Before we start analyzing last night’s Castle season 3 finale, I must warn you that this review will be spoiler heavy. If you have not watched the episode yet, do not read this. Trust me, you want to watch it completely unspoiled. It will be a much better experience and the cliffhanger will have a much bigger impact on you.
Are we clear?
Alright.
The first thing to come to mind upon watching ‘Knockout’is wow. I had been holding onto ‘Knockdown’as the best episode yet of the series, but the season 3 finale? It blew ‘Knockdown’out of the water. Ever since I started watching Castle, I have been a huge fan of Will Beall’s writing. He was the guy who always took the responsibility of penning the episodes about Beckett’s mom’s case and he always did a wonderful job. It seemed like every episode he would outdo himself. Last night’s episode was no different. Except this time, he set himself apart from every single other episode in the history of the show. Now there are all the episodes until ‘Pretty Dead’and then there is ‘Knockout’in its own league.
The expectation surrounding this episode had been reaching an epic high as the finale date approached. The last few days before the episode aired had the fandom in a frenzy, since there had been so many vague spoilers and photos and sneak peeks released that just heightened everyone’s anxiety. I confess that I was half dreading this episode because of the hype. I was terrified that it wouldn’t live up to my expectations like the LA episode didn’t.
But I should have known that we were in good hands and I am very confident when I say that this is, bar none, the very best episode yet. I know I said the exact same thing about ‘Knockdown’a few months ago, but nothing could have prepared me for the out of this world hour of television I experienced last night. ‘Knockout’not only lived up to my expectations, but took those expectations and threw them out the window. It surpassed anything I was hoping for.
With all the spoilers flying rampant for the past few weeks, we all knew someone was going to die. My money had been on the Captain from the start so that was no surprise for me. When we got the spoiler that there would be a betrayal, my money had also been on the Captain. So that part, while extremely well done — and it didn’t exactly play out the way I had thought it would — was no shocker.
However, I was not expecting that cliffhanger. At all.
My friend was laughing at me after the episode ended because all I could manage to say was ‘Oh, my God’over and over again. That last scene when Kate is shot and Castle tells her he loves her, begging for her to stay awake was the real shocker of the episode. I would never, ever have expected something like that. The L word? I am still stunned. The entire thing was so shocking and so unexpected. Up until the moment Castle jumps to knock her out of the way, I honestly thought the bullet would miss her.
But we should discuss the rest of the episode first before getting to the end, right?
So first things first.
Mr. Marlowe, you have made me so proud. Pretty much all the issues I pointed out in the lack of continuity article a couple of weeks ago were taken care of last night. I still have a pickle with the Josh situation, but everything else? Well done. Now I understand that you had a plan. I am still not entirely happy with how it was handled, but I loved that everything is out there now. All the cards are on the table and they cannot back out from this.
I knew Kate would be at her most vulnerable with her emotions all over the place, but it was heartbreaking to see her almost completely lose it. Two scenes in particular stood out for me. When they find the chopper at the hangar and she is mumbling to herself about what she should do and it looks like she can’t really string a sentence together and her voice starts breaking. When Castle asks if she is okay, she obviously says she is, but you can clearly see that she is broken inside.
The other one was when she asks the boys to recheck everything and they stand up to her and say they had already been through all those records. That scene is so great for so many reasons. First, because I think it was the first time we saw Ryan and Esposito defy her; second, because Kate really lost it there and it was crystal clear at that moment that she would not back down from this.
Something else that I noticed is that Castle really, really knows her, despite her claiming otherwise. When they are interrogating the prison guard’s friend, the way he kept looking at her. He knows her every expression; he knew exactly how she was going to react. That scene that seemed so simple at first was very telling about how far they both have come. Not only that, but how deep his affection for Kate is and that wasn’t even the best scene to illustrate that. But more about that in a minute.
Before the episode aired, I was so thrilled that Jim Beckett would make an appearance. I had no idea, however, that he would be the one to reach out to Castle. What we got from that moment was that Kate talks to her dad about Castle and obviously gave him the impression that he is someone very important in her life. The fact that Papa Beckett went to Castle to ask for help just served to emphasize that Kate trusts him so much that everyone around them already picked up on that. After all, the Captain told Castle the exact same thing.
In hindsight, Captain Montgomery’s betrayal was slowly revealed. Back in ‘Knockdown’, he kicked her off the case and told her with an absolute certainty that Vulcan Simmons was not the guy who had killed her mom. During ‘Knockout’there were several instances that gave him away, but I only noticed them the second time I watched the episode. The one that is most obvious is when Castle starts talking about the third cop. If you pay attention, the Captain looks away and his entire posture screams guilty. Props to Ruben Santiago-Hudson who played every single one of those subtle moments beautifully.
I admit that for a moment there, I thought he was actually going to try and kill Beckett. When he calls her and tells her to meet him at the hangar just like Lockwood told him to, I thought that that was it. He was going to try to kill her and she would shoot him in self defense and that was how he was going to die. I most definitely was not expecting what actually happened. That entire sequence was just so raw and poignant and beautiful that I confess a few tears were shed. I was completely surprised when Castle showed up and heartbroken when he had to drag her away kicking and screaming, knowing that Captain Montgomery was going to die.
In fact, the editing in this episode was simply stellar. The hangar scene in particular because we had Kate screaming for Castle to let her go and then we cut to them outside and the music takes over. That scene was so much more touching and heart wrenching without any sound because you could feel her desperation and grief. It was simply beautiful to watch.
‘Knockout’had so many intense moments that I know we probably won’t get to all of them today, but there are a few of those that must be addressed. First, the talk. That particular scene was released as one of the sneak peeks so I knew it was coming. Like I said earlier, it’s great that everything is out there now. It seems that they have finally reached a point that they had to stop and ask themselves what the hell they are doing. Why do they keep running from each other and refusing to discuss whatever it is that is going on between them? I love that it was Kate that bated him to start talking and I love that he was pissed off enough to call her out on all her bull. He just told her exactly what she feared and she obviously reacted with anger and kicked him out. That was to be expected. Then she turned around and did the exact thing that he accused her of doing: she ran because she was afraid and the most important thing to take from this is that she was well aware of what she was doing, at least for me.
One of my favorite parts of the episode, however, was Castle’s conversation with his mom. We had never seen him so broken, so at a loss of what to do. He wanted to save her from herself, but he obviously had no idea how to knock some sense into her. Nathan Fillion was stellar in that scene and the emotion there was palpable. That was the one moment this season that it became clear that he truly loves her and he will do whatever it takes to protect her. My heart broke for him at that moment.
What was also heartbreaking was when the boys found out that Captain Montgomery was the third cop. Jon Huertas and Seamus Dever played the hell out of that scene and it was the best I have ever seen them on the show. In fact, the entire cast brought their A game the entire episode. Again, I must take a moment to talk about how ridiculously amazing Stana Katic’s acting was last night. She has been given some great material to work with this season, but ‘Knockdown’and ‘Knockout’were her finest hours. The scene when the Captain tells her to leave and Castle drags her away gave me chills. She was spectacular and I could feel her pain.
Then the funeral sequence intercalated with the moment that they all agree that no one will ever find out about what Captain Montgomery had done was probably one of the best scenes of the season. I admit I was a complete mess by then for so many reasons (she acknowledged that she wants him by her side, remember?) and was completely and utterly shocked when she was shot. Then the next thing I knew, Castle was trying to hold her and telling her to stay with him and that he loved her and then — just like that — it was over.
I will get into more detail about what the repercussions of that cliffhanger might be in the season 3 review later this week, but right now I can say, without a shadow of doubt, that whatever happens in season 4 will probably change the dynamics we are so used to.
I wish there was a grade a lot higher than A+ for this episode.
This is going to be a really long summer.
Follow Us
Just a theory for next season. What if Beckett fake her death in order to catch her mom killer?
Exactly what I was thinking!! A professional sniper would go for the head, not for her chest (or stomach…I can't say where exactly she was shot). She doesn't realize in time what's going on and she doesn't move at all: the target was steady and clear and at such short range a sniper would have never failed!
I also had the same thought & I DO HOPE that, it isn't just Wishful Thinking!…
I Absolutely Love these two together, the chemistry between Stana & Nathan/ Beckett and
Castle is Simply Fabulous!! I have Loved them since the very first episode of, the very first season, they have a Unique Connection! The Heat that they generate is Sooo Special that,
In my opinion, there is Nobody Else on t.v. who has this Magnetic Chemistry-They Are The
BEST!!
p.s. I am Still Crying…(after watching the finale.)
I was thinking that same thing. In the third season of Bones, Booth fakes his death to catch a previous enemy who claimed "The next time you see me will be at your funeral." If Kate fakes her death, then her mother's killer will probably attended the funeral (if he falls for it.) It would be a very interesting episode… especially if Castle's reaction to his partner's fake death is anything like Brennan's. This is one time when I wouldn't mind seeing a plot recycled.
Beckett was shot in her chest , missed the heart because Castle threw her out of the way. I cant believe they would fake her death next season. I dont think they will solve Kates Mom s death till end of season 4. Marlowe and his writers must first catch the 3xk killer and possibly Castle might discover his father. Its time to feature Castle and his problems so Beckett can be there for him. Now that Alexis is going off to college in Jan and maybe Martha might move out with ano. boyfriend(maybe Jim Beckett) Castle will be alone . The middle of next season might prove very interesting relationship for Castle and Beckett.
That's what I thought Faisal. How does a sniper hiding behind a 3 foot tombstone evade half of the NYPD in an open cemetery unless…that was exactly what they wanted to happen. Or, maybe she does get shot but doesn't die…who knows?
I'm thinking that, since they can't possibly know everyone that the big bad guy has in his pocket on the force, she was wearing a vest and used squibs. Let them think they've killed her, then lure them in. It's a pretty common plot device on shows like this.
this is most logical thing that could happen, I can foresee no other progression
Fantastic review to accompany a fantastic season finale. I've watched the episode a few times now, and I have to say I get more and more impressed with it each time I view it. You mentioned just how well Stana Katic handled her scenes, and I'd like to mention one scene in particular (which isn't easy to do in an episode this intense!) After her fight with Castle, Beckett goes to Captain Montgomery to get him to kick Castle to the curb, all the while hoping Montgomery will either talk her out of it or to tell her its out of his hands. It's very clear from the way she's almost making excuses for him that she expects Montgomery to turn her down, but when he agrees to do as she asks it immediately throws her. And after that, after she realizes Montgomery is serious; that if she truly does want Castle gone, he's gone, she backs off and is forced to say aloud her reason for being at odds with Castle. "He said that we can't win this." And then there's Montgomery's response, "And he's right." Powerful stuff, and some of the best writing on television.
Loved that moment like crazy. She's always had a problem admitting that she likes having Castle around, so she complains about him and threatens to drop him but does so knowing she's safe because with the mayor on his side, Castle's never actually going to leave. Same thing here, higher stakes–she's furious with him and she rants and raves to the captain, but she does so feeling deep down that it's safe because the captain will never agree to it. And when he suddenly does, that safety net is gone and she has to backpedal because she doesn't actually want to be without him. And the captain knows that, and that's why he does it. This wasn't a lighthearted episode, but I did get a smile out of that bit. Oh Beckett, complain all you want but we know you really need him.
So i'm a little unclear… Did you like the episode, or not?
Are you kidding me-IT WAS FABULOUS!! What a Great show, in Every way…The dialogue, the acting, the direction was SUPERB!!
I must qualify something JAKe, I Absolutely HATED THE ENDING-I start crying everytime, I think of it…When I said that the show was Fabulous-I was
Definitely referring to acting, script, etc.-'Not the storyline…
Att: writers-Please don't let the play between Beckett & Castle go back to the "same ole/same ole", I think that the viewers have had quite enough teasing..I DO Hope that Kate will get better 'cuz "THIS" COUPLED WITH THE BACK & FORTH-(the tease) is Killing Me!…
Great episode. Don't blow a gasket Luciana when Josh makes his appearance in the hospital. For all we know he'll be the surgeon patching her up. They might write that in just as a tip of the hat to you.
Castle's a fun show and the only one I watch on TV. Now that V has been ABCanceled maybe they can get Morena Baccarin to come on and give Beckett something to squirm over.
Dave, You the man!!! I hope Nathan can pull some strings and get her on this show…. Unfinished business from Firefly, which I also have the dvd of…. crap… long summer…..
Three cheers for Dave!
That would make a show that my wife and I could be equally excited about ALL the time…:)
Gina Torres would be pretty cool as well!
Nahhhhhh Dave, that was then-this is now! I want to see Beckett & Castle-forget Josh
("motorcycle boy") & Morena B.~That was The Past, let's deal with The Present, The "Right
Now!"
Your comment, "I confess that I was half dreading this episode because of the hype. I was terrified that it wouldn’t live up to my expectations like the LA episode didn’t." really hit the nail in the head for me. It's like I was writing this article.
Will Beal really did hit it out of the ballpark with this ep. Best out of all 3 seasons. And you're right, it'll be a damn long summer. Even your suspicions about Ruben (Montgomery) were in line with I was thinking, although i did not want to accept it, because I really like him on this show. Until I read his interview yesterday about upcoming Stage projects… That did it. I knew, hoping against hope, that he'll be the one.
Best thing is how they handled the whole situation in this ep. I will be watching this repeatedly until season 4 starts. I already have Seasons 1 & 2 on DVD, and can't wait for Season 3 to come out…. Crap, this is gonna be an irritatingly loooong summer….. *sigh…
I hated it. Castle was fun and quirky….that's what I loved about it. Since they're
coming back, I'm sure there is a 'perfectly good reason' why she won't die….I did
wonder if she wouldn't have worn protection knowing that she was in a great deal
of danger! Again I repeat – I hated it. Where is the fun and quirky?? I hope they
get back to that.
I'M WITH YOU Nancy!!! As much as I think that the show was Fabulous i.e., script, direction
& ACTING-( which was SUPERB)- I hated the cliffhanger!
I LOVED when Castle told Beckett that he loved her plus, I Am Still Crying from the ending..
To echo your sentiment-I HATED IT!!!
The show used to be A LOT of fun but now, we've got 3 & a half months to brood & pine for
Kate..
p.s. I sure as hell hope that, the "back & forth b.s." doesn't start back up, in the next season..Oh Please-I'm Surely, Fed-Up With That Trip-I Want to SEE THE LOVE BLOSSOM!
This is exactly the kind of reaction that irks me!
Are you telling me you HAVEN'T had enough fun and quirky this season?
Look, this show has a backstory which needs to be covered. You expect them to completely ignore it? It would be detrimental to the character development!
It's like people can never stand change. I read other reviews too in which people were complaining about this, but I don't understand why everyone has such an issue! Did Castle ever claim to be a comedy?
Plus, who wears protection to a funeral?
No, the wound she got is real, but we know that Beckett is gonna survive it… now for next season… I bet Captain Montgomery sent these files to Castle, so now Rick is going to protect Kate at all costs…
Right?! The files had to be sent to Castle or Kate. Maybe that's why the Captain refused to tell Kate who was behind the whole thing before Castle dragged her away.
All I can say is that this episode was followed with a repeated string of "Oh my God" from me as well. I try not to read spoilers before the episodes air because I'd rather get the full effect when I watch it, so I was not expecting the Captain to die. Despite my heartbreak over the end of the season, I agree that "Knockout" was beyond an A+ performance. That cliffhanger is killing me. I was also considering the possibility of her death being faked, but the look Castle had was so surprised, and I can't imagine her not telling Castle if she had a plan like that. Plus, she was bleeding, you could see it on her glove. She couldn't really die right? I never thought I'd say this, but can summer be shorter?
And totally LOVED the episode. THE BEST PIECE OF TELEVISION I saw in decades. Really.
<style type="text/css"><!–@page { margin: 0.79in }P { margin-bottom: 0.08in }–></style>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Rick Castle introduced the Derrick Storm Graphic Novel at the bigging of the final episode of season three. The episode ends in a cliffhanger and I think Rick might have dropped us a clue!
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">This morning my wife and I chatted about the final episode and speculated on season four. I remembered that Kevin Smith wrote a Graphic Novel in the mid-nineties that connected the movies Chasing Amy and Dogma. Want to know about Jay and Silent Bob's journey to Chicago, then check it out Chasing Dogma!
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I figure it this way! Ryan Carried that Derrick Storm book around in every episode of Season two. I knew it meant something, and sure enough, it was a clue from the writers to check out the Derrick Storm books. They secretly let it slip the book wasn't just a prop. I believe the graphic novel is the same clue and we should pick it up.
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Joe Romine
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Difficulty9 <style type="text/css"><!–@page { margin: 0.79in }P { margin-bottom: 0.08in }–></style>
uhm are you like drunk? wtf…
Rick Castle introduced the Derrick Storm Graphic Novel at the bigging of the final episode of season three. The episode ends in a cliffhanger and I think Rick might have dropped us a clue!
This morning my wife and I chatted about the final episode and speculated on season four. I remembered that Kevin Smith wrote a Graphic Novel in the mid-nineties that connected the movies Chasing Amy and Dogma. Want to know about Jay and Silent Bob's journey to Chicago, then check it out Chasing Dogma!
I figure it this way! Ryan Carried that Derrick Storm book around in every episode of Season two. I knew it meant something, and sure enough, it was a clue from the writers to check out the Derrick Storm books. They secretly let it slip the book wasn't just a prop. I believe the graphic novel is the same clue and we should pick it up.
Joe Romine
Difficulty9
For me this was the shark jump. I'm not going to fault other people for liking this episode, but it definitely broke the series for me.
WTF. I AM DEFINATELY ONE OF YOUR NEW HATERS. nuff said.
Hate away then.
Not even close. Shark jumping would be Alexis gets kidnapped, or Beckett gets pregnant with Josh's baby.
This was just a wonderful show that felt like a movie. Not one second of the almost 43 minutes was wasted.
This is one of my favorite Prime time shows. Castle and Beckett are what make the show flow smoothly.
I thought this was one of the best season finales of all time. In one hour they did more than some movies do in 2 and 1/2 hours. The acting was tremendous. The scene with Ryan and Esposito was a classic. This is a detective show with a side of relationship not the other way around. I will miss Captain Montgomery but hopefully they'll be able to work in some flashbacks for him. I agree with everone that this is going to be a long summer. I can't wait for the 4th season.
What can I say, you have basically written exactly what i've been thinking about that episode…Absolutely outstanding! The whole cast were fantastic, and I have to admit, plenty of tears were shed! Can't wait for Season 4
Oooohhh, and I loved the bit of Irish Ryan says when they have the beer…Sláinte! It means Cheers!!!
This episode was so intense, and perfectly written! i never would have guessed this surprise ending! I cant wait for next season! A part of me doesn't want just another 'she fake dies, but everything is fine' and hope she is actually, legitimitely dead. But the other half of me loves Becket, and absolutely does not want her to leave the show for good! i dont know what to think.
I totally agree Trinity! this show is all about twists and turns so why would they do something so predictable (make becket fake her death)? i think we should get together for coffee sometime and discuss this. even though i don't even know you. im not an internet preditor i promise. love you trin trin. :) <3 John
I've seen some negative reviews of this episode – the show is getting too dark for it's format. It's light-hearted banter and deliberately unreal cases, the 'themed' murder stories surrounding beauty pageants, dueling pizzerias, magicians – surely a show that serves up fluff like that can't possibly move us into areas as dark and as brooding as "Knockout." Except: X-files – did just that, if you look at the first season, it was entirely theme-freaky. Other shows that mixed funny and serious (sometimes in whipcord fashion): Buffy the Vampire Slayer (critically acclaimed, with fan-fanatics writing fan-fic to this DAY) – it's offshoot Angel; and then there's Whedon's Nathan Fillion vehicle Firefly (Episode "Jayne" or 'Our Mrs. Reynolds' exhibits A and B). I think when it comes to getting lucky in TV – getting a cast and crew and writers together who can push boundaries and raise the stakes, what you get. . . is stuff like "Knockout." I am literally counting the seconds here at work, waiting for the chance to pop some corn and rewatch this episode from start to finish. It was . . . great. Amazing. It touched just about everything this season has been about – the Caskett relationship, the bromance TV hall of fame that are Ryan and Esposito; Castle's deepening relationship with his mother, his daughter, and perhaps most of all, the complexity of the relationship between Roy Montgomery and Kate Beckett. Nearly every bit of this season was reworked and revived to lend resonance to the story, so that for me, this episode did something that never happens: Exceeded my expectations.
Couldn't have said it better myself. I counted the 'serious' episodes this morning, and they number 5, (Knockdown, 3xK, Setup, Countdown and the Final Nail). 15 were straight comedy and the other 4 were a combination (Under the Gunn, Live and Die in LA, etc).
This show is very well made, and while I understand it is not the Soprano's, it absolutely is one of the best overall shows on t.v.
I am a 50 something normal guy, and the ending even got to me. One hope of the show coming back is a little scene after the 'bad guy' visited Captain Montongomery. If you recall the Captain packed records from his safe to mail to someone (Beckett or Castle?). I agree the assasination attempt was expected or staged. Even wearing a vest the shot would have knocked a person out, so I am hopeful the show comes back with the bad guys getting thier due. This is a well written show, and the ensamble cast has great Chemistry.
Right On Ken!!
nope. Beckett got shot for real. Castle's confession is for real. An Beckett heard him is also for real. that's it! now what do I do until september? >.<
There was definitely red stuff all over Beckett's glove, so she was either really shot, or it was all staged. I'm leaning toward it being staged because killing off one main character and severely injuring another all in one episode, even a season finale, is a lot. I don't think she would have told Castle because they were in a fight, plus it's better for a plan like this when as few people know as possible. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Beckett's dad was the triggerman, or at least who she is in league with as far as the fake death plan.
Episode was awesome, stellar performances, and excellent writing. Light on the humor, but this was a Beckett's mom episode, so it's serious for sure. Great point about how The X-Files would mix the silly with the serious. These actors can run the gamut, too. Looking forward to the next season.
Nevermind, I just checked that final scene, and Mr. Beckett is there at the funeral. But just before he died, Montgomery said something about having made sure that the ultimate bad guy wouldn't be able to get to Kate, so maybe he set up the fake death through some other people he trusts.
Good review! Fantastic episode!
Very nice article! Thanks! very touching and reach a lot of insight's fans! Juste one difference: I wasn't on "Oh My GOD" words last night after watching the final…But for 5 minutes alone i keep repeating myself: " WHAT.. WHAT..WHAT…What……" and out loud!!!
You should have seen my face when the episode finished. I was left standing (sitting, whatever) there for 10 minuted straights. I couldn't form coherent sentences. I even went, woke up my cousin and had a freak-out in her face "OH…SHE! They… they… she died….no they shot her… no…oh my god!!" she started laughing, but i was so shocked. Then I heard about her being saved or rescued by Josh… I could breathe again!
Haha… honestly, an amazing episode
That was for me the finale of the season so far! I love the relationship between Castle and Beckett! The best one since Mulder and Scully back in the days.
The part that was really gut wrenching for me was her wailing as Castle dragged her away from Montgomery. Excellence in its purest form.
Totally loved this episode. Castle is one of the few shows I make sure I watch. Loved the character development and thought every actor in this episode was stellar. It is not easy to make a lighthearted show serious with success. If an episode could get an emmy this one should.
…usually when someone is shot the person with them tries to put pressure on the bleeding…and there's a lot more blood than what we saw. and …there was at the minimum a coroner with doctor training at the funeral and noone besides castle went to help! so if it was staged, AND castle knew it, i understand…but if not, i think that was an oversight.
love the show. think the season finale was well written but edited down to time constraints and should have been two parts, even if it ended the same way. Though i did assume that the captain was the third party since it was brought up that there was a third dirty cop.
hoping they don't do the same thing bones did when one person finally admits the love, the other is too scared of it not working out, then he moves on just as she realizes her true feelings and the possible romance is put off another season!
oh and i've tv stalked Nathon since he was joey on oltl! (anyone see when on one life they had the castle book and his picture in the bookstore…i lol'd) so now what? all the shows ended in the last week and don't start until sept.
peace
The script writing is superb in this drama. Loved the last episode. Was skeptical wen I first started watching, but I love. Down with reality TV and back with drama.
Check out our upcoming project and help us pledge!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1614102132/wr…
Was Beckett's father in any other episodes? Or is he the mysterious villain pretending to be her father?
He was never in a scene talking with her…..Castle did not recognize him when he arrived to talk to him….at the funeral he never moves toward his daughter when she is on the ground? I may have missed it but is this his first time in any episode.
Mr Marlow and his writers have done a fine job of keeping us on our toes. Throw in some dialogue and wordless scenes you can fill in the blanks. My perception is that the writers left some clues that Castle may have told Beckett prior to Captain Montgomery's funeral that he loved her. Beckett's statement in the eulogy that "if you are very lucky you find someone to stand with you" and she pauses and looks directly at Castle. The time elapse from the hanger scenes to the actual funeral was probably a minimum of three or four days. Plenty of time here to talk to each other about any of the subjects at hand including their feelings for each other.
Mr Marlowe will need to keep the romance going between Beckett and Castle to have a chance for the series to make it to Season 5.
I thought she was wearing a bullet-proof vest?
Excellent post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m inspired! Very helpful info particularly the final part :) I handle such information a lot. I used to be looking for this particular info for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.