"Valkyrie" Threatens CASTLE

Article first published as "Valkyrie" Threatens CASTLE on TheTVKing.

ABC's Castle returns for a sixth season tonight with "Valkyrie." When the series paused last May, Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) had decided to accept a job in Washington D.C., a step up for her career-wise, but something that she was sure threatened her professional and romantic relationship with Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion). Before she could break the news to Castle, though, he dropped to one knee and proposed. Will Beckett choose Castle or the job?

Well, both, it turns out, as Castle decides to have its cake and eat it, too. Thankfully, we get the rest of that proposal scene at the start of "Valkyrie," not left to wonder how it all worked out. I feel like this moment is necessary, and for fans who have loyally followed the series for the past five years, earned. It's not overly dramatic, but does reveal a lot about the two leads and how they feel about one another. Plus, a big engagement!

After that is dealt with, it feels OK to skip forward two months. Castle and Beckett are busy people, and the first couple of months of this arrangement are likely to be the easiest. They miss each other, sure, but they haven't been kept apart too long. Now, it's been more than six weeks, and it's time for them to spend some one-on-one time. Of course, a case gets in the way.

I was a little disappointed that Castle jumps headlong into a case-of-the-week so quickly. A lot of time in "Valkyrie" is given to Castle and Beckett figuring out their new dynamic, now that Castle cannot help her with her work. But even more of the hour is spent trying to solve the crime Beckett and her new partner (Lisa Edelstein, House) are assigned to.

Look, Castle is a procedural, and it will never be anything different. It is not the type of series that will abandon the formula and grow into something more, and if one goes into "Valkyrie" with that notion, you may not be too disappointed. I am grateful for the personal interplay time we do get in the premiere, more than in most installments. Yet, seeing how great Castle and Beckett are together, it's hard not to wish for more of that.

Castle gets involved in the case. He tries his best to respect Beckett's wishes and stay away, after a single false start, and I think that shows some real growth and maturity on his part. This is a sign they can make the new circumstances work for them, as long as he is willing to give something up, which he does willingly for her. However, it's clear Beckett also misses working alongside him, and that is what will likely end the D.C. stint. Castle will step aside so that Beckett can fulfill her dreams, but maybe her dream, which she doesn't realize until she loses it, is doing the job she loves with her man, and she'll want to get back to that.

Satisfying, "Valkyrie" is part one of what is at least (and likely not more than) a two-part story. There are high stakes, a dramatic twist, and it all feels like a natural part of something bigger. I like the D.C. team, temporary as they might be, and the tale is a fine one for this genre.

My only real complaint about "Valkyrie" is how Castle rushes off to be with Beckett right after Alexis (Molly C. Quinn) brings home a boy named Pi that Castle immediately clashes with. I mean, Castle and his mother (Susan Sullivan) talk about what Castle should do, and then instead of doing it, Castle leaves. This isn't him avoiding being an overbearing dad; it's him running off to something totally unconnected at a time when he shouldn't. The Alexis plot should have been held for a different episode so that it doesn't feel so disjointed when Castle goes to the capital, twice.

I do appreciate how Castle manages to work in some guy time for Castle, Ryan (Seamus Dever), and Esposito (Jon Huertas). They may be hanging out and talking about work, but it's the easy camaraderie that is nice to see, showing that perhaps the three finally have a lasting friendship, unlike how they drifted apart during times Castle and Beckett were estranged.

Considering the type of show that Castle is, "Valkyrie" is a good effort and a triumphant return, as best as we can expect from an episode in the genre. Castle airs Mondays at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.

What happens "After Hours" for Castle?

ABC's Castle has had a very satisfying and varied last few episodes. First, there was the geek-centric installment, wherein we learned of Beckett's (Stana Katic) cult obsession. Then, a documentary crew showed us what happens when the staff gets in front of cameras, throwing off their game. Finally, this past week, "After Hours" explores the romance between Castle (Nathan Fillion) and Beckett, which has finally been allowed to flourish this season, under scary circumstances.

It used to be, series were too scared of the Moonlighting curse to put their leads together until the end of the run. Lately, shows such as Bones and Chuck have disproven that this should not be done; it just needs to be dealt with correctly. Castle's own stab at things, in the currently airing fifth season, seems to be following the successful path, rather than killing the series.

You see, what does a show in is if you lose the dynamic tension between the main characters. Castle and Beckett still have that tension. It comes to the forefront in "After Hours," when they are on the run from mobsters together. They must trust one another, working together to try to get their witness to safety. It's not an easy thing to do; as well as their partnership works, they have to balance their worry for one another with a confidence in each other's abilities. This is explored terrifically in this episode.

The other thing keeping the tension up is the worry that Captain Gates (Penny Johnson Jerald) will find out about the pair. Ryan (Seamus Dever) and Esposito (Jon Huertas) are already in on the secret, as is Castle's family, but none of these people, who love Castle and Beckett, would rat them out, even though their relationship is against department rules. (Castle may not officially be a cop, but his work with the department would realistically make the rules apply to him.) Once Gates learns the truth, it will present an obstacle that will have to be overcome, unfortunately, probably too conveniently.

Add to that, Castle and Beckett are still early in their romance, and so are unsure themselves how things might work, long-term. They worry that they are too different after a dinner with Castle's mother, Martha (Susan Sullivan), and Beckett's father, Jim (Scott Paulin), gets rocky. Of course, they are not their parents, but it's easy to see how such a scenario could scare them a bit. Even if the real purpose of such a scene seems to be to add some lightheartedness to the episode, which happens when Jim and Martha bond over their concern for their children.

"After Hours" sets this dysfunction in a high intensity story, with twists and great guest stars including Bonita Friedericy (Chuck), Tony Denison (The Closer), and especially Patrick Fischler (Lost, Mad Men). Is it still a formulaic procedural? Yes, but in season five, the aversion to taking risks is ebbing, and Castle is finally stepping it up as it's own unique entity. More of this, and it could grow beyond the strict conceits that have held it back thus far.

It also helps that Fillion and Katic are absolutely phenomenal, no matter the situation.

Castle airs Mondays at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.

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Castle weathers the storm

Grade: 86%

CASTLE begins season five much in the same way that season four ended. In fact, the action picks up the morning after last spring’s finale, which is probably why the premiere is titled “After the Storm,” a reference that could apply to the confrontation at the station going down, or the alter ego of the fictional Nikki Heat finally falling into bed with the man behind Derrick Storm.

“After the Storm” begins on a light note, Castle (Nathan Fillion) and Beckett (Stana Katic) almost being caught in bed together by the early return of Martha (Susan Sullivan) and Alexis (Molly C. Quinn). This scene nearly repeats soon after at Beckett’s apartment with Ryan (Seamus Dever). Beckett and Castle have a warm connection that begs to be handled in a fun way, and this episode delivers that.

What can be said about the new couple’s decision to sneak around, rather than let family and friends in on the fact that they finally hooked up? Is it immaturity, as Beckett (not unjustifiably) accuses Castle of? Or is it embarrassment, as they both ask the other? I don’t think it’s either. I think that Castle is sincere when he says he’d like to keep her for himself just a little while longer. Given Beckett’s lack of enthusiasm for public sharing, it’s not so surprising that she agrees.

Letting the leads of a series get together always carries a risk. After the disaster that was Moonlighting, dramas that are about more than sex have been a bit gun-shy in pulling the trigger. However, Chuck and Fringe did it just fine, and Bones hasn’t suffered any negative backlash. Perhaps these success stories are what finally prompted CASTLE, four years in, to try making the move themselves.

The important thing to maintain after getting those characters together is the chemistry. If sex changes the witty banter and tension between them, it can ruin the moment. Unless the relationship develops into something much deeper than before, which can keep things interesting. CASTLE has chosen the former option, allowing Beckett and Castle to trade their barbs as usual, which not only means they will be able to keep their secret from their loved ones for awhile, but also allows CASTLE to not change its formula very much. This is probably wise for now, though eventually, should the show continue more than another year or two (a very likely possibility), there will have to be some shift to here the romantic feelings become more than just playful.

Romantic affection isn’t the only type to be found in “After the Storm.” Esposito (Jon Huertas) and Beckett remain suspended from the force, leaving Ryan to try to work the case of who killed Beckett’s mother on his own. He quickly realizes that’s not going to fly, and recruits Beckett and Castle to help him out. When the three discover that Esposito has been chasing his own leads, they come together, despite lingering tension between Esposito and Ryan.

At first, CASTLE was a two person show about the titular male lead and his professional partner and inspiration, Detective Kate Beckett. As the years have gone on, though, Ryan and Esposito have slowly become more developed as characters. “After the Storm” features both on their own, showing off their cop skills, as well as revealing the deep loyalty they still feel towards Kate. This team mentality is not only inspiring, it will likely be the norm going forward, as it should be.

Gates (Penny Johnson Jerald) may not seem the fuzzy type, but she would like in on some of that love. She doesn’t say so explicitly, but she does get to give a peek at a side of herself we haven’t seen before, praising Beckett for her loyalty to Montgomery, and expressing hope that she may one day be seen in the same light. It’s a touching moment, more than a throw away, and at the time, Gates seems like she may deserve it. True, she’s tough, and refuses to let Beckett and Esposito cut their suspension short (providing an excuse to skip a few months to account for the summer before next week’s episode). But that doesn’t make her a bad guy.

Yep, status quo is not quite restored at the end of “After the Storm.” But it soon will be. It’s kind of a shame because this is the opportune time to shake things up. Beckett and Castle getting together is some movement, but the placement of Beckett’s mom’s case on the back burner once more is disappointing. It will probably be a series-long arc, but knowing that doesn’t make it any better. Ah, well. This is the curse of the procedural.

Overall, CASTLE returns with charm and humor intact, wonderful guest stars like Jack Coleman (Heroes, The Office), Geoff Pierson (Dexter, 24), and Tahmoh Penikett (Dollhouse, Battlestar Galactica), and a thrilling, action-packed piece of mystery for it’s newest hour. For a case-of-the-week crime show, that’s about all a fan can ask for.

It's "Always" Castle

ABC's Castle season finale is called "Always." Why? Is it because that, no matter how big a twist or change the writers throw in, Castle is "Always" going to stay the same? Let's hope not, after a heck of a season finale that throws all sorts of monkey wrenches into the mix!

The plot of "Always" is relatively simple to explain. A clue surfaces about the man who shot Beckett (Stana Katic). Castle (Nathan Fillion) can't convince her to drop her investigation, even though he has been warned that she will be killed if she doesn't stop. When he tells her all of this, she feels betrayed, and refuses to listen. Castle can't bear to stick around and watch her die, so he quits the job and their chemistry-laden friendship. Beckett is soon almost killed, realizes her mistake, drops the case, quits the police force, and runs straight into Castle's arms.

Oh, and the people that want Beckett dead take out the man who has been protecting her, so there's that to worry about next season.

Will any of this stick? Certainly not Beckett's resignation from the NYPD. Gates (Penny Johnson Jerald) has good reason to suspend Beckett after Beckett fails to keep her commanding officer in the loop. Yet, Beckett's reasons for not playing by the book are understandable when there's a conspiracy that would be alerted by any orders run up the chain of command, and she doesn't know Gates well enough to trust her yet. Plus, Beckett's a great detective. So, after the length of her suspension is over, Beckett will probably go back to the police force. Which, judging by the way boring old procedurals work, will be no later than the end of next fall's season premiere.

Why does network television insist on staying inside the box? If Castle was a cable series, Beckett could quit, move to another city, or pursue an entirely different career. Isn't that the more interesting way to go? Instead, Castle is a case of the week police drama, and it will always remain that, no matter how many enticing opportunities there are to go in another direction.

More importantly, though, will Castle and Beckett's new-found romance continue into next year? That is more up in the air. Other will they-won't they duos have gotten together and broken up countless times, trying to hold onto the uncertain tension in their shows. Yet, recent series like Chuck and Bones have shown that there is another way. A series can keep its magic, even after the two leads get together. Yes, things will necessarily have to change, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be done. Having Castle and Beckett make it as a couple is the bolder choice. Fans will have to wait until fall to find out if this is going to happen.

Of course, Beckett and Castle are not the only twosome in Castle. Ryan (Seamus Dever) and Esposito (Jon Huertas) may be platonic pals, but their non-sexual feelings for each other run just as deep as the leads'. In "Always," Esposito sides with Beckett, while Ryan sides with Castle. Castle is too busy to notice this, of course, and doesn't answer when Ryan calls him to try to save Beckett. Which is why Ryan is forced to find another ally in Captain Gates. He saves Beckett's life, but the result is a pissed off and suspended Esposito.

Esposito will continue to carry this grudge against Ryan into next season, surely, but then it will be resolved. After all, we wouldn't want to mess up the formula, would we? But, at the same time, in any incarnation of Castle, these two men must make up. They mean too much to each other. Eventually, Esposito will have to come around to the idea that Ryan did what he thought was best to protect his friends. After all, Beckett knows this, and will forgive Ryan. Esposito has to do the same.

Castle will return next fall to ABC.

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The "Rise" of Castle

      When ABC's Castle last aired in May, Beckett (Stana Katic) lay on the ground, shot. The season four premiere, "Rise," picks up immediately after that moment. Castle (Nathan Fillion) accompanies his partner to the hospital. When she finally wakes up, she claims to not remember anything, and asks Castle to leave her alone for awhile. He reluctantly agrees.

     Three months later, Beckett returns to work, having never called Castle. While investigating a new murder, she learns that Castle is working tirelessly to find her shooter, though the new boss, Captain Victoria Gates (Penny Johnson Jerald, 24, Star Trek: Deep Space 9), bans him from the police the station. Having no choice, Beckett must go to Castle to continue to look for her would-be killer, who is still at large. Castle goes over Gates's head to get reinstated, and helps out with both the current case, and Beckett's secret continued investigation into her own shooting.

     Gates is certainly a breath of fresh air. While Captain Montgomery (Ruben Santiago-Hudson) finally gets interesting plot right before he is killed off, Gates has a good back story right off the bat. Knowing Gates worked in internal affairs, and is very by the book, Beckett has to sneak around for personal business, something she never does with Montgomery. Also, Castle immediately rubbing Gates the wrong way by going over her head to the mayor means there will be no shortage of friction in the workplace for some time to come. She changes the dynamics of the series completely. Plus, Jerald is a terrific actress, and will certainly bring some dramatic heft in with her.


     Castle and Beckett have never been further apart than they are right now. Beckett is lying about not remembering Castle's declaration of love, something she only admits to her therapist (Michael Dorn, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space 9). Castle lies to Beckett about having a lead on her shooter to protect Beckett's life. With such monumental things kept hidden from the other, they are setting themselves up for a major falling out of trust. Both have their reasons, but that doesn't make their decisions any wiser, if they want to maintain any type of relationship, working or otherwise.

     Add to that, Beckett tells Castle that she can't make a serious go of a relationship until her mother's murder is solved, and now she is putting him in danger. Castle will not tell Beckett about his new leads because he knows what it feels like to lose her, and doesn't want it to happen again, permanently. But knowing he cannot have her romantically until the case is closed, he will be even more motivated to finish investigating himself, meaning he could be the next one threatened. It's his own choice to do so, but he is doing it for her.

     Alexis (Molly C. Quinn), without knowing the full extent of why she should worry, is concerned for her father's safety. Certainly Martha (Susan Sullivan) is, too, after the scare with Beckett. Castle has a family that counts on him, which makes his efforts, while somewhat heroic, also more reckless. What would they do if something happened to him? His character doesn't know that he's the titular component of a television series, and thus, invincible!

     "Rise" is also nice because it gives viewers a chance to see Detectives Ryan (Seamus Dever) and Esposito (Jon Huertas) solving cases without Beckett and Castle's support. Usually these two play second fiddle, but in the season premiere, they are almost entirely working alone, the other two caught up in other matters. What's more, they've clearly been doing so for months. This helps establish their competence as policemen, and hopefully will allow them a more active role in future episodes. The same can be said, to a slightly lesser extent, for Lanie (Tamala Jones).

     Watch Castle Mondays at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.

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Article first published as TV Review: Castle - "Rise" on Blogcritics.

Castle: The Complete Third Season on DVD

     ABC's Castle: The Complete Third Season comes to DVD this Tuesday, September 20th, the day after season four premieres. These episodes aired from September 2010 until this past May, the most recent season to air. Season three provides many of the stand-alone mysteries viewers have come to expect from Castle, as well as a handful of episodes that play into larger arcs.

     As season two ends, Castle (Nathan Fillion) heads off to the Hamptons with his second wife and editor, Gina (Monet Mazur), just after Beckett (Stana Katic) breaks up with her boyfriend. Season three finds Castle dating Gina for awhile, before the relationship implodes. But the time that it does, Beckett finds a new guy to date. So, of course, the two lead characters never do find the opportunity to hook up. However, in the season three finale, Castle tellz Beckett that he loves her, so it will be interesting to see what the ramifications of that moment will be.

     Though Castle and Beckett don't get lucky in love, they seem to be the only ones. Among the other relationships that play out during the third season, Alexis (Molly C. Quinn) gets serious with her first real boyfriend, Ashley (Ken Baumann, The Secret Life of the American Teenager), so much so that, after a fight, they decide to try the long distance thing as he goes off to college. Ryan (Seamus Dever) proposes to his girlfriend, and she says yes. Esposito (Jon Huertas) and Lanie (Tamala Jones) try to sneak around, and for awhile, their friends allow them to believe it's working. Martha's (Susan Sullivan) beau dies just as she is about to decline his marriage proposal.

     But romance is a small part of Castle, while murder is a much bigger part. There are a number of cool, memorable cases that Castle, Beckett, and company solve during this third season. The team works with Agent Mark Fallon (Heroes's Adrian Pasdar) to stop a dirty bomb in a gripping two parter. Actress Natalie Rhodes (Laura Prepon, October Road, That '70s Show) helps out on one case while studying Beckett, as she will be playing Nikki Heat in a film based on Castle's books. Beckett's old mentor, Royce (Jason Beghe), returns, only to be killed, and Beckett and Castle have to travel to Los Angeles to find his murderer.

     Of course, the biggest episode of Castle's third season is the finale, "Knockout," which continues the investigation into Beckett's mother's murder, an arc spanning the series thus far. Esposito and Ryan learn that Captain Montgomery (Ruben Santiago-Hudson) is part of the cover up conspiracy. Montgomery faces the hired killer himself, losing his life, but saving Beckett's. There is also much examination by Castle over his feelings for Beckett, while trying to convince her to stop digging before she gets killed. "Knockout" ends with Beckett being shot as Montgomery's funeral, and Castle professing his love, as mentioned above, before her head lolls back. What an exciting cliffhanger!

     Interestingly, unlike other ABC releases, Castle's bonus features are spread across each disc in the set, rather than packing them all onto one disc. This certainly makes sense for the audio commentaries, which are provided for a few of the more memorable episodes. It's also convenient for the deleted scenes, too, keeping them near the episode that they belong with. Those are all pretty standard, nothing shocking or exciting to set Castle's apart from any other show. Though it is fun to see Castle bumble in front of Beckett's father (Scott Paulin). You can skip watching them, and won't miss anything. The longer features are all on the final disc, so the setup works pretty well.

     One three and a half minute feature examines how the twelve murder boards on set are used to film each episode, as told by Kurt DeFilipps, the man in charge of doing so. A just over two minute music video called "Get On the Floor" comes from an episode during the season, expanded with scenes from the show added in. The obligatory four minute blooper reel begins semi-seriously, giving it a fun, unique spin. It also exposes the cast's potty mouths.

     "Castle Goes Hollywood" is an eight minute short about filming in Los Angeles for one episode. Actually, Castle always films in L.A., but the cast and crew talk about how they had to adapt, since usually they are concerned with making L.A. pass for New York, and this time, they can embrace the city where they live.

      Finally, "Murder They Wrote" is a twenty-two minute roundtable discussion with series creator Andrew Marlowe, executive producer Rob Bowman, author Michael Connelly, graphic novelist Brian Michael Bendis, and star Nathan Fillion. The guys discuss the writing process and the realism of the show. They also go into detail about the books and graphic novel that have been released in conjunction with the series. Fillion talks about his experience on Firely, always a treat. Plus, they remember Stephen J. Cannell, author and former guest star.

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Article first published as DVD Review: Castle: The Complete Third Season on Blogcritics.