"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

OUAT - "There's No Place Like Home" Review

I am still recovering from last night’s “Castle” season finale so bear with me while I try to organize all the thoughts and feels from Sunday night’s season finale of “Once Upon A Time.”

Really, who did not want to smack Emma at least four times during the show? At one point, I wanted to clack her and Rumple’s heads together just to reset the absolute irritation that was brewing inside. For those that have not seen the finale yet, I would advise stop reading here.

“There’s No Place Like Home” had dual meanings for Emma. She got another taste of the Enchanted Forest and this time she nearly managed to erase herself from history by foiling her parents first meeting. Along for the ride is Hook and it’s a good thing too because he keeps Emma from totally screwing things up in the past.

Courtesy of ABC Studios

Rumple is back to his old evil self and lies blatantly to his future bride. In the Enchanted Forest, he is an unreliable ally but that is to be expected of Rumple. Once he aids Emma and Hook who are disguised as royalty to help get Snow and Charming back on track things go a bit haywire. Of course the time travelers are caught and Emma decides if they make it out of their new dungeon digs she is going to take along what turns out to be a parasitic stowaway back to Storybrooke.

With her last puff of green smoke, the Wicked Witch definitely won the round. Belle marries a liar with no idea how evil he truly is and Emma’s stowaway causes a ton of damage.

Poor Regina, all good and shiny with new love on the horizon and here comes Emma toting Maid Marian back to Storybrooke and right into Robin Hood’s arms. Nice job, Emma and honestly I don’t blame Regina for coming after you.

When the green smoke around the portal faded, things became icy blue. I suppose for now we’ll just have to let the season finale go. Otherwise, Elsa may freeze our tongues.  

Welcome to Terminus

Welcome back Rick! Didn't see it coming, Rick taking a nice chunk of Joe's neck off.  With that said, last night's season finale was INSANE! The days of working in the garden at the ol' prison are over. The opening scene with Rick covered in blood, just confirmed the fact that we were going to be in for a wild ride. It seems like the walkers are the last of the groups problems. The end of season 4 left us wondering how the group is going to handle a new enemy...the humans. But as Rick said, "They're going to feel pretty stupid when they find out, they're screwing with the wrong people."
I hate Terminus...It just sounds like no good can come from it. First the creepy lady serving slabs of meat (no idea what body parts it came from), the weird room with all the candles lit, and the pile of remains. I believe there was a ribcage or two or three in there. One of the biggest question marks that I thought we might see in the finale is simply, where is Beth? Do the cannibals have her, is she in one of the other containers? Too many questions, and its a long wait until October. What were your thought's on the season finale last night?