First off, thanks to all of you for providing your insights and thoughts–makes viewing this episode additional times more enjoyable. 

Second, while hinted at, I don't think any of you have come right out and said the last scene where Castle calls his date "boring" and Beckett talks about hers as "self involved" was really a use of "IRONY"–since those terms described Castle (whose date probably thought he was boring) and Beckett (whose date probably thought she was self involved/absorbed).  And then again, their conversation "IN THE ELEVATOR"–a favorite meeting place, referring to the "first date" which most of you caught as them "ironically" discussing their "first date with others" when, in fact, they were going on THEIR FIRST DATE. 

In other words, I think the writers were having a field day with the use of IRONY in this episode, which we all know is one of Castle's favorite concepts. 

I think, all around, this was my very favorite episode to date.  The writers are really finding their mark in this series now.  It's like all of them are in sync with the characters and are able to demonstrate that with cohesive, intelligent scripts that showcase their actors.  The writing in this series is simply fabulous. 

I don't know if this has been mentioned in the thread here yet but did you notice when Beckett & Castle are talking to Miss Langford and she is telling them that the squatter fixed her sink, both Beckett and Castle say WHAT at the same time. I love how they usually have them say something or think something at the same time to show us how on the same page their minds are. To bad they can't read each others minds but give them time they are working on it.

In the opening segment of the show at the house where the man is found dead in the bed, Beckett says what to Castle and Castle says what what to Beckett, it fits in with the scene with Miss Langford and them both saying WHAT at the same time so cute the writer again giving us the repeat.

I just love how Castle automatically brings her coffee now in each episode next he will be making her supper( oh one can hope)

Next up I am waiting for them to either hold hands or kiss that's my next step to this relationship maybe it won't be in #15-16 but I can hope for #17-&18 Seamus is teasing us over on FB that he has just read #17 and you won't believe what happens. Oh how they love to torment us Jon, Nathan and Jose!

rvandsing said: First off, thanks to all of you for providing your insights and thoughts–makes viewing this episode additional times more enjoyable.

Totally! Joining this forum has elevated the enjoyment of this series tenfold.

rvandsing said: Second, while hinted at, I don't think any of you have come right out and said the last scene where Castle calls his date "boring" and Beckett talks about hers as "self involved" was really a use of "IRONY"–since those terms described Castle (whose date probably thought he was boring) and Beckett (whose date probably thought she was self involved/absorbed). And then again, their conversation "IN THE ELEVATOR"–a favorite meeting place, referring to the "first date" which most of you caught as them "ironically" discussing their "first date with others" when, in fact, they were going on THEIR FIRST DATE.

Great take on this. Think you nailed it.

After watching the episode for the third time, I had to point this out here (I don't think anyone has said anything about it). When Castle and Beckett are done talking to Esposito and Ryan on speakerphone and start to go back to their dates but instead leave them, it makes me wonder if Brad got stuck with both bills or did Amanda pay for hers and Castle's. I thought about that after watching Monday night, but as I keep watching the episode, I keep thinking about it. It makes me wonder what happened. (I hope that all made sense!)

And his tie does look like it changed from a maroon to a purple color as someone else pointed out. Interesting.

To
wynnara
That would have been to cute to see Beckett's face if Lanie had written Richard Castle. Funny!

That would have been cute to see her do that to Beckett but Castle needed to see that other men find Beckett desireable and are very willing to pursue her.She needed to show him she is attractive to other men which she did very well. It's really his move to make,which he finally did at the end.You noticed while at the restaurant Castle watched every move Beckett made.I believe he would have followed he into the ladies room if he had too.Everytime Beckett got up,Castle all but toppled his chair getting up.

Lanie may have realized that Beckett had to make a showing of being attractive to other men.I think Lanie was aware of Castle making the list and saw it for what it was when Beckett came to her.

Just looked at the end again (and again), this time trying to figure out what Castle is feeling. Beckett twirls the hair, but Castle – when Beckett says "Oh why not", Castle has a "Mmmm" and looks very content when he walks on with Beckett at his arm. Reminds me of – oh, my, I can't believe I forgot – they've walked arm in arm before! When they arrive at the party in 107, all dressed up. Castle was proud, and Beckett a bit overwhelmed then. I'm thinking Castle in 214 again is proud to walk off with Beckett at his arm, looks like he's savoring the moment.

Yea, I'm sorry but I don't buy that. Beckett was desirable to Castle a LONG time before this. He's asked her to join him after work before, and she's turned him down. I don't think the ask has ever been quite so straightforward as that extended arm, but still… I think she's calling the shots on the "when" here more than he is.

I don't know… maybe it's the feminist in me, but I really would like to believe that a guy can like a girl without it being a "well, other guys like her!" sort of deal… that just feels way to neanderthal to me. Of course there's going to be jealousy on both sides of the equation, but I don't think it's about her being attractive to other men or him being attractive to other women for that matter… it's the realization that one might lose out on their chance because of inaction that I think spurs people into motion in these situations.

wynnara, I am not a feminist by any stretch of the imagination but I agree with what you've said here. Castle has not hidden the fact that he's interested in Beckett at all. Sure his approach has changed, but he's had his eye on her since the moment she stepped into the first book party.