That, boys and girls, is how it is done. Castle has been building to this moment for four years, and it delivered mightily. Better yet: that episode that Castle and Beckett shippers across the world have been waiting for came at the end – well, almost the end – of a truly outstanding episode. The conspiracy around the murder of Joanna Beckett’s murder has always driven Castle to producing outstanding episodes, and “Always” was no exception to that rule.
Beckett and Castle have been aware of what has been going on between them for some time. Castle’s admission of love in the season finale last year got things out in the open for the two of them, but it has been apparent longer than that. This season has been defined by the two of them dancing around their own feelings for each other. Beckett ignored Castle’s admission openly, but questioned how she felt to both her therapist and Laney. Castle had his mother to use as a sounding board, but his path this season was much more about his complicity with the Mystery Man and the conspiracy.
The emotional rollercoaster that both of these characters went through during this final episode was substantial. Beckett was first driven back to her mother’s murder and the plot that lead to her mentor’s death and the sniper attack on her life. Then, learning of Castle’s secret, there was no way she couldn’t see it as a betrayal – nor was she wrong to. That isn’t saying that he made the wrong decisions; Castle was obviously doing what he felt was right. It’s interesting that, in the end, it took another near-death experience for Beckett to close the emotional loop and realize exactly how much she needed Rick Castle in her life.
Regarding the betrayal, a similar choice and dynamic played out between Ryan and Esposito. It is a testament to Castle wanting to tell a complete story that this didn’t get lost in the shuffle. Ryan is going to be paying for his decision much longer than Castle seemed to – but again, it is difficult to fault him for his choice. In his view, Ryan was backing up his partner, though not in a way Esposito — or Beckett — would have wanted. Ryan and Esposito have been in lockstep from day one, almost moreso than Beckett and Castle. In some ways, this betrayal might be the larger of the two.
The “second day” story of the finale is going to be “Where do we go from here?” Will one passionate night lead to a lasting relationship? If so, how will that affect their on-the-job dynamic? That is, naturally, after the question of Beckett being back on the job is answered. I genuinely hope that their relationship isn’t jettisoned within the first couple of episodes of next season. I’m solidly on the record that talented writers shouldn’t be afraid of their characters losing chemistry just because they’ve finally been coupled.
This week’s guest stars were pretty solid. First, there was Penny Johnson Jerald … oh, wait, she’s a regular character we just haven’t seen in weeks. My apologies; I get confused. Can’t mistake Battlestar Galactica and Dollhouse’s Tahmoh Penikett as the assassin. Geoff Pierson returns as “Mystery Man,” or as I like to call his character: next season’s red herring character teased to be Castle’s father (It is longer than his official credit, but only barely).
I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out what an interesting choice Penikett for Beckett’s assassin was. This is the guy whom (hottest thing on the planet) Joss Whedon cast in Dollhouse because of how well he plays the by-the-book hero without coming across as too good. He was absolutely pitch-perfect here, so much so that if they ever reboot the Terminator franchise, I know who’s got my vote.
I hate that I wasn’t left with much to say about Alexis’ contribution to the episode. Her bout with trying to figure out how best to put the period on her high school experience was a big moment for the character, but it almost got lost in everything else that was going on. At least until she gave the valedictorian speech in a voiceover, reminding us that in many ways she’s one of the most emotionally mature characters on the show.
Notes & Quotes
Clacked by Ivey West 
on May 08, 2012 @ 08:16 EST5EDT
While I truly enjoyed this episode, I… wasn’t too sure. I think they should’ve arced the story a bit more to make it more… solid. But nevertheless, the circumstances and how it lead to one thing and another was set up really well. I would like to see how they handle her resignation and I’d like to see Gates being her strong Iron-Gates self.
Alexis did seem whiney, especially the promo bit, and I was hoping they wouldn’t mess her character too much. And they didn’t so yay!
His father, her mother, all plotlines to continue, and hopefully, they do. What if there was some connection here? :O
/endnote: I found the rain extremely fake and dramatic. :D
Are you sure the translation isn’t Truth Conquers All.
Looks like you’re correct. Made the fix. Thanks!
*POST AUTHOR*
Apparently my Googling skills are on par with my knowledge of Latin.
Thanks!!
I just hope they don’t make the following episodes all relationship all the time. I hate it when shows tease us with a relationship (one I have no interest either way as long as the show is good) and then when they get them together they saturate us with nothing but. In real life people don’t spend all day every day discussing their relationships at the expense of work and the rest of their lives. Don’t ignore it, but don’t try and make the show solely about it.
I’m hoping they can finally give the relationship aspect a rest for a while now that Castle and Beckett have finally got together, and go back to the fun of the first two seasons. All the lack of trust and betrayal and angst and stupid decisions on both their parts was killing the fun of the show.
Agreed. Psych has done this right with Shawn and Jules.
I thought Nathan Fillion did a great job with the scene where he tells Becket he loves her. His voice broke when he first said he loved her and the “I’m right here” line had such an earnestness to it. I’m excited to see where it goes from here.
A good episode. I’m very very glad that Marlowe decided that it was time to finally put them together before he won the Hart Hanson award for waiting too long. A good opportunity for both Fillion and Katic to show some depth in their acting.
I liked the Ryan/Esposito conflict. They’re been so close for so long, this fundamental difference in beliefs should be good for more storytelling.
The only thing I didn’t like in the episode was Castle refusing Beckett’s phone calls. He’s been around her for four years, he should have known by now that her pattern was to shut people out and then, after consideration, to let them back in again. Two years ago when he turned to Gina it was marginally understandable; now it makes no sense to me.
It’s been a long, long time since I took Latin; nice to know some of it still stuck with me.
I really enjoyed the season finale. If I chose to nitpick things, I’m sure I’d find things to be disappointed in (Beckett not saying “I love you,” Castle earnestness seeming a bit too desperate, a fade to black that was too soon ;) ) but I really loved this episode. I hope that season 5 opens with the morning after, rather than weeks or months ahead.
THAT IS HOW IS DONE. Right! Absolutely why while watching I could not help but think I was just watching a TV show adaptation of a Harlequin novel. So ORIGINAL the confession and how Beckett and Castle got together.
Really enjoyed this episode, Fillion’s acting and what could be in store for next season!