Post by java on May 8, 2015 22:50:13 GMT -5
Loved the intensity of the whole episode. Loved how Castle said "goodbye" to his Mom & Alexis. Loved how worried he was for Kate. Loved now Kate broke the Fed rules to go at the Director dude to give Castle a fighting chance. Loved the twists and turns.
It will be interesting to see if my husband will figure out the killer before it's revealed. He loves doing that... Silly boy.
I miss Gates & the Boys & Lanie, but I've also enjoyed this delve into the Fed World.
This was very much a traditional Castle 2 parter. The action and the tension were ramped up, especially tonight. There was a small bit of humor but it was meant to be a dramatic episode. I liked the use of Castle getting shots to lend the feel of a countdown. I also thought Nathan did a good job of looking worse and worse as the day went on.
Loved Martha. She knows her son well and would move heaven and earth to take care of him. The scene where Castle was talking to Martha and Alexis was very moving.
I liked the way the case unfolded. There were some good twists but I followed it all and it felt pretty believable.
I can see Kate moving towards a decision that being a fed is not the way she wants to live her life. The subtext is coming through loud and clear. Castle continues to be supportive so it will be her decision and she shouldn't have any regrets.
So much more to say but so little time!
Oct 1, 2013 6:24:05 GMT -5 @daph said:
I agree with the comments it was a truly moving episode. Beckett was really wearing her heart on her sleeve and there should be no doubt at all about the depth of her feelings for Castle. She really loves me and he loves her. That was really evident when Mcoy asked her how Castle was doing and she said he was doing better than her. That speaks to how hard and difficult it was for her to think about losing him after how much they went through to reach this point in their relationship.Oct 1, 2013 8:07:06 GMT -5 @tiff098765 said:
I loved it. I didn't get teary, but I didn't guess the bad guy, either. Great acting by all. Even the Rysposito snippits were funny: "I always thought we'd have kids together." "Uh, dude, have you talked to Jenny about this?" I thought it sucked that they had to decide to not tell their family & friends what was going on because it was a classified case. Kate hated it, too, and she saw how politicians get away with stuff... by extension, she saw how Bracken is still in power.
I treasure Stana and Nathan as Kate and Rick – eyes, hers, follow him, even as she leaves him at the AG’s/Federal office; the emotions reflected there, including anger, fear, sadness, love, and devotion—the ways in which she compartmentalizes in order to fight to solve the crime, finding the full story of PARKER’S revenge, solving crimes together; the Feds allow CASTLE to fight for his own—and actually, for the lives of another and for many others—as he assists in solving the case—and his, as his concern for Kate and for his family must balance with the fight for his life—Rick’s stands near her; his eyes are on Kate, evidencing his concern and love for her and for his mother and daughter—“Too soon?!,” as Rick attempts humor along with his working with the physician and, doggedly, and compartmentalizing, too, the crime-solving team!!! Rick’s poignant, over coffee/sludge, “I’d rather die than….,” question, “How’s she doing?....Will she be alright?” [if/when I am gone], asked of and understood by Rachel, who reaches out to touch Rick, assuring him, “She’s going to be great”!!! As always, Stana and Nathan totally deliver, as do Lisa EDLESTEIN and the regular and guest cast!!!
Rick’s “goodbye” conversations with Martha (How clever the dramatic ring tone – Phantom of the Opera??! And, HELP!!!, what is Martha’s photo/icon on Kate’s phone?) and Alexis, “See you tomorrow,” a “more hopeful” phrase with which we are familiar!!! Oh, writer—so many details—such precision—in this and in all epis!!!
Kate—and Rick—pursue all leads and all aspects of the real story, rather than the “head fakes”!!! Again, we get to watch our DD solve a crime—again, with the highest stakes—the highest personal stakes imaginable—and try to spare one another pain!!! “No, CASTLE, we don’t have nothing.” “I’m just tired and stressed.” The feds care—globally and individually—and consent to Rick’s search for any Valkyrie-configured words in the redacted copy of the missile strike document!!! Richmond, with Rachel’s consent, retrieves the audio of the Jalalabad, missile strike!!!
I love the ways in which clues and discoveries continue!!! Rick concludes that PARKER’S target would be, like PARKER’S own loss, the person most important to the Secretary of Defense, formerly, head of the secret, ghost, Mid-East-located, military base!!! Kate and Rachel pursue PARKER and the toxin!!! Kate’s forces the Secretary of Defense’s hand by challenging him at home!!! Rachel investigates surveillance photos of Anwar’s home, leading to knowledge of the death of missile strike victim, American operative, Farrah USMAN, fiancée of ex-military, combat vet, news reporter PARKER!!!
I reveled in Kate’s acknowledging to MCCORD that CASTLE’S being a character is one of the things Kate loves about him and how at the REED home, Rachel has Kate’s back against PARKER!!! I enjoy the mix of humor and drama—the ever-beautifully realized wit and warmth of our show!!! We get such telling interactions between and among Kate and Rick, federal agents, family at the 12th, family, including Martha, Alexis, and—oh, dear, Pi, who earlier, had offered, if a lawyer is needed, that he “knows a guy” at the ACLU, Martha’s, “Oh, please….”; Alexis’ “Did they arrest you? Do you need us to bail you out? Is everything okay? Did Dad sound weird to you?”
Along with Rachel and RICHMOND, Agent VILLANTE (Sp?!), and the physician so obviously care about saving many lives—and about saving Rick’s life!!! Hopefully, there will be a “place,” in Rick’s “next novel for a dashing, Columbian-American, federal agent”—and even for Eunice, too!!! We, in my opinion, struggle, right along with Agent VILLANTE persuaded by Rick himself that he, Rick, ever more desperately needing the antidote, needs to go with the team to find PARKER and the antidote and with Rick and Kate, who, bound for the Secretary REED’S speech, detour to Mrs. REED at her home, Kate begging, “CASTLE, just hang on; we’re almost there.”
For the afore- and after-mentioned gems—and more, I applaud—again—our actors—Stana and Nathan, perfection—and the entire cast—amazing!!! Kudos, too, to Andrew, and to the entire CASTLE team—every single person involved in each and every department!!!
How wrenching for us and for Rick and Kate: the call back to pleading for the life of loved one—dying on the grass!!! What quick but valuable foreshadowing and hint to us—the glimpse of the Secretary of Defense and his wife!!!
I eagerly anticipate the returns of Lanie, GATES, and Jim BECKETT; and didn’t Seamus and Jon make the most, as they always do of their exchanges, their work, their revelations, and their devotion to one another and to their family/ies, including Martha?! I loved hearing about their having children together, co-coaching, who will be head coach? (“Get a date first.”), and reaching Kate to try to help her, Rick, and Martha!!! Susan, as always, spot on: “I know you’re busy; but I’m worried about Richard…whisked away by…federal agent thugs….today’s phone conversation…was “nice and sincere, no smart ass quips, so something is definitely wrong; Katherine’s not taking my calls”!!! Kate clearly agonizes over having to tell ESPO and RYAN that all is well!!! Again and again and again, I love the relationships, not only between our DD but also among all involved telling this “great love story”—their perceptions, their devotion, their actions, and their partner and family configurations!!!
Various perspectives are revealed and pondered!!! We agonize with Kate, who of course, must save one life, Rick’s; a second life, that of the defense secretary’s wife—and potentially many, from the deadly toxin; Rachid and his diverse and conflicted family members; the military commander, now Secretary of Defense, who had and does face decisions which both take and save lives; Rachel and RICHMOND, who, have dealt with the same this day and obviously, previously, in their careers; and BRONSON, who went back for a fallen ally and also spared Rachid’s life!!! In the past, we’ve viewed such choices faced and dealt with by members of the NYPD!!!
I found the end, hospital room scene so lovely—tender, so very full of absolute love and devotion among all, of course, between Kate and Rick, who are, here and throughout the episode in expression, gesture, dialogue tone, and action, “love eyeballs” all over one another!!! Kate’s/Stana’s eyes, her smile, her reaching out to touch her “one and done—her relief, joy, and thankfulness are perfection, as are Rick’s/Nathan’s still recovering and drugged but absolute devotion, along with his delivery of the various, “I had a dream, to me, a tie in with episode title, “And you were there,” lines!!! Rick speaks to Kate and to Martha and Alexis!!! That line speaks volumes of another sort, delivered even to Pi!!! How heartfelt are Alexis’ relief and Martha’s, “I think he’s going to be alright,” and Rick and Kate: “Thanks to you;” “I’m sorry, CASTLE; it shouldn’t be this hard;” “Sometimes, the hardest things in life are the things most worth doing. Just because we haven’t figured it out yet, doesn’t mean we won’t.”
How also beautifully telling are Kate’s struggles about her loves and her partners: CASTLE, her federal and NYPD colleagues—her family—at home and at work—her life—the decision-making challenges she, Rick, and everyone, in fact, all of us face—what can and should be gray and/or more black and white!!! Rachel and Kate talk: “It’s not that simple that Secretary REED withheld information and people almost died….hell of a hunch—it was CASTLE….but you acted on it.” “You backed me up without even knowing my plan.” “That’s what partners do.” “Yeah, that’s what partners do.” Oh, Kate!!! On to Episode 6x03, NEED TO KNOW—how many ways might we “take” that title?!
I loved the longing looks between Castle and Beckett as they struggled with giving every second to finding the antidote at the cost of possibly spending their last hours together. Talk about an impossible dilemma. But that last scene more than made up for it. The bond between them has been so incredibly solidified in the course of two episodes that it's almost hard to remember they were ever any other way. I loved seeing her touch him so affectionately, stroking his neck, rubbing his shoulder and arm. It was so indicative of her relief at still be able to touch him, and of assuring him that she was still there and isn't going anywhere. Even without the spoken promise to keep trying -- because they are worth it -- it was so clear that they are a committed unit that just needs to find a new rhythm.
As a side-note, I imagine it's a hard reality, or at least an awkward one, for Alexis to accept that it's no longer really her place to be first in line at her father's side -- that it's now Kate's place. She seemed to accept Martha ushering them out with grace and understanding, but it must be a hard transition nonetheless. But I guess that's part of what this season is about: Alexis establishing her own identity as she relinquishes her care-giving role for her father.
And of course, we have Kate's heightened sense of awareness now of what this job means for her and Castle, as well as for her personal code of ethics. Is working in Washington and solving crimes of national security worth not having her one, true partner by her side AND being forced to compromise her standards of justice? It's a tall order. I'm looking forward to seeing what tips the scales next week.
Oct 1, 2013 11:44:57 GMT -5 @1wcastle said:
I thought this episode was just great. . I like that Castle was positive and he kept up his humor. I know inside he was probably going out of his mind but he pulled it together so he wouldn't get Kate all worked up so she could get whoever did this. I know Kate was worried to death but she stayed strong and didn't give up finding who was responsible and was able to get the antidote in time. She is good and I know that she would make a great agent. Her instincts and what she thinks is happening she goes with her gut. She knows whose strings to pull to get the information. She went to the extreme and got results where the FBI experts didn't even think about. So she should be a FBI agent probably even promoted. Her whole motto is to seek justice and she did get justice for the one who planted the toxin. The secretary general who had an American woman killed still walks. They will keep people like that in the government and hide it where he could do the same thing to someone else. That didn't sit well with Kate and it didn't with me either. If they cover that up who knows what else they cover up and who will be next to attack Americans.
It makes me think of another who is high ranked in government who has already done more killing in a lifetime and he does it in his on backyard. Yet he still gets to sit in his seat and wait until they elect him president. You cant tell me that Beckett is the only one who knows what Bracken has done to get where he is. He has people in his pocket and crooked cops and agents working to cover up all his sins. Beckett is the only one that would tell what she knows and she would do it because she wants justice for not just her mom, but for all who were involved. Who knows what else he had to do to rise to the top.
Your sins do come back and punch you in the face and it did to the secretary general and it will to Bracken.
I liked the moment with Castle and McCord where he was trying to make sure that Beckett was going to be fine at this job. He wanted to make sure she was going to be ok if he did die. I teared up when he was talking to his mom. His mom knows him better then anyone and she knew something was not right. A mother knows and I think Susan did a great job with that part. I do think she would have flown to DC after her trip to the precinct. A mother senses was tingling.
I really enjoyed these first two episodes and it kicked off a wonderful season 6.
It looks like the next episode is going to be more light hearted and fun we need that after seeing Castle almost die..
A+
Oh, I love this show!
Like with the first part, they really continued the "no place like home" theme with this one. As with Dorthy, Kate is really finally seeing that what she wanted isn't as great as what she had. It may take a few more nudges, which is where it can be assumed the next episode will play a role because, it sometimes isn't easy to visit the places you once haunted and see how much things have changed; it can truly make us long for the way things were specially when the way things are, are turning out to be not exactly what you wanted in the first place. Success is great but, not when it costs us everything that makes us, us.
This dream job is turning into a bit of a nightmare for her. It almost cost her her fiance's life and is forcing her to have to place her very moral code on the back burner. And, while she and Castle could make this work, in the end she will chose the life she had for there is "no place like home," for home holds all that truly matters to us, friends and family that stand by our side even when we're worlds, or cities, apart. Who love us enough to let us have our chance at the things we truly want even if it means taking a hit to their own happiness. Who fear for us and care enough about us to keep on trying to find the answer to what on Earth is going on. And, yes, who we sometimes may not want there but, they still mean home because, even their annoyingnes (Pi) still means a place of care and honest concern.
Even in a high stakes and tension filled episode, we get a touch of humor and there were some great one liners in this one. Espo's comment to Ryan about talking to Jenny when he said he thought they'd have kids at the same time and Castle's quip about dying from the bad coffee were great comic relief.
I loved the ending! Loved Castle and Kate building theory in the car and that great line, 'WE have a hunch." I'm reminded of what Kate said back in season 3 - "I believe in Richard Castle." She didn't hesitate at all to act on their hunch. Castle collapsing out of the car definitely communicated the sense of urgency. Kudos to McCord for believing in Kate and backing her up. I felt all of the feds became much more human in this second part.
And then there's the hospital scene. Like the proposal, it was 100% Caskett in its tone. "How was your weekend?" "Uneventful." Let's keep the dying metaphorical. That's the way these two operate but the performances by Nathan and Stana elevated the scene to a special level of intimacy. Stana's gentle touches and soothing voice, along with her apology, communicated so much love for her fiance, and Nathan's husky, soft voice and facial expression hit all the right notes for a guy just coming to and still a bit under the influence of drugs.
I really liked that they brought in another issue for Kate to have to come to grips with in terms of the new job. Dealing with coverups and politically correct looking the other way is going to be a tough pill for her to swallow, and that was brought out beautifully. I think she'll be more at peace with the decision to leave if it's not JUST based on the impact the job has on her personal life. The philosophical issue makes it even clearer. Great closing shot with the comment about partners. Kate appreciates McCord but she can never be the partner that Castle is.
So, I've enjoyed the federal arc more than I thought I would but I'm very anxious to have the team back together at the 12th and hope that we get there by the end of episode three.
The land of "Oz" might be great for many things, after all Dorthy made friends in the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man, and Scarecrow but, in the end Kansas was the place she belonged. Kate will have proven herself in D.C and, perhaps made a few new friends in the Federal team but, ultimately N.Y. is the world in which she belongs for it is the world where she has everything friends, family, and a job that doesn't ask her to push aside what it means to be her and instead, encourages it.
Oct 1, 2013 15:52:42 GMT -5 @kastlefan301 said:
The land of "Oz" might be great for many things, after all Dorthy made friends in the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man, and Scarecrow but, in the end Kansas was the place she belonged. Kate will have proven herself in D.C and, perhaps made a few new friends in the Federal team but, ultimately N.Y. is the world in which she belongs for it is the world where she has everything friends, family, and a job that doesn't ask her to push aside what it means to be her and instead, encourages it.
Oct 1, 2013 16:08:35 GMT -5 @kastlefan301 said:
One thing that struck me last night after wards while I was putting all the pieces together was the slightly subtle reference to Spiderman through part of the episode. The reporter was named Parker, worked for a newspaper and wore glasses, much as Peter Parker of Spiderman. Kind of looked like what you'd think the character would as well. He was hiding behind the mask of his job in trying to find out what happened to his fiancée. Thus, the idea of the secret identity of the superhero. Though in this case, as we discover, he was more like the super-villian because he was going to kill many people just to get his revenge. Parker was like a spider crawling around the web of deceit and lies about the hit that killed his fiancée. Once he started poking around, he got in so deep with what happened and wanting revenge that instead of being a fly caught in the web, he became the spider. There was no turning back. He blamed, Bronson and Secretary Reed and wanted revenge. He tried to do what was right and get his story, the truth, out there but then his story got quashed. So, unlike Peter Parker who used his spidey powers for good to get revenge on bad guys, our Parker used his talents for evil to exact destruction on those that wronged him. In the end, he will pay the price.As it says in Les Liaisons dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, revenge is a dish best served cold.
Oct 2, 2013 11:08:04 GMT -5 @teelduo said:
Oct 1, 2013 16:08:35 GMT -5 @kastlefan301 said:
One thing that struck me last night after wards while I was putting all the pieces together was the slightly subtle reference to Spiderman through part of the episode. The reporter was named Parker, worked for a newspaper and wore glasses, much as Peter Parker of Spiderman. Kind of looked like what you'd think the character would as well. He was hiding behind the mask of his job in trying to find out what happened to his fiancée. Thus, the idea of the secret identity of the superhero. Though in this case, as we discover, he was more like the super-villian because he was going to kill many people just to get his revenge. Parker was like a spider crawling around the web of deceit and lies about the hit that killed his fiancée. Once he started poking around, he got in so deep with what happened and wanting revenge that instead of being a fly caught in the web, he became the spider. There was no turning back. He blamed, Bronson and Secretary Reed and wanted revenge. He tried to do what was right and get his story, the truth, out there but then his story got quashed. So, unlike Peter Parker who used his spidey powers for good to get revenge on bad guys, our Parker used his talents for evil to exact destruction on those that wronged him. In the end, he will pay the price.As it says in Les Liaisons dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, revenge is a dish best served cold.
But after I did a search I was not able to verify if my husband was right on this. Sometimes he gets people confused. LOL
Oct 2, 2013 11:08:04 GMT -5 @teelduo said:
I noticed the spiderman thing too and my husband casually mentioned that the doctor there to see to Castle played the doctor in the first Spiderman movie. But after I did a search I was not able to verify if my husband was right on this. Sometimes he gets people confused. LOL
I think it is a case of mistaken identity. The actor, Michael Bofshever was not in Spiderman
Oct 2, 2013 15:02:59 GMT -5 @teelduo said:
I think it is a case of mistaken identity. The actor, Michael Bofshever was not in Spiderman