Anyone up to rewatching and discussing Ep. 1x01 Flowers for Your Grave with what we know after the 3 seasons? It may be fun to discuss each episode in light of the story & character developments we have seen. We have enough time until the start of Season 4 that we can spend 2 days on each episode.

Any one up for it?

Since I only got to know about Castle later but after seeing this pilot I was hooked because it stood out to the rest. Having re-watched it a couple of times I started to understand that it was the start of some of the big arcs. After Beckett taunting Castle you just knew this only would get better. (being the sucker for rom-com anyway)

If you pay attention, there the detective "Not Ryan" and the Detective Kevin Ryan.

Not Ryan goes somewhere with Esposito, and when we arrive afterwards, Not Ryan isn't there and Kevin Ryan is. (Happens 3 or 4 times).

Agree on the observation that when Castle makes a "discovery" that moves the investigation forward, Beckett gets more anoyed.

Who would go running down any NYC street barefoot, let alone an alley!!

And there's the all important "cold read" of Beckett – and her response – "Don't think that means you know me" because for how far they have come, she says the same think in KNOCKOUT – during "the Talk" – Beckett: "You don’t know me Castle. You think you do, but you don’t."  I still think she's wrong on this account. I'm not saying he know EVERYTHING about her, but he knows her in many regards better than she knows herself.

Then there's those 4 little words said by Beckett that really fuel the "chase" – You Have No Idea!

There defiantly has been physical changes in most of the characters: Castle – now looks older – his face has filled out, Stana – has grown up – partially due to hair style change, Esposito – had hair!, Ryan – face has aged, Alexis – duh – she was 14/15 when started and now is 16/17 maybe even 18 – no longer a "little girl". Captain Montgomery and Martha look about the same (Martha's clothes are not as "far out" now as in the beginning).

Attitudes:

Captain Montgomery: you can tell that he enjoyed bringing Castle into the precinct – and NOT giving Beckett her way for a change ("Captain, can I have a word with you in private?" … No! … and then you could see her almost pouting about not getting her way)

Castle:  Hey, look at me, I'm cool – and cocky – and used to getting my way and I have friends (mayor, judge) that can help smooth the way for me

Beckett: oh so annoyed at having to let Castle follow her around. But by the end his "cocky attitude" was winning her over (who says the girls don't like the "bad boys" – Beckett included). Also she makes it clear that she does not have a personal life (who says romance is dead …. "I do, every Saturday night" … a little lipstick…)

Martha: over the top "wild child" – on the prowl and "plays" inebriated 

Esposito: just the facts, just get the job done

Ryan: really can't get a read on him in this episode since "Not Ryan" was around most of the time during character development time

Lanie: the only time we have heard that she too is a fan of Castles books

Alexis: Started off as "the adult in the room" – so I guess no change – we've seen "previews of coming attractions" this season, I expect season 4 to show her not so much the adult, and by contrast, Castle will become more of a real parent rather than best friend and worried dad.

I loved the scene at the end with him catching his breath on the ground.  He was having so much fun!

Did you notice that B call him "Rick"? (or Ricky I can't remember..) In next episodes she only calls him "Castle" until s3.. 

yes I also decided to rewatch the entire series, an ep a day, to wait till the S4 starts.. it will be long..[Image Can Not Be Found]

I finished watching the entire season 1 finally! I can see how much the characters and actors have grown from then to the end of season 3. 

Started watching in Season 2 so I needed to catch up. Loved seeing how it all started! Hopefully will buy Season 2 soon

Bear in mind everyone that this was the pulot episode and designed to most clearly convey who these characters are in an effort to convince TPTB that this show has merit and should be picked up for regular showings.  Thus, all the characters will be a little more over-the-top because this was in a way a one-shot to get the show picked up.  Once it is picked up, then the characters are scaled back a bit because there's more time to tell their back stories. 

One thing that I noticed that I don't think has been explored in the series thus far is that not only Beckett is a fan of Castle's writing, but also Lanie.  She says he has quite a gift for writing about murder, so it's clear she enjoys his books and is almost as much of a fan as Beckett.

Another part I really liked is the scene where Esposito tells Beckett he doesn't really want to read Castle's books because he deals with murder all day and wants to leave it at the station when he gets home.  She looks back at him and asked whether or not he wants to know what makes people kill each other in such bizarre ways and he looks at her knowingly, as if he gets that she is motivated by something other than just solving Alison Tisdale's murder.  Shows that he gets her on a level deeper than just partners. 

But the "You've no idea" line still makes me giggle and Castle's cold reading Beckett still blows me away.  No matter how many times I watch those scenes I still react like it's the first time.