ABC

CASTLE Advance Review: 5×15 “Target”

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First of all, if you’re going *totally* spoiler-free, you may not want to read further. I’m not giving away anything major, but I do know that some Castle fans like to stay completely out of the loop until the episode airs. You have been warned.
[divider] “Target” — In the first of a two-episode story arc, Castle & Beckett begin a murder investigation that also exposes a plot to kidnap the daughter of a wealthy Middle Eastern businessman. Dylan Walsh (“Nip/Tuck”) guest stars as FBI Agent Harris, an even-keeled professional brought in to help find the kidnappers, on “Castle,” MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET) on ABC.
“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: Dylan Walsh as FBI Agent Harris, Bernard White as Anwar El-Masri, Katherine Kamhi as Lina El-Masri, Karen David as Sara El-Masri.
“Target” was written by David Amann and directed by Bill Roe.
[divider]
This isn’t your mother’s Castle episode. No, really… even the most serious of storylines cannot compare with what will be viewed by millions of Castle fans Monday Feb. 18th. We’re used to seeing BAMF Kate – but in “Target”, several other characters are pushed out of their comfort zones into badass territory.

And then, to quote a line from Espo: “Things… just keep getting weirder.” We already know that Alexis’ life is in peril, but HOW she is put in harm’s way came as a surprise to me. I’d thought about the many reasons someone would have to kidnap Richard Castle’s progeny – and I confess, I was nowhere near the mark.

I appreciate that TPTB drew in some details from earlier episodes, and used them not only in showing the characters’ mindsets, but they’re integrated into the case-solving aspects of the show as well.

If you’re all about the Castle/Beckett romance, I gotta tell you – this episode isn’t chock full of it. It’s heavy. It’s serious. On the other hand, it’s also one of the best acted episodes EVER. After seeing this episode, I have to reiterate that these actors are so underrated it’s not funny. If the Emmy’s treated all hour long scripted series’ the same, I wouldn’t be shocked to see this episode nominated for several.

Some thoughts, then the promo pics to whet your appetite.

  • Alexis is definitely her father’s daughter.
  • I’m glad that Castle isn’t a cop.
  • Gates knows when to give Kate and her team carte blanche.
  • I know where Rick & Kate will NOT be honeymooning.
  • Never has a blood type been so important.
  • Nathan Fillion is *still* gorgeous when he bawls – AND – when he’s getting ready to kick some ass.
  • Kate is learning how to show her love, and Rick is eloquent as ever in describing his.

Tune in live – seriously. Also, if you’re jealous of me, just remember, I have to wait MORE than a week to see the second half. *wink*

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Karen Lindsay, often teased as being "obscurely famous," talks a lot. (i.e. she podcasts). Her current and past projects involve television shows like "Chuck", "Castle", "Orphan Black", "Farscape", "Supergirl", "Lucifer" and many others. She's an avid gamer, reader, & collector of all things shiny - and while you may not think those things go hand-in-hand, they sometimes do. So don't ask her about how many pets she has in Warcraft. (or how shiny they are).