After a two-week long hiatus (did it feel like a lot longer to you guys too?), Castle returned with an all new episode last night, and what an amazing episode that was. Titled “Probable Cause”, the fifth episode of this rocking new season of Castle brought back a completely unexpected villain and has restored my faith in my beloved show again.
Last night, we witnessed the unbelievable when Castle is accused of murder with more than enough evidence to send him to jail for life. Not only that, but they had unwavering evidence that he was also cheating on Detective Beckett, which was probably what hurt the most for our dear Kate. In an episode that was so tense that had me on the edge of my seat and holding my breath for the entire hour, ABC’s drama revisited the 3XK storyline that had first aired two years ago, in season 3’s “3XK”. Jerry Tyson (aka 3XK) had been the only murderer — and a serial killer to boot — to ever slip through our dynamic duo’s fingers.
The last time we saw him was when he knocked Detective Ryan out and left Castle tied to chair in a hotel room while he escaped into the night. Then last season we visited this storyline briefly when Ryan’s gun — previously stolen by the 3XK — was the murder weapon in one of their cases, but that was all we heard of Tyson for a long time. Now imagine my surprise when he suddenly popped out of the shadows last night, calmly telling Castle that he was basically screwed and was going to die very soon. I don’t know about you guys, but my jaw hit the floor when he showed up in that scene.
I admit I was cautiously excited about this episode (if there is even such a thing), but “Probable Cause” surpassed even my wildest expectations. I really wish I had time to watch it again before writing about it, but as of right now, it has bumped “Knockout” right off of the best episode ever position for me. I loved everything about it. The suspense, how they handled the secret’s reveal to Espo and Lanie and, especially, how they handled Kate’s feelings through it all.
From the first moment that Castle becomes a suspect, it was obvious that her faith in him was strong. Even when everything pointed to him as the murderer and especially when Esposito told her he was having an affair, we could see that her resolve was starting to crack, but not even then she gave up on him.
Once again, Stana Katic knocked it out of the park with a beautiful, heartbreaking performance. She really is one of the most underrated actresses of this generation and it is a shame that her work isn’t as recognized as it should be. That scene with Lanie was probably one of the most heartbreaking moments of the series thus far and I just wanted to give her a hug. How even then, when everything seemed lost, she still believed in him.
The reveal of the big secret was great as well. I was a little bummed that they had to find out at such awful circumstances, but I really liked how they handled it. Although I am sad that we never got to see Lanie squealing like a fangirl and that Esposito really did not have any clue about what was going on right under his nose. But I loved that they all supported them and I absolutely loved that they showed Beckett willing to break Castle out of prison. If that’s not a big, fat demonstration of love, I don’t know what is. Even Espo acknowledged it out loud.
I also have to comment on the fact that their first names were used like crazy last night. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Beckett calling Esposito Javi quite so much as she did last night and I think it was the very first time we saw her calling Ryan by his first name and, even better, by a nickname, “Kev”. I thought that this little touch showed so much about their friendship and camaraderie and how they really have each other’s backs no matter what.
About Castle and Beckett, what can I say? I loved everything about them and I am so thrilled about the way TPTB are handling their relationship this season. It’s like Kate said, this thing between them is so easy and effortless. It feels like they’ve been together for a long time, not only a couple of months.
Regarding the 3XK supposed escape, I am not sure how I feel about it, but you know what? It’s all good. Sure, the guy took several bullets and fell off god knows what height, but he still managed to escape. But whatever, I’ll let it slide. Suspension of disbelief and all that.
But yeah, “Probable Cause” rocked my world and has definitely gotten the seal of approval and the top spot of best episode ever for me.
A+, Mr. Marlowe. With honors.
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have to say i was a tiny bit disappointed that there was not one i love you…
really wanted kate to say it to castle when she was handcuffing him – but then thought maybe castle would at that moment too..but nope..nothing. kinda bummed.
i know…kate’s actions tell the audience she loves him, but i have to admit i would love to hear her say it…
oh, a fan can dream.
I think we all are waiting for Kate to tell Castle that she loves him but it’s too early in their relationship. Remember Kate needs to know that he is really committed to her and their relationship before she lets her guard down. And she still wants to know the reason behind his 2 divorces.
Great article Luciana! The best show ever. Yes, thought the ILY was going to happen in the jail cell…maybe soon Kate will say it.
Also random mention when you look closely when Tyson shows. His police uniform says J. Rook. Lovely little things that makes this show rock
Couldn’t agree more with the grade, easily top 5 for me.
Not a huge SK fan, but last night she knocked it put of the park.
Um, I haven’t done a full re-watch yet but I *think* Kate actually said that things between them *had not* ever been easy (and she has called Ryan by his first name before; a couple of times I believe).
As for 3XK I think it’s pretty obvious he was wearing a bullet proof vest (probably part of the police uniform he stole/acquired) and that’s why both Kate and Rick pumping a whole clip of bullets into him did not kill him. And I think they may have actually made a technical error there; she did empty her gun into him before he knocked it away yet Castle was able to get several more rounds out of it (someone said there was a total of fifteen shots fired between the two of them). ??? So, did Castle reload? If so, how/where did he get an extra clip? I’m just saying; it’s nit-picky, I know. But regardless of all that I really enjoyed the episode as well — was TOTALLY not expecting 3XK to be the culprit behind it all. Once again, I am sooooo glad I stay spoiler free for this show (or at least try to). :D
Wishful thinking: how cool would it have been if Castle’s double had been played by Jason Bateman instead of Nathan Fillion’s stunt double? LOL.
hahaha, see, that’s what happens when you watch it only once late at night when you’re dead tired. I heard that things were easy between them, didn’t hear the “not” at all.
And I completely agree about the whole Tyson thing, but you know what, the ep was so awesome that I’m willing to overlook it this time. And I was completely spoiler free as well, so it was major surprise for me that 3XK was the one behind everything.
I wasn’t spoiler free, no not at all, quite the opposite actually – I was hunting down every morsel of information I could get. And even I didn’t expect 3XK to come back. Sure, he crossed my mind as someone who would want to frame Castle, and I knew they wanted to do an episode with 3XK focusing on Castle but since there hadn’t been any indication or hint for him to return in this episode I never expected that. The information was held back on purpose. No spoilers from cast, crew or ABC in any promo photos, sneak peeks or interviews. Instead interviews focused more on Castle as a murder suspect and possible cheater and what that would mean for the Castle/Beckett relationship dynamic. Well done. Best epi ever!!!
I’m shocked. Maybe ABC et al are finally getting a freak’n clue about the right way to promote something – yes, entice new/casual viewers while not spoiling the whole thing for the existing fans. Let’s all hope they continue it this way. :-)
You are right, Grey. Beckett said things have never been easy between the two of them, not “always easy between the two of them.”
Well, if she had a Glock 17, that gun takes I think 17 bulletts. There is a website where they show all the Castle guns, at least most of them. I think Beckett’s Glock 19 takes less then 15.
Fabulous episode, AWM knows how to keep me on edge for forty-three minuets. When the synopsis was revealed I had a feeling something that complex had to be Jerry Tyson. Wonder if He’ll be back for the season finale, if not, next season for sure. The Castle look alike was Paul, at least I think it was, Nathan’s stunt double, and a hellava nice guy and a proud Brit. I love how AWM & Co never miss a trick, like Tyson’s name plate “J Rook” and how continuity is none existent, the thirty round clip and Beckett’s hold on the coffee cup suddenly changes after such a cute scene at the start.[I know I’m being petty, but I get a kick how so much detail is written into the scripts and yet the obvious is missing e.g., Becketts scars and yes there were two]. The development of the unbreakable bond of love between B/C and Lanie and Kate having a no holds bared convo about Rick should leave no doubt where this couple is right now. To say I liked this episode would be an understament, Brava Andrew, Brava.
I was just so blown away at the amazingness of this episode that I haven’t even bothered to analyse it because that was incredible! Just, wow.
Yeah, Flick, wasn’t it.
That was exactly my reaction, Flick. Who cares about the nonsense with that final 3XK scene? The episode was so ridiculously awesome that this tiny little thing isn’t even relevant, right?
Well you know Jerry Tyson will be back, AWM writes some of the most heinous crimes for him. JT also draws out the courage, the fearlessness and heroic side of Castle we seldom see. That shoot out on the bridge was Castle at his most lethal, without the slightest bit of remorse.
I completely agree, lame. In fact, I think that any time that Kate is in danger he goes completely ballistic. Just take the way he punched the hell out of Lockwood in Knockdown when he was about to shoot her.
But I also loved how Kate was completely ruthless, emptying her gun on him in the best Terminator style. The look in her eyes in that scene was a little creepy and completely awesome.
I don’t think there’s any doubt of how they feel about one another, they’ll kill you if you try to harm their significant other. And if you disagree, what the hell have you been watching?
My favorite part Luciana…watched it over several times, the cool, chilling look on her face as she empties her weapon on this guy! And the look on Castle’s face was similar when he poured some rounds into 3XK
kind of gives you the impression there’s no love loss between these characters, making Jerry Tyson’s return that much more foreboding and raising expectations to the stratosphere. Hopefully AWM & CO can pull it off again and not give us advance warning when he reemerges. Hey, Andrew how about the season finale.
I have to agree, this episode was fantastic. Marlowe did himself proud. Loved the fact that they kept the real killer a secret. As for the scene at the end, well I am not a gun expert but it is possible for a gun clip to hold 15 bullets and if you rewatch that scene, you can count 15 shots. But in all honesty, who the hell cares, Both Stana and Nathan rocked the scene and the whole show, and we all loved it.
Totally agree with most of the above. But cannot understand how anyone could not be a huge SK fan. Stana was so brilliant in this episode, all of it, and conveyed her feelings so beautifully. It was so gripping, that I had to watch it twice, straight off, and that was at 2 a.m. in the UK. Thank goodness for iTunes. And that I didn’t have to get up for work.! Kudos to all concerned, brilliant, wonderful TV, also the writers and ALL the cast (but especially Stana Katic).
I really loved the episode to, riiiiight up until the end. It really bothers me that Kate Beckett, the best cop in NYC, is CONSTANTLY losing her gun and being rescued by a novelist. Is it too much to ask to have the COPS figure out the clues that lead to the killer and for Beckett to hold on to her gun for once? I know the show is called Castle, but I recently re-watched season 1 and Beckett, Esposito and Ryan were much smarter back then.
I have watched this episode over and over because somethings bothered me. One, Kate carries a Glock 19 which can have a magazine of 15,17,19, or even 33 bullets. So I kept watching the episode to see how many shots she took and how many Castle took. But what I came up with, is, that it didn’t matter. WHY? Because if you take a look you will see that when Tyson looks into the car hoping to find Castle the glove compartment is open. Hard to see but it is open. In Season 1 Episode 1 Kate told Castle to get her extra gun out of the glove compartment. Just saying he remembered. Two, Kate is quick to tell Castle that he shot Tyson, he’s dead. But didn’t she also shoot him and he wasn’t dead. So chances are he didn’t die when Castle shot him. As Castle would say, “It makes for a better story is he didn’t die”.
I never worry about suspending belief when watching Castle. I watch Castle to be entertained, and this episode did that and more. I rather enjoyed 3XK being shot by both Beckett and Castle, though I figured he wasn’t dead. This episode entertained on so many levels. This season feels like the show has returned to what made it so popular. Hats off to Andrew Marlowe & Co. Thank you for putting the fun back into this show!