S08.E15: Fidelis Ad Mortem

[WendyCR72]

Putting this up now even though there is a two-week wait, so I don't forget!

 

When a recruit officer at the NYPD Academy is killed, Beckett and the team go back to their old training ground to investigate. Meanwhile, Castle must reckon with a decision with profound consequences for him and Beckett.

[KaveDweller]

This was a pretty decent episode. A little too much drama over fun (not the show's strong point), but still loads better than the last episode.

 

I had predicted Ortiz being the killer the second he walked on screen, just because only Beckett would have her Training Officer and her Academy Trainer turn out to be criminals (and also her old Captain, which I remembered when she mentioned Montgomery). So, I was pleasantly surprised to be wrong about that. But I guess I was pretty close that it was a person in charge at the academy.

 

The woman playing Decker was not a good actress. They gave her a ton of emotional crap to be dealing with and her expression didn't change once.

 

The handwriting on the threatening note the dead guy got looks exactly like the handwriting that we always see on the murder board. Do they not have a second person in the prop department who can write stuff?

 

Some people probably won't like it, but I liked that Beckett's reaction to Castle's confession was to say she needed to process and walk away, rather than get pissed and yell as we've seen many times before. And thank god they decided to work together in the end. But does this mean they are telling people they are back together?

 

I liked Haley in this episode since she was giving Castle good advice. Why did Castle get her and Beckett got annoying Vikram telling her not to talk to him and pulling her away from their anniversary celebration?

 

The title card when they went to the academy said "NYPD Police Academy."  So, it's called "New York Police Department Police Academy." Cause that seems kind of redundant.

[LexieLily]

Beckett doesn't want to do this alone anymore? She didn't have to do any of this alone in the first place! It was all on her to decide to chase LockSat and tank her marriage in the process. She's lucky Castle waited for her as long as he did.

[FlickerToAFlame]

Pretty good episode.

So when did Haley become the one person (besides the stepmom) who knows Caskett is still together? Castle was telling her everything, including Beckett not waking him up when she left.

Edited March 22, 2016 by FlickerToAFlame

[Chado]

So I decided to cave and start watching again a episode earlier than intended, didn't like it at all

[turnitwayup]

Of all the supporting characters, Haley was the voice of reason. I guess it's a matter of time that Haley and Vikram are gonna half to work together and maybe she'll find out that Vikram is part of Loksat. Then they could get rid of that character.

 

The no lights is just redic. Harsh shadows under the bridge at the crime scene and every loft scene. Really the only scene that should've been in the dark was the academy shooting training area. I got bored with some of the scene at the academy especially lead recruit's training by herself. Didn't care for the lead academy recruit and it was so predictable that either the sergeant or academy commander was gonna be the killer.

 

At least Beckett wasn't being yelly while trying the threaten the irish mob guy the 1st time. It was better than when she try to threaten Vulcan in Veritas. Same with not angry yelling at finding out Castle secret.

 

I love Ryan teasing Beckett about all those awards in the trophy case and a Alexis free ep.

 

So when did Haley become the one person (besides the stepmom) who knows Caskett is still together? Castle was telling her everything, including Beckett not waking him up when she left.

 

Better her than Alexis knowing and smirking. I rather have her be his confident since she more his peer. Hopefully Martha knows too but is just playing along.

 

The next ep kinda looks promising since Espo got involved with a criminal and Castle looks entertained by it.

[threebluestars]

This episode reminded me a ton of Samantha Carter taking recruit Hailey under her wing on Stargate SG-1.

 

I totally thought it'd be Ortiz as well, so I liked that misdirect a lot. And the term "long dirt nap" lol.

[newyawk]

Ah, the smell of new episode. Randomly:

 

Castle, ew. WHO uses a blood yolk? Gross. Martha's back!! And how cute that once again, Beckett has to hide from Castle's mom.  "It feeeels like the first time..."

 

I must say, out of all the Castle tie-in books, I would be most enthusiastic about seeing Martha's make it to press. Make it so, producers.

 

Once again, knew who the big bad villain was going to be at first glance. They really need to make the scenes less telling. It takes the challenge out of watching. Cadet Decker has cojones. I was left wondering, with all the "super-subtle" comparisons to Beckett as a young cop, if they are considering having her make more appearances.

 

Good confrontation scene between Beckett and Lucky Jack, and I did like the slight homage to "Silence Of The Lambs" in that night vision goggles pursuit of Beckett. Those are the type of moments I really dig.I am happy that Beckett and Castle have dropped the crap pretense and are going to team up for realsies. 

 

I liked that the case took place within the NYPD ranks. Except for the mentions of LOLSat, I thought it was like a vintage episode of Castle. 

[TWP]

Blood yolk? I think that was ketchup. Castle even mentioned ketchup

Way too serious an episode. And way too bad ass Becketty. Not a show I'd watch if this was every week. I was totally bored. A Castle episode without humor is just another police melodrama. Ewwww.

[newyawk]

Blood yolk? I think that was ketchup. Castle even mentioned ketchup

 

 

I thought I saw him cracking the egg into the bowl and it coming out that way. 

[verdana]

"How did we end up here again?" Beckett asks. Crappy writing?  

 

Instead of fucking and drinking they need to talk far more often but if they did that they'd have to be together on screen more...so probably not. 

 

"This is our fight now". SIGH. These writers never change, dragging something out for over half a season that should have been decided by Beckett after events of 8.02. 

 

Big question: has either party learnt anything after the by now tiresome "I lied to protect you" lines they trot out every time something serious happens to them? Doubt it.

 

So are they back openly together after this? Because what's actually changed threat wise aside from Beckett knowing what Castle knows? Nothing so in theory they should be maintaining the pretence. 

 

They give Beckett half an episode to process Castle's confession yet he got all of about 5 seconds in 8.08 to make sense and accept her massive fuck up. Typical. I'm not saying it's wrong she asked for time because sure hell in real life I'd want it but I wish they could have allowed Castle the same time frame if not more given what she did.

 

But then its swings and roundabouts with this this kind of shit between them, because they want to drag it out a bit so they make her walk off this time and leave him fret because they want the added drama, in 8.08 they were itching to shut it down so Castle has to quickly accept what she tells him and they make up,  it's so obvious that the characters actions are completely plot driven these days. 

 

Castle and Beckett keep things from each other way too much for any couple realistically to survive for me sadly these days, my shipping days are probably done thanks to S8. Honesty is a fundamental cornerstone of any strong relationship and these two are seemingly incapable of being up front with each other at critical moments. The kisses are all but meaningless when you spend as much time lying as this couple do to each other, being in love is no excuse, they both need therapy, the writers refuse to let them learn anything, the lack of character growth is painful to witness. 

 

Castle Recap: How to Get Away With Quantico-Like Murder at TV Line 

 

I sense Matt has had more than his fill of Castle this season and the Locksat/Castle missing time conspiracy. 

Edited March 22, 2016 by verdana

[WendyCR72]

You know, I'm well aware that this show is not a "straight" procedural a la the CSI or Law & Order franchise, and I know many here don't care for them. But I'll just say this: I'll take Alexandra Eames or even early-years Olivia Benson (as her current self has gone down the crapper with torture porn) as good female detectives who didn't have to beat their chests and pretend they were in a Terminator movie or ready to walk a runway to be strong women and competent at their jobs.

 

And they even looked professional and weren't treated like they farted angel wings every three seconds.

 

This show, IMO (to emphasize), has really done Kate Beckett no favors for quite a few seasons now. Less truly is more. To me, the character (and Castle is not far behind) is approaching SNL parody territory.

[femmefan1946]

It's the Irish Mafia.

The Director of the college is named Malone.

He is introduced at the usual Minute 12.

The instructor is named Ortiz.

Why would anyone think the instructor is the killer?

 

And shouldn't that be hot sauce in the hangover cure?  Still props for being able to 'perform' while drunk or hungover, I suppose.

Those drinks at the end were "Thin Man" portions.

Edited March 22, 2016 by femmefan1946

[Chado]

"How did we end up here again?" Beckett asks. Crappy writing?  

 

They give Beckett half an episode to process Castle's confession yet he got all of about 5 seconds in 8.08 to make sense and accept her massive fuck up.

These two things is why I just cannot take it seriously at all. I swear that the writers have no direction and are just writing standalone episodes without any sort of actual direction from anybody above their paygrade.

 

There's no consistency, no actual respect to a characters backstory or previous actions, no consistency in how their conversations flow from one episode to the next. I actually irl laughed when Beckett asked 'how did we end up here again', it is the biggest WTF coming from her specifically.

 

The only way to explain it is that the writers are goldfish with short term memory, don't watch episodes they aren't directly involved in, or they just don't consider past episodes/explanations as important when explaining something in that moment.

 

If there is a season plan, I would be shocked if it were very detailed. This season has been floating in the ocean from the very beginning.

[Tim]

You know, I'm well aware that this show is not a "straight" procedural a la the CSI or Law & Order franchise, and I know many here don't care for them. But I'll just say this: I'll take Alexandra Eames or even early-years Olivia Benson (as her current self has gone down the crapper with torture porn) as good female detectives who didn't have to beat their chests and pretend they were in a Terminator movie or ready to walk a runway to be strong women and competent at their jobs.

 

And they even looked professional and weren't treated like they farted angel wings every three seconds.

 

This show, IMO (to emphasize), has really done Kate Beckett no favors for quite a few seasons now. Less truly is more. To me, the character (and Castle is not far behind) is approaching SNL parody territory.

Wendy Talk about consistency or lack of it, Need to take her down a peg, enter Rogan O'Leary, and the Cluster fuck ending of S6  S7 was a sleeper in more ways than 1 and now A cabinet full of medals for Of Course Top Recruit Becket, who got suspended for not following protocol, and as Captain is working a case off the book, since She is the Only one that can solve the case, even if it cost her the marriage, PLEASE

[Lamb18]

The handwriting on the threatening note the dead guy got looks exactly like the handwriting that we always see on the murder board. Do they not have a second person in the prop department who can write stuff?

The handwriting looked like one of those fonts that are supposed to look like someone's writing.

 

I liked this episode, mainly because it was about the crime and Castle wasn't in it long enough for him to look like a fool. (I hate it when the script has him look stupid when he's not a stupid man.) I also like watching Beckett being a tough cop doing her job, whether or not it's realistic.

[shapeshifter]

Beckett doesn't want to do this alone anymore? She didn't have to do any of this alone in the first place! It was all on her to decide to chase LockSat and tank her marriage in the process. She's lucky Castle waited for her as long as he did.

IIRC, a season or two ago there was some shadowy mother figure in a dark alley warning Beckett that if she didn't break off with Castle he'd be killed.

Pretty good episode.

So when did Haley become the one person (besides the stepmom) who knows Caskett is still together? Castle was telling her everything, including Beckett not waking him up when she left.

When the writers realized she's the only actor who can act.

I thought I saw him cracking the egg into the bowl and it coming out that way.

I did too. Maybe he put a bit of ketchup in the half shell before dumping it into the bowl?? Because the director/props folks thought it would be a cool transition?

[Cyranetta]

Although I did get the "killer ding-ding-ding" alarm the first time I saw the training academy head and/or Officer Ortiz, I liked the fact that Beckett operated as a Captain for most of the ep, emphasizing her analytical skills rather than physical "badassery".

 

The "don't talk - drink - etc." scene was a real departure and should make for some fascinating fanfic.

 

SuperAlexis would have been a discordant note, so I'm glad she was off developing a new superpower.

 

I still don't care about LokSat (unless it turns out that it was some sort of Red Krytonite Martha), but if it means that Castle and Beckett will actually be working together again...

[KaveDweller]

Blood yolk? I think that was ketchup. Castle even mentioned ketchup

He said he wanted to catch up with Beckett about LA. Not ketchup the condiment.

  

They give Beckett half an episode to process Castle's confession yet he got all of about 5 seconds in 8.08 to make sense and accept her massive fuck up. Typical. I'm not saying it's wrong she asked for time because sure hell in real life I'd want it but I wish they could have allowed Castle the same time frame if not more given what she did

Castle had just as much time to process what Beckett did, probably more. He found out at the end of 8x7 that she was sneaking off to meet someone and had Haley hack into things to find out who. The he learned what was going on midway through the episode, had time to process, then went to talk to her at the precinct. The he walked out without letting her talk and went home (which was deserved). Then Beckett went to see him at the end of the episode and that's when they made up. How is that any less time?

I thought they missed an opportunity to have Caskett talk about how protecting each other shouldn't mean lying. Because for all the talk about how they always lie/keep secrets, that's really not the case. The only thing either of them have lied about since getting engaged was this LokSat bullshit. So it could have shown growth and redeemed some of their stupidity, plus build foundation that it wouldn't happen again. Not sure why the writers wouldn't have done that.

I am surprised they didn't mention that Castle's secret means he was off on his own in LA choosing not to let Beckett and his family know he was alive for 6 weeks. The more I think about that, the more I don't like that. But we're getting lots of character assassination this year.

[Chado]

Castle had just as much time to process what Beckett did, probably more. He found out at the end of 8x7 that she was sneaking off to meet someone and had Haley hack into things to find out who. The he learned what was going on midway through the episode, had time to process, then went to talk to her at the precinct. The he walked out without letting her talk and went home (which was deserved). Then Beckett went to see him at the end of the episode and that's when they made up. How is that any less time?

Uhhhh no. The hacking scene (with Hayley and Vikram) where everything started to make sense to him wasn't until like the 32nd minute of the episode. There was 1 whole scene between AFTER that and Castle going to the 12th to talk to her.

 

He didn't even have information at the end of 8x7, her sneaking off doesn't give him anything to process, aside from thinking the worst. He had months of thinking the worst.

 

Castle had to find out himself because she wouldn't tell him, Castle told her. There's a huge difference in so much of what happened.

 

It's not even remotely the same.

[oberon55]

Castle and Beckett keep things from each other way too much for any couple realistically to survive for me sadly these days, my shipping days are probably done thanks to S8. Honesty is a fundamental cornerstone of any strong relationship and these two are seemingly incapable of being up front with each other at critical moments. The kisses are all but meaningless when you spend as much time lying as this couple do to each other, being in love is no excuse, they both need therapy, the writers refuse to let them learn anything, the lack of character growth is painful to witness. 

 

 

The last two seasons have been some of the worst writing I have ever seen. It's hard to believe that professional writers came up with this mess. My theory is they save money by having high school (or maybe junior high) kids write their scripts.

 

I'm trying to keep all this straight:

 

Rita & Hayley know about LokSat & the fake breakup.

GDS guy knows about the fake breakup.

Vikrum knows about LokSat but does he know about the breakup?

 

It looks like their friends & family (you know the people that really matter) are the only ones they are still lying to.

 

It truly is amazing how far this show has fallen.

[KaveDweller]

Uhhhh no. The hacking scene (with Hayley and Vikram) where everything started to make sense to him wasn't until like the 32nd minute of the episode. There was 1 whole scene between AFTER that and Castle going to the 12th to talk to her.

He didn't even have information at the end of 8x7, her sneaking off doesn't give him anything to process, aside from thinking the worst. He had months of thinking the worst.

Castle had to find out himself because she wouldn't tell him, Castle told her. There's a huge difference in so much of what happened.

It's not even remotely the same.

I didn't say he knew what was going on in 8x7, I said that's when he knew she was lying and started to really think about things.

And yes, of course it is different that Castle told her. I didn't say it wasn't. I was responding to the comment that said Beckett had more time to process things after she found out. That's not the case. Castle told her at the midpoint of the episode, they had one scene together after that, and then they fully made up at the end. How is that more time to process than Castle had in 8x8? The number of scenes where they showed Castle of Beckett doing unrelated things shouldn't impact the amount of time they spent showing them processing.

I do think that other than Castle admitting things himself, the situations are exactly the same though. Castle found out about LokSat, went to LA to investigate on his own, didn't even tell Beckett he was alive, the decided he couldn't tell her for her own protection, and erased his memory so Beckett wouldn't never find out. Erasing your memory so you can never tell your spouse is the same as lying to her, IMO. I'm not saying he shouldn't be forgiven, but his past actions are a parallel to Beckett this season. On TVline, there are all these comments about Beckett being a terrible person because she was upset at what Castle told her. But I don't see why she shouldn't be upset. She shouldn't scream at Castle for it, or not forgive him, but she didn't do either of those things. Just because she made the same mistake doesn't mean she's not allowed to feel a certain way. She was extremely respectful about it.

I also think it's interesting that Castle had Haley on his shoulder telling him to tell the truth, while Beckett had Vikram and Rita telling her not to. Things may have played out differently if that wasn't the case.

Edited March 22, 2016 by KaveDweller

[pennben]

Castle found out about LokSat, went to LA to investigate on his own, didn't even tell Beckett he was alive, the decided he couldn't tell her for her own protection, and erased his memory so Beckett wouldn't never find out. Erasing your memory so you can never tell your spouse is the same as lying to her, IMO. I'm not saying he shouldn't be forgiven, but his past actions are a parallel to Beckett this season.

 

That's actually an interesting point, especially when you factor in that all the time he was gone and Beckett was left on her own for how ever many months occurred in the off-season, and we only saw one episode and maybe a couple of references to what she went through because of what he decided unilaterally, as opposed to seeing the consequences of what she decided unilaterally play out literally over one half of this season.

 

Look, I think Castle going missing was stupid.  I think Beckett doing the breakup this season was stupid.  I think the need for deep dark mysteries is stupid.  But here we are.

 

And I'll join the unpopular opinion of liking Hayley (lots of residual affection for the actress, who I think is great, from a most unlikely source for me, The Neighbors (a show the plot of which turned me off, until I watched a few episodes, and it was charming, as was Toks, just as I find her to be in this show).

Edited March 22, 2016 by pennben

[oberon55]

At this point trying to say Castle or Beckett were worse than the other seems like a waste of time to me. When it came time to show a little faith & belief in each other they both failed miserably. After all they have been through when it comes down to the nut cutting neither of them really trusts the other. Castle has gone from a show about an unlikely but feel good love story to a show about two lying assholes that deserve each other.

[verdana]

Why does Beckett keep knocking on the door to be let in? Weird. Doesn't she have a key with all this sneaking around? I mean the noise alone might alert Locksat. 

 

 

I thought they missed an opportunity to have Caskett talk about how protecting each other shouldn't mean lying. Because for all the talk about how they always lie/keep secrets, that's really not the case. The only thing either of them have lied about since getting engaged was this LokSat bullshit. So it could have shown growth and redeemed some of their stupidity, plus build foundation that it wouldn't happen again. Not sure why the writers wouldn't have done that.

 

If I had a pound for every time I've heard talk about the missed opportunities on Castle I could get early retirement.

 

Why box themselves into a corner? The writers don't want genuine character growth for this couple because that means they're making life more difficult for themselves when it comes to generating the manufactured drama required to push them away from each other next time around. Best to leave all this sort of thing to fans imaginations, any talking can happen off screen and in fanfic. It's depressing to realise that Castle and Beckett will never get out of this cycle whilst the writers are addicted to such a juvenile and lazy pattern of storytelling. 

I am surprised they didn't mention that Castle's secret means he was off on his own in LA choosing not to let Beckett and his family know he was alive for 6 weeks. The more I think about that, the more I don't like that. But we're getting lots of character assassination this year.

 

 

It stinks that they've let Castle look douchey over this but its thoroughly in keeping with this season, I don't believe for a second the old version of Castle would have done so, character assassination is dead right. It's another reason I wish they hadn't resurrected his missing time plus it's making me ponder the absurd notion that Castle got his memory conveniently erased for an exact period which is straight out of some day time soap or sci fi fantasy. 

Edited March 22, 2016 by verdana

[KaveDweller]

At this point trying to say Castle or Beckett were worse than the other seems like a waste of time to me. When it came time to show a little faith & belief in each other they both failed miserably. After all they have been through when it comes down to the nut cutting neither of them really trusts the other. Castle has gone from a show about an unlikely but feel good love story to a show about two lying assholes that deserve each other.

Just to clarify, I wasn't trying to do a Castle vs. Beckett thing. I was just pointing out that it's hypocritical to only be mad at one of them when the writers have made them both act pretty crappy when needed to fit the plot. And it seems clear that the writers were trying to make a parallel.

I disagree that they failed at showing faith in each other though. I think through all the crappy storylines they have shown that they do have faith in each other and that they want to put the other first. Its the one redeeming thing about this stupid storyline. It's just that they're really bad at determining what is actually best for the other.

A good relationship isn't one where two people never do anything wrong or get angry with each other, it's one where two people can get over any problems together.

[oberon55]

A good relationship isn't one where two people never do anything wrong or get angry with each other, it's one where two people can get over any problems together.

I agree with this completely as long as I see growth & an honest attempt to change past behavior. But when they make the same mistakes over & over without ever learning a damn thing it may be time to step off the merry go round. For all the past heartfelt promises that have been made they are both behaving exactly as they did before. The writers have created two people who in theory would like to change but who actually never do. It seems like a pipe dream to imagine their relationship surviving for any real length of time.

[Driad]

Did they ever say HOW Castle's memory was erased? AFAIK it is not possible to be so selective. Not that this would be the biggest problem.

[KaveDweller]

I agree with this completely as long as I see growth & an honest attempt to change past behavior. But when they make the same mistakes over & over without ever learning a damn thing it may be time to step off the merry go round. For all the past heartfelt promises that have been made they are both behaving exactly as they did before. The writers have created two people who in theory would like to change but who actually never do. It seems like a pipe dream to imagine their relationship surviving for any real length of time.

When have they made this mistake before though? I consider the mistakes Beckett made this season that she thought Castle's safety was more important than either of them being happy and that she had to take everything on herself. I don't think she did that before this season. Her issues back then were different. The issue has been going on all season, but it's really just part of one mistake that she finally seems to be realizing.

Now Castle did just make the same mistake he made with the deal with Smith in S4. So that's annoying. But at least he has the decency to know right away it was bad.

 

Did they ever say HOW Castle's memory was erased? AFAIK it is not possible to be so selective. Not that this would be the biggest problem.

I think it's a TV thing. Maybe he used what Sydney used in season 3 of Alias.

Edited March 22, 2016 by KaveDweller

[ShelleySue]

Am I the only one who has forgotten what Locksat actually is?  Did I have my memories erased or am I just so bored that I stopped paying attention?

Edited March 22, 2016 by ShelleySue

[pennben]

Well, since you asked twice in the same post, I do have some concerns about memory))!!!

 

Honestly though, with all of this show's strung out stories, I tend to forget what is really going on every time they come back up after being dormant for awhile.

Edited March 22, 2016 by pennben

[verdana]

Am I the only one who has forgotten what Locksat actually is?  Did I have my memories erased or am I just so bored that I stopped paying attention?

Don't worry you're not alone being bored by this or developing selective amnesia lol.

 

Locksat is a person within the CIA who was linked to Senator Bracken, they helped fund his presidential campaign and also run drugs, that's all I care to remember. 

Edited March 22, 2016 by verdana

[KaveDweller]

Why does Beckett keep knocking on the door to be let in? Weird. Doesn't she have a key with all this sneaking around? I mean the noise alone might alert Locksat. 

 

I think they are trying (badly) to recreate the feeling from the end of Always. It makes no sense since we saw that Beckett had let herself into the loft the previous night. And she implied she'd been sleeping there while Castle was in LA.

[verdana]

Castle: Fidelis Ad Mortem – A Good Cop/Bad Cop Review

 

I’m also ready for Kate and Rick to live together again, to laugh, and fight normal crimes. Like they used to do on Castle, before the new showrunners decided to ruin my favorite show. I miss those days so much that I’m rewatching the entire series to get my fix. I’ll skip season 8, of course, because the entire LokSat fiasco has been such a disappointment. Let’s move on from here and get back to the old Castle. Please.

 

Finally, LokSat…GO AWAY! We’ve seen the movie Groundhog Day, and it was wonderful, but to mimic the premise of that film by repeating the same old tired thing week after week after week has truly gotten old and stale. Please move on.

 

Back to Locksat, yes please lets move on, I've never seen a story arc so universally derided as this one has been. 

Edited March 22, 2016 by verdana

[ParadoxLost]

Just to clarify, I wasn't trying to do a Castle vs. Beckett thing. I was just pointing out that it's hypocritical to only be mad at one of them when the writers have made them both act pretty crappy when needed to fit the plot. And it seems clear that the writers were trying to make a parallel.

 

Its pretty clear to me that the writers realize that they made a  mistake with Beckett.  But instead of doing the harder thing, writing wise, and acknowledge it and spend time during the show rebuilding the relationship/trust they instead took the easier way out.  They sunk Castle to the lowest common denominator by making him guilty of the same thing Beckett did.  So they are even.  Bygones.  Lets move along now.  Except both characters annoy me now to the point that I can't make it through an entire episode any more..

[CastleSeason8]

Oh Lord what has happened to my show and the couple i used to love to watch? While I will admit this one was one of the best of the season (of the ones Ive actually seen) i cant say that statement says much. If i ever see another episode from S8 it will be too soon.

Hated the sneaking morning scene and Marthas dedication. She really has problems with her son this season. I dont think Ive heard her say a positive thing to him yet. And why hide from her unless she is actually LokSat. Will she tattle?

I hated the drinking/bed scene. What the hell was that? God forbid they talk. That would mean more screen time, and some marital growth.

Im hating all these past episode throw backs. AH/TPW havent had an original or decent thought yet. Too bad since they've written some awesome episodes seasons past.

Hayley is Castle's new conscience. I guess thats because Martha has lost her way this year? I dont buy it, and dont like it.

The final scene was a let down, much like the reunion scene. Rushed and thrown together. I guess the clock was ticking.

[BellyLaughter]

Maybe the show should just turn into Castle P.I - I mean there is clearly no salvaging the appalling working relationship these 2 have and that has become more and more apparent as this season has progressed.  Even with a reunion and being on the same page it matters little if they still aren't gonna be onscreen together.  

 

God I wish they would turn off the life support.  This is just depressing now.

 

Yes, there's still (by some miracle) chemistry and a likability about their relationship in the 2.3 seconds they are onscreen together but the shift in the show has been so seismic it's just made it almost unwatchable.  Who do they think they are fooling???  It's borderline insulting.

Edited March 23, 2016 by BellyLaughter

[KaveDweller]

I hated the drinking/bed scene. What the hell was that? God forbid they talk. That would mean more screen time, and some marital growth.

 

I think it was a placeholder because they wanted to end the episode with them "making up." But they didn't want to show them fighting or Beckett not going home, so we got that. Someone mentioned it would lead to good fan fiction, but I haven't seen any pop up yet.

 

One thing I did like about the episode was Esposito's reaction when he walked into Beckett's office and realized they were in the middle of some kind of thing. It was pretty much a retread of the scene in Mr. and Mrs. Castle, but I still liked it.  JH was good with the subtle facial expression there.

 

Its pretty clear to me that the writers realize that they made a  mistake with Beckett.  But instead of doing the harder thing, writing wise, and acknowledge it and spend time during the show rebuilding the relationship/trust they instead took the easier way out.  They sunk Castle to the lowest common denominator by making him guilty of the same thing Beckett did.  So they are even.  Bygones.  Lets move along now.  Except both characters annoy me now to the point that I can't make it through an entire episode any more..

 

I don't know if they took the easy way out because they are phoning it in or if this is literally just the best they can do. I have enough residual love for the characters that I can look past some of the annoying stuff. But they need to stop focusing on LockSat and get back to some fun cases. I don't mind less screen time if the time we get is enjoyable (like the opening scene before Martha interrupted).

[Chado]

Its pretty clear to me that the writers realize that they made a  mistake with Beckett.  But instead of doing the harder thing, writing wise, and acknowledge it and spend time during the show rebuilding the relationship/trust they instead took the easier way out.  They sunk Castle to the lowest common denominator by making him guilty of the same thing Beckett did.  So they are even.  Bygones.  Lets move along now.  Except both characters annoy me now to the point that I can't make it through an entire episode any more..

They were never going to repair Beckett since the 'take her down a peg' crap, so what happened to Castle is pretty inevitable/obvious.

 

Either way, Caskett is probably all over with in 6/7 episodes, so they can't do too much damage any more. We're almost at the end.

Edited March 23, 2016 by Chado

[WendyCR72]

Either way, Caskett is probably all over with in 6/7 episodes, so they can't do too much damage any more. We're almost at the end.

 

I'm not so sure. Money talks. I can see both coming back for S9. Whether that season would be any good is up for debate.

[Chado]

I'm not so sure. Money talks. I can see both coming back for S9. Whether that season would be any good is up for debate.

I'd be shocked if both came back given all the signs

[TWP]

They're both coming back. I think they both appreciate the lovely "art" on the back of the dinero. A couple more years on a show that is likely easy peasy would be laughably stupid to turn down. It won't last past that and they know it.

[GoGiants]

I don't mind the occasional dose of "badass" Beckett but I was cringing through many of the police academy scenes. The dialogue was so clunky I almost turned it off. It felt very heavy handed, even for them. Her name on every trophy, the recruit yelling "captain on deck" upon her entry to the training room, Ortiz and his comment when Beckett and the boys arrived. It was as if the gods themselves had descended from Mt Olympus. I have no military or law enforcement background (so maybe that was all legit?) but it was over the top for me.

I still struggle seeing her as captain. Montgomery and Gates were a good 15 to 20 years older than her. Age isn't the only qualification but something is missing (experience, gravitas?). It was almost funny watching her get in the faces of the recruits. I just don't buy Captain Beckett as they have presented her this season.

I am surprised they didn't mention that Castle's secret means he was off on his own in LA choosing not to let Beckett and his family know he was alive for 6 weeks. The more I think about that, the more I don't like that. But we're getting lots of character assassination this year.

I don't like this either. I have given up trying to decipher who did what when or who knew what or who lied first or lied the worst. They both look terrible week after week. I remember Hal (before he/she disappeared) saying something along the lines that by the end of the season the arc would deliver them back to same place they were at by the end of S7. I beg to differ. They are greatly diminshed, both as a married couple and as partners (all the characters are suffering this year). It is hard to see them ending (whether for the season or series) on the strong note they had in the S7 finale.

It stinks that they've let Castle look douchey over this but its thoroughly in keeping with this season, I don't believe for a second the old version of Castle would have done so, character assassination is dead right. It's another reason I wish they hadn't resurrected his missing time plus it's making me ponder the absurd notion that Castle got his memory conveniently erased for an exact period which is straight out of some day time soap or sci fi fantasy.

Weren't we promised equal opportunity character assasination this year? I guess it was Castle's turn.

I sometimes forget what a hard turn into the realm of soap opera and sci fi the wedding disaster/disappearance represented for the show mythology . Agreed that this should have remained in the past for a variety of reasons. Hearing them discuss Castle's memory erasure as if it were a normal, everyday occurence made me laugh! I cannot imagine something like this being put out there with a serious face even 2 or 3 seasons back, let alone in the early years. Previous sci fi/fantasy cases and references always had a nod or wink to the audience. It was joke the audience was in on with the show or a vehicle for Castle's humor/whimsy. One of the things that made the show fun back in the day (actual fun!).

The last two seasons have been some of the worst writing I have ever seen. It's hard to believe that professional writers came up with this mess. My theory is they save money by having high school (or maybe junior high) kids write their scripts.

Don't diss high school writers, LOL. I bet there are some kids that age or younger who could have written a far better season 8 for a fraction of the price(both financial and in terms of character development/damage)! In fact, watching the first 15 of S8 has made me more than willing to see what a group of teens could have come up with. I think my standards have been obliterated by S8. ;) Edited March 23, 2016 by GoGiants

[verdana]

I sometimes forget what a hard turn into the realm of soap opera and sci fi the wedding disaster/disappearance represented for the show mythology . Agreed that this should have remained in the past for a variety of reasons. Hearing them discuss Castle's memory erasure as if it were as normal, everyday occurence made me laugh! I cannot imagine something like this being put out there with a serious face even 2 or 3 seasons back, let alone in the early years. Previous sci fi/fantasy cases and references always had a nod or wink to the audience. It was joke the audience was in on with the show or a vehicle for Castle's humor/whimsy. One of the things that made the show fun back in the day (actual fun!).

Watching that scene where Castle walks into her office and confesses I winced at the clunky dialogue "I uncovered the real reason why I had my memories erased and its bad" oh yeah it's bad alright, really bad dialogue. I felt sorry for Fillion there, to make it sound like he's having a serious grown up conversation with the wife about his selective amnesia and missing time in this way takes me out of the scene completely. These days the actors have to sell this kind of pap regularly as something I have to take seriously! It's all so stupid, there is no sly humor any more, there's either obvious slapstick or insane soap opera style goings on.

The only thing that I liked about that scene was the subtle bit of acting from Jon at the end as Espo realises he's walked into something, it happens so rarely these days but I did notice that glad someone else did too.

The end scene, at least the acting was better than in 8.08 (which wouldn't be difficult) but it feels in these moments which should pack a punch that Fillion and Katic are doing the bare minimum necessary when it comes to their emotional scenes or may be it's just me and I'm so turned off their relationship, the kisses also feel predictably staged and of course always conveniently badly lit. I'm not swooning any more lets put it that way. It's like the writers think if we let them kiss at the end of whatever serious exchange they have to show they still love each other the fans won't care about the abuse the characters are constantly getting over this Locksat crap.

Chado was right about the lack of respect the writers are showing to these characters that comes through constantly - a lack of respect for their past history, a lack of respect for what they're going through emotionally, especially the dismissive way they have them recover from supposedly seismic events with a shrug and casual trite line shows how far things have fallen. Marlowe wasn't the best at emotional scenes but Hawley makes his writing almost look Shakespearian in comparison these days. It's not helped by the fact Hawley doesn't seem to have one original idea in his head when it comes to this show.

When I do watch Castle and Beckett together in S8 what comes over predominantly is these two are on the clock and everyone knows it, so we go from "I can't do this any more" to kissing and coming to a resolution in a minute flat, and yes I watched the counter. I didn't feel anything emotionally whilst that scene played out.

The scene where Castle tells her he knew, once again that's barely a minute for them to have one character enter the room, shoehorn in the exposition required from Fillion, have Beckett supposedly process something very serious and for Katic to do her bit and react accordingly and then Jon enters and the transition back to the case and it's not enough. It felt flat and forced.

Everything is rush, rush, rush because the leads only have X amount of time together and it's painfully noticeable. I agree with those that say it's unbalanced the show to a huge degree. I know that any scene between them will never really get going because it's got to be over all too soon. It's all very bitty, even if the actors wanted to raise their game and give it their all they're hampered by the lack of time to build up to anything emotionally charged.

Cutting their time back like this has been a change too far, yes I know other shows have given their leads more time off to keep things going but with Castle it's really had a disruptive impact on the storytelling and my enjoyment levels have suffered accordingly.

Edited March 23, 2016 by verdana

[oberon55]

Its pretty clear to me that the writers realize that they made a  mistake with Beckett.  But instead of doing the harder thing, writing wise, and acknowledge it and spend time during the show rebuilding the relationship/trust they instead took the easier way out.  They sunk Castle to the lowest common denominator by making him guilty of the same thing Beckett did.  So they are even.  Bygones.  Lets move along now.  Except both characters annoy me now to the point that I can't make it through an entire episode any more..

I really believe this was their plan all along. They never had any intention of putting in the work or time to have any real character growth or to redeem Beckett in any satisfactory way. It's much easier & quicker to have Castle do something rotten to offset her weird behavior. This way a brief "let's get drunk & have sex" is all that is needed to right the ship. By this seasons standards that's heady emotional stuff.

[St. Claire]

Castle, ew. WHO uses a blood yolk?

 

I honestly thought it was Tabasco, but I may not have been paying attention.

 

Actual episode commentary? I got nothing. Stupid interactions among the married-but-pretending-not-to-be Castles, predictable villain, and lackluster supporting guests (Becker was mind numbing). Ugh.

[Guest]

I thought the actual case stuff was good and it reminded me somewhat of vintage Castle.  I hated the lighting and pretty much every scene Castle was in. (I like Castle; his scenes just seemed to angsty this week.)

[S55]

I don't have too much to comment on that hasn't already been addressed, except I actually laughed out loud when the victim's ghost appeared on-screen. Really? Thought I was watching Cold Case for a second there. It's like Bowman was experimenting or something, but it seemed out of place and weird to me. 

[Gant]

I really believe this was their plan all along. They never had any intention of putting in the work or time to have any real character growth or to redeem Beckett in any satisfactory way. It's much easier & quicker to have Castle do something rotten to offset her weird behavior. This way a brief "let's get drunk & have sex" is all that is needed to right the ship. By this seasons standards that's heady emotional stuff.

 

I feel like it's been the attitude in the writers' room for a long time. The "season of secrets" anyone? IMO it was set up to be equally "damaging yet understandable" for both characters, for no reason than to create an artificial drama. I know that most people, at least here, seemed to empathize with Castle's "secret" more, but from the treatment it got from Beckett I think writers saw it from the start as an equal opportunity "stupid mistake", first exploding right into Beckett's face, then Castle's. This keeping score in the things that need no score, just an adult conversation, "taking down a peg" and multiple removals of moral high grounds, is what's been passing for character development slash couple therapy for a long time now.

[verdana]

This way a brief "let's get drunk & have sex" is all that is needed to right the ship. By this seasons standards that's heady emotional stuff.

 

What also irks me about that scene was that as the daughter of an alcoholic whose life was severely affected by her father's drinking she should be highly sensitised to the fact that reaching so casually for the bottle as a way to wash away your initial frustration, pain and problems is a no go.   Watching her keep feeding her husband's glass with yet more booze I found off putting given the circumstances. 

 

The writers needs to stop trying to make Castle more serious - it never comes off that well. Hawley probably thought this scene was dark and edgy but it rang all sorts of wrong bells with me and felt jarring for various reasons, the casual use of booze, the lack of honest to God communication between them being sorely highlighted (again) how extremely unhealthy their relationship has become, then we get the cold stark morning after scene.

 

Also, why couldn't they show Castle (or Beckett I'm all for equal opportunity) with what looks like their clothes off more often after doing the deed? Even a bare naked arm or shoulder sticking out from under the covers whilst sleeping would do, it's not that I'm obsessed with wanting to see naked flesh or anything but it would make these kind of scenes seem a bit more realistic and not so obviously staged. 

Edited March 24, 2016 by verdana