Castle Season 2 kept the show on the right track by continuing to push the simple formula for a cop show while still finding emotional resonance for the characters. Castle's relationships with his daughter Alexis and his mother Martha continue to make him a bit more complex of a character than the comic portrayal Nathan Fillion provides would lead most to believe. Also, I have officially developed a crush on Stana Katic, the actress who plays Beckett. The way Castle and Beckett flirted in Season 2, leading to both fairly openly pining over the other provided good emotional material, but it was ultimately for the best that the writers kept them from getting together so early.
I think what I like most about the Beckett and Castle pairing besides their natural chemistry and the obvious opposites attract idea, is the playfullness that both take their relationship with. Their banter is cute and fun to watch, because both actively participates, and is shown actively considering the other. They like each other, and get jealous over each other, but both clearly enjoys the flirtation without seeming to really want a relationship. For Beckett the attraction comes from Castle's mind, and her relationship to his work, but she resists him as a serious relation because of his immaturity. She is amused by most of his antics, but it isn't what she wants in a mate. On the other hand, I notice that she seems to be happy every time he mentions his relationship with Alexis and his desire to be a good father. She enjoys the reminder that he's more than just the juvenile facade he wears, and for that reason he is a constant surprise to her.
For Castle the attraction to Beckett is fairly obvious, but the reasons for him resisting making a serious move on her is less so. He's been married before, and been in other serious relationships, so I don't think he's intimidated by the idea of commitment, but there's something about Beckett and his feelings for her that intimidates him. I think it's the fact that he's idealizing her for his novel, and in many ways doesn't want to ruin his image of her by trying to engage in a real relationship with her. He prefers to keep a separation between the two of them so that he can keep his romantic attraction to her pure.
I actually liked the introduction of Demming to the dynamic, and the twist of Castle getting together with his ex wife at the end of the season. Castle and Beckett were close to getting together, and the writers clearly thrive on the romantic tension between them. I also love seeing angst, and watching Castle get his heart broken only to turn the tables on Beckett later was enjoyable even though it was painful. And by breaking up with Demming isn't Beckett basically admitting that she wants to be with Castle?
So overall this season there was a lot of good episodes, but some in particular stand out for character development, let's dive into them a little.
"Sucker Punch" continues the arc of Beckett's mother's murder by giving Beckett a chance to kill him. She is ultimately lead to this in order to save Castle but she is left unsatisfied because she still doesn't know who ordered her mother's death. I'm sensing a series long plot here, so I guess I'll have to wait to find out more. I actually think this was a sort of weak point in the series, as Beckett's "obsession" with her mother's killer doesn't seem to affect her much outside of a few episodes, and isn't a part of her normal character. I'd much rather get an episode delving more into her wild child phase that she makes references to, as I feel there is more there to explore.
"Suicide Squeeze" brings us Castle's lack of knowing who his real father is which I predict will come up next season, and I think we will get to meet the man. I like that Castle doesn't seem to really mind not knowing though. He's happy with what he's got, and doesn't need any more than that. It also explains both his willingness to live in an unconventional family arrangement, and his desire to be the best dad possible for Alexis.
I want to bring up the "The Mistress Spanks Twice" simply because it allows us a chance to see Ryan's girlfriend Jenny, showing that Ryan is as Dan Gheesling would say "outchicked." I like that our character has a relationship outside of the show and that it's important to him without stealing the show, and I hope to see more of Jenny in the future.
"Den of Thieves" gave us a chance to dive into Esposito's past with his former partner, and it was good to have an episode focusing on him, although I don't know that we really learned much more about him. His character works without a lot of depth, and I don't think the writers really need to mess with that.
I also loved "Double Down" for the way the two pairs of partners challenged each other to be better detectives, and gave us a view of the dynamics at the precinct that really make this show work.
Best Episode: "Tick,Tick, Tick" I'm a sucker for two parters, and the concept that a serial killer would target Beckett for her being Nikki Heat was perfect for the show. I hope we get more recurring villains.
Worst Episode: "The Late Shaft" This episode was sort of corny, and I didn't really like the way Castle just jumped into bed with a random actress. I get that he's sort of a playboy, but she didn't add anything to this episode for me.
Predictions for next season: I think one of the main characters will be put in the hospital, and in serious danger of dying next season.
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