CASTLE “Knockdown” Review

CASTLE “Knockdown” Season 3 Episode 13 – Within the first three minutes of this episode, I knew it was going to be something special. No, it wasn’t just because Ragland got blown away in the middle of a restaurant while sitting right in front of Beckett and Castle. I actually had the thought about ten seconds before that happened and it was because the show had gone a whole three minutes without telling a single joke. Castle hadn’t made an idiot of himself, Beckett hadn’t gotten annoyed at him for making an idiot of himself and Esposito and Ryan hadn’t bickered like an old married couple. All of that told me that we were in for a great episode and boy was I ever right.

The fact that it was so serious was great and it proved to me that this show doesn’t need all the usual silliness in order to be good. Do I want it this serious all the time? No, not really. It’s not Castle without the funny, but when they do treat us to an episode that is minus the funny, I feel like we really get to see what these actors can do.

Castle and Beckett were fantastic, running around and working on the case even though they weren’t supposed to and along the way getting closer than they’ve been in a while. After this I’m really curious what’s going to happen between Beckett and Josh as I can’t imagine what she just went through with Castle isn’t going to stick with her.

Also can I just say how much I ADORED Ryan and Esposito in this episode? Those two are the best characters ever, always making me laugh and recently they’ve become more than just the butt of Castle’s jokes. The fact that they got to not only take the lead on a case – but then get kidnapped and show the badassed that they can both be by taking the bad guy’s torture and not giving in – just knocked them up to a whole other level for me. They are officially my heroes now.

My favorite bits…

Beckett bringing Castle to her meeting with Ragland.

Ryan and Esposito claiming they were there as Beckett’s backup.

Beckett pointing out to Castle that a murder was very different when you were there to see the lights go out on your victim.

Simmons spotting that Castle was sweet on Beckett.

Beckett ordering Simmons to “Look. At. Me.”

Beckett not only slamming Simmons against the glass and breaking it, but the way she ordered Castle to back off.

The captain telling Ryan and Esposito what the “fine print” on his badge said and ordering them to take point on the Ragland case.

Martha pointing out to Castle that he should think about how he feels about Alexis before asking her why she was so upset about the shooting.

Beckett showing Castle her super-secret board on her mother’s murder and everyone else connected to it. I think it meant a lot that she admitted she hadn’t shown it to Josh.

Ryan and Esposito telling the drug dealer all about the cellmate he’s gonna get in order to scare him into talking. Who knew that someone named “Peppermint” would sound so scary.

Beckett putting Castle on the spot by asking him why he kept coming back. Oh boy, that little moment of silence before he answered sure said a lot.

Beckett going off on McAllister after she found out the truth. The broken two-way mirror in the background somehow just added to the impression of how pissed she was and I loved the imagery.

Completely freaking out when Beckett heard the flashbang over the phone when Ryan and Esposito got taken.

Cheering when Ryan and Esposito agreed that they were definitely gonna have to go for option B and jerk Lockwood around.

Ryan calling Lockwood an assclown and then telling him that he went to Catholic school and they used to do stuff like that to him for talking in class. Both my parents went to Catholic school and from the stories I’ve heard, he wasn’t far off.

The kiss! The kiss! The kiss! Yeah sure it started out as a trick and it ended as a trick too, but OMG I do not think that bit in the middle was a trick at all, especially judging by Castle’s reaction when it was over.

Ryan telling Esposito not to tell the jackhole anything. Ha!

Esposito admitting that the cops already knew everything about him and the guy’s mom. OMG so much love for both of them!

Castle’s swan dive onto Lockwood and saving Beckett’s life. So freaking awesome I could die.

Beckett thanking Castle for having her back.

Beckett warning Lockwood that some of her “favorite students” might be coming to visit him like the ghosts visit Scrooge.

What did you think of this episode of Castle? Got any favorite bits or least favorite bits of your own? I’d love to hear from you!

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