Post by java on May 8, 2015 22:31:13 GMT -5
I liked the overall story, but that conclusion came out of nowhere for me. I don't even recall even seeing that girl at all in the episode prior to that final scene. I'm sure she was probably in the restaurant during the earlier interview but I didn't notice her at all.
I REALLY liked the theme of tonight's show! Considering how long Kate has been the top homicide detective, it's certainly realistic for her to be thinking about her future, especially when a respected peer is moving up. I think that was a good way to provoke her concerns. It wasn't jealousy or indignation, just genuine reflection on her own situation. I also liked the progression of her feelings as the episode went on. She started feeling very insecure and had one of the best lines in a long time - "I haven't felt like this since I had pimples!"
As the story unfolded, Kate came to realize that Xiong (have no idea of spelling) really didn't have it all and that she (Kate) was every bit as capable. They were both seeking balance. This is also a good precursor for more talk of starting a family and dealing with her job. I can't help but feel that we may be moving towards a pregnancy confrontation in the finale. I use the word 'confrontation' because I'm not so sure she'd already BE pregnant by then, but they might be making the decision to try so that NEXT SEASON (which I'm choosing to believe will happen) she can become pregnant and a child might be involved in the closing of season 8 and possibly the series. A promotion to a desk job for Kate and Castle staying home to care for their child would be a very satisfying ending to the series IMO. Sorry - I digress!Loved Castle's description of the "Patterson Syndrome" and how it doesn't bother him to be bested 6 to 1. Castle did a good job of supporting his wife as she questioned her own abilities, continually reminding her that she already was the best. Nathan's facial expressions as a frustrated Castle were a hoot! I also enjoyed the early scene where Castle is concocting a story to explain the crime and Kate is obviously entertained, even as she teases him. Castle's just doing what he does best.
The closing scene in the bedroom hit all the right notes for me. Kate is thinking about her future goals but this time has a very pleasant and confident tone about her. She promises (as she takes Castle's hand) that she won't lose sight of her priorities, implying that Castle and a family would be top priority. Castle's line was very profound for these two - "You can't leave behind what is always at your side." I firmly believe that they'll take on whatever the future holds, side by side, just as they promised each other in their wedding vows. Kate's reaction as she climbed on top of him - "You're so much better than Patterson," was SUCH a perfect ending!!!!!!
So for me, this wasn't a top 10 episode but it was a very satisfying take on a significant issue facing my favorite characters. I'll enjoy watching it again for sure.
I recognized the owner of the cafe so I suspected her early but I love the way the story unfolded.
Rob's music sure added to poor Castles trials appeasing poor Kate.
This is an episode I will have to watch again for sure.
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But you saw in the end; she took the time to do the hair, to change into those great outfits with the scarfs and killer make up and what we saw was not so much a confident person, but a composed mature growing person who is very comfortable with who she is and what she can accomplish. She is ready to move on and up and by the end of the season, we will get a glimpse of where she is heading. The difference between her and her Hong Kong counterpart was that Kate actually has the balance the other was looking for. Her world is not falling apart, she has the perfect husband who will always be by her side, no matter what. She didn't step back on the bomb waiting for her life to end. Rather, she is now anticipating how this Phoenix will now continue to rise out of the ashes. Loved it. No struggle, but realization.
And I get the feeling that this was not so much about Kate, but rather Castle, and who he is, and who he will always be. You see, he bit his lip a lot tonight because he has been there. He has tasted the sweet and the sour, is a self made rags to riches to rags back to riches hero. He is confident, he is self assured, he lives life the way he wants to. He is not so worried about where he is going because he loves the fact that the world needs to adapt to him. He isn't looking to change the world, but his books have saved many a life, including Beckett's, so who can say that he isn't one of those rare people, who, whether he believes it or not, is in the world, making a big difference, rather than standing on it and watching it all go by.
We know he is selfless, devoted, down to earth and very balanced. His actions keep everything in check. He finally got the love of his life and that is the icing on the cake. You can see that he is Kate's biggest fan, which is ironic, because she was always his. He is content to cheer from the sidelines for and is HER STRENGTH. She draws off his confidence and laid back "move the rubber tree" attitude. He is the one who his poker buddies took under their wings to teach him how to think outside the box. He was never afraid of
rubbing noses with the mafia, jewel thieves, diplomats, Psychopaths, Federal Agents, or anyone who made his books so unbelievably real. He invested the time and got the results. As in books, also in his relationship.
The reason I mention this, is that a point was quietly made that Kate envies him so much. We always assumed that Kate was the one who is blossoming and thinking about the future and Rick adores her for that. He wants to see her grow. He wants to see her climb to next mountain. But what she sees is someone who has already conquered Mt. Everest and yet, there he is, right beside her. She is beginning to realize how strong and understanding he is. And she is the one who, for the rest of her life, will be unlocking the mysteries of Richard Castle , and she is looking forward to it. And the way he assumes that she will grow and will conquer whatever goals she sets, really makes her whole. It makes her confident and hungry for the what lies ahead. It drives her, because she knows that she is one the rare birds, who gets to live life on her terms, because his love makes that happen. How cool.
Please remember that she put her hand in his tonight. It reminds us all of the steadying influence he has on her and again, how much he amazes her. She is ready to move forward. Does the show end? We have 6 episodes figure it out. Tonight brought us closer to something, because Kate is ready to move on or better yer, to move forward.
Kate went from feeling insecure, even a little disheveled appearing phycially, to reinforce that (genius), as Kman mentioned, but to realizing she really is where she is meant to be, while knowing that searching and making a promotional move in the future is possible for her. Possible AND desirable, depending on hers and Castle's future priorities.
She also came to the realization, something she already knew deep down, that someone else's grass isn't greener. That appearances are almost always deceiving, and really, she is her own best version of herself. Kick-ass homicide detective, who scaled the wall of her own heart, and came out on the other side holding Castle's hand, Kate! That she indeed has balance. Ying and Yang is functioning as one unit; she & Castle are stronger than ever. And no matter what happens, they take each other's hand, and face it together.Loved Castle's quiet strength through this. His presence by her side both physically and metaphorically was always felt. He was there to stand by her in every way, and to make sure that she knew it wasn't that he isn't aware that others may appear to be better in one way (Patterson Syndrome), but that we are to be the best versions of ourselves.
LOVED this episode! It was FULL of heart! A lot of food for thought, and our dynamic duo has sure come a long way, haven't they? I love them more than ever!
And I agree! Castle is SO MUCH BETTER than Patterson!
Kate went from feeling insecure, even a little disheveled appearing phycially, to reinforce that (genius), as Kman mentioned, but to realizing she really is where she is meant to be, while knowing that searching and making a promotional move in the future is possible for her. Possible AND desirable, depending on hers and Castle's future priorities.
She also came to the realization, something she already knew deep down, that someone else's grass isn't greener. That appearances are almost always deceiving, and really, she is her own best version of herself. Kick-ass homicide detective, who scaled the wall of her own heart, and came out on the other side holding Castle's hand, Kate! That she indeed has balance. Ying and Yang is functioning as one unit; she & Castle are stronger than ever. And no matter what happens, they take each other's hand, and face it together.Loved Castle's quiet strength through this. His presence by her side both physically and metaphorically was always felt. He was there to stand by her in every way, and to make sure that she knew it wasn't that he isn't aware that others may appear to be better in one way (Patterson Syndrome), but that we are to be the best versions of ourselves.
LOVED this episode! It was FULL of heart! A lot of food for thought, and our dynamic duo has sure come a long way, haven't they? I love them more than ever!
And I agree! Castle is SO MUCH BETTER than Patterson!
"and really, she is her own best version of herself."
Genius Cat Woman....Pure Genius!!!!!!!
Relationships were mirrored beautifully in this episode. Even though Xiong's life was falling apart --the separation from her husband, Henry's death, regrets and the guilt that came with that (not being there for him when he needed her), she was trying to do her best to find justice and balance. And she was starting with trying to avenge Henry's murder. Her path crossing with Kate's was as meaningful to Xiong, as it was to Kate encountering Xiong. They are indeed alike, in so many ways, and perhaps Kate helped to reinforce to Xiong the fact that she knew what her priorities were all along. Avenging Henry's murder, and now, to try to make amends with her husband. It seems that Kate's balance was the mirror Xiong needed when Kate felt it was she who was looking in a distorted mirror. Xiong attained justice for Henry, clarity for her life going forward, and learned a lot along the way. Kate understands what it means to be loyal and to want to find justice. And how that, and regret, and guilt, can distort our perspective, and cause us to question and take for granted the good that has been with us all along. Wanting to do better and be better is always a good endeavor. But one must be mindful to weigh the cost.
One's perception (looking into a mirror, or at our life) doesn't always give the right perspective. We don't always see what is there. Or what is true. Sometimes not until we see ourselves in another; look at another's life. It is then, when we become honest with ourselves, that this other person helps to give us clarity. And sometimes that clarity is hard to face (may require change), or causes us to breathe a sigh of contentedness.
Just as Castle has always stood by Kate, Henry was the one who stood by Xiong. And you can bet that Kate would've done the same thing had she been in Xiong's shoes. Because she did it for Royce. And I would bet my Swiss bank account (if I had one) that Kate would go half way around the world to Hong Kong to avenge Castle.
Pardon my "Frozen" reference, but it's really true. "Some people are just worth melting for."
"and really, she is her own best version of herself."
Genius Cat Woman....Pure Genius!!!!!!!
Before I get called out for being a racist pig, I am Asian. We are not all trained in martial arts at an early age with complete mastery of mathematics, philosphy, music, science, and chopsticks before the age of 5.
Okay, maybe the chopsticks.
Driven, obsessed, married to her job to the point where her marriage and her kids (read social life) suffered for it? Hid all of her problems behind her badge. I think this is what Kate may have ended up being like if she had married Sorenson and moved to Boston to be a cop there.
By the end of the episode, Zhang opened a window for Kate to show how much Kate had grown since then. In the end it was Kate who had balance and Zhang did not.
Before I get called out for being a racist pig, I am Asian. We are not all trained in martial arts at an early age with complete mastery of mathematics, philosphy, music, science, and chopsticks before the age of 5.
Okay, maybe the chopsticks.
Maybe we'll get a Korean female Supercop from Interpol in season 8?
We know from “Time Will Tell” that Beckett will move on to become Senator so we’re expecting the story to unfold in that direction. With the last two out of three pending cases resolved, leaving just Castle’s disappearance, it makes sense for her to examine the Beckett onion and look around to see what others are doing now that she’s on solid, married ground. You could argue that she was adrift before Castle with no leads into her mother’s case and her support system discouraging her from going down the rabbit hole again but that’s the alternate universe where Rick gets killed.
In this universe we see an insecure Beckett who feels under accomplished as she compares her resume with the visiting Hong Kong chief inspector. Side note: please search “Kung Fu Hustle 2004” on IMDB. Where else have we seen an accomplished female law enforcement officer with a family? Agent Jordan Shaw (2x17, “Tick, Tick, Tick” and 2x18, “Boom”). There are even conversations about family life. One and Done girl is researching? Marital thoughts? But how does Beckett handle Shaw? White board and expression of jealousy via anger directed at Castle, not insecurity. We also see that anger with Serena Kaye (4x05, “Eye of the Beholder”), Sophia Turner (4x15, “Pandora” and 4x16, “Linchpin”), and the flight attendant (4x20, “The Limey”).
Yes, Beckett is married and she can express her insecurities to her husband. Yes, everybody has a bad day. Yes, we saw a bit of that insecurity and self doubt in Beckett and a supportive Castle during the hospital scene after Will Sorensen was shot in the season one finale, “A Death in the Family” (1x10). But, that was a private moment and to see a publically insecure Detective Beckett just doesn’t make sense to me. I would further suggest that a married Beckett should be stronger, expressive in private, and fierce in public.
Agent Stack (5x23, “Watershed”): “I think you’re exceptional. You’re smart. You’re strong. You’re an asymmetrical thinker. I see bigger things for you.”
Beckett: “Who says I want bigger things?”
Agent Stack, laughing: “Practically everything about you screams it.”
And this brings us to what is irritating me: Castle 2.0. We’ve seen this weak Beckett before, taken down a peg as Marlowe suggested, in the season 6 finale. If you liked that finale, the current Beckett is consistent with the rewritten mythology. If you didn’t then Beckett’s behavior in this episode feels out of character.
Everyone goes through self-doubt, questions their place in life, personally as well as career-centered, but I think I understand what you're saying. You don't have a problem with Kate's feelings, but in the way she's presented them/being portrayed. Not in line with her character as you so brilliantly outlined in past episodes.
In that vein, you have got to be one of the most thorough posters I've ever seen to support/in defense of your feelings. The evidence you present (Beckett would be proud!!!! *cheesy grin*) and detail to showcase your points, and where the inconsistencies lie, is astounding. Kudos, my friend!
I think it would be epic if this creative team could get Dana Delaney back to Castle for an encore performance! What would she think/say about Rick & Kate now?!
I'm loving this thread! The different thoughts and discussions are so gratifying!
Before I get called out for being a racist pig, I am Asian. We are not all trained in martial arts at an early age with complete mastery of mathematics, philosphy, music, science, and chopsticks before the age of 5.
Okay, maybe the chopsticks.
