by Michael Seese
Last week I proclaimed Castle to be back. This week, the humor returned. "Clear & Present Danger" represented a return to the Scooby-gang mysteries which I personally find to be so much fun.
For reference, see "Undead Again" or "Secret Santa." Like those episodes, Castle posits an improbable theory which Beckett refutes. Of course, once she has some "hands-on" experience with the Invisible Man, she changes her tune a bit.
(Picky aside: I can appreciate that being choked by an invisible entity would freak her out. Still, she's a cop. She's trained to kick, punch, whatever it takes to get out of a chokehold.)
And this week we had not one, but two characters say the victim had been acting strangely.
"Recently, he started hanging out in Brooklyn," according to Fats Shepherd, the owner / manager / player at Chelsea Billards.
"Will started acting paranoid last week," said Donna Brooks.
Hmmm. Wonder why?
As expected, lots of funny lines.
Beckett: "Anyway, back to the real world." (After Castle's gaming conversation with Henry Wright.)
Beckett: "That's not creepy. That's probable cause."
Beckett: "The only place we're going to find the devil is in the details."
Castle: "You collapsed the foam."
Castle: "And you thought zombie apocalypse survival training campe was a waste of time."
Beckett: "You just kind of made nerdy sexy."
"Henry: "We both realized I had become Frodo.
"Castle: "I missed our mind melds."
And this week, not so much "looks" as good physical humor. Of note:
- Castle leaning for support against the cop guarding the crime scene.
- Castle's air karate moves after their encounter with the Invisble Man.
What did you think of "Clear & Present Danger?"
By Michael Seese
Only three weeks late. But just in time for the holidays...
Ho ho ho! The folks behind Castle decided to give us a bit of holiday cheer with the episode "Secret Santa." If you can get past the dead Santa at the beginning, that is.
This was a "standard" Castle: seemingly implausible murder (victim falls from the sky, with no commercial flights having passed over; a chip of red paint in his possession), multiple suspects (David Dunne, Tim Cabot, Michael Case), and then a quick resolution.
I thought they nicely mixed the murder mystery with the holiday good cheer: Castle's family surprising him by canceling their Christmas Even plans; Beckett's surprising Castle by switching shifts; Esposito surprising Ryan with his support; Esposito surprising the Cabots with the heirloom clock; and the overall redemption of Edmund Smith.
Santa lines dominated.
Beckett: "I hate to break it to you, Castle, but there is no Santa Claus."
Castle: "Well, not any more."
Captain Gates: "Lord I hate the holidays." (As my wife noted, that scene let Gates be uncharacteristically open about her personal life.)
Castle: "Yet another quality she has in common with the Grinch."
Ryan: "What does this mean for the future?"
Esposito: "It means one less guy dressed up as Santa."
Castle: "...and then launched into space?"
Beckett: "And how is that less plausible than your sleigh?"
Castle: "I think you mean less clausible." (His smirk probably was my favorite "look.")
A few other noteworthy points:
- I liked the scene where Espo went to visit Lanie, and that she was receptive to getting together in the future...just not Christmas Eve.
- Much like the rock-and-roll-tinged theme at the first commercial break of "Swan Song," "Secret Santa" had jingle-bell-like song, with a candy cane replacing the pen.
- The arrest of Dunne was great. He fought Esposito with a giant candy cane, and then fled to the tune of "Run, Run Rudolph."
"And to all, a good night..." I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.
If you still remember the episode, feel free to share your thoughts. Otherwise, until January 7...
