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Rise
Original Air Date: Sep 19, 2011
Divina F – TwoCents Reviewer
divina@thetwocentscorp.com
Before the actual review, I want to say two things: First, had it not been the support of Castle fans, we would not have a season 4. Secondly, I LOVE YOU, Penny Johnson. Sir.
My father was in a car accident three weeks ago. I’m not saying this to gain sympathy. I think that good TV has a message. The message of tonight’s season premiere episode of Castle was the same one my father has to learn now. Time. The old cliché is that time heals all wounds, and for the most part I really believe that. When I heard what happened to my dad, it was the scariest moment of my life. The opening scene of this episode – Lanie’s hands over Beckett’s bleeding heart as the stretcher raced through the hospital, Ryan and Esposito barking commands into their phones, desperate to track the shooter, the Castle family’s anguished despair – accurately portray that fear.
Though I must express my disappointment that Josh and Castle didn’t come to blows in the hallway, I am not disappointed with the angst in Castle’s admission that this is his fault. (My biology major sister was pleased that the creators of the show knew what a defibrillator is really for.)
The part we were all waiting for, of course, happens decidedly early in the episode, and even with all the tension from the first five minutes, I think we can all agree that it felt good to let out a chuckle when Castle nervously fixed his hair before stepping in to visit Beckett for the first time. Only to find her with Josh. The conversation that follows is hard to watch, Beckett claiming that she remembers nothing that happened when she was shot. “They say that there are some things are better not being remembered.” she says. She is determined to close the case, even though she tells him she needs time.
Cut to three months later. I honestly didn’t think she would stay away from the precinct for three weeks. In all that time, she hasn’t spoken to Castle, and though she’s back on duty, she can’t get her gun back until she requalifies. (Which she later does, throwing down a paper target on the Captain’s desk, every shot nailed directly to the heart.)
Ryan and Esposito have been doing their best to keep her investigation open and under wraps from the new Captain, but Castle holds all of the information. The scene where Beckett reaches out to Castle again – at his book signing – was beautifully scripted. The apathy with which Castle signs copies of Heat Rises shows how long it’s been and how much he hates it. I definitely didn’t expect him to be so cold when she first showed up, but I was glad that they came to an understanding, especially since Kate let on that she trusts him enough to help her find closure. (This made it all the more suspenseful when Castle has to go behind her back to protect her on the word of Captain Montgomery’s friend – apparently the recipient of the Chekov’s letter from last season’s finale.)
The good news about Beckett being put out of commission was that we got to see some much begged for Ryan and Esposito action. The murder on spotlight this week also supports my argument for time, giving a very creepy touch to the definition of premeditated. Paparazzi Princess plus rocker boyfriend plus roofies and a bloodstain even Oxyclean won’t get out.
I truly feel that if this show didn’t have such an awesome fanbase, the story wouldn’t be as rich and dramatic as it is now. Of course, I catch myself wearing rose-colored glasses too often. Did you think, back in season 1, that we’d get this much build up? (Granted, Castle’s first foray into Joanna Beckett’s murder was the season’s finale, a guarantee that this storyline would bring us a season 2.) Or, do you think the case has been drawn out too much and the result will be anticlimactic?
As usual, I was a loser at the “who dunnit?” game. Trapping the real killer did, however, give Kate a chance to redeem herself. Any accident that involves trauma is going to leave behind mental scars. It was such a jarring but beautiful moment for me when she froze up the first time and her hands were shaking. It also made the ending of the episode come together perfectly in terms of character development.
Sure, Beckett seems to have battled her demons, but she is willing to get help, and I think it’s mostly because of Castle. Not surprisingly, she admits to her psychologist that she remembers everything that happened when she was shot. Did you believe her when she told Castle she didn’t remember anything? I claim Caskett shipper membership right here, but I’ve read too many articles and seen too many interviews to want it too badly. Is this – season 4 – the right time?
In closing, I want your stance on Captain Gates, whose evil stepmother attitude makes me tingle. Are you on board?
Next Week: Heroes and Villians
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