Castle: Cool Boys

by Michael Seese

We watch Castle, in part, because we enjoy the leads and the interactions between them. But let's be honest. We've "known" them for 7+ years now. So they probably have become slightly less interesting to us. That's why it's great when the writers can introduce a memorable character to stir the pot.

I felt that way about "The Nose." And I would say the same for Detective Ethan Slaughter, who made a return in "Cool Boys." 

Part of his charm is, much like Mia The Nose, he doesn't CARE that people don't like him. But even more than her, Slaughter takes Castle out of his game.

Witness Castle's facial expressions -- aka the looks -- which ranged from surprise to fear to disgust to amazement to amusement. 

Plus, it's obvious to me that Slaughter is the man Castle envisions himself as being.

Suffice to say, this was a funny episode. The writer's gave Slaughter so many good lines. (Or, there were good lines about him.)

Martha: "Don't 'mama' me, darling."

Slaughter: "This whole thing's a little above my intellectual paygrade."

Slaughter: "We're like Butch and Sundance."
Castle: "You know they died, right?"

Castle: "Flowers are a nice thank you gift. A giant Rambo knife... That's psychotic."

Slaughter: "Criminal Good Will Hunting."

Slaughter: "I'm not role model material."
Castle: "He's really not."

Castle: "You know you can take out the SIM card, right? I've lost more phones in this line of work."

Quick aside: It would be fun to know exactly how many. Two others immediately come to mind.

Castle: "Yeah, I'm sorry. I'm trying to be scared. I just keep picturing you doing jazz hands."

Quick aside 2: That might be one of the funniest Castle lines EVER.

Louis: "You've got that kind of clout with the mayor?"
Slaughter: "Hell, no. But Castle does."

Speaking of Louis, I loved his rapid-fire explanation of how he found Slaughter by hacking his life.

And, though we didn't get "lividity," Lanie gave us a new great word: exsanguination.

Picky aside: Something both my wife and I noticed... In the opening scene, where Ryan, Esposito, the SWAT team are attacking, why didn't Ryan and Espo get helmets?

As I write (and post) this, I realize "The Last Seduction" already has erred. I'm going to make a bold prediction and say the video call where (ostensibly) an attorney asks about divorce is a complete red herring.

Castle: The Nose

by Michael Seese
 
Wow. 

I think my jaw is still on the floor. I really enjoyed "The Nose." It was probably my favorite episode this season.

Why?

I don't think it's hyperbole to say that Mia "The Nose" Laszlo was one of the best supporting characters, EVER. I don't care if every word out of her mouth was bitchy. They were all hilarious.

Mia: "Do you always eat kale for breakfast because that is just wrong."

Beckett: "Are you always this unpleasant?"
Mia: "Yup."

Castle: "She [Hayley] likes me a lot. You can probably tell."
Mia: "No."

Ryan: "How did you two manage to lock Liam Hollister in a car trunk?"
Mia: "Because we’re awesome and you two suck. Next question."

Mia: "And you barely stink."
Castle: "Coming from you, that's high praise."

And some of the lines about her are worth citing.

Ryan: "Our witness is threatening to file a complaint against me for assault with a deadly odor. She says that I smell like soiled baby diapers and Javi's cologne is quote, Satan's butt sweat."

Castle: "I think my palette fell asleep."

Something else I noted. Rarely in a 48-minute TV show will you see a supporting character evolve. But she did.

Oh, and I loved her "decontamination chamber," not to mention the tactic Castle used to "smoke her out" of her apartment. (If you haven't seen it yet, prepare to laugh.)

I hope they bring her back. Speaking of bringing back, it was nice to see Hayley pay a return visit. I imagine someone thought she would make a good recurring character. Oh yeah.... I DID!

A few other notes...

The best lines NOT involving Mia:

Castle: "Et tu, Lucy? Is nothing private?"
Lucy: Not without the proper settings."

Martha: "Off, Off Broadway."
Castle: "Mother, that was New Jersey."
Martha: "Off, Off Broadway, as I said."

Hayley: "You're not too bad for a cop."
Beckett: "And you're not too bad for... what exactly do you do?"

Picky aside: Ryan shot his partner because he shot at a silhouette. That would earn a cop an administrative leave.

Nice aside: I thought touching that Beckett and Castle smelled each other's clothes at the end.

Please share your thoughts on "The Nose." Oh, and...

Three weeks until the next Castle? WTF?