Spoilers, Speculation & All Things Media!

[westwingfan]

 

Guilty as charged, Beckett immediately popped in my mind as an example (with no connection to bestiality :-)). Not that I know how people usually react when being waterboarded or shot at (thank God), but I lived through some pretty stressful times myself and never reacted half as visibly distressed and emotional as I see some actors do on screen. Maybe I'm just repressed or shy, I don't know. But my empathy usually goes to the less visibly dramatic acting moments.

And then you have that scene in FFYG when Castle is telling her story and she totally changes the mood of the scene by a swallow and a change of expression, and ITBOTB when she's waiting to meet Mr Jones for the first time and during the conversation with Harding you can see the moment when it dawns on her that Elena is not just a courier and she realises that she's got to change her demeanor.

[Gant]

And then you have that scene in FFYG when Castle is telling her story and she totally changes the mood of the scene by a swallow and a change of expression, and ITBOTB when she's waiting to meet Mr Jones for the first time and during the conversation with Harding you can see the moment when it dawns on her that Elena is not just a courier and she realises that she's got to change her demeanor.

Exactly. That moment in Flowers or the moment on the phone with Royce did way more for me than all the badassery we've been witnessing through the seasons. There's also the eternal question of writing, as KaveDweller pointed out. The desire to go bigger and louder often turns characters into cartoons deaf and blind to real emotion but trying to stand out by being over the top and all over the place.

[westwingfan]

Exactly. That moment in Flowers or the moment on the phone with Royce did way more for me than all the badassery we've been witnessing through the seasons. There's also the eternal question of writing, as KaveDweller pointed out. The desire to go bigger and louder often turns characters into cartoons deaf and blind to real emotion but trying to stand out by being over the top and all over the place.

You must be psychic because that Royce episode aired here today. LOL

[CastleSeason8]

Same can be said for both leads. For me, the scenes with the most emotional punch are the quiet facial expressions or not "over the top" dialogue. Subtle for them is always so powerful.

[madmaverick]

Beckett's moment in that Flowers scene will always be one of Stana's best acted scenes to me.  Back then, the dialogue as well as the acting was less 'in your face' which I almost always find more effective.  I think somewhere along the line when they started Mary-Suing the character (S3?) and Badass Beckett became a signature for the character as some vocal fans clamoured for more.  But they've gone to that well so many times now, with increasing levels of unsubtle 'badassness' that I almost can't take it seriously now when they go there.  Kicking over tables.  Manhandling suspects.  Water torture.  Sigh.  They've even developed a signature 'look' of badassness which has become kind of ridiculousness in itself.  The flowing locks, the black turtleneck, the silhouette and usually a gun in hand.  The scene this season where they had 'badass' Beckett in her bra and deal with her wound on the run was a low point for me.  Just too much and came off as trying too hard by the writers.  But some fans lap it up which is probably why the writers indulge it.  Subtlety hasn't been their strong point for several seasons now either.

 

Don't get me wrong.  I love my strong female characters.  But I wish the writers thought harder about the whole concept of badassness if indeed they want to go in that direction.  Badassness isn't the same thing as being strong in my view.  A badass woman isn't one that has to beat up men or be better than them all the time.  If you ask me, what Ryan did in Always was as badass an act as I've seen on Castle.  I found Lucy Liu to be badass as Watson on Elementary some time ago when she casually delivered a warning to an antagonist.  Found that approach more effective than being all up in the person's face.  You can be badass as an intellectual or by outwitting others.  There's no need to resort to the (cliched) physical every time, especially if it's actually a person in a position of authority exercising power illegally.

 

And I agree that 'badass' scenes don't play to Stana's strengths as an actor either.  She can veer into overacting territory.  That scene in Kill Shot where she was drinking and going crazy in her apartment just didn't work for me.  Same with the ITBOTB stuff and even her grandstanding speech in Hollander's Woods.  It was all just too lacking in subtlety for my taste.  But I understand that it's all subjective and we have different tastes.  

 

I understand writers have to 'grow' their characters as a show progresses, but I wish they didn't have a tendency to overblow a particular quality in a character too much even if it was a desirable thing in smaller doses earlier on.  With Castle, his comedy can become buffoonery.  Too much laughing at him than laughing with him.  With Beckett, it's her badassness and the idea of her being 'damaged' and obsessive, neither of which are a draw for me in her character.  It's kind of become cliched for badass women to kickass but have this damaged side to them from their past that stunts personal growth.  I would find it more refreshing at this point to have someone react differently to a past tragedy.  Balance of power, balancing strength/vulnerability is key both within characters and within relationships when it comes to characterisation for me and the writers have definitely lost that balance quite often over time.

 

I am looking forward to Beckett going back to the police academy and hoping we find out something new about her past history that doesn't take away from her character, unfortunately based on the pictures and tweets so far I should also prepare myself for lots of artful silhouetting and odd camera angles that showcase Mr Bowman's directing talents which I don't care about, it's the characters I'm interested in.

 

 

I am looking forward to Beckett being back at the police academy too, although I wish she were there reminiscing with Castle rather than mentoring a brand new character we probably won't care about after the episode.  I liked Beckett mentoring that uniform cop in 402.  Want to bet that we find out Beckett was a legend at the academy, graduated at the top of her class as usual?  I mean, did this girl ever get a 'B'?  ;)  I wonder if Royce will get a mention.  I had mixed feelings about Beckett being in love with someone like Royce.  Not saying it was impossible, but I didn't really care for it.

 

In my opinion, Bowman definitely overindulges when it comes to certain things in his directing that prioritize his idea of the aesthetic over capturing and illuminating ;) a performance.  And I wouldn't be surprised if everyone else on set is deferential to him because he's like senior head honcho even if he's not the showrunner.

 

Whilst it's not the be all and end all if I don't see Stana and Nathan together being chummy it does sadden me that if Castle does wrap this season, you're right the idea of something as simple as one last joint interview where they talk about the show that's been such an integral part of their lives for so long would be like asking for the moon when at the start it was all so very different, they were adorable together and a joy to watch.  Such a pity.

 

Such a pity indeed.  I would love to see one last joint interview but it is like asking for the moon at this point (although didn't TXF fans say the same, we just have to wait 10 years ;)), and even if it did, I don't think they'll ever let their guard down again in public and be as playful and free together as they once were.  We'd probably get something stilted and stiff, and people still wouldn't be happy and it would just stir the rumour mill again. ;)  If only they weren't such a joy to watch in those early interviews, perhaps we wouldn't miss them as much. ;)  I know some say that it was all orchestrated PR, but like you said, body language is telling and frankly, I think Stana was much less in tune with PR then as she has become now. 

Edited January 17, 2016 by madmaverick

[Gant]

Don't get me wrong.  I love my strong female characters.  But I wish the writers thought harder about the whole concept of badassness if indeed they want to go in that direction.  Badassness isn't the same thing as being strong in my view.  A badass woman isn't one that has to beat up men or be better than them all the time.  If you ask me, what Ryan did in Always was as badass an act as I've seen on Castle.  I found Lucy Liu to be badass as Watson on Elementary some time ago when she casually delivered a warning to an antagonist.  Found that approach more effective than being all up in the person's face.  You can be badass as an intellectual or by outwitting others.  There's no need to resort to the (cliched) physical every time, especially if it's actually a person in a position of authority exercising power illegally.

 

 

Agreed. I wish entertainment people in general weren't so literal with the word "strong" in "strong female character". Sometimes strength is in keeping silent, keeping your head down while thinking up a plan, or being resilient, being patient, or not abandoning your humorous side in the face of all the difficulties and sufferings, and so on. A housewife can be a paragon of strength as much as a female cop or FBI agent by the way. Just more variety along with more subtlety would be good. More reality.

[verdana]

Agreed. I wish entertainment people in general weren't so literal with the word "strong" in "strong female character". Sometimes strength is in keeping silent, keeping your head down while thinking up a plan, or being resilient, being patient, or not abandoning your humorous side in the face of all the difficulties and sufferings, and so on. A housewife can be a paragon of strength as much as a female cop or FBI agent by the way. Just more variety along with more subtlety would be good. More reality.

I wish this could be sent around to every TV (and movie) exec as required reading. I get sick and tired of seeing what their idea of a "strong female character" is because usually I can pretty much guarantee what I'll be getting, like they have this check list of things they assume women want to see what in order for the character to be popular and appeal to them.

 

There are some that buck the trend but usually I can guarantee first and foremost they'll be physically badass able to punch and fight like a guy and overpower men too without blinking an eye. We can't have the fact that men are physically stronger get in the way of the "strong female character" giving everyone a damn good asskicking and even if she does get injured in the process she gets up and carries on barely flinching at the pain.

 

Even more annoyingly they often decide to Mary Sue the hell out of them so they become great at everything with no explanation offered as to how they became so brilliant at such a vast array of different things. If the women are allowed to have flaws it's usually something that's permanently "damaged" them in some way God forbid they've moved on and dare I even say the word "got over" it because people are not allowed to just get over shit stuff that happens they need to it to haunt them, may be even throw in some nightmares or have them act out at key moments to emphasize the point - they're so very brave but damaged sob! 

 

That's why it's wonderful when you discover a female character that for want of a better word is "normal" and it doesn't come over as if the writers were trying to check every single damn box they could think of to appeal to their audience (hot - check, kickass - check, brilliant - check, damaged - check....) which instantly makes that person unrelatable to me. 

 

Kind of amusing in a way that the showrunners for all their supposed smarts don't realise that by doing this tick box exercise they risk losing sight of what made the character so attractive and unique to many in the first place.  Although many could argue Beckett is more popular and beloved as a character now by the online fanbase at least so what do I know lol, her transformation over the years (which in certain ways didn't feel organic to the character at least to me) paid off. 

Edited January 17, 2016 by verdana

[verdana]

I'm definitely in the group that prefers more nuanced, subtle form of acting, chewing scenery style moments leaves me cold. Both Stana and Nathan have proven more than adept at giving me those (former) moments but alas they seem increasingly infrequent as the show has aged. 
 

The scene this season where they had 'badass' Beckett in her bra and deal with her wound on the run was a low point for me.  Just too much and came off as trying too hard by the writers.

The scar had done a disappearing act too, you would think they could at least get that sorted. I just watched that scene again on youtube to remind me of the sheer ridiculousness of it, the whole thing was straight out of TV tropes.
 

Self-Surgery
A character for one reason or another can't go to a hospital, or even get another character to help, so he treats his own injuries. An oft-seen version of this trope (to establish the Badass credentials of a character) involves sewing the injury up, with or without the use of anaesthetic.

 

 
The swig from the Vodka bottle then the look down and lets liberally douse the wound too with barely a flinch, that was a nice added touch to make it even more cliched and laugh out loud. What I also love about it that the tailor conveniently has a half drunk bottle of Vodka to hand (I wouldn't be going to her to get my trousers taken up), the only thing we have in our work fridge is milk and people's packaged lunches/groceries heh. 
 

I am looking forward to Beckett being back at the police academy too, although I wish she were there reminiscing with Castle rather than mentoring a brand new character we probably won't care about after the episode.  I liked Beckett mentoring that uniform cop in 402.  Want to bet that we find out Beckett was a legend at the academy, graduated at the top of her class as usual?  I mean, did this girl ever get a 'B'?  ;)  I wonder if Royce will get a mention.  I had mixed feelings about Beckett being in love with someone like Royce.  Not saying it was impossible, but I didn't really care for it.

Oh you can bet she was the stand our star at everything and her name is probably uttered in reverent tones even now around the academy. Agree with you about the mentor business, but at least it seems they're focusing on Beckett so I hope to get a few decent things out of it with luck.  
 
As for the Royce relationship, I know some fans take it as fact she had a fling with him but I don't believe that has been established only in fanfic heh. I hope to God Hawley doesn't dredge that up in such a way that I'm wishing she had never gone back to the academy.  I don't like the idea they were together because given their respective ages and position at the time (he was her training officer and she was this emotionally vulnerable young recruit) it always felt a bit icky to me.

Edited January 18, 2016 by verdana

[femmefan1946]

I had mixed feelings about Beckett being in love with someone like Royce.  Not saying it was impossible, but I didn't really care for it.

Hmm. She's young and idealistic. He has a roguish charm. She has a missing father (still in a bottle at that point?) He's older and caring.

I'm not clear if there was a physical relationship, but there was still a sexual vibe when they met years later.

And she didn't know that Royce was dirty at the time.

I was under the impression that she had graduated from the Academy when she worked with Royce. He was her superior officer, not a teaching officer.

In either case, a physical relationship would have been strictly verboten by 2000 or so when she started on the force.

Edited January 18, 2016 by femmefan1946

[KaveDweller]

The swig from the Vodka bottle then the look down and lets liberally douse the wound too with barely a flinch, that was a nice added touch to make it even more cliched and laugh out loud. What I also love about it that the tailor conveniently has a half drunk bottle of Vodka to hand (I wouldn't be going to her to get my trousers taken up), the only thing we have in our work fridge is milk and people's packaged lunches/groceries heh.

 

The only thing that worked about that scene for me, was that she did it exactly the way James Brolin told Martha to do it back in season 6.  I like the idea that she somehow learned the move from Castle's dad.

 

I had mixed feelings about Beckett being in love with someone like Royce.  Not saying it was impossible, but I didn't really care for it.

Hmm. She's young and idealistic. He has a roguish charm. She has a missing father (still in a bottle at that point?) He's older and caring.

I'm not clear if there was a physical relationship, but there was still a sexual vibe when they met years later.

And she didn't know that Royce was dirty at the time.

I was under the impression that she had graduated from the Academy when she worked with Royce. He was her superior officer, not a teaching officer.

In either case, a physical relationship would have been strictly verboten by 2000 or so when she started on the force.

 

Yes, Royce was her training officer after she finished the Academy. I totally get Beckett having a crush on Royce back when she was a rookie, and I can get Royce being flattered by the attention. But I also don't like the idea that they were actually involved and I never really believed that theory.  It just seems inappropriate on his part to have let that happen. The show didn't establish for sure that it did happen, but I there were some hints that someone could interpret that way if they chose.

 

Also, it bothers me that some people like to find a sexual connection between ever male character in Beckett's past. Not because she shouldn't be allowed to sleep with whoever she wants to, just because it's nice that it's possible for her to have professional relationships that don't cross that line.

Edited January 18, 2016 by KaveDweller

[verdana]

I understand writers have to 'grow' their characters as a show progresses, but I wish they didn't have a tendency to overblow a particular quality in a character too much even if it was a desirable thing in smaller doses earlier on.  With Castle, his comedy can become buffoonery.  Too much laughing at him than laughing with him.

The buffoonery is definitely overkill, it's the writers default option when they want to bring the "funny" to the show and I dread it. Castle suddenly becomes this bumbling, clumsy guy clowning around, it doesn't feel like character growth but a way by the writers to get easy laughs and its become a bad habit. I also don't like the way they've removed any sense of the innate confidence and suavity he had in the early days especially when it comes to women. It's increasingly hard to believe this guy was ever a socialite and lady killer. 

Edited January 18, 2016 by verdana

[madmaverick]

KaveDweller, I don't know much about clothes but thought that outfit of Beckett's you admired earlier might be one of hers that's easier to replicate from the high street?  Looked like a loose blue blouse kind of thing with a belted waist.  But there's one outfit of Beckett's (aka Steve Jobs' as well heh) we should all be able to replicate: the black turtleneck.

 

The swig from the Vodka bottle then the look down and lets liberally douse the wound too with barely a flinch, that was a nice added touch to make it even more cliched and laugh out loud.

 

Thanks for that blurb from TV tropes.  They really nailed it heh.  I was really fighting the urge to laugh when I first watched that scene.  "It could be worse."  Said in a deadly serious tone as she barely flinches when she bends her torso with that wound on her.  The vodka swig may be the funniest bit.  Of course her flowing locks are still perfectly positioned, and of course she's wearing a black bra under a white shirt yet again, and her scar is nowhere in sight.

 

Sometimes strength is in keeping silent, keeping your head down while thinking up a plan, or being resilient, being patient, or not abandoning your humorous side in the face of all the difficulties and sufferings, and so on. A housewife can be a paragon of strength as much as a female cop or FBI agent by the way. Just more variety along with more subtlety would be good. More reality.

 

Couldn't agree more.  But many writers in TV and film seem set on a gung ho idea of strength as the model to aspire to, unfortunately.  Perhaps thinking it makes for better drama.

 

(hot - check, kickass - check, brilliant - check, damaged - check....)

 

Ha. I think you nailed the checklist.  There's another one for the male anti hero character that has become so popular in recent years.  

 

Castle suddenly becomes this bumbling, clumsy guy clowning around, it doesn't feel like character growth but an easy way by the writers to get easy laughs. I also don't like the way they've removed any sense of the innate confidence and suavity he had in the early days especially when it comes to women.

 

The writers lost their touch for sharper, edgier banter as a source of wit and comedy.  Maybe as Caskett grew closer and more aligned, they felt they needed to find their laughs elsewhere.  Castle had to become less of a suave wiseass and more of an earnest, lovesick puppy.  And/or maybe as Beckett became more alpha badass Mary Sued, Castle inadvertently became de-balled.  I am not saying that the characters had to stay who they were at the beginning, but again, a balancing act in their traits and in the power relationship between characters is important so that they stay recognisable as the characters we love.

Edited January 18, 2016 by madmaverick

[verdana]

The vodka swig may be the funniest bit.  Of course her flowing locks are still perfectly positioned, and of course she's wearing a black bra under a white shirt yet again, and her scar is nowhere in sight.

I knew they had lost me on this when instead of gasping in shock and awe at her discomforting situation I was staring at her perfectly tousled locks thinking "oooh her hair looks so pretty" heh. The black bra under a white shirt also gets me who does that seriously?  Okay I've seen some stars attempt it on the red carpet and I wonder WTF are you thinking it looks horrible. I can't imagine Beckett doing this much less on her first day to work as a police captain.  Of course she never even made it to work lol. 

 

Castle had to become less of a suave wiseass and more of an earnest, lovesick puppy. And/or maybe as Beckett became more alpha badass Mary Sued, Castle inadvertently became de-balled.

I know some fans get a bit upset when you use that term (de-balled) but unfortunately that's how it comes over to me. I do wonder if part of the reason they made him this way over time is so he appears less threatening as a man to the younger female fans who coo and sigh over Castle when portrayed increasingly as this adorable goober, that's not a compliment. I used to think there was an edge to Castle back in the day and that's completely absent now, falling in love with Beckett shouldn't have erased that, he could still be softened as a character without losing his mojo.

Edited January 18, 2016 by verdana

[femmefan1946]

I hadn't thought of the change in Castle as being a sop to the teen demographic, but it could go that way. A bad boy their own age-- he can be changed. A bad boy who is obviously a fully grown man-- a little scarey.

[FlickerToAFlame]

Hope Locksat isn't on Twitter ;)

@WriteRCastle

One of my New Year’s resolutions was to tweet more, but I just got the love of my life back and have been a little busy. #Sorrynotsorry

Edited January 18, 2016 by FlickerToAFlame

[Hipshooter]

Is it true that Fillion and Katic can't stand each other? If so .....WTH happened? If not where did this start? I always thought they got along famously. 

[WendyCR72]

Is it true that Fillion and Katic can't stand each other? If so .....WTH happened? If not where did this start? I always thought they got along famously. 

 

No one has the answer and we likely never will.

[madmaverick]

Watched the first 2 episodes of Rashida Jones' new show Angie Tribeca, and I think people here will get a kick out of it.  Created by Steve Carell and his wife, Nancy, a talented and potent comedic duo on The Office and further back on The Daily Show, so I was interested to check it out even though I didn't think RJ was that strong of an actress on either The Office or Parks & Rec.  Too early to say if the series has legs but it's good for a few laughs especially if you've been trawling the TV Tropes site heh.  It's basically a spoof of badass female detective series'.  It's all spoof all the time so may not be everyone's cup of tea.  The writers have definitely watched an episode of Castle or two, hehehe.  I wonder if even the title character's name Angie Tribeca is a spoof off something like Nikki Heat.  

[TWP]

It appears the PTB are testing the Sunday waters?  Or is it a binge-broadcast of sorts to bring the show back with a bang?  Castle will air a Sunday plus a Monday show on its second week back from hiatus.  http://tvline.com/2016/01/19/castle-season-8-return-date-sunday-episode/

Edited January 19, 2016 by TWP

[FlickerToAFlame]

Anybody know what's airing Monday February 1 at 10? They could have needed the slot for a last minute special but not wanted to keep Castle on a week later into May.

[KaveDweller]

Anybody know what's airing Monday February 1 at 10? They could have needed the slot for a last minute special but not wanted to keep Castle on a week later into May.

"The Bachelor Live"

I think that's when they do a reunion where the women voted out fight and take feminism back a few steps.

[femmefan1946]

Not really interested in sports but I gather Rhonda Roussey has increased interest in women's boxing (?). Is The Bachelor something like that? Seems an odd name for a sports show.

[Guest]

Not really interested in sports but I gather Rhonda Roussey has increased interest in women's boxing (?). Is The Bachelor something like that? Seems an odd name for a sports show.

 

The Bachelor is a reality show where a guy dates like 30 women at a time and eventually picks one.  Some are eliminated every week.  There is also The Bachelorette, which is similar except there is 1 woman and 30ish guys.

[FlickerToAFlame]

New promo:

The sparks will fly when #Castle returns on Feb. 8!

https://www.facebook.com/Castle/videos/10153834927213638/?theater

[CastleSeason8]

New promo:

The sparks will fly when #Castle returns on Feb. 8!

https://www.facebook.com/Castle/videos/10153834927213638/?theater

Ugh. Thats all i have to say

[KaveDweller]

Cute promo except for the slapping part. Even if it's staged I don't find that funny (but clearly we're supposed to).

Edited January 19, 2016 by KaveDweller

[TWP]

I think the promo is promising.  #lowexpectations.

[CastleSeason8]

The slap killed it for me. Remember the look on Espo's face during the "broken" scene? These are their friends and coworkers. Not amusing in the least to me. When they have faught before, its been subtle and everyone still knew. No need for humiliaton.

[KaveDweller]

The slap killed it for me. Remember the look on Espo's face during the "broken" scene? These are their friends and coworkers. Not amusing in the least to me. When they have faught before, its been subtle and everyone still knew. No need for humiliaton.

I don't care about Ryan and Espo's reaction, cause those two didn't seem to care that much about the break up to begin with. Castle and Beckett both tried to help the boys with their drama and they didn't do a thing in return. But physical violence is just not funny to me. If the genders were reversed that would never fly. Also, it's super unprofessional for a Captain.

I'm sure it's a very small moment in the episode, which otherwise looks decent.

[turnitwayup]

It appears the PTB are testing the Sunday waters?  Or is it a binge-broadcast of sorts to bring the show back with a bang?  Castle will air a Sunday plus a Monday show on its second week back from hiatus.  http://tvline.com/2016/01/19/castle-season-8-return-date-sunday-episode/

 

Don't really know what programming is gonna get filled since Galavant would be done by then, but I think currently ABC is just reairing Quantico until new eps start in March. With OUAT not coming back to March too, maybe they rather fill that last time slot with a new ep of Castle than a Quantico rerun if they plan for a Sunday 2 hr movie or something.

 

The promo seemed a little promising until the slap. I can't remember if they're suppose to still be separated to the public, but if tptb idea of fun is a physical Caskett fight to show they're still separated then it's so ugh. Of course the official Castle twitter tweeting about getting Beckett back make this dumb storyline nonsensical.

[BellyLaughter]

It's OT but am I the only one who thinks Molly Quinn would be mad to not throw her name in the mix for the Nancy Drew pilot on CBS?

Ok promo .... You got me! I'm interested.

[BlakesMomma]

Don't really know what programming is gonna get filled since Galavant would be done by then, but I think currently ABC is just reairing Quantico until new eps start in March. With OUAT not coming back to March too, maybe they rather fill that last time slot with a new ep of Castle than a Quantico rerun if they plan for a Sunday 2 hr movie or something.

 

The promo seemed a little promising until the slap. I can't remember if they're suppose to still be separated to the public, but if tptb idea of fun is a physical Caskett fight to show they're still separated then it's so ugh. Of course the official Castle twitter tweeting about getting Beckett back make this dumb storyline nonsensical.

 

The Quantico reruns have been doing ABC no favors in the ratings department so I'm sure, given the chance, ABC would much rather run a new Castle episode in that one Sunday night timeslot.  With the week push back to Feb 8th it's going to be a tight squeeze to get all the remaining 14 episodes of Castle in before the season ends.  Hence the Sunday night episode if I had to guess.

[madmaverick]

I thought they wanted an African American Nancy Drew?  But I just read the headline, no idea about what's being pitched.  I think Molly would be a good Nancy Drew, although playing a character like Veronica Mars or the lead in iZombie would be something more different for her.  And OT, but is she dating that bearded producer of The Bachelor?  She's tweeting a lot with the guy.  Do they shoot on the same lot as Castle?  I think a show like The Bachelor is a step back for feminism but what do I know, it's in its what season by now? ;)

 

I enjoyed the promo.  Going into the rest of the season with a glass half full than half empty mindset.  There are still things to enjoy and we don't know how long we'll get to enjoy it for, so appreciate it while we can.  And ouch, I don't care for the slap either although I'll take it the way I take torture being portrayed on the show.  I never thought Castle kissing Gates was funny and this is kind of in that vein of inappropriate behavior.  At least it's not foreplay...or is it? ;)  I still see plenty of Caskett chemistry in the promo, which is a very good thing.

Edited January 19, 2016 by madmaverick

[BlakesMomma]

I thought they wanted an African American Nancy Drew?  But I just read the headline, no idea about what's being pitched.  I think Molly would be a good Nancy Drew, although playing a character like Veronica Mars or the lead in iZombie would be something more different for her.  And OT, but is she dating that bearded producer of The Bachelor?  She's tweeting a lot with the guy.  Do they shoot on the same lot as Castle?  I think a show like The Bachelor is a step back for feminism but what do I know, it's in its what season by now? ;)

 

I enjoyed the promo.  Going into the rest of the season with a glass half full than half empty mindset.  There are still things to enjoy and we don't know how long we'll get to enjoy it for, so appreciate it while we can.  And ouch, I don't care for the slap either although I'll take it the way I take torture being portrayed on the show.  I never thought Castle kissing Gates was funny and this is kind of in that vein of inappropriate behavior.  At least it's not foreplay...or is it? ;)  I still see plenty of Caskett chemistry in the promo, which is a very good thing.

 

I'll join your glass half full team.  I still see plenty to enjoy and agree there's lots of chemistry this season and in that promo.

[TWP]

I'll join your glass half full team.  I still see plenty to enjoy and agree there's lots of chemistry this season and in that promo.

Really!  Rarely do I forget, but when I do, my husband reminds me that if we think Castle is bad, how much better are the alternatives? As bad as it is at times, for TV, the writing on the show is okay and the production is pretty good.  The last 8 episodes are in my rear view mirror.  Now, I'll enjoy the ride, skip the weeks when it gets boring or tedious.  TV just keeps getting worse. I can't imagine what will be left when Castle is gone.

 

Molly would be a good Nancy Drew.  I really think that would be a perfect role for her.

 

Oh in meta comedy.  Paul* the ABC net executive recently said that he expects Nashville to be around for years because DVR viewing, even though the 18-49 rating has gone below 1.0.  LOLOLOLOL!  Anything he says about Castle, including spinoffs, should be considered throwaway, IMHO.  He's talking smoke.

 

*Update: changed Phil to Paul

Edited January 20, 2016 by TWP

[KaveDweller]

I never thought Castle kissing Gates was funny and this is kind of in that vein of inappropriate behavior.  At least it's not foreplay...or is it? ;)  I still see plenty of Caskett chemistry in the promo, which is a very good thing.

 

Ugh, Castle kissing Gates wasn't funny and rather inappropriate too.  The Castle writers sometimes have a weird sense of humor.

 

On a positive note, I do see sparks between Castle and Beckett, so I'm going to focus on that.

[TWP]

I will concur with those around the internet who say that Castle was pre-empted on Feb 1 for the Iowa Caucuses. Many shows are doing repeats that night. The Iowa Caucuses are overrated, since they only predict the presidential nominee about half the time (eg. Bill Clinton only received 3% of the vote to Tom Harkin's ~75% on his first Iowa caucus.). But the media loves them, so the networks will ensure that it's a bad TV night. Remember to save some DVR shows for that night, if you want to see new scripted TV.

 

If ratings were the driving force in moving to Feb 8, I doubt the ratings wisdom of squeezing an episode into the following Sunday night. But I'm sure Paul Lee and the gang know what they're doing ::chuckles::.

Edited January 20, 2016 by TWP

[femmefan1946]

a guy dates like 30 women at a time and eventually picks one.

What does she get, a tiara? A large sum of money? It's like a talent show?

 

Re: Nancy Drew-- how about Molly Quinn as George? Give some the younger generation some unexpected UST .

Well, that's how I read the books anyway.

 

The slap I don't mind (although I agree about the domestic violence) it was the slapstick tripping that annoyed me.

[WendyCR72]

What does she get, a tiara? A large sum of money? It's like a talent show?

 

No, she gets the guy. It's supposed to end with a rose and a proposal (maybe the latter is optional?). More than 90% of the time, if there IS both, the engagement is inevitably broken and reported weeks later. Ha.

 

I can think of only one successful relationship that came from that show.

[verdana]

Go away for a few days and come back to find out there's going to be three new Castle episodes in 8 days and a promo at last.

Agreed femmefan1946 about the slapstick trip that was super annoying, that's a typical example of what I was discussing a few days back about how they're relying too much on buffoonish Castle for comedy purposes.

As for slap, I was expecting it as they keep up this stupid separation charade with their inner circle of about 5 people. Locksat surely can't give a shit at this point if they wanted them they'd take them out any time. Kavedweller summed it up for me on that score. Pity because otherwise the promo looked okay, why do they have to spoil things? I don't find violence funny which I guess is what they're going for there...er right?

Edited January 21, 2016 by verdana

[verdana]

Matt's Inside Line: Scoop on Scandal, Sleepy Hollow, Castle, The Flash, Once, Supernatural, Grey's, Reign and More at TV Line 

 

Will there be any Lucy and Beckett interactions on Castle? –Barry
“It’s funny you ask that – in [Episode] 816, we will be doing a little Beckett/Lucy/ Castle [interaction], a bit of jealousy,” co-showrunner Alexi Hawley shared when I hand-delivered your Q. “Your readers are very perceptive!” (Yes, yes they are.)

 

Hmmm hope this turns out to be genuinely funny and not incredibly dumb.

 

Given that Castle is back regularly banging Beckett what does he need Lucy for these days? 

Edited January 21, 2016 by verdana

[verdana]

The promo seemed a little promising until the slap. I can't remember if they're suppose to still be separated to the public, but if tptb idea of fun is a physical Caskett fight to show they're still separated then it's so ugh. Of course the official Castle twitter tweeting about getting Beckett back make this dumb storyline nonsensical.

I thought after 8.08 they reached an agreement they will continue with the separation ruse for everyone else to keep Locksat off the scent whilst investigating it together. But if that's the case and Locksat are so incredibly dangerous why are they sneaking around like a couple of giggling love sick teenagers, engaging in fake fights in the precinct whilst spending all their time together including sleepovers? My brain hurts thinking about this crap. 

[madmaverick]

Have a drink, verdana, and join me at the glass is half full table. :P  I can't really take Locksat seriously, I'm not taking fake separation seriously, and I'm not taking slapping and tripping seriously (and they probably weren't meant to be anyway, whether it's to our taste or not).  As long as I still find the show has heart, good chemistry and a few laughs, and I'm entertained rather than bored as the minutes tick by, I am still doing OK and I'll try not to let whatever's illogical or ridiculous hinder my enjoyment (much).  And that's my rule for all TV.

 

Given that Castle is back regularly banging Beckett what does he need Lucy for these days?

 

 

The company?  The snark?  :P ;)  I enjoy Lucy so don't mind more of her in witty doses.  We don't know if Beckett will again be all super casual, "see you around", and exit sharpish right after her agenda has been completed. ;)  I hope not.

 

Re: Nancy Drew-- how about Molly Quinn as George? Give some the younger generation some unexpected UST .

 

 

Ooh, that could actually be interesting.  A Nancy Drew in a hijab would also be pretty groundbreaking, and perhaps what is needed in this climate.

 

No, she gets the guy. It's supposed to end with a rose and a proposal (maybe the latter is optional?). More than 90% of the time, if there IS both, the engagement is inevitably broken and reported weeks later. Ha.I can think of only one successful relationship that came from that show.

 

There's one?!  Haha, they beat the odds already.

 

Do they get money for "winning"?  Do they lose money if they break up within a certain amount of time?  Is the show actually more accidentally comedic (I think I would laugh a lot) or it's actually high drama?

 

And now I've got this image of Sarah Palin endorsing Donald Trump with a rose hehe, though hopefully not a proposal hehehe.  Noooo. Go away.  They will now announce the results of the caucuses in The Bachelor format!

 

I think I may have read a chapter or two of a fanfic where Beckett was actually competing for Castle in a Bachelor type scenario.  Don't remember, but hopefully it was an undercover assignment because I don't believe Beckett would rather die than participate for real.

 

Still finding Seamus' twitter profile pic creepy.  Plus he's now calling Tamala "baby"!  Creepy 70s vibe.

 

Looks like Nathan brought the family who won the lucky draw from his theatre fundraiser to the set after lunching with them, and a good time was had by all.  Nice to see. 

 

Also, there was this TV Line blurb earlier interviewing the actress who played the infamous reporter who straddled Castle in 502.   I forget who wrote the episode and had forgotten that it was directed by a female director.  But seriously, what woman would find that kind of thing funny in any context between two adults?  That might win the award for least funny thing ever on Castle for me.  It was in bad taste itself, but especially for someone who was in a new relationship.  It would never be funny if a guy was aggressive like that, so why is it funny if it's a woman?  Same deal with the slap.  And I would find it terrible as well as terrifying to audition as 'bikini girl' but objectifying must be the norm in the business.

 

http://tvline.com/gallery/jodi-lyn-okeefe-prison-break-charmed-photos/#!2/castle-kristina/

Edited January 21, 2016 by madmaverick

[Tim]

think I may have read a chapter or two of a fanfic where Beckett was actually competing for Castle in a Bachelor type scenario.  Don't remember, but hopefully it was an undercover assignment because I don't believe Beckett would rather die than participate for real

 

The FIc is Mr. Right by Swordwriter https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11094210/1/Mr-Right.  Pretty Good Author, IMO

[TWP]

I thought after 8.08 they reached an agreement they will continue with the separation ruse for everyone else to keep Locksat off the scent whilst investigating it together. But if that's the case and Locksat are so incredibly dangerous why are they sneaking around like a couple of giggling love sick teenagers, engaging in fake fights in the precinct whilst spending all their time together including sleepovers? My brain hurts thinking about this crap. 

 

So Hawley can get a do-over of the perceived botched Marlowe get-together in Season 5?  Everything old is new again this season, as you know, including the "we can't tell anyone" shtick.  I suppose it's possible that they were planning to re-do Season 5 all along, which is why Season 5 was so unsatisfying....

[turnitwayup]

There's one?!  Haha, they beat the odds already.

 

Yep that would be Trista and Ryan. Trista was 1 of the last 2 women standing on the 1st season of the Bachelor and then became the 1st Bachelorette when the Bachelor didn't pick her. ABC aired their pepto bismol pink wedding ceremony. Apparently they're gonna be on tv again since HGTV is doing some Rocky Mountain renovation show with them. I had totally forgot they live in Eagle County until a couple years ago stumbled on a blog post written by Trista on Vail's resort site. Haven't really watch the show in years but UnREAL on Lifetime is an entertaining look at bts of a Bachelor type show and there's also the comedy spoof, Burning Love that was on E!.

 

Also, there was this TV Line blurb earlier interviewing the actress who played the infamous reporter who straddled Castle in 502.   I forget who wrote the episode and had forgotten that it was directed by a female director.  But seriously, what woman would find that kind of thing funny in any context between two adults?  That might win the award for least funny thing ever on Castle for me.  It was in bad taste itself, but especially for someone who was in a new relationship.  It would never be funny if a guy was aggressive like that, so why is it funny if it's a woman?  Same deal with the slap.  And I would find it terrible as well as terrifying to audition as 'bikini girl' but objectifying must be the norm in the business.

 

http://tvline.com/gallery/jodi-lyn-okeefe-prison-break-charmed-photos/#!2/castle-kristina/

 

That got me curious and had to look up the writer. I knew Amann had the premier and TWP had the 3rd ep with the safe, so it's kinda disappointing to find out that Elizabeth Beall wrote that ep. Wasn't fan of either eps she did that season.

[Sonik Tooth]

I'd like to bring the time factor to the glass is half full table. With three episodes in one week the separation ruse nonsense (as verdana stated above) doesn't have time to fester. The shorter the gap between episodes, the shorter I think it takes up time in the characters world. Especially with Castle, as the show seems to be mimicking real time between episodes.

I'm of course banking on the ruse being done with within the next three to max four episodes...

[CastleSeason8]

I'd like to bring the time factor to the glass is half full table. With three episodes in one week the separation ruse nonsense (as verdana stated above) doesn't have time to fester. The shorter the gap between episodes, the shorter I think it takes up time in the characters world. Especially with Castle, as the show seems to be mimicking real time between episodes.

I'm of course banking on the ruse being done with within the next three to max four episodes...

Really? I got the impression this ruse went on for some time. Im not expecting it to end until maybe late March/April.

[KaveDweller]

Re: The Bachelor, there was a show that kind of spoofed it, where they told the contestants that if they won, they could dump the guy in exchange for a million dollars. Which she did. Then they had a sequel where the girl was picking among many men. They were also given the option of taking money, but didn't know the girl was told if she got him to pick her over money, she got 2 million dollars. Which she did. But she also split the money with him, then later gave an interview talking about what a mistake that was.

Um....on topic.... Castle's never done a dating show theme murder, have they? That could be interesting.

[verdana]

That got me curious and had to look up the writer. I knew Amann had the premier and TWP had the 3rd ep with the safe, so it's kinda disappointing to find out that Elizabeth Beall wrote that ep. Wasn't fan of either eps she did that season.

So two women at the helm and they came up with one of the most off-putting moments in the entire run of Castle. When it comes to scenes like or that slap in the promo each time I think "if you reversed the positions between the man and the woman would it be amusing/acceptable?" If the answer is no then please don't go there. But it's not the first time I've checked back on the credits after watching something and been shocked to find it's a woman that wrote or produced/directed it. I've been left shaking my head in disbelief thinking why how on earth did they think that was entertaining?  Makes me think we really haven't come that far at all....sigh. Hollywood must be corrupting or they feel backed into a corner and there's no choice if they want to climb the ladder to fame and fortune.

 

I watched half an hour of the Bachelor once when I tuned into a live feed a bit early waiting for Castle, that kind of show as a lead in would make me immediately turn over over not stick around and wait for Castle if I was a general viewer. 

 

So Hawley can get a do-over of the perceived botched Marlowe get-together in Season 5?

 

Yeah apparently we get a re-do so you'll get a chance to decide which version you like the best, then it's on to Season 6 lol, of course they can't really rehash the endless wedding planning so may be Hawley will skip that one. 

 

And now I've got this image of Sarah Palin endorsing Donald Trump with a rose hehe, though hopefully not a proposal hehehe.  Noooo. Go away.

Urgh, good job I haven't had breakfast yet. I wish I could unsee that guy every time he pops up on a news feed and Palin too come to think of it. *shudder*  I'm not American but the idea of hearing the words "President Trump" makes my blood run cold not just for all Americans but the world in general, hopefully he won't get nominated. 

 

Still finding Seamus' twitter profile pic creepy.  Plus he's now calling Tamala "baby"!  Creepy 70s vibe.

Oh I see what you mean, that's the kind of guy if he sat next to me on a train I'd be looking for another carriage to sit in fast.

 

Have a drink, verdana, and join me at the glass is half full table. :P

Thanks for the kind offer I'm going to have to try otherwise I'm looking at possibly a frustrating couple of months lol, may be getting drunk will help because I'll forget what's happened in any case.

Edited January 22, 2016 by verdana