ABC’s ‘Castle’ season 8, episode 20 review: Chekhov’s YOLO Card
Sometimes, “Castle” has an episode that is so weird, it’s really hard to know precisely what to make of it. Monday night’s new episode entitled “Much Ado About Murder” is without a doubt once of these particular stories. For evidence as to why this is the case, you don’t really have to look any further than the fact that we had in here Ryan doing a flower dance, an appearance from “Firefly” alum Jewel Staite as a theater director, Richard Castle’s fancy new YOLO Card providing him protection following a kidnapping (you knew that was going to come back into play the moment it was introduced into the story,
If it were not for the specter of Beckett’s departure looming over the show, we probably would have enjoyed this episode thoroughly. It felt very much old-school “Castle,” with Castle and Beckett having some romantic moments while there was a case going on around them regarding the death of a movie star turned theater report, who actually was killed by Staite’s character after she learned she was not getting a chance to direct what may have very well been an El Chapo biopic under a different name.
There wasn’t really anything pertaining to LokSat in this episode, not that we really minded. Instead, our top moment may have been Rick and Ryan trying to interview a “method” actress using Shakespearean language, only for Esposito to come in talking like a human being in 2016. Classic, but hilarious.
This is an episode that is in some ways hard to review, mostly because there really was not much substance here beyond getting to see Ryan’s family (a rarity for this show still) and having Martha tied into the case the deceased acting coach. This was just a fun, breezy “Castle” episode that out of context of the Beckett news, we enjoyed. It’s not really fair to judge it with that news in mind, since the writers and the folks at the network being two very different groups of people. Grade: B+.
Buddy
May 3, 2016 @ 3:24 pm
I actually played solitaire on my iPhone all the time that Stana was not on the screen and do not find that I missed much if anything. I certainly did not find anything hilarious though Espisito’s daughter was cute for that brief moment.
On a slightly different note I remember reading something somewhere that stated that ABC was expected to make a decision on a season 9 on the 4th or 5th of May. I guess it may have something to do with scheduling writers, filming, etc. I also read that Castle actually does not have a contract with ABC yet. I guess all the mumbo jumbo will eventually get resolved and ABC will let us know something officially.
georgee
May 3, 2016 @ 2:50 pm
I also agree with a B rating of last nights show, if only the show runners could of come up with these kind of episodes starting back at episode 1 of this year. We had a lot of positives last night, Rick and Kate got to spend a lot of time together, the firefly add on had limited time, we had no Hayley and Sarah Grace, so looked so good, what will she look like at the funeral of auntie Kate? As far as the sexism, let go back to an interview on 11/24 of show runner Hawley when they are talking about a of pregnant Beckett ” because she so boots on the ground kicking ass and taking names, it’s is hard to imagine what a pregnant Beckett solving cases looks like. Have we seem any episodes since that time that it would have matter if she was pregnant? Now lets go up to today, They ABC fired her the lead woman because of cost cutting reasons, and maybe some behind the scene bullying problems. All that did was piss off 95% of the fans. By why is always the females that leave, last season 2, this season 2. Like Dr. Jenkins I hope ABC hears the millions of requests from the fans and find away to admit maybe we made a mistake, even the entertainment news & business trades to magazines like Forbes have taken ABC decision to task saying it was a bad business decision, and at worse the choice is proving just how sexist the company is. Maybe they can find a to renew Castle with Stana/Caskett. What ever happens in the last two episode it will ALWAYS be known as the worst ending even, Just think the firefly fans have never gotten over its cancelation. Do they really think the Castle fans will ever get over Beckett.
Dr. Steve Jenkins
May 3, 2016 @ 12:50 pm
Excellent review and good grade! “But” – why aren’t we cheering about the second half of Season 8 showing the incredients that made Castle entertaining and the CASKETT chemistry that fans around the world crave? You admitted that it is hard viewing the post April 18 shows because of the cloud hanging over fandom. ABC (i.e., those powers that made the decision not to offer Stana and Tamala a role) owes the fans an explanation. ABC’s intent may not be sexist, but the perception and result smacks of sexism (powerful females are expendable). Let’s hope ABC hears our requests, and find a way to admit their error, and renew Castle with Stana/ CASKETT and Jones. I can still hope!
Leo
May 3, 2016 @ 6:46 pm
They ‘re gone, that fact was hammered home when Paul Lee was fired as head of programming most likely for giving SK that lucrative contract. With his departure the renewal of Castle as we know it ended. Season 8 was bringing in half the revenue season 6 did, this is big business, lose money you’re out the door.