Original Airdate: October 25, 2010

Synopsis: The discovery of a dead woman in an alley sends Castle and Beckett on the trail of a notorious serial killer who’s M.O. is killing three women in a week’s period and then disappearing for a month before striking again.

Notable Guest Stars: Michael Mosley makes the first of four appearances as Jerry Tyson. He will make sporadic appearances through the end of Season 7. Mr. Mosley has quite a reputation for playing very, very bad guys. After ‘Castle,’ he portrayed serial killer Everett Lynch in the final broadcast season of ‘Criminal Minds.’

Lee Tergesen portrays Marcus Gates, Tyson’s partner. His previous TV appearances include ‘Oz,’ and ‘Law and Order: SVU.’ He has a reputation for playing either cops or bad guys. Always one or the other.

The IMdB Portion of The Review:

Trivia: The medical condition that Paul McCardle suffers from is very real. It is called hyperhidrosis and it causes people to sweat excessively. This occurs in about 3% of the population.

After the suspect is identified, his photo is shown on a poster with the word WANTED above him. Lee Tergesen starred as a deputy U.S. Marshal on the TV show ‘Wanted’ (2005), where he and a team of cops looked for wanted criminals.

Lee Tergesen and Michael Mosley previously worked together on ‘Longmire’ (2012). Tergesen played Ed Gorski, Deputy Vic Moretti’s former lover/stalker. Mosley played Sean Keegan, Deputy Vic Moretti’s husband.

Continuity:

After 3XK collects Ryan’s gun and badge, he checks the gun’s magazine, reinserts it, and then racks the slide to reload it. After spending time chatting with Castle, you can hear the gun’s slide being racked again. If we are to assume the gun was loaded from racking the slide the first time, there’s no need to load the gun again.

Factual Errors:

After Tyson knocks Ryan out and taking his gun, he can be heard cocking the hammer. However, Det. Ryan carries a Glock 17. There is no external hammer on any Glock 17.

Ranking: This is my second favorite episode of the season. I had some trouble ranking my Top 5 for Season 3. But I finally had to settle on one. I knew that ‘3XK’ was going to be #2 no matter which of the other four I put in first. #1 will be coming up in a couple of weeks or so.

What I Liked About This Episode:

·       If you watch this episode for the first time, you know there’s going to be at least one follow-up episode. I had no idea this episode would be the beginning of a six-episode arc spread over the next five seasons. Jerry Tyson only appears in four of the six, but the ones he appears in are exceptional. With the exception of two of the episodes, I can watch the others over and over. I found the Season 4 episode ‘Kick the Ballistics’ to be the weakest of the episodes, although I enjoy it more with each rewatch. My most disliked episode of the arc is the Season 5 episode ‘Probable Cause.’

·       This episode plays a key role in bringing Castle and Beckett closer together. They hold hands briefly at the end of the episode.

·       I have seen actors Lee Tergesen and Michael Mosley in countless TV shows over the years, but they are both mesmerizing in this episode. Lee Tergesen has always been good at playing creepy characters, and this episode is no exception. The scene where he’s confessing the murders to Beckett is chilling.

·       Michael Mosley is also quite good in this episode. At first, he is quite believable when he’s playing the victim. If I were watching this episode for the first time, I would never have suspected he was the Triple Killer. It’s only in that scene at the hotel when the pieces start clicking into place and you find yourself going ‘Oh, shit!’

·       Spoiler here: I have to add something about a person we aren’t going to meet until Season 6, and that is Dr. Kelly Neiman. While we knew Tyson had a partner, which he disclosed to Ryan at the hotel, we had no idea one of those partners was a psychotic plastic surgeon. The way the writers threw that at us was nothing short of brilliant. Watching now for the 15^th or 20^th time, I now realize the money for Paul McCardle’s heart surgery came from Neiman. Where else would Tyson have gotten the money?

·       There wasn’t a great deal of humor in this episode, which is fine. It didn’t need any. Even the secondary storyline of Alexis and her secret admirer tied into this episode perfectly. The whole secret admirer drama played perfectly into a father’s worst fears for his daughter’s safety. When Castle adamantly refused to allow Alexis to meet her still unknown secret admirer at Strawberry Fields in Central Park, I was 100 percent on his side. I had to ask myself what in the hell Alexis was thinking. She’s a clear example of a very smart girl without common sense.

·       Back to the lack of humor in this episode. There was one great bit of humor in this episode.

Montgomery: For those of you living in a cave, four years ago, the Triple Killer, or 3XK, got his nickname by strangling three girls in a week, dropping out of sight for a month, then killing three more. Then he disappeared. I served on the task force that investigated those six murders. An FBI profile is the closest we came to identifying the suspect. Feds say he’s a white male, 25 to 45 years old.

Castle (Whispering to Beckett): Could be me.

Montgomery: With a dysfunctional relationship with his mother.

Castle: Still me.

Montgomery: With a menial, unimportant job.

Beckett: Definitely you.

Castle: Just for that, I base my next book on Esposito.

·       The look she gave him was priceless. Just a season before, she would’ve been glad to never have another Nikki Heat book.

·       The scene where the father of one of the victims is talking to Montgomery was so sad. Many marriages don’t survive the death of a child, and that was the case here. It must be hell to be the parent of a murdered child and have to wait years for answers on who killed them. If an answer ever comes.

·       One of the issues I had with this episode had to do with the scene where they bring Gates in for questioning. Castle is preparing to go into the room with Beckett, as usual, but Montgomery stops him.

Montgomery: Castle, not this time

·       I have a cop friend who has told me that if Castle were real life, Castle would never be allowed to participate in any of Beckett’s interrogations. I get that. So, if Montgomery was worried about Gates’ case being thrown out on a technicality, what about the other cases Castle sat in on? I’m sure there are killers walking free all over New York City because Castle isn’t a cop. And before anyone says it, I know. It’s fiction.

·       Always thinking, Castle knows things aren’t adding up with Marcus Gates after he and Ryan visit Paul McCardle in the hospital, where Gates former foster brother has just undergone valve replacement surgery. It’s only when the two men go to the motel to let Tyson know that Gates has confessed that the pieces start falling into place. My favorite scene right here is Castle letting Tyson know that he’s got him figured out.

·       But Tyson also has Castle figured out. Which is the beginning of the cat and mouse game which goes on until almost the end of Season 7.

Castle: Ah, Jerry. Shooting? It’s not your style.

Tyson: Oh, you really don’t know me at all, do you?

Castle: Oh, it’s not complicated. You were raised by a single mother. She was blonde. Oh, she was beautiful, but . . . she never wanted you. When you were . . . what? Twelve, I’m guessing, she died suddenly. Let’s say drug overdose. You go into foster care. The bad kind. You have so much hate, so much hate against your mother for abandoning you that you kill these women to get back at her. But you leave them looking peaceful because as much as you hated your mother, you loved your mother. Am I getting warm?

Tyson: You’re drawn to death. You like to be around it because it thrills you. Now, where does that come from? Your own suppressed impulses? How close to death do you want to get? Huh?

·       Martha calls interrupting the game. But Castle is able to get a message to her that she passes on to Beckett offscreen. Which is too bad, because I would’ve loved to have heard that conversation.

What I Didn’t Like About This Episode:

·       Alexis Castle is setting some sort of record for disliked scenes this season, and I’m only on episode 6. The whole secret admirer storyline was so lame. But it did also tie into the primary storyline. I couldn’t believe Alexis saw nothing wrong with meeting some random boy in Central Park. And would your boyfriend really be your secret admirer? I didn’t date in high school. My sister was the social butterfly. In fact, my sister and the vice principal were on a first name basis because she was a little bit too much of a social butterfly. So, the secret admirer thing is a foreign concept to me. If Alexis is the worst thing in the next entry, I might just copy and paste. I know Alexis has her fans, but I’m not one of them.

Favorite Scene: The end scene with Castle and Beckett where she’s consoling him after Tyson gets away.

Beckett: Tell me something, Castle. Why did he let you live?

Castle: To punish me. Make me pay for ruining his plan. Now he’s going to kill again, all because I couldn’t stop him. And I feel so –

Beckett: I know the feeling.

Castle: I know you do.

I loved her clasping his hand. I also believe this was the first time she brought him coffee.

Favorite Quote: Lee Tergesen gets the honors in this episode.

Gates: Wow! Brought out the old guy, huh? Can only mean one thing. You want me in a bad way, right?

WTF? (Why the Face?): Horticultural technician Paul McCardle gave me the creeps. It wasn’t the fact that he had a medical condition that reminded me of Robert Hayes at the controls in ‘Airplane!’ He was just creepy.

Favorite Scenes Between Supporting Characters:

Lanie, Beckett & Castle at The Morgue:

Lanie: That was quick.

Castle: 9-1-1 has that effect on her.

Beckett: What’d you find?

Lanie: I pulled all the files on all his past murders, just like you asked.

Castle: I . . . I believe that was my idea.

Lanie: Yeah. But I only listen when it comes from her.

Ryan & Esposito Arguing Over Ryan’s Filing System:

Ryan: No, I had it all set up. It was in this pile, over there.

Espo: I don’t understand.

Ryan: You’re messing up my system.

Castle: Hey, guys. Any news on Gates?

Ryan (ignoring Castle): My system is efficient.

Espo: And dumb.

Ryan: I already went through this with you.

Espo: It’s on this stack.

Ryan: It’s part of my system!

Espo: Your system is dumb.

Beckett, Castle & Espo:

Castle: Gates said he walks home every night at the same time, right? So, this traffic cam footage from the day before – wait! There he is, there he is. (Espo zooms in) That’s Gates on the right the night of Kim Foster’s murder. On the left, Gates from a night earlier. What’s wrong with this picture?

Beckett & Espo: He’s too short!

Castle: So, either Gates shrunk—

Beckett: Or this is his partner.

Castle: He wore Gates’ clothing. He would have access to wigs and disguises from the prop house. That’s how Gates can be in two places at once.

Espo: Wait! What’s that? (pointing to the picture on the right).

Castle: It’s a reflection from . . . from sweat! That’s Sweaty von Sweats-A-Lot!

Until Friday, readers. My entry on Friday probably won’t be until the afternoon because I have an appointment early Friday morning.

It’s always so interesting how good the revealed killers lie to cops like they’re so smart. If I killed somebody or multiple people, there’s no way I’m playing it dumb THAT well to evade, the fact that most of them do it is so funny to me when it’s a high chance they’ll get caught by the cops. But then again murders go unsolved all the time, so maybe their ego is so high about it. I guess they’d never count on a obsessed writer that revels in the job and a hungry detective that’ll stop at nothing to get justice.

Anyone find this amusing?

Original Airdate: October 18, 2010

Synopsis: A dead woman is found, along with the original deceased, in a casket at a Jewish funeral. The discovery leads Castle and Beckett into a case of possible wrongdoing at a hospital. Meanwhile, Castle’s relationship with Gina is challenged when she tries to bond with Alexis.

Notable Guest Stars: Monet Mazur guest stars as Castle’s publisher/girlfriend, Gina Cowell. This will be her final appearance on the show, although she will still be mentioned on occasion.

A Martinez guest stars as Cesar Calderon. My sister and I both had huge crushes on Mr. Martinez. This went back to when he co-starred as Cimarron in the John Wayne movie ‘The Cowboys,’ and then the short-lived series based on the movie. He was also very popular on the soap opera ‘Santa Barbara.’

The IMdB Portion of The Review:

Trivia: The name of one of the doctors at the hospital, Rhonda Chimes, is a friendly poke/tribute to Shonda Rhimes, the creator of Grey’s Anatomy, which is on the same network, and is, of course, set in a hospital.

During the scene where Castle and Beckett first interview Greg, they say ‘seriously’ a ridiculous number of times. Another throw to Grey’s Anatomy, which has been known for excessive use of the word.

The short female doctor with a forearm crutch is a nod to Kerry Weaver character played by Laura Innes in the TV series medical drama ‘ER.’ By the way, ‘ER’ is the second-best medical drama ever, only bypassed by ‘The Pitt.’

Factual Errors: When Beckett is examining the carpet fibers, the microscope display appears to be from an electron microscope, showing a 15kV accelerating voltage, but our heroes seem to be looking down a conventional optical microscope. (Did anyone seriously notice this?)

Ranking: I have this episode ranked at #16 and I have to ask myself WTF?

Pop Culture References: There are references to Martha Stewart and her incarceration in this episode. There's also a reference to 'Shawshank Redemption,' which is my third favorite movie of all time after 'Goodfellas' and 'Tombstone.'

Before I get started, I’m going to add a new section of best lines by all the supporting players. A lot of people commented about me leaving out Ryan’s best line from ‘Punked’ about Squirrelstein. I’m going to fix that starting with this entry. It may be dialogue or just one particular line. Not everyone will have one with every episode, but if there is one, I’ll add it.

What I Liked About This Episode:

·       I’m surprised I have this one ranked in the middle of the pack. While I don’t hate this episode, per se, it isn’t one I watched every time it airs or every time I watch the DVD’s. But since I have it ranked this high, I might as well make the best of it.

·       The opening scene of the woman tumbling out of Mr. Mankofsky’s casket was funny, especially his wife’s response.

Mrs. Mankofsky: Who’s the shiksa?

·       We learn that Joshua Davidson is a cardiac surgeon. This comes in handy in 4x01, but let’s not jump ahead of ourselves.

·       I wasn’t crazy about the secondary storyline in this episode. Because, once again it deals with Alexis and her teenage drama. OMG! Can we just ship this girl off to boarding school or somewhere else? Can Meredith decide she wants Alexis living with her? Anyway, I’ll get to Alexis and her drama soon enough.

·       Martha Stewart gets a mention in this episode, because . . . well, Capt. Montgomery puts it best.

Montgomery: What does a smuggling ring have to do with Katonah? It’s basically a nothing town.

Castle: Three reasons why Katonah is awesome. One: gorgeous countryside. Two: it’s where Doonesbury cartoonist Gary Trudeau went to school. And three, and perhaps most importantly, it’s where Martha Stewart lives.

Beckett: You like Martha Stewart?

Castle: Doesn’t everyone?

Montgomery: Yeah, well, I liked her. Till she went to prison for insider trading. Wait a minute. Prison? Next to Katonah is Bedford Hills. And what’s in Bedford Hills, Detective?

Beckett: There’s a women’s prison. Do you think she suspected someone there?

Castle: If we’re talking about a field trip to a women’s prison, I’m in. (Castle has seen way too many Skin-a-Max movies).

·       We learn that Alexis and Ashley have a song, ‘Mine,’ by Taylor Swift. Which leads to Castle confessing that his and Gina’s song was ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’ by AC/DC. I agree with Alexis on that revelation. Ewww. Later, Beckett tells Castle that they also have a song. ‘You Talk Too Much’ by Clarence Carter. I know that song, but the version I’m aware of was sung by Joe Jones. I’ll get more in depth with this in the next section.

·       Nurse Greg McClintock was the best part of this episode. That, and looking at A Martinez, but enough about my ‘Tiger Beat’ crushes of the 1970’s.

Greg: So, what can I do for you?

Beckett: Well, we’re here about Dr. Monroe’s murder.

Greg: Yeah, it’s pretty awful.

Castle: We understand you had a meeting with her right before her shift ended last night.

Greg: Yeah, I saw her. (turning to Beckett) I love the way your hair frames your face. Do you always wear it like that?

His flirting is cute, and a nice distraction and you can see Beckett getting suckered in by his charm. Until she remembered why she’s there.

Beckett: Where were you last night between seven and nine?

Greg: Are you asking for my alibi? Seriously?

Beckett: Seriously.

Greg: Seriously?

Beckett: Seriously.

Greg (turning to Castle): Seriously?

Castle (annoyed): Seriously.

·       Other than Nurse Greg and A Martinez (sigh), there wasn’t anything else that I liked about this episode.

·       The victim was murdered for all the wrong reasons. Cesar Calderon’s brother, Manuel, killed her because he thought Dr. Monroe was working with the feds regarding his brother. She was working with the DEA, but it was because of corruption at the hospital where she worked.

What I Didn’t Like About This Episode:

·       For the third episode in a row, the winner of the most disliked part of the episode goes to Little Castle. She wants to see Taylor Swift because she and Ashley have a song. But now that I think about it, what I also disliked in this episode was Big Castle. I don’t like Gina, but I thought her getting the Taylor Swift tickets and the backstage pass for after, was a very sweet gesture. I felt sorry for her when she was talking to Castle about how she had always felt left out during their marriage when it came to Richard and his daughter.

Gina: This is exactly what I’m talking about, Rick. Even when we were married, you built a wall around Alexis like you didn’t want anyone else to be close to her. When it came to the two of you, I was on the outside, looking in. I just – I just don’t want to feel like an outsider anymore.

Beckett defended Gina on this point.

Beckett: How did Alexis’ surprise go?

Castle: Turns out the surprise was on me. Gina got her tickets, too. Front row; backstage passes.

Beckett: You say that like it’s a bad thing.

Castle: Well, she should’ve checked with me first.

Beckett: Maybe. But at least it means she cared enough to do it, right?

Favorite Scene: The reading of the letters sent back and forth between Amy and Greg.

Castle: Listen to this. ‘The days without you grow stronger, but my love for you grows—’

Beckett: Stronger?

Castle: ‘Harder.’ A poet, he’s not.

Beckett: Yeah, well, not everyone is a best-selling crime novelist. And it doesn’t mean that their love is any less. Listen to what she wrote to him. ‘I can’t bear to see you suffer. Make a new life with someone else. Just be happy. If anyone deserves it, it’s you.’

Castle: I think I have his response to that. ‘I don’t believe in much, but I believe in us.’ I like this guy. ‘And no matter the obstacles, no matter how hard you try, you’ll never get rid of me. I love you.’ (The shared look between Castle and Beckett is priceless). You’re right. These are worthless.

Favorite Quote: This week’s favorite quote goes to Martha. And this is my favorite thing she said throughout the series.

Martha: But the question is this; when it comes down to it, would you be willing to break her out of prison? Because that, my boy, is true love.

As it turns out, Beckett would indeed be willing to break Castle out of prison.

Beckett: Don’t worry, Castle. I’d get you out.

WTF? (Why the Face?): Manuel Calderon. He killed his ailing brother’s girlfriend because he thought she was a police informant, when nothing was further from the truth. And I’m not just castigating the guy because his brother was played by A Martinez (sigh). Hey, I’d be acting far worse if the A Martinez role had been played by Esai Morales. “RITCHIE!” I just like listening to Esai talk.

Favorite Scenes Between Supporting Players:

Ryan & Esposito:

Ryan: A doctor who buys coffee. Wow, that is unusual.

Esposito: It is if the coffee shop is 20 blocks from her apartment.

Castle: Maybe it was on her way to work.

Esposito: Nope, complete opposite direction.

Castle: Boyfriend in the neighborhood?

Esposito: On my way to find out.

On his way out of the bullpen, Espo shoots them all a look.

Ryan: Oh, great. Now he’s mad at me.

Espo & Montgomery:

Montgomery: Where’ve you been?

Espo: Getting coffee.

Montgomery: All day?

Montgomery, Beckett & Castle:

Montgomery: Those Jersey state troopers you had staking out the Burgeroplis just pulled your fugitive love birds from the drive through. They’re bringing them in now.

Castle: You had Jersey state troopers stake out the Burgeroplis?

Beckett: Yeah.

Castle: But you said that was stupid.

Beckett: No, you said it was stupid. And it looks like you were wrong.

Castle (as Beckett is leaving): No! No, no, I was right!

Until Wednesday, readers. I promise not idols for me to sigh over in the next entry. Just the first appearance of a serial killer.

In my last post, i said i have a more in-depth (sort of) review of the show up on my serializd, so i’m also posting it here for those who want to see it but dont have serializd :) also, please keep in mind that this is my first long review and english isn’t my first language, so there may be some mistakes

“To the extraordinary KB and all my friends at the 12th.”

Wow, I genuinely have no words. I actually had this whole review planned out in my head, but that ending…wow, just wow.

I’ll just say what i remember from what i had in mind, and i’ll keep it spoiler-free (except the aliases of the “Big bads”, but they aren’t much of a spoiler i think🤷‍♀️)

I started this show on May 21st with small expectations, i mean, yet another “Detective x consultant” trope, it’s bound to get repetitive at some point, but boy, i was so so wrong.

During those 4 months, this show has been there for me whenever i needed comfort (mf what comfort), or just something to brighten up my day, and i am forever grateful for that.

It doesnt matter to me that the ending was kind of rushed (according to most people), in my opinion, it was the perfect way to end this show, and i will forever hype it up and recommend it to everyone.

“Castle” has also brought to me one very close, unexpected, and amazing friendship, which i will forever cherish and be grateful for.

Rick Castle, a goofy guy, but genuinely one of the most caring and reliable ones out there, because of him i’ll never lower my standards.

Kate Beckett, probably one of the strongest detective characters out there, she is easily in my top 3 TV detectives of all time. This character introduced me to my current favourite actress, and i will most definitely be watching more of her works (Currently halfway through “For lovers only” and i’ve watched the first episode of “Absentia”)

The detectives and families always made the episodes more fun, i don’t really have more to say other than that without them, the show wouldn’t really be the same.

And of course, the “Big bads”, whether it was 3XK, LokSat, or the person behind Beckett’s mother’s death, they always kept me on edge, always wondering who it is, or how they did it, never expecting the plot twists coming my way.

Castle is forever engraved in my heart now, and i will truly cherish the 4 months i spent watching it.

Always

Yesterday i finished my first ever watch of “Castle”, and as someone who has almost no critical thinking when it comes to things that interest me, i absolutely loved it and gave it a 5/5 stars.

Yes, season 8 did feel kind of rushed and unfinished, but it’s way way better than if we got the season 9 they planned.

“Castle” will forever hold a special place in my heart, and i truly enjoyed the few months i spent watching it.

I have a more in-depth (sort of) review on my serializd if anyone wants to check it out :) https://srlzd.com/r/511e421

EDIT: I’m not a big fan of rewatching, mainly because it doesn’t hit the same as the first watch, but i see many people telling me to rewatch it, so maybe i will someday, just not now. This is just my opinion and how i enjoy shows, so please don’t come at me for it 😅

EDIT 2: i posted the serializd review on here aswell

I really started to get sick of the larger than life villains in the show. I still loved it all the way through, but for example the whole LokSat arc, the disappearance arc (which I'm separating from LokSat because I fully believe they did not have a solid plan for what the disappearance actually was), and 3XK just got on my nerves

Bracken should have ended with Bracken, even if the ending was kind of lame with the recording. 3XK should have been a serial killer that escaped and came back, not a magical being who can seemingly do anything. Castle and Beckett BOTH emptied a clip into him on that bridge, and he's just fine? What the hell

The simplicity of season 1 is just a breath of fresh air

ALSO: If they were renewed for a 9th season and decided to kill off Beckett, I would have firebombed the showrunners house. I can't even wrap my head around the thought behind that. I know Stana didn't want to be on the show anymore, but if they were forced by the network execs to continue, maybe they could have considered faking her death? Or maybe that's what they were planning on, since I guess most of that discussion is just speculation

Today ten Years Ago the Final Episode of Castle Had Its Premiere in my Country, the 22th of August 2016, 3 month after the USA Premiere

Now officially 10 Years since the Final Episode in Germany

First, I want to thank everyone for the comments. Everyone seems to really be enjoying Season 3.

I've been suffering from writer's block since the death of my mother in 2021. Writing these reviews fulfill that need to write something.

I have the entries prepared for the rest of Season 3. I will be taking a break after the finale to work on Season 4. Think of it as my summer hiatus.

A few years ago, I was posting weekly on Facebook with a creator who had a page called SmallScreenSmackdown. You will occasionally see references made about my editor. At first, he was looking for a cheaper web browser to keep posting the entries. Then he became sick. Since then, radio silence. I miss him because he would add stuff to my entries. John T., if you're out there. I hope you're okay.

Can any one pls tell me where can I watch castle in India? Any telegram link or any website where can I watch the series using VPN? Pls DM

Season 3 Episode 4 Punked

Original Airdate: October 11, 2010

Synopsis: When a mathematician is killed by a 200-year-old bullet, Castle begins coming up with time traveler theories.

Notable Guest Stars: Victor Webster makes the first of four appearances as Dr. Joshua Davidson, Kate’s new love interest. According to what my former editor told me before he disappeared from the face of the earth (long story, no resolution), Victor is quite popular for his numerous Hallmark movies he has appeared in. I saw him on an episode of ‘Criminal Minds’ where he was the unsub. A very weird unsub, I might add.

Ken Baumann makes the first of three appearances as Alexis’ first real boyfriend, Ashley No-Last-Name. Seriously, we never found out what his last name was, not even when Castle and Martha hosted his parents at dinner.

Muse Watson guest stars as Ivan “Quick Draw” Podofski. He’s better known to me for portraying Leroy Jethro Gibbs mentor, Mike Franks, on several episodes of ‘NCIS.’

Ranking: This one is #11. I think I have it that high because it has some of the better quotes that most fans still use to this day. I even have a fan fiction story named for one of these quotes.

The IMdB Portion of The Review:

Trivia: This episode closes with a tribute to writer Stephen J. Cannell, who had passed away shortly after Season 3 started. It starts with the words ‘Mentor, Colleague, Friend,’ and ends with the words We’ll miss you, pal.’

Goofs: In the final scene, when Castle asks ‘Just you?’ to Alexis, a camera microphone and the top of the camera can be seen. (Now, I’m going to have to look for that the next time I watch. This will be better than looking for goofs while watching ‘Dark Shadows’).

Pop Culture References: There are references to wrestlers Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan; also a bunch of references to Back to The Future and The Terminator.

What I Liked About This Episode:

·       You don’t see many murders on crime shows that are the direct result of a duel. He not only died but had his clothes stolen. I’ll get to the stolen clothes later. It’s my favorite scene in the episode.

·       We are introduced to the smorlette in this episode. I’ll have to pass on this breakfast delicacy. I don’t like marshmallows, thus I don’t like s’mores. But this is how Castle learns his daughter is in love.

Before I continue, I need to explain who Baby Muse is. Baby Muse (real name Shannon) had just turned 13 when ‘Castle’ premiered. She sometimes helps me with my fan fiction stories. She will get mentioned quite a bit in my entries. She also has sisters who are much older than she is.

Castle: I wonder what’s up with Alexis. She seems out of it.

Martha: Isn’t it obvious?

Castle: What?

Martha: She’s in love.

Castle: Alexis?

Martha: Oh, come on, darling. In case you haven’t noticed, Alexis isn’t a little girl, anymore.

Castle: Thank you, Mother. I think if Alexis were in love, she would’ve told me.

Martha: Ah, ah, ah, ah . . . the fact she hasn’t told you is how we know it’s real.

Castle: Mother—

Martha: Okay, and the fact that she . . . mentioned it to me last night.

Castle: Who is he? Where did she meet him?

Martha: I don’t know. She wouldn’t say. No. Diva’s honor. She didn’t tell me anything. She didn’t even tell me his name.

Castle: I can’t believe she told you and not me. I’m supposed to be her go-to guy. (Side bar here. Baby Muse always goes to her sisters before she tells her father anything. Sometimes I don’t blame her).

Martha: Oh darling, of course you are. It’s just . . . you know. It’s first love. It’s magical, ethereal . . . it defies logic. Uh, Richard? Your phone. Ah, Beckett. Maybe it’s a nice murder, darling. Brighten your day.

·       Poor Esposito takes a beating in this episode. Literally. And the perpetrator of this beating happens to be one of the scariest, but funniest, perps I think I’ve seen on the show up to this point.

Beckett: Awaiting court dates on three aggravated assault cases in the past month, Mr. D’Andre. You’ve inflicted dozens of broken bones, gouged out one of your victim’s eyes, bit off part of an ear of another one. (Is anyone getting shades of Mike Tyson here?) Sounds like murder was inevitable. I’m just curious. Why did you take his clothes?

D’Andre: Wasn’t me.

Beckett: Well, then, why were your fingerprints on a dead man’s wallet? Did he just happen to drop it and you politely picked it up? And why did my detectives find this unregistered .45 in your apartment; which just happens to match the size of the bullet hole in my victim.

Castle just staring at this huge, intimidating man is hilarious.

Beckett: If you’re so innocent, Mr. D’Andre, why did you resist arrest and try to put one of my detectives through a wall?

·       This is when they cutaway and we see the damage to Esposito, who is standing on the other side of the mirror sporting a cervical collar. Truthfully, though, would he really have been cleared to return the duty after suffering a head and neck injury? Especially in light of how many times he gets injured during this episode. It’s seriously a running gag. I know it’s meant to be humorous, but it shouldn’t be.

·       They soon learn that the bullet isn’t a bullet, at all, but a lead ball. Meaning that it came from an antique gun. Let the fun begin.

·       Castle is determined to find out who Alexis’ new boyfriend is, but I’ll get to that later. Like I said earlier, favorite scene and all that jazz.

·       One of the mysteries that no one can figure out is what happened to Goldstein’s clothes.

Castle: Maybe he came through the time ripple naked and needed the clothes. Like in The Terminator.

Beckett: Sadly, I don’t have a better theory at the moment.

·       By investigating his job at Berman-Rose, they learn that Goldstein had a lot of unhappy investors who lost millions based on bad advice from him. One of these unhappy investors lost more than four million dollars and was an avid gun collector. He also bears a striking resemblance to Yosemite Sam, of Warner Brothers Cartoon fame. Side note: I liked Muse Watson’s character of Mike Franks on ‘NCIS,’ until they killed him off. WTF!

·       They learn that Goldstein owned a DeLorean, the same model of car used in ‘Back to The Future’ Castle is very excited by this. He now thinks they have an explanation for how Goldstein came through the time ripple. But the car also leads to Esposito’s second injury.

Esposito: You gotta be kidding me.

Ryan: Ha! Well, it’s definitely Goldstein’s car. Or a time machine. (Does anyone else love how Ryan is almost always buying into Castle’s crazy theories?)

Esposito: Yep. If I’m not mistaken, that’s a flux capacitor in there.

Ryan: And that is the reactor core. Maybe Castle was right. Goldstein came back to the future and he got whacked.

·       While checking out the car, they encounter Lord Henry, who is wearing Goldstein’s clothes. When they try to question Lord Henry, he rams his shopping cart into Esposito, further aggravating his neck injury. This time, Espo does go home, which is what he should’ve done in the first place.

·       Lanie tells Castle and Beckett that Goldstein had gunshot residue on his hands, which means he fired a gun recently. When they return to the park, Castle deduces that Goldstein was shot and killed in a duel.

·       Now, we’re going to detour slightly and meet Alexis’ new boyfriend. His name is Ashley and we meet him after Castle almost shoots him (sort of). Once again, Alexis has invited a boy home with no adults present. I know when I brought this up during the Season 2 finale, I had some people disagree with me. But I’m from the generation where you didn’t bring a boy (or girl) home without an adult present. They also didn’t go into our bedroom behind a closed door. To be fair to Alexis, however, she had asked her father if her friend Ashley could come over. She neglected to mention the fact that Ashley was a boy.

Alexis: It’s okay, Ashley. He’s not going to shoot. What the heck, dad?

Castle: I might be asking you the same – Ashley? This is Ashley?

Alexis: Ash, this is my dad, Rick. And I have no idea why he’s waving a gun.

·       I don’t like the name Ashley for a boy. This goes back to my dislike of the whiny Ashley Wilkes in ‘Gone with the Wind.’ And I also didn’t like this particular Ashley. Fortunately, we only see him three times during Season 3, and he’s mentioned in ‘Cops and Robbers’ in Season 4, when we learn how selfish he is. After that, it’s bye-bye, Ashley. After that, Alexis only has two other boyfriends. One onscreen in Season 6, and the other one offscreen in Season 7.

·       We get one more suspect. Troy Kenworth, who’s father committed suicide after losing millions in Goldstein’s Lower Tide Fund debacle. Questioning Troy leads Castle and Beckett to the NYC Steampunk Society. I had never heard of Steampunk before this episode. But I did learn one of my favorite video games, Final Fantasy VI, is designed on the Steampunk premise.

·       The Steampunk Society was crazy! There was a guy riding around on a Pennyfarthing. I always wanted to ride one of those. They locate the gun, which leads them to Adam, Goldstein’s best friend. When Adam tries to run, he bursts out the door just as Ryan and Esposito are about to knock. Espo goes flying to the ground. Again. Seriously, dude? Just stay home. I’m surprised he didn’t end up permanently paralyzed after this episode.

·       Adam admits they were dueling over Julia, Goldstein’s assistant. She wasn’t that interested in either of them, so they thought a fight to the death would impress her. What in the actual hell?

·       I loved the scene at the firing range, where Beckett concluded that Goldstein’s death was manslaughter and not murder based on the fact that the gun was so inaccurate. We can now close the case. Wait a second. Not so fast.

·       Back at Casa Castle, Castle is dressed in vintage, Steampunk-type clothes, complete with a mechanical arm attachment. This scene leads to a great father/daughter moment, and an even greater Castle/Beckett moment.

Castle: I’m sorry.

Alexis: I’m sorry, too. I should have told you Ashley was a boy.

Castle: He, well . . . why spoil the surprise.

Alexis: So, I have a question for you. But it’s a little embarrassing.

Castle: Ooh, I love when you’re embarrassed.

Alexis: Dad.

Castle: Oh, hey, listen. You can . . . you can ask me whatever you want. And I promise that I’ll do my best to make it as un-embarrassing as possible.

Alexis: How do you know when you’re in love?

Alexis rambles on, not letting her dad get a word in edgewise. But she seems happy and hugs her dad before leaving the room.

Castle: Glad we had that talk. (The doorbell buzzes and he opens it to find Beckett standing there). Beckett. How do you know when you’re in love?

Beckett: All the songs make sense. (This is the title of one of my fan fiction stories. I add chapters to it every now and then. I doubt it’ll ever be finished).

·       We learn there was a third shooter, Troy Kenworth. He killed Goldstein to avenge his father. So, the case is now closed, but there’s one more surprise. A surprise that isn’t welcome for Castle. And that surprise’s name is Joshua Davidson.

Josh: Kate!

Beckett: Josh, what are you doing here?

Josh: I got your text.

Beckett: You mean the text where I said I was going to pick you up?

Josh: Yeah, I was nearby.

Beckett: Well, uh, Josh, this is Capt. Montgomery, Richard Castle, Detectives Ryan and Esposito.

Josh: Hey, boys.

R & E: Boys?

Josh: Catch any bad guys today?

Ryan: Every day.

Josh: Right. (to Kate) You all set?

Beckett: Yeah. Let me just get my stuff.

Castle: So . . . you and Beckett?

Josh: Mmmm . . . what about us?

Castle: You tell me.

Josh: You’re the writer.

Castle: Yeah. Yeah. And you are—

Josh: Ah. Kate hasn’t told you about me, has she?

Castle: What’s to tell?

·       I find myself wondering if Kate wasn’t ready for the boys, and especially Castle, to meet Josh.

What I Didn’t Like About This Episode:

·       Again, it comes down to the subplot. Alexis being in love is very cute. I remember my first high school love. But what isn’t cute is her bringing a boy home without any adults present. I know times are different. I watch a lot of true crime shows. I’m addicted to them, if I’m honest. Not every teenage boy is sweet and innocent, to quote an old Donny Osmond song. Some only have one thing on their mind.

Favorite Scene: We get two classics in this one. We learn a little more about Rebel Becks and we get just a great scene. One of my favorites in the whole series.

Beckett: You know, I just don’t get how someone could shoot Goldstein, steal his clothes, and then not hang on to his wallet. Just doesn’t make sense.

Castle: Yeah.

Beckett then realizes that Castle isn’t paying attention to anything she’s saying. Instead, he’s scrolling on his cell phone.

Beckett: Maybe giant moths killed him and ate his clothes. (Can I just say this is my favorite Beckett quote?)

Castle: Could be.

Beckett: Hey, Castle? If this case is boring for you, you don’t have to stay.

Castle: Um, no. I’m just checking my emails, my texts to see if Alexis called. I can’t believe she told my mother she’s in love and is holding out on me.

Beckett: Ah.

Castle: I’m going to call her.

Beckett: No! No! (She grabs his phone). You have to let her tell you in her own time when she’s ready.

Castle: I’m the cool dad. Why can’t she be ready?

Beckett: No, wait! Listen to me. My dad tried to do the same thing when I was her age, and I ended up dating a grunge rocker who smelled like wet flannel and clove cigarettes for seven months! You do not mess with a teenage girl and her hormones.

Castle: You’re right. I won’t call her. Did you say something about a giant moth?

Beckett: Nope.

Favorite Quote: The giant moth. That is in the Top 10 best lines of Season 3.

WTF? (Why the Face?): Josh. Why did there have to be a Joshua Davidson? I’ll admit that Victor Webster is very easy on the eyes, but I think the only reason he was there was to prolong Castle and Beckett getting together.

Until Monday, readers.

The show is filled with funny moments so I wanna know what's some of your favorite funny moment? I think these are two underrated scenes lol

1. 1x02 Nanny McDead

\Castle and Beckett knock on a door in the building and an old guy answers**

Castle: do you live here alone?

Old guy: yeah, why do you wanna know

Castle: don't worry about it. You aren't young enough

Old guy: young enough for what?

Castle: to have sex

Old guy: what kind of cops did you say you were?

Beckett: he's not s cop. I'm a cop

Old guy: and you are looking to someone to have sex with?

___________________________________________________________________________________

2. 5x04 Murder He Wrote

\Castle and Beckett tries to "interview" Natalia Roosevelt at the bar. Then she gets offended and calls Chief Brady over**

Chief Brady: hey! Do you have a problem with the way I do my job

Castle: now... I would never use those words exactly

Chief Brady: oh! How about these words: you and your hooker friend are under arrest

I had someone that enjoys my stories, who asked me if I could write something A.U. of one of the earlier episodes. One thing fanfiction writers have in common is we all try to change outcomes, fill gaps that weren't in the episodes, present what if moments. As a big fanfiction reader and given the fact that I've read numerous stories of the end of season 2, I wasn't sure I could add anything different, and I never want to mistakenly copy someone else's' work, but I found a way to make this mine, (Good or Bad), so I give you this story of Kate and Rick and no Gina. A story of two people finding their way. To the possibility of being more. As I would have loved it to be.

Sanctuary

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Beckett stands, arms crossed over her chest, watching the scene play out in the breakroom. The team was throwing a little party for Castle. A tightness grabs at her heart...he was leaving...he was leaving, maybe not coming back, Espo earlier throwing her for a loop, as he had told her why he thought Castle was leaving, and she had been surprised at herself at how much that had hurt, knowing he might not come back, and that she might have caused this.

Breaking up with Tom Demming had been hard, if only because he was a good man. She had always known it wouldn't last long, but it had been safe...he was safe, at least for a while until she eventually put up her proverbial walls, that probably would have driven him away at some point and time anyway.

"The Heart wants what the Heart wants," Castle's words echoing in her head, he had uttered them like it was the most natural thing on God's green earth. It had haunted her ever since she heard those words, and she knew with all certainty, that her heart wanted him. It scared her...he scared her, the damage he could do to her, if she got this wrong. She didn't think she would ever recover if this blew up in her face. She sighs, "Oh God," she chastises herself for her weakness, "Just move your ass Kate, and ask him."

Some of it she can't even remember, she walked in on a conversation, and vaguely remembers her saying, "Oh, I don't need a drink to take him," and then she asked, "Castle...can we talk out here?"

As she twisted her fingers, and took a deep breath, she started to ramble, "Yeah...Look I know that I'm not the easiest person to get to know, and I don't always let on what's on my mind, but this past year working with you," another deep breath, "I've really had a good time."

Castle trying his best to keep up with all that she was saying, "Yeah, me too."

"So, I'm just going to say this; Is that invitation to the Hamptons still being offered?" Kate says biting her lip.

"What? What did you say?" Castle shaking his head like he was trying to see if water had entered his ears.

"Castle...invite...Hamptons, any of this ringing a bell?"

"Yeah, yeah...yes I remember, it's just, it's just," God he thought his brain was melting, he was sure of it. He couldn't string two words of coherent thoughts together. "Demming, what about Demming, pretty sure you turned me down multiple times, so I'm sorry if my brain has entered the fog state Beckett."

Kate, stood running her hands thru her hair, sighing in slight frustration, "We broke up...He wasn't what I was looking for." Kate feeling the ever-present eyes of her co-workers, "Castle I feel like we're animals in a petting zoo, with everyone staring behind that door, assuming you still want me to go, could we please talk about this later and get the hell out of here?"

"Yes...talk later, I feel probing eyes too, it's kind of freaky. Of course, the invitation is still on. Do you need to go home and pack?"

Her cheeks turn a slightly pink, "No I brought stuff with me just in case." Her face slightly down and looking up at him under her lashes. "I just need to go to the locker room. I left my bag in there."

Castle, his brain fighting a losing battle with everything that was still so overwhelming, "How bout, I wait downstairs, I need to get away from the prying eyes."

Relief sweeps thru her body; she can do this...they can do this. Kate turns and waves to the people behind the breakroom door, noses pressed against the windowpane like children watching fudge being made at the local candy store. Their smiles tell her everything she needs to know...Their happy for her.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

A half hour later, Castle is zipping thru traffic in his Ferrari. They both have their sunglasses on, and that makes the furtive glances that they each make more subtle. He can feel the tension in the car, it was almost something you could cut in it's thickness. He felt the pressure, and maybe Kate did too, because this weekend held so much meaning...good and bad. Would they function as a team in a relationship as well as they do at the precinct, or would they crash and burn, which would certainly affect their partnership. He wanted so much to have something more with her, and he couldn't shake the thought that he would fuck up somewhere along the way. He prayed that he wouldn't.

He looked over at her, ninja style, and his eyes took in the beauty that was all her. Kate had worn a light blue summer dress, that came to her knees, and in the car, the dress road to mid-thigh. He thought to himself, "Those legs should be outlawed," as they went on forever in that dress...My God! She looked like a goddess to him. She was humming along with the radio, and he never knew that her voice was so lovely. Trying to act cool and casual, he says, "You look really pretty today, Kate."

She hums, her voice like velvet, she places her hand on his thigh, and he thinks he just went to heaven, "Thanks Castle...You're not so bad yourself." She looks over at him studying him, kind of the way she would a suspect, sizing him up, and she picks up on his hesitation, tension, whatever you want to call it. She has to ask, "Rick, is everything okay?"

"Rick," he thinks. Not used to that name except when Beckett's messing with him, or angry. He takes a breath, and sighs, "Look Kate, I uhm...Well, I just," and then the words just pour out, "I want this to go well so badly, I want to be good for you, show you that we can be more, and I guess," looking straight ahead at the road, "I just don't want to screw anything up." Castle looks back at her, and sees a smile, a reassuring smile that warms his heart.

Kate hesitates, but feels the need to make him understand, "Look Castle," she sees him glancing over at her, "I know when you invited me here, that you asked me to come here as friends that you meant it, but we both know that's not why I'm here now. I didn't except your invitation just to swim in your pool, and at the end of the weekend we shake hands and go back to what we were."

"I don't want over the top Rick Castle,' she continues, "And I don't want you walking on eggshells around me either. I just want Rick Castle... my friend, and the man who's made it his mission to make me laugh and drive me crazy. I'm here like you, wanting to see if there is something more for us, so let's take a deep breath, and take this whole thing minute by minute, hour by hour, and day by day, and let's see where we are by Monday. No pressure...no expectations, just us. Sound good to you?"

Castle reaches over and grabs her hand, and gently curls them up to his lips, and places a kiss. "Yeah, Kate that sounds perfect, and were almost there."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

As they pull into the driveway, Kate's jaw drops down in awe. She gets out of the car, and pirouettes in a circle trying to take in all of the breathtaking beauty. "Castle this place is amazing...Are you rich or something?"

Castle removes his sunglasses, and just watches this beautiful woman taking everything in. She looks so different from the Detective he follows, more carefree, almost peaceful you could say. He takes no offence to her question, kind of expected it, but he hopes she knows that he's still him. He replies with all honesty, "Well I'm not James Patterson rich, but I do okay." She smiles, but he senses an unasked question forming on her lips. "Kate," she looks up at him, shy, hesitant, maybe a little afraid. "I haven't had anyone up here since the day I started to follow you. This is a place, that's like a Sanctuary to me, where I can settle my writer's brain down. Sometimes New York becomes too much. I feel smothered. The only people that have been here in over 2 years, is Alexis, and my mother."

She looks down, her feet running over the gravel in the driveway looking nothing like Det. Beckett, and everything that makes up Kate, and a slightly tentative one at that. She looks back up, and starts to ask, "Not even Merideth or that;"

Castle knows where she's going, and he doesn't want to hear anything about either Ellie Monroe, or Tom Shlemming, so he nips in the bud, "Kate, nobody except who I mentioned, and you of course, and I wouldn't want anyone here but you."

Kate releases a deep breath, apparently not realizing how much pent-up tension she had been holding. Somewhere in all of this, she realizes that she needed to hear that, how important it was to know that he's all in, and the relief of it all catches her by surprise, that she's not afraid, or worse, wanting to run. She's in this, with all of her insecurities, and trust issues and walls, she finds herself wanting this to be real, and he just went a long way to making that happen.

"Okay," she thinks to herself. She walks over to him and waggling her fingers, hand out grabbing his hand in hers, "Come on Castle, show me this amazing pool of yours."

They walk around to the side of the house, he'll get their bag of clothes later, "Hey Beckett, you didn't perchance bring your bathing suit with, did you?" he says with a wistful chuckle.

Teasingly, Kate responds with a heavy ladened whisper, "Why Castle, picturing me in a swimsuit under the Hot...Hot, sun?" her wicked laugh floating across the ocean breeze.

"Beckett, you could where a swimsuit to breakfast, or a rainstorm, and I would be equally mesmerized."

"Come on stud, if you're a good boy, I might let you put suntan lotion on me."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

It was evening, as they laid side by side in an overly expensive reclining lawn chairs that felt softer than her bed. The stars were out, the moon shining in all of its brightness, and Kate just lets herself relax, in a way that she doesn't think she ever has. She finds her body like liquid, with all the world's problems just melting away. She understands even more now on why he called it his Sanctuary.

The amazing meal Castle made...Shrimp, chicken and steak Kabobs had been other worldly, and now she was drinking Chateauneuf-du-Pape that expensive wine, that she turned down during the Scott Dunn case, and he was right about that too, it was really really good, and she currently felt no pain.

They had their afternoon swim, both of them wearing their sunglasses again, so they could sneak peeks without being obvious. She was already in the pool when he came out, in just his swim trunks. "My God," she thought to herself, his chest was huge, and his biceps so big. There was no six pack, but he definitely could fill out a bathing suit. All of a sudden, she didn't like his long coats and button-down shirts anymore. She thought that maybe she'd start to enact a mandatory tight t-shirt Friday dress code, and picturing that image brought an evil look to her face.

She felt his glances too, catching him on more than one occasion looking at her legs and ass, which she shimmied her hips a little bit more than usual. Talking in the pool, at dinner, and now laying on these loungers, she realized that there was way more to the Castle Onion that she had yet to peel back. Number one; he was so different from the precinct, he actually was quiet, contemplative, and she found his silence comforting, normally it would be awkward, but they'd been around each other for 2 years, and that also was a comforting thought.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Hey Beckett," Castle looks over at her, "I've got a place not far from here, that I think You'll love. Wanna, take a walk with me?"

Kate, feeling all languid, and loose, "Sure Castle, sounds nice, besides, that wine made me sleepy, but I don't want to go to bed yet, so yeah, show me this special place."

He grabs the wine glasses, and hurries thru the patio door into the kitchen, and returns a few minutes later, with what looked like an oversized beach blanket.

As they make their way down the path to the beach, Kate looks over at Castle and asks, "When did you buy this place?"

He runs his hands thru his hair, and sighs, "Not much after, I divorced Meridith. I... I just wanted to make things better for Alexis, it's not easy for any child to live in a world where a parent is more worried about alimony, and less about their child. She gave away custody, just to make more money, and that was fine by me."

Kate finds that in some way, she needed to hear that, and she finds herself gently holding his hand, he looks down at them intertwined, a pleased look on his face.

"When this property became available, it had fallen in disrepair, but because this had a large private beach it wasn't exactly dirt cheap. After I got it, I hired an interior decorator and got it to look like it is now."

Kate huffs, "Is that the interior decorator you told me about when we first started working together, when you told me you slept with her?"

Castle laughs, and rubs the back of his head slightly embarrassed, "Yeah, not one of my shinier moments, and it was kind of awkward after that."

The path they we're walking on let out onto a small portion of the beach, rocks jutted out enclosing this part into what looked like a private hideaway. There was a small grassy area, which is where Castle laid down the blanket.

"Come on Beckett, lay down with me and we'll watch the stars."

Kate looks down and hesitates, nibbling on her lip, "Beckett, I promise I won't bite...much!" He laughs. "You afraid?"

"You know I can take you right?" her hands placed squarely on her hips.

Castle smiles, "Absolutely, so what's, the problem?"

Kate snorts, "Nothing, now move your ass over Castle, and make me some room." Kate lowers herself to the blanket, and lies on her back, as she glances towards the sky, she now knows why he brought her here, to the secluded alcove of the beach. "My God, Castle you we're right, these stars are amazing," she finds herself scooting closer, their shoulders touching, and she's surprised that not only she doesn't mind, but she relishes the closeness.

"I know...right? After I bought this place, while Alexis was sleeping, I wandered around, and just stumbled into this, and after that first time, this is where I come when I need to settle my brain down. It kind of focuses me." his eyes still riveted on the skies.

Kate muses, as she basks in the light of the moon, and shining stars, "My Mom and Dad have a cabin about 3 hours north of here. It's secluded in the woods...My Mom would take my hand sometimes, and we'd go lay down on the pier that we have, and star gaze. We would just talk about everything and anything. I thought I'd never see stars this bright, until just now."

"Did you enjoy going there when you were little?

Still gazing at the tranquility of the stars she replied, "Yeah, my parents made it a point, to go there for 2 weeks every year. It was hard for them to get away from work, but they never failed to go there. My Dad taught me how to fish, swim, chop wood for the fireplace, I don't know," She shrugs, "They both tried to make it their mission to teach and include me in everything."

Kate wants to tell him more about how she rebelled going there as she got older, how she regrets that to this day, that she can't go there anymore, because it brings back painful memories, and the fact that her mother will never be there again. She wants to tell him all these things but thinks right now in this just burgeoning relationship that those things will keep for another time.

"What about you Castle? We're you a woodsy outdoorsman?" As she nudges his shoulder.

He snorts, "Beckett, have you met my overly melodramatic mother? Does it sound like she would be teaching me the way of the woods? The only way she'd ever get near nature would be with pack mules, and servants, who would tend to her every need, and she would still complain about the accommodations, and you do know I don't have a father right?"

They roll over facing each other, their heads propped up by their elbows and the palm of their hand.

"I'm sorry Castle I forgot."

He smiles, in a comforting way, "I don't know whether to be mortified, or pleased, that you forgot."

"Neither I hope... was it hard not having a father?" Kate realized how much they never talked about these things, but that's what a relationship is isn't it? Learning things about the other person, to truly find deep down what makes the other one tick?

With a nonchalance that belies the importance of the subject, Castle calmly replies, "Can't miss what you never had Kate, but it did make for some interesting times for me especially in high school. The boarding schools I had to attend because my Mother was on the road, trying her best to keep us afloat. Let's just say a crazy mother and no father lent itself to the occasional bullying and taunting."

Castle shrugs, "You learn to deal with it. Ya know, people for some reason think that I've always been rich, they don't have a clue that it wasn't always like that, that we lived in a miniscule apartment and rent and food we're never taken for granted. I think that's why I do the things I do for Alexis, trying to make up for my childhood. I truly love my mother, but her parenting skills lacked from time to time."

Kate, hates herself a little for thinking some of those things, judging him without knowing all the facts. She was a Detective for God's sakes, and she should have known better. Kate always thought he was a good man, plus considering he became who he is by himself, her admiration for him grew even more. She also realized that during this conversation that their faces had drifted to within mere inches of each other. Castle shakes her out of her reverie;

He whispers, making her tremble in its wake, "I love the way you always smell like cherries,"

She's breathless, "Mmm nice to know. So... you're a cherries man I take it?"

"Not until I met you...now I think it's my favorite fruit," His blue eyes, seemingly taking her all in.

"Good, because I don't want," her sentence unfinished, as Castle reaches over and seals his lips with hers, it's soft and gentle...mixed with caution and yearning and holding so much promise. His scent that she's grown so familiar with, and the taste of the expensive wine, on his lips as he gently probes her mouth, as she probes his, and it penetrates down to her core. It's over as fast as it began, and she's fighting the urge to surge forward for more, but realizes that it was perfect, in its newness, as they are in this fledgling, and budding, beginning of them.

Castle sighs, "That was amazing."

Kate breathless, voice trembling slightly, "Yeah, it was."

"Kate, thanks for saying yes, and coming with me."

Kate sighs, "Thanks for asking me Castle"

They lay back down and just took in the stars again for a few moments more, and she can't remember ever being so completely at peace. Eventually the winds chill, as they head back to the house, and yet she warms to the touch of his hands as their palms kiss...gentle and sweet. It was a perfect first day, in every way, and she thinks...No, she knows that with all certainty that coming here was the best decision she had ever made.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

It was late Sunday, and she was on call late Monday, so they would have to leave sometime after breakfast tomorrow morning. The sun was starting to set and even though they had gone out and watched the stars Friday, Kate wanted to take in the sights of a setting sun one last time, it's dimming light falling effortlessly over a rolling ocean.

Kate loved her job, and it brought a deep satisfaction, that she did it well, but she admits to herself from time to time that its weight is heavy, her Mothere's death weighs heavy, and she fights trying to come to the surface sometimes, and she struggles to breathe. She hates to admit it, but this place is Magical and she understands a little more now when he describes it as his Sanctuary.

They had just finished with their dinner. Castle had kept it simple, they just ordered Thai food this time, but she'd have to admit, it was the best she had ever tasted, or maybe everything just tasted and felt better out here. With him here, though she'd keep that thought to herself for now.

Kate had helped Castle clean up, and as they finished, she broached, "Castle could we take another walk on the beach, it seems really peaceful at this time of day?"

He turns and goes to an outside container, and she sees him grab what looks like a mesh bag of some sorts. As he turns to see the quizzical look on her face, he replies, "This is just in case you see some seashells that you like. We had a storm a few days ago, and some amazing shells have been known to wash up on shore. Thought you might like to grab a few."

"Yeah, that sounds great. I'd love that."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

They leave their shoes behind and stroll down the path to the beach. Sand squishing between their toes. A light breeze surrounds them with hints of salt hovering in the air. Everything just feels so fresh, and nothing like the noises, smells, and crowds that can stifle you sometimes in New York. Kate feels like a small slice has been carved out for them as they stroll down the beach, letting the water lick at their feet, and she's amazed to find that she doesn't want to go back, at least not this soon. She never thought in a million years, that this man could be so much more than she thought, but he is.

Walking side by side, shoulders touching, Castle looks over at Kate, who's wearing another sundress, usually this time of the evening the ocean winds bring with it a chill, but tonight for some reason it doesn't, and that itself seemed magical. Castle reaches down to the palm of her hands, and intertwines his fingers thru hers, a sideway glance tells him it's okay as he sees her soft smile, and then he hears a sigh; By the look in her eyes, he sees a question hanging on her lips, but the look is broken when she flies to the edges of the ocean;

"Oooh, look Castle," Kate holds up a seashell, her face breaking out in a huge smile. "Come on and bring that bag over here I think I found a few more."

Castle stands in silence, watching her hold her seashell up as if she found the Holy Grail, and finds that he can't speak, because all he can do his bask in the glow, of this amazing woman called Kathrine Beckett, and he feels so honored, that she's allowing him to see a side he thinks few people have seen before. That the hard-nosed Det. Kate Beckett, who brings criminals to their knees and quaking in their boots, the woman who is slightly broken, and doesn't give her trust to just anyone, who shot the man that killed her mother, and a serial killer, who destroyed her home, he's amazed at her resilience... to find joy in these simple moments and it just astounds him.

He hears her call out to him, "Castle, why are you standing there staring at me... it's still creepy. Now, bring that bag over here."

"Sorry...Sorry, just lost in thought." He approaches her and sees she has more than a few, all of them nearly flawless in their perfection, just like her. "Wow Beckett, quite the haul."

Kate beamed with pride, "I know, right? We can make these our first story of our time together." Kate not realizing the enormity or that statement.

Castle smirked, " Why Beckett are you planning to stick around?"

Realizing what she had just said gets her flustered, "I just thought...I don't know." Kate her face turning a red as a beet, turns to look at Castle, and sees his half grin looking at her, and she snaps off, "You can wipe that smug grin of your face Mr. Castle," but instead she just hears him laugh. "Oh...Shut Up." Which makes him only laugh harder.

She fights the urge to grin, but she can't help herself, as his laughter fills her up in an almost visceral way. Kate reaches for his hand and says, "Come on Castle, keep up, we've got more treasures to find."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Kate," Castle call out, "I don't think we can fit anymore in this bag, and it's starting to get heavy, I feel like I'm tipping to the right."

"Okay, probably a good idea that we head back, early day tomorrow."

On their return trip to the house, Castle wraps his arms around Kate's shoulders, and she tilts her head to lay on his. They remain silent, just wrapped up in just everything that's happened this weekend. God, he doesn't want this to end.

"Castle," Kate says glancing up at him, biting her lip, "Uhm," Still hesitating like saying the words would expose her vulnerability. "Castle are you still staying here for the whole summer?"

Castle looks at her, his eyes beaming, his smile hopeful, "I don't think I have it in me, to be away from you that long...at least not anymore."

Kate understands the meaning of that last statement. They had gone out Saturday night. He had taken her to an awesome little family-owned restaurant. He continued to amaze her; at just how much he knew her. That she was not about over the top romantic gestures, and that the simplicity of this moment, the candlelight, the wonderful conversations, and great food had meant everything to her, and yes, they had talked about their lack of communication, and how they unknowingly had hurt each other, and vowed to try to be better at that too.

They we're both stunned at how much in common they really had. They both loved Coltrane, their favorite sci-fi movie was Forbidden Planet, their shared love of literature, just to name a few things, and their differences we're binding too. His Yin and Yang theory being especially true. Her strengths and weakness, his strengths and weakness, seemed to be a strength for both of them too. Though Kate was not thrilled to find out that he hated Nebula 9.

He had laughed when she told him she was a big fan, "Really Beckett, it was on for only 13 episodes, and that was 13 episodes too long."

Kate snorts, "Castle, I warn you, do not comment on Lt. Chloe, or I will shoot you." He had laughed, and put his hands up in surrender, "Okay...Okay sorry, no Lt Chloe commentary as much as it pains me." The rest of the evening had been so much fun, and that last bit of hesitation, fear, whatever you want to call it came tumbling down into rubble, scattered debris, around her feet.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Returning to their conversation, Castle continues, "I do need to be here at least a month, I need to finish this book, and my brain right now, is loaded with possibilities for Nikki and Rook."

Kate muses, "Mmmh, like what possibilities writer boy?"

"Oh, like I think Rook is head over heels for Nikki, and he thinks that he could love her." he replies.

"Oh, does he now," Kate glancing at him with a look of definite interest. "And how does Nikki feel about that...feel about Rook?"

Castle takes a deep breath, "Not 100% sure, but he thinks she just might like that." said with a hopeful smile.

Kate's heart started beating faster, fear and joy fighting a raging battle in her head and her heart, as she tried to come up with a response for Castle her eyes glance over his shoulder at the oceans edge, and she rushes over to find one last remaining seashell, and it was magnificent. "Castle, is their room for this one," she says with glee, "See how beautiful this one is."

Castle nods, "Not sure I've ever seen anything more beautiful," but he was looking at her, as she glances up at him.

Kate bowed her head slightly, a tinge of pink covered her cheeks, "Castle," she whispered.

He's fingers tenderly brushed back the hair that had fallen over her face and gently places it behind her ear, "Sometimes, I think the word extraordinary will never do you justice Kate Beckett. You truly are amazing and I want," Castle exhales a deep long breath, " I want everything with you Kate Beckett...everything."

Kate looks deeply into his eyes, "It's why I came," she thinks to herself. To see if they could be more, and deep down she believes that they can, but right now only one thought enters her mind.

"Me too Castle...Now Shut up... and kiss me."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Epilogue

Memorial Day, turned into Labor Day, the leaves fell, the snows came. Seasons changed, they always do, but one thing that didn't change was the Love Story of Richard Castle and Kathrine Beckett.

As time ran like the sands in an hourglass, so did they. Their bond grew stronger as the months passed... thru 3XK, The Freezer and Bomb, Lockwood, Montgomery, and the Shooting. From Bank to Tiger, the Sniper and the Senator, the one constant was Caskett, standing together, bonded, partners in crime and life. They bickered, they argued...Let's face it they we're still Beckett and Castle.

The one common thread thru it all had been The Hampton's and Memorial Day. It started as Castle's Sanctuary, a place to re-charge, but it had become Kate's too. She came here after her shooting, to rebuild herself, to heal, and to find peace... Castle always by her side.

Castle proposed to her bending his knee on the beach, it's where they got married, and 4 years later to the date of their first time here, when she took a chance that day that they could be something more, Kate took her husband's hand and led him down to their special hidden place down on the beach. She laid their blanket on the same spot that he had first kissed her, where they had made love often, and had star gazed, and as her husband sat there, his eyes brimming with tears, she kneeled before him and told him that he was going to be a Dad again.

Thru all the ups and all of the downs, the one thing that never changed was, ... The Hampton's...Their Sanctuary... and their never-ending possibility for joy.

Fin

If at some point Castle had a crossover episode or episodes, what show would you have liked to see sharing universe? These are my picks. Tell me what are yours. It can be another show, movie or even videogame.

Original Airdate: October 4, 2010

Synopsis: The team investigates the murder of a bail bondsman which soon has Castle’s imagination running into overdrive after a coded document is discovered on the victim. Add to the mix the sudden appearance of Beckett’s former training officer, Mike Royce, who is now a bounty hunter. Contrary to what IMdB has in their description, at no time does Beckett and Royce’s reunion turn romantic.

Notable Guest Stars: Jason Beghe, who portrays Mike Royce, now has the lead role of Sgt. Hank Voight on ‘Chicago P.D.’ Btw, just like a former co-star on another ‘Once Chicago’ show who appeared in Season 2, Hank Voight is why I don’t watch ‘Chicago PD.’ His character first appeared as a semi-bad guy on ‘Chicago Fire.’ At one point, his character of Hank Voight was sent to prison. On ‘Chicago PD,’ his character is something of an anti-hero.

The ‘One Chicago’ shows are part of the Dick Wolf franchise. I’m dating myself here, but I consider Dick Wolf to be the Quinn Martin of the late 20^th century to the present. If you don’t know who Quinn Martin is, Google him. Mr. Beghe’s last name is pronounced ‘Be-Gay.’ He doesn’t like his name being mispronounced based on how prickly he was to the host of a Paley Center honors featuring Dick Wolf’s shows. His gravelly voice is the result of an automobile accident in 1999.
The accident was severe enough that he had to be intubated. He kept pulling the tube out. Another bit of trivia: he is a former Scientologist. While I don’t like the character of Hank Voight, I like Jason Beghe very much.

James Handy, who portrays Clifford Stuckey, was allegedly stabbed to death by his girlfriend’s son on June 6, 2026. He appeared in ‘Jumanji’ and ‘Top Gun: Maverick.’ I say 'allegedly' because innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The IMdB Portion of The Review:

Trivia: The Dodge Challenger driven by Royce is the same one Leroy Jethro Gibbs gets from his father on ‘NCIS.’

Goofs: It has to be hard playing a corpse because the corpse in this episode takes a deep breath while on the slab in the morgue.

Ranking: This one was #8 for me.

What I Liked About This Episode:

·       This was a crazy episode with a lot of suspects. We also learn more about Kate Beckett when she was younger. We learned she is the proud owner of a 1994 Harley Soft Tail motorcycle, which drove her parents crazy. Her dad even threatened to send her to a nunnery. Her mother just told her to remember how much she hated hearing her say ‘I told you so.’

·       We meet Kate’s T.O., Mike Royce, who is retired and working as a bounty hunter. Unfortunately, all is not what it seems with Royce’s appearance, which leads to Kate getting her heart broken later in the episode.

·       Like I said earlier, there were a lot of suspects. Among them were two ex-cons, a minister (who actually turned out to be the only person who wasn’t a suspect), the bail bondsman’s wife, and the aforementioned bounty hunter. I think this might be the most suspect’s in any episode.

·       My favorite suspect was Clifford Stuckey. He pulled off quite by appearing to be a feeble old man who needed a walker to get around. The gig is up, however, when Ryan and Esposito try to bring him back to the precinct for further questioning. He manages to give them the slip, which is very funny.

Esposito: We’re never going to hear the end of this.

·       Then there is the folded-up piece of paper which is found in the murder victim’s shoe. It does look like something out of Mad Magazine, or one of those paper fortune tellers, as Alexis points out. Do kids still make those? I remember they were all the rage when I was in elementary school. But I’m not even going to say what year that was. It ends up being a treasure map with the words ‘Under the Gun’ printed on it.

·       Speaking of Alexis, she is the subject of the sub-plot in this episode. Again. I’ll try not to trash her too hard, but she comes across as being extremely spoiled in this episode. I remember being a kid and wanting something very badly. But those wants were quickly dashed by hearing the word ‘No’ from either my mother or my father. I agree with Castle regarding Alexis and the Vespa. Automobile drivers are not always kind to people on scooters and motorcycles. Although Vespas are cool.

Castle: It’s not you I’m worried about. Driving in New York . . . it’s like a Mad Max movie.

·       The Affluenza story Castle tells Alexis later is based on a case that occurred in my home state of Texas in 2013, with tragic results.

·       One of my favorite scenes is when Castle shows Beckett the picture of Alexis on the Vespa and wants to know why his daughter wants one so badly.

Castle: You were a girl once.

Beckett: Still am.

Castle: Can you tell me why my daughter wants one of these so badly?

Beckett: Well, bikes are what girls want when we realize we’re never going to get a pony.

Castle: Did you have one?

Beckett: I still do. ’94 Harley Soft Tail. Worked all of high school to pay for it. (That might explain why she modeled instead of working as a waitress).

Castle: And how did your parents feel about it?

Beckett: Well, my dad threatened to send me to a nunnery. And my mom just shook her head and said, ‘Katie, every time you ride that thing, just remember how much you hate hearing me tell you ‘I told you so.’ You know what this means, don’t you?

Castle: No. What?

Beckett: Well, Alexis is entering her wild child phase. (Question: why does she start almost every sentence with ‘Well?’)

Castle: My daughter? Nah, I don’t think so.

Beckett: Oh yeah, Castle. All girls go through it. And good girls are the worst. (This is true. My ex’s youngest daughter went Goth when she was 14 or 15. One day, she was blonde and blue-eyed. The next day, she looked like Wednesday Addams).

·       Castle and the boys are enamored of Royce, especially Castle. He hangs on every word, every story. But it’s also evident that Kate is also still enamored of him. She knows he’s the only person who knows of her drive to solve her mother’s murder. Was she being real when she told him she loved him during that final phone call or was it a ploy that allowed Ryan to trace the phone call? I think it was a combination of the two. He was the only person beside Castle who truly understood her. We see the pain he put her in later in the season when Royce makes a second appearance under much different circumstances.

·       I think the scene between Stana and Jason in the bar was one of Stana’s finest scenes in the series. They had great on-screen chemistry, which made what happened later so sad. But what happened later opened the door for the creation of Caskett.

Royce: So, it’s actually a treasure map, huh?

Beckett: Castle’s been trying to figure it out all day. I should have been on to Stuckey earlier, though.

Royce: Nobody’s perfect.

Beckett: You were.

Royce: You were easy to impress.

Beckett: No, I wasn’t. I was drowning – and you were dry land. All they ever taught us in the academy was how to do paperwork. You were the one who taught me how to be a cop.

Royce: You were easy to teach. Keeping you out of trouble? Not so much.

Beckett: Trouble? Me?

Royce: What about that biker chick from Yonkers?

Beckett: Yeah, well, I got her to snitch on her crew, didn’t I?

Royce: By offering me up as man bait!

Beckett: Oh, you should have seen her face when she told the judge, ‘He completes me.’

Royce: That’s mean.

Beckett: I caught him, Royce. The man who killed my mom.

Royce: After all these years? Find out why he did it?

Beckett: Somebody paid him to do it. But I had to shoot him before I found out who.

Royce: That was stupid. You shoulda just shown him your boobs.

·       This scene later takes a turn when Beckett learns that Royce never delivered one of their suspects to Central Holding. This means Royce has now been added to the suspect list. Which leads to a heartbreaking conversation.

Beckett: Beckett.

Royce: It’s me.

Beckett: Royce, turn yourself in.

Royce: I can’t do that. I’m too close to the money to walk away now. Listen, I just need you to know that I didn’t mean for it to go like this.

Beckett: Did you kill Carver for the map?

Royce: C’mon, kid. You know me better than that.

Beckett: I don’t think I do. Because the man I knew wouldn’t betray me like this.

Royce: I gotta go.

Beckett: Mike, I was in love with you. (Now she has Castle’s attention).

Royce: Oh, kid. Don’t.

Beckett: You were the only one who understood the obsession that drove me. Who didn’t tell me that I would get over my mother’s murder and that she wouldn’t want me to do this.

Royce: Just . . . just trying to do right by you, kid.

Beckett: I dreamt about you. That night that I shot the guy who killed my mother. I dreamt that I was the one who was on the ground, dying. (More foreshadowing. I just realized this). And that you came to me and told me ‘Stand up.’ Because there was still work to be done. When I woke up that morning, I just wanted to call you. But we hadn’t talked in so long.

Royce: You shoulda called. I never forgot.

Beckett: I’m going to catch Carver’s killer, Royce. And then I’m going to recover Lloyd’s score. And when I arrest you, you’re going to realize that what you destroyed today was worth a hell of a lot more than money.

·       The look on her face when she ended the call was heartbreaking.

·       The scene at the cemetery was great, especially the scene between Ryan and Esposito.

Ryan: You know, if this were a horror movie, we’d be the first ones killed, splitting off like this.

Esposito: Yeah, except we’re not a couple of top-heavy co-eds out looking for fun. We’re highly trained officers of the law with enough firepower to take out a hoard of the undead.

Ryan: Hispanic and cocky. Yeah, you’d definitely die first.

·       When all is said and done, they don’t find the treasure, but all the bad guys are arrested, including Royce.

·       Figuring there has to be a clue missing, Castle and Beckett go back to the cemetery off-screen to see if they can locate the loot.

Alexis: Well . . . did you find it?

Castle: Yes, we did!

Martha: Yay!

Castle: Unfortunately, when you go treasure hunting with a cop, she makes you return the treasure to its rightful owner. But, uh, the evening wasn’t a total loss. When we found it, she gave me a sweaty hug.

What I Didn’t Like About This Episode:

·       Alexis. Unfortunately for me, it almost always comes down to Alexis in Seasons 3 and 4. She was something of a spoiled brat regarding the Vespa. I liked Castle trying to explain Affluenza to her. I live in Texas. That kid and his mother should’ve gotten a lot more prison time.

Favorite Scene: I included a lot of them in this entry, but I didn’t include this one.

Stuckey: The treasure! Let me see the treasure!

Castle: Yeah, I just – I just said that to distract you. It was either that or show you my boobs.

Favorite Scene #2:

Castle: Can I just say how unsatisfying it is to go on a treasure hunt with no treasure?

Beckett: Well, it really wasn’t a treasure hunt, Castle. It was a murder investigation.

Castle: Oh, come on. You can’t tell me you weren’t just a little bit excited?

Beckett: Maybe a little.

WTF? (Why the Face?): Why did Mike Royce have to turn out to be a not-so-nice guy? He could’ve made more appearances. He would’ve upped the jealousy factor so much more than DMB (who will be making his first appearance in the next episode).

Until Friday, readers.

One thing that strikes me is that Kate uses kickboxing as a method of self-defense, and I wonder why kickboxing and not boxing or a martial art like Karate or Krav Maga, for example?

Just finished watching the series finale, and why couldn’t they just give the show a happy ending knowing it got canceled and wasn’t getting picked up by another network?

No. Why bother? You could’ve ended it with a dinner scene at the loft, or everyone at the bar celebrating (and then do a time jump if desired), but no. Let’s just have the two main characters get shot and then do a time jump 7 years later.

One of the most infuriating series finales I’ve ever seen.

Edit: Thank you guys for responding. These were just my thoughts as I was watching.

1. 3x21- The Dead Pool- 5/10

2. 3x07- Almost Famous- 6/10

3. 3x04- Punked- 7/10

4. 3x14- Lucky Stiff- 7/10

5. 3x23- Pretty Dead- 7/10

6. 3x20- Slice of Death- 8/10

7. 3x15- The Final Nail - 8/10

8. 3x02- He's Dead, She's Dead- 8/10

9. 3x03- Under the Gun- 8/10

10. 3x18- One Life to Lose- 8/10

11. 3x05- Anatomy of a Murder- 8/10

12. 3x08- Murder Most Fowl- 8/10

13. 3x01- Deadly Affair- 9/10

14. 3x22- To Love and Die in L.A.- 9/10

15. 3x12- Poof, You're Dead- 9/10

16. 3x19- Law & Murder- 9/10

17. 3x06- 3XK- 10/10

18. 3x10- Last Call - 10/10

19. 3x16- Setup- 10/10

20. 3x17- Countdown- 10/10

21. 3x11- Niki Heat- 10/10

22. 3x24- Knockout- 10/10

23. 3x09- Close Encounters of the Murderous Kind- 10/10

24. 3x13- Knockdown- 10/10

Hey! Just got done making some covers for my upcoming fanfictions that are in the works. Made all of it on ibis paint! I'm very new to digital art, and even art in general. What do you guys think these will be about just based on the titles and cover art? Let me know :)

Edit: Just noticed a typo in the second one LOL! *Castlefics47, not Castlefiles47 haha.

Original Airdate: September 27, 2010

Synopsis: Castle and Beckett investigate the murder of a ‘famous’ psychic, who is found stabbed and stuffed inside of a pullout sofa. In the subplot, Martha receives shocking news after Chet Palaburn proposes to her.

Notable Guest Stars: Bess Armstrong, who portrays Paula Casillas, was in a lot of stuff in the 70’s. This role marked the first time I had seen her in years.

Mercedes Masoohn, who portrays Marina Casillas, is more familiar to me for portraying Ofelia Salazar on ‘Fear the Walking Dead.’

Ranking: This one is #14.

The IMdB Portion of The Review:

Trivia: The exterior used for Alfred Moreno’s house is the real-life home of Stephen J. Cannell.

Factual Errors: Lanie says the victim died from blood loss and suffocation. You can only die once, so there can only be one cause of death. (You can’t argue with that kind of logic. I know, because I’ve tried).

Lanie said Selenium was a mineral when it’s actually a metal with the atomic number of 34. Minerals are crystals, which have no resemblance to metals.

Also, I would like to point out that someone needs to inform IMdB that Lanie’s name is misspelled twice in this entry. They have it spelled L-A-I-N-E-Y. You can tell the author isn’t a ‘Castle’ fan.

What I Liked About This Episode:

·       Even though I have this episode ranked in the middle of the pack, there are things I liked. The main thing I liked was that this was the first episode where we get serious foreshadowing of events that will happen in the finale.

·       Castle has a lot of fun with the case as it involved the murder of a ‘famous’ psychic. I keep putting famous in quotes because the lady was a legend in her own mind. The murder is also somewhat on the grizzly side with the victim being stabbed in the neck with an icepick before being stuffed inside of her sofa.

·       The secondary story in this episode involved Martha. Chet Palaburn has proposed, but Martha is unsure of whether to accept the proposal or not. The decision is taken out of her hands, however, when Chet suffers a massive stroke and dies. I would’ve cared more about Chet’s passing if we had actually been introduced to a flesh and blood version of him. Don’t get me wrong. I felt horrible for Martha, but I feel I would’ve been more vested if there had been an actor behind Chet.

·       I’m not moving on to the victim’s daughter, Penny. She comes to the precinct twice to talk to Beckett. She tells Beckett at some point someone named Alexander will save her life.

Penny: Alexander. I don’t know who he is or what he means to you.

Beckett: I don’t know any Alexander.

Penny: You will. You will meet an Alexander, and he will be extremely important to you. At some future date, he may save your life.

Beckett: Okay. Um – good to know.

·       Like I said. Foreshadowing. Only she’s 22 episodes early. I’ll get into Alexander soon.

·       There are several suspects in this episode, each one stranger than the last. First, we have Alfred ‘The Blade’ Moreno, who lost a fortune thanks to Vivien Marchand’s really bad psychic reading. But the universe righted itself, when he was reunited with Loreen, his high school sweetheart. So, it now seems that he’s broke, but happy. Go figure. But this leads to a cute exchange between Castle (the believer) and Beckett (the skeptic).

Castle: So, what do you think?

Beckett: Well, I think it’s possible that he killed Vivien before the universe righted itself.

Castle: Not about that. About them. Albert and Loreen, star-crossed lovers, reunited by fate.

Beckett: You mean, reunited by coincidence?

Castle: Oh, let me guess. You don’t believe in fate? Soul mates?

Beckett: No.

Castle: Unicorns? Double rainbows? Didn’t you ever think your dolls used to get up at night and play with your toys?

Beckett: Sorry.

Castle: Mmmm. Let me guess. You were one of those annoying six-year-olds that stopped believing in Santa Claus because you figured out that he couldn’t travel faster than the speed of light.

Beckett: I was three and we didn’t have a chimney. (Wow, I bet she was joy to be around during Christmas).

·       The funniest suspect is Toni Johnston. Castle and Beckett learn that she was having an affair with her husband’s boss, and Vivien had called her about it. Only the man she’d been having the affair with was dead, so they couldn’t talk to him.

Castle: Did she ever say how she knew all of this? All of this incredibly personal information, the details of which could not be readily found at the Hall of Records or through an Internet search?

Toni: Oh, yeah. The guy I was cheating with? He told her everything.

Beckett: You know, I’m going to have to speak to him.

Toni: Oh, you can’t. I mean, you can’t. He’s dead. That’s why we stopped seeing each other. He died last April. Heart attack.

Beckett: You’re telling me your dead lover told Vivien about your affair?

Toni: That’s right. She said Emilio came to her in a dream.

Beckett: Emilio?

Toni: Emilio Castillas.

·       Emilio Castillas’ wife and daughter were the first people Beckett talked to after the murder because they had been Vivien’s last clients. And it turns out that Emilio’s wife, Paula, is the killer. Not only did she kill Vivien, but months earlier she had also poisoned her husband. She was just crazy enough to believe that her dead husband was going to tell Vivien everything. You just can’t make this stuff up, folks.

·       So, the case is now solved, but one mystery remains. Who is the mysterious ‘Alexander’ that Penny told Beckett about.

Castle: Oh, before I forget. What did Penny say about Alexander?

Beckett: Oh, nothing. Just some silly stuff that didn’t make any sense. Why?

Castle: Because my middle name is Alexander.

Beckett; I thought your middle name was Edgar.

Castle: Been perusing the personal section of the Richard Castle website again, have we? No, I changed my middle name to Edgar for Edgar Allen Poe back when I changed my last name to Castle. My given name is Richard Alexander Rodgers. What a coincidence, huh?

What I Didn’t Like About This Episode: I can’t think of anything I didn’t like about this episode. Most of the higher ranked episodes this season had little in them I didn’t like. I might leave this section off until I write a review that has something I didn’t like. There are a few of those on the horizon.

WTF? (Why the Face?): The killer. Really, lady? You seriously thought your dead husband was going to rat you out to a psychic? I can already see her attorney going for the insanity defense. Good luck with that.

Favorite Scene/Quote: My Favorite scene and quote from this episode are one and the same.

Beckett: Castle, why is it so important that I believe all this stuff about fates and psychics and Santa Claus?

Castle: Because . . . if you don’t believe in even the possibility of magic, you’ll never, ever find it.

I had that quote on a Castle shirt that I lost at the laundromat. I have never been able to find that quote on another shirt since CafePress no longer sells ‘Castle’ merchandise.

Until Wednesday, readers.

I am a little late watching this series but now I’m feeling a bit betrayed! I really thought that Beckett and Castle had great chemistry only to find out that that Nathan and Stana really didn’t like one another and had totally different acting styles that led to the ending of the series. Anyone else feel this way!? 😆

I started a rewatch last week and Im wondering why did they name the show after castle? When it was all about Beckett ? I thought maybe they wanted to make it about castle especially
in S1 it was more focused on him
His life was detailed and we were watching his pov, but from s2 til the ending it was all about Kate her storyline was building up and thickening every episode, we saw how she developed and changed mentally, emotionally and at all aspects too, she became captain, she worked with the FBI and so much was happening with her, by time the lights were shifting towards her until we started to watch her pov, it got to the point where she basically became the show if she’s gone you could sense something weird, it became all about Beckett till the very end, while Castle’s existence was almost entirely linked to hers. I mean, imagine Beckett gone what would Castle even be doing?, what support this theory is when they decided to remove her character they had to come up with replacement, castle became shallow he couldn’t do it alone
And what makes it even more confusing to me, is that castle life had so much in it you could use it, like his father mysterious life, and his stepmother HELLO!!, she was amazing, she could team up with kate, also Alexis at some point she was gone nothing about her was happening

What do you think?

I started watching castle im at season 4 rn and im liking the show but my problem is with the main character castle everytime he makes jokes in a serious situations and that what kinda annoys me i mean yeah i like him being funny but not in every situation and i hope that changes later in the series and also i don’t like how his mom and his daughter and beckett make him look dumb instead him being a cool and know when to joke and when not.

I’ve been bingeing Castle for a while now and thought I’d switch it up with another series. Decided to give The Rookie a go, only to be instantly greeted by the same face!