A finale about plastic surgery sounded intriguing even if I knew it wouldn't be as disturbing and dark as Nip/Tuck. But the story wasn't a naive vision of that twisted world and in fact I found it as exciting as the Home is Where the Heart Stops episode one. Moreover for once the characters involved in the investigation weren't as stereotyped and predictable as in Nanny McDead for example. From the funny gangster to the surreal blonde its gallery of portraits was entertaining to watch. Also Beckett and Castle's complementary skills were well used and they managed to pull the right strings to solve the case. The intensity was progressive as unexpected events happened one after the other until the unavoidable sensational development.
Otherwise a better writing that in most other installments couldn't hide all the show flaws. First I found the mix between humorous and serious genres a bit awkward, specially at the end. Second Alexis attempting her first prom was anecdotic. Of course Molly C. Quinn looks beautiful in her dress but her character is just too sweet and one dimensional. They probably profiled her that way to balance the relationships with her playfather and extravagant grand-mother but it only makes her boring. I'm not even sure girls of her age can identify with her because being a teenager is more a crisis than a peaceful journey. But again Susan Sullivan as Martha Rodgers, the vivid grandma, saved the day again as her speech about being a woman was inspiring. An other element that disappointed me was the absence of Gina Cowell, Castle's gorgeous ex-wife and editor played by Monet Mazur in the pilot. I can't believe she wasn't featured when covering his writing career could have been the sparkle the show needed to appeal some angry viewers like me and convince them to watch the second season.
But in the end I have to admit that A Death in the Family was a good last season episode. Even if it wasn't as hilarious as some previous installments it was still entertaining. Moreover Stana Katic's performance impressed me at times and I could feel how much Beckett's past was still haunting her. In one scene she even reminded of Jennifer Carpenter as Deborah Morgan in Dexter's Easy as Pie episode even if it wasn't as mesmerizing. Let's not forget that Castle is family-friendly so portraying Beckett as an obsessed and troubled female detective would be inappropriate. I wouldn't mind it as it would move the show to the upper league but let's not forget our younger audience.
Otherwise a better writing that in most other installments couldn't hide all the show flaws. First I found the mix between humorous and serious genres a bit awkward, specially at the end. Second Alexis attempting her first prom was anecdotic. Of course Molly C. Quinn looks beautiful in her dress but her character is just too sweet and one dimensional. They probably profiled her that way to balance the relationships with her playfather and extravagant grand-mother but it only makes her boring. I'm not even sure girls of her age can identify with her because being a teenager is more a crisis than a peaceful journey. But again Susan Sullivan as Martha Rodgers, the vivid grandma, saved the day again as her speech about being a woman was inspiring. An other element that disappointed me was the absence of Gina Cowell, Castle's gorgeous ex-wife and editor played by Monet Mazur in the pilot. I can't believe she wasn't featured when covering his writing career could have been the sparkle the show needed to appeal some angry viewers like me and convince them to watch the second season.
But in the end I have to admit that A Death in the Family was a good last season episode. Even if it wasn't as hilarious as some previous installments it was still entertaining. Moreover Stana Katic's performance impressed me at times and I could feel how much Beckett's past was still haunting her. In one scene she even reminded of Jennifer Carpenter as Deborah Morgan in Dexter's Easy as Pie episode even if it wasn't as mesmerizing. Let's not forget that Castle is family-friendly so portraying Beckett as an obsessed and troubled female detective would be inappropriate. I wouldn't mind it as it would move the show to the upper league but let's not forget our younger audience.
