Castle - TV Fanatic

Jennifer Beals on Castle: Who is She?

matt@mediavine.com (Matt Richenthal) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:30:54 EST

On this Monday's new episode of Castle, Rick and Kate get welcomed to the FBI, while viewers welcome Jennifer Beals aboard the ABC hit.

The former Flashdance star premieres as Sophia Turner, a CIA operative from Castle's past. Meaning what, exactly?

"She became the inspiration for Clara Strike," Beals told me over the phone today. "So they were close enough that he based a book character around her."

How will Beckett react to this information? Beals made a point to say that Caskett fans don't need to worry too much about any interaction between Sophia and Castle on either of the two episodes in which she appears, but watch her opening scene below and take note of Kate's reaction:

Castle Clip: The Debut of Jennifer Beals

An investigation that has "international implications," Beals teases, requiring the CIA to reach out to Beckett for help on U.S. soil.

Prepare for the first part of Castle's annual two-parter via a couple more sneak peeks, the first of which involves a VERY dead body and the second another surprise for Castle:

Castle Clip: Many Causes of Death

Castle Clip: Alexis?!?

Castle Round Table: "The Blue Butterfly"

christine@tvfanatic.com (C. Orlando) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:20:25 EST

A gorgeous gangster's moll, a cursed diamond necklace and private eye's diary.

"The Blue Butterfly" had Castle and Beckett investigating murders that spanned over half a century. Now, our Round Table team of Chandel Charles, Jim Garner, Courtney Morrison, and Christine Orlando debate Castle's past, present and future. Won't you come along and join us?

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Who had your favorite 1940s alter ego?

Chandel: I think Alexis' Sally was pretty good. She got to play the bad girl in this one, which was fun!

Jim: Martha. She went platinum blonde for it and was mothering Castle's alter ego still!

Courtney: Ryan! The accent and the slicked back hair worked for me.

Christine: I couldn't get over Kate/Vera's wardrobe. Simply gorgeous. I was in awe of every dress.

Do you think Beckett should have arrested Joe and Vera?

Chandel: Of course not! What a great story they had! I think it's a reflection of where Kate's heart is right now. She's willing to entertain the great love stories she might have scoffed at before because of Rick and I love getting to see that side of her.

Jim: Not sure what the statue of limitations on unsolved murders is, but I think she did the right thing not arresting Viola and Jack.

Courtney: Nah, like Jim said, the statute of limitations for sure had to run out. Anyway, they were two people just trying to live a good life at this point. Let them be.

Christine: I'm pretty sure there isn't a statute of limitations on murder and I'm sure Kate should have turned over the evidence to the DA but I'm okay with how it worked out. It's nice to see Beckett follow her heart for once. Hopefully she'll do that more in her personal life.

What was your favorite scene?

Chandel: The part where Castle said "Kate's heart raced" and tried to cover it up with "fate." Kate confronted him so fast! It was a great moment. I'm still smiling about it.

Jim: When Castle realized he was narrating. Talk about touching that 4th wall just a tiny bit. Classic!

Courtney: Castle and Beckett sitting down with Vera and Joe. Kate was interested, Castle had figured it out once again. And now they were both looking at people that Castle had imagined them to be (probably causing Beckett to think the same thing in her mind).

Christine: I loved the scene where Castle gets to the end of the diary and Kate's upset because there's no end to the story. She looks so disappointed and Castle looks delighted that he's hooked her in and she's willingly followed him along on this ride.

What do you think of the progression of Rick and Kate's relationship? Has the show taken too long to get them together? Are you enjoying the ride or getting bored with the stall?

Chandel: For whatever reason I am not aggravated by the progression, as long as it feels like it has been. I read somewhere that Andrew Marlowe said of Kate and Rick's relationship that all the great love stories take time, and I continue to watch that story unfold unconcerned about the pace overall. I do wish we could get another little truth moment where they consider moving forward. But I can wait.

Jim: Rick and Kate have a relationship?? Could have fooled me, looks more like a junir high crush. I swear any day now Rick is going to hand her a note that says "Do you like me? [_] yes [_] no". GAH!! Get on with it, already!

Courtney: I get that with any good show, you don't want to jump into anything too quickly. But it's not the first, nor the second, season anymore! I don't need them to be in a full fledged relationship. I get why the writers don't want to go there. But you have to give us a little bit. Have them hook up one night and we can deal with the aftermath of that before settling into a serious relationship.

Christine: I'm completely against the hook up idea. I want the real deal. Mostly because I can see these two being so much fun once they're together. Teasing, flirting, and hiding little moments from Gates and the boys. I'm all for drawing out the love story but it's season 4! Enough soulful angst. Give us some romance. Now!

Castle Sneak Preview: Welcome, Jennifer Beals!

matt@mediavine.com (Matt Richenthal) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:30:03 EST

It's that time of the year again for Castle.

Fresh off an incredibly fun trip back to 1947, the ABC hit will air the first of its annual two-parter next week, bringing on board Jennifer Beals as a CIA agent - who also has a past with a certain crime-obsessed author.

Look for Beals' Sophia Conrad to assist Castle and Beckett when their murder case leads into a grand, international conspiracy. Also, look for Josh Stamberg to guest star as an intelligence officer... and for Beckett to get a bit perturbed as Castle's interaction with this beautiful new woman. Watch the first official trailer now:

Castle Promo: "Pandora"

Castle Review: Blues for the Butterfly

courtney831831@yahoo.com (Courtney Morrison) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:00:11 EST

There are a handful of things that Castle does well. Even better, there are a few things that Castle does REALLY well. After watching "The Blue Butterfly”, we can now add nostalgia and flashbacks to the latter list.

When there is a series such as this - which sets the bar high with continuous entertaining hours of comedy, drama and romance - it is hard to have an episode exceed those expectations. It’s been done before, with the 3XK tales and season finales, but this hour was different. It didn’t have your heart thumping, nor were you sitting on the edge of the couch - but it didn’t need any of that. What it did have was solid writing on a case perfect for Rick Castle.

Let’s just start by saying that Nathan Fillion is one of a kind. Fans have seem him in pretty much every type of character Hollywood has to offer, and he nails them all.

Episodes told through flashbacks are pretty difficult, but this was an exception. Castle imagining the characters as his friends and family was great. I mean, who hasn’t done that at least once before when they read themselves? Anyone? Anyone?

The Case. The hunt for the Blue Butterfly necklace was just as, if not more, interesting that the search for the murderer. I honestly wasn’t sure who the killer was going to be and I was a bit let down that it was a background player with such a small amount of screen time.

The Runaways Live! The best part about this case was that Vera and the PI lived happily ever after. I guess I'm not the only sucker for love, especially when it withstands decades (cough...cough...Beckett). Our favorite detective is much more soft than when this series started.

The Man Who Doesn’t Age. Mark Pellegrino guest starred as mob boss Tom Dempsey/Tom Dempsey III. He has been popping up all over the place as of late, and I know I am not alone in loving it.

Got to hand it to the writers for the small and clever details they put in this installment. Pellegrino played both the grandfather and grandson, and as Castle put it, he was a doppleganger for the g-pop. They could have had someone else play the younger version, but it was MP that took on the task. I'd like to think of it that he played both roles because he is Jacob, the ageless guardian of the Island. Oh, Lost, I miss you terribly. Anyways...

Side Notes

Okay, Tamala Jones! The girl can sing and work a gown like it is her job.
How awesome was Castle trying to get Ryan to talk with the accent. “Say Boyle. Boyle. Boyle. Boyle. Boyle. Boyle. Like a leprechaun!”
Caskett shippers got to experience Beckett and Castle as a couple through the flashbacks. Even in the 1940s, these two had undeniable chemistry. Having the couple grow old together has to be a promise to us fans rooting for the pairing, right? Even if not, we still got a kiss and an I love you out of it.
Who wants to join me at the Penny Baker Club?
The first part of Castle's annual two-parter airs next week, bringing Jennifer Beals on board!

Tamala Jones Teases "Favorite Castle Episode Ever"

matt@mediavine.com (Matt Richenthal) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:17:57 EST

Castle will take fans back to 1947 tonight, as the case of a treasure hunter gets linked to an unsolved homicide... which prompts Castle to imagine himself as a hard-boiled detective from over 60 years ago.

Sound like fun? You have no idea, says star Tamala Jones.

Castle Clip: A Walking Fairy Tale

"It's ahhhhhmazing," the actress told me over the phone. "It's my favorite episode ever, just beautifully list, colored, acted, directed, written."

Fans can expect to be taken by a number of factors, but perhaps none more than the fashion of those involved. Jones gives all credit for that to the show's costume designer, Luke Reichie (@REDCARPETLUKE), when I asked if she had any say in the clothing.

"He is a genius," Jones said. "You don't tell him what to put on you. He just puts it on you!"

What else can viewers expect from the unique installment? Mark Pellegrino guest stars as a gangster - correction, a "bad, bad, bad" gangster, Jones teases, saying the beloved actor (Lost, The Closer, Supernatural) is simply "amazing in the role.

Overall, "you're gonna feel like you're in the 1940s," she says. "From the shawls to the fur to the jewels, it's all incredible."

Beyond this installment, Jones also offered up a fun nugget for Lanie: she's getting an underling!

"I'm gonna have a trainee around me, following me at work, taking notes on how to be a medical examiner. And she's gonna be played by a well known actress."

"The Blue Butterfly" airs tonight on ABC. Visit TV Fanatic soon after it concludes for a detailed review, and follow Tamala on Twitter @tamalaJones.

Castle Clips: SIX Sneak Peeks at "The Blue Butterfly"

matt@mediavine.com (Matt Richenthal) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:03:45 EST

Rick Castle as a hard-boiled detective in 1947? This shouldn't be hard for Castle fans to imagine, as it's the role our favorite fictional author has always dreamed of portraying.

And that's what he'll literally do on Monday's "The Blue Butterfly," as a case that involves a stolen treasure and a former cop's diary will take Castle and company back to 1947... in Castle's mind, that is.

Star Tamala Jones - in an interview that will go live on Monday - has labeled the installment her "favorite ever," and it's not hard to see why based on the following clips. We've posted SIX sneak peeks, most of which focus on Castle's hilarious fantasy world, so sit back and enjoy now:

Castle Clip: "The Blue Butterfly"

Castle Clip: A Walking Fairy Tale

Castle Clip: At the Crime Scene

Castle Clip: A Detective's Diary

Castle Clip: Looking for a Dame

Castle Sneak Peek: "The Blue Butterfly"

Castle Round Table: "An Embarrassment of Bitches"

matt@tvfanatic.com (TV Fanatic Staff) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:55:40 EST

A mocking of Kim Kardashian. Shared custody of a puppy. An intimate moment for Castle and Beckett. It's safe to say that last Monday's "An Embarrassment of Bitches" had it all.

Now, with a week off before Castle and company head to 1947, our Round Table team is here to debate a number of topics from the episode. Take it away Jim Garner, Molly Harper, Courtney Morrison and Chandel Charles...

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Were you surprised Beckett was considering getting a dog?
Jim: Not at all, she lives alone in New York. If she's not worried about her safety, she has to get lonely and want to talk to someone (or something).

Molly: Not really, Beckett is becoming more aware of how lonely she is, how empty her life is now that she isn't devoting all of her energy to her mother's case. She's going to look for ways to fill up that space.

Courtney: No, definitely not. Everyone needs a dog, even bad ass detectives like Kate Beckett. And like Jim mentioned, a female living alone in NYC with a dog isn't that bad of an idea.

Chandel: No, I think she is lonely and could use a companion. Plus she really seemed to like the retriever!

Pick the right pet for both Castle and Beckett?
Jim: Beckett strikes me as the Rottweiler type, something with muscles but brains and is extremely loyal. Castle, on the other hand, was in the right ballpark with a Retriever, loyal, playful and incredibly loving. Of course, the the best dog for Beckett is really the "RICKtriever" - am I right?

Molly: Beckett needs a cat, something low-maintenance that would be OK if she needed to be out of the apartment for long stretches of time. For some reason, I see Castle getting some exotic pet that would eventually cause huge problems for him, like an alligator or a tiger (despite the "trapped with a tiger" episode.) Maybe he'll install a full-sized supervillian shark tank in Alexis's room when she leaves for college.

Courtney: Agreed that a Retriever is perfect for Castle, that or something fun and silly like a little pug. Beckett could totally have a Bulldog - cute but tough if you need it to be.

Chandel: I think a dog would work well for both of them.

The sparks were flying when Castle touched Kate's hand. So why did he pull back so quickly?
Jim: I think you gave the answer to the question. Neither Kate not Rick know what to do when the emotions boil up like that. Had she said "Rick" instead of "Castle" I think he would have moved a different direction that backwards.

Molly: Kate will only tolerate so much intimacy before she starts hitting something.

Courtney: There is a lot of unspoken tension lately between these two. The man helping Castle with her mother's case has been brought back into the fold reminding him that he is going behind her back and the fact that she still hasn't addressed his "I love you" isn't helping. Plus he could probably see it in her face that she is feeling something and he doesn't want to mess it up.

Chandel: I have no idea! That was my favorite moment from the episode! You can tell just how strong the feelings are. It's almost like a bomb about to explode.

Esposito was sparring with Lanie, lusting after Kay and tackling suspects. What's your pick for the most memorable Esposito scene of the night?
Jim: My favorite was his reaction to Beckett mentioning that Kay was with Reggie.. His response was priceless, and I swear Stana Katic's reaction to him was not acting, it looked way to much like a real laugh.

Molly: Volunteering to sift through gossip rags and insisting that Kay couldn't possibly be interested in a back-up dancer from a music video.

Courtney: Espo was on fire. Every scene he had with Kay was pretty entertaining, especially when he was reviewing the pictures with her. His faces responding to the photos were great.

Chandel: I think when Kay got real with Esposito about the kind of life she wanted. For a moment he saw her as a more than just a celebrity, which I really liked.

What was your favorite scene overall?
Jim: I really liked Epso and Kay looking at her pictures. She was right that we judge celebrities by the pictures and it was nice to see she wasn't a vapid egotistical witch - that she had feelings and fears just like all of us. I think it would be interesting to see her and Espo hook up, would add an interesting twist for him to have a famous G/F for a bit.

Molly: I always love scenes with Alexis. The "meeting up with boys from Craigslist" line cracked me up.

Courtney: There were a lot of things to like about this episode, but my favorite by far is Beckett and Castle trying to convince the dog to come to each of them. It was something that felt real and not written. A close second goes to the first time Hilarie Burton opened her mouth as Kay. I was losing it and she was awesome in this part.

Chandel: Again, I have to go with the scene in Beckett's apartment when he rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb. It was definitely packed with attraction that was so thick you could cut it with a knife!

Taylor Kinney to Guest Star on Castle

matt@tvfanatic.com (TV Fanatic Staff) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:29:38 EST

A former Vampire Diaries star will soon take a bite out of Castle.

Taylor Kinney, beloved by fans of that CW series for his role as Mason Lockwood, will guest star later this season on the latter ABC hit, stopping by as the husband of a character played by Sarah Jane Morris.

Here's the scoop on episode 17: it will be titled "Once Upon a Crime" and feature Morris as the sister of a woman - dressed as Red Riding Hood, the victim of an apparent wolf attack - found dead in Central Park.

Castle Flashback Promo: Off to 1947!

matt@mediavine.com (Matt Richenthal) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:33:24 EST

From mocking this generations most useless celebrity to going back in time to another generation...

Castle will take this Monday off and then return on February 6 with an especially fun, unique episode titled "The Blue Butterfly."

On the installment, look for Castle and Beckett to discover a connection between the killing of a treasure hunter and a homicide from 1947... which, naturally, will cause Castle to imagine himself during that era in order to solve the present-day case.

Ever imagine what Castle might look like as a private eye? Or Beckett as a femme fatale? Watch the official ABC promo now:

Castle Promo: "The Blue Butterfly"

Castle Review: A Konniving Killer?

courtney831831@yahoo.com (Courtney Morrison) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:33:30 EST

The latest installment of Castle, "An Embarrassment of Bitches," was most definitely one of the more enjoyable hours of the season. This series has really been able to do it all: get your heart pumping with anxiety, make you laugh, make you think, and, most of all, create an installment that is pure enjoyement.

This episode was no exception.

“An Embarrassment of Bitches” took us into the land of dog competitions, reality television and murder. Sounds like a fun combination, right?

It’s A Dog Eat Dog World. The weekly case centered on the death of a dog competition judge and trainer who had been working with Customs to train dog sniffing dogs. This was a fun change that also gave us a chance to admire the cute and cuddly pups on screen. The killer was predictable, but I didn’t care at all. It didn’t matter because it gave us a chance to see Ms. Kay Cappuccio....

Peyton Sawyer Hilarie Burton = Complete Knockout. Let me start by saying that I am not the biggest Burton fan. Her run as Peyton on One Tree Hill used to drive me crazy and was absolutely one of my least liked television characters. Tonight, that all changed. Hilarie was awesome, not only in the way she looked, but everything she personified.

First of all, she looked gorgeous. Second: the voice was amazing. Burton’s “Kay Cappuccio” was a character based off Kim Kardashian, of kourse and as soon as I heard her speak, I broke into laughter. She was believable, funny, and, somehow, likable. Plus, she obviously has good taste from her flirting with Espo.

Justin Hartley also guest starred as Burton’s boyfriend, and his role was a bit of a disappointment. This is Green Arrow. He deserves more than a few lines! It just felt like this character could have been played by anyone.

Shared Custody. The death of the dog judge meant one thing for our favorite non-couple: shared custody of his canine! This was such a cute and fun arc for the two. It provided a little bit of shipper moments but still brought the laughs.

Trying to call the dog from either side of the room so he would pick a winner was awesome. I sadly must admit that has gone on in my house to decide who our dog loves most.

The driving scene from the dog story was the hand rubbing between Beckett and Castle. The eye contact was smoldering and the tension was undeniable. Just enough to hold us Caskett shippers over until the next episode, which looks to be awesome!

After Thoughts

Still no mention of Ryan’s wedding/new marriage. Still think it’s kind of strange.
Alexis headed on a road trip with Buttons Dutton. I so wish that I had a friend named this in high school. Looks like the series is setting the character up to return for guest visits.
How hilarious was the Jason Bateman comment from that pesky pap? Gotta love this show’s writers.

Overall, a great hour from the crime drama. Light hearted, fun and entertaining. Just what I like to finish up a Monday. What did you think, TV Fanatics? Was “An Embarrassment of Bitches” as much fun for you? What about you Caskett shippers? Was the small hand holding scene enough to tide you over? How about shared custody of the dog?

Hit the comments and let us know what you thought of the latest installment. There is a week off before our next episode, so check back soon for the Round Table discussion and info on the upcoming episodes. Until then, Castle fans...