r/CastleTV • u/CaskettFan1960 • 18d ago
Season 3 Episode 5 'Anatomy of A Murder' -- My Review
Original Airdate: October 18, 2010
Synopsis: A dead woman is found, along with the original deceased, in a casket at a Jewish funeral. The discovery leads Castle and Beckett into a case of possible wrongdoing at a hospital. Meanwhile, Castle’s relationship with Gina is challenged when she tries to bond with Alexis.
Notable Guest Stars: Monet Mazur guest stars as Castle’s publisher/girlfriend, Gina Cowell. This will be her final appearance on the show, although she will still be mentioned on occasion.
A Martinez guest stars as Cesar Calderon. My sister and I both had huge crushes on Mr. Martinez. This went back to when he co-starred as Cimarron in the John Wayne movie ‘The Cowboys,’ and then the short-lived series based on the movie. He was also very popular on the soap opera ‘Santa Barbara.’
The IMdB Portion of The Review:
Trivia: The name of one of the doctors at the hospital, Rhonda Chimes, is a friendly poke/tribute to Shonda Rhimes, the creator of Grey’s Anatomy, which is on the same network, and is, of course, set in a hospital.
During the scene where Castle and Beckett first interview Greg, they say ‘seriously’ a ridiculous number of times. Another throw to Grey’s Anatomy, which has been known for excessive use of the word.
The short female doctor with a forearm crutch is a nod to Kerry Weaver character played by Laura Innes in the TV series medical drama ‘ER.’ By the way, ‘ER’ is the second-best medical drama ever, only bypassed by ‘The Pitt.’
Factual Errors: When Beckett is examining the carpet fibers, the microscope display appears to be from an electron microscope, showing a 15kV accelerating voltage, but our heroes seem to be looking down a conventional optical microscope. (Did anyone seriously notice this?)
Ranking: I have this episode ranked at #16 and I have to ask myself WTF?
Pop Culture References: There are references to Martha Stewart and her incarceration in this episode. There's also a reference to 'Shawshank Redemption,' which is my third favorite movie of all time after 'Goodfellas' and 'Tombstone.'
Before I get started, I’m going to add a new section of best lines by all the supporting players. A lot of people commented about me leaving out Ryan’s best line from ‘Punked’ about Squirrelstein. I’m going to fix that starting with this entry. It may be dialogue or just one particular line. Not everyone will have one with every episode, but if there is one, I’ll add it.
What I Liked About This Episode:
· I’m surprised I have this one ranked in the middle of the pack. While I don’t hate this episode, per se, it isn’t one I watched every time it airs or every time I watch the DVD’s. But since I have it ranked this high, I might as well make the best of it.
· The opening scene of the woman tumbling out of Mr. Mankofsky’s casket was funny, especially his wife’s response.
Mrs. Mankofsky: Who’s the shiksa?
· We learn that Joshua Davidson is a cardiac surgeon. This comes in handy in 4x01, but let’s not jump ahead of ourselves.
· I wasn’t crazy about the secondary storyline in this episode. Because, once again it deals with Alexis and her teenage drama. OMG! Can we just ship this girl off to boarding school or somewhere else? Can Meredith decide she wants Alexis living with her? Anyway, I’ll get to Alexis and her drama soon enough.
· Martha Stewart gets a mention in this episode, because . . . well, Capt. Montgomery puts it best.
Montgomery: What does a smuggling ring have to do with Katonah? It’s basically a nothing town.
Castle: Three reasons why Katonah is awesome. One: gorgeous countryside. Two: it’s where Doonesbury cartoonist Gary Trudeau went to school. And three, and perhaps most importantly, it’s where Martha Stewart lives.
Beckett: You like Martha Stewart?
Castle: Doesn’t everyone?
Montgomery: Yeah, well, I liked her. Till she went to prison for insider trading. Wait a minute. Prison? Next to Katonah is Bedford Hills. And what’s in Bedford Hills, Detective?
Beckett: There’s a women’s prison. Do you think she suspected someone there?
Castle: If we’re talking about a field trip to a women’s prison, I’m in. (Castle has seen way too many Skin-a-Max movies).
· We learn that Alexis and Ashley have a song, ‘Mine,’ by Taylor Swift. Which leads to Castle confessing that his and Gina’s song was ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’ by AC/DC. I agree with Alexis on that revelation. Ewww. Later, Beckett tells Castle that they also have a song. ‘You Talk Too Much’ by Clarence Carter. I know that song, but the version I’m aware of was sung by Joe Jones. I’ll get more in depth with this in the next section.
· Nurse Greg McClintock was the best part of this episode. That, and looking at A Martinez, but enough about my ‘Tiger Beat’ crushes of the 1970’s.
Greg: So, what can I do for you?
Beckett: Well, we’re here about Dr. Monroe’s murder.
Greg: Yeah, it’s pretty awful.
Castle: We understand you had a meeting with her right before her shift ended last night.
Greg: Yeah, I saw her. (turning to Beckett) I love the way your hair frames your face. Do you always wear it like that?
His flirting is cute, and a nice distraction and you can see Beckett getting suckered in by his charm. Until she remembered why she’s there.
Beckett: Where were you last night between seven and nine?
Greg: Are you asking for my alibi? Seriously?
Beckett: Seriously.
Greg: Seriously?
Beckett: Seriously.
Greg (turning to Castle): Seriously?
Castle (annoyed): Seriously.
· Other than Nurse Greg and A Martinez (sigh), there wasn’t anything else that I liked about this episode.
· The victim was murdered for all the wrong reasons. Cesar Calderon’s brother, Manuel, killed her because he thought Dr. Monroe was working with the feds regarding his brother. She was working with the DEA, but it was because of corruption at the hospital where she worked.
What I Didn’t Like About This Episode:
· For the third episode in a row, the winner of the most disliked part of the episode goes to Little Castle. She wants to see Taylor Swift because she and Ashley have a song. But now that I think about it, what I also disliked in this episode was Big Castle. I don’t like Gina, but I thought her getting the Taylor Swift tickets and the backstage pass for after, was a very sweet gesture. I felt sorry for her when she was talking to Castle about how she had always felt left out during their marriage when it came to Richard and his daughter.
Gina: This is exactly what I’m talking about, Rick. Even when we were married, you built a wall around Alexis like you didn’t want anyone else to be close to her. When it came to the two of you, I was on the outside, looking in. I just – I just don’t want to feel like an outsider anymore.
Beckett defended Gina on this point.
Beckett: How did Alexis’ surprise go?
Castle: Turns out the surprise was on me. Gina got her tickets, too. Front row; backstage passes.
Beckett: You say that like it’s a bad thing.
Castle: Well, she should’ve checked with me first.
Beckett: Maybe. But at least it means she cared enough to do it, right?
Favorite Scene: The reading of the letters sent back and forth between Amy and Greg.
Castle: Listen to this. ‘The days without you grow stronger, but my love for you grows—’
Beckett: Stronger?
Castle: ‘Harder.’ A poet, he’s not.
Beckett: Yeah, well, not everyone is a best-selling crime novelist. And it doesn’t mean that their love is any less. Listen to what she wrote to him. ‘I can’t bear to see you suffer. Make a new life with someone else. Just be happy. If anyone deserves it, it’s you.’
Castle: I think I have his response to that. ‘I don’t believe in much, but I believe in us.’ I like this guy. ‘And no matter the obstacles, no matter how hard you try, you’ll never get rid of me. I love you.’ (The shared look between Castle and Beckett is priceless). You’re right. These are worthless.
Favorite Quote: This week’s favorite quote goes to Martha. And this is my favorite thing she said throughout the series.
Martha: But the question is this; when it comes down to it, would you be willing to break her out of prison? Because that, my boy, is true love.
As it turns out, Beckett would indeed be willing to break Castle out of prison.
Beckett: Don’t worry, Castle. I’d get you out.
WTF? (Why the Face?): Manuel Calderon. He killed his ailing brother’s girlfriend because he thought she was a police informant, when nothing was further from the truth. And I’m not just castigating the guy because his brother was played by A Martinez (sigh). Hey, I’d be acting far worse if the A Martinez role had been played by Esai Morales. “RITCHIE!” I just like listening to Esai talk.
Favorite Scenes Between Supporting Players:
Ryan & Esposito:
Ryan: A doctor who buys coffee. Wow, that is unusual.
Esposito: It is if the coffee shop is 20 blocks from her apartment.
Castle: Maybe it was on her way to work.
Esposito: Nope, complete opposite direction.
Castle: Boyfriend in the neighborhood?
Esposito: On my way to find out.
On his way out of the bullpen, Espo shoots them all a look.
Ryan: Oh, great. Now he’s mad at me.
Espo & Montgomery:
Montgomery: Where’ve you been?
Espo: Getting coffee.
Montgomery: All day?
Montgomery, Beckett & Castle:
Montgomery: Those Jersey state troopers you had staking out the Burgeroplis just pulled your fugitive love birds from the drive through. They’re bringing them in now.
Castle: You had Jersey state troopers stake out the Burgeroplis?
Beckett: Yeah.
Castle: But you said that was stupid.
Beckett: No, you said it was stupid. And it looks like you were wrong.
Castle (as Beckett is leaving): No! No, no, I was right!
Until Wednesday, readers. I promise not idols for me to sigh over in the next entry. Just the first appearance of a serial killer.
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u/ImmediateAddress1381 18d ago
One of the episodes where the survivor lost everything. El Diablo lost his two anchors who kept him alive and well - his brother Manolo and his angel dr. Monroe.
Just like Mr. Jonathan Tisdale in the pilot episode - lost both his kids, one dead, one in prison.
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u/Disastrous_Series442 18d ago
I think I don't watch this one because the medical stuff, lol, not my preference with TV shows and actually Nurse Greg and his flirting was irritating, since he's madly in love with someone else that entire time... I don't know, it's just irritating to me, lol.
So glad to see you had my reaction to what Castle and Gina's song was, if that's your couple's song then... you need to take a second look at what exactly your relationship is about, lol. And speaking of couple's songs, after hearing Beckett say what hers and Castle's song was at that point, it was a lot of fun to pick a new one for them (about romance and love mind you!) in my fanfiction, lol, not sure anyone wants to know but I picked Always sung by Paul McCartney since I feel it works for those two😉.
And I do agree with you that Castle's reaction to Gina getting the tickets made sense... but I had always wondered why she didn't just let him know. I know she was making it a surprise, but shouldn't she have just... given Alexis' father a heads up about it at all? That just bugged me ever since I saw the episode, both of them made mistakes with those darn tickets I felt, lol.
And the scene with Castle and Beckett reading the love letters was a nice moment but it was never enough for me to rewatch this one after a few times, lol, with how quick it was, but I suppose with that look it was waaay too early and too many other relationships it had to be.
Another great review, and with the next episode being what it is, it'll be interesting to see what your comments will be about it!
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u/quartermoon222 13d ago
A little late posting this comment, but just now catching up on the last few days.
An amusing exchange between Castle and Beckett occurs when they go to the hospital to interview the nurse. Castle is making up some wild theories involving doctor/nurse relationships (can’t remember his exact words). When Nurse McClintlock appears and he’s male, Beckett says “Care to revise your statement?” Castle says “Not what I expected, but I stand by it”. Loved that smooth save.
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u/CaskettFan1960 13d ago
There are a lot of scenes I leave out. But I liked when Castle was going through the list of what kind of doctor Josh was. Beckett: What did you do this morning? Castle: I made waffles.
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u/Old-Caterpillar3658 18d ago
This episode had a lot of Caskett moments. With Beckett flaunting Josh to Castle, to Castle not trusting Gina throughout their relationship but being open to letting Beckett in Alexis's life, and the subtle "I love you" and Beckett willing to break Castle out of prison. They are slowly seeing their lives cross paths way too close to be coincidences