Welcome back TV Fanatics! Castle kicked off its fourth season with "Rise" and wasted no time making us feel the angst and anxiety we were left with from the May finale. There were confessions, arguments and new characters. Time to discuss!

Beckett is alive! Ok, this comes as a shock to nobody, but it was great seeing our favorite female detective back on her feet. Girl is doing more thank alright, too, admitting that she remembers everything from the shooting, and even more importantly, Castle’s confession!

Captain “Iron” Gates is no Montgomery. Penny Johnson has joined the cast to replace Captain Montgomery.

We were warned she was going to be tough and, boy, was that the truth. I have reservations about this character, though. I don’t think she can stay on opposite ends of the team for too long, so let’s hope she ends being a Caskett shipper like the rest of us. Either way, there is no replacement for the severely missed Roy Montgomery.

More Screen Time for Bromances! There was definitely a spike in screen time for Ryan and Esposito. Let’s hope this continues throughout the season, shall we? If anyone deserves it, it is these two. Plus, how can you not love the bromance between these two and Castle? Anyone else love when Ryan mentioned that Castle would have loved the case?

The Real Case: After the finale, I could not figure out how they could make Beckett’s mother's case any better. For me, there was no getting better than finding out about Montgomery’s involvement. Here is hoping that season four provides the same twists that keep this case the backbone of the series.

Side Notes…

• Castle and Beckett’s exchanges in the hospital = pure chemistry.
• She broke up with Josh!!
• Beckett remembers everything. Who is with me in saying that I cannot wait for the conversation between her and Castle about those three little words?
• Who is the man that Montgomery sent the files to and called Castle?

Things I Am Hoping for This Season:

• The return of 3XK.
• Castle having a romance with anyone besides his ex-wife.
• Alexis having a significant role... or no role at all.
• A Lanie/Esposito engagement
• So. we are going to try something new this season. Each week, I will pick the best quote and the character who stole a scene from the episode. Join me in the comments and let the rest of us TV Fanatics who you think is the Quote King/Queen and Scene Stealer.

Best Quote:

Castle: “You’re damn right I’m angry. I watched you die in that ambulance, you know that? Do you know what that’s like? To watch the life drain out of someone you care about?

Scene Stealer:

Kate Beckett: Freezing up while facing off with this week’s killer. Stana Katic played this flawlessly.

Season premiere down... only new episodes to go! Sound off and let us know what you thought of the first episode of season four, starting with this question Anyone else instantly hate Gates?