Castle said:

Ok – those of you complaining about the last scene need to go and watch Anne of Green Gables – everyone knows that when a boy pulls a girls pigtails it means he likes her!! I think Beckett & Castle are both admitting this in this scene.

It's a big step forward….you just missed it :)

Well, I think Beckett has known for awhile that Castle's interested in her… he hasn't exactly gone out of his way to hide it… but I think in the beginning she would've seen it as Castle flirting with anything remotely female–which he probably did–and dismissed his gestures across the board or simply given him the brush off… her acknowledging and being okay with Castle's interest in her is something that feels new… for some reason I'm reminded of a cat that keeps coming back no matter how many times you throw them out of the house… except now, instead of slamming the door and leaving the cat to continue searching for its own way in again, she's maybe leaving that door open just a crack… it's not quite standing at the door calling, "Here kitty, kitty" but it's definitely progress.

On a side note, I've been re-watching that last scene–because I'm a big schmuck–and anyone else notice the expression on her face while she's reading Montgomery's report? She just looks so touched and maybe a bit awed at this brave, bumbling civillian…

I loved this episode! Stana was utterly amazing last night. She is able to potray emotion so ridiculously well. Why she isn't a bigger star, I have no idea. She also look looked amazing in this episode. The hair pulled back makes her look younger and softer.
Looking back, I agree that the last 15 minutes or so were just a bit rushed, but that was a small thing fo rme. I absolutely loved this episode.
Esposito & Ryan were cracking me up. I love those two.
I am as big a Caskett shipper as they come and I still thought it was great. I would have liked them to at least hug, but overall, I was very happy with where this is headed. So long as they don't try to stretch out the attraction over an unreasonable period of time and throw the world's dumbest road blocks in their way, I will be happy.
I certainly don't get a brother/sister vibe from those two. At all.
This is the thing: I think Castle & Kate are showing a more mature love of one another. Sure, Castle has flirted shamelessly with her and he plays with her, but this isn't just about sex. There has been a fairly steady build. I do want more this season, not a full on relationship, however, I thought it was handled beautifully. You see that these are two people who ultimately respect and genuinely care for one another. Most important to point out is that they're acting like adults. Not children, not teenagers with a first love, actual adults. I find it all very sweet.
Again, I want them to move forward, I want more shippy goodness, but for me, last night's episode was pretty damn perfect.

I think i remember sitting on my couch watching it and when he yelled after her 'Kate'…I may or may not have squealed a bit. :) I think there was a squeal. WOW, was that episode ever GOOD. *whew*

Wow, that ending was intensive, the part where castle is being taken hostage.

Well I guess it wasn't this episode where they find her mother's killer, but hopefully maybe soon.

I think i remember sitting on my couch watching it and when he yelled after her 'Kate'…I may or may not have squealed a bit.

sunshine_mix, yea I was just about to cry at that point too. He's so caring.

*squeal* Ha, ha, next week is the one about the spiders and maybe the snake makes its debut. LOL

Well I guess it wasn't this episode where they find her mother's killer, but hopefully maybe soon.

——-

Well if I'm not mistaken, we did technically find the killer. At least the one who carried out the hit anyway. What we're really waiting on is the WHY as well as WHO ordered it.

You heard correctly, she called him Deep Throat. I laughed out loud at that one. Loved it.

Yes, she called him "Deep Throat," which for those who don't know was the code name of the man who gave Woodward and Bernstein information while they were breaking the Watergate case. It's been a standard nickname for informants or covert operatives ever since.

As for the "wife" thing in the bar, at first I thought he was referring to Castle as Beckett's wife but upon watching it a few more times today he is clearly looking at Castle as he says "you and your wife" so I think sarah had it right in her post.

Everyone has pretty much touched on what I loved but I have to single out some things.

The bar scene where Castle puts the whole pickled egg in his mouth only to cough it up was so damn funny. And the look she gives him is priceless.

TV Guide might have picked Nathan as the one to watch this episode but Stana steals the show hands down. The facial expressions, the vulnerablity, the delivery of lines was perfect. I can't say enough about her performance tonight. I'm going to stop now or I'll never stop.

The hug from Martha and the expression on Alexis face when she's dragged from the room was spot on.

I was so happy to learn that Lainie went to Dr. Murray with her information and not Castle. Watching the promo and the looks exchanged between Castle and Lainie I was afraid she approached him first.

Castle calling her Kate melted my heart.

I'd like a hug or kiss as much as the next person but these writers give us just a little bit more each episode that the wait is so going to be worth it. Stana and Nathan have such amazing chemistry that just a couple looks can express so much more than any words the writers could come up with.

I love that he gave her the space and she returned the favor by going to his house. Maybe the scene could have been longer but the message was sent.

I can't wait to find out why a contract killer was hired to kill her mother. Strange no one asked that in this episode but I trust the writers in this story progression. They haven't failed us yet.

I will never admit how many times I've watched the last scene. It was such a huge step in the relationship with her admitting she wants him around because he makes the job a little more fun. And how she's used to him pulling her pigtails. If that's not an admission of feelings/love then I don't know what is. Those lines and looks between the two were better than a kiss or hug at this stage.

Sandy said:

Yes, she called him "Deep Throat," which for those who don't know was the code name of the man who gave Woodward and Bernstein information while they were breaking the Watergate case. It's been a standard nickname for informants or covert operatives ever since.

As for the "wife" thing in the bar, at first I thought he was referring to Castle as Beckett's wife but upon watching it a few more times today he is clearly looking at Castle as he says "you and your wife" so I think sarah had it right in her post.

I agree that the bar keeper is looking at Castle, but I believe he is responding/talking to Beckett…meaning he's looking right at Castle and calling him Beckett's Wife.  In other words, when he says "you and your wife"–the "you" is chatting to Beckett with the "your wife" directed at Castle as he's looking right at him.  The "looking right at Castle" part while he says "your wife" is intended to heighten the insult. 

And Beckett doesn't seem to realize, she's not dead in the water at finding the person who ordered her mom's death. The info Castle found in the Season 1 finale? Three other murders about the same time. Remember that?

1. Lawyer from a non profit
2. A former law student of hers.
3. A documents clerk.

It doesn't take much imagination to see how the four murders could be linked, ordered by the same person at the same time. I expect they'll be following up on that somewhere around the season finale.

My Quote and Reply isn't working for some reason but rvandsing and Lady Brenlis, you could be right about the "wife" line, as I said I saw it the way you interpret it at first. Either way, neither of them said anything about it so it was a definite warm fuzzy moment for me.

And the nickname "Deep Throat" in the Watergate context came from the porn movie. He was what is called a "deep cover source" and someone in the newsroom came up with the nickname. And the rest, as they say, is history.