esposito's joke was HILARIOUS.
I loved Castle's reaction after the kiss. After Beckett walks away he has moment of giddy 'teenage girl' excitement and then moves on. I thought it was hysterical and endearing. All in all, the episode was great. I look forward to see what happens next!