Image Credit: Eric McCandless/ABC WARNING: Do NOT read if you have not watched the season premiere of Castle. Enter at your own risk.]
Castle opened its fourth season last night with a highly emotional hour that found Beckett (Stana Katic) shot, nearly dead, miraculously saved, bed-ridden, healed, boyfriend-less, and then stricken with PTSD all within an hour. Sounds exhausting, doesn’t it? And we haven’t even gotten to Castle…
At some point between “nearly dead” and “miraculously saved,” Beckett told Castle (Nathan Fillion) that she didn’t remember anything about the shooting. That means she didn’t even recall his “I love you” at the end of last season. Wah-wah. (Oh, and she was totally lying.)
So, by the end of the premiere, here’s what we knew: Castle loves her, Beckett loves him, and they can’t do anything about it because she’s not ready and he knows she won’t be ready until she does more digging into the ultra-dangerous case of her mother’s murder. And where does that leave our favorite couple — and the viewers? EW rang up executive producer Andrew Marlowe a few days ago to chat about the premiere and find out what’s to come for this conflicted couple.
In sum? This is only the beginning…
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: So, let’s start off with the obvious question: Did you conclude tonight’s episode off where you did to personally torture me?
ANDREW MARLOWE: Yes. You were on my mind when I wrote that.
Okay. In all seriousness, why wait to address what she heard Castle say? Why not tackle it in the season premiere?
To me, what I’m trying to do is set up something that is going to bring an interesting and complicated level to the Beckett/Castle relationship for, the very least, the first part of the season. Both of these characters are very complicated characters. It’s very clear, given what Beckett has gone through, that she wants to have this relationship with Castle, but she’s worried she might blow it. She’s worried about sacrificing the friendship, and she’s haunted by this ghost of her mother’s murder. She’s come to the realization that she’s had these walls up inside, and that’s why none of her relationships have really worked. That’s why she hasn’t really focused on them. She needs to have those walls come down. But if she acknowledged that she had heard Castle, then that’s just going to be the elephant in the room. Then she’s either going to have to act on it, or it’s going to destroy the relationship. So it’s easier for her to act as though she didn’t hear it, but it certainly changes her perception of him now that she knows.
I feel like Stana Katic communicated that very well throughout the episode.
There was that great scene on the swing set where she says, “I’m not going to be able to have the relationship I want…” and she looks over at him. If you’re a fan of the show, you know she’s looking at him for a reason. But we wanted to make it more complicated for them. In order for them to have a relationship, as far as the Beckett character is concerned, she needs to put aside some of this emotional baggage that she has and resolve it. Castle is completely on board for that. He’s like, “You’ve just given me hope.” Then he gets this phone call. Now the thing he wants most — which is to resolve this [for Beckett] — the cost might be losing her completely. So it puts our characters and our audience in a complicated situation. And it puts our guys in an interesting situation for the season because they both have these huge secrets from each other. Castle has had this conversation with this mystery man, who assures him that if Beckett investigates and if Castle let’s her run out into traffic again, it’s not going to end well. And this goes against what he wants. And Beckett has this monster secret from Castle in that she heard everything, but she can’t do anything about it.
How much is Beckett’s mental health going to be addressed this season?
Some of the PTSD and some of the emotional scars are going to pop up a couple of times through the season. IT’s not something we’re going to hang on every episode. There were a lot of pieces for us to pick up from the season finale and in writing the season premiere. We tried to deal with them all honestly and authentically. We didn’t want to sweep anything under the rug. So the season premiere was really about getting us to a place where people could get back to the things they love about Castle and Beckett — the ability of these two people to have banter and get on each other’s nerves in the right way and in a fun way. And it was about continuing to deepen a relationship they both want, but life has become complex for them. So it’s not going to happen in this instant. And to all those ‘shippers who are frustrated that they’re not in a relationship now, I’d say they are in a relationship. It’s just a complicated relationship and they have a lot of untangling to do before they can get to the purest form of a relationship.
Well, at the end of last season, you said it would all come together. You were true to your word, I’ll give you that.
Well, I was lying. I didn’t know what I was doing. [Laughs] But we were trying to do it in a fresh way, but also in an authentic to our character.
NEXT: ‘Deep down, he knows…he’s met this person who he can spend the rest of his life with.’
Good to see them address it, look forward to it developing more as we go along.
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They met-via { himillionaires*.сσм }
It is nice club for rich men or pretty girls mate.
You do not need to be wealthy or famous, but you can meet your true love, it’s worthy a try.
i love what people said here ,I am a 28-years lady ,beautiful and mature . Now I am seeking a good man who can give me real love , my friends told me a nice place …
—–Wealthybar.C óM ——it’s the most effective site in the world to connect with, date and marry successful, beautiful people.-Meanwhile, . It’s worthy a try. You do not have to be rich or famous.——The new boss, has NOTHING on Montgomery and no disrespect to the actress as I am sure that she is talented and she is lovely, but I got the feeling that she was really trying much too hard to come off as a bassass and instead it just looked supremely ridiculous. I MISS Captain Montgomery, I just don’t see this new Captain setting Kate aside and giving her sage advise and that was a huge part of the cast’s dynamic.
—-
I love the quote that Castle knows he’s met the person he will spend the rest of his life with, but doesn’t know how to handle it.
I know, right? Totally squee-worthy.
Awesome premiere! I want to know how much of an impact the conversation between Montgomery’s “friend” and Castle will have on his partnership with Beckett. And will he reveal the conversation soon or towards the season finale?
Yeah the whole first 1/2 hour was exhausting from the shooting, the flat-lining, to the miraculous healing and back to work and the new boss, the meeting again at the book-signing, I tuned out for the next 20 minutes and then tuned back in and was all caught up in the last 5 minutes as she was in counseling talking and Castle was in his office with his high tech gadgetry investigating the murder of Beckett’s mother. All in all this season is either going to be the make or break it one, cause the reality is that people are not going to keep tuning back in for another season if this is ‘relationship’ doesn’t start picking-up and start going somewhere. So far, this opening is a DUD! Gee I wonder what the end of this season closer will be, Castle will be in the hospital next, that is for sure and then it will all come full circle and they will finally unite in the 5th season if they make it that far! Here’s not to holding my breath!
You do know this isn’t a soap opera and about whether on not Castle and Beckett will “get it on”. There’s way more to this show. I agree the “wil-they-won’t-they” shouldn’t drag on because it influences the interactions between the characters (and I mean ALL the characters, not just the main two), which is the thing I love the most about this show.
Hellooooo! Are you deaf or something? He confessed, she heard it and obviously feels the same way. She says she can’t be with him till she solved the case, so he decides to investigate it. How are they standing still?
Wow- what a premiere! While I curse Andrew Marlowe for trying to kill me with the will they won’t they stuff, I love him at the same time for creating the best show. I love that he really thinks about his characters, and has developed them enough for us to believe that they are acting exactly as we might expect them to. Yep- it can be frustrating (especially when you have actors with the red-hot chemistry of Fillion and Katic), but what a ride. I can’t wait to see what this season brings. Thanks for the great interview and I hope to see a lot of Castle coverage this season!
I just hope that by now they stop putting new love intrests between Castle and Beckett. They have developed too far for that soap crap!
They definitely, definitely, definitely won’t. That’s what he said (and what I love) – they are in a relationship. If you define a relationship by being completely in love and dedicated to each other, then they are certainly in a relationship!
Yes, I saw an interview with Andrew Marlowe and he said there would be no more love interests to come inbetween Castle and Beckett.
Wow; EW really hid the news on Castle pretty deep. Coming off of a great cliffhanger, this looks like a great Season 4. But why not include Castle in the headlines?
I agree! I find it frustrating to have to jump from section to section to see which one is covering which shows, and if it’s covered at all. TV Recaps, Pop Watch, Ken Tucker, Inside TV? Seriously? Drives me crazy! And the Search function is not very good.
I’m with you! What does the show have to do to get an actual recap? I mean, they keep putting up stuff on how great the show is, but apparently it’s not good enough to be recapped. The Singing Bee, however, is?
I meant The Sing Off.
Yes, it was hard for me to fine, too. Please do headlines and a recap!!!!! We want to comment!!!!!
Good job, A. Marlowe. I hate you for stretching it, but I believe in your abilities. Keep it up, sir!
I thought the premiere was wonderful. A great start to the season. The chemistry between Stana and Nathan is great, and I love the little moments between them. Also loving the father/daughter moments. Beautiful! Can’t wait to see more!
Obviously, the Castle writers are regular watchers of Bones. What a blatant rip-off! Maybe Fox should sue for copyright infringement.
Except ‘Bones’ was only really good the first two seasons. After that, it started going downhill. ‘Castle’ has been WAY more consistent with the quality throughout the series. I still watch ‘Bones’, but it’s out of habit more than anything now. I actually look forward to watching ‘Castle’.
I agree with you, Jackie. Castle has passed Bones up in my book. They really don’t seem to know what to do anymore on Bones, and now a baby? Ugh!
How can anyone possibly think that Bones is in any way up to Castle’s standard?
Even if you do (and that’s okay, because Bones has its moments) the characters are completely different in basically every way possible.
It seems obvious that Castle is going to push Beckett away from the investigation to keep her safe. But Beckett will find out and resent him for it
LOVE THE SHOW NATHEN IS GREAT——————-
I agree. And Nathan is hot!
I am a huge Castle fan.
This season’s opener however, was the worst hour in it’s history and maybe one of the worst produced TV shows I’ve ever watched. Bad production details and bad acting just didn’t stop!
Of course Beckett was going to survive – but come on! Gorgeous as ever and in full makeup soon after having her chest ripped open? Lot’s of little details that added up to one big annoyance: I saw Castle hand Beckett a full (heavy) cup of hot coffee which she grabbed gingerly and “gulped”. No one does that.
Yes the PTSD was to have created tension and uneasiness, bu the dialogue was amateurish and uneven.
The acting by the new department boss was particularly cliche. Too heavy handed in her attempt to establish the new character.
Really did not like the whole hour …. ;-(
Dude! Several months had passed. Sorry there was no title saying: a few months later… But listen to the dialogue– she hadn’t talked to him in three months! Troll much?
I’m actually in agreement Terry, this was probably my least favorite episode in the show’s history – of course I still enjoyed it way more than a lot of other shows on tv. The full makeup drove me nuts! The new captain was a complete cliche – hopefully they tone her down a bit because it’s going to get old fast!
vincentdante – sorry but I highly doubt that having 3 months off after having your chest cracked open like that would be long enough to heal and return to full active duty. Just because someone doesn’t worship every episode of one of their favorite shows doesn’t mean they’re a troll. We’re all allowed to think what we want and express our opinions – that’s what these forums are for.
I don’t know what it’s like in real life, but in TV land, three months sounds pretty typical. At the end of season one of ‘Criminal Minds’, one of the FBI agents was shot in the chest and almost died. When she came back at the beginning of season two, I think she said she’d been on leave for two months (it might have been three).
Actually Rain and Terry, if you talk to anyone who’s had open heart surgery, 3 months is pretty standard. My father had a double bypass and was out of the hospital in 3 weeks and back on his feet after 2 months. So 3 months is actually pretty reasonable. The human body is miraculous in its ability to heal, especially if young and healthy.
3 months is good. My uncle had open heart surgery in like 1994. He was walking around the next day.
There were a few things that were a bit corny. Castle does this often, but always had the tongue-in-cheek, self depreciating tone that goes with it, making it funny and awesome. This ep didn’t have that, so some parts were a just ordinarily cheesy.
The acting was great. I have no idea what episode you watched.
I understand that the new Captain IS cliche – but I’m not really sure what else they could’ve done. Would you rather another version of Montgomery who’s just fine with everything? It also doesn’t bother me too much because it makes sense – if there’s a new captain, chances are they’re NOT going to be fine with everything – they’re going to have a problem with Beckett – who said you could bend the rules? – and Castle – who the hell are you??
Also, it’s one episode. Castle has its niche in its ability to put a new twist on a cliche. I’m sure it’ll be fine.
I also noticed she was wearing makeup and looked great in the ICU! Come on!
I had to laugh when she said she was probably looking bad. Uh…in mascara, eyeliner and lipstick, with combed (no bed head) hair? I wish I could look that bad!
@ Terry H, you nailed it. I didn’t want to be unkind regarding one of favorite ABC shows. The cliches were all over the place including (one you forgot to mention) the whole surgeon boyfriend and Castle confrontation at the hospital, like we couldn’t see that one coming. At the end of the day, the reality is that this show, while being a ratings boon, this might not last forever if ABC and the writer doesn’t get it through his head that the audience is patient, but we do expect after a time for these two to really start the process of working towards a relationship, or this show is going to be dead in the water within the next two seasons. I for one will not keep tuning in week after week if ABC and the writers do not get this through their thick skulls. While I love the characters that are being portrayed by Kanic and Fillion, the reality is that they know this too and if they want to keep this show alive for a few more seasons, they need to get the relationship angst part of this show moving forward … and not this hidden hold close to the chest stuff having been played out in this past season …. and if this is opener is any indication of where they are going and or not going this season I am going to tune out alot sooner and get another show to watch … HAWAII 5-0 is on during that time slot … just my two cents!
They ARE moving towards a relationship. Beckett said it to Castle herself. “I’m not gonna be able to have the kind of relationship that I want until that wall comes down. And it’s not gonna happen till I put this thing to rest.” Castle heard and understood. So now he’s looking into the case on his own, to protect Beckett AND so they can move forward in their relationship. If Castle HADN’T decided to look into it, then yeah, they’d be standing still. But the fact that he’s doing it means that he’s gonna help Beckett bring down those walls so they can get together.
I’ve heard a few people say this? Did you not get anything in the entire episode? How much further do you want them to move forward?? The entire game has changed. Things are so different. These are complicated, real people. They have very good reasons for not just suddenly eating each other’s faces off. Godammit.
I thought the show’s makeup people did a fantastic job. Stana looked haggard, thin and ill, and when we saw her after her 3 month recovery she was wearing too much eye makeup but still looked ill.
Castle is my #1 favorite show but with that said, I’ve gotta agree. I took Castle’s visit to the hospital as him coming as soon as he was allowed/summoned – shortly after she flatlined and was “saved.” Yet here she’s sitting up in bed, no oxygen, no visible signs of having her chest cracked open and in full makeup and hair. Lame. Also lame – and a pet peeve from my Gilmore Girl watching days: allegedly full, hot cups of coffee treated like they are filled with air (because they are). This should be Acting 101. If someone gives you a paper-cup full of “coffe” act like it’s full and hot. Beckett gulped it and tilted it halfway. I know when I get my venti from Starbucks I sip it and it’s filled to the rim. Not horrible offenses but really distracting from an otherwise great show. Glad we have the premiere behind us.
Those things distracted me as well. (Full make-up – come on!) The coffee thing has been ongoing. I can’t believe the actors haven’t fixed it!
First answer on page 2 of the article, please change “wasn’t” to “wants”. That particular typo really changes the sentence.
Castle really should be more concerned with his daughter’s feelings. Poor Alexis.
I haven’t watched it yet, It’s on my DVR. I watched Alphas instead and the reason I delayed Castle is that I saw in the preview that the new boss is going to be antagonistic and I am tired of that. Go back to Rockford Files and Hunter, we had bosses constantly screaming and criticizing. It’s old. I will still watch but to me that conflict is a tired turn-off.
i found the opening episode lacking…i was happy they kicked josh to the curb, but pissed off that they didn’t resolve this once and for all. i also didn’t like the way the show was lit…i found it to dark, wasn’t sure if it was supposed to be a metphor for how this was a dark time but regardless, i like to see my characters not have to see their shadows. andrew marlowe is a great writer, but he needs to speed this up, dont even think of putting another person between them, and please don’t all of a sudden have alexis freaking out whenever he is danger, she didnt care before, and now all of a sudden she does? really? lame! just a few thoughts.
Wow, maybe it just struck home to her how much he actually puts himself in danger? Because he was about 3 feet away from someone who was shot?