Miss last night’s episode? Here’s what you need to know about CASTLE’s’ “Always”
AIRDATE: 5/7/12 WRITERS: Terri Miller & Andrew W. Marlowe DIRECTOR: Rob Bowman SYNOPSIS: When NYPD’s finest are called to investigate the murder of an Army veteran, Beckett is inadvertently pulled back into the murky world surrounding her mother’s murder leaving Castle in the somewhat awkward position of having to go to great lengths in an effort to keep her safe. Lengths that force television’s most popular will-they-or-won’t-they couple to have a conversation four seasons in the making. INTRODUCED: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA/DOLLHOUSE alum Tahmoh Penikett as Cole Maddox, the man in black responsible for shooting Beckett during last May’s shocking season finale. NOTABLE QUOTABLE: In response to Kate asking Castle how she can ever trust him again following his admission that he been actively keeping secrets from her in an effort to ensure her safety, Castle got a few things off hist chest, “Because of everything we’ve been through together! Four years, I’ve been right here. Four years, I’ve been waiting for you to open your eyes and see that I’m right here, and I’m more than a partner. Every morning I bring a cup of coffee just so I can see a smile on your face because I think you are the most remarkable, maddening, challenging, frustrating person I’ve ever met. And I love you Kate, and if that means anything to you — if you love me at all — just don’t do this.” CRITIQUE: Despite our slight disappointment surrounding the completely predictable nature of the episode’s ending that saw Kate hand over her badge after getting taken to task by Captain “Iron” Gates about police procedure, and the undeniable fact that we much prefer our flavor of CASTLE episode to be of the fun and flirty variety (See: Last week’s Zombified one) versus the dark and dreary one, last night’s fourth season finale is pretty much required viewing for any and all current and future showrunners in terms of how to end a season on a high note. Which is to say, writers Terri Miller and Andrew W. Marlowe managed to give loyal fans exactly what they wanted (See: Castle + Beckett = Sexytime!) while leaving enough balls in the air to keep things interesting — make that, really interesting — next season. And while we don’t pretend to know what affect Castle and Beckett’s coupledom will have on both the show and their relationship, who Cole Maddox’s mysterious employer is, and last but certainly not least, whether or not our favorite television bromance that is Ryan and Esposito will ever be the same, we sure as heck are already counting down the days until Fall so that we can find out! GRADE: B+
CASTLE airs Mondays at 10PM on ABC (CTV in Canada) and stars Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Susan Sullivan, Molly C. Quinn, Jon Huertas, Tamala Jones, Seamus Dever and Penny Johnson. Catch up with past episodes you may have missed for free online at clicktowatch.tv.