wynnara said:

At the same time, the Castle-seeks-help-from-family-to-solve-case is an extremely convenient plot device for the writers. Sometimes it's used well, but sometimes it seems like the writers paint themselves into a corner and use it as their get out of jail free card. I don't really see that as a problem with Alexis' character however, simply an occasional issue with plot structure. In my opinion the case aspect of the show is one of its weaker elements but, even with that, the show has much stronger writing than many that are out there.

 

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 I generally have no issue with this.  Maybe it's just me, but I don't care so much about the rock-solid construct of the crimes.  There really haven't been any cases that I felt were tied up so ridiculously that it bothered me.  This episode was probably the most unlikely murder construct in that the tiny roommate would not have been able to get the victim up on the monkey bars.  Even then, it didn't bother me so much.  If I wanted to watch completely accurate crime dramas, I'd go elsewhere.  The guest stars in the episodes are so good that the characters are believable even when the details of the crimes may be a little weak.

I mostly see Alexis making comments about things related to her own life that give Castle inspiration to help solve things.  This isn't so far-fetched, and in fact, is done every week on House when some random comment from someone helps House solve his latest medical mystery.

I think the time Alexis was most involved was in Famous Last Words, and since she was a fan of the victim's music, I didn't find it silly that she had some insight.

I was rewatching this episode this morning and I just noticed "the look" Castle gave Kate when they were discussing Alexis wanting to be a cheerleader. When Castle said, "she wants to cheer for the team. Why not mathletes." Then Kate said "Why can't she do both?" Then he gives her this look, like he looked a bit angry. Then she says "It's how kids figures out who they want to be." Then Castle, eases up. She got through to him.

I just find it so interesting how comfortable Castle is discussin his issues with Alexis to Kate and then Kate giving him her insights and opinions without really thinking about it. Like it's so natural for them.

Castle admires Kate and I think he wonders if Kate ever went through what Alexis is going through right now. And if Kate did and she turned out to be a fine, respectable and strong woman with so much integrity, then Alexis will be fine.

I remember Castle asking Kate if she ever kept secrets from her Dad and she said "yes." Then this time he asked if Kate ever wanted to be a cheerleader.

I love how their relationship has progressed and love it even more that I don't think these two even realize it. Great job by Andrew Marlowe and their writers.

Jamz said:

Marbs84, I noticed that scene too. He did look a bit angry until she said it's how kids figure out who they want to be. I liked the other scene you pointed out about secrets. Another one I enjoyed was in Fool Me Once. I'm ashamed I can't remember what the issue was but Beckett says having once been a teenaged girl you have my sypathies. Or something like that. Not only does she give insight but she even teases him a bit too. Like in Vampire Weekend when he says she's going to her first senior party. It's the look Beckett gives him.

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In "Fool me once" Castle was playing an over protecting dad to Alexis – she was getting violin lessons with young and very handsome teacher and Castle freaked out. He wanted the guy to be checked on polygraph in addition to credit check and school reports. When Alexis found out that he ordered such check, she stormed the precinct and gave him this speach in the interrogation room, which Beckett was watching through the glass.

Moby Dick said:

Luck with that one insomniac. Castle Epiphanies are a stock part of the show as much as Beckett in a boatneck top or leather jacket. Sometimes he will say "No,I got nothing" suprising everyone. The good side of it is that they usually work them in cleverly. Plus this was the very first show for the writer as noted in another thread. So kudos for a first timer. Also I believe that most of the time Beckett does have the upper hand,case wise. She is masterful at the murder board and gets her share of epiphanies.It's just part of the show that marks it"Castle"  imho

And isn't Beckett being domineering and controlling what attracts Castle to her? hahaha Like what he said "I would drive, if you let me."

Another reason I like Alexis is that I'm tired of teenagers being depicted on TV and in movies as partiers who are only interested in drinking, drugs, sex and weasling their way through school.  Plus, working in politics (don't hurt me!), I run into plenty of over-achieving teenagers and twentysomethings.  There are a lot more kids out there just like her than we think.  At least she doesn't seem to be arrogant and expect special treatment because her dad is famous.

I also like how level-headed she is.  She's the one in the Castle household who can really tell-it-like-it-is to her Dad.  Martha does keep him grounded, but I don't think Castle really respects her judgment like he does Alexis.  Alexis strikes me as being what Lanie is for Beckett – she's direct, honest and doesn't sugar coat things when necessary.

Okay, when I rewatched this episode I noticed something was missing or maybe I didn't catch it? but In the promo it has Castle saying that He imagined Beckett dressed as the Mistress lady but in the actual scenes in the dungeon he doesnt say it.

olivia said:

Melaniee said:

Okay, when I rewatched this episode I noticed something was missing or maybe I didn't catch it? but In the promo it has Castle saying that He imagined Beckett dressed as the Mistress lady but in the actual scenes in the dungeon he doesnt say it.

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I noticed that, too! Though no one else had commented on it, so I was wondering if I somehow managed not to hear him say it.
 

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Thank god I'm not the only one. I've watched this episode 5 times maybe and I thought I either kept missing or something. Watching the promo again with him saying that, the clips are from different scenes cut together. Wonder why it didn't make it, woulda been funny!

insomniac said:

I give the writers more props by having the characters' overall reaction to the BDSM as being one of curiosity and occasional humour rather than dismissive or condemning. However, minus points for the gratuitous "photoshoot" shots of the BDSM. Really unnecessary.

I'm hoping they'll reduce the number of Castle Epiphanies soon. While I agree with you on House's luck, that's the shows main conceit – that he's a genius doctor who can suddenly make those connections no one else can. It's not the conceit of Castle – where his partnership with Beckett has (realistically) been portrayed as equal, if not with Beckett having the upper hand on things case-wise. I'm fine with that but I think it'll be entering iffy territory if they start having Castle have these Epiphanies every episode, not least because it makes the professionals look incompetent and narrow-minded.

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I have to agree on the filler shots that were in the episode.  The rest was risque enough, and I felt they were unnecessary. 

I have commented on other threads before that I feel sometimes Castle has a few too many epiphanies.  I understand that he needs to be helpful to stick around, and I get that his creative mind often helps in thinking outside the box, but I don't like it when he figures too many things out on his own, especially those final clues that solve the cases.  Beckett, Esposito, and Ryan are great detectives, and I prefer when it is Beckett who has the big break-throughs.

dmcw said:

insomniac said:

I give the writers more props by having the characters' overall reaction to the BDSM as being one of curiosity and occasional humour rather than dismissive or condemning. However, minus points for the gratuitous "photoshoot" shots of the BDSM. Really unnecessary.

I'm hoping they'll reduce the number of Castle Epiphanies soon. While I agree with you on House's luck, that's the shows main conceit – that he's a genius doctor who can suddenly make those connections no one else can. It's not the conceit of Castle – where his partnership with Beckett has (realistically) been portrayed as equal, if not with Beckett having the upper hand on things case-wise. I'm fine with that but I think it'll be entering iffy territory if they start having Castle have these Epiphanies every episode, not least because it makes the professionals look incompetent and narrow-minded.

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I have to agree on the filler shots that were in the episode.  The rest was risque enough, and I felt they were unnecessary.
 

I have commented on other threads before that I feel sometimes Castle has a few too many epiphanies.  I understand that he needs to be helpful to stick around, and I get that his creative mind often helps in thinking outside the box, but I don't like it when he figures too many things out on his own, especially those final clues that solve the cases.  Beckett, Esposito, and Ryan are great detectives, and I prefer when it is Beckett who has the big break-throughs.

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The same here. Beckett was fine before Castle came on board, so it would be great if the writers remembered about it…

Hmm… I'm right there with the Beckett love, but isn't the show callled… uh.. I donno.. CASTLE?