Blackrock1

So here's the "I know nothing " scorecard: Joh Huertas - knew nothing - found out on twitter. #morose. Toks - knew nothing, read it in one of the rags. Very, very sad. Juliana Dever - knew nothing, just landed in a plane.... love to tamala and Stana. Seamus Dever - didn't say, assumed he knew nothing on the same plane, thanked Stana and Tamala. Sunkrish - knew nothing - glad he got to work with Stana These guys STILL don't know.... Molly Quinn - promoted tonights episode with a picture of Toks. Maybe STILL doesn't know. Susan Sullivan - tweeted some uplifting advice to seize the moment and watch tonights episode. Obviously, doesn't know. Nathan Fillion - not a peep. Probably doesn't know. Hasn't been on twitter or read the rags. Planning a live tweet tonight. God Bless.

Not buying it. The decision was made, probably a long time ago. Someone decided to release it to the press today. You don't think they gave her and her PR people the heads up so they could have a statement ready? You don't think maybe she called her "friends who are like family"-Jon, over weekend....or that the studio did, so they could all get their stories straight for the inevitable onslaught of cries from the fandom? Nope, not buying it. They all knew....some chose to take to social media and proclaim ignorance and dismay, some are just hunkering down. There's no good answer....I just object to them claiming it came out of the blue. #notanidiot I feel bad for Toks thought....why does she go on twitter? So toxic.. Wait, I WONDER IF THE SHOWRUNNERS KNOW? They aren't on twitter much..... oh NOOOOOOO

The only scene where they acted like a couple, that wasn't awkward or one sided IMO, was When Beckett was getting dressed for her first day back after the suspension. (Season 5?) Castle was admiring her, playfully trying to get her to try another shirt, they were affectionate and dare I say, natural looking. Like thy were BOTH interested in each other. MHW was ok....it just warps my head to think they write a scene with him in bed with his beautiful GF all over him at his beach house and he wants to get up, have coffee, and brainstorm about a crime. Awkward.

Wow, what the hell has happened to this show? Katic phoning in that horrible, horrible scene....stilted delivery, zero energy. The dialogue, a wish from "my MAN" ? The character is talking to a supposed accomplished, educated, well traveled adult - who is opining about a genie. Like it's a real thing. Why is it that Castle is never sexually interested in his wife? In fact, why is Beckett sexually interested in this version of Castle? I get that the writers are trying to appease the fans by implying the couple are hot for each other but Beckett acts like she has to beg for his attention and Castle acts like he's kissing his sister. This is by far the worst written and acted snippet I've seen by these folks. Hey, writers, watch the pilot then watch this scene and try to figure out how Castle went from "bad boy" charmer to just a complete idiot. No wonder they switched from drinking wine to drinking scotch... If it gets any worse, they might have to start drinking straight from the bottle. Sorry Flicker....I was typing when you posted...my remark was not intended to diss your "my man" comment...

They both suck Like a Kidney stone Agreed!

Before we get the pitchforks out and run after Beckett the b*#ch, let's not forget that Castle left her ON THEIR WEDDING DAY. With ZERO explaination. He was gone for months, during which, she searched high and low for him and never gave up. When he returned, she forgave him even though he couldn't explain himself. Beckett TOLD him she was leaving, asked him to forgive her in advance, asked him to trust her, and maintained contact with him throughout their separation. In the end, Beckett did it to keep him safe. Castle left her at the alter, made no attempt to contact her and allviate her worry, left her to search frantically for months, then came back with no explaination...oh, then we find out he left by choice, to save the world...even if it meant heartache for her. Who's worse?

I was being sarcastic.

Does anybody know what impact releasing a screener has had on ratings in the past? Just curious. It's hard to imagine that another season is in the cards. Old show, third set of show runners, presumably expensive cast, story lines being repeated, no promotion, no cast interviews.....IMO they are not expending resources or energy to pump up something they are winding down. The double switch on the extended winter hiatus indicates SOME sort of BTS activity at the network level. I'd love to hear everyone's speculation as to what?

Is it just me or have they made Castle creepy with how much of his sex life he shares with his mother and daughter? Was he really telling them in the opening scene how great it was to get laid after so long? Ewe.

Does anyone know where Alexis and Martha live? Or Beckett?

Is it just me, or could we use a live Twitter feed from the writers along the boom of the screen? Like closed captioning for the uninformed. They could explain what's really happening as opposed to what is on scree. I missed the "powerful moment" when Kate cured herself of her obsession. I also missed Castle being angry in the loft... I saw Kate just looking confused when Espo interrupted, and I saw Castle go down that road, but completely reverse himself out of nowhere and say "ok" and grab his girl. Honestly, without these awful interviews I would have no idea about most of what the writers intend to convey. That's said, I enjoyed the episode right up until the final scene. Right idea, absolutely horrible dialogue. Oh, and the mysonginistic brush off about the pregnancy question. Jesus. Here's a thought, maybe it would be interesting and "fun" to see how the couple faced THOSE challenges. How Beckett would adapt to any restrictions placed on her activities by the NYPD. How Castle would navigate in that space. I agree that it's way too soon, however, the snap reaction that Beckett would somehow be useless, that it is unimaginable....well actually, it is unimaginable for this team. Sadly.

My guess is that they shake hands. These writers love call backs. There. Fun!

In the pilot for the series, Castle stole crime scene photos off of Beckett's desk. She arrested him. Castle was introduced as ladies man, signing boobs and twice divorced from hot women. The balance to the character was provided by his crazy mother and his daughter. It was nice. A handsome, rich, successful alpha male whose ego was kept in check by his family. It made him interesting AND relatable. Flash forward, Castle steals a police car and helps a prisoner escape. No consequences. He is such a hapless buffoon that Slaughter wonders how he got a hot wife? His mother has gone from crazy to wise, his daughter has failed to launch and his third wife has taken a "time out". The man who was driven to find the story doesn't even question her. The is nothing interesting about Richard Castle anymore. He's lost his mojo. Beckett Is just a train wreck. Introduced as buttoned down, by the book cop. She was a sympathetic character. A woman who was smart, resourceful and successful in a male dominated field. She was damaged and driven by personal tragedy to help others. Becket was the kind of character that you root for in a story. Flash forward, they morphed her into a supermodel who lurches in all directions when it comes to her career and her love life. She loved her job, she solved her mother's murder, it wasn't enough.She's so awesome that the Feds want her, the state senate wants her, the precinct wants her, Castle wants her. She has rejected all of them either outright, or by her actions. How is she still employed? Why would Castle still pine after her? Her character has no counterbalance. It used to be Montgomery, then Gates. There is no authority in the precinct anymore. She answers to no one professionally, and she clearly does what she wants in her marriage...walking out with no explanation. How can you root for a character who has been on a quest for personal satisfaction, at everyone else's expense, and who doesn't even see it? Five seasons was enough. This stretching out of the series has ruined the characters and thus, the whole story IMO.

Wow. Castle got a .9 in the top 25 markets. I think the tank is empty and all they can do is glide this bird in. A shame really.

He went to Italy shortly before the filming began on S7, where she was being semi stalked by fans, and met with her in a public place and posed for a picture? It seemed weird to me. Made me wonder.

IF all the BTS BS is true, (and that's a big if) "Castle" must be one of the most challenging shows to write. Trying to craft arcs and individual episodes that depict a "grand love story" within a police procedural that is (now) a comedy, and can be executed within the limitations of the actors alleged contractual restrictions can NOT be easy. Then the show runners have to do interviews and pretend it's a grand plan. I used to wonder why Aman went to see Stana in Italy, and why it was made public.

The leads in MS are involved in a well publicized romantic relationship off screen. I imaging this makes the writers jobs easy when it comes to the relationship aspect of the show.

Not a cliff hanger but "The promise of what it will be like...." Does this remind anyone of season 6? The season of 20 + episodes of wedding planning, nods to what is to come, then what Katic called that "bombastic" ending? In the words of Yoda, "Do or do not, there is no try".

Didn't Luke make a bid deal about using his "grandmothers pearls" to make a bracelet for Beckett for the wedding (that never happened)? Killing her off then having her be secretly alive is another way to keep C&B apart on-screen and the "romance" alive via phone and skype while they "work together" (apart) to solve the locksat mystery. Nothing would surprise me at this point.

Nathan's comments to TV Line shouldn't be shocking to anyone. In interviews in the past, he has generally taken the same stance, that he is in the dark about the story. Why would he change that line now? As for the blame game about why the show has been "ruined", here's a theory. Lets say Nathan wanted the tone of the show to be more comedic and held out until TPTB could work out a scenario where he would continue. Lets say the scenario they came up with was the PI story, infused with comedy, featuring MQ with him, and a lighter work schedule. Lets say Stana wanted a meatier role for Beckett , more time off filming entirely, and a lighter work schedule in general. By all accounts, the schedule with the leads in most of the scenes is grueling after 7 years. Lets say when he became available, the network wanted Hawley (an experienced show runner) to run the show, and enticed him for 1 year to wind down Castle with the promise of the new series just announced (because why would someone jump on the tail end of a series, especially one where the BTS situation might be extra complicated). Lets also say that TPW was in the mix to take some of the strain of writing and managing the show off Hawley so he could work on the new effort while still working on Castle. TPW gets to train as a show runner giving him that cred after Castle. So now these guys have to come up with a hybrid. Two shows in one and try to keep everyone happy. I believe that everything we are seeing on screen, and the disconnect within the stories is the result of these parameters within which the writers have to write. Its a lot of moving parts, and if done well, I could see how they would think it could work. That we don't like it is of no consequence. If the actors are in it for the financial payoff, and the rest of the writers, crew and supporting cast are also just chugging along collecting their checks, so be it. Don't lambast them, they are doing what anyone would do. Working. At the end of the day, the network decides what to put on the air and it's not about quality. It's about how much revenue the show can generate, and Castle is past it's expiration date. No amount of fan outrage will change the story on Castle IMO. If the leads were on board and happy, the writers would have a lot more leeway to create interesting stories, infuse romance, comedy and drama. I could see where they could continue for a few more seasons. That doesn't seem like the case here. At some point the show becomes too expensive to produce and there is no reason to further invest in changes when you can just coast this thing in for a landing at the end of the season. I doubt any subsequent interview with Stana will be any more enlightening. This show, and apparently these actors, are tired. It's time to let go folks.

Just watched the second sneak. Guy trying to win back his wife. Wife calls, needs a favor. Guy puts daughter on the line? Can they try any harder to wedge Alexis into a scene?

ooohhhh. Obsessed Beckett working through all that mess is a story I could get behind and watch. I loved the PTSD episode because it showed these characters facing actual challenges in their lives. I would also love that they touch on it over several episodes because contrary to S4, PTSD is not resolved in 42 minutes. Question for Hal: What is your confidence level that in fact they are going to "go there" and flesh this out as opposed to just showing Beckett more and more obsessed, finally getting her big bad, than magically being ok? Thanks for your insights.

They've ruined Castle, he was originally a suave, care free successful man and over protective father with a child like side. He is unrecognizable now. A push over with no standing, zero, in his own relationship. Childish is the adjective that most accurately describes him. His actions as a father defy logic, common sense, and decency. What college girl , in the company of two adult males and her dad starts the discussion about the BDSM dungeon? What dad participates in that? About the "slutty angel" thing, college parties come in all shapes and sizes and dress codes, especially costumes parties. BUT NOBODY'S DAD IS THERE....JESUS. Original Castle was a great dad. As smart and "advanced" as his little girl was, he always watched out for her safety and well being. It was one of the things that made him attractive and likable as a character. There is NO dad on the planet who would have his little girl dress up in like that. None. Much less have her to go a frat party dressed like that. This version of Castle the character is gross, and inept, and a huge loser. Who would want to be with him? They've also ruined Beckett. Original Beckett was a little off. A woman on a mission. Closed off, focused, wounded, but relatable. Early days she mentioned some of the challenges of being a woman in a man's world at the NYPD. Now she's super Beckett. Righter of wrongs, avenger of all things. She can walk in and out of the precinct as she pleases, desk duty and paperwork be damned. She can walk in and out of her marriage as she pleases, when "she needs time". She doesn't have to explain herself to anyone. Her husband, her bosses, her friends. She's teflon, and she's a taker, not a giver. Original Beckett had depth. Who would want to be with current Beckett? She's all one way, can't commit (except to a crusade) and feels no obligation to compromise with anyone. Alexis wasn't my favorite to start with, but this mashup of Veronica Mars meets Nancy Drew wrapped up in 40 yr olds wardrobe is so off putting that I can't watch her scenes. No offense is meant here to the actress. Its the character. Friendless, unable to detach from daddy (with whom she has no normal boundaries), and a know it all. Awesome. Martha - still supporting her son and injecting her wisdom. The only one of the Castle family who is not afraid to have a conversation with Beckett and also call her by her first name. Martha is also the only character who seemed natural around Beckett at the loft, and visa-versa. Sure, she got a little too familiar in one episode but overall, as Castle's only adult friend, she's a real value add and helps the story along. PLEASE don't ruin Martha. She's the secret sauce. I was amazed over the MilMar years at how tone deaf they were. This season, and this episode leave me shaking my head, wondering if "tone deaf" is the problem, or if the show runners and writers are so constrained by the rumored demands of the cast that this is the best they can come up with. Nobody would write this show this way if they had a choice. Would they? I am speculating of course, but it walks like a duck and talks like a duck.