Castle: Much Ado About Murder (8x20)

Ugh Castle and Beckett got to see Hamilton on Broadway? How did they snag those tickets? So jealous. But anyway, this was pretty much your standard-issue Castle episode. Nothing to write home about, but nothing bad either. Let's dive in.

Cons:

Jewel Staite should, by all rights, go in the "pros" section, but I have to admit that seeing Fillion's Firefly co-star in this episode made the reveal of the murderer super obvious. It was one of those obnoxious "twist" endings where after dealing with fierce mob bosses and drug dealers and all this stuff, the murderer was actually the woman we saw for just a minute at the beginning of the episode. We never talk to her or build up the reveal in any way, and yet I still knew she was the killer because you don't bring Jewel Staite in to play such a small part unless she gets to have the confession speech at the end. It was just disappointing to waste her on such a nothing part without a lot of meat to it. She and Nathan Fillion hardly interacted at all!

Another point along the same line - Martha showed up in the secret hotel room of the murder victim, and it turns out she was giving him acting lessons. The only problem is that from that point on, she had almost nothing to do in the story. If you want to do something focused on Martha, then great! But don't dangle her character in front of us for just a second and then not have it lead to anything!

Pros:

The main case, despite having a disappointing twist at the end, was rather fun. The victim is a movie star who was trying to be taken seriously as an actor by entering into a production of Hamlet. He wanted to gain credit as a legitimate actor so he could get the rights to the biopic about "El Oso," a notorious cartel leader. Castle ends up kidnapped by El Oso, but it turns out the man is just obsessed with somebody telling his story and explaining his life to the world. He wants Castle to write a screenplay about his life. Castle is rescued fairly quickly, but despite El Oso being captured, it seems the cartel leader still wants Castle to write the story of his life. As the episode ends, we get word that El Oso has escaped from custody!

I loved the humor mixed with drama, as Beckett and the others frantically hunt for the kidnapped Castle, while Castle enjoys a nice meal and a few good laughs about Shakespeare with his captor. It also seems like they could perhaps be setting up El Oso's return for a later date. That is, if Season Nine gets picked up. I'd be cool with seeing him again, that's for sure.

There were two subplots in this episode, both of which I enjoyed.

Castle and Beckett have a new weekly date night where they each try and one-up each other. Castle took Beckett to see Hamilton the week before. (I don't understand why they were talking about anything but that. I certainly wouldn't be.) In any case, it's now Beckett's job to one-up Castle's date with an idea of her own. (Impossible. I mean come on, it's 16-Tony-Award-Nominated Broadway Sensation Hamilton.) (Okay, I'm done.) (For now.) The problem is, Beckett forgot to plan anything. When the kidnapping and the case take over Beckett and Castle's time, their date gets put on the backburner. They end up just enjoying some take-out at home, which Castle says he loves just as much as an elaborate surprise.

This season has been really disheartening in terms of Castle and Beckett's relationship, so it was nice to see a simple, uncomplicated plot thread that emphasized the fact that these two can have fun with one another. It wasn't anything outstanding, but it made me smile.

The other subplot focuses on Ryan being a Helicopter Dad for his daughter's preschool play. He has all these elaborate and creative ideas, while the other parents and teachers keep telling him that the kids are five years old, and so they'll be lucky if the kids can just remember the words to the song. Ryan is fired from volunteering for being overzealous. In the end, little Sarah Grace shows up with Jenny at the precinct, and Ryan helps her get over her stage fright and remember the words to the flower song so she can perform.

Awwww Ryan is such a good father. There was a great deal of humor in this plot thread, especially when Esposito catches Ryan using the interrogation room to Skype one of the other mothers at the school to go over ideas. When the woman is unreceptive, Ryan threatens to expose her unpaid parking tickets. Esposito steps in to save the poor woman from Ryan's ire. Also, it's a small thing, but I love it when Ryan and Esposito call each other by their first names. It's just such a sweet way of emphasizing their bond. An even sweeter way is when Sarah Grace rushes into the room and gives her "Uncle Javi" a big hug. Be still my beating heart. That was adorable.

As we march forth towards the LokSat-filled finale, I'm not looking forward to what this A-plot has in store for us. But episodes like this remind me that Castle still has the capacity to remain a lighthearted and fun show about good relationships and silly antics. If we do get a Season Nine, hopefully some of that magic can be recaptured. (Meaning, of course that Beckett can't be killed off. What are they going to do, send her away on a job where Castle can't come with for some reason? Yeesh. This whole thing is dumb. They really shouldn't continue without Stana Katic).

(I'm sorry about the parenthetical craze in this review. I guess I'm in a mood).

8/10