First of all, wasn't this "article" a mash up of prior interviews, because for lots of the quotes, I am pretty sure that I have read those EXACT SAME WORDS before. I know, only so many ways to answer the SAME question [Image Can Not Be Found]

I don't WANT to be "Debbi Downer" here, nor get into a big debate over it. Lets call this more an "Expectation Check". 

Season 2, episode 24 GAME: Andrew told us that the finale would be emotionally satisfying. It was emotional, but I believe that it was far from what most of us would call "satisfying". I agree that we saw some very good episodes / scenes this season that would NOT have been possible without those last three minutes in s2.

Now he is telling us that…

“We’ll really be dealing with where they are in their relationship in a serious way as we get to the end of the season.”

(to reign in our expectations). I look at the word "serious" and don't necessarily get a warm fuzzy feeling. Will it be entertaining - absolutely, will I be frustrated, quite likely, Will I still love the show – YEP and YEP! Heck, if they (Castle and Beckett) are going to be serious just maybe they will be more honest with each other ("you have a problem with that", "no, why would I", "Yes, why would you" – they both do it!)

The other more telling quote that should put our 'shipper hearts in neutral rather than "pedal to the metal" is…

and: “I think the audience will see his feelings for her in a way they haven’t seen before.”

the bold word I believe is the important take away here. Beckett might not see it, get it or accept it. We might get a better insight into Castle's feelings. Like someone else said we think that we have a handle on that. This makes me think that maybe I (we) don't know the rest of the story.

Additionally there's this little tidbit…

And I do feel there’s storytelling to be had, once the two of them get together, because there’s stuff to figure out there — but I don’t think we’re at that point yet. I feel like my job is to keep the audience invested in the relationship without them feeling they’re getting jerked around.”

Not to be disrespectful, but this sounds like a politician running for office – offer both sides (conflicting) what they want to hear at the same time. "we got stories on the other side" vs. "we're not there yet (yet again)"

I do find it interesting that AM doesn't say anything about how Beckett is feeling. We've been given very few glimpses at where she's at. The "confession" in SETUP was actually the first time we heard that there might be trouble in paradise. OK it was the second time, the first was what some have called a "snarky" "He's off in Africa saving the world" comment in KNOCKDOWN. We see Castle indirectly bouncing his feelings off of Alexis and Martha at home, while the window into Beckett's life has the curtains always closed. 

Like I said, I don't want to start "The Big Debate" over what is on the way over the rest of the season, I would just like to temper the expectations a little, 'cause none of us want another 37 page post episode thread that's mostly "what's wrong with these people!" We (I) also do not want to have our Castle World come crashing down around our ears because our shipper expectations were set to high (like what happened in COUNTDOWN because of the the progress made in the prior 5 episodes and the confession in SETUP).

Honestly, I'm growing a little tired of the 'see Castle's feelings' bit all the time. We already know what his feelings are. It's Beckett that holds the title of enigma in this game. The phrase 'close to the vest' is almost like a cop out where they can use her emotional state in any way they want without it seeming contradictory because they have plausible deniability in the matter, IMO.

Overall, I really hope we get insight into Beckett's feelings soon. I don't need to be hit over the head every episode with Castle's devotion like it's something new.

I took that lil EW poll and while I voted "season 4" I'm not insisting a relationship by episode 3 or something rediculously early like that, but I think what I want to see most is that the more SOs are not used as obstacles.  That should stay in this season.  There are plenty of other factors with both characters w/o outside parties to create obstacles that must be navigated before embarking on a real relationship.  I'd almost like to think of it like the type of pools you see that have long and shallow steps.  So you're testing the water and you can comfortably move deeper into the water, but you aren't completely submerged in the deep end until you're completely ready.  I wouldn't consider this a "one foot out the door" situation because even though you may be taking it slow bow "feet" are in the pool.

You summed up the way I feel really well dmcw. Since Countdown, I've been trying not to have too high expectations. I'll try to enjoy whatever tiny step will be given to us. I try to reassure myself by thinking Andrew has a plan – and he said he does. Let's see how this plan unfolds.

To me, the perfect timing would be the end of season 4. I don't want them to get together before that. It would just be too early after the break-up with Josh (assuming they break up by the end of S3). Season 3 would be too soon, but season 5 would be too late, in my opinion.

If I hadn't lowered my expectations, I would expect a revelation of their feelings in the season 3 finale. But that might be too much to ask, at this point. So… I'll just want a little hint from Beckett, just a little something that would leave us hopeful and somehow reassured, during the hiatus.

We've had so many positive spoilers lately that it's hard not to get our hopes up. I still have the feeling this second part of the season will be interesting. And I definitely want to see what Andrew & co will come up with. It's easier to enjoy the show when you're "cautiously" hopeful, and not overly hopeful.

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