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Review of Dial M for Mayor, Season 4 Episode 12

While discussing the mayor’s case with Kate, Rick claims that if the mayor is gone, then he is gone, too, which, of course, is true because Rick is at the precinct at the mayor’s behest. But then Kate makes a curious reply, not strange in itself, but curious because she is more accurate and correct than she truly knows. She says to Rick, “You can’t make this one about you,” meaning the case against and the defense of the mayor.

However, in the end, we learn that the case is not only about Kate but also about Rick and his ability to safe-guard Kate; Rick is a pawn, “a well-placed pawn, more powerful than a king.” The entire chess metaphor with its pawn imagery and Castle imagery really strikes me in this, Rick’s battle to defend Kate.

I am intrigued by further definitions of the word pawn, as in something deposited as security for a loan, and surely Rick fills this description. Consider, also, pawn as a verb, defined as the state of being pledged. Rick has pledged himself to Kate repeatedly by his actions and with their word….”always.”

Additionally, a pawn has a special ability to become any other chess piece once the pawn attains the other side of the board; only pawns may be promoted. Finally, the pawn and other pieces must control the center, and undoubtedly Rick is working to achieve this advantage, but it is a dangerous game, and to lose is unthinkable.

Ironically, on a side note, Rick’s first publisher was Black Pawn. Additionally, Rick’s alter ego in his Nikki Heat novels based on Kate is named Rook, a pawn, another extension on his last name…Castle, so this imagery does run deep.

But who is it who wants to protect Kate at such a cost other than our hero Rick who dearly loves her?

It took a second viewing for me to see thoroughly all of the nuances in this episode, recognizing that the writing and acting is superior to most other shows. The level of trust and love between Rick and Kate is obvious in every glance and remark, well-worth the cost of admission to this episode. Extremely proud of Rick, Kate can not stop looking at him and smiling. Rick’s admiration of Kate and trust in her shine through everything he does or says.

Those who say this episode does nothing to advance their romance are dead wrong. Without a doubt, the conflicts between duty, honor, love and loyalty make this episode very powerful especially in their understatement. In “Kick the Ballistics,” a few weeks ago, Ryan toasted to a young woman who sacrificed her life for love, saying: “To bravery and commitment; to love and sacrifice.” No one could doubt that Rick and Kate are included in this toast, displaying so lovingly these traits in everything they do.

The conspiracy involving Kate and her mother’s murder, the attempt on Kate’s life, and the inclusion of Rick as her protector, deepened for me with this episode and not only in the obvious, the appearance of the mysterious Mr. Smith.

It was Gates…Iron Gates, Kate’s difficult, self-centered and cagey captain who stirred my conspiracy senses. Beyond the obvious, why is she there? Interestingly, in her iron- fisted way she has reached out to Kate and even opened up a bit in this episode. Still she is self-serving, but she does make one interesting move. At the end, at the murder board, she hands Kate the eraser, her signal to Kate to move on from the case. But Kate, in her dogged way, says to her, “I want the people controlling him,”…the Jordan Norris…pawn.

Iron Gates replies, “It’s a long game; play it, piece by piece, Kate.” Why is Gates happy to shut down the case, with its conspiracy fodder, gamesmanship and career advancing investigations? Castle was standing in the wings, looking steadfast but extremely concerned at Kate. What will she do? You can feel him praying that she will drop it and that his strategy was a success, his moves if you will.

Finally there is love and a worried- relief, a tangible concern written on his face. His game has prevailed to some extent, but we can feel his fear of discovery and defeat. For love of Kate, Rick is playing all sides against the middle, Kate’s life in the balance should he fail.

Rick is not fearful for his own life and perhaps he should be. By diverting Kate from dangerous investigations, especially into her mother’s murder, he knows he delays his chances with her, or at least he feels this way, and in keeping her safe, he fears he may lose Kate’s love forever.

Now this may be far-fetched, and I may have to eat these words someday, but is Gates another “well-placed pawn,” there for Kate, also? She could kick Castle out of the game or relegate him to the sideline if she truly exerted herself. She must see what is between them? True, she gives Rick a hard time, but is this just a bit of strategy, subterfuge on her part? What is Gates’ game?…or more to the point…game plan? Forgive me if I have become a conspiracy nut, but I think she may be another Kate protector.

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