Well, that was definitely worth the wait, wasn’t it?
In last night’s Castle, Detective Kate Beckett had to face her own demons when a sniper on the loose in New York City triggered her dormant Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. I know the fandom was insanely excited about ‘Kill Shot’and I think it is safe to say that the episode delivered the epicness that had been promised. From what I have seen around the internet this morning, it looks like the episode was incredibly well received and that is just great news for the show.
For the past few weeks, I have been getting comments about how people are disappointed in the character of Beckett, how much the dynamic has changed and that they miss the flirty banter from the first two seasons. While I understand where they are coming from — but not entirely agree — I think ‘Kill Shot’has helped cement what the other team (the ones who are so rooting for Beckett to pull herself together, like me) has been trying to get across since season 4 started.
Last night’s episode was all about Beckett, yes, but that was also character development at its very best. Watching Beckett fall apart and then slowly put the pieces back together, to the point that she was able to admit to herself and to her therapist that she is ready to change and she doesn’t want her life to be defined by her mother’s murder anymore was a huge, gigantic step forward for her. And if you compare this Kate Beckett to the detective we met in season 1, it is nothing short of remarkable how far she has come.
I was really excited about this episode when we first heard about it because it was bothering me that they were not addressing her possible PTSD after the shooting in ‘Knockout’. We saw a glimpse of it during ‘Rise’, but then it seemed that everything had gone back to normal. And the way they dealt with it — plus the out of this world performance by Stana Katic — felt very real and compelling. The editing, the music, the direction, everything served to heighten the level of confusion and terror Kate was feeling and those emotions came across loud and clear. I think that scene when Esposito confronts her with the rifle is probably one of the most powerful moments I have had the pleasure to watch on TV in a really long time and it is now my favorite moment of the series, hands down. Was it heartbreaking to watch? Yes, but it was also so moving and powerful and Stana Katic and Jon Huertas delivered it beautifully. I admit a few tears were shed — and I’m willing to bet a lot of you bawled like babies as well — but the pay off of seeing Beckett go through so much was so rewarding.
Great insight, what do u think they r going to throw at us in Cuffed??
You summed it up perfectly the epicness of this episode. As someone who suffers from panic attacks it wasn't easy to digest and sometimes even painful to watch, Stana Katic did a stunning job portraying those emotions, I know Beckett is a TV character but you wouldn't wish those feelings on your worst enemy less on someone you love.
To say Stana ROCKED is an understatement, but it's the only word that fits. How much better can this series get, they,[AWM & CO] have already raise the bar four times this season alone. With that final scene in Dr. Burkes' office[no longer Dr.Worff] the storyline made a sharp turn to the right. SK and PJJ have given coyish indications where we are headed in the C/B front and I'm sure "Cuffed" will point the way into uncharted territory.
I hope they [the writers] keep that jealous tension between our DD, now that they have all but staked their claim on one another. Now we should be able to see a bit more openness,probably not much, between C/B.
Did anyone notice how Gates is not only accepting Castles' advice but seeking it as well. Yes, this is new territory, although I used to get a kick out how much Gates used to despise Castle.
Now if only the Academy will pull their head out of where they've had them, and into the sunlight,and give Stana her just acclaim, all will be right with the tv world.
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Kantic deserves all the credit she is getting but John Huertas also needs mentioning. His performance in the rifle scene is strong but emotional and showed that his character has a history that affects his life as well. I appreciate that he and Dever (Ryan) have each gotten their own space this season as well. While this episode was a bit light on Castle/ Fillion (he got his fun time last episode in Atlantic city) he played an excellent supporting role and his last scene (I am looking for my partner, beautiful woman, she owes me about 100 coffees) was strong and I hope speaks to the next steps in that relationship.
I was a tad disappointed with this episode, not with Stana's performance because she is a very talented lady clearly. but the story was a little neat for my taste. I've been a huge fan of this show since the beginning so I know i take the episode with a grain of salt. the way they dealt with her PTSD was a little silly. Speaking from somebody who's had family members with severe PTSD it is a serious thing and doesn't work like flipping a switch, yes it can come on in waves like it did with Beckett but that whole scene with her and Espo was dumb. its like "hey kate hold the gun that shot you in the chest and you'll come to grips with your trauma". what should of been done is she should of been taken off the case and castle and the gang should of gotten her into therapy. I know i'm being way to literal here, but it sort of bothered me a little bit i thought they had a chance to really go deeper than they did and start a little mini season arc with Beckett of the rails trying to deal with her trauma. with all that said i still enjoyed the episode that scene in her appartment was amazing props to Ms. Katic and utterly enjoyed watch Katic/Fillion both are very talented and ooze chemistry, lets hope the last scene leads to somewhere.
Definitely one of Castle’s greatest episodes.. Superb performances by our beloved actors and actresses. Great story and character development. I cried and felt every moment. And i think i absolutely melted when Castle said my favorite castle quote ‘always’… Ahhh! Love this show and ‘Kill Shot’ was a great way to demonstrate why.
I haven’t seen the ep yet but in response to people missing the “flirty banter”, I think Beckett has been thru way to much to not be changed by it and to be a darker person. Love Beckett, love Stana (from New Zealand)
Fantastic episode! There really are no words. Great review as always Luciana. (Sometimes I really don’t know how you do it.) :)
Watching that fantastic scene between Beckett and Esposito (and I just love it when they call him “Javie”) it reminded me of a moment in the pilot episode. I’ve always thought that Esposito had the most prophetic line of that entire first episode. I’m paraphrasing a little but at one point he says to Beckett regarding her and Castle, “A control freak like you stuck with something you can’t control? This is going to better [more entertaining] than ‘Shark Week.’” LOL. And yet here we are, four seasons later, and damn if Javie wasn’t right. :D He knows Beckett very well and, like Martha is to Castle, Esposito is often the one to devotedly “knock some sense” into her when she really needs it.
I've always thought he[Esposito] considered KB his kid sister. They've always had this wordless way of communicating, almost like siblings, but he's never forgotten she out ranks him.
It's difficult to tell, after four years together, there isn't any member of Beckett's who wouldn't sacrifice themselves for one another.
I don't think Esposito sees Beckett as a kid sister at all really, I believe he has real feelings for her. How many times has Espo been there for Kate, and he just saved her life from Sniper No 2. So we are up and counting with Espo/Beckett life savings LOL. Espo was the one who said, when Kate was saved at the hospital from her bullet wounds – "I am not going home to sleep until I have found the culprit who did this." His feelings for Beckett are real – but he doesn't acknowledge because he knows Castle/Beckett love each other. Anyway Luciana thanks for your review, always appreciated and good to read. Stana Katic is a sensational actress who always lights up the screen, as does Castle's Mom – she too is a great actress!
I really think you're imagining things here. For a start, helping her cope does not count as "saving her life" and then there's the whole Lanie issue.
Never been any sign whatsoever that he thinks of her as more than a really good friend. Given Ryan was right beside him doing the same things, should we then think that Ryan has feelings for her too? No. It's silly. Beckett and Esposito are firmly in the friend zone and happily so.
It's all about foils when it comes to Ryan/Esposito and Castle/Beckett. If you have noticed in this season Ryan and Castle pair off while Esposito and Beckett ( go do "real detective work" based on facts, Demons) but we've also seen Castle and Esposito in this episode work together and Ryan and Beckett (kick the ballistics). the writers do it to highlight the similarities and differences in style of Castle and Beckett showing why they work the way they do together. In this episode it wasn't just Castle who was giving Beckett space Ryan was too, in one scene Castle and Ryan say almost the exact same thing to Beckett, both are taken aback that she's coming unglued. Espo comes to the rescue here for many reasons but primarily for the fact he and Kate think the same way and hide their emotions behind stoic cop face.
I think the only downside to the episode was that it was time limited, and so they had to address a lot in a short time, which may have made the resolutions appear a little quick, as opposed to "real" life.
But seriously – it was a brilliant episode, fantastic acting, writing, music, all around story telling – props to the cast & wider crew – you just keep bringing it.
I love the character development, the scenes between Kate & Javi were brilliant, and Castle's gowing maturity in taking a back seat was really lovely.
Stana's acting was just so truthful – as someone who has suffered from panic attacks, I could feel her emotions (in fact it triggered a minor panic attack, which I haven't had for a very long time).
I look forward to every episode, and am always delighted… this creative, collaborative team are tops, bar none!
I couldn't disagree more with the review, but I realize I'm way in the minority of those that didn't like the episode that much. I'm simply tired of this season focusing on Beckett. The show isn't called Beckett it's called CASTLE. He's been sorely missing from too many of the episodes this season. So while Stana is a wonderful actress, I'm not tuning in to watch a show about Beckett. I want to see Castle, and Nathan does an amazing job of bringing him to life. Or at least he did in the first three seasons. He's not been given much of an opportunity this year.
And yes, I'm one of those annoying people that doesn't like the darkness this season has brought to the show. Give me back the show I fell in love with….the flirty, light heartedness is missed enormously!! It's what made Castle stand out from the other procedurals on TV. Now it's the same as watching an episode of CSI or NCIS.
Let me say this once again, the dark intense episodes send this series' ratings through the roof, literally destroying all competition in its' time slot. We don't get them every week, but they do push the character development along much quicker. This type of episode has help make Castle the meat grinder of monday nights, the series everyone is afraid to come up against. It is what networks and sponsors look for and help keep it on the air.
NCIS is the meat grinder of its' time slot, maybe,………….. season greetings.
And just to add to that in the name of accuracy – on most Mondays with new episodes competing against each other, head-to-head, “Castle” usually has a larger audience overall but (unfortunately) “Hawaii Five-O” usually wins the all-important 18-49-year-old demographic that advertisers love so much. Also “Castle” usually has a larger percentage of women viewers while “Hawaii Five=O” has a larger percentage of male viewers (and again, some [not all but some] advertisers covet males more than females). My source for this information is http://www.tvbythenumbers.com if you care to go over there and check it out for yourselves. However, as Lame is pointing out “Castle” is one of ABC’s most consistently highest rated *scripted* one hour shows and the more dramatic episodes are a factor in that just as much as the more lighthearted ones.
The thing is, while I know that people are missing Castle and Nathan, the character Beckett needs screentime and character development as well, which is what 'Kill Shot' has done, developed the character. From the very first season, the audience has been in Castle's life, outside the precinct. Now, it's time to see Beckett's life. Plus, it would be ridiculous to not address all the PTSD from the shooting with Beckett – would've killed the show because of how unrealistic it would've been.
Great review as always :P
Saw the Canadian Promo for "Cuffed". It gives about as much info. as the photoset that ABC released. I hope Andrew and TPTB don't give us anything, we'll all go into this episode without any preconceptions. ABC will probably release sneek peaks this Thursday; personally I hope they don't, this would be absolutely maddening and really cool.