cont...
the writers almost completely made no use of the secret to play up for fun in the show. Lots of fans waited whole summer for hilarious scene where Lanie finds out the relationship or scene with Ryan or Espo making fun of the duo about the relationship etc. - these did not happen. Wasted. Except for few glances, no sly touches etc to show us how they can't get enough of each other. They said , more banter and fun this season, so far I don't really see much flirty banter. I know, they will try to up the ante/drama or romance again by the end of the season as lots of TV shows usually do. Why make us wait for that to turn the heat up? Give us some lovin'. Maybe I should just come back to watching the show by April. Please no breaking them up just to turn up the angst and drama. Sorry I'm ranting but I still love the show that is why I like it to have some improvement.
stella
December 31st, 2012 12:15 PM
best episode: Murder he Wrote
Worst: Swan song
Biggest disappointment: lack of romance and passion. For a 10PM show, Castle is too tame. Big Bang Theory(an 8pm show) is more daring in showing passion between the leads. Maybe Castle is aiming for the younger audience, so maybe transfer it to 8PM timeslot, it is so tame anyway for a 10PM timeslot.
Also let's be honest, a lot of fans watch this show for the Castle-Beckett love story than the case of the week. So the love story is the A story and NOT the crime (the writers like to believe the the case is the A story and the love story is the B story). If I just wanted a murdercase, I will just go and watch CSI.
The season 5 episodes so far are so tame. Except maybe for few moments like the the romantic handshake and the hug in After Hours, the rest of the Castle-Beckett interactions show NO passion.The writer also missed out of the fun of the secret relationship. Except for the scene when Ryan found out the relationship, cont...
Lisa Caputo Rank: Extra
December 31st, 2012 12:00 PM
Great article, Christine! I feel like this show gets better and better each season and this particular season has been really quite amazing so far with the best yet to come, I'm sure.
I actually enjoyed "Swan Song" more than "Cloudy With A Chance Of Murder" because under the documentary-style camerawork and the characters talking to the cameras, it was really a great character-driven episode.
It's hard to pick a favourite episode, though. "Secret's Safe With Me" was incredible for its Caskett scenes, "Murder He Wrote" was great as we got to see these two in a different setting, and both "After Hours" and "Secret Santa" packed a one/two punch to end the first part of the season so wonderfully. But "Probable Cause" and "After The Storm" were both so epic and dramatic and stirring that they are tied for my favourite of this part of the season.
Toronto
December 31st, 2012 6:53 AM
I don't think the getting together has worked very well so far -- the bantering and sexual tension in the earlier seasons worked so well that this is so far a disappointment. It is perhaps just that Beckett is much more powerful being sardonic than being gooey over Castle. She's lost a lot of moxie.
Michael
December 30th, 2012 9:17 PM
A-
What I want for 2013 More drama Let see what would happen if Castle and Beckett break up
Nick1372 Rank: Guest Star
December 30th, 2012 4:15 PM
Best Episode: Murder, He Wrote. A refreshing episode. Rick & Kate had a nice Hamptons getaway (for a few hours at least), the murder was intruiging, and it was fun to see the pair try to hide their getaway from their precinct, and Ryan figuring it out. Worst episode: The whole Christmas traditions story fell sort of flat. The dead Santa was so cliché, and Castle's jokes got tired quickly. There were two good bits; Gates's rant about her in-laws, and Beckett's story about Christmas, but they couldn't save the episode. Biggest Improvement: Agree. Obviously. Biggest Disapointment: The documentary format could've been done better. I would've liked Modern Family-style interviews. Hopes for 2013: Your idea about Becket finding Castle's books is really intriuging. And we need more Lanie!
mercia
December 30th, 2012 10:58 AM
Yes to more intimate moments,beckett nd castle showing that they r actually in a 'romantic' relationship. Most of the past episodes have more 'almost kissing' instead of them actually doing it which was most frustrating.Hope forthcoming episodes have all the above mentioned criteria
Teri
December 29th, 2012 8:29 PM
Favorite was Secrets Safe With Me and Probable Cause. Worst was Final Frontier due to it not being my cup of tea. Loved all the Caskett moments but need alot more.
Teri
December 29th, 2012 8:26 PM
Christine, I have the same exact thoughts on the season so far.Same wishes for the rest of the season. I just want more passion and alotof girl time. Thanks for the review.
SoapJunk Rank: Recurring Character
December 29th, 2012 8:09 PM
I'm giving it a A+++, for Awesome. it has been an Awesome season so far. But i'm totally backing your 'Worst episode choice' i HATE documentary styling episode and most off the time i just skip them. ( Didn't this time but should have)
Keith Vlasak Rank: Recurring Character
December 29th, 2012 4:15 PM
I graded the show an A -- but two changes I'm not so sure about are Alexis and Martha. They seem to have less of a role this year. Child actresses grow up, so Alexis has to go to college or get on with her life in some fashion, but she only gets a line or two now, it seems to me.
Martha was a fascinating character right from the start -- originally, I thought, an actress-before-anything-else-including-mother who maybe thought the purpose of a child was to bring her a martini (and go read a book or something but don't annoy her), which, to me, explained Castle's imagination and hard work and his own I-grew-up-in-Hollywood playfulness. Now she's got less to do, but they're sort of turning her into a more devoted mother than she used to be. I wonder where they are going??
Keith Vlasak Rank: Recurring Character
December 29th, 2012 4:03 PM
Favorite/Best Episode: "Murder, He Wrote."
Worst Episode: "Swan song." What made it so bad wasn't that it was such a bad joke, just that they did it over and over without let up!
The romance this season brings some of the feel of back in the beginning, when there were card games and Castle had a career. The moments I liked best about the couple weren't the relationship heat, the big to do over working Christmas, suspecting him of murder, but Beckett grabbing him when he was too excited with Alexis (her costume), or the mundane nature of working on the case or minding their own business in "Murder, He Wrote," or her hiding in the closet and the forgotten under garments -- things that are funny but make them so likeable!
Tycho
December 29th, 2012 2:52 PM
I agree that this has been an amazing season with more good things to come. I have to agree that "Swan Song" was not my favorite episode. I think "Probable Cause" was my favorite so far this season with "Murder she wrote" a close second.
karkar
December 29th, 2012 2:38 PM
Im back again. I wanted to add this. Andrew Marlowe said Castle is a love story so lets have some lovin!!!
karkar
December 29th, 2012 2:19 PM
Best episode:Murder He wrote,finally was a bedroom scene!!!! Especially liked the drive to the Hamptons Worse: none. Biggest improvement:looks like their a committed couple.Biggest disappointment: Not enough passion between Caskett. Hopes for 2013: Give Castle some problems so Beckett can be there for him. Beckett needs to show Castle how much he means to her. I dont think she realizes how important he is in her life. Happy New Year!!!!!
KarenY Rank: Guest Star
December 29th, 2012 1:50 PM
Best episode is a tie between Probable Cause & Secrets Safe With Me. Worst was Swan Song but Murder He Wrote annoyed me because I expected way more romance.
Improvement...I don't think I could have held on one more season with the Will They/Won't They stuff.
Disappointment...Not nearly enough fun, romance, sex, etc. I expected a lot more. And it does feel like Castle's holding back but maybe that will change if Beckett ever says I love you.
Wishes...I know that we know Kate read his books to distract herself from her mom's murder but we've never heard the story from her and Castle deserves to hear the details. Would LOVE to have them talk about the season 2 finale. A big YES to more girl time & boy time for that matter. Seeing Esposito & Ryan grilling Castle would be a hoot. But mostly MORE ROMANCE & PASSION! That's why we watch & we're not getting enough!
Kelly
December 29th, 2012 1:38 PM
Best Ep - Probable Cause. I loved the drama & the hug in the library. Worst- Swan Song.
Biggest Improvement-Finally, they're a couple. Disappointment- I expected more romance & passion. We saw Castle & Meredith, Castle & Ellie rolling around in the sheets. Why so little Rick & Kate when they're the ones in love? Plus Nathan/Castle almost seems like he's holding back this season where the love was practically oozing out of him before.
Wishes for 2013: Kate & Rick talk about why his marriages failed. He finds out she's always been a fan. Kate finally says I Love You! Rick finds how things went wrong at the end of season 2. More banter, more romance, more sex, more fun & a quick renewal for season 6!
Nathan fan
December 29th, 2012 1:30 PM
Best Ep - Secret's Safe for the touching scenes when Kate explained the stick man and when Castle left Alexis at the dorm,and the handshake, but for the pure cleverness of it, I loved Final Frontier.
Worst Ep - the documentary left me pretty bored even before the halfway mark, but I still find it interesting that most of the cast absolutely loved doing that one.
Biggest Improvement - Besides the obvious of them being a couple, I've been very happy to see some honest and open communication between Kate and Castle.
Biggest Disappointment - Like most others have said, I think there's definitely room for more passion.
Hopes for 2013 - I hope they continue to communicate more openly with each other and that we get over the hurdle of Kate knowing why Castle's marriages didn't last. Ever since the show started, I've been wanting to see Kate take Castle to her mom's grave and 'introduce' him so to speak. I'm also hopeful that we can get past Gates knowing about them fairly soon. L
Lila
December 29th, 2012 11:49 AM
I kinda disagree! Swan song was my favorite episode. Jon was AMAZING. And I want more romance yes, but esecially more Esplanie...We already had lots of Caskett, hope Andrew will be fair to all the fans in the second part of the season :)
cheryl
December 29th, 2012 10:32 AM
I forgot to give my grade....B+! Sorry!
cheryl
December 29th, 2012 10:30 AM
Best Episode- Secret's Safe With Me. Runner Up- Probable Cause. Worst Episode- Cloudy With A Chance Of Murder. Biggest Improvement(still needs some romance)-Beckett and Castle. Biggest Disappointment- Beckett hasn't said I Love You. Hopes For 2013- The romance NOT to be so dry...more banter and spark like in Season 2,3 & 4. More Ladies Time...would love an episode where the ladies go out and talk while the Men are doing the same. Would LOVE to see closure to Beckett's mom case and see Castle's dad come into play. But most of ALL.....the banter and spark come back for Beckett and Castle. Writer's need to stop playing it so safe....I mean look at the love scene we got with Castle and Meredith,Castle and Ellie. The Fans deserve the same with our favorite couple....CASKETT!!
gdivaluvr
December 29th, 2012 9:55 AM
Overall B. We need some passion and physical expressions of love. Early phase of a relationship, they should be all over each other. They seem asexual at this time. Never thought that would happen when then finally became a couple. The chemistry is on simmer.
JoAnn
December 28th, 2012 9:56 PM
I agree with all the comments above. They{the writers] are being a little caution with t he romance. I hope they step it up toward the end of the season. Also, My friend reads the heat books, in one book she said rook took a bullet for Kate. I like when Kate is jealous or worried about Castle. I thought maybe not a bullet but a car trying to run Kate down and Castle jumps in to save her. He gets hit with the car and goes into a coma.That may be a good time for the three little words everyone is waiting to hear.
Maria
December 28th, 2012 7:20 PM
Best episode - Probable cause.
Runner up - After the storm, Murder he wrote, Secret´s safe with me, After hours (in that order).
Worst episode - Swan song (not much a fan of doc. style).
Big disappointment - Anything worthing to mention, just slight things.
Biggest improvement - Castle and Beckett being a couple, or course!
Hopes for 2013 - Yeah, some more ALONE time of Castle and Beckett! But, above all, keep the good work:)
Grade: A- (because there´s always room for more)
fortyseven Rank: Regular Character
December 28th, 2012 4:00 PM
Castle/Beckett together is better but hardly affects the series. Around other people, they're actually less affectionate/friendly than previous seasons.
Castle: Katherine Beckett, will you marry me?
December 31st, 2012 12:30 PM
cont...
the writers almost completely made no use of the secret to play up for fun in the show. Lots of fans waited whole summer for hilarious scene where Lanie finds out the relationship or scene with Ryan or Espo making fun of the duo about the relationship etc. - these did not happen. Wasted. Except for few glances, no sly touches etc to show us how they can't get enough of each other. They said , more banter and fun this season, so far I don't really see much flirty banter. I know, they will try to up the ante/drama or romance again by the end of the season as lots of TV shows usually do. Why make us wait for that to turn the heat up? Give us some lovin'. Maybe I should just come back to watching the show by April. Please no breaking them up just to turn up the angst and drama. Sorry I'm ranting but I still love the show that is why I like it to have some improvement.
December 31st, 2012 12:15 PM
best episode: Murder he Wrote
Worst: Swan song
Biggest disappointment: lack of romance and passion. For a 10PM show, Castle is too tame. Big Bang Theory(an 8pm show) is more daring in showing passion between the leads. Maybe Castle is aiming for the younger audience, so maybe transfer it to 8PM timeslot, it is so tame anyway for a 10PM timeslot.
Also let's be honest, a lot of fans watch this show for the Castle-Beckett love story than the case of the week. So the love story is the A story and NOT the crime (the writers like to believe the the case is the A story and the love story is the B story). If I just wanted a murdercase, I will just go and watch CSI.
The season 5 episodes so far are so tame. Except maybe for few moments like the the romantic handshake and the hug in After Hours, the rest of the Castle-Beckett interactions show NO passion.The writer also missed out of the fun of the secret relationship. Except for the scene when Ryan found out the relationship, cont...
Rank: Extra
December 31st, 2012 12:00 PM
Great article, Christine! I feel like this show gets better and better each season and this particular season has been really quite amazing so far with the best yet to come, I'm sure.
I actually enjoyed "Swan Song" more than "Cloudy With A Chance Of Murder" because under the documentary-style camerawork and the characters talking to the cameras, it was really a great character-driven episode.
It's hard to pick a favourite episode, though. "Secret's Safe With Me" was incredible for its Caskett scenes, "Murder He Wrote" was great as we got to see these two in a different setting, and both "After Hours" and "Secret Santa" packed a one/two punch to end the first part of the season so wonderfully. But "Probable Cause" and "After The Storm" were both so epic and dramatic and stirring that they are tied for my favourite of this part of the season.
December 31st, 2012 6:53 AM
I don't think the getting together has worked very well so far -- the bantering and sexual tension in the earlier seasons worked so well that this is so far a disappointment. It is perhaps just that Beckett is much more powerful being sardonic than being gooey over Castle. She's lost a lot of moxie.
December 30th, 2012 9:17 PM
A-
What I want for 2013 More drama Let see what would happen if Castle and Beckett break up
Rank: Guest Star
December 30th, 2012 4:15 PM
Best Episode: Murder, He Wrote. A refreshing episode. Rick & Kate had a nice Hamptons getaway (for a few hours at least), the murder was intruiging, and it was fun to see the pair try to hide their getaway from their precinct, and Ryan figuring it out.
Worst episode: The whole Christmas traditions story fell sort of flat. The dead Santa was so cliché, and Castle's jokes got tired quickly. There were two good bits; Gates's rant about her in-laws, and Beckett's story about Christmas, but they couldn't save the episode.
Biggest Improvement: Agree. Obviously.
Biggest Disapointment: The documentary format could've been done better. I would've liked Modern Family-style interviews.
Hopes for 2013: Your idea about Becket finding Castle's books is really intriuging. And we need more Lanie!
December 30th, 2012 10:58 AM
Yes to more intimate moments,beckett nd castle showing that they r actually in a 'romantic' relationship. Most of the past episodes have more 'almost kissing' instead of them actually doing it which was most frustrating.Hope forthcoming episodes have all the above mentioned criteria
December 29th, 2012 8:29 PM
Favorite was Secrets Safe With Me and Probable Cause. Worst was Final Frontier due to it not being my cup of tea. Loved all the Caskett moments but need alot more.
December 29th, 2012 8:26 PM
Christine, I have the same exact thoughts on the season so far.Same wishes for the rest of the season. I just want more passion and alotof girl time. Thanks for the review.
Rank: Recurring Character
December 29th, 2012 8:09 PM
I'm giving it a A+++, for Awesome. it has been an Awesome season so far. But i'm totally backing your 'Worst episode choice' i HATE documentary styling episode and most off the time i just skip them. ( Didn't this time but should have)
Rank: Recurring Character
December 29th, 2012 4:15 PM
I graded the show an A -- but two changes I'm not so sure about are Alexis and Martha. They seem to have less of a role this year. Child actresses grow up, so Alexis has to go to college or get on with her life in some fashion, but she only gets a line or two now, it seems to me.
Martha was a fascinating character right from the start -- originally, I thought, an actress-before-anything-else-including-mother who maybe thought the purpose of a child was to bring her a martini (and go read a book or something but don't annoy her), which, to me, explained Castle's imagination and hard work and his own I-grew-up-in-Hollywood playfulness. Now she's got less to do, but they're sort of turning her into a more devoted mother than she used to be. I wonder where they are going??
Rank: Recurring Character
December 29th, 2012 4:03 PM
Favorite/Best Episode: "Murder, He Wrote."
Worst Episode: "Swan song." What made it so bad wasn't that it was such a bad joke, just that they did it over and over without let up!
The romance this season brings some of the feel of back in the beginning, when there were card games and Castle had a career. The moments I liked best about the couple weren't the relationship heat, the big to do over working Christmas, suspecting him of murder, but Beckett grabbing him when he was too excited with Alexis (her costume), or the mundane nature of working on the case or minding their own business in "Murder, He Wrote," or her hiding in the closet and the forgotten under garments -- things that are funny but make them so likeable!
December 29th, 2012 2:52 PM
I agree that this has been an amazing season with more good things to come. I have to agree that "Swan Song" was not my favorite episode. I think "Probable Cause" was my favorite so far this season with "Murder she wrote" a close second.
December 29th, 2012 2:38 PM
Im back again. I wanted to add this. Andrew Marlowe said Castle is a love story so lets have some lovin!!!
December 29th, 2012 2:19 PM
Best episode:Murder He wrote,finally was a bedroom scene!!!! Especially liked the drive to the Hamptons Worse: none. Biggest improvement:looks like their a committed couple.Biggest disappointment: Not enough passion between Caskett. Hopes for 2013: Give Castle some problems so Beckett can be there for him. Beckett needs to show Castle how much he means to her. I dont think she realizes how important he is in her life. Happy New Year!!!!!
Rank: Guest Star
December 29th, 2012 1:50 PM
Best episode is a tie between Probable Cause & Secrets Safe With Me. Worst was Swan Song but Murder He Wrote annoyed me because I expected way more romance.
Improvement...I don't think I could have held on one more season with the Will They/Won't They stuff.
Disappointment...Not nearly enough fun, romance, sex, etc. I expected a lot more. And it does feel like Castle's holding back but maybe that will change if Beckett ever says I love you.
Wishes...I know that we know Kate read his books to distract herself from her mom's murder but we've never heard the story from her and Castle deserves to hear the details. Would LOVE to have them talk about the season 2 finale. A big YES to more girl time & boy time for that matter. Seeing Esposito & Ryan grilling Castle would be a hoot. But mostly MORE ROMANCE & PASSION! That's why we watch & we're not getting enough!
December 29th, 2012 1:38 PM
Best Ep - Probable Cause. I loved the drama & the hug in the library. Worst- Swan Song.
Biggest Improvement-Finally, they're a couple. Disappointment- I expected more romance & passion. We saw Castle & Meredith, Castle & Ellie rolling around in the sheets. Why so little Rick & Kate when they're the ones in love? Plus Nathan/Castle almost seems like he's holding back this season where the love was practically oozing out of him before.
Wishes for 2013: Kate & Rick talk about why his marriages failed. He finds out she's always been a fan. Kate finally says I Love You! Rick finds how things went wrong at the end of season 2. More banter, more romance, more sex, more fun & a quick renewal for season 6!
December 29th, 2012 1:30 PM
Best Ep - Secret's Safe for the touching scenes when Kate explained the stick man and when Castle left Alexis at the dorm,and the handshake, but for the pure cleverness of it, I loved Final Frontier.
Worst Ep - the documentary left me pretty bored even before the halfway mark, but I still find it interesting that most of the cast absolutely loved doing that one.
Biggest Improvement - Besides the obvious of them being a couple, I've been very happy to see some honest and open communication between Kate and Castle.
Biggest Disappointment - Like most others have said, I think there's definitely room for more passion.
Hopes for 2013 - I hope they continue to communicate more openly with each other and that we get over the hurdle of Kate knowing why Castle's marriages didn't last. Ever since the show started, I've been wanting to see Kate take Castle to her mom's grave and 'introduce' him so to speak. I'm also hopeful that we can get past Gates knowing about them fairly soon. L
December 29th, 2012 11:49 AM
I kinda disagree! Swan song was my favorite episode. Jon was AMAZING. And I want more romance yes, but esecially more Esplanie...We already had lots of Caskett, hope Andrew will be fair to all the fans in the second part of the season :)
December 29th, 2012 10:32 AM
I forgot to give my grade....B+! Sorry!
December 29th, 2012 10:30 AM
Best Episode- Secret's Safe With Me. Runner Up- Probable Cause. Worst Episode- Cloudy With A Chance Of Murder. Biggest Improvement(still needs some romance)-Beckett and Castle. Biggest Disappointment- Beckett hasn't said I Love You. Hopes For 2013- The romance NOT to be so dry...more banter and spark like in Season 2,3 & 4. More Ladies Time...would love an episode where the ladies go out and talk while the Men are doing the same. Would LOVE to see closure to Beckett's mom case and see Castle's dad come into play. But most of ALL.....the banter and spark come back for Beckett and Castle. Writer's need to stop playing it so safe....I mean look at the love scene we got with Castle and Meredith,Castle and Ellie. The Fans deserve the same with our favorite couple....CASKETT!!
December 29th, 2012 9:55 AM
Overall B. We need some passion and physical expressions of love. Early phase of a relationship, they should be all over each other. They seem asexual at this time. Never thought that would happen when then finally became a couple. The chemistry is on simmer.
December 28th, 2012 9:56 PM
I agree with all the comments above. They{the writers] are being a little caution with t he romance. I hope they step it up toward the end of the season. Also, My friend reads the heat books, in one book she said rook took a bullet for Kate. I like when Kate is jealous or worried about Castle. I thought maybe not a bullet but a car trying to run Kate down and Castle jumps in to save her. He gets hit with the car and goes into a coma.That may be a good time for the three little words everyone is waiting to hear.
December 28th, 2012 7:20 PM
Best episode - Probable cause.
Runner up - After the storm, Murder he wrote, Secret´s safe with me, After hours (in that order).
Worst episode - Swan song (not much a fan of doc. style).
Big disappointment - Anything worthing to mention, just slight things.
Biggest improvement - Castle and Beckett being a couple, or course!
Hopes for 2013 - Yeah, some more ALONE time of Castle and Beckett! But, above all, keep the good work:)
Grade: A- (because there´s always room for more)
Rank: Regular Character
December 28th, 2012 4:00 PM
Castle/Beckett together is better but hardly affects the series. Around other people, they're actually less affectionate/friendly than previous seasons.
Grade C-