'Heroes & Villains' - Beckett & Castle's visit to the Comic Store reveals that Beckett has preordered Castle's comic book debut, "for support".

Season 4, Episode 2  –  Heroes & Villains

When an ex-con is mysteriously slain in an alley, Castle and Beckett believe a vigilante is behind the murder. But efforts to identify their suspect are thwarted when they discover that he roams the city in a Superhero costume — and may indeed be a Superhero. Can they capture and unmask the killer before he strikes again?  (Synopsis from IMDB.com)

Well…Castle seriously geeked it up this week didn’t it? In a seven day period during which I have also begun to watch The Guild, I suddenly feel like I should buy an X-Box, a copy of Nathan Fillion’s beloved Halo and start maxing out my Amazon account with comic books.

And who else loved the fact that Beckett could hold her own on the comic book geekiness? From the Sin City line to her admiration of Castle’s Avengers No 1 to the quirky banter between the two about which character they would be. The comic book guy totally hung her out to dry on the Deadly Storm issue too.

Outside of the serious geek factor, (and the fact that Fillion was CLEARLY in his element with all of that) this episode packed in quite a lot in its 42 minute run. Last week’s Rise was a rollercoaster event but despite everything there was only really one main plot point through it.

This week, I counted at least three. There was the murder of the week which I thought was a well executed, twisty case. In hindsight, it was probably possibly to spot Tony as the killer from the beginning but the twist with Ann Hastings was a nice touch. I’ll come back to that in a while. Gates is also shaping up nicely into a woman who you don’t mess with. I thought her calling the mayor was a little too premature though, such is the unpredictability of police work.

Another of the storylines running through the episode and probably through the series was that of Castle and Alexis. Fillion does the wounded puppy dog so well that you’re utterly convinced of his dismay at the thought of his daughter moving away. Similarly Molly Quinn has grown so much in this role – the two are a perfect pairing to play off each other. Her last line was a killer too, the thoughts of moving in with a boyfriend at any age before 25 is one that strikes fear into parents hearts. It feels like Alexis is living just to make Castle fret about her at the moment. Perhaps, her wild streak is coming late.

Only snippets of Martha this week though – though I did enjoy her “Besides, you were 32” remark.

The story of Beckett’s eternal quest, if we are going to be geeky about it, of finding her mother’s killer, was touched on again in a nice way. Too often, previous series have had one big Johanna Beckett episode and then not mentioned it again for ten or twelve episodes. This episode touched nicely on it with the Ann Hastings interview and was remarkably well acted by Valerie Azlynn, “Someone killed my dad. Nothing will ever be enough.” This line mirrors Beckett in the season 3 finale but also gives us a glimpse at what she might have been like for those first few years on the force when she was consumed by her mother’s death. It shows us how far Beckett has come since then but also what she could revert to if and when she discovers that Castle has been keeping secrets from her.

Toward the end of the episode with Hastings though, we see the current Beckett dishing out advice that we know she can’t and won’t take herself, “Don’t be so driven by the past that you throw away your future.” We know that Beckett won’t heed her own advice, she said as much in the previous episode that she couldn’t rest until her mother’s case had closure. And let’s face it; we don’t really want her to take her own advice on this one.

The Beckett-Castle relationship has returned nicely to the norm too. The flirty banter, the glances, the appearing at her door when she’s sweaty and out of breath. It’s all looking a little too rosy considering the fact that they are going to have the mother of all arguments when Beckett finds out about Castle’s secret investigation of her mother’s case.

They’re back to their best though: Beckett giving Castle advice on Alexis; the theory spinning in the alleyway; the fan-boy-girl-ing; everything about them is good again and the fun is there and that’s what makes the show so entertaining.

As I’ve said before, the serious episodes are great and they’re required. But an episode like this was able to touch on the serious stuff in a poignant way and keep it in the viewers’ mind. It put the thought there without hiking up the intensity that will undoubtedly come later in the series.

And with the viewing ratings increasing, it’s obvious that those involved are doing something right.

In short, it’s great television.

Bromancing the Stone

Not so much Espo-Ryan dual moments tonight though I did like their bickering couple argument about the ‘Sword of Justice’ and Esposito’s complete change of mind when he found out about Hasting’s involvement.

Ryan’s gestation INTO Castle was one of the funniest moments of the episode despite effectively being more of a Castle-Ryan bromance moment. I wonder has Ryan been taking lessons from Martha – he was almost more dramatic than Castle usually is.

Caskett Watch

An easy choice here tonight. Lots of good moments but that last scene in the Precinct wipes the floor with the rest. “A writer and his muse fighting crime. Just like us.” The two characters’ faces say it all really. Castle is embarrassed – it would probably help if he knew that Beckett remembered what he told her after she was shot but that’s no fun for the audience who, at this stage, are almost as charmed by how fluidly they dance around each than if they were to hook up. The director held the shot for just long enough to make it a nice moment rather than an awkward ‘run away’ shot. Beckett’s knowing smile after he walks away is perfect in every way.

Line of the Episode

This one was tough to decide this week. I found myself pausing and rewinding a number of times. It’s a toss up between three I think. Anyone with their own favourite or others can comment below.

–         “I did NOT see that coming!”

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– “Really Castle, is that how you see me? Like a sword-wielding killer?”

– “Depends. Will you be scantily clad?”

– “In your dreams.”

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–         “You have Avengers Number 1?”

–         “And there’s more where that came from. You’re welcome to peruse my issues any time.”

Note: Apologies for the late review. I was on holidays until Wednesday morning and then my computer went on the fritz. To be kept in the loop for all reviews and blog posts, follow me on Twitter – @ahayzer42

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Castle Season 4 Promo

So I was looking through here the other day and I realised that the last review I wrote for ABC’s clever little crime series Castle was way back when Season 1 was showing at ‘Stupid O’Clock in the morning’ over here.

I must admit, having caught up on the previous three series and loving them, I’ve waited with baited breath for the return of our favourite duo, Castle and Beckett. So, I’m going to attempt to keep a series blog for the duration of Season 4. Reviews might be a day or two late, such is my unfortunate geography and resorting to using some very good American friends to give me my fix but the reviews will come. And hopefully, along the way, I might convince some non-viewers to give this cracking little series a go.

After the cliff-hanger ending of season 3, the opener for season 4 was always going to be a packed affair. With the ending of the last season, there was maybe a slight fear that Castle was about to get a whole lot darker and a lot less fun as previous commentators have complained.

Personally, I’ve never had a problem with the darker episodes of the show. Yes, I’ve laughed aloud at some episodes, been reduced to tears laughing on some occasions, the Temptation Lane episode, which I re-watched only recently comes to mind.

On the other hand, I’ve watched in awe at the emotion and weight that episodes like Sucker Punch (2×13), Knockdown (3×13), and Knockout, the season 3 finale exhibited and I feel that this extra bite of emotion and seriousness only makes the show stronger. If it’s just fun and slappy-happy then there’s nothing to invest in except for, of course, the Beckett-Castle relationship and I feel that that aspect of the show is explored best in this episodes, where you see that Richard Castle will do just about anything to help Beckett.

We see it in ‘Rise’ too, even if Castle is a little reluctant and a little too hurt to step back into that world again at the start. The reason that he’s still following Beckett around is pretty clear though when, after hearing that Josh is out of the picture, he follows her into the playground. It is, for want of a better phrase, all about her for him.

In terms of plot and story, the episode jumps around a bit. Opening with an excellent and beautifully tense hospital scene. Josh and Jim Beckett make brief appearances, both important though. Josh highlights Castle’s culpability; Jim Beckett’s highlights the seriousness of the situation and the futility of fighting while his daughter lies dying.

Josh gets written out a little too easily I think. I don’t think the writers could have written him out of the episode completely because his attacking Castle was too important in terms of the emotional power. Similarly, that and the later interaction in Beckett’s hospital room justify Castle’s remark about Josh later on. But it just seemed a bit too easy to get rid of him. Maybe we’ll discover later in the season through her therapy sessions with Michael Dorn’s character exactly what happened.

That’s another thing, I think these therapy scenes have the potential to be really, seriously good. There’s no doubt in my mind that after those revelatory last three words from Beckett that Castle’s name will pop up in those sessions quite often.

The new Captain, Gates, is interesting though I can’t say we’ve seen enough of her yet to judge too much. I get the impression she knows exactly what the gang are up to and is just waiting for her chance to shut it down fully. Beckett’s outburst at the Fire Chief might hang her in that regard.

Our mysterious ‘Mr Smith’ is intriguing. I would have liked to see a bit more of the phone conversation, particularly the part about Beckett’s safety. I felt the action jumped too suddenly from a phone conversation to Castle telling Martha what the man had said. And the old screenwriting rule applies there: show, don’t tell. (Well, ok, technically telling it either way but it’s proactive dialogue and information coming at us fresh rather than in a rehashed way from Castle)

In a sense, the episode was all about the last line though, wasn’t it? Or rather, the last few scenes. The part where Castle talks Beckett through her square off with our weekly murder was brilliant, pure brilliant and it served to highlight both how fragile Beckett is at the moment and how much she depends on Castle when she’s like that. Her breakdown scene with Castle was another sign of this new vulnerability and willingness to let it show in front of him.

The cast, as always, are excellent. Nathan Fillion slips easily from disheartened in the hospital to his usual quick-witted, charming self later on and to the wonderfully supportive and caring tones he takes on for Beckett alone. Stana Katic is also brilliant and she handles the newfound vulnerability of the role superbly. Queen of the ‘pause and drop a bombshell moment.’

I have to make a special mention for Molly Quinn as Alexis too. The ending scene between her and Fillion is wonderful and reminds me very much of the very final scene of Lie to Me in which another strong daughter character sees through her father’s mask. Alexis’ asking if Beckett makes Castle happy is akin to Emily asking Cal Lightman if he loves Gillian Foster. It seems to be that admission from Castle that makes Alexis understand why he has to do what he’s doing.

The idea of Castle continuing to investigate Beckett’s mother’s case is intriguing. As has been said in many reviews already, each character is harbouring a big secret that, if found out, will signify a huge betrayal to the other character. With Kate, her secret is perhaps a little more self-preserving. She’s scared of being close to anyone and that seems to have only heightened since her shooting. She gave Castle the lifeline early in the episode: solve the case and I can be me again.

That puts Castle’s secret into such a murky territory that it’s hard to even put it in context. By working on her case alone, he’s hoping to free her from her torments, to allow her to live her life again, he’s surely hoping that it will be with him. But the secrecy of it, if found out, will cause yet another huge rift between the two.

Not to mention the kind of danger that Castle is likely putting himself and his family in by continuing the investigation. It’s hard to know whether it shows his love for and devotion to Kate or his blinkered idea of nobility that he can’t seem to see the wrong in putting his own family in danger for the sake of her safety.

There’s going to be some serious moral dilemmas in this series I think and not all of them will be directly Beckett-Castle related. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see something happen to Martha or Alexis that causes Castle to rethink the entire thing. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see one of them, more likely Alexis, revealing her dad’s secret to Beckett.

One thing’s for sure, it’s going to be intriguing and it’s certainly going to have the fans talking.

Castle is back and boy was that four-month-wait worth it.

Caskett Watch:

Lots of moments in this episode. The hospital scenes for some good old fashioned angst. Outside the book signing for Castle’s near use of the word ‘love’ again. The breakdown in his apartment, his talking her through the stand-off, his watching her in the precinct at the end. The best scene, in terms of how Castle and Beckett interact and how they understand each other is the scene in the station when Castle tries to deter Beckett from chasing up the case so relentlessly. Beautifully realised.

There was lots of good stuff but my favourite line was probably one reminiscent of old-school Caskett, the fun, quirky side to them.

BECKETT: Showing her up with the mayor? You might as well have beaten a beehive with a bat!

Bro-mancing the Stone:

Ryan and Esposito continue to be as charming as ever. I enjoyed their little, ‘the water cooler is broken’ moment but their best part had to be the epic uniform patrol in the hospital, barking orders down the phones and taking charge in the absence of their boss.

Line of the Episode:

Again, a lot of good contenders here. But there was really only one winner, wasn’t there? The line that turned the whole episode on its head.

BECKETT: I remember everything.

JobBridge

I’ve been reading a lot lately about JobBridge, specifically a lot of criticism and scrutiny of the programme – it’s exploitative, it’s demeaning, it’s not doing what it’s supposed to do…

All three, from what I’ve read and researched into the JobBridge scheme are pretty true.

Many of us know these kind of schemes as internships or apprenticeships. I’ve always seen apprenticeships to be associated with craft occupations: carpentry, plastering, painting, etc. Internships have always connoted some kind of white collar profession: business, marketing, media (the area I, myself am trying to break into) ¸medical placements, etc.

Take today’s article on The Journal.ie tells the story of the kindly corporate giant Tesco, offering 145 “internships” across 17 stores for a six month period. Hmm. Perhaps, it’s in merchandising? Or promotion planning, or possibly even as a technical assistant in the electrical area.

But no. The 145 Tesco “internships” are essentially in shelf-stacking.

Now, I’ve worked in a wholesaler’s for 5 years and I’ve learned the importance of shelf-stacking: make it all fit in a nice line, move the shorter dated items to the front… Outside of those two main points which, let’s face it, are not rocket science, there’s not a whole lot to shelf stacking.

Nor is there a whole lot to politely informing a customer that the beans are in the next aisle, next to the peas and sweet corn. I don’t see a whole lot of benefit in these internships for young college graduates or even older people looking for a career change or a new opportunity.

In the great scheme of things, I think JobBridge could be a good initiative. I think the right people will get the right things out of it. But I can’t see how anybody can get the right thing out of a shelf-stacking internship. To me, that is pure and utter exploitation of the system.

JobBridge is a very handy source of free labour for most companies at the moment and the danger lies in the fact that companies will start to take advantage of that as some already have. I also can’t understand the government and many of the public’s opinion on it. The government are saying that it’s a great of getting people back to work and back into the position of having a schedule in which work is an integral part.

But I have to wonder at how internships have been treated in the past.

Around the start of 2009, I did an internship. It required me to be in Dublin three days a week so I commuted from my home place which was a good two hours away. I went out and got an internship of my own accord, I moved to better my chances at getting a job or, as it happened, get into a Masters course which I loved and am sure will be invaluable to me in the future. Yet, I was entitled to nothing from the social welfare because, technically, I wasn’t “available for work”.

What’s the difference between the internship I did and the internships that JobBridge are offering? Mine was also unpaid which meant that it was actually costing me to do it. But yet, by attempting to better my chances at getting a job, through a placement which I knew would help me to do so, I was entitled to nothing.

In the end, I had to give up the internship and do some freelance from home because I could not afford to keep it up.

Similarly, this past summer, I worked for two months in one of Ireland’s top media companies. Again, I was unpaid but the experience was again invaluable. Again, I was entitled to nothing because, again, I was unavailable for work despite the fact that  I was once again, partaking in a work placement that would help me in my future career.

If someone can tell me the difference between my two internships and the ones that JobBridge are offering, I would be delighted to hear it. Interns before JobBridge were getting a pretty raw deal of it in terms of pay and keep. Most interns are happy to have the opportunity to gain experience in a company but to be cut off from any form of financial support from the state made it quite difficult for a lot of interns, including myself.

It seems that to me that JobBridge is essentially legalising and justifying the exploitation of people and acquiring of free labour. The only difference between it and my internships was the inclusion of social welfare payments because the government knew that the scheme would have no hope of working without them.

But if my internship was seen as work that disabled me from receiving social welfare money, surely the internships in JobBridge should be seen as work too.

And being paid less (far less) than minimum wage for working 40 hours is, I’m pretty sure, exploitative.