Castle

Even if the previous episode, Hedge Fund Homeboys, disappointed me it wasn't bad enough to make me give up on Castle. But what really convinced me to watch its fourth episode was a summary I read on Wikipedia. The investigation in the world of dirty politics sounded boring but I was definitely intrigued by Castle's novel release and his book reading where Beckett was supposed to throw him off his game. It could have be fun and interesting if it had lasted more than a few split minutes. But instead the writers decided to focus on a new murder case, new witnesses and new topic. The problem is that it wasn't new at all and dead boring, like the unknown man they found at the beginning. I couldn't care less about these characters who are not connected to the protagonists. It's character development at its worse.



I better understand now why Castle is defined as a police procedural production. They designed one role episode and only change its parameters from time to time. The problem is that it doesn't work because the recipe is not creative enough and ice cold. Stana Katic is fantastic but Kate Beckett is just too predictable. She's always upset by Richard Castle the matter what he does. Everybody likes him but her. However like one of her co-worker said it he's a charming and smart man. In fact it's one improvement compared to the previous installments, the better use of the secondary characters. Their role was still anecdotic but they helped to better understand the relationship between the beautiful female detective and the writing beast. The other thing I enjoyed was Susan Sullivan performance as Martha Rodgers, Castle's mother. In the third episode I noticed she had potential and in this episode she was the only one interested by her son's career. So without her the subject would only have been covered at the very last minute. Moreover her character is refreshing, joyful and colors the scenes with her extravagant clothes. In fact she reminds me of crazy Magda from the hilarious film There's Something About Mary. Last but not least fashion design is good in most scenes and it makes them less boring even if a beautiful shell can't save a poor contents.



However the few pros I mentionned and the tiny scenes I enjoyed couldn't hide the fact that Castle doesn't have much to offer. The patterns used by the writers are so obvious that I don't see the point of watching most season one episodes. I already know nothing will ever happen between the protagonists. I still enjoy their jokes and awkward face-offs but they're definitely not Dana Scully and Fox Mulder.

This episode had almost everything. It had a murder, sex, politics, infidility and blackmail. The only thing missing was the drug aspect, but it was still a great show. I love the fact of which you NEVER know what's going to come out of Castle's mouth or what he's going to do. Prime example was his comparision of a jack ass to a wise ass, he does tend to fit both but it's always amusing. We had some great twists and traps set in regards to solving the murder the greatest was the revealation that NYPD found the 250k in the wife house during her interrogation. I was extremely thrilled at Beckett's revenge against Castle at his book reading, maybe now he'll think twice as he observes Beckett's interviews with suspects. Nathan Fillon portrayal of Castle is wonderful to see on a weekly basis and hope that Castle earns a long run.

This episode was a mixture of comedy, intelligence, and some action. Castle is still as funny as ever, and his relationship with Beckett is continuing to grow. I'm pretty sure they won't become a couple this season, but hopefully they do soon enough. I still want to learn more about Beckett. She seems like she has a very interesting back story, and I would love to see Castle and her bonding when she finally opens up to him. The audience should also get to see her home life, and maybe Castle can invite her over for dinner or something. Overall, I give this episode, Hell Hath No Fury, a 9 out of 10.

Just when I had started to wonder what will happen to this series, after having exhausted the initial character and plot inventions (Castle/Beckett chemistry, straight-line police story plot), the writers display initiative with this episode. They show us they totally know what they're doing, and what the show needs next now that we've all gotten to know and love the characters. The plotlines need to be played up and become more difficult to solve. And this is exactly what we get in this episode, where a politician is killed and everyone seems to be implicated. His best friend and campaign manager, his wife, the prostitute he was seeing, the detective who was blackmailing him with the pictures, a nightclub owner whose building plans he opposed. New clues are being revealed constantly and while it is rather easy after a point to guess who did it, still there are details that remain unsolved until the last minute. Exciting!



Plus, we get more hilarious Castle/Beckett scenes, and a brave and breathtaking sample of the chemistry developments between them, that await us in the future. The scene where Beckett steps into the reading and Castle is left speechless... Wow, that one was fun! I really hope this show lasts for next season, because it's quickly becoming my favourite crime show.

The relationship has certainly settled in, Beckett lets Castle ask as many questions as he wants, even letting him take the lead. Castle is getting better at it too, more sensitive and diplomatic.



Does Horn's campaign office look just like Nathan Petrelli's campaign office from Heroes?! Same windows, same pillars. Or maybe I just watch Heroes too much.



Why do Bollinger's campaign posters look like those cheap ones from a fascist third world country? Really, he should sue.



Liked the thing with the coffee machine, they benefit but it's a truly selfish act, I'm sure Castle just didn't want to drink that coffee again.



Good episode but not as great as the previous three, not even any really memorable quotes. Bit disappointing.

Whomever writes Castle is making phenomenal use of Nathan Fillion's ability to deliver even the most serious lines and get a laugh. As a somewhat cliche murder mystery unfolds as Rick Castle's latest novel hits the shelves, the writing weaves humor and clever moments for the superb cast. While I enjoy the mysteries themselves, it's the moments away from the case that give this show it's character. The running bad coffee gag twists on the gifting of an espresso machine which leads to several good scenes. It was good to see Beckett get her revenge at the book reading. Rick's mom and daughter are good foils for each other, role reversing the maturity and wisdom of their ages. Also, bonus marks for the Star Trek reference.

I think I am beginning to see that this show is more than a detective show, the strength lie in its characters and the connection between them.

This week's story and case involves a body found inside of a rug. He was tossed in a dumpster and found by a couple looking for a new rug and thought that they lucked out. Once the victim was identified as a politician running for re-election they head into the dirty underbelly of politics to find the killer. The moments between the characters and the banter is once again amazing. Its so much fun to watch the interplay between each of them-the cute little moments with Castle and his daughter, Castle and his well meaning mother, Castle and Beckett, and Beckett and the other two cops. There were so many good scenes that it would be hard to list them all - the bit where Castle and his daughter were cooking with goggles, Castle's mom telling him how his book was doing, Beckett's reaction to Castle going "undercover", and of course Beckett showing up at Castle's book reading was priceless.

The case itself could have been a little less cliche and more challenging but the cases are getting better.I am beginning to get addicted to the show, I hope it gets what it deserves...UNLIKE.. we all know.. FIREFLY!

There were a number of memorable scenes in this episode tonight. The one at the end was great with Beckett walking in and distracting Castle at "his job" as she put it. Boy does she know how to distract him!



This was a fresh episode for Castle as the first three followed the same plot formula. I really enjoyed this as much as the Flowers for your Grave Pilot episode. The flow of the hour was excellent and the eventual killers made sense and you even got a little feeling to expect it was maybe who it ended up being. All this without feeling like you were hit over the head with the conclusion or without it being a big surprise at the end.



The chemistry between Katic and Fillion continues to grow. I also am really starting to like the little asides with Becket's daughter (Molly Quinn). The bit with the espresso machine was great as well.



I enjoyed this episode a great deal and I look forward to next weeks. Overall this may be the best episode yet.



Thanks for reading...

I'm beginning to see that despite this show being a "whodunnit" detective show, its strength is in its characters and the connection between them. The case this week involves a body found wrapped inside of a rug. He was tossed in a dumpster and found by a couple looking for a new rug and thought that they lucked out. Once the victim was identified as a politician running for re-election they head into the dirty underbelly of politics to find the killer. The moments between the characters and the banter is once again amazing. Its so much fun to watch the interplay between each of them-the cute little moments with Castle and his daughter, Castle and his well meaning mother, Castle and Beckett, and Beckett and the other two cops. There were so many good scenes that it would be hard to list them all - the bit where Castle and his daughter were cooking with goggles, Castle's mom telling him how his book was doing, Beckett's reaction to Castle going "undercover", and of course Beckett showing up at Castle's book reading was priceless.

The case itself could have been a little less cliche and more challenging but the cases are getting better.

Love this show and I hope that it sticks around for a nice long while.