bending_sickle | It's different when it happens right in front of you.* (Reply)

Castle's 2x13 and 3x13 can basically be watched back-to-back as they both deal with the mystery behind Kate Beckett's mother's murder. It seems like the case is very much an onion, with each episode that focuses on it peeling back a new layer of conspiracy and puppettery.

Both episodes also have specific similarities, but the greatest one is the scene where Beckett goes off the case. In 2x13, she goes off voluntarily, while in 3x13 she's kicked off, but in both cases she storms out of Captain Montgomery's office and ignore's Castle's worried call of, "Beckett?" Instead, she yanks her jacket off her chair, flings it over her shoulder, and walks out on Castle's even more worried, "Kate?"

Watching these scenes back-to-back gave me a huge case of déjà vu. While not all of the scene's shots are the same - camera angles differ, especially at the beginning - the treatment of Kate's walk-out is eerily similar. If this is a deliberate choice - especially considering how one episode is basically a continuation of the other - then my hat's off to the directors and producers involved. Also note how both are titled on the similar fight theme: Sucker Punch and Knockdown.

2x13, Sucker Punch

Beckett?

Kate?

3x13, Knockdown

Beckett?

Kate?

And by the way, Knockdown had a much more serious tone than is usual for Castle, and it had a few exchanges that left me scrambling for a pen and declaring my undying love for the Ryan&Esposito duo. So allow me to share a few of those quotes - one of Castle and his mother, a few others of Ryan and Esposito being awesome. Spoilers apply, of course.

Beckett: Raglan was killed because he was gonna tell me something about my mother's case. Nobody knows it better than I do.

Montgomery: Yeah, but I know you. You want want to pick up those scissors, run around the house with them. But I tell you right now: walk, don't run. Go where the evidence leads, not the other way around.

Martha: I heard about the shooting on the news. It could have been you, you know that, don't you?

Castle: Yeah, but, I'm fine. It wasn't me.

Martha: Richard, this isn't one of your books: you don't know the ending. You were just lucky yesterday.

Castle: You're over-reacting, Mother. Where is this coming from?

Martha: How the hell can you ask me something like that? Think about how much you love Alexis and that is how much I love you and don't you dare ask me where this is 'coming from'. You have gotten through most of your life by your wit and charm and no small amount of talent, but that is the real world out there and you can't charm your way out of a bullet.

Hal Lockwood: Now, I got...a lot of respect for you guys. What? I do. Now, I'm gonna make you a deal. You tell me what I need to know, one pro to another, and I will put a bullet in your brain. You don't - you jerk me around - and you will be begging me to, before this night is up.

Esposito: I'll have to go with Option B.

Ryan: Oh yeah. We're definitely gonna jerk you around.

Ryan: [After being held head-first in a bathtub of ice-water.] *gasping* Listen ass-clown, I was in Catholic school for twelve years. Hell, they used to do this to me for talking in class - [Is thrust back into the tub.]

Esposito: [Watching Ryan being tortured.] Okay!

Ryan: *gasping* Don't tell this jack-o anything. *coughs*

Esposito: I'm sorry bro, I can't watch this. [To Lockwood] Listen to me, you're too late. The cops already know about...me and your mom.

Ryan: *laughs*

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