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A Vintage Christmas (2024)
Unusual in part
The premise is based on plot elements that include very common ones (save the town building, unrestrained commercial progress is bad, fulfilling others' Christmas wishes, a secret by one lead that comes out inconveniently), and at least one that is unusual (the Christmas letters are over 30 years old). In the secondary romance story there is a variation on another (a woman coaches a man on relationships with women) with it also being a little unusual in that the woman is not herself a really qualified coach but rather speed reads relationship books and summarizes them for the man. On paper all these elements may be a lot, but they provide a lot of potential for an entertaining story.
I was entertained, but subconsciously I think I felt like things were piling up too quickly. Barely noticeable, but something was ever so slightly off. Transitions perhaps.
Speaking of too quickly, Hallmark-like movies are notorious for people falling in love very quickly. In this case, it was both the initial ease with which these two rivals over the building started working together, and then later the falling in love. I think this is where I felt it was off because it seemed like a leap rather than building into it.
Merritt Patterson and Christopher Russell do have chemistry. I would have liked to have seen more of that.
I have long been a fan of Patterson. To say that she is a beautiful woman is an understatement. It is her eyes that can really grab your attention. I'm not joking here to imply something else. I've noted this before. There is one scene where she wears a green outfit, and I swear her eyes are bright green. Later she is back to blue, even when Russell in green is right up close to her. Also, interesting that the math puts the letter writing Tessa at close to or older than 40 and Patterson is merely 34.
Some of the fulfilled wishes make for nice moments. I did find it unlikely that you would but a singer on the spot to perform with no warning or preparation and consider that a gift.
Overall, this is an enjoyable Christmas movie in part because of the unusual story elements. I'm not sure how eager I am to watch it again, although I am drawn to movies with this particular actress.
'Twas the Date Before Christmas (2024)
Enjoyable
Countdown to Christmas starts off this year with a decent entry. The basic premise of fake date is pretty common, but this movie does it well and with a couple of things that give the premise a slightly different flavor.
At first I wanted to say Jessie was pathetic. Not only was her reason for the date a little lame, but her whole demeanor leading up to it was a little whiny. The viewer finds out later that there are deeper issues which has taken joy out of her life and that's why she really needs the fun and comfort of this crazy family Christmas.
I was expecting a lot more friction early in the date, but instead the two got off to a good start. Bryan is an interesting guy who slides right into the craziness of the Chamberlin Family Christmas Olympics. Bryan and Jessie start to find each other to be appealing. But soon Bryan discovers he has a secret that won't go over well with the family. He can't help it, but it's there. More than that, he starts to have a fondness not only for Jessie, but for the entire family.
The viewer knows in general terms what is going to happen from here, but that doesn't really matter. The antics of the contests are fun and there is definite chemistry between Groening and Buckley.
This is a movie I can watch again. Maybe if all the new Christmas premieres on more than a handful of channels aren't that good, I will even watch again this year.
Holiday Crashers (2024)
Jail time
This movie is titled and starts out as one about two young women who become experienced party crashers. They lie through their teeth about who they are and what they do.
About a third of the way through it becomes a story about the leads developing their relationship at a retreat. Toni is a law graduate who panicked during her bar exam but gets mistaken for a real lawyer. Many rom/coms and Christmas movies have an important lie hanging over the protagonist's head waiting to break at the worst moment. The problem with this movie is that Toni's complete deception is at best unethical and probably just plain criminal. This is not your typical deception story. What is going on is more than just some prank or misunderstanding.
Beyond any legal issues, the two young women are full of energy and entertaining. In other words, they are a little wild at times. There is chemistry with Fonseca and Chris McNally. This is probably a decent movie and fun too if you can get past the legal issues. I can't.
JAG: Jinx (1997)
Love story?
Hallmark can ramp up a late husband's best friend courting the wife in under 90 minutes. A TV series episode gets half that. Still, somehow it seemed forced. It just did not seem like Harm was really into her rather than feeling responsible. It also seemed like Mac was trying hard not to notice despite the short time knowing him.
A Jinx is a strange thing and the most logical people can get caught in it. It doesn't seem to make sense to outsiders. I'm not sure you could break it that easy, but then they don't make sense to start with.
It does seem like a stretch to send 3 people from JAG and about the only thing any of them seemed to contribute to the investigation was two interviews.
JAG: Death Watch (1998)
Lazy, contradictions, unsatisfying
This is supposed to bring a conclusion to the incomplete season 1 finale. It doesn't at all address the final scene of that episode. I mentioned in my S2E1 review that it interesting to go from that into the next aired scene at the White House being totally the polar opposite for Harm. No scene ever intervened between those two and they don't really insert anything here. It's like that never happened. I suppose Bellisario can rewrite cannon.
I found the ending of this episode disturbing as well in terms of what it says about Harm. He has always lived on the edge, putting his own judgements above anything others, laws or society might dictate, but I really prefer it didn't go this far.
I saw a comment that Mac's attire makes no sense. Perhaps it goes against norms for a Marine, but it was certainly what was needed to fit in this particular moment.
It's just my opinion but that kiss - I thought it looked like Mac was sinking into a deep affection for Harm there, rather than merely letting him live out a memory.
JAG: Fair Winds and Following Seas (2005)
Let me talk about a comparison to a seemingly unrelated show
The show Castle is one of maybe a handful of shows that qualify as my favorites all time. In that show, the writers and producers teased a relationship for a few years, then consummated it physically, teased a little more, then married them and finally done. 8 seasons altogether.
My first comparison is in how unsatisfying was the finale. Stana Katic was definitely leaving there. Here probably the same for DJE. In both these shows the writers were challenged to satisfy the viewers, mostly the shippers. (No relation to the Navy.) The shippers won in Castle and the ending gave them what they wanted, but as an afterthought and very rushed. Here, I don't think there was an afterthought, nor was it rushed, but the obstacles to successful shipping seemed more imposing. You can argue that there might have been another way. Perhaps they thought a coin flip was cute especially as the frozen shot displayed the show's emblem. Whatever the obstacles or alternatives, this ending was unsatisfying. What's the expression - like kissing your sister? To make it worse, a few later episodes of NCIS seemed to dampen even what little resolution made here.
I want to make another comparison to Castle. Castle and Beckett had some serious struggles as a couple, even a married one. The reality was even deeper than what appeared on the surface. Neither character shared their emotions honestly. Both made important decisions about the other without consultation. Anyone who knows anything about real life relationships knows that those character flaws are difficult to overcome and may re-emerge. In the case of this show, I see similar issues more with Harm than Mac. He says he is over all the distractions like his father, but is he? If nothing else, his career is his first mistress or probably closer to his real wife. Even Mac has a bent towards career, but I could maybe see her softening a little. My point is, there are warning signs that don't point to an HEA. It just doesn't make sense that Harm would really retire.
This episode has a small nod to a story unrelated to the lovers. It looks like it is an attempt to redeem Vukovic but I'm not convinced. It does make me wonder what are the differences between him and a young Harm? I don't seen Vukovic growing into a Harmon Rabb clone. We also see Bud and Hariet's future laid out as well as Coates, and Mikey's (separately).
JAG: We the People (1997)
Everything has changed
Well not everything, but enough. The show has changed networks and some of the thematic elements. The character of Harm is much the same, though perhaps not quite as consistently hyperbolic. Mac is neither junior nor senior to Harm, so that is a different dynamic. There still is and will be a lot of patriotism.
When rewatching season 1, I sometimes wondered what was the essential difference between this show and the later NCIS, other than Harm's unlikely heroics. Starting with the switch to CBS, viewers will see the lawyers actually do some lawyering. In season 1, appearances in an American military court setting were few. It is almost ironic that the final, and incomplete S1 episode involves an actual NCIS agent.
With the departure of Krennick, I expected the sexual harassment to fade away, but there is already an instance which should have gotten at least a yellow light.
This episode refuses to answer the question of what got Harm out of the pickle that ended S1, but it does tease the resemblance between Mac and Shonke often with flashbacks. It is cute the way the opening of this episode is a polar opposite to that pickle in terms of Harm.
I'm not sure the mystery of this story is that mysterious. I'm sure it was more than remembering what I last saw probably over a decade ago that made me see the answer very early. But then the real purpose of this episode is to establish the new character and foreshadow new interactions more than unfold a complicated plot.
JAG: Black Ops (1996)
Now he is a Seal
I suspect you need to be something of a patriot to love this show. It gets quite cheesy at times, but that's kind of like comfort food in the way they do it. If you aren't singing Anchors Aweigh you are whistling the Jag theme song as you walk away from the TV.
Harmon Rabb Jr has already proven to be an amazing Naval Aviator (except for night vision), a crafty lawyer, a Jason Bourne, a James Bond including a bit of the playboy side, and even a diplomat at times. Now he has joined the Navy Seals, even if only for one mission. Admiral Chegwidden, himself a former Seal, helps add some of the mystique and pageantry of the Seals to this episode. He still shows that he isn't afraid to push against regs to get what he wants, but he definitely appears to be a man of honor.
There is some friction between Army and Navy again, but on this show, the Navy is always the good guys.
JAG: Hemlock (1996)
Sometimes it's just too far
Harmon Rabb has trouble with boundaries. When it comes to relationships with female co-worker he appears to stay in bounds as much as necessary to avoid discipline but pushes the envelope. When it comes to security, his only boundary is his own judgment. He would consider himself a morale and loyal person, a patriot even, but only within his own system of ethics. Chegwidden is starting out the same, at least professionally. Krennick likewise, but seems to have even less boundaries than Harm when it comes to men. She has already blatantly sexually harassed Harm by walking unannounced into his apartment expecting a liaison, twice. When unsuccessful the last time, she appears ready to make him pay professionally, since she is his superior. Her reversal upon Meg's shooting almost makes sense, but seems a little too quick.
Harm and Krennick charge off to catch the super-assassin, Hemlock, accepting advice to be careful from no one. Harm was already ready to disregard advice on the fax before the shooting. They have little to go on besides Krennick seeing the killer. So who do they turn to? They turn to Meg's "uncle" Ollie North who is imbued with virtual omniscience in intelligence (as in spy knowledge).
This leads to a scene with another intelligence source who makes Krennick seem like a nun as far as tact with the opposite sex. It almost seems appropriate that she will have to pay her due when this guy turns the same behavior on her. It is funny and it's not. The show runners seem to be happy to make fun of sexual harassment, since this is not the first time.
JAG: Smoked (1996)
Another fantasy
I mentioned in an earlier review that sometimes I think these stories are written by middle-schoolers. Even so, if the episode is enough fun, as a viewer I can still enjoy some of the fun.
This time, Harm practices his spy skills combined with a little MacGyver.
The American civilian government official is the clown this time. And somehow the Navy JAG office orchestrates a plot contrary to another plot by the NSA. Chegwidden may be ambitious and willing to push the envelope, but acting without coordinating with State is just too stupid. It did make for some good moments like the Ass Secretary getting wet in the shower, but come on man.
The sexual harassment in the office is back more blatant than ever, but now it's Alison doing the harassing and Harm isn't complaining. They actually make some fun out of the Yellow Light and Red Light references bringing the Cuban Captain into the gag. Poor Meg also has to put up with some of it.
And Harm makes a Lear jet outfly a fighter, twice. Yep, fantasy.
JAG: Defensive Action (1996)
He's the CAG
Isn't it strange that a show about lawyers is one I remember fondly given that I detest courtroom dramas. My opinion of lawyers isn't much better and even one of these lawyers is heard to agree when CAG basically says that. I also find the hyperbole of turning Harm into an action hearing on many occasions to be a little over the top. Still, it strikes a positive chord somewhere inside of me when he comes through.
It is good to rewatch a series that shows fictional stories representing America's true heroes, our men and women in uniform. This episode particularly struck that cord and it wasn't Harm's heroics that played that note the best. It was CAG's speech. As Krennick says, it was brilliant, brilliant because it was true.
The climax of the rescue was poorly done. This series often shows heroic scenes that defy believability. Most action dramas often do. In this case, it is far worse than usual. It is Harm wiggling his machine gone while shooting and pretty much everyone with machine guns not hitting anything even while being sitting ducks.
This episode reminds me that there seems to be a common theme making civilian government officials out to be the enemies of both people in uniform and justice in general.
JAG: Scimitar (1995)
Fantasy
I've seen many comment that Jag is fairly accurate in details regarding US military customs and procedures.
Sometimes I complain to my wife about shows like this being written by middle-schoolers. This is one example.
Perhaps viewers in the 90's were not as familiar with practices in Muslim countries as they are in 2024, and Sadam's Iraq was slightly more progressive than other Muslim countries but almost all the interactions between males and females portrayed here are ridiculous. Meg's blatant disrespect of the Iraqi colonel alone might even have led to her death, certainly to some serious retaliation. Her superiors would have known Meg couldn't be lead counsel and in fact it is unlikely she would have been permitted to even assist. As this site mentions in goofs, Meg doesn't wear any head coverings which is another flaw. These goofs would be one thing by themselves, but so much of the story and dramatic tension just wouldn't be possible. It would have led to more than tension. The way Dumai walks into Rabb's room before the climax is another example of gender interaction that would never happen.
None of that compares to the ridiculousness of the attempted rescue. Almost every episode of this series attempts to raise Harm to the level of Jason Bourne or some other super action hero, Meg's attempt to further the plan is just as ridiculous escalating to the point of silly fantasy with what follows. This one just goes too far.
For most of this episode, it avoids the inuendo and sexual inferences between Harm and Meg, but the last scene attempts to make up for it. I doubt that this series could have got by with a fraction of that or the misogyny today, although I'm sure the latter was probably worse in the Navy then even than what is shown.
Wreathmaker Christmas (2024)
Pedestrian
The script is what I will call pedestrian. By that I mean that the scenes and dialogue are the usual everyday kind of things. I don't watch movies to see just everyday things. While the story needs to seem real, I think it should have some things that stand out. Take Rebecca's backstory. Nothing stands out, it sounds like so many others. Jason's backstory that he wants his own restaurant is one of the more common ones. The dialogue is the same, no spark. Nor is there much humor.
Rebecca is nice enough, but again, not much that stands out. Jason is very nice which is central to the story. He is outgoing also. Maybe a bit too much of a people pleaser.
Friends and family are pushing really hard on the couple to be dating. This is normal for this genre, but when little else stands out in the story, this seems a bigger deal than it really is.
There isn't a much tension in the story beyond trying to get caught up. The conflict near the end is pretty common. It wasn't telegraphed but it wasn't surprising.
The acting is not good. Especially Wollett and Elliott seem like they are trying too hard. They just deliver their lines back and forth. Most of all there really isn't any chemistry. Jason's climatic appeal almost sounds like it belongs in a debate contest more than a rom/com.
This aired on Great American Family which is a faith based network. There were lines inserted here and there about prayer, but not much more than that.
Castle: In the Belly of the Beast (2014)
Signs of the show's demise
The writing is truly bad, or as another reviewer said, this is a boilerplate story jammed into the Castle universe. Actually though, that almost doesn't make sense because Marlowe is one of the writers, so "what was he thinking?" You know the story is going to be off the beaten Castle path when Beckett is briefed. So why is she the only person who can do it? Because Beckett speaks fluent Russian.
I was totally down on Gates in her first season. This season, her relationship with Castle is up and down, but not blind disdain. She sounds reasonable in this episode, but wrong. Gates should have stopped it without asking Beckett. This setup is a fiasco waiting to happen. Listen to Fowler. He is not convinced of this plan and his intelligence for the op is virtually non-existent. So let's send Beckett in to replace a woman assuming no one has ever seen her. The other reviewer who went off on this pointed out, Beckett's face has been all over the public. She is known professionally by a lot of people who are prominent in crime circles.
We've known for several episodes one thing that will be key, and Beckett doesn't recognize it when it happens, but she eventually figures it out.
Once again, the story paints a picture of people in high places with power, both political and physical muscle. Really high! Becket and Castle, you need to be far more careful going forward than any viewer knows they will be. That's why I really don't like this ongoing plot thread.
There are a few good Caskett moments even when they are physically apart. And I think that's why junk like this episode gets such high marks. There are so many fans that love anything Caskett.
Castle: Dressed to Kill (2014)
The Dress
First of all, I hate the dress, but I'm a man, so who cares?
Trust between Castle and Beckett is becoming a major thread in these later seasons. More that trust in everyday things. More than trust with their lives which for people like this is easier than the deeper issue. Either would step in front of a bullet for the other, and both have come close to that. No the problem in the trust arena is feelings. Castle often pontificates about the origin story. And a lot of what will cause problems in their relationship going forward has to do with feelings related to their origins.
There is a scene where M asks Beckett to model a wedding dress. The scene where she stands in the mirror as emotions pour through her is a poignant one. And it is one I misinterpreted until she explains what it was to Castle later, even though he wasn't there.
In this episode we get an omen for the future of Caskett which is more hopeful than Beckett's sexual teasing which have seen so much of since their engagement.
Castle: Deep Cover (2014)
House of cards
Not that any episode of Castle is that realistic start to finish, but this one just made me abandon belief. That and the fact that I'm not a fan of the Castle's dad thread. For one thing, I have seen the whole series a few times, and for reasons I won't go into, I have no respect for his dad.
Once again we have trust issues in the Caskett relationship. I won't expand on that either except to say that Kate accepts the deception and explanation way too easily. Maybe it is a sign that Kate does trust Castle deep down, but despite Castle's difficult options, I don't think the situation looks good on him. And I'm not convinced that Kate has reached that level of trust yet.
Castle: The Good, the Bad & the Baby (2013)
Look at that face
There are so many great moments in this episode, it is a must watch. Many reviewers, including myself, have noted over the seasons that family is a big thread in this show. We get to see that in so many ways here.
This is an episode with very little friction between Castle and Beckett for any reason. Even what might have caused some friction didn't. Beckett is anxious about the idea of babies, but when Castle wants to take Cosmo home, she not only agrees but takes the everyday obstacles that come with a baby like a champ. Even faced with a soiled diaper, she still has a smile. There are so many funny moments and cute baby moments. The morning after scenes are totally upbeat and the vista of their previous night's suffering is just one more that is cute and funny.
The crime mystery is clever. And the climax of that whole story is uplifting. The epilogue of the family Thanksgiving dinner has a cute typically Castle/Beckett twist, or two.
Castle: The Squab and the Quail (2013)
Painfull, but it makes total sense
Castle is the little boy in this episode, just as he has been for 5 seasons. But instead of being mostly funny, there is a heavy element of sadness here. Instead of being the cute child in a man's body, he is kind of pathetic.
Begin with him playing his video game and ignoring Beckett who is about as sexy and appealing as anyone can be on broadcast television. She doubles down and he still resists. That alone is pathetic. Now introduce a potential rival. And what a rival. The story makes a big deal out of how great Vaugn is. Even Castle expresses some hero worship. Castle doesn't even react like a man to his jealousy. Actually I'm not sure how a real man would react, but it's obvious to anyone that this isn't it. Then Vaugn kisses Kate. Other reviewers have expressed extreme anger over this episode and that kiss and what it represents is the center of most of that anger. For Caskett shippers this is painful. Funny, the kiss is only the tip of the iceberg. And once again, the murder mystery itself is secondary in the story.
*** What follows are huge Series SPOILERS***
Face it, this follows a few episodes where Caskett shippers were riding high. The Lives of Others (Rear Room homage) was especially satisfying. It is time, especially as the season end draws near, to pull them away again. But it is more than that. Other reviews I have written, including the one for the series as a whole, discuss the chinks in this relationship. In this episode, those flaws are no longer subtly revealed, the quiet thing is said out loud.
I already mentioned the video game scene and Castle's childish response to Vaugn. Kate even tells Castle he doesn't trust her and that is never really rebutted. Not even Castle's attempt to make it up to her at the end deals with it. His attempt is all physical, not emotional. Castle is still hiding behind his walls. Vaugn has mentioned lack of commitment, yet Castle doesn't respond to correct that failing either. This episode exposes weaknesses in the relationship that will be dealt with even more before the Season 8 finale. If all this is the point of this episode, it is well done. I didn't enjoy this episode. As a shipper it made me cringe, but I believe this is a milestone episode.
One might think I mean it is jumping the shark. Maybe! But from what I have read I would guess it is intentional on the part of Marlowe. As Season 8 progressed, he seemed to be totally willing to toss Stana Katic. I had always thought that so much separation of Castle and Beckett in Season 8 was just more teasing of the Caskett relationship, but I get the impression that it was more trying to return the focus of the series to Castle, not Caskett. Read articles about where he was intending to go in the finale and season 9 (which never happened).
Castle: The Lives of Others (2013)
Watch it again
If you watch this again so many remarks have a completely different meaning.
It is already a great homage to Rear Window. It's like the viewer doesn't even care about the official murder investigation. All the conspirators do such a good job of acting. Beckett looks so annoyed with Castle. Even Gates is involved. Their plot was pretty good too. So many red herrings. They make it so Castle has to apologize for being wrong. Then Beckett sets Castle up again with the line about the drink from the fridge which of course means Castle can't let go, even when Beckett is dressed to the nines. The climax, at least of the fake, is great. Then Beckett has a Castle moment. It's that moment when someone (Castle in this case) says something that makes the lightbulb go off for her real case.
There is also another enjoyable aspect for this episode, at least for Caskett shippers. There is so much affection between them here. Even Beckett's annoyance only masks her inner glee.
Castle: Significant Others (2013)
Bad omens
***SPOILERS. Not just this episode, but for the whole series down to the finale.***
If you look too closely at this episode, it does not bode well for the Caskett relationship.
Castle has always had flaws that would put a warning sign on him for any prospective long term girlfriend, but most of those have always been things you could write off with "boys will be boys". Most importantly from the writers' point of view, you could laugh at him. There is some misogyny in this series, especially Castle and "the boys". It has always been used for comedic effect. Comedic effect over his ex-wife trouble is what it appears to be at first in this episode even if it is raised to lofty levels. Is Castle being chicken or sweet by letting Meredith stay? Maybe both, but the chicken conclusion comes off as much more obvious. In short, we see a major character flaw in Castle. He won't stand up for himself or Beckett. There is a definite lack of honesty in the whole thing. Honesty with himself as much as with Beckett.
Then we come to the final scene with Beckett and Meredith. I'm not sure if the writers, probably Marlowe, intended for the omens of that conversation to be more than setting the stage for meeting his father, and maybe good for some tension with Beckett in coming episodes. But if you really look at this, perhaps with some hindsight having seen the entire series, there are not just red flags, but sirens going off over the Caskett future. Meredith hits it on the head, and this is part of everything harmful to come in this relationship. Castle does not trust anyone to really know him. He doesn't trust Beckett down deep yet, maybe ever. Meredith says "but he's grown up now". However he is not. He is still a child inside and his behavior in this episode proves it.
The crime mystery is about as good as most of them in this show. There is a nice twist, and even having seen this episode before, I forgot it enough to miss seeing it coming. Alexis and Martha are only present to the extent required by the Meredith thread. As I alluded to above, there is a lot of the usual teasing from the boys and more than the usual tension from Beckett. Beckett's dinner date with Meredith is more about being funny than their last scene and all the viewer sees is when they return home afterward.
Castle: After the Storm (2012)
It's complicated
My star rating trashes this episode. But I have to admit that the beginning few scenes are fun to watch. The bedroom invaded by Martha scene is exactly what you would expect from this series given how they got there. It's well done. A scene later at Beckett's echoes that first scene. I was almost disappointed that Castle didn't hide. Then there is the Alexis scene. Molly Quinn is so adorable, even if perhaps a tiny bit overdone. And there is Castle rambling a ridiculous explanation for why not to give Alexis aspirin as Beckett tries to escape undiscovered. Obviously the director doesn't care about realism as Beckett pats her chest realizing she left her bra behind and has to go back, but it just makes the scene that much better.
The drama of finding Smith and Maddox is a decent story. It's good to see one thing settled.
(Hopefully I'm cryptic enough that this isn't a SPOILER.) So why do I trash it? Two reasons, mainly one. The ending with the face off and the ongoing results just didn't resonate as believable. A lot of useless words. But more importantly as I say in reviews throughout this series - I really really don't like the whole ongoing thread the grows out of Beckett's mom and Beckett's shooting. As I quoted Kate in the last episode "I can't believe I'm alive." She is bucking forces that are so well set both financially and politically vs one cop that really isn't that hard to kill. There are a million ways. Hey writers and producers - drop it. Let's get back to the fun with new opportunities to exploit like what Beckett does with in the elevator on the last fade to credits.
Castle: Always (2012)
Why is this episode rated so high? Simple
This episode is rated so high because the shippers finally get what they have been waiting for. The fact that this is part of the long running thread of Beckett's mom is a factor also. I think this latter one works both ways.
This thread is totally negative to me. Why? Beckett says it early in this episode before she knows how deep this case goes. "Why am I still alive?" Indeed! With the recklessness that she chases this thread through 8 seasons, she should be dead 100 times over. It is not that hard to kill one cop. The shadowy figures she is chasing have too many assets. Any one of them may not be invincible, but as a whole, spread out, it is just too much. And the literal hanging by a finger climax scene puts an explanation in it! But the chase just keeps going on and on.
This episode has echoes of another thread and the scene where Castle reveals everything is at the root of it. First, we see the depths of Castle's feelings. But we also see the flaw in his love which comes up again a few times in the next 4 seasons. Castle is making decisions about Kate without her. They don't really communicate. He is both right and wrong. You can't do that with someone you truly love. But he is right that Kate isn't thinking straight. At this moment she is all emotion and no brain. Before the epilogue, this episode ends with what so many people wanted. Or did it? They obviously make love off screen, but they don't join in the most important way, their minds and hearts. Not yet.
This episode also brings Alexis in as she ends a chapter in her life and gives a commencement speech. The editor weaves this in with shots alternating between Alexis and Beckett after Beckett too seems to end a chapter in her life.
This season finale leaves the viewer with plenty to think about even beyond exploiting the happy moment. Danger. Drama. Peril. Life choices. Failure. Climax.
Castle: Undead Again (2012)
The fun is back
In the second to last episode of the season, much of the fun that we loved early on is back. Castle, the child, is back. He persists in the Zombie theories well into the episode, and maybe more than the early formula. The banter is there. Beckett's skepticism is there, with appropriate comebacks. Perlmutter contributes his usual sarcasm. Even some facts in the case are hard to explain without the fantasy theories.
The Beckett-Castle relationship is at a crossroads. Castle says this is his last case. Then at the end, they talk. I was disappointed in the talk because I think Beckett chickened out some. She knew this was a crossroads and in earlier episodes had talked about that repeatedly. But all she gives him is subtext. True, it's hopeful, but other than the obvious TV storytelling reasons, there is no reason for the character not to be more honest. Again, she and Lanie have discussed the need to be honest. The explanation is because of the story presentation for the season climax.
Even the Alexis arc is at a crossroads. Her need for a decision is also prominent in the story. At least there is some decisiveness here.
Oh, boy, does the crime story have plot holes, mostly at the end. There is no way Kyle will get convicted, even without Tom's confession. He was drugged. I doubt a DA would go to trial. They might try to bluff Kyle into a plea deal with some prison time. This show doesn't acknowledge how much DA's use plea deals like some shows do. As for Tom, again I don't see him being convicted by a jury given that fantastical climax scene. More likely Beckett would get bureaucratic blowback.
Still, it is easy for the viewer to just fail to notice those holes in the interest of enjoying the fun ride.
Castle: 47 Seconds (2012)
Rom/coms like Hallmark do this
We have a romantic lead viewing the other lead from afar, sort of, and jumping to conclusions that put an obstacle in the relationship. Just like so many Hallmark-like movies. Except with Hallmark the two will work out the misunderstanding before the end of the 1-1/2 hour screen time which is usually within 10-15 minutes of the misunderstanding. In this case it will take probably a few episodes. In the rom/com genre I am usually able to be patient and wait for how it gets worked out. In this case it annoyed the heck out of me because Castle is so stupid to act this way. We begin to see hints of the chinks in their relationship which will plague them for 4+ more seasons. Castle assumes the worst. Admittedly, the Beckett of this season has not been the one from the first three seasons which is who he was able to say "I love you" to when she lay near death. There hasn't been as much of the affectionate, sub-text laden banter. Not as much, and not as affectionate. Beckett has spent off duty time with him, especially his family, but with no depth. So I just talked myself into an almost excuse, but I still say he is being stupid and unfair.
There are definite plot holes in the bombing story. The FBI was a kind of straw man, being acknowledged in the story, but being unusually ineffective even given the usual TV scenario of jealousy between LEO's and Feds. This site lists the "Goof" that you can't track cell phone signals that way. And how did Beckett make the leap to the culprit. She had no evidence to get warrants.
One of the best things about this episode is that Gates is finally developing into a human being. Castle jokes that she is starting to like him after she shows some respect for his abilities. I'm not sure if her response was intended by her as a joke. I'd like to think so.
Castle: Cops & Robbers (2011)
A great entry in the Castle repetoire
This is at least the third time I've watch this, probably more. Somehow, I appreciated it more than the 8 stars I previously rated it. Let's look at different elements and see how they fit in the Castle playbook.
Family. There are few of these episodes that tweak the Family heartstrings more or for more screen time. Martha was in most of it, but that is nothing compared to Alexis moments. Molly Quinn plays this theme like a virtuoso violinist. And not just once. Then there is another emotional sequence that you will know what I mean when you see it.
Mystery story. There are so many great twists over the years. It's hard to pick one over the others, but this one ranks on the list.
Castle - Beckett moments. The very last Castle lines are classic for the series. We see real emotion from Katic with Beckett's concern and then relief.
Pause the plaudits for this episode for one thing. The Castle - Beckett relationship has been creeping along since the shooting and I'm pretty sure it gets set back again before season end. This episode makes it leap forward. Kate has completely lost all of her reservations, even if only for a minute. Sure, no kissing or smooshy stuff, but it is odd that there isn't. At the end of this episode, their relationship is as high as it could have gotten. I guess my point is that this episode belongs much later in the season. Or perhaps that's the point of showing how up and down it iis.
Thank heavens there were no Gates moments. I have been dying to say this so I put it here even without Gates in this one. I have said elsewhere that Gates is a cardboard figure, at least this season. But worse than that, she is too stupid to believe. Even in bureaucracies that are famous for promoting people who shouldn't be there. Even she has seen Castle's contributions but she denies them.