Castle: What Is Beckett Thinking?
I have been a fan of Castle for years. I could even say that it was once my favorite show to watch. But things have changed over the past few seasons. Storylines have become confusing or unrealistic, some of my favorite characters have disappeared and others characters have changed into something completely different from what they used to be. I used to look forward to watching Castle every week. Now when I watch I feel like I’m waiting on pins and needles to see if they can finally right everything that has gone so wrong.
The one character that seems to have changed the most, and whose behavior has completely baffled me this season, is Kate Beckett (Stana Katic). I just don’t understand her actions at all, specifically her decision to move out of the apartment she shares with her husband Rick Castle (Nathan Fillion), saying she needed some time and space to figure things out. Castle, along with the viewing audience, was left completely flabbergasted, especially since she doesn’t want a divorce, just some time apart.
Beckett’s excuse, from what I can gather, is that she is doing this to protect Castle. She is doing this so that she can investigate her mother’s murder (again!) without getting him involved. Because you see, if he’s not involved, then this will somehow keep him out of harm’s way and I’m sorry, but this excuse just doesn’t make sense.
Many fans believe that it was what Rita (Ann Cusack), Castle’s stepmom, said to Beckett that caused her to make this decision. She said that by keeping their relationship a secret, she and Jackson (Castle’s father) were able to avoid being used against each other. Therefore, if one of them was in trouble then the other one wouldn’t be kidnapped or killed or tortured in revenge. But this doesn’t apply to Castle and Beckett’s relationship. Castle is a well known author and because of that, most people already know they are married. No, they’re not the Kardashians, but with a little research I’m sure anyone could figure out that they are married. So how is not living together protecting Castle? They’re still married, they still work together, and they still see each other almost every day. It just doesn’t make sense.
Beckett also seems to think that by not living with Castle she will be able to secretly investigate this new “Lockstat” lead into her mother’s case. Does she not know him at all? Eventually he is going to figure out what is going on and you know he’s going to jump in head first with absolutely no thought about his or anyone else’s safety. If you think about it, this separation, this trying to do everything by herself, is probably going to end up putting Castle and likely herself, at way more risk than if she had just told him everything in the first place.
Now here’s another thing to think about. In most marriages couples tell each other everything. They don’t lie or keep things from each other. They trust each other and depend on each other and that’s what makes their relationships stronger. Wouldn’t it have made a better story if Beckett had confided in Castle about everything and then they could have gone ahead and investigated Lockstat together? The strength of this show has always been Castle and Beckett working together–theory building, bouncing ideas off each other, and really just spending time together. That’s what brought us back every week.
In Season 6 there was an absolutely brilliant episode called “Veritas,” where Beckett was finally able to find the evidence to convict Senator Bracken and put her mother’s case to rest (or so we thought). Why then do we need to rehash it again? Wouldn’t it have made more sense to create a new storyline? And why can’t Beckett just let it go? I get it’s a large part of her life, and for a long time, but isn’t it time for her to move forward? Shouldn’t she be thinking about her future instead of her past? She has finally accepted this great guy into her life and they are supposed to be building a life together. They should be talking about having children and arguing about the best day cares and schools, they shouldn’t be investigating a 20 year old case.
In several interviews earlier this season, new Castle showrunners Alexi Hawley and Terrance Paul Winter explained this storyline as an attempt to spice things up again and bring back the Castle and Beckett that we used to love. Is it not possible to spice things up in a marriage? How is separating them possibly going to bring back the couple that we know and love? What we love about them is their relationship and how they’ve managed to build a fun and effective working relationship while maintaining a fiery romantic one at home. How can they build on that relationship when they’re apart?
We’ve already watched Castle try to win over Beckett. Sure, we loved being tortured over all those seasons in the past but why would we want to watch that exact same story repeat itself all over again? Beckett left Castle, with basically no explanation at all, when this stuff with her mother’s killer is all said and done shouldn’t it be Beckett trying to win Castle back?
Even though I’m not ready to give up on this show, I am praying that the writers–who have promised to wrap this storyline up by the fall finale–are sticking by their word. And who knows, maybe they’ll blow us away and actually have all this confusing stuff make sense? But for now, I think it’s time for Castle to move forward, give us some new storylines and to bring back the show that I used to love.
What do you think about Season 8? Are you as confused as I am by Beckett’s behaviours? Do you think that the writers should have done things differently this season? Drop a few words in the comments section below and let us know what you’re thinking.
Castle airs Mondays at 10 p.m. ET on CTV and ABC.
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About The Author
Christy Spratlin
Christy is a self proclaimed and proud TV Junkie. Her love for TV began at an early age with shows like Degrassi, Alias, ER, Buffy, The X-Files & Friends. You can now find her watching, ok obsessing over, shows like When Calls The Heart, Saving Hope, Arrow, Outlander, Grey's Anatomy and many many others. You can catch Christy on Twitter at @ChristySpratlin where she will likely be live tweeting her favorite shows and talking about everything TV.
I agree it also makes castle look sad and pathetic basically stalking her trying to win her back and I would also love if Beckett had to win castle back she needs to have some consequences for doing this
I can’t for the life of me agree with the way they’ve changed the two lead characters this season. The secrecy and lack of communication on Beckett’s part is completely out of the blue. The logic and credibility of her separation from Castle is lost on me. So is the inconprehensible reaction on castle’s side – his emotional response (or rather lack thereof) comes across as incomprehensible. Where I’d expect human eesponses like anger, hurt and standing up for himself expecting respect – I’m getting juvenile actions and HIM going after HER the same way he chased her before they became a couple. I can’t relate to them anymore, because their behaviour in their ‘relationship’ this season is both out of character and counter intuitive on a fundamental level. It has effectively wiped away a massive amount of emotional investment in two characters who used to be my favorites on tv. And that loss is just sad. I don’ believe the premise of it, so I’ve let go of following the show. If they correct their monumental (mistake) storytelling choices in the second half of the season I might opt for a marathon to catch up, but as it is I don’t enjoy what the show’s putting out anymore.
Ellie, when you say Beckett’s secrecy and lack of communication is out of the blue this season, I ask you to rethink that. She has always been one to lie and keep secrets. Especially when she thinks the other person won’t like what she would say. “He stumbled (Eric Vaughn). Followed by “Rick, I’m not going to lie to you.” Really? Because you just did. “I don’t remember the shooting.” I could go on and on. Rick tells her this season, “It’s you. I’ve seen this before.” He recognizes the Beckett he had hoped he could change. And then Kate goes on to lie once more, “No more secrets.” This is who she is and has always been.
I agree with you in that she once upon a time was prone to keeping Castle at arm’s length. I simply hold a different opinon as to whether that is who she still is. They way I see it, that side of her was true BEFORE they got married, a process in which they had to work through a fair share of doubts and assumptions about their relationship. For her to revert to that place NOW simply doesn’t compute for me. In my mind, the wedding vows and her statement about not leaving behind what’s most important (late season 7) puts her in a very different place regarding Rick. I would expect her to tell him the truth about this case and include him in her thought process before acting on it. For instance, I think the amount of trust she is gambling on him to unknowingly place in their relationship is FAR greather than what it would take for her to trust him to knowingly stay away from the case.
This show has never been one to delve deep into their private conversations as a couple. Those details have often been alluded to or portrayed as blanks for the audience to fill in by themselves. I guess my problem now is that I can’t fill in these blanks in a way that makes sense anymore. The dots are too far apart to connect. As such, who Kate is in the face of Locksat in season 8 is such a strech from the character I have seen evolve that I can’t buy the premise of the storyline. I would have been willing to accept a breakup had it been built up more comprehensively and in tune with previous character development. But this? Can’t make sense of it. Sorry. Wish I could. I used to love this show. I’ll give them this, though: I think both Fillion and Katic acts the heck out of the material they’re given. I just don’t think the material is credible right now. I have no doubt that “caskett 2.0” will be great, but that doesn’t change the fact that I think they are spending a great deal of screen time elaborating and hopefully eventually fixing a self-inflicted situation for “caskett 1.0” that I don’t believe in.
Nice column Christy!!
And I couldn’t agree more. As you said, breaking them up so they can come back together, is a repeat of the premise from the first episode.
If the writers developed the relationship with “…arguing about the best day cares and schools” it would be a lot more fun. Castle going over the top and Beckett trying to stay grounded about the future of their childen would make some great moments on the show. Christy, I wish you were the Castle producer!
Totally agree. This is no longer the Castle i used to know and love – not the show, not the characters, not the epic lovestory. There is no way they can wrap this up in a satisfactory way, its tainted beyond fixing. Castle is a sad excuse for what he once was and Kate is selfish and unreachable. Not only have these showrunners ruined this season, but my enjoyment of every past one as well. Good job.
I agree wholeheartedly. They’ve dismantled the show & characters I loved watching & made Castle look pathetic & stupid. I haven’t enjoyed one ep. yet. They have no idea what Caskett is about or what we love about the show. I hope they get things back on track & bring them together as promised.
I am thinking it might have something to do with the leads. I am NOT bashing the actors. I love them. I’m wondering if significant others of the leads don’t want deep steamy love scenes. The late contract signing by Ms Kadic might have required that. The 2 leads are hardly together anymore. Just a thought.
Sure, because the most influential person in any entertainment organization is the S.O. of the employee… yeah I don’t think so.
Yep. You nailed it. I’ve seen a lot of people from other fandoms talking about how the reaction to the Caskett breakup is just stupid shippers ruining everything, but that’s really not it. It’s the fact that there’s no logic behind any of this, and all of the patronizing excuses that have been given to viewers in the many “just stick with us, we promise it’ll pay off” style interviews make the situation even worse, not better.
If the only way to spice a relationship up is to “temporarily and not REALLY” end it, then you’re probably in the wrong business.
Beckett is not investigating her mother’s case, that case is closed, she’s investigating who killed her former FBI colleagues and Bracken.
Christy, I totally agree with every comment you made!!! The writers have assassinated the character of the Kate Beckett that we all knew and loved!!! Castle was always my favorite show until the writer’s totally ruined it. From the bogus wedding kidnapping to the current day ridiculous and contrived separation, the writers have lost touch with what the show and the characters were all about! At this point the damage to Beckett’s character is irreparably damaged! ABC should have let the show go gracefully into that good night last May!
Anne’s, have the characters changed or are the writers simply keeping them true to themselves? When viewers think of Beckett and Castle, the tendency is to view two lovers who have overcome numerous obstacles and finally reached their happy ever after; and now that don’t want to see that interrupted or lost. But remember who Beckett was before and during Castle’s courting. When faced with what she believed was an either or position between Castle or the AG job, she told her dad, “The job, the job is what I want.” So you see, she has always put her career and herself first. Yes, she works hard for her victims, but that’s her job. Her job has always come before her personal life. Isn’t that why she didn’t follow Will to Boston? Fans want to believe she will always choose Castle first, but that will never be the case.
My take is that Season 8 will end the Series ……. The
Fans are leaving in droves and couldn’t care less. The
Castle Obsession gone….. Personally, l’m still a fan,
Only because l really like STANA and She is still with
The Show …… BUT for how long ????????
The breakup is a poorly done literary device that the show runners threw in to increase tension. Other shows have used other devices viewers just don’t notice it as much because they expect a better approach from Castle. The entire show is driven by the wit and dialogue between Fillion and Katic. Anything that reduces either element between them brings the show well below what the audience expects. Viewers are upset because they know Castle can be a much better show than it has been so far this season and that’s due to a conscious decision by people on the production. People know a stupid idea when they see it.
I agree, this whole approach by the new showrunners is stupid. Successful TV shows simply give the audience what it wants. Why don’t Hawley and Winter go with that? The downturn in ratings is telling you something, guys. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Hawley and Winter have destroyed a good show why did they have to do this and they’re still going on about it will be alright in the end. Have any of them been in a relationship because if they have been they’ve made Castle into a sad pathetic guy who’s stalking Kate and they’ve made her out to be psychotic bitch .They were funny the one liners have gone in season 7 they hardly kissed so if it’s the case they’ve run out of ideas why did they not finish it off then?
While it is easy to want to agree with everything you have said, you are asking us to believe Beckett should change who she is because of her marriage to Rick. After all, Castle continues to act like the same caring, considerate, and fun loving person he has always been. Beckett has always been obsessed with finding justice and thinking of herself and her needs above Castle’s. She spent years focusing on her mother’s death and she has never been the type to shut down her computer at five while working an investigation. We want her to be thinking of Castle first, and so the writers have us believing she walked out to save his life during her investigation of LockSat. Then they show us in three of the first five episodes how stupid we are to believe that line of reasoning when Castle gets abducted and tortured, associated with Beckett as husband and wife by the college dean, and later held at gun point by a Van Gogh owner’s son at Castle’s own home because of his relationship with the police captain. Are the writers stupid, or are they just reiterating what Martha has already told us, “Darling, this is just who she is.”
If your already separated before a year of marriage then it’s not ment to be
At the end of last season I really hoped it would be renewed, but now I wish it had been cancelled. That final episode last season would have been a fitting conclusion. I don’t recognize the show it’s become this year and sadly it tarnishes what came before. There is no chemistry whatsoever between the leads, ridiculous plot lines, even more ridiculous, irrational and thus insulting rationales provided by the producers and a talking ‘Siri’ like pyramid?!! Hear that?…the sound of ‘Fonzie’ waterskiing over a shark.
I absolutely agree with you. I’ve been thinking the same things ever since the season started. Not only it doesn’t make sense, but it actually goes against everything they’ve been building up. I think the fun of Castle- which was once my favourite show as well- is the fact the they did get them together and even married them, which spiced things up but never changed the core of the show. It was still Castle and Beckett investigating murders like the good ol’ days. Now, this whole season (and I may say, even Castle’s mysterious dissapearence last season) is just plain stupid. It doesn’t do good by the characters and basically makes no sense at all.
Personally, I think it’s the new showrunners. Marlowe always knew where he was standing and where he was heading. Now it’s all out there in the wind…
I believe that I have seen EVERY Castle episode at least once, probably more. I agree that I’m confused. Kate said early on this year that there wouldn’t be any more secrets! Since then, nothing but secrets! Since the “good senator” is now dead, along with her former “crew” from the U.S. AG’s office, she’s obviously on a mission to figure out who was the senator’s “boss.” Since she admitted to Castle when she arrested the senator that she couldn’t have done that without Rick, there is no doubt in my mind that these new show-runners are heading in the wrong direction! I only hope that their goal to put the spark back in this show won’t be too late, because the ratings do NOT look good at this point, and the projected 3 months off, coming up soon, won’t help any! There were rumors earlier this year that Stana really didn’t want to come back. Could this be the way of sealing the fate of the show, while she gets her wish?
Christy, excellent synopsis and I agree with everything you wrote. The current producers and writers of my favorite program “Castle”,have made a mess of main theme of it, which of course is the relationship between Castle and Beckett. I continue to catch every new episode with the hope of this debauchery being rectified by the fall break but from what I’ve read that isn’t going to be the case. I would hope that the current show runners listen to what we, the fans, have to say and make the changes that need to be made.
You hit it on the head. These”show runners” are so intent on turning things around that they completely forgot what it was that got them where they are. Who will watch a show where the good guys are either adolescent clowns or cardboard stereotypes. Beckett is now the most despised character on TV. She made Bracken into a wise hero. The killers get all of our sympathy. If the show doesn’t hurry, they won’t have an audience to worry about. Right now it is by far the worst, unwatchable show on TV
First–the rumors about NF and SK as the reason for this disaster are just that rumors. In fact via SK interview she wanted this story line.
That being said–all these show runners have done is make KB the most hated of characters. The step mother told her–they were safe but Kate chose to go down this rabbit hole and the excuse of keeping Castle safe is dumb and this is about the AG team being killed not her mom. Either way–it makes KB out to be a selfish “its my life” mentally ill liar. It has turned Castle into a pathetic spineless man chasing after his WIFE! Where is Castle? He would have figured this out by now but the writers so intent on going back to S4 and do a reset they failed to realize that no matter how good an ep is–this black cloud hangs over everyone to the point I can not watch anymore. This will not be wrapped up by the fall finale–Winter and Hawley have said as much. I predict after the long winter break the ratings will be in the fractions. Sad
How to lose a show: Take a winning formula and dump it in the trash. By all means separate the two leading lovebirds for no reason. Then say it’s all because of something that’s so stupid the fans faint. Wash rinse repeat. Bye.