Castle: After The Storm

“So, it wasn’t a dream.”

Ah, the proverbial morning after the night before. It wasn’t a dream or a fantasy; the writers didn’t insult our intelligence by pretending it didn’t happen. Caskett have finally slept together -- and, according to both of them, it was a good decision.

Our pair are entering new territory, moving from being partners and “just friends” to lovers. On the one hand, they are in that wonderful euphoria that occurs when two people who care about each other start sleeping together. It’s all heat and sex and the inability to keep their hands off each other. On the other hand, neither of these two has proven to be very good at relationships in the past and the insecurities are showing. Castle, ever the man of words, specifically asks Beckett if she is on board and not just in some “crisis thing.” The look on his face when she confirms that she is made my heart melt. Beckett, on the other hand, has to ask if the actual sex was all right; Castle leaves her in no doubt that it was.

Neither one of them is ready to go public yet, understandably considering the possible ramifications of it. The scene where they are nearly caught by Martha was pure farce, and I laughed out loud throughout it. And, Esposito asking them, “Done what four years ago?” was the icing on the cake. Of all the other people in their lives, I would guess that Javi will cotton on before anyone else does.

But, unlike so many new couples, these two have been partners for four years and already know each other very well. As soon as Ryan comes over to Beckett’s apartment and brings them back into the case, they revert to the crime-solving couple they have been and we know. Bouncing ideas off of each other, having each other’s backs and solving the case, there is little evidence that anything has changed between them at all. Brief moments, but only a few and only when they are alone. The best one is right after Smith dies. Beckett realizes just how much danger she is in, and she leans into Castle who wraps his arm around her. This is a huge step for our self-reliant, never let them see you sweat girl. She is vulnerable and Castle allows her to be.

While things are good between Castle and Beckett, Esposito and Ryan are still on the outs. Kudos to the writers for not making them BFFs again in one short episode, but this fight is going to add a new dynamic to the four of them working together. Esposito is still pissed, holding his gun on Ryan for much longer than is necessary and looking noticeably put out when Beckett gives Ryan and him an assignment. Ryan, on the other hand, has had just about enough and is beginning to snap at Esposito, especially now that he knows that Beckett doesn’t blame him for the suspension. They almost come to blows when Ryan nearly calls Gates again to warn her about Beckett; it is Castle who steps between them and defuses the situation. I liked that Ryan handed the phone to Esposito, in effect showing him that no call will be made unless Esposito agrees. A good first step.

The whole mythology around Johanna’s murder has gotten a bit dense and long winded. Luckily, we had a lot of it wrapped up this week. The man who shot Beckett is dead and she finally knows who is behind it all. I must admit that I was disappointed in the reveal. After so many hints through the years that the Dragon was someone huge, I expected something more than a man running for senate whom we have never met before.

The scene between Bracken and Beckett didn’t really work for me. It’s hard to see Beckett as a threat or a badass when she has tears running down her face. And, when she hits Bracken with the gun, while it may have made her (and us) feel better, it is assault and she could have been arrested for it. As a cop, she would know that. Because the team was unable to get Bracken, the story is still alive, to a degree, so I am hoping that he turns out to be more involved with our team than we currently know. Ties to Castle’s father, perhaps?

This was a game-changing episode in which new relationships were formed, old ones were tested and a four season story arc was brought, more or less, to a close. Quite a start for the season. Three and a half out of four booby-trapped floor safes.

Tidbits:

-- I loved Alexis’ first hangover, often the worst one you’ll ever have. I have a theory that whatever you were drinking that results in your first hangover, you can never drink that particular thing again. In my entire life, I have met just one person who didn’t fit this rule. My first hangover was damn near thirty-five years ago and, to this day, I cannot abide even the smell of a rum and coke.

-- Tamala Jones is still listed as a regular, yet Lanie did not turn up this week. It was good to see Hastings again, not to mention lucky she was there to help Beckett out.

-- Isn’t it convenient that Beckett has four pairs of tweezers and four magnifying glasses in her apartment. Looking through those tiny scraps of paper would have been tough without them.

-- Ryan’s badge number is 42344.

-- The fourth Nikki Heat book has been released, at least in our reality. I was surprised it was not mentioned in this show. I will wait to see if it is next week before I review it.

Soundbites:

Castle: “I had no idea.”
Beckett: “So, you liked it?”
Castle: “Yeah.”
Beckett: “Even the part where I…”
Castle: “Especially that part. I loved that.”
Beckett: “Good. Me, too.”
Would anyone else pay good money to know what “that part” is? I know I sure would.

Beckett: “So, are you here to apologize for hiding me in your closet?” Not two minutes later, “I hid in your closet. Why won’t you hide in mine?”

Castle: “If we got murdered right now, I’d feel so ripped off.”
Beckett: “Yeah, me too.”
Castle: “At least we had last night. We should have done that four years ago.”
Esposito: “Done what four years ago?”

Beckett: “You got an extra piece?”
Esposito: “Yeah.”
Castle: “Nice. What about for me?”
Esposito: “Oh, you mean an extra extra piece?”
Castle: “Wow.”

Bracken: “See, here’s what you don’t understand. It’s not who has the gun, it’s who has the power.”

Esposito: “What about your mom?”
Beckett: “I’ll get justice for her. Just not today. Until then, I’ll get it for others.”

ChrisB is a freelance writer who spends more time than she ought in front of a television screen or with a book in her hand.

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