I started watching this episode with absolute zero expectations and it was a good thing I did that too. Not that it was bad or a waste of time, but it most certainly was not high up there with my favorites. It was just an alright episode, a classic filler that served as a bridge to the finale.
“Pretty Dead” had Castle, Beckett and the boys investigating the murder of a beauty pageant contestant. The episode was mostly about the case and the only subplot – aside from the Captain trying to find a gift for his wife in their thirtieth anniversary – was Alexis dealing with the fact that her boyfriend Ashley is going to another state for college.
I’m going to be really honest here. I liked the subplot a lot more than the case. Not that the murder of the week was dull or didn’t catch my attention; I was just plain not interested. It was a classic Castle case with a million twists and, in the end, even I figured out who the killer was before they did and that, my friends, does not happen very often. Yes, because I may be a little slow when it comes to solving crimes, but also because I am usually much more engrossed in the dance between Castle and Beckett happening despite the case. And that was just not present in last night’s episode.
Something else that bothered me were the clichés. For a show that takes pride on subtlety, “Pretty Dead” relied pretty heavily on clichés and huge shiny signs that a certain scene was an important moment. Which is why I liked Alexis’ storyline a whole lot better. I am loving what they have been doing with her character for the past five or six episodes, depicting her as a normal teenager with normal teenager problems and not a perfect daughter. I loved that she was distraught and didn’t know what to do about Ashley; I loved that Ashley had the guts to go to the precinct to talk to Castle; I loved the conversations between father and daughter. That whole subplot was just great to watch.
The other tiny subplot was about Captain Montgomery, which served as a lot of comic relief through most of the episode. That final scene, however, had such a bittersweet taste to it, considering that we know someone is (SPOILER ALERT!) going to die in the finale and it’s looking more and more that it’s going to be our dear Captain.
Now before we wrap this up, I just have to address one last thing. Where the hell is Josh? Because Andrew Marlowe said in a recent interview that the significant other storyline has been played out so where exactly does that leave us? Are we supposed to assume that Kate has already ended things with him? Is that what we were supposed to take from the enlightenment scene in “To Love and Die in LA”? Are we going to hear about him in the finale or are we going to have to wait until season 4 to find out about his fate?
Anyway, all in all, “Pretty Dead” was an okay episode. Not my favorite by a long shot, but not the worst ever either. It gets a B- from me.
The finale looks like it’s going to be pretty intense, though. Check out the promo and promotional photos.
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I have to agree with you on this one, though I also have to say that a so-so episode of "Castle" still beats pretty much everything else out there. Normally, a particular scene will stick with me long after the episode is over, whether its a one-liner from one of the characters, or a plot point, or (best of all!) a tender moment between Castle and Beckett, but right now I'm struggling to think of a single standout moment. In fact, the only thing coming to mind about last night's episode is the preview for the season finale.
I also have to agree with you about Josh. The character served no purpose this season except to keep Castle and Beckett apart, and he's done that long after Beckett should have dropped him. I would argue that keeping him in the story at this point is actively angering fans, who want to see real progress between Castle and Beckett, and not hear more about what Josh is doing off-camera. That's why everyone has such high hopes for the season finale. Just like you, we want to see the dance between Castle and Beckett.
I’d forgotten how far Castle had dropped in terms of trust from the beginning of the season, so thanks for that. I didn’t watch this episode for the plot – what I did was watch for the setup for the cliffhanger finale, with regard in particular to Alexis and Capt. Montgomery. When the wife said something to the effect of “now we’ll go travelling to all those places we’ve never been” – I said ‘adios, Roy.’ The Alexis decision (who knew that all you had to do was click your heels three times and ‘poof!’ you gain admission to Stanford!) was also a setup for next season, as Castle will deal with the separation from his beloved daughter. As for the episode itself, it was great to see Michael McKean and Teri Polo play off one another, two great guest stars with really not much to do, but when they had the opportunity, they didn’t waste it. The only Casket moment of any weight came at the end when Castle told the murderer to Stop if the lady tells you to. Stana Katic’s so completely comfortable with Beckett she can just about underplay to the point of non-play, so her appreciation – the smile and the half-beat it took -was perfect.
As for the finale? I love how these teasers misdirect so completely. My thought is: what if tearing apart isn’t an emotional reset, but an actual physical separation, say an abduction of one of the leads?
Interesting take Rick, especially with the promo scene of Beckett shooting at the helicopter. Food for thought.
Not a memorable episode to be sure. Actually, as I write this, having read Luciana's review and Steven's comments, I'm having trouble remembering who the killer was. What I got from last night's episode was the set-up factor. We saw the Captain in a very different light. Laughing and joking. I think this was shown for a reason; a set-up for the finale. The subplot of Alexis too was a set-up for the finale also. I enjoyed the subplot more than the episode. I think for me, the cases will always be subplots to the Castle Beckett emotional drama that just leaps off the screen at the viewers each week. I anticipate next week's finale with nervous delight.
You know I agree with the murder cases being secondary to the Castle and Beckett story but it just seems to me that during season one and two the cases were just as interesting as “Caskett.” I haven’t really felt that this season with the one exception of Beckett’s mom’s murder case. I genuinely want to know who’s behind it and why just as much as what will happen next with Castle and Beckett.
I'm thinking that it was too obvious a set up with the Captain and his wife. I think it was a fake out and they'll kill off someone else entirely. Maybe Gina?
Gina or Josh are not in the final episode according to Marlowe. Another thing was: Where was Lainie? Espinosa wasn't concerned – so I expect she's off doing another case. But 'what if?' the dead person is the ME? Still think it's Montgomery. They bring in his wife – I think it's the first time we've met her – just so we have a sympathetic face to grieve with. It isn't Ryan or Espinosa, kill one, you might as well do them both.
While maybe not one of “Castle’s” best episodes ever I did like this episode. I found myself laughing out loud several times – not just a chuckle but a genuine laugh. I loved the Donald Trump – pageant executive spoof. However, I also figured out who the killer was before he was revealed but, sadly, that’s not the first time for me this season so, again sadly, I’m sort of getting use to it (not good if the writers are listening out there). And I know they want to show different sides to Alexis but I have to say I for one enjoy the “perfect daughter” more than the “normal teen” as you put it. That was one of the main things that attracted me to show in the first place – that Alexis wasn’t the angst written, boy obsessed, everything is a HUGE drama teen we always see on TV. (I don’t know, maybe because I was a “wise beyond her years” teenage girl myself that never saw that reflected on TV at the time?.) I liked the fact that she’s been trying to “raise Castle” to be a good adult just as much as he’s been trying to do that with her. I also feel this episode was “out of place” in relation to the rest of the season as a whole.
It’s obvious it was a “filler episode” and I think it would have fit in better, and been enjoyed more, if it had been placed somewhere around episodes 311 (“Nikki Heat”), or 312 (“Poof, You’re Dead”) or right behind 318 (“One Life to Loose”). Anyone who evenly remotely watches this show on a regular bases must have went into this with the feeling of, “Yeah, yeah, what’s next?” It just seems out place here between the semi serious “To Love and Die in LA” and what will obviously be a very serious episode next week. (It wouldn’t even surprise me if there’s a slight drop off in total viewers next week because of this.) I think the producers called themselves giving us “a breather” between intense episodes but since A) we’ve already had way too many “breathers” this season in the form of weeks and weeks at a time without a new episode and B) if you can have serious two-part episodes back to back (i.e. “Set-up” and “Countdown”) why can’t you have serious stand-alone episodes back to back especially at the climax of the season?
Going into this last episode of the season I just have a couple of requests of the producers, writers, and PTB of “Castle.” 1) Tighten up the writing for the actual murder cases. As mentioned above many of us are figuring out who-done-it before Castle and Beckett. Not good. 2) We know there have to be “filler episodes” but as they say in real-estate, location, location, location. 3) Don’t promise us, or lead us to believe there will be, more than what you know for sure will be delivered during the season.
Things “promised” that have fallen short or not even happened: The Beckett and Josh relationship has been handled/written poorly. The Martha and Chet story felt rushed to me – we never even met him! We’ve barely seen the Esposito and Lanie relationship. A closer look into the lives of all the supporting characters has not really panned out not mention the general under use of Lanie, Alexis, Martha, and Montgomery this season (imo). The mystery of Castle’s dad was going to be explored. What happened to Beckett’s motorcycle? I distinctly remember Stana in a TV interview saying the bike had been purchased and location shots were to be filled in NY. What happened? I know stuff goes on behind the scenes that can’t be controlled and so plans change. That’s fine and is totally understandable by this fan but, maybe for next season you should keep your plans and story ideas closer to the vest so fans aren’t expecting more than will be delivered. Thanks and I am looking forward to season four! :)