I just wanted to add that it is hard to compare the two because without Suckerpunch we wouldn't get to where they are in Knockdown. Both are different but no less important milestones in the progression of these characters.

Phoebe said:

In Sucker Punch we saw Beckett struggle with the information she got and she thought she couldn´t handle it, in Knockdown she was very tough, and there was a lot more action in the episode just take the Ryan/Esposito scene, that was completely new on the show.

nalissa2 said:

I just wanted to add that it is hard to compare the two because without Suckerpunch we wouldn't get to where they are in Knockdown. Both are different but no less important milestones in the progression of these characters.

I'm gonna disagree and say I can't pick. 

Sucker Punch was awesome because Beckett finally acknowledged that she likes having Castle around and he proved to her how much he will stand by her by reassuring her before she interrogated Coonan then putting up a chunk of his own money to help catch the killer. 

On the other hand, Knockdown was awesome too because of the deepened relationship between Castle and Beckett, the action with Ryan and Esposito, and Castle taking out Lockwood. 

I just cannot choose, so I'll have to ride the fence.

In a very close call……(drum roll): Suckerpunch!

• Castle eating the pickled egg (comic relief)
• Beckett's Dad talking with her about Johanna's life
• Beckett desperately trying to revive Coonan after shooting him

Can we agree to disagree?

Maybe part of the power of Knockdown is that it's fresher in mind.

I remember thinking that Stana should have won an Emmy for her portrayal of Beckett in the episode.

I think this is like asking which milepost is better on a trip to the beach.

I liked Sucker Punch for:
- Johnny Vong
- Finn Rourke
- Beckett at Castle's apartment
- Castle's head-butt on Dick Coonan
- The final scene "If you tell anyone what I'm about to say, there's going to be another shooting." That scene was especially sweet.

I liked Knockdown for:
- Captain Montgomery – taking charge in a friendly, but really authoritative way
- Castle at Kate's Apartment (Both times)
- Craig's ditzy girlfriend (she was a hoot!)
- Kevin Ryan talking to Chad Rodrick about the drugs – He really put on his big-boy pants.
- Kevin Ryan's Catholic School comment
- The Kiss
- The scene in the ambulance

But I view Knockdown "better" only in the sense that Milepost 50 is closer to my destination than Milepost 30 on this trip.

ok as my first post here i would have to say that suckerpunch was good in that it revealed more about her mothers murder. it was somewhat of a funnier episode in that it didn't get serious until half way through when Lanie came with that other M.E.

Knockdown was great in the fact that it really showed the serious side of all the characters. Castle seemed to have channeled his inner Mal when he punched the guy. Beckett shoving the guy in the interrogation room, Ryan and Esposito getting caught and tortured (i loved the line "the cops already know about me…and your mom).

and the win: the kiss! granted the first was the decoy but Beckett pulled away quick then realized what she had been wanting for some time now and that was to kiss castle and they both knew it. You can certainly tell they are both grappling with the kiss in both lucky stiff and the final nail and i can only bet that this only the beginning of that. You can tell just in their faces and expressions that they want to be together but just don't know what the other is thinking.         

Knockdown ftw!