The final episode of the first season with
the teleplay by AWM and story by AWM and Barry Shindel who’s involvement in the
show seemed to end here.  I’m not usually that interested in the
story of the week stuff but this one was a good one.  It is not of course the main point of the episode.  “A Death in the Family” is a great
title as the mafia is intricate to the story being told but, I think the main
family involved is Kate Beckett’s.

Robert Picardo was a good guest star as Dr
Death, if we could manage to have him appear in an episode with Agent Shaw this
old China Beach fan would be happy.

Interesting that Castle sees no problem in
asking Dr Death to look into the past and it is Martha who is aware of the
personnel damage it might cause. We start off with things fairly normal,
Beckett being empathetic, Castle playing the storyteller. Then “can I ask you a
question” and Beckett’s good mood is about to head south. I love the way she
physically slumps when be broaches the subject; He accepts her ultimatum but
can’t help pushing again.  You can
see the pain and hesitation creep over her face, the anguish. She had pushed it
away, whatever the cost. However it becomes clearly obvious how thin the layer
of veneer truly is that protects her from the pain waiting just below the
surface.

Beckett is able to compartmentalize well,
at least at this stage, and she is back in game mode. As is the show, as we
still have room for typical Castle humor. “Santa’s not real, we still love
opening his presents” and later we have the lovely moment with Beckett and
Montgomery discussing the Surgery addicted suspects latest procedure. Great
stuff.

Many things are reinforced in this episode,
Castle’s good connections, even with the mob. Along with Castle’s delight of
all things Beckett “I keep forgetting you read plays” and of course his
description of Sorenson “tall, brooding and judgmental” But Sorenson comes
through, helping with the case. Then “want me to watch the monkey” “that’s OK
the monkey comes with me” I love supportive Beckett.

Interesting that we have already had E
telling Castle and the audience how a professional hit makes a case that much
harder to solve. Our first hint that there are puzzle pieces floating around,
we just don’t where they are landing yet.

I have to make note of the Garbo shot
again, this time in the car, wonderful, give the DOP a gold star and a request
for more please.  The guest hit man
did well too, all covered up as he was. 
Loved Beckett and Castle explaining to E and Ryan how the meet had gone
so wrong and then the look of Kate’s face trying to take in what Montgomery was
relaying to her about Sorenson being shot.  Now at the hospital, Castle “that’s what makes you
extraordinary” just a beautiful scene, so well played.

I think it’s fitting that “A Death in the
Family”; the final episode of the season has a shot of Beckett alone at the
Murder board. Beckett the great cop, I like seeing that.

Significantly back at the station we have
the admission from Beckett to Montgomery that she could not have solved this
one without Castle, my how far we have come. And then –

Dr Death giving Castle his findings ,and after
being involved with the episode case Castle realizes what the information he is
being given may mean.  His fear at
moving forward and the possible repercussions, and once again it is Martha who
plays the strong hand.

We return to the hospital and a hint of
what Beckett may be like outside of the burdens of the job, a little lighter,
her voice, even the way she moves, a little sway.  I think she and Will can remain friends if he stays in town.
Kate is smiling, open. Then a little wary or the Castle standing before her,
“It’s about your mother” he says, and she steps back, physically try’s to move
away from what is coming. What a powerful ending. Thank God for season Two is
all I can say.

All in all this was a fabulous Ten-episode
season.  I sometimes see season one
called a half season and I really don’t see it that way.  AWM knew he had ten episodes, and in
those ten episodes he told the story he wanted to tell. I think the characters
and story telling would have reached the same point if he had had the luxury of
a full first twenty-two-episode season. Love this show.