How very, very sneaky of The Powers That Be.
For weeks they bombarded us with information about Ryan’s wedding and the upcoming noir episode and had everyone talking about both. They made us — at least it worked on me — forget all about this week’s episode and focus on the other two. The only information we had was that the mayor of New York City, Robert Weldon, who happens to be a close friend of Castle’s, would be implicated in a murder investigation. That was it.
Nothing prepared us for the intense hour that graced our televisions on Monday night. I admit that, having watched the episode twice already, I am still scratching my head at what exactly happened. Somehow, this one case that at first seemed to only put Castle and Beckett at odds — but not as intensely as I thought it would be; more on that in second — suddenly turned into this giant avalanche of vague information about the conspiracy that surrounds Beckett’s mother’s murder and, by the end of the episode, I was staring dumbfounded at my screen wondering just what exactly was set in motion, especially with that last scene.
This mysterious guy — let’s call him Mr. X for clarity’s sake — who seems to have a deal with these powerful people that apparently have control of what happens in New York, claims that Beckett is safe, but only while Castle is around to protect her. And by protecting her, he means keeping her from digging into her mother’s case. So the whole murder investigation this week was nothing but a ruse to frame Mayor Weldon and keep him from running for Governor as he had planned. If he ran for Governor, he would no longer be Mayor, which would automatically end the deal Castle had to an all-access pass to the 12th Precinct. So if Wheldon remains in his current position, Castle’s place in the Twelfth is safe and so is Beckett.
Confused yet? I know; so am I.
What I don’t get is what Mr. X’s motivation is and I am still not sure if he is a good guy or a bad guy. Whoever he is, he has access to these powerful people or he is one of them. I think it was pretty clear to everyone that we should look at this whole conspiracy like it’s a game of chess. While I am not exactly a chess person — never bothered to learn — I know it is all about strategy and sometimes sacrifice. It seems to me that everyone who has been killed so far, including Johanna Beckett and Captain Montgomery, were nothing but pawns in a bigger, more complex scheme.
It all seems very interesting and mysterious, but I hope it doesn’t become so complex and convoluted that we won’t even care about it by the time it’s over. That said, it was really great to watch how amazing the character development in this show is. From Castle and Beckett’s relationship, to the boys and even Gates, TPTB have done an outstanding work at developing these characters and make them grow over time. I think one of the biggest examples we can take from this episode is that scene when Castle begs Kate to wait for another lead, but she says she doesn’t have any choice. When you compare it to last season’s big fight scene in ‘The Final Nail'(which was basically the exact same argument), it is so clear how far they have come. Even their fight this time around was more subdued and they laid more cards on the table. A year ago, I seriously doubt Kate would be so upfront about not wanting to do it, admitting that she knew what was at stake (and admitting that she was afraid to lose him as well, even if she didn’t say it out loud).
Another point that absolutely loved was Beckett’s interaction with Gates. It is no secret that I haven’t been a Gates fan since she was introduced in the season 4 premiere, but you know what, she’s slowly growing on me. I particularly loved that scene that she tells Kate about her dad being a cop and how she cares about them, but she needs to get her job done. Ryan and Esposito were pretty great as well, supporting Beckett when she needed to make a tough decision.
Once again, I didn’t particularly care about Martha or Alexis and I think they are both being ridiculously underused.
All in all, ‘Dial M for Mayor’was very, very good, even if it didn’t make it to my favorites list. A-
To me — Mr X reads like one of the big players, but one who doesn't like the Dragon, how the Dragon got his seat at the table, and how the Dragon 'plays' the game. I think the Dragon was out to destroy the Mayor; Mr X's moves were to keep Castle and Beckett on the board, not to save the Mayor. It's clear Mr X knew exactly what had happened and I don't see that without him being one of the 'big' boys.
I do believe, since 4.16 will also be about chess, and is called Linchpin, I think Mx. X set up the storyline for the second part of the two-parter, however that may look like. And that Castle is that Linchpin… Also, isn't that Mr.X the same guy that received Montgormery's files, therefore Mr. Smith? Or am I mixing something up here?
Also that the murder wasn't resolved, and 3xK still on the loose is very intriguing. Also that the suspect was about to say a name and then a mysterious lawyer comes in… I believe the name would be familiar to the viewer, or simply is the name of the guy who is behind Johanna's murder.
You're right on point.
Good insight!
Is it a surprise that AWM & CO continue to produce such high quality stories? So intense, so well conceived and leaving us with an open end tale and yet, adding another insidious piece to Beckett's mom's mystery. We thought Mr. X was far away in D.C., now we learn that he is right in B/C's backyard, with invisible tentacles as close as the next alley.
The comparison to "Final Nail"was striking, how far the DD have come in trust and care for each other's opinions and feelings. The other striking surprise was how quickly Ryan understood that some information might have to be kept from Beckett for her own safety. I love the fact that AWM & CO dropped this on us out of the blue. I would love to see them continue, it is such an originally organic way to unfold JB"s case without a sensory overload .
At first I thought Mr. Smith was a doctor, now he seems to have his hand on the pulse of the city, making him so much more interesting and mysterious. This episode really leaves Castle in a quagmire and will Esposito join Ryan and Castle on working the JB case behind Beckett's back?
What a great way to turn this series' on it's head.
Oh!!! How great is Gates. Now we learn her design is to become Beckett"s mentor.
I love season four.
I never thought Mr. Smith was a doctor, I think he was at the hospital to check the situation after he received the files. And he saw Castle there, came to the conclusion that Castle would do everything for Beckett and contacted him to use him to keep her in line.
Just wondering; now that Alexis will be looking for an internship, will she land in the Medical Examiners office with Lanie. Now that would place her in the center of virtually of every episode with the ability to learn of the B/C relationship first hand.
I think there is a little flaw in your theory spinning:
"So the whole murder investigation this week was nothing but a ruse to frame Mayor Weldon and keep him from running for Governor as he had planned. If he ran for Governor, he would no longer be Mayor, which would automatically end the deal Castle had to an all-access pass to the 12th Precinct."
I don't think that's the truth, since as Governor he would have more power and influence than as Mayor and it would become a certainty that Castle can stay at the 12th. What I think was happening is, that the same man behind Johanna Beckett's murder didn't want the Mayor to become Governor (for reasons whatsoever, i.e. maybe because he wasn't ruthless enough, not influencible enough, etc.) so he framed him for murder and embezzlement. And THEN the mysterious Mr. Smith (or Mr. X as you call him) enters the stage, because he realizes that when the Mayor is convicted of murder Castle's days at the 12th will be over and Beckett will certainly dive into her mother's murder again someday. THAT is what Mr. Smith wants to prevent, for reasons we don't know yet (maybe he promised Montgomery to keep her alive or maybe he has his own selfish reasons/plans, which is somhow more likely considering his last comment to Castle at the end of the ep).
Sorry, I mean *influenceable enough
This was a great show. I prefer to think of Mister X as one of the good guys..or at least borderline good, for two reasons. One, Capt. Montgomery would've sent those files to one of the bad guys. And two, he's not only protecting Beckett but Montgomery's family as well.
I totally agree with you about how far the relationship between Castle and Beckett has come. They're almost acting like a married couple already.
I give this episode a definate A.
Thank you for writing your reviews LM, I enjoy reading them.
Sorry…make that Mongomery 'wouldn't have'
Perhaps Mr. Smith is the father of Castle….
IF, and that is a big "IF", AWM @ CO are following the format of "All The President's Men", Mr. Smith would be "Deep Throat", an unhappy member of the Cabal. Someone who operates with Mr.X {my interpretation, not yours} who sees his friend R. Montgomery killed and receives his dossier. Turning him into source for Castle; and in doing so will eventually bring down Mr. X and the Cabal. Like the movie, wiretapping, illegal phone and photo surveillance and tails will become surreptitiously evident.
If this is what will transpire, hold your hats, this series will have a clandestine underlying arch to each episode be it lightweight or not. This is really cool and exciting, if that is what's going on.
If you buy into my theory, and it is only a theory, then the upcoming titles sound ominous; Pandora, Linchpin and Once Upon A Crime. Exciting, don't you think?
The titles are very, very intriguing… may it be to revealing more facts of Johanna's murder or Kate finally admitting to Castle she heard him and so on… Once Upon A Crime I'm almost 100% sure is another episode like 3.13 or 3.24, regarding the storyline.
I'm so very excited about this whole thing. I correct my previous thought about Castle being the linchpin – I had a wrong translation in mind. Oops.
I so wanna know how this all plays out. *eek*
Very very proud of AWM and CO for bringing us great episodes every week (I think so far we can all agree the ‘heartbreak hotel’ was the only real disappointment) and keeping us on the edge of our seats! And that surprise twist of Johanna’s murder being thrown in there, was amazing timing, considering that we had not touched on it for a while. What I love about this show is not only the character development, but also the cast – because they do an amazing job acting out every emotion needed to be acted out.
This Mr X, I’d like to know more about him in the latter episodes, but I hope that they continue to maintain the mysteriousness which keeps us wanting more. Yep. I want more!!!
Very very proud of AWM and CO for bringing us great episodes every week (I think so far we can all agree the ‘heartbreak hotel’ was the only real disappointment) and keeping us on the edge of our seats! And that surprise twist of Johanna’s murder being thrown in there, was amazing timing, considering that we had not touched on it for a while. What I love about this show is not only the character development, but also the cast – because they do an amazing job acting out every emotion needed to be acted out.
This Mr X, I’d like to know more about him in the latter episodes, but I hope that they continue to maintain the mysteriousness which keeps us wanting more. Yep. I want more!!!
A intriga adensa-se mas sem dúvida como foi dito aqui é bom que haja alguma contenção na dimensão dessa mesma intriga… Castle está sem dúvida a influenciar a relação neste momento…porque se sente culpado pelo que está fazer sem beckett ter conhecimento… por outro lado a culpa de beckett por sentir que mentiu a castle continua a provocar-lhe momentos de autentica guerra interior…muitas pessoas começam a desiludir-se com a relação deles mas eu proponho que olhem para o que se passa com os segredos deles e como isso afecta a sua relação.. só mesmo em momentos de pura tensão o controlo deles desaparece e obtemos otimos momentos de ternura. não faço futurologia mas entendo que os impactos desta série serão na revelação dos segredos..e esperamos que não transitem para outra season o que possivelmente irá acontecer pois isto é um TV SHOW ;).. esta 4ª season é com certeza diferente nem melhor nem pior mas diferente, as personagens ganham mais intimidade e tornam-se um grupo coeso e forte… mas tenho que admitir de alguma forma que a quimica de castle e beckett está mal conseguida nesta season porque ela é dependente do crescimento das personagens..e esse crescimento "matou" a quimica deles pela questão dos segredos envolvidos..ninguem dá o seu melhor com alguem que ama quando tem algo a esconder e que absolutamente é muito importante…quanto a mim a grande diferença sem menosprezar o valor de cada segredo..o de Castle tem muito mais razão de existir..pensem…castle protege Beckett por amor..beckett protege os dois de se envolverem ;)…bem mas já alonguei-me demasiado..no entanto fica o meu carinho à Luciana da forma como viu as coisas..está muita coisa que concordo absolutamente… uma abraço para todos ;)
Ausiello had a funny comment; Castle is the only series to feature a wedding episode without a wedding.
I liked this episode very much, but at the same time I need to say this whole conspiracy-thing is getting kind of ridiculous. If Beckett is such a danger to the dragon, she would and could be killed. You can't protect her all around the clock, nobody has this power. So keeping the mayor in place, so Castle will stay with Beckett is a bit absurd.
I agree with Vaux, they are getting in deep waters of absurdity with this conspiracy thing.
If this Dragon is so evil and powerful, he could knock off Beckett, Castle the Mayor
and anyone he wanted to and get away with it. After trying to kill a police officer in broad daylight,
murdering Cpt. Montgomery, we are supposed to believe he won't kill as long as Beckett
is held in check? End this arc and move on please.
Come on guys, this isn't an article out of the Wall St. Journal. This is fiction at it's best, and like everything from this genre the parameters of reality are stretched to their limits. That's like asking if a human can actually wed a vulcan, IT'S FICTION; lighten up!