Finally.
It took five seasons, but Mr. Andrew Marlowe and Co. finally managed to deliver a two-parter that was outstanding. I don’t know about you guys, but I admit I was expecting this second part to be… well, not as good as the first, as per tradition on Castle. Unfortunately, the past two seasons failed to deliver a solid two-parter and we would always come out of the second part disappointed. But that was not the case with “Hunt”.
There was just so much to love about this episode that I don’t even know where to start.I guess Castle going rogue was predictable because, really, what father wouldn’t do what he did, right? He gave in to his parental instinct to protect his child at all costs, no matter what kind of harm may befall him through his journey. I loved that his contact was one of his research sources for the Derrick Storm novels, but I especially enjoyed the fact that they seemed to remember that he is a writer and he has his shady contacts and he knows his way when he needs to do something off the grid. I won’t even go into the merit of the Paris backdrop and how awful it was because the rest of the episode more than made up for it.
I didn’t trust that French dude from the get go, but I admit I wasn’t expecting him to betray Castle like that and just leave him there to die. Thank God for Papa Castle, who saved his son, saved his granddaughter and saved the day. But more about that in a minute.
Back in New York, one of my very favorite scenes – probably from this entire season – was when Kate went ballistic on Henson’s girlfriend. I have seen that scene several times and it just gets better and better. Right then, she wasn’t a cop. She was a woman on a mission, willing to do anything to help her partner bring his child home safely. Great performance by Stana Katic, as usual.
Just like on “Target”, Nathan Fillion was in his best form and his reunion with the father he never knew was just amazing. That moment of shock and the second it took for that piece of information to sink in… Nathan played it beautifully. And what can I say about Papa Castle? He was just the best. I wasn’t really sure what to expect and I was so ready for it to suck (because, honestly, Castle’s dad is a spy? Really? Cliché much?), but it so didn’t. On the contrary. It was so, so good. James Brolin was fantastic in his role and I couldn’t have asked for a better way for Castle to meet his dad.
And that part warrants its own review and analysis because Castle just met his father. That was huge. And it was just so beautifully underplayed; I loved that they didn’t make a huge deal out of it and I really, really loved that Jackson Hunt (or whatever his name is) is just a really good guy. Because I was so afraid he wasn’t going to be. But he is, he’s a good person whose job took him away from his kid, but he still managed to keep an eye on him growing up. And the fact that he was the one responsible for giving Castle the book that eventually inspired him to become a writer? Fan-freaking-tastic!
But what really struck a chord with me and hit right in the heart was that Castle got this unique chance to meet his father at least once in his life and talk to him and hear him say that he is proud of him. I am sure that aspect of last night’s episode touched a lot of people who always dreamed about getting that chance, myself included. I just really, really hope we get to see Castle’s father again.
So bottom line, “Hunt” was everything that I could have hoped for in the conclusion of this two-parter. Because unlike season 2 “Tick, tick, tick” and “Boom” – that were action-packed and really, really great – “Target” and especially “Hunt” were action-packed and tense, yes, but they were also so emotional and poignant and beautiful that easily became my favorite two-parter yet and definitely two of my favorite episodes ever.
This is the kind of show I want to watch, Mr. Marlowe. I knew this show could be amazing and this two-parter really proved it. Now I just hope that we get to see the repercussions of everything that has gone down in these two episodes, but I admit I’m not holding my breath. But hey, a girl can dream, right?
Either way, “Hunt” knocked it out of the park.
A+.
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This was a fabulous 2 parter and so well written and acted. Kudos for Stana Katic portrayal of Beckett, the helpless partner and girlfriend. She played it so well.
So much awesomeness in this two-parter. I’m thinking Castle’s dad might somehow play into the showdown between Bracken and Beckett. Plus, it’d be cool to see Castle’s next book have a Jackson Hunt character in it.
Best two part episode ever and possibly best storyline as well. Gawd,so much content, it could easily have been a three or four part story. I can almost hear all the yeah sures,from all of you in fandom, but the meatgrinder on CBS ran a five part story that worked and this is one instance that I wish AWM would’ve tried, it was that good. I, like Luc, hope to see the consequences of this story play out on every member of the cast, but continuity has always been a problem here. To be able to see Beckett help Alexis through the trauma and how it would affect her decision to a college degree would be something. It would be an incredible sub plot watching Alexis develop a harder edge completely opposite of her outlook in her blog before the kidnapping. Did I day I loved this two parter.
Castle has some of the best continuity on TV. Every issue brought up comes back into play at some point. It works on the long game. Like Kate going to therapy in season 4. We didn’t need to see her going each week to know she went. Continuity doesn’t mean every factor of a character is always in play.
I have to disagree, here. I think it’s safe to say nothing further will be said about Castle’s dad, probably for the remainder of the season, which is okay with me. The thing that will bother me is that Alexis experience will vanish just as Beckett’s PTSD. Speaking from first hand experience that doesn’t go away ever. Or how about that 14 inch incision that was made to massage Becketts’ heart, where has that gone?
Season five has been fun,intense and better than the past two. But continuity after season two has kinda vanished.
I’m going to address your last point first. The incision that was made to massage Beckett’s heart wasn’t made on the FRONT of her chest. It was a slit on the SIDE – which is a way that heart surgery is often done. Don’t believe me, go back and look at Rise again. They made point of making sure to show how they cut her open. She traces her fingers up along the side of that scar when she’s looking in the mirror during Kill Shot. A high-powered bullet goes in like a laser, it’s the exit wound that makes a mess. The bullet that shot Beckett didn’t exit, it’s a small circle. That scar has been fading over time – just like it would in real life. It doesn’t stay looking like THIS: http://a3.ec-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/54/a5e34d7f38104e55aac19b075dd58fb5/l.jpg – which by the way is a special effect scar of what it be if it DIDN’T heal right – and that close up looks like THIS on camera: http://a4.ec-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/19/14294dc8833b4c599c38d273c072aaa5/l.jpg
In other words, the idea that there should be this huge scar being carried for life is inaccurate. Here’s an ACTUAL healed scar from a bullet wound:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SCfwBkF65oY/SJyYMMr4V4I/AAAAAAAAD-s/rdr7Ffu58ac/s400/Bachmann+Bullet+Hole+Scar+-+2nd+photo.png
The surgery scar isn’t in a place we’d see normally, but they made a point in Kill Shot to make us aware that the scar was there. I hope that helps in terms of scars.
In terms of Beckett’s PTSD, I know a bit about PTSD myself. For one, the major symptoms can be treated – such as ones like Beckett’s reaction when having to deal with the sniper. The scene with Esposito and Beckett is an example of exposure therapy, where you learn to become desensitized to your triggers. (Mine were fire engine sirens and airplanes.) Also, notice that with the recent situation with Bracken – which is tied to the trauma of her shooting and her mother’s death, Beckett went to the therapist she works with to deal with her PTSD symtoms. It’s something you learn to do when confronted with triggering situation. Clearly this is an ongoing part of her life. However, we don’t need to see her going to therapy every episode. It’s a part of the character, but it’s not THE STORY. The fact is it’s been established that Beckett was in treatment for PTSD for all of season 4, and this season showed that that resource of therapy is one that she continues to utilizes in her life – THAT is continuity. PTSD is not apparent in every instance of a person’s life – why should be apparent in every episode of the show? Especially when there aren’t cases that deal directly with her triggers?
Secondly, not every person that goes through trauma – even severe trauma – develop PTSD. It’s not unreasonable to think that Alexis doesn’t develop it. Believe or not, the major of people who go through trauma don’t. It doesn’t mean that those of us who do are somehow weak. It’s just some people do, and others don’t. I’m not saying they won’t mention any after effeects, but it’s not a necessity. Also, the same thing that applies to Beckett would apply here. The story is not the life and times of Alexis Castle. I can assume she had some adjusting to do, but I don’t need to witness them.
SPOILER. I already know Castle’s dad will be brought up again, although, yes, it might not be this season. Again though, it’s about story focus. Castle met his dad. He also has to keep that within his “family” Martha and Beckett. When a situation occurs that brings up the issue of missing fathers, I’m sure it will come up, but in general, I wouldn’t expect it be a topic of general conversation.
Continuity isn’t about throwing a point of everything that has happened to a character in every episode. It’s about those issues not being dropped when they would naturally impact the story that’s being told in that episode. Castle doesn’t drop the ball.