ABC’s ‘Castle’ season 8, episode 9 review: Svetlana, Dr. Livingstone ‘arrive’ in ‘Tone Death’
Everyone watches television for a different reason, and that includes a show like “Castle.” Some out there really look for a great mystery, and we know there are others who relish some of the drama.
We may be in the minority, but we feel like some of the best episodes of the show are the ones that are about 15-20% mythology, and then 80-85% case-of-the-week. We think the show’s at its best when it is being somewhat-procedural, and you live off the of the strength of your writing, the charisma of the cast, and also some of the ways in which you unmask the killer. “Tone Death” was a wonderful return to form for that, and it also restored the show mostly to what we consider it: A fun love story / whodunnit. Castle and Beckett are back together, and we don’t really care that much that most of the other characters are in the dark.
Heck, most of our favorite moments tonight occurred via Ryan and Esposito being clueless as to what is going on, believing Rick’s ridiculous story about his new “hot model” girlfriend Svetlana, or Beckett’s new man “Dr. Livingstone.” Things were going great between the two behind the scenes, but they almost relished taking advantage of the opportunity to make each other jealous at work. It’s a new way to play around with the characters, and while it’ll probably run its course in three or four weeks, we’re fine with it for now.
Also, great use of singing tonight, and it was also nice to have Martha involved to a certain extent after the murder victim was someone she had a performing history with. Who would’ve thought that competitive singing had such an underground? Also, who would’ve known that Rick could (try) to beatbox?
In the end, we really enjoyed “Tone Death.” While it may not have told us much of anything about LokSat, it’s a nice a reminder that “Castle” can still be largely the show you remember, while still bringing a couple of new things to the surface. Grade: A-.
Want to get some other news regarding “Castle’s” future? Then head over here, where you can preview further what is coming up on the show! Also, sign up over at this link to get some other TV news on everything we cover at CarterMatt, sent right over to you via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: ABC.)
Jim_Satterfield
February 14, 2016 @ 9:41 pm
Am I the only one that caught that in the first scene in Tone Death it’s shown that Beckett has once again lied to Castle? At the end of Mr. and Mrs. Castle she says that they’ll secretly work together and see each other while still pretending to be separated. In the first scene of Tone Death she tells him that she’s not going to tell him anything or let him be involved in the investigation. Where is the indignation that there should be about lying to him again?
Judy Berlin
February 14, 2016 @ 3:50 am
Sorry, but this was probably the worst TV show episode I ever watched. I was tempted to change channels after the first five minutes but stuck it out just to see if it could get worse and sure enough it did. First the plot was inane and derivative. Didn’t another episode have victim up on a scaffold. Again the murderer was the first innocent looking character we meet. I have already seen these episodes on rerun. Most importantly, most fans watch Castle to see the leads together. The Caskett is broken and no twists or turns will ever fix that. The electrical spark is gone. Whether the fault is with the show runners, writers, directors or actors, watching Beckett has become painful. The only heartfelt connections are made when she is berating and belittling Castle. Their so called love scenes are cold. They never touch in bed or any other time. Who has hot hot sex and then throws on her clothes without a shower. She cant wait to get away. Worse even as they fake a three orgasm session, she still has hair and makeup intact, is somewhat clothed and the biggest sin of all, she still lies about Locksat and will never let Castle be a part of her private excuse to leave him.
By the way since will never return home, where and with whom is she living??
NBBob
February 11, 2016 @ 10:06 am
When is this juvenile story arc going to end? Mature adults do not resolve their marital disagreements by assault and battery and marital infidelity. They try counseling and divorce if that does not work. Furthermore, the plots have become so bizarre that it is no longer intellectually possible to suspend disbelief. Has Beckett read in her father or does she feed the same BS to him? Where does Beckett live when she is not with Rick? What does Alexis know? Who is pursuing LokSat while Beckett solves the COTW or cavorts with Rick on the downlow? How is pursuit of LokSat any more dangerous to Rick than was the pursuit of Bracken? Why does 1 PP allow Beckett to go off the reservation in this obsession? This LokSat nonsense is so full of plot holes and distasteful caricatures of characters with whom we have identified for seven years that the show is no longer worth watching.
Buddy
February 10, 2016 @ 12:42 am
I remember when the show runners said that they were going to give us “satisfying” episodes for most of the year and finish the season with an “exciting” episode. I remember at the time I commented that I expected an “exciting” episode every time. Well, it looks like they are having their way with me. I gave the episode a C which I remember from my school days was a “Satisfactory”.The funniest thing that I saw was the car commercial at 10:45/9:45. I fully expect Ryan and Espisito to request a change in precinct because who can you trust with your life? Certainly not your lying Captain. Hate that the public/private farce might continue for another 3 – 4 weeks. Glad to see Martha and Caskett intimate moments. The slap and dates are ludicrous. Glad that Vikram did not make an appearance maybe he is gone.
Microgrey
February 9, 2016 @ 4:46 am
Seriously? I must have missed something. After the first 8 episodes, I thought there was no place to go but up. Clearly, I was wrong. Tonight’s episode was just a continuation of the first eight. I REALLY wanted to like this episode. I really wanted to feel the old Castle mojo again, but for me, it just wasn’t there. Knowing that they are together in private just isn’t good enough for me, given the way they are behaving in public. Contrary to the showrunner’s intent, I don’t find Rick and Kate fighting in front of their closest friends to be “fun”. Whether their fight is real or fake, the effect is pretty much the same. It’s an unnecessary distraction from an otherwise decent crime of the week episode. Perhaps its just my age speaking, but I don’t find slapping your spouse or cheating on them, to be humorous.
The separation/fighting, like the entire Loksat conspiracy, is silly, contrived and adds nothing of value to the storyline. I mean, what exactly do they hope to gain by fighting in front of Ryan and Esposito? By telling them that they are dating other people? Do they think Ryan and Esposito are involved in the Loksat conspiracy? I hardly think so. So why slap Castle across the face when Ryan and Esposito were the only one’s there to witness it? If the long hiatus didn’t hurt the show’s ratings, the showrunner’s continued stubbornness with this ill-fated storyline certainly will.
Jim_Satterfield
February 9, 2016 @ 4:12 am
Really? Has Rick Castle always been a moron good for nothing but comic relief? That’s certainly what he’s been for this entire season including this episode. See, what you didn’t mention was that this episode was a comedy. Not any drama. Barely a whodunnit.
Are we really supposed to believe that their friends and family are going to take them cheating on each other as lightly as it was taken in this episode? No one is pushing Beckett to file for a divorce since they think Castle is at fault? Of course not. Nothing will happen except for the badly acted and barely existing disapproval like shown tonight.
They’re turning all of the characters into one dimensional excuses for people with no real emotions or realistic reactions. No, this is nothing like the first few seasons of the show. They had real characters and emotions then. None of that was visible tonight.
Jim_Satterfield
February 14, 2016 @ 9:43 pm
Also notice that after months apart they are doing nothing to repair their marriage in public either. No counseling or anything. Yet everyone is supposed to believe them when they say they don’t want a divorce. How stupid.
Teri
February 9, 2016 @ 4:05 am
So agree with you Matt. Enjoyable, fun and love these characters. I want to feel good after watching and I did. I missed Castle so much.
canesgirl
February 9, 2016 @ 12:46 pm
I’m with you Teri. I have watched this show since the beginning, and this ep reminded me of the early years. I don’t watch this or other shows to pick them apart – I watch to be entertained. This one did that. :)