Observations while rewatching Sucker Punch:

The first Wham! Episode. in the series. There are developments in Beckett’s mom’s murder case that she cannot ignore. And developments in the Castle/Beckett relationship that, in my opinion, would not have been possible except for what Kate saw in Rick’s character in Rose.

A lighthearted, somewhat silly opening scene with the painters, and the guy who doesn’t see the blood that has dripped into his paint tray until he has put some on the wall! I don’t think I will be hiring them any time soon. This would have been a great cold open. That would take a LOT of blood to soak through the floor and ceiling like that, or the carpet was covering a hole between the floors.

The listing of Jack Coonan’s crimes included “public urination on St. Patrick’s Day”.

The Johnny Vong DVD Infomercial! “Rick & Espo (in unison) “I own a boat!” followed by Kate’s “Do you mind if we finish with the dead guy on the carpet?” She could loosen up a little and join in with their humor. She needs to have a little fun – Lanie can, and does.

Ryan is a reader – even reading the fine print on the Vong DVD cases. That is, until Kate interrupts him with more of her bossiness. He goes back to reading…

I think Kate’s conversation with Dick Coonan was the first time she has admitted to an outsider that she has been on their side of the table. We have seen her identify with victims’ family members, but she has not, until now, told them that she has been through it, too. Too bad it’s this guy…

I really liked the scenes in Finn Rourke’s pub. The bartender telling Kate and “your wife there” can keep looking. Why does Rick attract such insults? There was Evan Mitchell’s “Who’s Mary with the manicure?” in Home is Where the Heart Stops. Why does Rick keep getting them? BTW, Mitchell was a member of the Westies, too.

There was Rick trying to “butch up a little” and out-do the barkeep with the pickled egg. I’ve had pickled hot sausages, and you don’t get away with a whole mouthful – the vinegar WILL get you! It got him.

I LIKED the character of Finn Rourke! I’d like to see him back for another cameo.

Then there was Trucho! What a guy. What a story! He could teach Random (Under the Gun) a thing or two.

Lt. Mazzara (Love Me Dead) is another character I’d like to see make a return appearance.

What a subtle scene between Lanie & Rick. Makes me wonder how Rick knew there was something Lanie wasn’t saying (yet).

Ryan is ‘researching’ the Johnny Vong DVDs. Looking for clues?

Kate isn’t afraid to go nose to nose with Finn Rourke. That fearlessness will cost her in the future.

Don’t open that bus locker! “Could be an alien corpse. The Ark of the Covenant.” (Almost expected a Men in Black II moment, "All Hail J") He likes that theory, and will use it again.

Tastes like heroin.

What is it about the Johnny Vong presentation that was like Rick’s second wedding?

Whoa, Johnny, Your accent’s slipping. There will be another Fauxreigner in Almost Famous.

Lanie & Dr. Murray: Just when did Lanie research Johanna Beckett’s case file? She would have had to look herself, in order to know what the wounds looked like so she would recognize the similarities. Kate looked surprised that Castle already knew him. Then, after the break, she is biting Lanie’s head off. Until Capt. Montgomery intervenes.

I know it’s retroactive history, but the whole storyline of Capt. Montgomery and the conspiracy, even though added later, still fits here. The discovery of Dick Coonan as Johanna’s killer is totally independent of the conspiracy. Dick was stopping Jack from turning him in to the FBI, and there is no linkage between this and the Big Bad and the conspiracy. Roy knows this, and can allow Kate to continue pursuing charges against Dick, probably without uncovering the bigger case. Then Dick would still be a dead end.

Jim Beckett’s appearances are always welcome. As are the times Kate shows up at Rick’s door. His “I will do anything… Including nothing” He is there for her, and that is a comfort and encouragement for her.

Breaking Johnny Vong… Confronting Dick Coonan… Offering Transactional Immunity… Setting up a sting for ‘Rathborne’… Etc. Etc.

When Dick is walking out with Rick & Kate, Roy can see what’s happening… But Rick is really no weakling; he does the same thing to Dick as he did to Harrison Tisdale in Flowers. Roy can’t let Dick reveal who hired him ten years ago – that is, until Det. Raglan’s reappearance.

Finally, one of the sweetest scenes of the whole series. Rick is being genuine with Kate, and her with him. She admits that he makes her job “a bit more fun” and that she wants him around when she solves her mom’s case. The looks, the tones of voice, the body language, all make this the warmest they have been with each other yet.