I love storytelling — the ability to weave characters and situations into a tapestry so intricate that you get lost within it. When looking at television, the storytelling I look for not only gives me resolutions but also propels me expectantly into the unknown realm of the story-to-come. The season 4 finale of Castle did that for me.
(Spoiler warning: the rest of this post will refer to events up to and including that episode as well as also speculating on the future.)
Over on TIB, I wrote a post about the timing aspect of TV romance including Castle/Beckett (link). Here, I want to talk about the story ramifications. It’s hardly a secret that I sometimes get story flashes when a series reaches an exceptionally fertile turning point. After all, I did spend a year of my life following up on just that sort of thing with The Connor Wars. I had one of those, again, after seeing the Castle season ender.
One of the things you learn in storytelling 101 is that a good story will periodically take your characters and spin them out into a new direction. That new course needs to make sense for the story and people in it but is necessary to avoid repetition and forumla — shoals especially dangerous in a well-established series. At the risk of sounding meta, in the very first episode, Castle said that the reason he killed off his long-time hero Derrick Storm was because Rick had reached a place where he knew what was going to happen; there weren’t any surprises. This is what started Castle the series, and it’s this that could possibly fuel new story options in the fifth season and beyond.
I’ve said many times before that the ideal for most TV series is to become an episodic serial having continuing storylines propelled by otherwise standalone episodes. The standalone aspect is important because it makes the series more attractive for syndication. Think of all the Law and Order or NCIS episodes you stumble across while channel surfing and you get the idea. On the other hand, the serial aspect helps viewers take ownership of the show. As they become more invested in it, the roots of their passion often grow deeper. Unfortunately, it also alienates people who weren’t on the train from the beginning as they avoid the burden of having to catch up on the mythology that continuity has built over several seasons.
Castle now has the opportunity to step outside its comfortable formula (something alluded to in Alexis’ valedictory speech). It’s more than just getting Castle and Beckett together romantically. There is a golden opportunity to test new waters while still retaining a lifeline if the seas become too rough. And this enters into the area where I had my little story flash.
The easiest description is to think of Castle and Beckett becoming their own detective agency with themselves as the primary clients. You get Esposito (probably still on suspension) to be their trusted associate. The lifeline? You keep Ryan in the 12th; still scared of Gates and wary of breaking the rules but also wanting to redeem himself to the only people he trusts with his life. He’s now their mole within the department.
From here we have a world of stories that can be explored without being confined by the formulaic dictates of the four walls of the 12th precinct. Javier gets to be a little more like the special forces guy he really wants to be. Castle gets to play with his gadgets. Beckett gets to follow her investigative nose. These three could form a core that leads to many seasons of great stories. If it doesn’t work, we can always retreat back the 12th, but I can’t help thinking that it would seem smaller, somehow.
If I were a writer on Castle or willing to commit another year to writing fanfic for this (I’m not), I’d be giddy with the possibilities before me. I felt this way after the Sarah Connor Chronicles series ender as well…and you remember how that turned out on my end. So, if I say that there is the seed for great storytelling yearning to break out of its shell and stretch its branches to the sky following season 4, you can trust that what I see in my mind is worthy. I just hope the creative team at Castle sees it, too.
As hot and spicey as the ending was…the relationship between Ryan and Esposito intrigues me even more. Where will the writers take that from here? The infinite possibilities.
And the ep gives me a burning desire to watch Dollhouse for some odd reason. ;)
I totally agree. They’ve been partners for at least 7 years. Espo has got to feel totally betrayed by someone he viewed almost like a younger brother. Still…if Ryan hadn’t been such a boy scout, Kate would be dead. It’s important for writers to leave these in-character shades of gray.
There are so many character events that could happen, it’s like a feast of possibilities has been set before us. On a lighter note, I expect Alexis will return home just before the Rick-starts-getting-worried lunch deadline. She perhaps doesn’t stumble across them in flagrante delicto or even just asleep in each other’s arms (though, then again, maybe…), but the realization that change has come — to all concerned — is just ripe for picking. AM has suggested that returning to some of the light mood from earlier seasons is planned, what a way this would be to start.
I hope they don’t resolve Rysposito too quickly. ;)
I’m thinking Kate will be in one of Castle’s shirts; he’ll be flipping pancakes when Alexis walks in.
I was confused for a bit thinking Castle *was* on the roof when she thought she heard him. Even replayed it a bit to listen again before I watched it through and realized that was the catalyst that sent her to see him. (In seeing the preview I thought she was coming out of the shower… not coming inside out of the rain.)
I believe I read somewhere today (comments from AM?) that the show will pick up soon after these events. If not, I will probably be dead soon after the season premiere for killing the flat screen.
LOL. Poor dead Julie. Poor, poor dead flat screen. Oh, wait…it was just a dream. Julie and the flatscreen will most likely live. Yay!
The Castley voice on the roof was definitely a deliberate misdirect. I’m OK with that because it led to Kate returning to the swing set from S4E01 where Kate told Castle about that emotional wall of hers…the rain metaphorically melting/washing it away. It was nice work from the writers; both subtle and on-the-nose.
I agree with you about Rysposito (why do I want to eat rice all of a sudden?). If we let Rick and Kate have some time in the sun, it’s only fair that another pair needs serious couples therapy.
If that was a dream I’ll be throwing rotten tomatoes at the TV and I’ll probably be dead or in jail for that too!
I think I read somewhere that AM guaranteed this wasn’t a dream.
They haven’t let me down yet on this show. I can’t hardly wait to see what’s planned. Oh, to have a bug in the writer’s room. (Does it show that this is my favorite current tv show for quite a while, now?)
It shows. :)
My problem began once upon a time when I saw this crazy woman hating priest on this vampire show…. Shoot I probably would’ve had an earlier addiction if I’d still been watching soaps!
(Funny, this TV common denominator. I still have to laugh coming across you re: GH. Who’d’ve thunk it?!?)
I know, right? Soaps.
My prob was only slightly earlier, what with me being a Browncoat and all. (Never did get into OLTL or Two Guys…, tho.) Stana is icing on the cake. Not that stuff out of the can but the fresh-made buttercream. And Molly is the ganache-coated cupcake on the side. (For some reason, I’m starting to get a wee bit peckish.)
But hey, we’ve long been with the sometimes overlapping tastes. Maybe not with the same start time, but close enough.
Do you have some Castle fanfic hiding somewhere? I haven’t really gotten into fanfic for a while… since some LOTR stuff many moons ago!
You know, I would if I didn’t trust TPTB to do right by the characters and the audience.
Truth is, I’m sort of full-up with writing projects right now. In addition to the professional stuff, I still have a few fanfic scripts to write for the Connor Wars fans. I’m not yet done with that fanfic series.
That said, if the 5th season disappoints, I might think about tossing in my interpretation. (Fair warning, Castle writing staff. )
If they don’t write it the way I want it, I’ll do my best to stir up your muse for ya. Not sure if that’s a threat or a promise!
I’ve long relied on the fact that you’ve always had my back like that.
It’s a very good cast, that’s truly come into their own with the relationships amongst them. I thought initially this show was only spoofy (I guess the red squiggly doesn’t think that is a word either) of the procedural show, but clearly not. The sky’s the limit with the story telling with these characters… given the chance.
Since you’ve been not asking…very loudly, I simply had to indulge (whether I was indulging you or me I’ll leave for future scholars), I dashed of a little trifle: Castle — F0501 Random Scenes and Sequences
I’m glad there’s a mole in the department
*whispers to the muse*
don’t forget the boys (they need a bit more friction before they kiss and make up)
*smiles innocently*