Observations while rewatching Fool Me Once

A solid Castle episode, with a so-so case that provides a background for some really great character moments for Castle, Beckett, Alexis and the team. I’m going to confine my comments to these moments, as the Body-of-the-Week is not essential to what we are learning about our Favorite People.

Castle opens the front door… to Dylan. A very handsome (and sexy) violin teacher, that Alexis had contacted WITHOUT HIS KNOWLEDGE. She’s, what, 16 years old? And she is contracting private tutors on her own? How is he getting paid, from her allowance? We know that she is sometimes “the grownup” of the family, but that’s a lot of authority for a teenager to exercise without at least some supervision.

We will find out that there’s nothing questionable going on, Alexis & Dylan maintain an appropriate teacher-student relationship, but it does let us see Rick go into his over-protective dad mode (or ‘Daddy Dearest’ as he says later), which he pulls off masterfully. Even though he is over-the-top in his reactions, Alexis shares some responsibility for this, as she did it without clearing it with him first. She is not legally an adult yet.

When Rick enters the classroom, he acknowledges the uniformed officer standing in the background, whispering “Hey Mike!” I don’t know if this was scripted or a Nathan-ism, but it is an indication of the inclusive attitude of our leads (as well as the whole crew from what we have heard) – they are not primadonnas.

Beckett & Ryan are waiting for Rick, holding back a surprise for him. They clearly are having fun waiting for his reaction.

When they get to the real crime scene, there was a very brief two-finger gesture by Castle with the blue exam gloves. Was this a reference to Serenity’s “Two by two. Hands of blue.”?

Castle & Esposito “Feed the birds” after Castle’s “Diabolical. I like it”. Was this the first time, or did I miss an earlier instance?

I haven't seen Ryan with any of Castle's books so far this season. Did he finish reading them all?

Castle brings coffee to Beckett, while asking her if she had read her advanced copy of Heat Wave. After she maneuvered Rick into getting a copy for her, she’s clearly playing him, while it is clear that she has only read a small part of it, so far. His “You’re trying to push my buttons, but it’s not going to work.” Her “Really? It seems to be working just great.” Now Kate IS having fun.

Cameo appearance by Beckett’s Little Elephants after R&E enter with “Fletcher”s stuff.

Ryan hurt his back? And Espo bought it? What's going to be their payback?

Kate’s “Castle is giving us his psychological insights based on his extensive experience as a fraud.” Growrr.

The interview with Patty Schultz was great! “I killed him… In my mind… With a belt sander”. But we get a little insight into Castle’s background when she asks him “Have you ever been duped?” “I’ve been married twice.” Even though Kate rolls her eyes at this, it is obvious to us that he felt like he had been deceived and taken advantage of by his ex-wives.

Rick admits to being impressed, as a writer, with “Fletcher”s ability to spin believable stories. Kate isn’t.

Sheri Ort. Broke his heart. Stole his lunch money. Laughed about it with her friends. Ended up on the murder board in 3XK. Is there a moral there?

Another late night at the station, with pizza. Great team moment sharing favorite con movies, except Kate says she hates con movies. We believe her – for now. She is adept at playing all of them at once.

Then Rick starts to wonder why “Fletcher” wrote back to all the school kids. It seems out of character for a con man to put so much effort into the personal touches if he was simply conning the school and the kids. Roy’s “He’s got a point”. Kate’s “Now who’s the sucker?… Sir…” Oops. Still a great time with the team

Rick’s curiosity over Kate’s “date” sets him up for some teasing from R & E. “Why do you care anyway, Castle? Do you have some unresolved feelings?” Oh, yes you do, but don’t admit it. Yet. We see that Kate’s “date” is with Rick’s book, Heat Wave. She looks to be reading it slowly, savoring it a bit at a time. She is only about ¼ of the way through it so far.

Back at his loft, Rick is going “off the reservation” regarding Alexis & Dylan’s violin lesson. He definitely goes way beyond reasonable, with background checks, polygraph, etc. But speaking as a dad, Alexis shouldn’t have Dylan in her bedroom, out of sight. I would have her in the open family room space, not to lie like Rick did, but to say “Please, I would just be more comfortable if you practiced down here.”

And that’s just the first half…

So much great banter, teasing, eye-sex, I could go on… And on… I’ll let others comment on the rest.

I had forgotten how great the backstory elements of this episode are, being filled with so many character moments with Castle, Beckett, Alexis, and the gang. This was full of them.

Castle has been hooked, and the hook is set deep.

Yes, she got caught. In the Ladies Room. After hours. Couldn't wait until she got home?