Castle: Much Ado About Murder – A Sad Cop/Bad Cop Review
“It was a Hollywood promise. Not worth a damn.” ~ Castle
Melanie didn’t show up for work again today, the second Tuesday in a row. I heard through the grapevine that’s she’s gone into hiding since the show took such a drastic turn for the worse. However, she still has a key to the office which explains the note I found attached to my bulletin board this morning. I think it’s intended for you guys…
So, out of concern for her wellbeing, I’ve decided to search for Melanie and I’d appreciate your help. I have a few places to check, her usual haunts (writers conferences, the Writers’ Police Academy, etc.). In the meantime, would you please head over to another of her hangouts. Click the link below for directions.
Here’s a photo for you take with you. You might want to print a few copies to pass around.
Now, before we all head out on our “Where’s Melanie” search and rescue mission, let’s quickly discuss the police procedure and forensics in last night’s episode. To kick off the discussion here’s a little fellow who caught every single detail.
That’s right, you just heard the sound of crickets chirping, and that’s because there’s basically nothing to discuss. What little procedure we did see was minuscule. But there are a couple of things to point out.
First, did you notice the absence of Lividity Lanie? In fact, the only mention of that usual aspect of the show came from Esposito when he said, “M.E. places the time of death between 8 and 11 p.m.”
I know, Tamala Jones has a large fan base, but this is what I’ve been saying for several years…her character, as they’ve written her, is a total and unnecessary distraction. A waste of our time and the network’s budget. Lanie Parrish M.E. added nothing to the show. As a friend, girlfriend, etc., sure. but even that role is not needed.
The entire “based on lividity” crapfest we’ve seen each week was far better handled by Espo’s simple line above. We don’t need to hear horribly incorrect science to move the story along when those cringeworthy scenes could be replaced by a simple line or two. So yes, “M.E. places the time of death between 8 and 11 p.m,” said a lot using very few words. Sorry Tamala, but I call it as I see it, and I suppose that’s why I’m the bad cop.
Esposito and Ryan threatened a suspect by saying they could have a federal prisoner shipped to either a location that’s favorable/close for family visits, or to a facility so far away from family that it would make visitation nearly impossible. This is a very real “thing” that happens in the federal prison system. The BOP (Bureau of Prisons) has the authority and the means to transfer prisoners to a facility of their choosing, and they do so for a variety of reasons—security issues, safety of the inmate, staff, and/or the community, and disciplinary reasons (they might say they don’t transfer as a form of punishment, but…). Inmates may also request transfers to move closer to their family, future work, special schools or training not available at their current location, pre-release drug rehab classes, etc.
Keep in mind, though, that local police, and even the courts, have absolutely no control over what goes on within the federal prison system, and this includes inmate transfers.
So, speaking of Ryan and Esposito… We saw more of them this week and that’s always a good thing. The chemistry between them this week was over the top good. Will we see more of them as this dreadful season nears its end? Are we seeing a preview of future possibilities? Hmm…
Finally, and this was fantastic in my book…no Alexis and no Hayley! Two, count ’em, two home runs! In their absence, we saw Juliana Dever, the wife of Seamus Dever (Ryan) who showed up at the precinct with the couple’s daughter. A cute scene that should’ve happened more frequently over the years. Again, something for the future? #Jennyisback
Here are a few lines from the show that caught my attention.
- Stop! Step away from the laptop!
- Do I look like a man who kills cute?
- I tripped a drug lord.
- Typy, typy, typy.
- For now, crime scene casual. (Beckett said this in response to Castle asking what he should wear).
By the way, did anyone else sense a connection to this storyline and the recent fiasco of Sean Penn interviewing escaped Mexican drug lord El Chapo?
Oh yeah…Castle was kidnapped, again. I think it was his turn to fill the spot in the tiresome boilerplate script.
Overall, not a bad episode, but it was a bit weird.
#boilerplatescripssuck
#Jennyisback
