Castle Season Finale Review: Game Changers Galore!
OMG. They warned us that this finale would be a game changer. They said it would be so intense it would blow our minds. They were right.
Season 3 concluded with easily one of the best Castle episodes yet. So let’s waste no time and dig in to “Knockout."
Although this series is usually known for its wild and absurd cases, it throws in some serious ones here and there. The finale was would fall into the latter category and boy did it deliver. Five minutes in and there was already a shoot-out. I had to rewind my DVR several times to take everything in and now that it’s over, I’m still in shock.
This case has been three seasons in the making. It kept popping up without any real information getting out. Tonight, that finally all changed. After more digging, Castle found an altered police file, leading him to believe a third cop was involved. In all my wildest dreams would I ever have thought that Captain Montgomery was it. Game Changer #1.
Spoilers had clued us in that someone was going to die. I had suspicions it would be the Captain, but not because of a shoot out over him being involved in the case. Totally blew my mind. I’m going to miss Captain Montgomery. He was an excellent part of the cast.
Game Changer #2. We still don’t know who is behind the whole thing. Someone hired Lockwood to take care of these people and I cannot wait until next season to find out who it was. Beckett may be in the clear for now, but I am sure Castle will deliver an equally awesome episode to let us find out.
My heart broke a little bit watching Montgomery’s family at the funeral and having the detectives (and even Castle!!) carry in the casket. Who would have thought that Game Changer #3 was about to happen? Kate got shot! Obviously the writers won't kill off Stana Katic’s character, but I did not see that coming. Castle pulled a Vampire Diaries, having two of the main characters get shot in one episode. Well done.
Beckett getting shot led to the best exchange of the night. “I love you Kate. Kate, I love you.” I thought that us 'shippers were really only going to get to enjoy the heated argument in Beckett’s apartment, but Castle finally made his move and said the words.. even if it was as Kate was going unconscious. Game Changer #4. Hopefully when the series comes back in the fall, something will actually happen between the two.
On a side note, Max Martini delivered another amazing performance as Hal Lockwood. The entire cast was awesome in “Knockout,” an episode I won’t soon be forgetting.
So as Season Three concludes with an epic finale, I can’t help but wonder who is the mastermind behind Lockwood’s actions and what hangs in the balance for Beckett? We have plenty of time to discuss before the fall, so let the Comments flow below. Was it as good as expected? Best finale so far?
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Beckett: I almost died and all I could think about was you.
October 19th, 2011 10:32 AM
I remember this episode, it was a great story arc. I know I was biased from the start being a big Nathan Fillion fan, but this became my favorite drama on TV very quickly. The chemistry is excellent and the writing has stayed fresh. I wish the timeslot worked as well, but unfortunately I’m always at work when it comes on so I started watching it on dishonline (dot) com. It’s a live streaming site with a ton of content that my employer (DISH Network) makes available completely free. A lot of it’s even available to non-subscribers so I’d definitely recommend checking it out.
August 3rd, 2011 4:03 PM
The back and forth has been great between the characters. She was about to admit her feelings at the end of season 2, but waited too late. All Season 2, he played with the idea of liking her, but not wanting to give up sleeping with the next availble hottie. Finally, He had decided he wanted her, but when he realized she was with Demming decided to keep moving. okay so she meets someone else, Castle continues and starts realizing what he has had isn't enough.
Season 3 had a great deal of the moving forward and the Ryan/Esposito banter that helps keep all entertained. However the beauty pageant was probably the worst show they have had. It had very little of the true humor, the true relationship bantering that is typical of the other shows. Move the characters forward, develop them, but do not lose the main original draw of entertainment of the overall fun between the characters, the support, playfulness, humor that has ear marked all past seasons. from scoring roadkill, mom
June 29th, 2011 1:04 AM
Woah patty - it's cool to be a H50 lover but why post on here as a hater (I can't even bring myself to type in the "C" name before the word 'hater' lol)?
June 26th, 2011 8:50 PM
Patty. Have to disagree with you. The H-50 finale was predictable & hence boring although for me the show has been bordering on the unrealistic & ridiculous for some time now. Not a patch on Castle if you ask me.
June 25th, 2011 10:56 AM
If you really wanted to watch an outstanding finale, you should have watched Hawaii Five-O!!! Hawaii Five-O's season finale made watching Castle's season finale as exciting as watching paint dry!!! Castle actually had a shooting! How exciting! Hawaii Five-O is action packed all the time.
June 5th, 2011 3:33 AM
I just watched the finale (and the last two episodes) last night, online.
What was the name of the character/actor that played Kate's old lover?
I loved this finale, but was sad to see Montgomery go. I also, LOVE Max Martini. He is an amazing actor. I think I'm going to watch this finale again! Can't wait for the new season!
May 24th, 2011 7:53 PM
Ra, you're awesome! Loved your comments.
May 24th, 2011 7:51 PM
Best season finale of any show, imo. So full of drama, sweet moments, awfully heartbreaking moments, yet none of it felt cheap, cheesy or cliched. Brilliant. The writers on this show are outstanding. Every episode is consistently excellent.
Amazing performances by the cast - every single on of them brought their A-game. It was simple fantastic.
I do have to add, though, that the man gunning after Kate was dead. Maybe that is why she wasn't wearing a vest? With all of the 'henchmen' dead, she didn't really have a reason to wear one. Yes, the head-man is still out there (bets going on the Mayor), but as far as Kate knew, no-one is left to tell her who that is. She doesn't know that the Captain sent the info. No-one does yet. The one person Montgomery told, Montgomery killed. Just my two cents worth.
There was definitely blood, though. She did actually get shot. As for the claims that it was a stupid cliffhanger because she is not going to die, to me that wasn't the cliffhanger.
May 22nd, 2011 11:01 PM
I was so angry I stormed out of the room & went to bed without saying anything to hubby. Two days later he told me it was planned to return in the fall. I thought it was canceled & that was the end. Good show, I feel much better.
May 22nd, 2011 5:47 PM
Tyler, of course Beckett was always gonna live but the point to her getting shot is multi-layered & will have many implications for Castle for the next 2 seasons, emotionally, relationally, professionally, psychologically, and so on. It certainly proves how determined & powerful the forces against her are. It's also forced Castle to "man up" emotionally too. It was important for him to say the words "I love you Kate" out loud because as Martha said "Oh Richard, Richard. For a man who makes a living from words, you sure have a hard time finding them when it really matters" - (or something like that).
I doubt whether the S4 opening scenario you describe will happen. Actually, the Greys Anatomy S5 to S6 transition played out exactly like you say (I'm a GA shipper too lol), but hey, this is Castle not GA so there'll be a different take, of that I'm certain. Picture this -
The team at the 12th have gathered to welcome the new chief & are mulling around waiting for things