In the season one finale, there's a lot of subtext between Kate and Will Sorenson over sprinkles. She used to love sprinkles, she used to love Will. But now she's moved on. At the end of the episode sprinkles are growing on her and she's spending more time with him and sharing his sprinkled doughnut.

There's a lot of similar subtext going on in Season 2 episode 12, A Rose for Ever After.

WHITE

Prior to ep 12, everyone was talking about how the only time Kate has worn white in season 2, Castle spilled coffee all over her. Kate Beckett in season 2, generally doesn't wear white, so it caught my attention when she shows up in this elegant white top. I see it as representative of passing the torch of the "flame of Castle's love" from Kyra to Beckett.

Kyra's formal wedding dress was spectacularly white, of course, and Beckett was dressed in the romantic colors of fuchsia and red, lest we forget that she is Castle's love interest. (Like that was gonna happen!) In those opening scenes, Castle is overwhelmed with his old feelings of what might have been. [Did anyone else think the shot of him standing there holding a piece of wedding cake was kind of sad?]

Then Kyra meets with Castle, (wearing a romantic red sweater) and they make out. The next morning it's Beckett wearing white. During that day, Castle and Kyra "wrap things up" and Kyra intentionally passes him off to Beckett, justifying Beckett's white top.

When Kyra finally marries Greg, I'm sure no one missed that her dress was black with just a hint of white around the neckline, to remind us that she will always be a treasured part of Castle's history. But the torch has already been passed, and Kyra put the exclamation point on it by tossing Beckett the bouquet.

CAKE

"If you don't get married, is it just a regular old cake?" There's a lot of subtext in this scene and I'm not talking about for Kyra and Greg. What Castle is hearing under the surface of that question is, "We [Kyra & Rick] didn't get married, so is this just a regular old cake?" Castle answers her, it's still a wedding cake. She gives him a slice of cake and he's standing there, holding it through the whole scene, but he doesn't eat it. It's a wedding cake, meant to be shared between a bride and groom.

It speaks to me of his longing for the fairy tale, that he hasn't given up the hope of finding The One and finally having a Happily Ever After. 16+ years ago, Kyra didn't want that, and now she's got Greg… She goes off looking for him.

Beckett shows up and offers him a ride. He offers her what he's been offering her all along. "Cake?" Yet again, she turns him down. "No thanks." But the subtext isn't about cake at all, but a relationship and a future together. So he leaves the cake uneaten and accepts what she is willing to share with him, companionship and a ride.

We have a hint of this undercurrent in episode 11 with the divorced amnesiac. "Do you think they have a chance?" Ryan asks Castle. Castle, who is jaded by his two divorces and mocks his failed marriages at every turn, could easily have given a cynical answer. But he didn't. He is a writer who writes happy endings and, thankfully, he is still looking for his. Otherwise we wouldn't have much of a show would we?

COFFEE

I also find it interesting that coffee serves as a barometer for Caskett's relationship. Season 1 Beckett won't touch Castle's coffee. First half season two they're bonding over it, he's making it for her, bringing it to her, and even spills it all over her. (And she doesn't castrate him over it, demonstrating how far they have come.) Then in Episode 12, he shows up with premade coffee, very sweet and thoughtful. She chews him out over the chair and doesn't touch it. I am betting that around the time Beckett figures out how she feels about Rick, she'll start bringing *him* coffee!

Reminds me of the role socks plays in the Harry Potter books. But that is a discussion for another forum.

Sure, it's just a white top. But when, in season 2, has Beckett worn a white top?

1. To make it look more dramatic when Castle spills coffee all over her and

2. In the wedding episode.

A white top suddenly appears in her wardrobe for a wedding episode. That's intentional. It's a very minor detail, but it's intentional.

Did you read the rest of the post?

Umm, that was not at all how I intended to come across. I'm new here, and just wanted to put my best foot forward. That's all. Sorry, did not mean to offend.

i don't think you were reading too much into the white shirt. i take notice too when there's a new colour introduced. i think i even posted on another thread that i found it no coincidence kate was in white during a wedding episode.

Sometimes I think it's fun to look into things like that. Even if it isn't necessarily what the writers intended, it's still entertaining to see if we can find things that were unintentional (if that makes sense).

I agree with Lady Brenlis on all accounts. Remember, everything is planned. Planning the scene: Kyra and Castle are talking, then Beckett comes in. What are they doing while talking, what should the music be, lighting, clothes, decoration, at exactly what point in their conversation should Beckett arrive, what part of their conversation could she have overheard, what is Castle's mood at the time, how will Castle and Beckett react… every little detail is planned, because they start with nothing. If it isn't planned by someone, it wouldn't be there. And I think they know about the symbolic side of wedding cakes and colors, and what it means when Castle offer coffee, even knowing exactly which coffee she prefers.

The nice thing about the symbolic sides is that the show doesn't depend on you "getting it", it's just icing on the cake. And – we can totally put more meaning into the symbols than the writers intended – so what? The appreciation of a work of art belongs to the individual observer. Which means Sarah is just as right in dismissing the interpretations. But it doesn't become "wrong" just because the writers didn't intend it that way. We can fill in the blanks any way we see fit. Not just about the symbolic sides. Example: in my mind, the poker games goes on on a semi-regular basis. Not very often, but they didn't play poker three times in one week, then never again. Doesn't mean you have to agree.

Sarah said:
I think we as a community need to stop looking so deep for symbolism and just stick to what's right in our faces.

- But we like it!

Wow, very interesting theories, Lady Brenlis!

I noticed the white shirt right off the bat, but didn't attribute any symbolism to it… but with as many colors she has that same shirt in, it's probably no coincidence that we didn't see the white one until this episode. She's worn the other ones multiple times, especially the red one.

I have to say, I was wondering what was the deal with the cake myself, particularly the bit with him just standing there with it looking all forlorn. (How much did I want to give him a hug right there?!) I love your take on it.

A relationship told through coffee?! HAHAHA! That is just adorable. And so them.

Great post, Lady B!

Thanks everyone. Farscapefan, I'm glad to know my comments made for a more poignant viewing experience. ' class='wp-smiley' />

Unniw is dead on with the level of detail and planning going into each episode. The wardrobe people spend a lot of time thinking about the themes of each episode and how to use the wardrobe to further that along. Most of the time, Castle and Beckett operate as a team, and it's interesting to me how their wardrobes are quite harmonious. Not matchy matchy, but her scarf might be the same color as his shirt or something like that. They look like they belong together. You can see for yourself in When the bough breaks.

In Harry Potter 5, Order of the Phoenix, Harry was feeling very mad at the world, like everyone was against them. So wardrobe had a lot of people (especially Ron & Hermione) in horizontal stripes and Harry wore something completely different. The point being to emphasize him feeling at odds with *everyone.*

Back to coffee, I am betting that around the time Beckett figures out how she feels about Rick, she'll start bringing *him* coffee!

Is this little image is a take off of Beckett's Innocent Bystander Mug? I love all the little peeps!

I have to say, reading this particular topic reminds me of intense discussions in college where you debate the meaning intended by writers (or in this case ALL the creatives who decide on the little details).  I suspect there is seldom a "throw away" decision where it's "whatever is in the closet" at the moment.   I inagine the creator (Andrew Marlowe in this case) has the "giant vision" and the individual writers/directors of a particular episode run by him with their colors/clothing/coffee usage/etc.  It is Marlowe who likely insures the continuity and inuendo intended for the particular scene/show.  By that I mean there is a level of coordination in every aspect and every detail that goes into any scene and any particular episode.  What they all intend and what we all come away with are likely different to a degree; however, the more you watch anything with an eye on the details (or read a book or view an art piece with the details in mind) the more likely you are to gain the additional level of subtlety intended in the episode.  For example, as someone who works with music (non-professionally), I know that not only are the lyrics important in the selected songs, but the melody/harmony/rhythms and instrumentation…all with a single goal in mind (to set the stage and mood of the audience).  The same is true of the costuming (right down to the colors, length, style, etc).  In fact, the same is true of the acting itself.  The subtleties that Stana, Nathan and others use to convey their characters are not accidents. 

So, it's all about setting the mood and background to support the story being told.  The more facets of the story (the details, in other words) that are well coordinated and that can convey the mood and tone and intentions of the characters, the more realistic the story seems and the more in tune the viewers are with the intentions of the writers/directors/actors. 

And, gang, I LOVE the fact that so many of you are catching the subtleties.  Makes me think Castle watchers are a "tad above" ordinary viewers in their understanding.  Makes me love being a part of this group.

More wardrobe comments, but this one has more conjecture, as it's based on the "Sucker Punch" Promo.

When Beckett asks Castle to find her mother's killer, anyone notice the color of his shirt? Light blue. Castle doesn't wear those colors much. I'd say they're going for a "White Knight" kind of idea. Of course Castle's no saint, so they didn't give him a white shirt. But it's very light in color, to get the idea across. Or if they weren't going after the "Her Knight in Shining Armor" idea, then it was at least a nod at "The Good Guy."

Take it or leave it.

Thank you for your input. It's great to hear from those who are "in the business" in some way or another.

I think it is a bit of a reach regarding what Castle is wearing. He often seems to be in some shade of blue. Generally darker, yes, but he's worn the lighter blue before. I'm not sure I see that as necessarily symbolic. It just looks good with NF's eyes. lol

Blue looks *great* with Nathan Fillion's eyes, no argument there. And yes, he often wears blue, and sometimes even light blue. But that doesn't mean they didn't put him in that shirt for the reasons I gave above. :)