What I absolutely love about this show is that even a premise as well-trod as "the other guy" can still feel fresh, juicy and subtle. I was cringing at the thought of Castle temper tantrums and Becket/Castle sniping, but generally speaking everything was deliciously underplayed. Sure, it's obvious that Demming has Castle on edge and he isn't his cheerful, charming self, but I never once felt he stepped into the territory of being a real brat about it.

He just wants to win. I'm not even sure he's aware of why he wants to win yet.

And I never felt Beckett was cruel… or at least, not out of character in the way that she pushes back with Castle. She's a girl who has a guy that she likes and everything is kinda rosier because of it. She's not deliberately rubbing it in Castle's face, but she's not going to tip-toe around him either because she's got her own life. He's her friend. They aren't together and, in her mind at least, they never will be.

And I really liked the case which had me guessing right up until the end. It was perhaps a little bit rushed in its tie up, but I can almost forgive that with the amount that was going on. I also like that somehow the answer that the writer's came up with to the competitive element of the episode is that these two guys were equally right… perhaps even equally worthy of Beckett… so it comes down to who will she chose. Although there was a very interesting moment when Demming got a ringside seat to the Castle/Beckett back-and-forth.

One more and then we hang up our hats for the summer. It's been a great, great season.

And the promos are up! Yes, promos, as in plural! Click for the one aired on ABC (curtosy of Ash). And click for another one from CTV (Canadian channel). And thanks to Ash for tweeting this one!

They look awesome! Though I'm sure most of it is just to attract more viewers.. as they always are!

EDIT: For those who don't like to watch promos of any sort, I'll put it under spoiler bars.

I loved how Beckett ended up solving the crime, after all the competing between Demming and Castle

Looks like Castle is rubbing off on Beckett, seeing as how she was re-enacting the scene of the crime at the end and putting herself in the killers' shoes- like Castle does sometimes when he says how he would write it or do it.

Favorite quotes:

Sex and the City references

Castle: "Wait, that means I'm Carrie…" Beckett"You are so metro-sexual for knowing that!"

Lanie: "It's like Sex and the City…with boys."

Beckett: "Male vanity being what it is."

But at the very end my heart sank again when I saw Castle's facial expression… :( I'm glad that they had him watching her as she walked by the break room and she looked up at him curiously. I find it a little odd that Beckett would kiss a guy in the precinct, and then in the promo for the finale there all over each other while she sits on her desk- seems unlike Beckett. Oh well "Schlemming" will be gone hopefully after next week. Ah next week is gonna be crazy! Is it Monday yet???

I LOVED this episode, and I too am glad that Beckett was the one who ultimately solved the case (using a method she learned from Castle, no less). My heart still broke a little for Castle at the end though. At least Beckett peeked in on him after she kissed Demming. He's not invisible to her; she cares about him, she just doesn't yet see the full impact that she and Demming as a couple are having on him.

If only she knew…….those DEEP, DEEP feelings Castle has harbored are coming out full force……can't wait for next week!