A Deadly Game

Season 2, Episode 24, Aired
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8.9
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Castle and Beckett investigate what appears to be the assassination of an intelligence operative. Meanwhile, Beckett continues her romance with Demming, jeopardizing her relationship with Castle. Forcing them to finally face down their feelings for each other.
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Fan Episode Reviews (12)

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  • 224

    6.0
    "Fair"
    By thefanof, Sep 15, 2011
    "A Deadly Game" was not exactly a riveting episode of Castle, but I guess that it was fun enough. They introduced an interesting premise with the idea of a "spy fantasy camp" that turned horribly wrong when it got too real. It was a good idea, but then it turned very wrong with too many unnecessary twists and making the wrong guy out to be the killer. Some good banter between Castle and Beckett ended up getting lost in the shuffle of this interesting storyline. Just because you have a good premise does not mean anything though, it has to be sustained for the full hour and this was not.moreless

  • this was a really good episode. *some spoilers*

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By peace4ever95, Sep 12, 2011
    i loved this episode very much it kept me guessing who the killer was and it had alot of twist and turns and it was very entertaining i actually thought that that a real spy was murdered but as it turns out it was just a spy game. this wasnt a huge huge episode but i would recommend that you watch it because it was very intersing i enjoyed it alot that is intill up to the very end where castle left to go to the hamptons with gina and kate breaks up with demming so she can be with castle but castle was going to the hamptons with his ex wife i really wanted to jump through the screen and yell at castle and gina.moreless

  • you don't fully appreciate what you have till it's gone...

    10
    "Perfect"
    By ALSCC, Feb 03, 2011
    And off to a beach house for the summer with a beautiful ex-wife. sorry beckett you had your chance! all the same, even though castle and beckett didnt get their moment, it still feels like they're making progress.

    the case was interesting, while a proper espionage case would have been good (done in countless other shows), a company selling the experience felt better (more original) and more in-keeping with the style of the show.

    however the case is overshadowed by the looming departure of castle. we've all known the reason why he's stuck around for so long, but with demming in the picture castle feels like he's missed his opportunity.

    beckett finally ditched demming, and realised that while he's not what she's looking for right now. castle is. the whole will they won't they scenario is up in the air throughout the episode (though for a moment when beckett is about to confess her feelings to castle it looks like they will), but inevitably it looks like they wont get a summer getaway together as the ex-wife/publisher comes back into the mix and the two leave beckett standing in the hallway of the precinct. a little harsh, but good entertainment nonetheless.

    great way to finish a season.moreless

  • Castle is jealous, Beckett is confussed, and there's a dead guy! What's next?

    10
    "Perfect"
    By moogan89, Feb 03, 2011
    Okay, this was possibly one of the best season finales ever! Castle is so cute when he's jealous. When he decided to leave for the summer to get away from everything, he has to tell Beckett She looked like she'd just been dumped. After the rest of the team shakes her into realiy, she finally sees Castle as much more then an annoyance. She dumps the cop that she was seeing, but before Castle finds out, he reconnects with his ex, Gina. Castle and Gina head off for the summer, leaving Beckett alone... her friends watching from the other room. It was intense, sad, and amazing. It was perfect!

    When Castle finds out about Beckett and the robbery cop, he's going to shoot himself!moreless

  • A master class in TV entertainment, A Deadly Game acts as a text book example of great television. The season two finale is a perfectly balanced composite of laughs, drama and emotion, which is enjoyable from start to finish.moreless

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By ollyhume, Feb 03, 2011
    A master class in TV entertainment, A Deadly Game acts as a text book example of great television. The season two finale is a perfectly balanced composite of laughs, drama and emotion, which is enjoyable from start to finish. The only blemish on an otherwise flawless episode, is the mildly frustrating ending, that although arguably necessary, will leave you feeling like you've won the lottery but lost the ticket.

    This weeks murder mystery is undoubtedly the finest of the season, containing more unexpected twists that The Usual Suspects and The Sixth Sense and with an inventive and original scenario that keeps the audience guessing. The premise surrounds what appears to be a 'cloak and daggers' spy story, involving self destructing mission statements, coded messages and fake ID's. We are led through a web of intrigue that seems to consist of nothing but dead ends, as Castle and Beckett struggle to unlock the identity of a man murdered with a silenced weapon after his 'cover' is blown. As always however, things are not quite as they seem, with the victim actually partaking in a type of highly organised role-playing game that is being marketed as a kind of extreme vacation from everyday life.

    This in itself provides a great deal of drama and comedy, as the first suspects in the murder eventually realise that their interrogation and incarceration are not part of the game. Hardened spy personas melt away to reveal bored business men and housewives sorting their way through a mid-life crisis. Of course, the suspect spotlight wanders from person to person until a break in the case produces a tangible lead, but I never found it's journey predictable or confused as I have in a few of the earlier episodes. For once, Castle and Beckett revealed the killer before I had guessed their identity and even though they turned out to be a previously unseen character, it was still a satisfying conclusion to an excellent crime mystery.

    On it's own this would have made for a fine piece of entertainment, but Castle is never just about the murder. The real highlight of the episode revolves around Castle's jealousy of Demming, and Beckett's revelation about her feelings for the writer. For the last couple of weeks, we have witnessed Castle's growing discontent with having to sit idly by as Beckett builds a personal relationship with another man. Although eliminating some of the usual humour, this has promoted diversity within his character and tonight saw some extremely poignant moments as both parties consider their motivations and what they require from the relationship. It is obvious that Castle is beginning to find their interactions painful due to his feelings for the detective and he eventually reveals his decision to make this his last case with the team. In a classic 'you don't know what you've got till its gone' moment, on hearing the news an awkward tension falls over the due, as both struggle to maintain their composure. For a show usually built around whimsical comedy, it's a real achievement to be able to move the audience so effectively.

    The real turning point in Beckett's confusion comes from Esposito, who quietly explains Castle's real motivations for staying with the team for so long. It's all excellently handled and great to see real warmth existing between co-workers in a high stress environment. This continues in another touching moment, as the entire unit gathers for drinks as a farewell to the crime writer and it reminds us how far the relationships have developed over the space of two seasons.

    Beckett eventually calls things off with the slightly one-dimensional Demming and an 'I love you Castle' [cue slow motion kiss] seems inevitable. However, (and it is a big however) just as Beckett goes to confess her feelings to Castle, his ex-wife enters the office and the two walk off arm in arm, leaving the tearful detective alone as the rest of the team watch on in a near by room.

    I nearly threw my cat at the screen at this point and I definitely made an 'ahh come-on' gesture. Reminiscent of the scene where Rachel goes to the airport to meet Ross in Friends, the moment is more frustrating than it is heartbreaking and it quickly reminds you that what you are watching is a TV series trying to milk sexual tension (sorry, that conjured up some unpleasant images). As Chuck has proved, it is possible to have an on screen romance between two central characters, so it is a little irritating to see the writers take the Bones route and leave the way clear for perpetual teasing.

    Overall

    A near perfect episode that eloquently balanced drama, wit and heart-wrenching emotion. The ending was extremely frustrating, but many will argue that it was a necessary evil to allow the show to continue it's winning formula.

    Castle may not be the most dramatic or thought provoking show ever made, but it is definitely one of the most entertaining. The writers display no confusion over what kind of show they want to produce and they have created some of the most colourful and warm characters currently on TV. I don't think there is any doubt of there being a third season, it's just a matter of how long we will have to wait before we see our crime solving friends again. Not too long me hopes!

    http://playeraffinity.com/tv-reviews/Castle-a-deadly-game.htmlmoreless
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  • TRIVIA (2)

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    • The "spy" Richard Castle pretends to be is named "Steven Caldwell". Richard Castle tells this to Hans Brauer. Mitch Pileggi (Hans Brauer) played the recurring role of Colonel Steven Caldwell in Stargate Atlantis.

    • The Euros found in the trunk of the victims car are easily recognisable as fakes, since their proportions are completely wrong. They are far too high compared to the real Euros. About at least 1/3 higher than the real 50€ bills.

  • QUOTES (6)

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    • Castle: Uhm, well, with my book due, I was thinking it'd be a good time for us to take a break. Beckett: A break? Castle: Yeah. Well, God knows, you gotta be tired of me following you around all the time, and I really do need to get some work done. With everyone gone, I figure, why not just stay up in the Hamptons, you know? Get away from the city for a while. Beckett: Well, for how long? Castle: The summer at least. I thought this would be our last case.

    • Esposito: So... Castle's last case, huh? Beckett: Mm-hmm. Esposito: Ryan and I thought we'd do a little going away party. Beckett: Yeah. Well, it's not like he's leaving forever. Esposito: You sure about that? Why do you think he's been following you around all this time? What, research? The guy has done enough research to write 50 books. Look... whatever the reason is, I'm pretty sure it doesn't include watching you be with another guy.

    • Castle: According to this, half the kids in your building will be 16 and 17 year old boys. Alexis: Relax, dad. Each floor has a resident advisor who's 21. Castle: Oh, so the one person in charge is conveniently old enough to buy alcohol?

    • Castle: Oh! Look who's off duty! Beckett: Yeah, well Castle, I'm not all work. Lanie: Don't go into a drinking contest with her. She can take you. Castle: Thank You. Beckett: Oh, I don't need to drink to take him. Lanie: Ooh! What's got into you?

    • (Hans finds out Castle is not the person he was supposed to meet and grabs his shirt) Beckett: NYPD! Hands up! (Castle puts his hands up) Not you Castle! Castle: Right..

    • Castle: It's kinda like a tradition you know; bonfires, roasting marshmallows, telling ghost stories, sleeping late... We've done it since she was five. Beckett: Sounds nice. Kind of magical actually. Castle: Yeah, you know what? You should come. Oh! It's right on the ocean, there's a secluded pool, you could lay out, work on your tan. Beckett: Wow Castle. You're working really hard to see me in a swimsuit. Castle: If you are not comfortable in a swimming suit you can just skinny dip. (Beckett smiles to herself)

  • NOTES (5)

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    • Michael Trucco (Det. Tom Denning) and Rick Worthy (Jason Fenn) previously co-starred together in Battlestar Galactica, playing Samuel T. Anders and Simon/Number Four respectively.

    • International Episode Titles: Czech Republic: Smrtelná hra (Deadly Game)

    • Featured Music: "Into The Blue" by Sara Jackson-Holman

    • Original International Air Dates: Canada: May 17, 2010 on CTV Australia: June 6, 2010 on Channel 7 Slovakia: February 8, 2011 on JOJ Germany: February 25, 2011 on Kabel Eins United Kingdom: March 2, 2011 on Alibi Finland: April 3, 2011 on Nelonen The Netherlands: April 7, 2011 on SBS 6 Czech Republic: May 11, 2011 on Prima

    • Season Finale

  • ALLUSIONS (2)

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    • When Castle is told James Patterson is going to be late for the poker game he says "probably gives him time to write another book". Alluding to the fact that Patterson puts out a book about every other month. Then at the poker game guest star Patterson says: "Only one book a year, Rick?"

    • The film Castle is watching at the beginning of the episode is "His Girl Friday" (1940) with Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell. The quote they choose to use "We've got something between us nothing can change" is probably intended to describe the relationship between Beckett and Castle.

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