Castle 3x22 To Love and Die in LA Review

I don't know about you, but I was excited like hell for that Episode. For one... Castle and Beckett alone in LA? Awesome.

While investigating the murder of her friend and ex-partner Royce, Beckett finds information that his murderer went back to Los Angeles. Although she has the order to not follow any leads to LA until they have solid evidence, Beckett takes off to LA on her own. But Castle wouldn't be Castle if he wouldn't meet her on the plane. Beckett and Castle even share a Hotel Suite while working this case. Esposito and Ryan are also having Kate's back while she is in LA. Along the way Castle and Beckett even stop at the Set of "Heat Wave" while following some leads and questioning a witness to make him believe they are with the LAPD. As they get closer to the killer, Castle needs to question Beckett's motives. Is she out for justice? Or does she just want revenge?


*Spoiler - don't read any further if you haven't seen this Episode yet*
I personally love how the writers solved the problem of getting Beckett and Castle to LA. I loved Royce and would have loved to see more of him and Beckett, but killing him off helped to send Kate over the edge and show another side of her. They really couldn't have done it better.

Also having Castle waiting for Beckett on the plane was priceless. Them sharing a Hotel Room - so incredible nice. While Castle gives Beckett a little insight look about what he thought when he met her for the first time, they share a moment. Of course Beckett pulls back... again. lol. I get it as a writer but also as a person. From the writers prospective they need to throw the fans some little bits but they can't take it too far because they need to be afraid that people will stop watching once they get together. I don't think this will happen since both Castle and Beckett are complex characters and they still get to know each other. So even if they get together in the finale I'm sure there will be a lot of conflict left for them. ;)

And from the person's perspective I also understand it. I mean it's not that easy to always listen to your heart when there is a mind that tells you to stay on the safe side. So yes, I get it. Still I really hoped Castle would have been there when Beckett opened the door again.

I also absolutely loved the scene with Esposito and Lanie. Such an awesome and strong scene that felt pretty real to me. Much kudos to Tamala and Jon for that scene. Such great chemistry. It was good to see that Esposito and Ryan also have Beckett's back while she is in LA and gets herself into trouble. And the captain was pretty awesome too. He knew Kate would do something stupid and had her back before she realized it. And the Set visit of "Heat Wave" was hilarious. The guys that play Ryan and Esposito in the movie - so spooky. Great casting guys.

And much kudos to Stana for looking so great in a swimsuit lol. Nathan's facial expression is always so incredible good that I'd call him one of the best actors ever.
In my opinion this episode had some of the best dialog ever. The scene when Beckett finally found the killer and tells him about Royce, there is a moment left for us where we can wonder what would have happened when Castle wouldn't have called out for her. Personally I think that Kate wouldn't have shot him... she is more the justice than the revenge girl. ;)

The end with the voice over of Royce's letter he wrote to Kate - awesome. Castle sleeping, while she reads the letter gives her moment to consider the truth of Royces words.

So I'd give this Episode ✭✭✭✭✭ from ✭✭✭✭✭ :)

Only thing I missed in this Episode were Alexis and Martha ;) But I'm sure we get some more moments with them soon. :)

So awesome work writers, cast and crew. It was totally worth the wait.


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Best Quotes:
Castle: You know what I thought when I first met you? That you were a mystery that I was never gonna solve. Even now, after spending all this time with you, I'm still amazed by the depths of your strength, your heart and your hotness.
Beckett: You're not so bad yourself Castle.

Beckett: Castle, I'm not here for room service. I'm here for justice.
Castle: Wow. In L.A. for all of a minute, and already she's spouting cheesy movie dialogue. Must be something in the air.

Royce: (on the letter) And now for the hard part, kid. It's clear that you and Castle have something real, and you're fighting it. But trust me, putting the job ahead of your heart is a mistake. Risking our hearts is why we're alive. The last thing you want is to look back on your life and wonder, if only...


Lanie: “Is your ‘friend’ that top-heavy tramp in reception?”
Esposito: “Hm? What? You know I only have eyes for you. I don’t even…"
Lanie: “Mmm-hmm. You know I have easy access to sharp objects."


Riley: “I’ve read all of your books. If you have a chance, I’d like to talk to you about my motivation.”
Castle: “What do you mean?
Riley: “I mean, what’s my character’s inner life? Why do I do what I do?"
Castle: “You’re a cop. So it’s your job."