Leonard is offered his dream job in “The Bon Voyage Reaction,” The Big Bang Theory‘s season six finale. Sheldon is jealous of Leonard’s opportunity to work with Stephen Hawking’s team. Raj pushes Lucy too far out of her comfort zone by asking her to meet his friends.

The Players:

• Director: Mark Cendrowski
• Writer: Steven Molaro, Steve Holland, and Tara Hernandez
• Cast: Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Melissa Rauch, Mayim Bailik, Kate Micucci

Episode Title: “The Bon Voyage Reaction”

Leonard will work with Hawking on an overseas expedition. Sheldon attempts to talk Leonard out of taking the job. Meanwhile, Penny is surprised but supportive of her boyfriend’s venture. Raj wants Lucy to meet his friends. Lucy agrees to meet one of them, and Amy decides she would be the best qualified because she was once an outsider to the group as well. Having Amy over for dinner doesn’t go as planned. Raj opens up to Penny about his emotional anxiety in an unexpected way.

The Good:

• The Bon Voyage Recurrence: This isn’t the first time Leonard has gone on a scientific expedition during the off season. It isn’t the first time someone works with Stephen Hawking, so we’re glad that was emphasized with Howard being the one to put in a good word for his friend.
• Bon Voyage, Lucy: We’ve tolerated Lucy and her rather flat awkwardness since the beginning. We love Kate Micucci and she has grown on us with her bathroom escapes and general nervousness. It’s good for her to leave now, though, before that territory of her particular social ineptitude is completely mined empty. Like Zack in Season 4, she served her purpose and we’re ready to see her go.
• From Bodacious to Loquacious: Raj’s transformation spurred by Lucy was the best kept secret of this episode. There was nary a mention in trailers or sneak peaks. It is a twist we find unexpected, humorous, and suitable to reveal now, after so many years. Raj rambling on through the credits was a nice touch too.
• Three’s a Crowd: Sheldon once again lapses into the child role when Penny and Leonard are at the airport. He yaks throughout their comfortable (but not memorable) goodbye hug and kiss. It makes for a nice diversion from the fact that Penny and Leonard’s relationship is somewhat boring at this point. It also shows us that Sheldon’s childish nature is a joke that has yet to get old.
• Saving Grace: The one-liners are often the glue that holds this show together, and this week is no exception.

The So-So:

• No Wow Factor: Overall, this episode doesn’t pack much punch for a season finale. We still got some laughs and have a decent setup for next season. The character development of Leonard, Penny, and Raj was good–necessary even at this point–but predictable.

The Quotes:

• Sheldon: “I used to be uncomfortable around people, and then I learned a trick. I pretend everyone I meet is a character from Star Trek.”
• Sheldon: “Well, you know Star Trek. Should a guy in a red shirt with no name really start out on an expedition?”
• Leonard: “I appreciate your signature blend of concern for me and incredible selfishness…”
• Raj: “It’s exactly as lousy as advertised.”
• Lucy: “I don’t know, how many are there?” Raj: “Let’s see…six. That’s pretty cool. I have six friends!”
• Lucy: “Will you be there?”
  Raj: “Of course.”
  Lucy: “Well, that’s two. Including me, that’s three. Oh, this is getting out of hand.”
• Penny: “My shirt was soaking wet. I got the biggest tip of my life.”
• Leonard: “Do you remember when I said the similarities of the equations of  general relativity and hydrodynamics suggest you could find a procoptodon radiation in a body of water?”
  Penny: “I thought I said that to you.”
• Penny: “On a ship? Aren’t they afraid Hawking will just roll overboard?”
• Penny: “Sweetie, if you’re going to screw things up, it’s going to be while you’re here. Not while you’re away.”
• Penny: “Sheldon, sweetie, shut up.”
• Penny: “Bernadette, sweetie, shut up.”
• Raj: “The only person getting inside this head is Dr. Phil.”
• Raj (to Howard): “But you’ve got a big personality with your flashy clothes and your Woody Allen swagger.”
• Bernadette: “Hey, you don’t think I’m pretty enough to scare your girlfriend?”
  Howard: “Calm down, Bernie, you’re very scary.”
• Raj: “Why, so you can crack jokes about cutting open my brain?”
  Amy: “That was not a joke. That was a sincere request.”
• Raj: “You can’t talk about social anxiety to someone who has social anxiety. It makes them socially anxious.”
• Lucy: “I think I have to go to the bathroom.”
• Sheldon: “There is a rich tradition of men at sea finding comfort in each other’s arms…and britches.”
• Penny: “I smiled and said ‘I’m happy for you’ because that’s what friends do.”
  Sheldon: “They lie, so they don’t look petty.”
  Penny: “Yep.”
• Raj: “My friends are like my family, unless you don’t like them, in which case they’re dead to me.”

Overall:

“The Bon Voyage Reaction”  was predictable, average, and focused more on setting up next season than rounding out this one. However, Raj’s new breakthrough and Leonard’s return has the potential for some great writing and humor. We are looking forward to Season 7!  

The Rating: 8/10

The Big Bang Theory airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. on CBS.

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What did you like best? Let us know in the comments!

This week was Castle‘s season finale. In “Watershed,” Beckett must choose between the job opportunity of a lifetime and continuing to work with Castle and the team. Caught at a crossroad, she turns to her family and friends to help her decide.

The Players:

• Director: John Terlesky
• Writer: Andrew W. Marlowe
• Cast:  Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Jon Huertas, Seamus Dever, Tamala Jones, Penny Johnson Gerald, Molly C. Quinn, Susan Sullivan

Episode Title: “Watershed”

Esposito and Ryan know something’s up with Beckett and Castle when she shows up late to their case. While writing the final chapters of Deadly Heat, Castle hasn’t heard from her. Meanwhile, Beckett’s job interview in D.C. goes well, and Captain Gates gives her a stellar recommendation. Beckett and Castle fight over secrets and their future. Both seek advice from their parents. Alexis is planning a trip to Costa Rica and seeks Castle’s approval.

The Good:

• Naming Names: The writers had fun with names and irony this time around. Javi jokes that the victim’s name is as fake as something out of Castle’s books. “Watershed” is a good episode title as well. Not only does our case involve a body found in one, an algorithmic watershed traces the path of a drip. It always rolls to the lowest point. Likewise, Castle and Beckett hit some bumps in their relationship, but like the drop of water, they find their way in the end.
• Really Real: No 3XK. No Senator Bracken. No awesome secret agent Dad saving the day. Having no seasoned bad guys reappear was refreshing. We can appreciate the realism of working through normal events like job opportunities and relationship blunders.
• One Last Case: We had a great case full of twists and turns that kept us guessing until the end. As usual, we loved the parallels between the case and precinct family.
• Parental Guidance: Martha has a wonderful talk with her son. It’s good that he turned to her because no one knows him better than she does. Also, we love how Beckett sought out her father for advice. They both lean on their family when they have important decisions to make in their lives.
• Facing Fears: Alexis talks to Castle about her trip to the rainforest, about her nightmares from Paris, and her decision to live life to the fullest. We can appreciate her level-headed personality. Her talk with Castle was an endearing moment.
• Glimpses of the Future: We have a scene where Castle’s debating which book cover image will suit the next novel best. Alas, we have mention of the 5th novel in the Nikki Heat series, Deadly Heat. He must’ve went with the red cover judging by the pre-order description on Amazon.
• The Team: The supporting cast shined in this episode. They gave us laughs and they had us in suspense. Every nuance and gesture was well-placed. It’s for this reason, we’re looking forward to next season (or dreading a break-up of the precinct family).
• Interrogation Nation: Beckett’s interrogation of the murderer was amazing. She is bold, brave and fearless. Also, her claim that the interrogation room is her home was brilliant writing. Her decision to let Esposito and Ryan finish up the confession well-played.
• The Proposal: This was a lackluster proposal, but the swing set made for a touching and meaningful location. We would’ve expected more from the rich, playful and ruggedly-handsome Castle, but we liked his humble approach.

The So-So:

• Exit Wounds: Beckett’s consideration of the job in D.C. means she wouldn’t work homicides with Castle and the team she’s grown to trust. It doesn’t mean her relationship with Castle would be over. What happened to long-distance relationships? Why couldn’t Castle just move there? They didn’t answer these questions convincingly.

The Bad:

• Unbelievable: We understand that Beckett kept secrets from Castle about her meeting with Stack and the job interview. Castle had a valid point of being hurt by that. On the other hand, that doesn’t warrant him ignoring her feelings regarding the matter. He acts selfishly by not talking about the situation with her. He simply walks out. This isn’t the same commitment we saw back in “Still” when he was willing to stay with her in the face of death.

The Quotes:

• Beckett: “If you had the opportunity to do something you really wanted to do, but it would mean everything in your life would change, would you take it?”
• Esposito: “That name is so fake it sounds like one out of your books.”
• Esposito: “Aren’t you two practically living together now?”
• Gates: “With any luck, this could be your last case.”
• Castle: “I looked it up. Toucans are extremely aggressive.”
• Alexis: “I don’t want to let fear win.”
• Beckett: “I’m a homicide detective.”
• Castle: “You knew what this would mean and you didn’t include me.”
• Castle: “How am I supposed to be in a relationship with her if she won’t let me in?”
• Beckett: “There’s something I have to tell you guys. There’s someone else I have to tell first.”
• Beckett: “It’s like we’ve been doing this dance for five years and what if all we were in love with was the dance?”
• Beckett: “This job. It’s what I want.”
• Castle: “Whatever you decide…Katherine Houghton Beckett, will you marry me?”

Overall:

“Watershed” was the most anticipated Castle finale, and it didn’t disappoint… too much. We’re not completely satisfied with the actions of our favorite couple, but they are realistically portrayed. 

Rating: 9/10

Castle airs Mondays at 10 p.m. on ABC.

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Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments!

Sheldon and Amy talk about their future in The Big Bang Theory‘s “The Love Spell Potential.” Raj and Lucy establish boundaries in their relationship, while the rest of the gang plays Dungeons and Dragons.

The Players:

• Director: Anthony Rich
• Writer: Chuck Lorre, Jim Reynolds, Maria Ferrari
• Cast: Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Melissa Rauch, Mayim Bailik, Kate Micucci

Episode Title: “The Love Spell Potential”

The girls head to Vegas, so the boys decide to throw a party at home with Dungeons and Dragons. Raj ditches the game to go on a date with Lucy. When he pushes her past her comfort zone, Lucy runs into a mishap while trying to escape through a window. When Vegas doesn’t work out, the girls come home and join in the guys. After a few drinks, they jest about Sheldon and Amy’s characters hooking up, which forces them to open up about their real intimacy issues.

The Good:

• Dungeon Master: Howard’s Nicholas Cage Tree, Ghost of Raj, Al Pacino, Ogre, and Christopher Walken impersonations kept the episode rolling. We’ve heard him imitate Stephen Hawking before, but this really revealed Simon Helberg’s mimetic talents. It’s nice to see Howard end the season with the acceptance of his friends, since he began it feeling unrecognized for his space achievements.
• Casting the Love Spell: Sheldon and Amy take their intimacy to the next level in the most believable (and unbelievable), laughable and clever way possible. We appreciate Sheldon’s attempt to be mindful of Amy’s feelings by continuing the game in private instead of in front of their friends since she felt embarrassed of their joking about their relationship.
• Too Close for Comfort: Raj and Lucy still reign as the king and queen of awkwardness. Though they are presented in ridiculous ways, their emotional issues, quirks and odd fears are shared by everyone. This episode effectively explores what it means to be out of your comfort zone.
• So Quotable: This is possibly the most quotable episode of the season. Though we appreciate the non-quotable moments too, like when Leonard uses Zachary Quinto to explain how change can be okay to Sheldon. Each character has a different mannerism or inflection they bring to the table that’s realistically funny.

The So-So:

• The Game: Just when we thought we were over D&D, we get a comedic version of it that ties the episode together really well.. Penny and Sheldon’s assertions that girls don’t play are great because, regardless of whether we agree or not, it brings up the interesting topic of gender in gaming culture.

The Quotes:

• Amy: “No rules? We’re not going to get drunk and have a six-way with the Blue Man Group are we?”
• Penny: “I’ve got a brand new bikini, so drinks at the pool are on these.”
• Bernadette: “I’ve got a sexy new tube top that says ‘come hither’ and a bottle of pepper spray that says ‘close enough, Jack!’”
• Raj: “We have this rule on the phone that if no one talks for three minutes, you can just hang up.”
• Raj: “We are might warriors and nothing short of death will keep us from our goal…oh, Lucy’s free after all. See ya!”
• Sheldon: “Go on, give him your lunch money!”
• Raj: “Unless you find neediness sexy. In which case, you’re about to have dinner with the hottest man on the planet.”
• Lucy: “I’d love to be able to tell the lady who cuts my hair that I don’t like bangs.”
• Penny: “You lost money, you’re filled with shame, and you got groped by a stranger. I mean, that’s Vegas.”
• Sheldon: “Three weeks ago you bought crunchy peanut butter. Now you want girls to play D&D. Do you have a drug problem?”
• Sheldon: “I’ve never played Dungeons and Dragons with girls before.”
  Penny: “Don’t worry, sweetie. No one has.”
• Penny: “This isn’t alcohol. It’s a magic potion that makes me like you.”
• Penny: “Please tell me we’re playing for money!”
  Sheldon: “Oh, even better than money. You just earned experience points.”
• Amy: “This is even better than Vegas!”
• Raj: “You have bigger emotional problems than I do, and I find that very attractive in a woman.”
• Sheldon: “Never knocked on my own door before. That was a wild ride.”
• Amy: “I guess I just want more.” Sheldon: “More? Look at us. It’s only been three years and here we are in bed together.”
• Sheldon: “I erotically caress your…nose.” Amy: “Keep rolling.”
• Amy: “Go away. Sheldon is nibbling on my…14! Yes!”

Overall:

“The Love Spell Potential”  humorously deals with gender issues, intimacy, and comfort zones in a realistic way.  

The Rating: 9/10

The Big Bang Theory airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. on CBS.

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Which of Wolowitz’s impersonations did you like best? Let us know in the comments!

Castle is all about secrets, surveillance and military strikes in “The Human Factor.”  The episode provides the most technologically-sophisticated cause of death yet—a drone. With no body, no proof and no witnesses, the team must rely on their instincts to guide them.

The Players:

• Director: Bill Roe
• Writer: David Amann
• Cast:  Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Jon Huertas, Seamus Dever, Carlos Bernard, Jed Bernard

Episode Title: “The Human Factor”

A car bombing responsible for Dale Tanner’s murder is shrouded in mystery when Homeland Security cleans the crime scene and takes the body. When the team discovers the victim’s identity, they learn more about the man who ran a website exposing government and corporate secrets. When CSU learns that the explosion was caused by an aerial attack, they must find out why the Feds are trying to cover it up.

The Good:

• Old Theme, New Approach: Warburg explains that we need humans because their emotionally-driven actions and intuition are far more valuable than the logic run by computer systems. It’s nice to see intuition and emotion, two qualities often regarded as weaknesses, recognized as strengths in our decision-making.
• Balance: Beckett’s prank-playing on Castle and teasing that he’d run away from danger is effective after he proved that he would stick by her side in the greatest of dangers in “Still.” We’re glad that they’re able to make light of such heavy situations. Many of us need that kind of example to follow in our own lives. No matter how complicated things get, Beckett and Castle find a way to focus on the task at hand, and enjoy the little moments in life.
• Coincidence? We Think Not: This episode shares its title with a book by Graham Greene and a movie based on the real lives of British spies. Like one of Castle’s crazy theories regarding a Bond villain, Greene set out to debunk the myths surrounding spies. According to him, they’re not as action-packed and glamorous as we imagine. It drives home the point that Beckett seems set on keeping her homicide job because she works plenty of exciting cases. Not to mention working with a team she’s grown to trust and love.
• “A” Team: Stack compliments Beckett on her asymmetrical thinking. While she does a great job of thinking outside of the box, the reason she enjoys her job is due to Castle, Esposito and Ryan. We really noticed their teamwork this week. It’s sometimes joked that Ryan and Esposito are the “B Team,” they contributed greatly to the case. Maybe Lanie will reappear before the season’s over too?

The So-So:

• Hush, Hush: There’s a great parallel between the team working a mysterious case and Beckett keeping a secret from Castle. How do we feel about Beckett not telling Castle what Stack said? It is nothing if she’s not considering the job. But is there something missing in their relationship if she chooses not to share?

The Bad:

• Self-Demotion: We’re not sure what to make of Castle’s books being on the clearance rack at the store. Why would the writers intentionally display Storm Season in that way? Even if they’re signalling a major change in the show we’ve come to love, we fans (and book buyers) are disappointed.

Overall:

“The Human Factor” contains great writing, acting and an engaging case. It’s an effective lead-up to the season finale.

Rating: 8/10

Castle airs Mondays at 10 p.m. on ABC.

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Are you ready for the season finale next week? Let us know in the comments!

It’s all about the past in The Big Bang Theory‘s “The Proton Resurgence.” Sheldon learns that the host of his favorite childhood science show is available for parties–so he hires him. Professor Proton, now an elderly man, is less than enthused about meeting Sheldon, Leonard, and Penny. 

The Players:

• Director: Mark Cendrowski
• Writer: Chuck Lorre, Jim Reynolds, Steve Holland
• Cast: Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Melissa Rauch, Bob Newhart

Episode Title: “The Proton Resurgence”

The host of Sheldon and Leonard’s favorite children’s show, now makes a living at science parties. Sheldon pays him to come to their apartment for a gig. Arthur, as he prefers to be called, doesn’t care for the show he once hosted. He’s tired of not being taken seriously as a scientist. Penny’s amazed by one of Professor Proton’s elementary demonstrations. Raj asks Howard and Bernadette to watch his dog while he’s away, which proves to be more difficult than they thought.

The Good:

• Seeing Stars: Bob Newhart’s appearance as Arthur, also known as Professor Proton, is great. The dynamic his character adds gives a great juxtaposition of someone who overcomes tribulations on a daily basis to Sheldon’s idea of someone who can do no wrong. We’re looking forward to more from Professor Proton!
• Blast From the Past: Sheldon and Leonard reminisce about a great memory from their childhood while Arthur laments that his stint on TV still haunts him. The dry humor was met with upbeat curiosity from the gang. Arthur sacrificed his career to inspire others to choose science as their path. There’s a great balance between Arthur and the team. His personality complements theirs in a uniquely comedic way.
• Sweet Like Cinnamon: Raj treating his dog Cinnamon like a baby is steeped in ridiculousness. We can appreciate the hyperbolic nature of the situation. Also, we love the way it opens up a serious conversation in Howard and Bernadette’s relationship.
• Meet the Would-Be Parents: Howard and Bernadette’s discussion about their child-rearing skills made for a good laugh. It also developed their relationship in a new way. If there was any doubt about there compatibility before, this dog-watching incident has shown us that they work well together.

The So-So:

• Shame, Shame, Shamy: Sheldon’s so excited to meet Professor Proton that he can’t sleep and we don’t even see him tell Amy. We didn’t miss her involvement in this particular plot, but we noticed her absence in the episode.

The Quotes:

• Leonard: “It was pretty cool.” Penny: “Aw, so cute when you use the word ‘cool’ wrong. Like when kids say ‘pasghetti.’”
• Howard: “Why don’t you put her in a kennel?” Raj: “Why don’t you put your mother in a home?” Howard: “To be honest, she’d do better in the kennel.”
• Howard: “I feel for you. I have a psychotic mommy, too.”
• Howard: “Son of a bitch, she’s gone.” Bernadette: “Where’d she go?” Howard: “I don’t know. She didn’t leave a note.”
• Proton: “Just call me Arthur.” Sheldon: “Leonard … Did you hear that? Professor Proton said I should call him Arthur. That means we’re friends.”
• Proton: “Is he dangerous?” Leonard: “He’s a genius.” Proton: “Okay, but that didn’t answer my question.”
• Proton: “Is the blonde girl really your girlfriend?” Leonard: “Yes, sir.” Proton: “You’re the genius.”
• Proton: “You two are physicists, and want me to do a children‘s science show?”
• Howard: “When this all blows over, remember that voice. It’s kind of a turn-on.” Bernadette: “It turns you on when I sound like Raj?”
• Proton: “I power a clock with a potato.” Penny: “Shut up! You can do that?”
• Penny: “If you don’t mind me asking…the potato clock. How does it work? Is it a trick clock or a trick potato?”
• Proton: “I’m having trouble with my pacemaker.” Leonard: “I’ll call for help.” Penny: “Any chance we could plug it into the potato?”
• Proton: “At this point, I’m just glad that I get to ride down the stairs.”

Overall:

“The Proton Resurgence” is a strong episode of Big Bang, bringing us character development, moments of reflection and plenty of humor.  

The Rating: 9/10

The Big Bang Theory airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. on CBS.

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What did you think? Let us know in the comments!

“Still” is the ultimate shipper episode of Castle. The Caskett relationship is tested to the max when Castle’s willing to risk his life for the chance to save Beckett.

The Players:

• Director: Bill Roe
• Writer: Andrew W. Marlowe and Rob Hanning
• Cast:  Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Jon Huertas, Seamus Dever, Susan Sullivan, Molly C. Quinn, Tamala Jones, Allan Louis

Episode Title: “Still”

When the team raids an apartment, Beckett steps on a bomb triggered by her weight. She must stand still until it’s deactivated. If that’s not bad enough, it’s also linked to a timer. Castle stays with Beckett and they reminisce, while the precinct searches for the deactivation code. Gates learns of Castle and Beckett’s relationship and confronts them.

The Good:

• Clipping and Shipping: Clip shows are difficult terrain. They can be highly unimpressive when used as a tribute to a show’s history or to regain viewers interest. But we’re pleased with these clips because they’re an homage to the fandom accompanied by an original score from Robert Duncan. It’s as if the crew made a compilation of their favorite moments and tied it to a case.
• Things We Already Know: They didn’t resolve the who-liked-who-first conversation, which is fine because we already knew Beckett loved Castle’s novels before they met. They’ve both been gradually growing closer for quite some time, making things equal and balanced for Caskett.
• Just Getting Started: We’re glad this episode was switched with “The Squab and the Quail” because the continuity makes more sense. All the loose ends that have been bothering us came to a conclusion. What will happen if Captain Gates finds out they’re dating? When will she stop calling him “Castle” and address him on a first-name basis? Where are they headed in their relationship?
• All the Small Things: The bomb is set for 30:47. Many might recognize the 47 as a reference to another bomb-themed episode from last season “47 Seconds.”  Another detail we really liked is the framework around the show. We open with Castle treating Beckett to lattes in bed, and end with Castle bringing store-bought coffees to her after the crisis.
• In The Team They Trust: Castle stays by Beckett’s side, refusing to leave her. It’s a great compliment to the various times they’ve stood by each other during tense moments. Castle’s undeniable trust in the team’s ability also comes through.
• Resurfacing: The compilation of favorite quotes throughout the years was a nice touch. Specifically, the repeating of them during real-time.
• Playing for Keeps: This episode is great! Our only concern is that coming episodes can’t top it. We could see this as the 100th entry or even the season finale.

Overall:

“Still” is a tearjerker, comedy, and suspenseful episode all in one. There’s a nice balance of catering to the romantic aspect while still solving a case with twists and an interesting motive. We appreciate the details in Marlowe and Hanning’s writing, the great acting and Duncan’s great score.

Rating: 10/10

Castle airs Mondays at 10 p.m. on ABC.

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Did you recognize all the flashbacks? Let us know in the comments!

Amy helps Sheldon cope with an unsatisfactory dénouement of his favorite TV show on The Big Bang Theory‘s “The Closure Alternative.” Raj encounters a cliffhanger of his own after uncovering a secret about Lucy. Meanwhile, Penny searches for her passion in life.

Did you relate to Sheldon this week? Let us know in the comments!

This week, Castle is all about trust with “The Squab and The Quail.” Self-made billionaire Erik Vaughn is the target of a killer, and Beckett’s the only one who can protect him. Meanwhile, Castle kicks up the romance, when he notices the other man spending time with her.

The Players:

• Director: Paul Holohan
• Writer: Jason Wilborn and Adam Frost
• Cast:  Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Jon Huertas, Seamus Dever, Susan Sullivan, Molly C. Quinn, Tamala Jones, Ioan Gruffudd

Episode Title: “The Squab and The Quail”

When Erik Vaughn narrowly escapes death, he hires Beckett as his personal bodyguard following the murder of his business partner. Castle is concerned about Beckett working with Vaughn, and puts all of his energy into solving the case as quickly as possible. Vaughn attempts to woo Beckett while the rest of the team look for whoever wants him killed. Beckett’s refusal of Vaughn’s advances saves his life. Beckett confronts her feelings about her relationship with Castle after the case is closed.

The Good:

• What Really Matters: While the continuity may be disrupted by airing “The Squab and The Quail” before “Still,” we’re glad ABC chose to postpone any bomb-themed episodes. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those in Boston.
• Foiled Plots: Erik Vaughn can be the man we love to hate for his attempts to woo Beckett or he can be our key to understanding the future of this show. Like Castle, he’s rich, handsome and pulls strings where he must to work with Beckett. But unlike Castle, he has a knack for bad timing. His simple conclusions, such as “We’re all misled by our hearts sometimes. It shouldn’t end a career” made us believe the prolonging of Caskett’s relationship from Captain Gates will be a big deal in the future.
• They Have a Past: All the subtext between Castle and Beckett’s history was fun for fans to catch. It’s preparing us for next week’s extensive look at their past. But are we really ready to reflect right now? It sounds more like a tribute rather than a narrative arc.

The So-So:

• She Loves Him, She Loves Him Not: Again with the drama for drama’s sake. We have more obstacles for them to work through. Castle and Beckett are not on the same page right now, and they’ve been overcoming one hurdle after another all season. It’s tiring!
• Get Out the Caution Tape: Why is Castle so jealous? Sure, seeing him be insecure is funny. Watching Castle and Beckett work through a relationship issue together is nice–charming even. But there are times when Castle crosses the line. His constant accusations that Beckett is enjoying time with Vaughn and his implications that Beckett has been ‘played’ by Vaughn in this investigation are simply uncalled for. At least now we have some reasons to understand why Beckett would have second thoughts about Castle.

Overall:

“The Squab and The Quail” fell short of our expectations in that there was phony drama and Castle acted unfavorably out of character. 

Rating: 7/10

Castle airs Mondays at 10 p.m. on ABC.

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Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments!

Castle‘s “The Fast and The Furriest” tackles a possible Bigfoot roaming the subway tunnels and backstreets of New York City. Who would want to frame the creature for a murder?

The Players:

• Director: Jonathan Frakes
• Writer: Christine Roum
• Cast:  Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Jon Huertas, Seamus Dever, Susan Sullivan, Molly C. Quinn, Arye Gross, Raphael Sbarge, Aaron Hill

Episode Title: “The Fast and the Furriest”

The body of Anne Cardinal, a leading Bigfoot researcher is dumped outside an E.R. with claw marks. At the crime scene, Castle finds giant footprints and determines she was killed by the mythical monster. When a break in the case connects Anne’s death to the death of her roommate, Justine Bolton, a new line of suspects lead Castle and Beckett to the original crime scene. Meanwhile, Castle learns who’s been raiding his fridge for leftovers.

The Good:

• The Hairy Truth:  We’re presented with legitimate arguments for investing time and energy into the pseudosciences. We’re also given interesting facts, including: Native Americans view Bigfoots as protectors, people have been searching for Bigfoot for 400 years, Roosevelt wrote about Bigfoot, and professors at Oxford study samples of Bigfoot evidence. Go ahead and fact check Castle. He’s right!
• Lies, Lies, Lies: We’re glad Castle didn’t reprimand Alexis for spending her allowance money. Instead, he talks to her about eating his food and lying about the situation. Luckily, Alexis notes that she probably shouldn’t have spent all of it on her friend’s project. She’s already humiliated by falling victim to his smurf trap.
• Casquatch: Castle and Beckett get cozy in this episode. We see them as a couple comfortable with each other in a way we haven’t seen before. We’re glad everyone has their fun believing, and not believing the legend of Bigfoot without anyone’s feelings getting hurt. Better yet, Castle and Beckett take the opportunity to learn something new about each other.
• Primates as Prime Suspects: Castle’s exchange with a Silverback Gorilla is a well-directed and great part of the episode. A staff worker assures them that the animals haven’t shown any aggressive behavior, but Castle watches the gorilla’s display of teeth-showing and breaking a doll’s head when no one’s looking. It was hilarious when he placed the its photo on the suspect board at the precinct.
• All’s Well That End’s Well: Kurt is free now, and decides to continue Anne’s research. His explanation that she warned him he’d see things if he stayed in the woods was understandable. Also, we end on a serious note regarding Bigfoot instead of making the cryptozoology field seem like a joke. We appreciate that they didn’t make the creature something to be feared. Instead, it’s an intriguing aspect of the unknown to be better understood, whether it does or doesn’t exist.

The So-So:

• Believe It, Believe It Not: The handcuffs that Beckett used on Dr. Meeks were big enough to fit over a huge Bigfoot costume? How are we supposed to believe that?
• Left Unanswered: Where did that massive claw mark come from? We’re not completely satisfied that that detail wasn’t explained. It was a huge factor in the search for Anne’s killer.

Overall:

“The Fast and the Furriest” continues the light-hearted humor with another hard-hitting case . Castle’s crazy theories are always entertaining. We see a new side to his and Beckett’s relationship as they discuss what they believe in.

Rating: 9/10

Castle airs Mondays at 10 p.m. on ABC.

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What did you think of last night’s episode? Let us know in the comments!

This week, The Big Bang Theory heats up when Sheldon, Leonard and Raj compete for a tenure position at Cal Tech in “The Tenure Turbulence.” What is Sheldon thinking with his choice of gifts? Is Penny dressed for a funeral or a night out on the town?

The Players:

• Director: Mark Cendrowski
• Writer: Steve Molaro
• Cast: Johnny Galecki, JimParsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Mayim Bialik, Melissa Rauch, Regina King, John Ross Bowie

Episode Title: “The Tenure Turbulence”

The death of Professor Tupperman opens up a new tenure spot. So Sheldon, Leonard, and Raj battle Barry Kripke to get in the good graces of the hiring committee. Mrs. Davis, who is of its members, is bombarded by the candidates at her office, the gym, and Tupperman’s funeral. When Amy and Penny get dragged into the boys’ conflict, they reevaluate the affect their bickering has on their friendship.

The Good:

• In the Running: Howard isn’t a contender for the position without a PhD, so watching him as a catalyst to his friends’ fight is great. No more Wolowitz wallowing in self-pity and feeling inadequate in comparison. He moved things along by stirring the pot. Meerkat jokes aside, his ability to do so is a silent reminder that their friendship is strong enough to endure disagreements from time to time.
• Be Our Guest: Two guest stars make an appearance in this episode. The lovely Ms. Davis and the quirky Barry Kripke liven things up. They really hit it off! We see them working out together, Kripke bakes Ms. Davis banana bread and offers to babysit for her. We’re glad Ms. Davis sets her personal feelings for the guys aside to determine who’s most deserving of the tenure position.
• Little Black Dress: Penny looked hot at Tupperman’s funeral to win Leonard some extra credit by flirting with the committee. The resulting reactions and dialogue were some of this week’s highlights.

The So-So:

• Your Mama: We usually enjoy the battle of words from Sheldon and Raj. The jokes about sleeping with each other’s mother were a bit on the crude side though.
• Racism, the New Sarcasm: Sheldon’s lack of understanding sarcasm has always been a crowd-pleaser. With good reason–the genius who can’t comprehend the simplest irony is funny. This week, we delved into his unintentional racism. We’re even provided a flashback to his first slip-up back in “The Egg Salad Equivalency.” His gift-giving fiascos and hilariously handshake make for good comedy, but in hindsight should we really be laughing about this? Racism is a serious issue!

The Quotes:

• Sheldon: “If we really want science to advance, people should have chips implanted in their skulls that explode when they say something stupid.”
  
• Kripke: “If you need my nose, you’ll find it firmly lodged up the rectum of the tenure committee.”
• Sheldon: “You know, I must say I go back and forth on this boyfriend-girlfriend thing, but those moments when you worship me really keep you in the running.”
• Sheldon: “Sheldon Cooper doesn’t do cozy.”
• Mrs. Davis: “Why would you think this is an appropriate gift?” Sheldon: “Umm. Well … You are black, right?”
• Leonard: “You realize you might kill some of them.” Penny: “Then you all can get tenure.”
• Sheldon: “Don’t just stand there. Take your breasts out.”
• Amy: “You’re all wasting your time. Sheldon is the most qualified for the job, and no amount of gravity-defying bosom’s going to change that.”
• Amy: “Seriously, is that tape? Like, how are they staying up like that?”
• Sheldon: “Are you implying my girlfriend doesn’t have any sexuality to exploit?” Raj: “Yes.” Sheldon: “Okay. Because that was not clear.”
• Leonard: “I don’t want to lose my friends over tenure. Friends are forever.” Howard: “So is tenure.”

Overall:

The Big Bang Theory continues to bring the laughs with “The Tenure Turbulence.” It’s nice to see friendships pulled together rather than apart. But hopefully, Sheldon can keep the racism in check.

The Rating: 8/10

The Big Bang Theory airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. on CBS.

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Who do you think had the best kiss-up attempt? Let us know in the comments!

Did Castle witness a murder while secretly watching “The Lives of Others” from his window? With no evidence, Beckett thinks he’s letting his imagination run away with him. We have an episode with possibly two murder cases and 100 reasons to watch!

The Players:

• Director: Larry Shaw
• Writer: Andrew W. Marlowe and Terri Miller
• Cast:  Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Jon Huertas, Seamus Dever, Susan Sullivan, Molly C. Quinn, Tamala Jones, Penny Johnson Gerald

Episode Title: “The Lives of Others”

After Castle breaks his kneecap in a skiing accident, he must stay home while his injury heals. Beckett investigates the murder of an IRS worker at the precinct without him. Confined to a wheelchair, Castle begins watching his neighbors through binoculars to pass the time. He suspects one of his neighbors has killed a woman. With no body, no evidence, and dead-end leads, everyone at the precinct thinks he’s going stir crazy.

The Good:

• Music to Our Ears: Robert Duncan’s score is theatrical, engaging and pleasant as Castle’s theme music. We’re particularly impressed with the accompaniment to Castle’s spying on his neighbors. The music enhances scenes by playfully adopting the dramatic zeal of a film soundtrack. 
• No Drama: We’re glad a lot of family and relationship drama was left off-screen. One of the reasons Castle hasn’t lost its edge is because the right info is omitted, allowing us to focus on solving cases and building a family unit at the precinct. Even 100 episodes in, the initial story of a mystery-writer solving real cases hasn’t lost its charm for a reason: the drama is contained within the cases.
• Killer Parallels: This is not the first time Castle and Beckett’s time outside the office has been the fulcrum that inadvertently solves their case. We hope it won’t be the last either! Paralleling plots is fun and serendipitous. Making connections when we least expect it keeps us on our toes. Also, we like that Beckett and Castle can strike a healthy balance between work and home. Off-time can be a catalyst for solving cases, and their work provides a sense of fulfillment that carries over to their personal lives.
• Hidden Motives: Speaking of soundtracks and plots, there were several great ties to reality this week. An IRS agent is the murder victim, which serves as a small reminder to pay those taxes this month. Also, there’s a focus on the distinction between hiding things from people to be deceitful and hiding them with the good intentions. Fit for airing on April Fool’s Day, the team shows off their prank-playing skills.

The So-So:

• The Details: Will Beckett ever start calling Castle “Rick”? It seems odd that she still calls him by his last name since they’re so close. Plus, are we past the point that the exchanging of I-love-you’s will have any effect? We’re afraid it’s expected at this point in their relationship. We also have a hunch that Gates would allow Castle to stay on as Beckett’s partner if she finds out that they’re dating after this episode. Timing is everything, and we may be past the point where these small moments could mean so much more.

Overall:

“The Lives of Others” was all about finding proof. The parallels, synchronicity, music, and intensity in this episode were great. It’s just proof that a good basic story can be carried out successfully longterm. Congrats to the cast, writers, directors, and everyone on their milestone. 

Rating: 9/10

Castle airs Mondays at 10 p.m. on ABC.

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How did you like the 100th episode of Castle? Let us know in the comments!

This week’s Castle delves into the dark past of Detective Ryan in “The Wild Rover.” It involves reigniting his friendship with the notorious Bobby S. and working with an old girlfriend. Can Ryan–aka Fenton O’Connell–solve the case and take on the mob single-handed?

The Players:

• Director: Rob Hardy
• Writer: Terence Paul Winter
• Cast:  Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Jon Huertas, Seamus Dever, Juliana Dever, Cara Buono, Jeremy Ray Valdez

Episode Title: “The Wild Rover”

When a cupcake baker’s found in an industrial mixer, shipments of money from the bakery lead to an Irish mob that Ryan once worked. He must go undercover again, only this time there’s more at stake. Taking them down becomes complicated once an old flame gets involved. Ryan depends on the team to back him up when his cover is at risk of being blown.

The Good:

• Cakes and Layers: There were several layers of storylines and references that played off one another nicely. Not only was there playful banter between Castle and Beckett, their discussion about a meaningless secret from Castle’s past related to Ryan’s situation. Even the title of this episode, “The Wild Rover,” is a great choice due to its reference to the Irish folk song. The lyrics jest about having enough money to pay the bartender/landlady. Ryan’s old girlfriend, Siobhan O’Doul, runs the bar where the Irish mobsters hang out. This also mimics the way Bobby S. tricks Ryan with the empty gun magazine. Most of all, the song concludes with the “Wild Rover” becoming the prodigal son, seeking to do right. This speaks to Ryan’s main intention in all aspects of his life of being a good guy. 
• Fenton O’Connell: Ryan is the only one who kept following orders at the precinct when Beckett and Esposito got suspended. He’s recently had some relationship issues, and has been placed on the back-burner when it comes to being a badass. While we’ve enjoyed recent looks into Esposito’s past this season ["Under the Influence" and "Significant Others"] we love seeing Ryan get a chance to kick butt and show a new side of himself. This was the perfect time for him to confront his past and consider his future.
• The Writing Life: We’ve got several stories about Castle’s decision to pursue writing coming into focus. Most recently, he remembers in “Hunt” that his writing career sprang from the book his father suggested he read. This week’s story about a different catalyst in his decision to become a writer makes sense and adds another element of doing-the-right-thing. Also, it’s a pleasantly mediocre memory. We’re glad there was no dramatic [or traumatic] event haunting him. We’re pleased he doesn’t plagiarize, though the very idea of it can’t be mentioned without a tip of the hat to the ghostwriters behind the Nikki Heat series.
• Luck O’ The Couples: The reason Jenny and Ryan have such great chemistry is probably because Seamus and Juliana Dever are married. The way they work through his mysterious past, the pregnancy issue, and her opening up to Beckett made for good writing and good acting. We’re pleased!

The Bad:

• None: Not in this episode! We loved it all.

Overall:

“The Wild Rover” gave us a great chance to explore Ryan’s character with an episode that had it all: action, suspense, morality, and laughs.

Rating: 10/10

Castle airs Mondays at 10 p.m. on ABC.

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How’d you like this Ryan-centric episode? Let us know in the comments!