I won’t discuss too much about this week’s Castle before the spoiler-free jump, but the opening banter between Castle and Beckett was spectacular. We also didn’t see Beckett jumping at the chance to reunite with her ex, though I wonder if he’ll be a recurring character just to throw a wrench in the works. We know Castle has some similarities to Moonlighting, but we don’t want the Dave and Maddie Syndrome to attack Castle just yet, so let’s not get those crazy kids together, OK writers?
I like that we’re finding out there is some deeper meaning behind Beckett keeping Castle at arm’s length. So now we know she’s a huge fan of Castle’s novels (we sort of already knew that) and why: reading them helped her get through her mother’s death. And now that we’ve gotten hints that Castle is going to try to solve that murder, imagine how much he’ll mean to her then….
I thought I had a good thing going here, I really did. I was feeling pretty proud of my theory that the Castle writers weren’t going to have any of the major guest stars be the killers, like in The Mentalist. It’s sometimes annoying watching that show because it’s always the actor that you recognize. That had been the opposite of Castle‘s M.O. — until tonight. Let’s lay it out:
“Nanny McDead” — There’s no arguing that George Newbern, the hunky frat guy from one of the greatest movie ever made, Adventures in Babysitting, was the huge star in this episode. Shut up — you’re too young to know! Well, he was a scumbag, but he didn’t do it.
“A Chill Goes Through Her Veins” — Charles Malik Whitefield, FBI Agent of awesomeness on Supernatural, again, was a scumbag, covering up for his friend, but he didn’t do it. K Callan, Clark Kent’s mom on one of the greatest TV shows of all time, Lois and Clark, also didn’t do it.
“Always Buy Retail” — I wrote about the grossly underused Aldis Hodge in this episode. Still true, but he killed no one.
“Ghosts” — Susan Ruttan (c’mon people, L.A. Law!) and Fred Koehler (the kid from Kate and Allie) — innocent as the day is long.
Now we get to this week’s episode, “Little Girl Lost.” Carla from Scrubs (Judy Reyes) totally did it. Well, I guess she didn’t kill anyone, so my theory could still hold true, but she gave her sister permission to kidnap her daughter so she could screw over her husband financially. That’s seriously scummy, and she was The Big Bad in this murderless episode.
I suppose you could argue that Francis Capra (Weevil, Veronica Mars‘ Weevil….) is a way cooler guest star than Judy Reyes (and you’d be right….) and that since he wasn’t guilty my theory still holds. In fact, let’s go with that. I’m still a brilliant theorist. Yeah, that’s it. I’m definitely a TV writer who’s shown my age….
Clacked by Debbie McDuffee
on May 05, 2009 @ 14:00 EST5EDT
you could also say that since she was the guilty party it’s a good thing. See if we have it in our minds that the most famous won’t be guilty then that is a clue to look for the actor less known – but now it could be anyone. In a way it throws us off track. does that make sense?
also, I ‘ll give you The Mentalist does go famous alot but the ski diving death episode I thought for sure was going to be the ranch hand (from Prison Break and some NCIS episodes) Also the art theft case/murderer wasn’t Wings Hauser. I think they mix it up.
I understand the point, I often try not to look at the guest star list as it pops up on any crime show.
I wish that casting departments and the networks weren’t so lazy at times. They are certain actors always hired to guest on shows (and the often are the guilty ones). Sometimes you just want to shout “there are more actors out there to hire ”
okay sorry to ramble – just my thoughts
I didn’t think Carla was the perp for a second. All my money was on Weevil.
You theory so holds! :-)
i has sure that the huband was guilty… he look the part :)
I had the sister being involved very early on, but I somehow figured it might be the husband, and not the mother.
Totally thought it was the Dad.
Throwing in the special guest stars in minor roles is actually a good thing, because as you say with most procedurals you spot a guest star and presto you know the major plot twist well in advance.
It’s true that they may be “wasting” the guest star spot, but it keeps us from guessing every time and thus in that sense adds value.