I think it’s a pretty safe bet to say that last night’s Castle, titled ‘A Dance with Death’, was thoroughly enjoyable and I have to say that it was one of the most entertaining episodes of the season thus far. A really interesting case, full of twists and turns (and they didn’t even make me roll my eyes at how predictable they were!) and plenty of storytelling for every single character. Kudos to writer Moira Kirland because she managed to include everyone in a really nice episode, giving screen time to every character in a very organic way. It was a solid hour of television and, for the first time in a long time, it felt like my favorite show was finally getting back on its feet.
Have I mentioned that I loved the case? No, your eyes are not deceiving you. I, who usually roll my eyes at pretty much 95% of the twists they throw our way, actually enjoyed last night’s case. I am not entirely sure what it was about this episode that made me love it so much, but I think that for the first time in a while, they actually got the pacing right and I found myself quite intrigued by it.
I admit I wasn’t jumping up and down in excitement with Martha’s subplot, but I loved that they didn’t just give up on Alexis interning with Lanie at the morgue. I have really despised the youngest Castle this season, but since she started this internship she has become so much more likable in my eyes. That and the fact that they finally gave Molly Quinn something worthwhile to do. That scene, in which Alexis gives her first briefing on an autopsy and Castle is so proud of his little girl, was just great to watch.
Ryan and Esposito have always been entertaining, but last night Seamus Dever and Jon Huertas were on fire. I found myself laughing out loud several times in their scenes and Ryan’s quest to get women to flirt with him and then the debacle of trying to get his ring off of Esposito’s finger. Their storyline was all around hilarious and it honestly just made me love Ryan even more for his awkward and adorable way of dealing with things.
Finally, let’s talk about our favorite crime fighting dynamic duo. First, I have to comment that I loved the changes in Beckett’s wardrobe and the fact that it was so much more colorful last night. It looks so much better on her and I am guessing it reflects her state of mind at the moment. From the amount and frequency of smiles and love eyeballs she is throwing at Castle, I think it’s pretty safe to say that she is in a good place right now. I am not sure what it’s going to go down in the next few episodes, especially with (SPOILER ALERT!) her secret coming out in the very near future, but I honestly think she is finally ready to give this a shot with Castle. It feels like she’s just waiting for her cue to do so.
I loved their banter and that scene at the end, when Castle asks her what she wanted to be when she grew up, was all warm and fuzzy and I am pretty sure that shippers all over the world are a puddle of happiness on the floor right now. Everything seemed so much more lighthearted and easy between them last night that really just makes me think that this is the calm before the storm.
There was so much to love about ‘A Dance with Death’, but what really got to me — besides its season 2-esque vibe — was that absolutely nothing major happened and it was still a really, really good episode. That, in turn, makes me wonder that if TPTB are more than capable of delivering solid episodes like this without actually moving the main storyline along, why didn’t they do so for the past ten episodes? Why did they have to makes us suffer through those below average episodes that made a lot of fans want to scream in frustration at how their favorite show had suddenly become boring? I honestly think that they should take this episode and make it an example of how to do an enjoyable filler episode for next season.
Of course that all my love and excitement for ‘A Dance with Death’were pretty much forgotten when ABC decided to torture tease us with that promo for next week. I am not commenting on it for now because I have no idea what the fall out is going to be.
But I am excited, guys. I am honest to god crazy excited in an omg-Monday-can’t-get-here-fast-enough way. I haven’t felt this way about Castle since ‘Cops & Robbers’. I just hope they actually deliver next week and that it meets our expectations. Because, as much I am trying to contain myself, my expectations are sky high after that promo.
You still haven’t seen it? Say no more. Take a look at it right now.
Follow Us
In some cultures I think Ryan and Esposito may actually be married now with the exchanging of that ring. I’m just saying. LOL
One nit-picky thing I have is how easily they found the murder weapon. I mean you’d think the guy would have been smart enough not to throw it into the dumpster behind his office/building. At the very least he should have creatively hidden or deposed of it making it more of a challenge for Beckett and company to find it. But, with the way this season has been going if that’s my only complaint about an episode, I’m happy.
What you wrote: stellar review.
What I took away: Is it Monday yet?
Thank you, Luciana, for another enjoyable read. Please forgive me, though…I cannot retain a word b/c I'm *really* distracted by a 30-second promo. :)
I liked “A Dance with Death,” but am not as enthusiastic about it as you, Luciana. I still think there are not enough Caskett moments and the few that we see are too subtle especially this being Season 4. We've see very little going on between our DD all season and next week they will "drop a bomb" literally and figuratively. This has been the same pattern throughout the series – very little emotion for a while and then suddenly – hell breaks loose. The obstacles in their relationship lack credibility and, frankly, they are stale. I don't think this relationship is organic as AM claims and there is still a lack of continuity, IMO. But, AM has a knack of throwing in these entertaining episodes which distract viewers from what they really want – Caskett. I think he is pushing his luck. Hopefully, H50 and SMASH will motivate him to put the "snap, crackle , and pop" back into Castle.
See, I think the reason I liked it so much was that it was much more entertaining than the past few episodes (save a few exceptions) and the writing was a lot better as well. Of course it's all subtle, but for the first time since Kill Shot, they managed to entertain for the whole 42 minutes. I still have my issues with it and I simply don't understand why they couldn't deliver more episodes like "A Dance of Death" instead of the drag that has been this second half of season 4, you know?
Maybe part of my excitement is also coming from the fact that something IS going to happen next week and things finally start moving along.
I really don't get, why you always complain about this season. It was an incredible season and I loved how everything played out. Both Beckett and Castle became a lot closer this season, they trust each other more, Kate is opening up to him, defending him against Gates, openly enjoying his crazy theories, the other cast members occasionally got more screentime (Ryan, Esposito, Alexis) – all in all a solid performance throughout the whole season, a steady build up to the last couple relationship-centered episodes.
Of course this season couldn't be so much about sexual tension and teasing (although there was some) – it would have been cruel of Kate to tease him because she knows how he feels and also knows she isn't ready to follow through with the teasing. Also the other way around – Castle knows she needs time and space. So the whole season was so much deeper, more about sorting out feelings and coming to terms with them, getting the characters to a place where they are ready to admit their feelings and commit to a relationship, and have this relationship actually SURVIVE rocky times, such as dealing with the aftermath of their secrets. I'm sure, once they are in a relationship the sexual tension and the teasing will be back full force!
So I have to disagree with you – it wasn't just last night's episode which was awesome, but the whole season. Of course, some episodes are standing out more than others, but all in all a solid performance.
Sorry for any mistakes, English isn't my first language.
I have to say that I loved your review, particularly because I just finished reading Lee Lofland's review of A Dance With Death. (Warning to hardcore fans: he reviews the police procedure, and he's usually pretty harsh, but I like knowing what the writers have done right and wrong in terms of procedure)
Anyway, your review was refreshing, and I really enjoyed this episode. The case was unpredictable and twisty, and the Ryan/ Espo storyline was hilarious- I just love the boys so much. I thought the Caskett was spot- on, and Martha was fabulous as usual. But I have to disagree with you when it comes to Alexis. It feels to me as though the writers couldn't decide to do with her this season, so they stuck her in the morgue. Alexis has been increasingly irritating to me this season, and i think it's partially because of Molly herself. Anyone who watched the Paley Fest could tell that something was a little off with her behavior. Molly came off looking quite snotty and very anti- Caskett whereas the rest of the cast seemed pleased with where the show is going. I feel like Molly has let her personal issues interfere with her character. Of course, it's the way she's being written, but I can't help but see some of Molly's brattiness coming out in Alexis. I hope Marlowe can come up with a better storyline for her, because I don't see it as plausible that someone who isn't pre- med, or even finished high school would be looking up old reports and determining that someone was murdered. Sorry, I'm not buying it.
Ok, had to get that off my chest. Like I said, I really did enjoy this episode, but you're right about the promo for 47 Seconds. The moment I saw it, I completely forgot about this episode. I had to calm myself down and watch it about 50 times before I could go online to read all of my Castle reviews. The wait for next Monday is going to be slow and torturous.
I have to agree with you about Alexis/Molly. This season she's been grating on me since literally the first ep. She's gone from a lovely, level-headed kid to a snotty little brat who needs a spank. She has no respect for her father and treats him like a pushover or a piece of dirt she's stepped on and I am so sick of seeing her on my screen that I have started to fast-forward though her scenes.
What is worse is that seeing her live at Paley made me realise that this wasn't all the writing, it was very definitely stemming from Molly herself. At Paley she came across as the same bratty kid who was acting out so much she made other cast members uncomfortable.
I kind of wish they'd write Alexis out. Send her to college in Timbuktu or something. Please.
Just to make the wait for Monday even worse, let me point all of you in the direction of the Canadian CTV promo for Monday's episode: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkiBxlNvJoM
Enjoyed this one… I thought the dead girl was one beautiful lady..Who is she?
I could barely sit through this episode, and watched out of loyalty I guess. Another boring procedural loaded down with countless possible suspects so hard to follow it would've been more enjoyable for the viewer to watch paint dry. Ready for anything resembling an episode whose concept didn't seem like it was thought up and agreed upon at the last minute. We Castle loyalists have sat through a banal season of fillers, waiting patiently as possible for the series we love to thrill us. The only good thing about this week's "dance" episode was the previews for next week's show.
Mr. Marlowe, do something and do it soon! Break them up, get them together, but for heaven's sake stop insulting the intelligence of your fan base with mindless episodes posing as entertainment. Get on with it and then go with it!
You know, it's funny. It seems that half the fandom absolutely loved this episode and the other half absolutely hated it. There's no in between this time.
I think for those who loved this episode it was that ensemble harmony
that brought this tale to life, not just the C/B thing or lack thereof.
For those that hated it, is was the lack of C/B movement.
That promo for 4.19 probably had something to do with my easily accepting this ep. for what it was, a really good filler.
No in between for sure Luciana. But that's part of the fun of the show I guess.
I didn't hate it, but for instance, Alexis giving forensic insight into the case? Really?
I agree with another viewer that the Alexis character has become more annoying than interesting.
But alas, I'm hooked and have been these 4 years, so I will ride the ship to its destination. :)
I for one am glad AWM & CO have brought Alexis into forensics. It's no more outrages than the Linchpin
storyline of a NYC detective and her pal solving and international terror plot for the CIA.
Up to this point she was someone in the shadows of each episode. The possibilities for her now are endless and hilarious if she is allowed to be placed in the middle of the Caskett affair, she becomes a conduit for virtually everything.
Could be very funny.
Now that AWM & CO have intentionally raised our expectations to the stratosphere, let's hope he delivers.
Last couple of weeks you beat everybody with your release of sneak peeks; are you going to do it again?
Agree the ep was fun, llite, solid, well paced, a great filler ep. Dynamic duo were rockin' on the same page. Bromance in full swing. Martha had a true, squirm-inducing yet true to character mini-arc.
Disagree about Alexis. Well, agree she's been largely irritating this season. Disagree in seeing her involvement in this ep as an improvement. I've loathed the Alexis-as-Intern since it was introduced. Screams, 'we don't know what to do with this character anymore, but hey, in the mean time, this internship is a really easy device to keep her involved.'
It was also another fun meta-ep, and while some of theirs have been more witty & sharp, this was still fun.
Also agree about Cops & Robbers. Remains a top 3 pick for the season for me. Also agree that the underlying pulse of Castle has instead become purgatory for much of the season. and that the long-awaited revelations have me looking forward to all hell breaking loose, if only to have something finally happen.