The second scene was when he went to Greenpoint when Kate didn’t call him back after they had found the van. Everyone was amazing in that scene, but the moment he sees the blood and desperation takes over… man, I have to admit that a lot of tears were shed right along with him. Those tense seconds while Lanie was doing the test, the complete anguish in his face as he paced back and forth with Kate watching not knowing what to do… dear god almighty, that was probably one of the very best scenes I have seen on this show. It was just superb acting all around and it just proved that Castle has so many underrated, ridiculously talented actors.
Now, I loved how they wrote Beckett toeing the line of cop and girlfriend and how she so desperately wanted to be there for him, but had to reign it in because they were at the precinct and because she needed to keep a clear head in order to keep focused on the case and help him. Her support through the entire episode was just great, starting from that first scene when she pulls him into a hug and says she doesn’t care if Gates sees or not. At that moment, he was more important than keeping their relationship a secret and she just wanted to be there for him, give him strength. That moment and the scene while they wait for the blood test results, her relief when it wasn’t a match and how she is just trying to keep it together for him, stay strong, but her voice cracks anyway… that was an amazing performance by Stana Katic.
About Alexis, I really loved how she is definitely her father’s daughter and, even though she was scared out of her mind, she tried to keep a clear head and calm her friend down through the whole thing. The fact that she learned how to pick a lock because her dad was doing research for a book was such a nice touch and Molly Quinn just did a brilliant job through the entire episode. When they escape and she finds that phone and manages to skype her dad, the relief at seeing her father’s face, hearing his voice, was so clear and it was just so real that just at that moment she allowed herself to break down and cry. And that was just so true because, really, who hasn’t had that moment in their lives, that you manage to keep it together, but the second you hear your mom’s or dad’s voice any control you had is out the window? So really, major kudos, Molly. It was great to see her finally showing off her acting abilities a little more than usual.
And finally we circle back to the cliffhanger. So they took the girls to Paris. I’ve had the entire weekend to think about it and I still can’t understand or even come up with a theory on why. And how that is going to fit with the fact that Castle’s long lost father will make an appearance and his supposed involvement in the case. I just can’t wrap my head around it at all. Any theories? I’m all ears.
All in all, outstanding episode, Mr. Marlowe. A+. With honors.
PS: Gates totally knows and I loved how they revealed that. I wonder how she is going to let them know that she knows.
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For the past 4 years, Beckett has pushed Castle away. Says he doesn’t understand, and that it’s not his life. He has no right to be angry with her or ask her to stop. She had no idea the pain he felt watching the woman he loves go through what she was going through. But now, she knows. She knows what it feels like to be so desperate to stop the pain Castle feels like, but also knowing that there is nothing she can do. She knows what it feels like to be the one who has to stay strong. She now knows what Castle has been going through with her for the past four years. I think Beckett in Target finally got a glimpse of all the worry/pain Castle went through when he tried to get her to back off her mothers case. I have no idea why the kidnappers went to Paris but I think the kidnappers don’t want ransom but this is more of case of human trafficking
Either Castle’s father is involved and actually carried out the kidnapping or he is a mercenary that Castle goes to in order to get Alexis’ back. I don’t think he’s CIA – I think he’s outside the CIA.
I think that his dad is going to be the one who needs of helping rescue Alexis once he hears about the kidnapping.
Luciana, loved your review as always. You asked for theories well remember when one of the bad guys was tortured but our crime fighters and the FBI didn’t know who would have done it? My first thought was Castle’s dad. I think all of this might have to do with him. Maybe Alexis was taken because of something he has done and he tortured the guy to get information to help get her back. Why they took the girl’s to Paris? Your guess is good as mine. I wonder if Kate might go to Paris to help Castle out.
This is why the series is built around Nathan Fillion. He’s been asked for years to harness in his skills only giving us small emotions that at moments are huge. In 5.15 he is at his dramatic best a true tour de force.
AWM and Co, David Amann, are at the top of their game here, holy freaking crap, what a storyline, Kudos David, Kudos. It calls for the entire cast to be on the edge of desperation they delivered beautifully.
My question to theorists, who tortured and killed the kidnapper, and why? Does that mean Sara wasn’t the real target? Is this a scheme to expose a certain CIA spy? And if so, is it meant to start the dominoes falling ending with the termination of Beckett’s investigation of Bracken and the elimination of all those involved.
Probably not HA! But it sure is fun.
Another question, with this loss of innocence does Alexis view of life change along with her major in school. Will we see a much more serious person with a harder edge, someone more willing to confide in Kate as much as she once had with her dad.
You know, I hadn’t even thought about the loss of Alexis’ innocence. Spot on, lame. And practically the same age as Kate too. I wonder just how much this is going to change her, if we can expect to see a more jaded, closed off Alexis in the near future.
How totally intreguing would it be to see Alexis follow a path similar to Kate’s. What turmoil would that create in the Castle household and how carefully would Kate have to toe the line in keeping Rick from exploding or convincing him Alexis will be just fine.
Some of us have been asking for the background development of Richard Castle. It seems we’re getting that view surreptitiously. Remember in “recoil” Rick tell Brackens he would have let him walk into the explosion and certain death. Now we see Rick torture one of the kidnappers. Will we next learn that Rick is truly his father’s son.
And if there was any doubt, Gates knows everything.
I think someone discovered who Castle’s father is and going after Alexis is how they flushed him out. Castle’s father is the torturer of the other falls guy (IMO). I think Castle’s dad will convince Castle not to tell Alexis that he helped and to let everyone believe that the kidnapping was about Sara and not Alexis. Later, this will come back to haunt everyone because Castle is keeping secrets… I just can’t imagine them wasting the Castle Dad mystery on a two-parter.
It’s all about Castle’s father. Paris is the key. If this had been another middle eastern plot to exact revenge on some Saudi rich guy, the end of the episode would have been in the mideast. Someone wants Castle’s dad for whatever reason and Alexis is who they wanted to snatch. As for Castle in the room alone with the guy…as a father who has a daughter, I understood all elements here. And we had a clue as to what Castle did when he told Beckett “I appealed to his humanity.” Which to me meant he grabbed him by his…I was exhausted and believe this may be one of my all time Castle favorites, at least until I see part 2.
P.S. As to the question of whether this changes Alexis? This changes everyone involved, at the Castle household, Rick & Kate, and all at the precinct. We’ve seen the dark side of Castle…watch out 3x killer and Senator Bracken :)
Exactly Richard, that’a what I’ve been waiting for “The Rise Of The King Of The Macabre”. Now we learn where all those ghastly murder stories came from, and you are absolutely, positively right, dont’t look over your shoulder Jery Tyson, your worst nightmare is on your trail.
I loved the episode and your review, but maybe I missed the moment – how does Gates know?
Gates knows two ways…the first was the hug which she played off like Kate was just trying to provide comfort for one of her coworkers. And the second was the scene where Castle is talking about Alexis’s birth and Gates sees them holding hands. She had to turn away as to not notice the affection that was taking place (imo). I think she let a lot of the affection slide due to the nature of the episode.
The line about no one knowing who went to film in Paris for the author may not had known but it was revealed by Molly Quinn on Twitter. She told all her followers she was heading to Paris the same week they were filming the episode. She needs to put Spoiler alert on many of her tweets.