Well, I am very happy to say that for the first in a while I actually really enjoyed the case of the week. In last night’s ‘Head Case’, Castle and Beckett found themselves investigating a really unusual case. When they first got to the crime scene, there was a lot of blood, but the victim’s body was nowhere to be found. With a lot of twists and turns, this murder investigation took them to the world of cryogenic science that ultimately led to a very tragic end of an almost Shakespearean epic love story.
What really stood out for me in this episode was that it felt like classic Castle again. It had that seasons 1 and 2 vibe, in which there was drama, but the comedy and one liners we love so much finally made an appearance again and it was just so much fun to watch. Of course Castle, Beckett and the boys were all great, but the highlight of the episode for me was Lanie. Finally they gave Tamala Jones more screen time and gave her a chance to showcase her incredible comedic timing. I admit I am not usually a big Lanie fan — not that I don’t like her. I do. She is just so grossly underused that I still haven’t had enough time with her to become a fan — but she really was a joy to watch last night. All of my favorite scenes from ‘Head Case’included her. Let’s hope they will continue on this path as Tamala Jones is really talented and deserves more time and recognition than what she has been given lately.
Now, about Alexis. Did we really expect her to go to Stanford? Not at all, right? That said, I am not sure how I feel about this sudden change in her character. Sure, she is acting a lot more like a normal teenager, but it has been such a sharp one-eighty turn that I found myself baffled by her attitude. On the one hand, it is good that they are portraying her like a normal teenage girl, with emotions all over the place and I think it could be a great way for the character to grow. On the other hand, however, I am genuinely afraid that Alexis will turn into an annoying, whiny character because of this. As we got to see last night, she doesn’t handle rejection well and it was heartbreaking to watch Castle having no idea how to deal with the situation. The fact that he now thinks that maybe he overprotected and spoiled her a little too much can be a really interesting storyline as they both learn to deal with the fact that just because he has money doesn’t mean Alexis can have everything she wants.
What was interesting about ‘Head Case’, though, was the fact that they seem to be portraying the relationship between Castle and Beckett in a completely more blatant way. Subtlety was, up until season 3, the trademark of the show. The fans had to look carefully for those moments and interpret and analyze them thoroughly to get a hint of what it could all have possibly meant. Last night, they threw that subtlety out the window. From Beckett asking Castle if he thinks she needs a boob job to that final scene, it is so obviously clear that those two are head over heels in love with each other and, to be honest, it just makes it even more frustrating to watch them both pine for one another, but still hold back because they are afraid. In Stana Katic’s words, ‘He should just grab her, make out with her and make babies’already.
Other things worth mentioning:
- Castle jumping after the head was hilarious;
- The dead pigeon scene with Ryan and Esposito;
- ‘No, I just sit down here all day and make stuff up. Of course I’m sure!’— Lanie
- ‘That’s what all the great love stories are all about, right? Beating the odds.’— Beckett
- I still don’t like Captain Gates, but I think I am in the minority team here.
All in all, ‘Head Case’was a really fun episode and I give it a solid B+. But I admit I am so excited for next week’s ‘Kick the Ballistics’as we are finally going to see the 3XK storyline resurface and it is also going to be Seamus Dever’s chance to shine since the episode will most likely focus on Detective Ryan. You can already check out the promotional photos for it right here.
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I agree with your review Luciana, and I'm not sure about Captain Gates at all. I would think they are going to soften her character at some point, but just now she is not a likable character at all. I know Alexis is important as Castle's daughter, but this character seems more an annoyance to me now. This episode did have that old Castle feel to it and I enjoyed it very much.
Captain Gates is the perfect foil for C/B, especially for Beckett. Think of all the times she disobeyed Montgomery. In the L.A. epi. alone she was insubordinate, and down right defiant. Finally we get someone who won't let get away with anything. Someone who'll challenge her detective abilities and brow beat her if only to make her work harder.
I for one, think Gates is perfect, particularly when she bashes Castle, who has no idea how to handle her.
Okay luciana, I waited to see the episode, and the plunging neck line of Becketts' shirts. Please tell me where
Becketts' heart is located. I remember the operation; a lateral incision along the ribs and then the massaging of the heart . The only way to get to the heart is to make an incision between her breast, unless her aorta is in a location different from everyone else.
Someone made a hilarious comment about this very subject on TVGuide.com
I was waiting for someone to bring this up. You know what? It’s the 21st century. Depending on the surgeon with modern instruments and proper after care, etc., those huge, neck-to-navel, zipper like surgical scars are a thing of the past. Need a real life example? Barbara Walters. She had open heart surgery (last year?) and when she returned to “The View” one of the first things the other women on show wanted to know was what did her scar look like. Barbara, who was wearing a normal slightly low cut top, pulled her neckline down even farther for the camera to see the scar from her incision. The scar was tiny – the camera was barely able to pick it up (I’m sure there must be a Youtube video out there). It had been several weeks/a couple of months since the surgery and it had faded to almost nothing. I’m assuming Beckett is experiencing the same situation. :-)
You said it yourself. They made a lateral incision along the ribs. We don't know if she had open heart surgery. In this case, unless they mention they cracked her chest open, I am willing to give the benefit of the doubt. When I told you to wait and see was because the only thing they showed was the lateral incision. I am not at all versed in surgery and I don't know if what they show on TV shows is accurate, but I've seen enough medical shows (I was a hardcore ER fan once) to know that they can massage the heart just like they showed – at least in the fictional world. Now if that's accurate or not, only a doctor can tell us.
But for now I'm okay with it. It's a TV show. If you want to discuss plausible, then we can all agree that her incredibly fast recovery was nothing short of miraculous, right?
Come on!!!! Captain Gates is fabulous. Think back to all the times Beckett disobeyed Montgomery. Think of the L.A. episode; not only was she insubordinate, she was down right defiant. Gates is putting an end to all, she overseeing every move Beckett and her crew make and not buying the excuses Esposito and Ryan use to cover for her. I for one love how she intimidates Beckett, who up until now was unflappable. And the zingers she aims at Castle are priceless. From what I understand this is Gates and she's not gonna change.
I think Captain Gates if fabulous. Stop and think of the number of times Beckett disobeyed Montgomery. In the L.A. episode alone she was insubordinate and down right defiant. I think it's really refreshing to have someone strong enough to put her in her place. Someone who actually intimidates her, as we've seen in each episode. I'm also getting a kick out of Gates zinging Castle every chance she gets; it's hilarious.
From what I've read, she'll not be changing and time soon. Good for AWM, what a great character, and super addition to the cast.
I think Captain Gates if fabulous. Stop and think of the number of times Beckett disobeyed Montgomery. In the L.A. episode alone she was insubordinate and down right defiant. I think it's really refreshing to have someone strong enough to put her in her place. Someone who actually intimidates her, as we've seen in each episode. I'm also getting a kick out of Gates zinging Castle every chance she gets
Well, I for one was expecting her to get into Stanford. (I think I said, "What?!" right along with Caslte as she read the rejection letter.) I guess, like Castle, I just assumed with her great academic skills why wouldn’t they accept her?! She wasn’t to leave/start school until January so there would still be a whole half a season of episodes with her at home. For the second half of the season I had thought we would see her realizing she was out there for all the wrong reasons and eventually returning home. I mean, it’s not like they couldn’t film telephone and or Skype conversations between Castle and Alexis for a few episodes. So, yeah, I really did expect her to go to Stanford.
I’ve said before that I don’t particularly care for the “typical teen” version of Alexis. One of the things that drew me to the show was that for once we had a show with a non-typical teen. A mature, smart, responsible teen who was also cute and funny. I really use to look forward to the Castle and Alexis scenes but now I almost cringe a little. I hope she isn’t inheriting her mom’s “deep fried Twinkie” gene. I’m hoping it’s just a phase – a very short phase – a “don’t worry, this won’t last the entire season” phase. Otherwise I’m going to find myself hitting the fast-forward button.
Yes, Lanie should get a little more air time and a little more back story too. Thank you very much. What happen to us being introduced to her mom that she doesn’t get along with?
As I said in response to last week’s review of “Heroes and Villains,” I’m not sure Gates is supposed to win *us* over. I’m not sure the character of Gates is there for us (or Beckett and company for that matter) to really like as a person/captain/friend the way Montgomery was. (Frankly I’d be more suspicious of a new captain that was a little too chummy and likable right off the bat especially considering how well Montgomery was liked.) Gates might be a character we are meant to “love to hate,” but either way I think it’s too early to judge. We’re only three episodes in. Give the character at least 5-10 episodes, or a major scene or two, before we determine friend or foe. I can’t help but think about Skinner on “The X-Files.” When he first showed up I just knew he was trouble. As it turned out he was one of Mulder and Scully’s best allies. Patience people. :-)
I for one love Captain Gates. Think of the number of times that Beckett disobeyed Montgomery. Remember the L.A. episode, in which she was not only insubordinate but down right defiant. Whit Gates all that comes to an end.
Beckett either plays by the book as Gates dictates or not at all.
I like that fact that Gates intimidates her at almost every turn and the way the Captain constantly zings Castle is
hilarious. I hope Gates never loses that hard edge. I'm waiting for her to get her claws into Ryan and Eposito, that will be fun.
Sorry for repeating my posts but there was a problem here and being stubborn by nature I tried to force my way in. I apologize.