8 X 03 EPILOGUE "PH Dead"

[nathanfan1]

One thing last week showed us was that we, as board members, can do a great job of sharing opinions and reacting respectfully. Let's have more of the same after tonight's show.

So, for those of you choosing to watch, please share you reactions afterwards right back here.

[castle88]

Meh. Thought the "I thought it would be hard, just not this hard" was one of the lamest lines of dialogue ever. Unfortunately, as much as I try to understand those explaining why the setup to this arc makes sense, to me it doesn't make sense. Why was chasing Bracken different? If super spy with unknown super spy agency - presumably with their own stereotype of a tech person - can't figure out the person behind this when it's their full time job and with more resources, how are part timers Vikram and Kate going to do it? And, it's hard to not let that color my perception of this, and the following, episide(s).

[geezer2008]

I'm sorry all, but IMO things are not getting much better. I felt it was disgusting seeing Rick chasing after Kate for crumbs. It bugged us how, on more than one occasion, he said how he was going to win her back. How ridiculous. HE DID NOTHING WRONG. This is on Kate. Why does he have to do all the chasing?? Does this mean that whenever she wants to go off chasing windmills, he has to win her back?? Come on. I thought the worst line in the whole show was when she said that this is when you're supposed to boost me up. WOW, way to go girl. That made the man feel great. Even their back and forth towards the end felt a little contrived and an afterthought. My better half just kept muttering little things like "This is stupid" and "What the hell is she doing?".
We did get a kick out of some of the humor they tried to ingest. It was funny.
Where did this version of Alexis come from?? What happened to the college girl?
We liked the boys and Lannie and it was nice to see Martha for a New York minute.

[Deleted]

I have a better grasp on whats going on here. This seperation is a distraction tacticed that Beckett devise to reflect Castle attention on what is actually happening. She knows that going after the people who killed McCord and the rest of her old team, is a suicide mission, so in away she is trying to keep Castle out of harms way. She knows that Castle will follow her know matter, she can't have that.

This obsession of hers is not actual an obsession, but guilt. She feel responsible about the deaths of her old AG team. Beckett is all about getting justice for the dead, that is what she is set out in doing, its just this will be different because the stakes are higher, and shes not willing to gamble with Castle's life.

[nathanfan1]

First off, if this is their definition of Castle and Beckett working together, I've got some land in the Everglades to sell them! The magic is gone. Building theory and saying the same thing at the same time is heartbreaking under these circumstances and I'd be surprised if Castle and Beckett had any more than 5 minutes of actual screen time together. The most depressing thought is that it seems they're going to drag this out until episode 7. I hope I have the patience to last that long because I'm sure not getting any pleasure watching it like this.

Another thing I'm having trouble with is the idea of Kate being Captain of the 12th. It strikes me that they felt they needed to change things up with the promotion but aren't going to truly put her in that role. I didn't see a single thing tonight - other than being called "Captain" - that would indicate her role has changed. She still arrived at the crime scene, still did interviews and interrogations and stayed out of her office. What's changed???

I gather from tonight's episode that they're going to run parallel stories with Beckett working a murder case by day and she and Vikram pursuing the conspiracy by night. The transitions were kind of jarring to me and I don't think I care for the split story telling.

IMO, this episode officially destroyed the Alexis character for me. They said they wanted to make her more of an adult. What we've gotten is a 22 year old with super spy powers who will use her sexual appeal (loved Ryan's description of the "slutty angel") to get info from people and who now drinks expensive scotch at the office. I could barf! Just make her go away.

I was very concerned that they'd just gloss over the separation and not give it the seriousness it deserves. Early on, I thought that was exactly what was happening, although I did like the way Kate told Vikram that she'd blown off her marriage and needed to do this quickly. At least she was serious about it. Thankfully, there was a bit of redemption when Castle had Kate locked in the cell with him. I liked the way he confronted her and said the very things that we've all been saying. WHY can't they face this together, get counseling, whatever it takes? Unfortunately, Beckett got sidetracked and the case went on. I did feel that there were some good moments of Castle being hurt and frustrated. He still gets no answers from Kate, though she did tell him she loved him. Unfortunately, that rings pretty hollow right now. The show runners are not generating any kind of sympathy for Kate from me. I'm just angry with her. I appreciate that Ryan and Espo are genuinely concerned for their friends and thankful that they were even told about it. I really didn't appreciate Lanie dressing Castle down about giving Kate her space since he was gone for 2 months and Kate kept the faith. I see them as 2 entirely different situations and don't feel it's at all fair to treat them as equals.

There were a few things I liked.     I liked Castle becoming a guest professor and his glasses and bow tie were cool. I LOL'd over Ryan and Espo being called out as old cops with references to AARP cards and ear hair.    I also thought the drinking game was funny and Nathan did a good job of playing drunk. And, I liked Nathan's acting in the prison cell scenes. I loved how assertive he was with the student guard about being released and how he took charge of that whole situation. He also did a great job in confronting Kate when they were in the cell together. I was surprised by the reappearance of Mr. Smith and felt he was very much in character with his warning to Kate and telling her she should leave this alone. That was all well played.


So, I guess I won't be wishing my weekends away or chomping at the bit for sneak peeks for a while. I'll still watch because I do want to see where this leads but I'm NOT enjoying the journey and I really have a hard time believing the magic will come back. 

PS - Just where is Kate living these days??

[marschg]

I will be watching but, I am not happy.....

[shutterbug5269]

I never thought I would ever be depressed watching a Castle episode. The Alexis PI bits were actually the highlight of this episode for me. Watching Kate constantly lie to Rick and freeze him out, and using his disappearance against him, knowing it is a stake in his heart is just wrong on so many levels. Kate should be incredibly ashamed of herself.and so should the showrunners for inflicting this on us.

I never thought I would find myself letting Castle go to DVR and watching something else live. But Kate constantly placing this case above her marriage is just not something I want to watch.

[shutterbug5269]

Oct 5, 2015 23:07:06 GMT -5 @kbc1114 said:

I have a better grasp on whats going on here. This seperation is a distraction tacticed that Beckett devise to reflect Castle attention on what is actually happening. She knows that going after the people who killed McCord and the rest of her old team, is a suicide mission, so in away she is trying to keep Castle out of harms way. She knows that Castle will follow her know matter, she can't have that.

This obsession of hers is not actual an obsession, but guilt. She feel responsible about the deaths of her old AG team. Beckett is all about getting justice for the dead, that is what she is set out in doing, its just this will be different because the stakes are higher, and shes not willing to gamble with Castle's life.

If this is the case then she forgot something ABSOLUTELY important to keeping Castle's attention focused elsewhere.  KEEPING HIM OCCUPIED.

Has Kate suddenly forgotten how easily bored her husband is?  Freezing him out of the precinct was a really bad idea if she wanted this ruse to work.

[lindy]

I started watching this show over the summer, so I haven't invested as much time as most of you in this relationship. It does not make much sense to me for Kate to leave her marriage in order to fight these mystery people, but, you can see she is conflicted. Seems like there were a few times she almost wanted to tell Castle the truth. But, this seems in character with Kate. She has a hard time letting people help her. People seem to recover from something traumatic, but then something happens to trigger that unpleasantness again, and the whole thing starts all over. She loves him, and hopefully this separation does end soon! I also don't care how Alexis is being portrayed...she used to be such a cute and smart girl. Now she really acts like Castle's mother.

[Deleted]

Oct 6, 2015 1:27:22 GMT -5 shutterbug5269 said:

Oct 5, 2015 23:07:06 GMT -5 @kbc1114 said:

I have a better grasp on whats going on here. This seperation is a distraction tacticed that Beckett devise to reflect Castle attention on what is actually happening. She knows that going after the people who killed McCord and the rest of her old team, is a suicide mission, so in away she is trying to keep Castle out of harms way. She knows that Castle will follow her know matter, she can't have that.

This obsession of hers is not actual an obsession, but guilt. She feel responsible about the deaths of her old AG team. Beckett is all about getting justice for the dead, that is what she is set out in doing, its just this will be different because the stakes are higher, and shes not willing to gamble with Castle's life.

If this is the case then she forgot something ABSOLUTELY important to keeping Castle's attention focused elsewhere.  KEEPING HIM OCCUPIED.

Has Kate suddenly forgotten how easily bored her husband is?  Freezing him out of the precinct was a really bad idea if she wanted this ruse to work.

Actually its an excellent plan. You tell Castle not to do something, he goes and does it any way. So again, his minds is taking away from her doing what needs to be done.

[CastleFanGran]

Wow!!! I, too, am happy that we can agree to disagree!!! I do recognize that I am usually in a CASTLE happiness bubble--but that is how I genuinely feel about the show and about all cast, crew, and team contributions!!! I also genuinely appreciate the live tweeters!!!

While I believe that writing spicy, happy, married couples is possible, that is not the choice made!!! I enjoyed CASKETT and appreciated Stana's and Nathan's incredible chemistry and acting--no surprise there!!! Kate's/Stana's anguish and struggles do not "offend" me--her various reactions underlined her pain, exhaustion, determination, and fear!!! Rick/Nathan, too, wonderfully revealed his pain, resolve, and optimism!!! I find CASTLE and BECKETT are flawed, sometimes failing but ever striving, individuals and CASKETT'S love, devotion, determination, fear, and very characters as characters, are so very apparent, despite their struggles and how differently we each/all perceive them--and I do appreciate our different POVs!!!

RYSPOSITO/Jon/Seamus and Lanie/Tamala--love their comic turns and/or deep empathy and concern for their friends--and their crime solving!!! Ditto, Martha/Susan and Alexis/Molly, their love for and work with CASTLE, including the Depression Rescue Kit--and Alexis steadying her dad during the drinking game and getting drunk Rick home after the game!!! Also loved Kate's "nailing" the drinking game toss and Stana's later tears, as she touches her wedding ring!!! Nathan in glasses--handsome!!! Wonderful, Stana tugging him to their private convo by the bowtie he couldn't manage!!!

I'm fine with Alexis as PI assistant and undercover, slutty angel and think that Molly handled all beautifully!!! I like Vickram very much!!! I always want more CASKETT, RYSPOSITO, Lanie, Martha--and Jim BECKETT, too, as well as--all, every time, marvelous!!!

Among other favorite scenes for me is, CASKETT'S discussion as Rick is revealed as ruggedly handsome guest professor, via talent and donation bought a professorship; and Kate's declaration that husband and wife need a private moment!!! Both Stana' and Nathan's expressions convey their pain and hope!!!
"I asked for space; why can’t you give me that?”
“You need me."
“As for you, Professor, this is a police investigation. Stay out of it,”
“She’s such a kidder.”
I like the CREASEY/BOWMAN working combo and the crew's evident creativity for and pride in their efforts and work--be they DUNCAN'S music; REICHLE'S wardrobe; KYKER'S props; WILLIAMSON'S makeup--and so many more!!!

I must admit that, while I think that creators, whoever they are--and Stana as Kate, make every effort to create and maintain a BECKETT look and a wig and to have it look and move naturally, I, IMHO, prefer hair porn to wig porn!!!

[marschg]

I would of love to see, Martha going to the precinct going into Katherine's office closing the door and saying, Katherine, I know you love my son, what the hell is going on here, and Katherine's reply would be " I have to do this I am protecting him , with tears running down her eyes. That is what I which I would have seen last night.

[castlecrazee]

Okay a couple things I have been mulling over. 1. I am having trouble believing that Alexis is not angry at Kate. I sure would be. 2. I did not and still don't feel sorry for Kate so those tears in the car last night - meh you did this to yourself. If TPTB were trying to make me feel sorry for her didn't work. 3. I sure hope Rick gets good and mad when he finds out. I think we're being set up for another "47 second" moment. ( I hate that episode BTW). She needs to chase him this time. All I can think is with you know who coming back in episode 8 Rick is going to be off the rails again. Been there done that but am looking forward to the two working together again. Lastly. Loved Ryan and Esposito. Right now they are the bright spot in the show. Honestly I think I'm still so mad about last week and being lied to all summer that it's totally coloring how I see the show.

[castle88]

Oct 5, 2015 23:07:06 GMT -5 @kbc1114 said:

I have a better grasp on whats going on here. This seperation is a distraction tacticed that Beckett devise to reflect Castle attention on what is actually happening. She knows that going after the people who killed McCord and the rest of her old team, is a suicide mission, so in away she is trying to keep Castle out of harms way. She knows that Castle will follow her know matter, she can't have that.

This obsession of hers is not actual an obsession, but guilt. She feel responsible about the deaths of her old AG team. Beckett is all about getting justice for the dead, that is what she is set out in doing, its just this will be different because the stakes are higher, and shes not willing to gamble with Castle's life.

I think that you are correct that this is what is probably going on.  And, I actually have no problem with the concept of Hawley and Winter going in this direction.  I just don't think the set up that led to Kate's decision makes a lot of sense.  There has  been nothing in the show to this point that shows Kate as someone who will throw her life away about anything other than her mother's case.  Someone on a blog pointed out that the closest was To Love and Die In LA. But, at least with Royce it had been well established that she loved him, at least as a father figure that probably saved her.  Nothing has indicated that she had that kind of relationship with anyone at the AG's office so it felt more like whoa, why.  Moreover, Kate in season 8 is not the same person as Season 3.  That is what I have loved about the show, actual character growth.

As I have said, I am not sure what makes this situation more dangerous then the Bracken situation which she worked on with Castle together, even crediting Castle with making it possible.  Also, Bracken knew Castle was involved since he told Bracken I wouldn't have saved you from the bomb in 5x13 (?).  Therefore, if Kate was going to be taken out so was Castle.  Maybe thought it was worth Castle's life to solve her mother's case, but not this one?

It is also a bit of a bummer because these episodes have been really well done, except as it relates to Castle and Beckett at the end of 8x2 and as it relates to Castle and Beckett in all of 8x3 (and to me that means how everyone is relating to what's going on like no big deal).

I am curious how they are going to get out of this with Castle having trust for Kate, as she has shown she is willing to make decisions about their lives without him (after previously promising not to do that).  Quite a conundrum.

[Deleted]

Oh gosh, guys... I haven't watched yet. CastleFanGran... thank you for your constant hope!

I have gone through a myriad of emotions this week and have found myself perplexed at this story line in many ways. The desire to watch last night just was not there, but I am going to hope that I can get the happy Castle feels back again. I'm willing to go through the fire with them, because I am not going to believe that Kate is doing what she's doing because she wants to end her marriage with Castle. They've fought too hard and come too far to let that happen. Kate's risk with her marriage, and her willingness to go this road, must be the only choice she feels she has right now. Maybe. We must remember that we don't know what we would do, if we knew what she knew; if the shoe was on the other foot. And I'm choosing to remember that people are who they are and their choices are not always the best choices in our eyes, but they feel that what they are doing is the best choice for them. Am I grasping at straws? Possibly.

My worst fear at this point is that the ratings don't plummet because if they do, I would fear not only not getting a season 9, but ABC could cancel them mid-season.

I just am going to keep the faith, and not bail on this. We obviously don't have all the answers, but going to keep the faith for a gratifying pay-off. Life in TV Land is so unpredictable - creators, writers, TPTB, cast & crew variables... I'm going to just wait this out and "stand by my man", so to speak. I may not like this part of the journey, but I'm in it til the end.

Just my two cents. Even though I haven't watched yet. lol....