Tag Archives: series

Castle – Season 4 (TVR00004) – 🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪

The PolyBlog
March 14 2020

Overview

Building off Season 3, this season really starts to gel in certain areas. Which is odd, because the characters are written so that they are NOT gelling…Castle finished off Season 3 with a big pronouncement, and Beckett says she doesn’t remember it. So they are at odds for most of the season. They have their moments, but then they have large stumbling blocks. While a lot of Seasons 1-3 were about Castle growing up a little, finding something to care about besides being a playboy writer, this season is about Beckett growing as a person, finding something to care about other than her job.

Episodes That I Liked

The season has surprising depth in it, including Beckett adjusting to life after being shot (E01) and dealing with a sniper (E09). And they have some solid fun episodes with superheroes (E02), ghosts (E06), hostages (E07), politics (E12), and eager reporters (E19). But even beyond those 7 episodes, they have another 7 that just rock…Beckett and Castle wake up cuffed together, and there’s a tiger in the room next door? (E10) Awesome! There is a WILD episode just watching some pick-up artists describe their buddy’s operation (E11), plus a two-parter dealing with the CIA (E15, E16). And while every procedural wants to deal with the drug ketamine, this one was different enough to be interesting (E22).

But the two outstanding episodes are one in the middle of the season and the last one. The season ends with Castle and Beckett reaching an impasse — Castle isn’t willing to watch Beckett keep putting herself in danger with no backup, and she’s not willing to yield or bend (E23). Yet the EP that blew me away is the mid-season one (E14, The Blue Butterfly), where an old case is re-imagined with all the regular Castle characters playing parts in the old case, done up Chicago noir-style, very Chandler-esque.

Episodes That Were Watchable

So there are fourteen EPs that are great (above), and then 4 here that are blah — E04 for family intrigue for Romeo and Juliet done gangster-style, E08 that should have been awesome with the boys in Atlantic City, E17 for a bit of the supernatural with vampires, and a romantic interest for Beckett from England (E20).

Episodes That I Didn’t Like

With those other EPs out of the way, there are 5 others that just fail to deliver…some need a better plot (E03 about Cryogenics, E21 with Castle working with Slaughter); another needs a better motive (E05 about a museum murder); and two others try to go topical with reality TV and dog shows (E18 and E13), with the gimmick just not working for either episode as nobody cares who killed who.

List of Episodes from Season 4

EP #EPISODEREVIEWRATING
S01E01RiseBeckett has trouble post-incident, including dealing with Castle🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S01E02Heroes & VillainsSuperhero murderer? Epic investigation🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S01E03Head CaseCryogenics…nothing to lose your head over🐸🐸⚪⚪⚪
S01E04Kick the BallisticsEven without the Capulets, the Montagues are messed up🐸🐸🐸⚪⚪
S01E05Eye of the BeholderAwesome methodology, routine motive for museum murder🐸🐸⚪⚪⚪
S01E06DemonsWho you gonna call, Ghost Murderers!🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S01E07Cops & RobbersDie hard in a bank! Oh, wait, it’s Castle…Murder He Banked🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S01E08Heartbreak HotelCasino hijinks, dead partners, and undercover Elvis🐸🐸🐸⚪⚪
S01E09Kill ShotSniper attack in the city? Not so fun for Beckett with PTSD🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S01E10CuffedBeckett and Castle wake up cuffed, after being drugged, oh, a tiger!🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸
S01E11Till Death Do Us PartWeddings, pick up artists and sexpionage…awesome🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸
S01E12Dial M for MayorA murder linked to the mayor? How very impolitic🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S01E13Embarrassment of BitchesBest in show vs. reality show…tough choice🐸🐸⚪⚪⚪
S01E14Blue ButterflyOld story reimagined from noir style Chandler…awesome🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸
S01E15PandoraDomino theory, the CIA and a Jason-Bourne-style killer…cool🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸
S01E16LinchpinSwimming in the big pond, economic theory, and the CIA…really cool🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸
S01E17Once Upon a CrimeA murder worthy of the Grimms🐸🐸🐸⚪⚪
S01E18A Dance with DeathDancing with a murderer?🐸🐸⚪⚪⚪
S01E1947 SecondsBombing with live coverage? Interesting🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S01E20LimeyScotland Yard helps out on a case🐸🐸🐸⚪⚪
S01E21HeadhuntersRough and tumble detective is fun to watch🐸🐸⚪⚪⚪
S01E22Undead AgainNo problem, just arrest the Zombie Killer🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸
S01E23AlwaysBeckett and Castle, hanging by a thread🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸

The Bottom Line

Time to rename the show Beckett, cuz she ran the season

Castle – Season 3 (TVR00003) – 🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪

The PolyBlog
March 14 2020

Overview

This is the season when Castle hits its stride. Beckett and Castle are in a good place after the first couple of episodes; they’re in their groove and they’re even making progress on the conspiracy that claimed Beckett’s mother.

Episodes That I Liked

For me, almost every episode hits the mark this season. For 16 of the 24 eps, I rate them four stars or higher. E01 starts off solid with Castle as a potential suspect, particularly as he’s back in town and not calling. We move on to psychics (E02), steam-punk (E04), extra bodies in coffins (E05), strippers (E07), the X-Files (E09), an actress wanting to be Nikki Heat (E11), magic (E12), terrorist threats (E16 and E17), dead jurors (E19), and Beverly Hills (E22).

But the four stand-out episodes are a little bit different. We have the Triple-X K killer, with twists and turns galore (E06). Then a ho-hum mystery (a subway lightbulb changer gets killed) but expertly done (E08). And E24 is a huge reveal on the conspiracy around Beckett’s mother’s murder and how it all ties in. Yet I think my favourite one of the season is a softer one about speak-easies, pubs, and a modern take on an old mystery (E10).

Episodes That Were Watchable

Two episodes really just “walk it in” at the mid-point for quality. E03 deals with an old partner of Beckett’s and E13 “almost” has a reveal for the conspiracy.

Episodes That I Didn’t Like

So here’s the weird part. After a huge batch of awesome EPs, there are a full 6 that are yawners, all in the second half of the season. We have lottery winners (E14); an old school chum of Castle’s (E15); soap operas (E18); pizza wars (E20); swimmers and steroids (E21); and a beauty pageant murder (E23). Bad plotting, obvious suspects, and not very interesting dialogue.

List of Episodes from Season 3

EP #EPISODEREVIEWRATING
S03E01A Deadly AffairCastle’s back, and standing over a dead body? Kinky🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S03E02He’s Dead, She’s DeadCastle’s right — the psychic didn’t see it coming🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S03E03Under the GunBeckett’s old partner comes back around, but not on the job🐸🐸🐸⚪⚪
S03E04PunkedSteam-punk, revolvers, and a death in the park🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S03E05Anatomy of a MurderExtra body in a casket, jail breaks, and drug dealers🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S03E063XKTwists and turns, turns and twists…and then another twist🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸
S03E07Almost FamousStripper in cop uniform leads to business fraud🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S03E08Murder Most FowlHow many lightbulb changers does it take to witness a murder?🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸
S03E09Close Encounters of the Murderous KindThe truth is out there, and MIB too🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S03E10Last CallA speak-easy beckons, along with a modern day mystery🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S03E11Nikki HeatWannabe Nikki actress does Beckett better than Beckett🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S03E12Poof! You’re DeadAbracadabra, jackass, and the hunt for magic is on🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S03E13KnockdownRaglan is about to talk, and then he gets whacked🐸🐸🐸⚪⚪
S03E14Lucky StiffA lottery winner with a guilty conscience? Yawn🐸🐸⚪⚪⚪
S03E15Final NailNever trust old school chums🐸🐸⚪⚪⚪
S03E16SetupSyrian cabdriver mystery goes radioactive? Call in Homeland🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S03E17CountdownSurvive a freezer, let’s try aiming for a dirty bomb🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S03E18One Life to LoseDeath on a soap opera? Usually it’s not permanent🐸🐸⚪⚪⚪
S03E19Law & MurderDead juror? No end of suspects and intrigue🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S03E20Slice of DeathPizza wars? Not terrific, or authentic, or even interesting🐸🐸⚪⚪⚪
S03E21Dead PoolSwimmers and steroids? It isn’t rocket science🐸🐸⚪⚪⚪
S03E22To Love and Die in L.A.Beverly Hills Cop, Beckett style🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S03E23Pretty DeadBeauty pageant murder? Blackmail? Definitely not pretty🐸🐸⚪⚪⚪
S03E24KnockoutHitman Lockwood escapes, Beckett makes progress finding 3rd cop🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸

The Bottom Line

Beckett and Castle are in the groove

Keys to the Demon Prison by Brandon Mull (2010) – BR00185 (2020) – 🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪

The PolyBlog
March 14 2020

Plot or Premise

Almost three separate stories together — an opening reset of who is on which team, separate adventures for Kendra and Seth, and then a merged final battle.

What I Liked

Seth’s story is almost readable now, although I still feel most of the time it could have simply been one kid’s story, not separate ones for Kendra and Seth. I like his adventure to retrieve a magical sword, and the final magical battle is decent.

What I Didn’t Like

The final battle seems less intense than the previous one at Fablehaven with the dark plague. Almost “battle-lite” rather than the final battle. The final “solution” is a bit simplistic, more trick than strategic, and a bit of a let-down. And some of the threads of the story, particularly with Seth, are left unresolved.

The Bottom Line

The final battle isn’t as big as expected.

Castle – Season 2 (TVR00002) – 🐸🐸🐸⚪⚪

The PolyBlog
March 14 2020

Overview

Season 2 starts with Beckett and Castle on the outs, as she’s pissed at him for looking into her mother’s case at the end of season 1. By the end of Season 2, Castle is starting to give up the romantic chase, just as Beckett starts to think she likes it.

Episodes That I Liked

Two episodes rock the season, Sucker Punch (E13) about the Irish mob, hitmen and Beckett’s mother, and A Deadly Game (E24) involving spy games, aka a variation on Gotcha. However, there are nine other episodes that are pretty solid — E05 where Castle might get to write a Bond novel; E08 for an old case of Montgomery’s; E10 where a dead man had two near-wives, or did he; E11 as a brilliant story of a man with amnesia, and the way his life works on the softer side; E12 with a wedding murder and gasp the bride is Castle’s ex; E14 with a cool idea of a squatter who stays in empty homes while people are away; E17 and E18 where a serial killer is playing with Nikki Heat and the FBI; and E20 about late-night talk shows.

Episodes That Were Watchable

Nine episodes were watchable, but nothing exciting…E01 has someone stealing their dead body; E02 rips off Hitchcock with criss-cross storylines; E04 is initially interesting with a grifter being killed while pretending to be at the North Pole; E06 checks in for Hallowe’en with the wannabe vampire set; E07 about a rock star balladeer that Alexis loves; E09 with a mystery pimp and call girls; E16 returns to the sex industry focused on bondage for graduate students; E21 added Detective Demming to the mix; and E22 for Kitchen Wars.

Episodes That I Didn’t Like

Overall, four episodes were yawners. E03 strutted for Fashion Week, but it was all retread stuff; E15 introduced a dead baseball player with obvious back stories; E19 had a death by mummy but with a huge obvious cameo; and E23 had Castle and Demming dueling to be master detective (soul-crushing).

List of Episodes from Season 2

EP #EPISODEREVIEWRATING
S02E01Deep in DeathFiremen find cats in trees; Beckett finds dead bodies🐸🐸🐸⚪⚪
S02E02Double DownDouble the murder, double the fun, even if it rips off Hitchcock🐸🐸🐸⚪⚪
S02E03Inventing the GirlFashion week, and lame plot is to die for🐸🐸⚪⚪⚪
S02E04Fool Me Once…A grifter at the North Pole? Joke about ice and Eskimos?🐸🐸🐸⚪⚪
S02E05When the Bough BreaksSwapping babies or swap Beckett for Bond?🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S02E06Vampire WeekendVamps, vixens, and vagabonds…must be Hallowe’en🐸🐸🐸⚪⚪
S02E07Famous Last WordsIf you listen to the lyrics, she’ll tell you the motive🐸🐸🐸⚪⚪
S02E08Kill the MessengerMontgomery has an old case, and a family of rich suspects🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S02E09Love Me DeadMystery pimps, lovely call girls, and Alexis with a secret🐸🐸🐸⚪⚪
S02E10One Man’s TreasureMeeting your fiancés wife at his body in the morgue…awkward🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S02E11Fifth BulletAmnesiac, art forgeries, and second chances🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S02E12A Rose for EverafterWedding day murder, and the bride is Castle’s big love🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S02E13Sucker PunchIrish mob, hitman, and Beckett’s mother’s murder🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸
S02E14Third ManGentleman squatter leaves trail of bodies to dumb waiter🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S02E15Suicide SqueezeDead baseball player and Cuban politics…yawn🐸🐸⚪⚪⚪
S02E16Mistress Always Spanks TwiceBondage and grad studies? Sounds redundant🐸🐸🐸⚪⚪
S02E17Tick, Tick, Tick…Serial killer is teasing Nikki Heat, so the FBI helps🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S02E18Boom!Beckett loses her apt, which makes her ready to explode🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S02E19Wrapped Up in DeathDeath by mummy, but the cameos are a giveaway🐸🐸⚪⚪⚪
S02E20Late ShaftLate night ratings can be murder…and they are🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S02E21Den of ThievesDemming shows up to romance Kate and annoy Rick🐸🐸🐸⚪⚪
S02E22Food to Die ForKitchen wars? Keep knives away from family🐸🐸🐸⚪⚪
S02E23OverkillCastle vs. Demming, in detective showdown…soul-crushing to watch🐸🐸⚪⚪⚪
S02E24A Deadly GameSpy games…Castle’s last case or will Beckett go to the Hampton’s?🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸

The Bottom Line

If you play hard-to-get too long, people might stop chasing.

Castle – Season 1 (TVR00001) – 🐸🐸🐸⚪⚪

The PolyBlog
March 13 2020

Overview

Richard Castle is a successful best-selling author, twice married and twice divorced, living in a spacious Manhattan condo with the single actress mother (Martha) who raised him and a bright teenage daughter (Alexis). He has money, toys, and rotating women, but he’s bored. So bored in fact that he has killed off his best-selling character, Derrick Storm, a rogue prone to danger. Castle’s looking for something new.

Enter Kate Beckett, a strong forceful female homicide detective. A serial killer is committing murders and staging them to look like kills from Castle’s books, so while she doesn’t think that he’s likely involved, she has to interview him anyway. He’s all play, she’s all business.

Murders based on his books? Castle is hooked, and it doesn’t hurt that Beckett is also hot. He convinces the mayor to let him work the case as a consultant/advisor, much to Beckett’s dismay, and the game is afoot. Castle helps solve the case, and Castle convinces the Mayor to let the successful partnership continue so Castle can do research.

As the opening narration reveals, every writer has his muse, and Castle thinks he’s found his in Beckett. He even bases a new character on her — Nikki Heat. A strong forceful female homicide detective who works with a roguish mystery writer to solve cases. With a small difference — in his books, the two are lovers, which Castle wants to replicate with Beckett. But, as I said, she’s all business.

Episodes That I Liked

The season premiere of the short 10-episode season was the best of the bunch. It established Castle as the bored playboy looking for meaning and Beckett as the uber-serious detective in need of some enjoyment in her often-dark life. After that, prep school punks (E03), political intrigue with the city council (E04), home invasions (E07), a link to an old eco-terrorism case (E08), and a child kidnapping (E09) are no match for Beckett and Castle, with Beckett grudgingly beginning to accept that Castle has something to offer besides annoying her.

Episodes That Were Watchable

Episode 5 deals with a dead girl, found frozen but thawing, and while her story is interesting, the real contribution is you get to hear Beckett’s origin story (how her mother was killed in an alley, nobody caught for the crime). It should have been awesome, it should have been riveting. But except for a couple of decent scenes, the episode was rather ho-hum. The last episode of the season looks at a dead surgeon and the mob, but again, except for a final scene or two near the end dealing with Beckett’s mother’s murder, the episode is rather lacklustre.

Episodes That I Didn’t Like

Both episodes 2 and 6 are mostly odd…a dead nanny with a weird motive that comes out of nowhere and voodoo killings that have nothing to do with voodoo. Plus some overwhelming backstory with Castle’s ex-wife that is excruciating. They are definitely the weakest two episodes of the season.

List of Episodes from Season 1

EP #TitleReviewRating
S01E01Flowers for Your GraveCastle wants new, and Beckett is certainly that🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸
S01E02Nanny McDeadNanny dead, and no butler to blame🐸🐸⚪⚪⚪
S01E03Hedge Fund HomeboysThere’s no honour among adolescent wanna-bes🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S01E04Hell Hath No FuryPolitics? Hookers? Murder? Just another day in NYC🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S01E05A Chill Goes Through Her VeinsEvery story has a beginning, even Beckett’s🐸🐸🐸⚪⚪
S01E06Always Buy RetailVoodoo rituals and whirlwind Meredith? Both blow into town🐸🐸⚪⚪⚪
S01E07Home is Where the Heart StopsJewelry thieves, violence, and ball gowns🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S01E08GhostsEco-terrorism, ghostwriters, and poker showdowns…I’m all in🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S01E09Little Girl LostChild kidnapping, an ex-bf, and a stuffed bunny🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪
S01E10A Death in the FamilySend one hitman after another…oh, about your mother🐸🐸🐸⚪⚪

The Bottom Line

Beckett brings the serious, Castle makes it fun