Stana on Location and the Changing of the Castle Guard

Europe looks good on Stana! Hiatus has taken our dear Ms. Katic to both Italy and Greece. She has been busy filming "The Tourist" with fellow ABC star Brett Dalton (Agents of SHIELD). In the film, Stana plays an American expatriate, trying to help her Italian family connect with their roots. 

Stana Katic Photo Credits - Tsilos Akis photoshoot, Greece

 Italian Stanatics have been flooding social media with their fan encounter photos and stories! And as much as I love almost any opportunity for Stana updates, I am going to use this platform as a reminder that as public as celebrities are, there is a time and a place. Please respect the boundaries that you would appreciate if someone were to approach you in public. This includes, not becoming "stalkerazzi", being respectful and not publishing the locations of where they are staying. So unfortunately because Stana is so amazingly gracious, and these pictures are impossible to sort from the respectful fan pictures I won't be publishing anyone's fan encounters from Italy or Greece. This is a personal stance and it is echoed in the stance of this blog.

"Our blog does NOT condone paparazzi photos and will not post any. We do not condone the invasion of privacy of anyone. We are proud to say we are paparazzi free!"

On a much lighter note, Stana was interviewed by several professional outlets including PeopleGreece, which gave us the opportunity for an ever rare summer interview! She revealed that she herself is still reeling from the direction that the finale took and is looking forward to finding out what they are cooking up in the writer's room! 

And with that we transition to the newest piece of news from the Castle writer's room. Creator and Showrunner, Andrew Marlowe has stepped down, or more appropriately passed the Castle Showrunner's Crown to longtime co-writer and show producer David Amann. As sorry as I am to see Marlowe step down, I would like to thank him for the 6 long and arduous years that he has given us and I look forward to seeing what he is going to come up with for season 7 as he remains an active part of the Castle writing staff. I am personally excited to see what new experiences that Amann will be offering us next season!

For anyone worried that Marlowe would be "uninvolved" with Season 7....
they sure know how to troll a fandom.

Just for reference and because I think it helps put it in perspective, here is the list of Amann written episodes and he's been a producer or co-produced 82 episodes for Castle!

Castle (TV Series) (written by - 10 episodes, 2011 - 2014) (writer - 1 episode, 2010) 

• - That '70s Show (2014) ... (written by)

• - In the Belly of the Beast (2014) ... (written by)

• - Under Fire (2014) ... (written by)

• - Disciple (2013) ... (written by)

• - The Human Factor (2013) ... (written by)

• - Target (2013) ... (written by)

• - After the Storm (2012) ... (written by)

• - Pandora (2012) ... (written by)

• - Heroes and Villains (2011) ... (written by)

• - Setup (2011) ... (written by)

• - 3XK (2010) ... (writer)

With Amann taking the lead on most of the 3XK episodes, I have a strong leaning that the "We'll Meet Again" foreshadowing is what resulted in Castle's car crash. Can't say he didn't warn them! 

I would also like to welcome the newest Castle staff writer! Amanda Johns has joined the ranks for season 7 and from the banter I've seen on Twitter she is fitting in perfectly! Head on over to her Twitter and welcome her to the team!  

The actors head back to begin filming in mid July, so be on the lookout for more updates about season 7!

I am going to leave you with a picture of the Captain of the Castle, looking mighty fine and rocking the scruff (yes please!?) from his appearance this weekend at Philadelphia Comic Con.

Connect with us this summer!

• Keep up the Castle conversation here in the comments
• We're on tumblr! FANdemonium and drinkingcastleskoolaid
• On Twitter: @FANdemoniumNet and @CamiFaith_FN
• On Beamly: Castle TV Room

Cami

Castle Season 6 DVD Release Details and Cast/Crew Updates

We now have the third announcement that we wait all hiatus for. The content and release details of season 6 of Castle!

"For Better or For Worse" 06.23 - Castle

Wow. It has taken me a few days to wrap my head and heart around the reality of what happened Monday night.

As far as finale purposes, "For Better or For Worse" achieved exactly what it's intended purpose was. It was entertaining, emotional, and divisive, and it most certainly has whetted my appetite for Season 7. 

HOWEVER
This is the significantly abbreviated version  of this

Gif Credit to tumblr user ginalways

I have taken issue with the premises of this episode, especially coupled with the comments made by show runner, Andrew Marlowe. The "Kate being married" story line, went against the character's own well established back story. Now I am not saying that Kate being married before makes her "damaged goods", but it does break down the "one and done" philosophy that Kate has been seemingly espoused to. I know that their is a huge difference between a wedding and a marriage, but this deviation in character was a disheartening wrench that was thrown in just to create controversy. In addition to this, it made Kate seem dumb. Kate has been proven time and time again as the furthest thing from dumb. The fact that the daughter of brilliant lawyers, and an impressive mind in her own right never thought to question if in fact the wedding was legally binding is not canon I can wrap my head around. If even a doofus like O'Leary knew he's had a coma wife this entire time, Kate would have had to question it at some point. Which brings me to another lovely facet of this plothole. Kate works for the NYPD and previously for the AG's office, if a simple check at the county clerk can bring up Rogan, how is it that a husband who has impersonated a Federal Officer has never made a system hit? She's been in danger enough times to make contacting her next of kin commonplace. Marlowe has been quoted saying he did it to "level the moral playing field", not sure that intentionally trying to cause damage to a beautifully flawed character was the best idea. Kate has concealed the truth, gone on personal vendettas, outright lied, lost herself in a bottle, used her past as a weapon against her future, denied, fought, and came back from PTSD, and Marlowe still needs to bring her down a notch? To add to this list, if Kate and Rick were a couple that "kept score" then they have no reason to be getting married in the first place.  


But onto the rest of the episode, Rogan was the affable roguish character that I love to hate! I loved the addition of him to her backstory minus the wedding. We've been offered the little glimpses into the world of "RebelBex" but this episode really explored just how rebellious Kate was, and how much losing her mom affected her into becoming the person that she is. The mob tie in was also a predictable, but laughable addition to the chaos that ensued from Kate and Rick just trying to have a quiet and calm wedding. 



As much as the last scene felt like a physical punch in the gut, it plays into the cliffhangers we have always gotten out of Marlowe for season enders. I've seen several theories about what exactly happened to Castle, because we know he's not dead. These have ranged from mob hit, to his dad being involved, to 3xk and I for one am really excited to see who has had it right all along!

As much as I didn't like this episode there were some definite highlights. 

The scoring, as always Robert Duncan did an amazing job of drawing us into the story. His accompaniment works with the scene exactly as intended, with the ability to make you feel what is happening on such a deeper level. 

Alexis and Martha were such lifesavers and amazing characters! From Alexis to the rescue to Kate's moment with Martha, Susan and Molly definitely were my favorites this episode! The earrings; what a touching exchange with Kate, and I loved the visual throwback to having a mother in the mirror sharing in this with her. Martha has been Kate's stand in mother for long before she was a potential MiL. So glad to see it!

 And now we wait. Marlowe has said that there will be no time jump for 07.01, so we will pick back up from the crash scene this September! 

Our Giveaway winner has been announce and contacted! I cannot wait for Joyce to get her very own "Beckett" mug! Thank you to everyone who entered! Be on the look out this summer for more events!! 

I am planning a rewatch this summer and more details will be posted soon! I am also pleased to announce that I've accepted a new position with BeamlyUS as the host of their Castle TV Room. So the rewatch will be a conjoined site experience! The Beamly app is available for Apple and Android devices! 

I'd love to hear your thoughts and theories about the episode! Hit me up here in the comments or tumblr and Twitter are always an excellent options!! 

Congratulations to all of my readers who have or are graduating this spring!! Your North Stars are proud. Always. 

Can't wait for my first summer rewatching Castle with you!! 

Cami

"Veritas" 06.22 -Castle

"You know, Castle, my mom had a saying...vincit omnia veritas. Truth conquers all.”

Last night's episode of Castle was without a doubt, one of my most fulfilling experiences in this fandom. "Veritas" the team's penultimate episode of the sixth season was set up with the highest of expectations, and proceeded to shatter every single one of them.

I would like to take pause before my recap and further opinions and say, that from the writing, showrunning, acting, lighting, cinematography and scoring, anyone involved in the making of this episode not only brought their 'A' game, but they were playing on an entirely new level. 

Photo Credit Twitter @Castle_ABC

And with that,.... away we go. 

"That 70's Show" - 06.20 Castle

Long time no post!! Congratulations on making it through the Castle mini hiatus! I can only imagine what the summer hiatus will bring! I delved into several "hiatus projects' to keep myself sane. I also have some surprises and some FANdemonium Network exclusives planned for everyone! Now onto last night's episode and a little Monday Night Fever!!

Photo Credit: ABC Studios Via @Castle_ABC

"That 70's Show" was a trip down memory lane for some, and a throwback to times gone by for the rest of us! I went into the episode with an open mind after seeing some less than stellar reviews from some of the screeners. I honestly didn't care that the episode seemed like filler, I am just glad to have new Castle back on my TV! I was so pleased by the episode, it was a 43 minute laugh session for me! It also had it's share of some of the most touching moments, the "Last Dance" in particular.

To kick off the ep, we have a construction crew demolishing a building that was built in 1978 and finding our 'body"! We are swiftly whisked into the loft, where our my favorite couple is just starting out their day. Only to be ambushed by Martha and her over the top wedding ideas. The Beckett "wife claw" moment was such an inspired moment, the unspoken dialogue of, "You deal with your mother before I deal with her!" I will say again and not for the last time, Rick and Kate wear their domesticity well. 

And away we go to the crime scene, after vowing to find something productive for Martha to do so she feels included, Ryan, Espo, and Lanie all bring Beckett and Castle up to date on the details of the crime scene. When Castle catches the biggest break of them all and is able to identify our victim. Who is none other than Vince Bianchi of the Bianchi crime family. I love that with Gates gone, Kate is the ranking officer, leaving her to run the precinct. A little foreshadowing perhaps?? Kate brings in the detective that was once assigned to the Bianchi case to get new leads on the case. Which leads us to Harold, who, because of Vince's disappearance suffers from 'pathological grieving'. Introducing us to our first taste of the 70's fun to come!

To get the information that they need from Harold, Castle employs the help of his over dramatic and ever so eager to help mother, to transform not only the team, but also the morgue and precinct back to the 70's glory days! After an attempted mob hit, the team is in a rush to get the coveted info from Harold before it is too late! Everything is going along according to "Captain" Castle's plan, that is until Gates returns from her terrorism seminar early. Uh oh... Cupcake's in trouble!! 

 Harold finally makes all the connections between the clues that are provided and figures out when and where Vince was killed, but we also find a deeper connection between Vince and Harold. Vince had plans to merge his crime family with another, by marrying into the "family" but ultimately couldn't go through with it, out of his love for Harold. In the end the spurned bride to be, Maria, took him out with two shots. No one suspected her, that is until the gunman she hired to shoot up the 12th rolled on her to save himself.

In fitting tribute to Vince, Harold and the team from the precinct head to Glitterati to dance the night away. Beckett, Stana looked amazing on the arm of Castle, and Ryan sure showed his dance moves! But the Gates stole the scene, looking absolutely stunning! I've read some very hilarious headcanon about what happened over the course of the night, and if you're interested, I'm sure there is plenty more to be found on tumblr! In a touching end to the episode, Kate and Rick look on, as Harold gives Vince, their "Last Dance" before whirling Captain Gates into his arms. 

All the key players were back for this episode, much like they were for season 4's "The Blue Butterfly". The costumes, as with any episode of this type, seemed to be a character all their own, much in part to the fabulous costuming and designing done by Luke Reichle. I like that they played Harold and Vince's relationship with such serious undertones, the lines, "It is the year I need it to be!" and "You and Vince were in love." were delivered with such authentic emotion by both Jon Polito and Nathan Fillion. 

All in all, it was a fun and entertaining episode and I loved it! Next week's "Law and Boarder" looks to be quite entertaining as well. We're on the very last downhill slide of this season and I am already emotionally preparing for "Veritas" and "For Better or For Worse". I'm really excited to hopefully sharing my surprises and exclusives soon!

 To keep up with daily updates, feel free to follow along with me on tumblr! I'd love to hear from you guys!! I've missed updating this past month! I'm planning a re-watch for the summer for any of you that would like to join in. 

~CamiFaith

"The Way of the Ninja" - 06.18 Castle

This week's episode was such a refreshing reminder of all the reasons that I've fallen head over heels for Castle! I will admit, and not be the first actually to concede that this episode blew away all of my expectations. I personally don't watch the promos that get released on Monday, I want to leave a couple of surprise moments, and this tactic did not let me down! The episode originally looked like a fluff episode with an unlikely villain, far fetched Castle theories, and Beckett dealing with Castle's "alternative" interrogation techniques. However, the underlying depth and relationship moments of this episode were incredible testaments to the writers, cast, and crew!  And in a request that is years old.... Nathan Fillion finally got his ninja assassins!!            

                                  “Castle is, right now, very into ninja assassins.” 

                                               — Nathan Fillion (Paleyfest 2012)

Photo Credit: @ABC_Castle (Twitter)

"In the Belly of the Beast" - 06.17 Castle

This past Monday's episode was probably one of the most hyped ones of the season, and with good reason. "In the Belly of the Beast" is in my opinion of the best episodes of the entire show. It will definitely go down in the books as the darkest and most intense, or as Terri Edda Miller describes, "Gripping."  As fans we've all believed in the range that Stana Katic has the ability to portray, but with this latest addition to her repertoire, season 6 has seen her as a love struck bride to be, a grieving child, and now someone in a fierce fight for survival. This is going to be a long one!!

Photo Credit: ABC Studios

"Room 147" - 06.16 Castle

This episode gives us something the Castle fandom has never experienced: a theory-less Rick Castle. In my opinion, "Room 147" was a fantastic first episode from writer, Adam Frost. Between the case and the character interaction and development, he really proves that he deserved the promotion in the writer's room!

Photo Credit: ABC Studios/ Origin @Castle_ABC (Twitter)

Faced with three similar, seemingly identical confessions to the same murder, Castle and Beckett must sift through what is different about each one to find the actual truth. 

This case lives up to Castle and Beckett's love of the 'weird ones' from brain washing, memory wiping, and memory implanting, all the hands of a charismatic cult leader. We eventually find out that none of the confessors or Dr. Bower were at the helm for this week's murder. However, Dr. Bower is still guilty by association. Mr. Marquette was presumed guilty for his involvement in a promotional video for EHI. He eventually fell victim to Pam, a producer that worked with Mr. Marquette's off, off, off, off, Broadway production, as she sought vengeance for her brother's untimely death.  

The highlight of the episode in my opinion comes straight from the halls of the "What we want to see" list on tumblr! We've been waiting so long for an exposition scene between Alexis and Beckett. We got a glimpse of one in "Like Father, Like Daughter" but actually seeing the two have these moments of acceptance and how to fit back into each other's lives make my fangirl heart so happy! 

With the blessing from Beckett, that her penance had truly been paid, we end the episode with Alexis humbly asking her dad if she can come back home. 

Photo Credit: ABC Studios/ Edit Credit: drinkingcastleskoolaid.tumblr.com

As warm and fluffy as this episode ended, there is literally no way for me to prepare for Beckett's solo undercover work in "The Belly of the Beast". The tweets alone about this episode have me dreading and anticipating 06.17 all at the same time! 

Have a great week Castle fans! I'd love to hear your thoughts about this and other episodes! ~CamiFaith

'Smells Like Teen Spirit" - 06.15 Castle

It has been highly accepted headcanon that this season comes straight from the pages of fanfiction.net. Much to the delight of the happy fan, tonight's episode is only further proof.

As the episode opens to the beauty that is domestic Caskett, we get another glimpse into the chaos that is wedding planning; this time the choice between a band and a D.J. (I side with Kate!) Along with the discovery that our favorite duo doesn't have a song. (I know, I know, "You Talk Too Much").

The conversation gets brought to an abrupt end by this week's case. A seemingly "Carrie" style homicide baffles the team, as Castle tries to make them believe in the possibility of a telekinetic event, or several for that matter.

Nathan Fillion on Kimmel - 02/12/14

Welcome back Castle fans from the mini hiatus!

It has been awhile since we've seen Nathan Fillion out on the promotional side of his hit show Castle. Fans were in for a treat when Nathan made an appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel show last night, February 12, 2014.

Nathan was there to promote Monday's upcoming episode "Smells Like Teen Spirit" 06.15

CASTLE & BECKETT INVESTIGATE THE DEATH OF A YOUNG GIRL WHO APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN KILLED WITH TELEKENISIS, ON ABC’S “CASTLE”

Smells Like Teen Spirit” – The murder of a high school mean girl draws Castle back to one of his many alma maters, where he is giddy to learn that the evidence points to a surprising perpetrator – a teenage telekinetic, throwing he and Beckett into a real-life “Carrie,” on “Castle,” MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

“Castle” stars Nathan Fillion as Richard Castle, Stana Katic as NYPD Detective Kate Beckett, Susan Sullivan as Martha Rodgers, Molly Quinn as Alexis Castle, Penny Johnson Jerald as NYPD Captain Victoria Gates, Tamala Jones as Medical Examiner Lanie Parish, Jon Huertas as NYPD Detective Javier Esposito, and Seamus Dever as NYPD Detective Kevin Ryan.

Guest Cast: Sam Anderson as Principal Duncan, Malese Jow as Hillary Cooper, and Hannah Marks as Jordan Gibbs.

“Smells Like Teen Spirit” was written by Chad Gomez Creasey & Dana Resnik Creasey and directed by Kevin Hooks.


Press release for 06.15 via www.spoilertv.com

In last week's episode we saw Kate confronted by her past as a model, this week we get a humorous look at Richard Rodgers past...

From the sneak peek, I am left to wonder.... just how did the cow get on the roof?

~CamiFaith

For Castle spoilers, updates, graphics, and fun, come join me on tumblr at drinkingcastleskoolaid and/or follow me on Twitter!