Castle: "Den of Thieves" 4/19/10 - Grading & Discussion

[Aragorn]

Spoiler: 2x21: "Den of Thieves"

Castle and Beckett investigate the murder of a thief. While investigating the murder they learn that Esposito may have a personal connection to the suspect's killer. In the meantime, Robbery Det. Tom Demming is assigned to the case and hits it off with Beckett, making it hard for Castle to work together the case.

 

[Neroon]

I'm sensing some likewise friction to develop between Esposito and Ryan as well, paralleling the Backett/Castle bit.

ETA: See, Castle? Casual sex can kill relationships, too.

 

[ThunderAeroI]

Waiter, there is some cylon and mal in my castle.

 

[Christopher]

I love it that both Castle and Alexis dressed up for their poker lesson.

As soon as Esposito said his partner's body was never found, I pegged it that he'd turn up alive. It's kind of obligatory in fiction that no body means no death.

This is the kind of episode where the plot depends on the characters overlooking an obvious possibility or clinging too hard to an unproven assumption. They were assuming Thornton's fingerprint on the eyelid meant he was the killer, and it didn't even occur to them that he might've just found him dead and closed his eyes. I saw that coming well in advance too.

Also it was easy to figure out that Holliwell was the crooked cop once they ruled out Demming, since he was the only cop character left and a mystery wouldn't pin it on some guy who hadn't even been part of the story.

So pretty predictable overall. Still, it was nice to get a focus on Esposito and (to a lesser extent) Ryan.

And awwww, poor Castle's jealous.


By the way, there was a sign on the wall here that reminded me that this show is set at the 12th Precinct of the NYPD, a precinct famously featured in Barney Miller and less famously in the WB's short-lived, updated Tarzan series from a few years back (with Jane reimagined as a New York cop). So I decided to look up the 12th Precinct and see what I could learn about it. Turns out the real 12th Precinct was abolished in 1916. So that explains why it's used in so many shows -- it's fictional. I guess it's the NYPD equivalent of the 555 exchange or Oceanic Airlines -- something unreal that's fair game for fictional use. The building used for the precinct exterior here is actually the 9th Precinct station.

The 54th Precinct is also fictional. According to Wikipedia's list, there are quite a lot of numbers that aren't used for NYPD precincts, and I bet many of them have been used in fiction. I never realized that. Somehow I always figured the precincts used in fiction were real even if the characters weren't. I don't know why it never occurred to me they might be imaginary.

 

[JiNX-01]

I liked this one. Oh, heck, I always like Castle.

It was neat seeing Esposito getting extra attention; I liked the twists; and I always enjoy seeing Michael Ironside -- such a great actor! -- a shame it was barely more than a cameo.

I also liked the poker game -- just wish it had lasted a tad longer.

Christopher said:
And awwww, poor Castle's jealous.

Yeah, I noticed that, too. But he has no one to blame but himself. For heaven's sake, if he likes Kate he should make a move. It's not like he's shy!

She clearly likes him and was exhibiting a touch of jealousy herself during the episode when Castle's old flame was getting married a few weeks back. Then oddly, last week, she's seemed completely unfazed by his fling with the actress.

I hope this isn't going to devolve into a Trip/T'Pol angst-driven non-plot development.

 

[the 4th hanson bro]

The building used for the precinct exterior here is actually the 9th Precinct station.

Which is apparently the same location used for the exteriors of the 15th Precinct in NYPD Blue. My wife and I have had a running argument about it since Castle premiered.

 

[Aragorn]

Speaking of Trip, Connor Trinneer should play Ryan's brother.

I wonder if the secondary partners who don't get much screen time on cop shows could carry their own show as the lead? How about a show starring Esposito, Ryan, Cho and Rigsby with Greg Medavoy as their boss?

 

[Vendikarr]

I loved the look on Castle's face when Esposito referred to Castle as his other partner. Castle helps a great deal, but must still feel he is just a tagalong puppy they are forced to deal with. Here, he was acknowledged as part of the team. A great moment.

 

[Neroon]

I loved the look on Castle's face when Esposito referred to Castle as his other partner. Castle helps a great deal, but must still feel he is just a tagalong puppy they are forced to deal with. Here, he was acknowledged as part of the team. A great moment.

I liked that part, too. It obviously was important enough that the director had it emphasized, but it was a nice touch for the very reason you cited.

 

[Christopher]

Christopher said:
And awwww, poor Castle's jealous.

Yeah, I noticed that, too. But he has no one to blame but himself. For heaven's sake, if he likes Kate he should make a move. It's not like he's shy!

No, but he's been burned in serious relationships in the past (two divorces) and tends to go for casual flings instead. But his interest in Beckett is not the sort of thing that would lead to a casual fling. He's probably afraid to risk ruining what they have, or afraid of getting hurt, though he probably hasn't admitted those things to himself.

She clearly likes him and was exhibiting a touch of jealousy herself during the episode when Castle's old flame was getting married a few weeks back. Then oddly, last week, she's seemed completely unfazed by his fling with the actress.

Oh, she was definitely fazed. She was very hostile toward the actress, doing all she could to get Castle to doubt the actress's intentions. Whether she realized it or not, she was trying to break them up. And toward the end, when Beckett thought Castle's "date" was with the actress rather than Alexis, she got furious at him for (she thought) continuing to see the actress even after he knew she was using him. She wouldn't have gotten that emotional about it if she hadn't been jealous.

 

[JiNX-01]

I loved the look on Castle's face when Esposito referred to Castle as his other partner. Castle helps a great deal, but must still feel he is just a tagalong puppy they are forced to deal with. Here, he was acknowledged as part of the team. A great moment.

I liked that part, too. It obviously was important enough that the director had it emphasized, but it was a nice touch for the very reason you cited.

Me, too.

 

[JiNX-01]

Christopher said:
And awwww, poor Castle's jealous.

Yeah, I noticed that, too. But he has no one to blame but himself. For heaven's sake, if he likes Kate he should make a move. It's not like he's shy!

No, but he's been burned in serious relationships in the past (two divorces) and tends to go for casual flings instead. But his interest in Beckett is not the sort of thing that would lead to a casual fling. He's probably afraid to risk ruining what they have, or afraid of getting hurt, though he probably hasn't admitted those things to himself.

True, he doesn't have a good record. But Kate is nothing like the twits who came before. She's smart, self-possessed and he respects her. The relationship would be healthier. And while he's still a bit of a wise ass, he has grown up a lot while working with Kate and her team. In some respects, he's almost as mature as Alexis.

She clearly likes him and was exhibiting a touch of jealousy herself during the episode when Castle's old flame was getting married a few weeks back. Then oddly, last week, she's seemed completely unfazed by his fling with the actress.

Oh, she was definitely fazed. She was very hostile toward the actress, doing all she could to get Castle to doubt the actress's intentions. Whether she realized it or not, she was trying to break them up. And toward the end, when Beckett thought Castle's "date" was with the actress rather than Alexis, she got furious at him for (she thought) continuing to see the actress even after he knew she was using him. She wouldn't have gotten that emotional about it if she hadn't been jealous.

Yes, she was undercutting the actress, but there were none of the subtle reactions to suggest the fling -- however superficial -- bothered her. And it should have bothered her. Few women, if any, buy into the whole "honey, it didn't mean a thing." So even if she doesn't actually have a claim on Castle, her interest in him is still going to drive her reaction to his relationships with other women.

 

[Christopher]

True, he doesn't have a good record. But Kate is nothing like the twits who came before. She's smart, self-possessed and he respects her. The relationship would be healthier. And while he's still a bit of a wise ass, he has grown up a lot while working with Kate and her team. In some respects, he's almost as mature as Alexis.

But he probably hasn't figured that out yet. Twice burned, thrice shy. And as I said, I doubt he's even thought the matter through.

Yes, she was undercutting the actress, but there were none of the subtle reactions to suggest the fling -- however superficial -- bothered her.

It sure looked to me like it bothered her. I noted reactions both subtle and overt. I guess different people see different things.

 

[Jan]

I loved the look on Castle's face when Esposito referred to Castle as his other partner. Castle helps a great deal, but must still feel he is just a tagalong puppy they are forced to deal with. Here, he was acknowledged as part of the team. A great moment.

I liked that part, too. It obviously was important enough that the director had it emphasized, but it was a nice touch for the very reason you cited.

I thought it was a nice touch. In this episode in particular I think Castle was feeling like a hanger-on when Beckett bounced things off of the new guy instead of him.

Jan