There are many reasons why I watch Castle alone, but one of them is because I tend to talk and yell at my television a good part of the time. Last night was no different. I think I yelled out, “What about Alexis?!” at least 10 times when the kidnappers were letting Sara go. My heart sank for Castle. Then it literally broke when Castle walked away from Kate to tell Martha what had happened. You would think I’d be mad at this show for breaking my heart so many times in 2 weeks but I love this show even more.

Castle really meant it when he said he’d do anything to save his daughter and he did so by taking off for Paris. I could see why he did it but I hate that he lied to both Kate and Martha. I loved what Beckett said though, “He’s acting like a father, I have to act like a cop.” Kate can go off the reservation sometimes as we saw a few episodes ago but in the end she was a professional and did whatever was possible to save Alexis.

After the kidnappers didn’t release Alexis, I started to realize this case was so much more than we thought. Just the mention of spies made my eyes light up. Castle was just so emotionally compromised, I got such a bad feeling. My first WTF moment came when we found out Alexis was the target not her friend Sara. My other WTF moment came when Henri sold Castle out. At that point I yelled out a few expletive’s that shall not be repeated. This episode was just insane.

Can I just say, bravo to the casting department. Getting James Brolin to play Richard Castle’s father is just pure brilliance. I loved his, “Get in the car” line. A total throw back of the days of Beckett saying “Stay in the car, Castle.” As if I wasn’t freaking out already, I totally freaked out even more at the mention of the name Volkov. I wonder if the Castle writers are fans of Chuck? A baddy named Volkov was the mastermind behind the kidnapping. Pretty close to Alexei Volkoff, the baddy from Chuck. Gotta love it!

Freak out moment #20 – “Richard, I am your father.” Seriously? They totally killed me with that line. Ever since “Linchpin” there was speculation Richard’s father was in the intelligence community. It was great that this was confirmed. It was also confirmed it was because of his father, Castle first got access to the CIA for his book research. I just loved Castle with his dad. I hope there’s many more moments to come. I absolutely loved when he said to Castle, “You’ve been playing cop for years. You wanna play spy?” Total squee moment if there was one.

The tears started back up again when Castle was brought to Alexis. Then the tears went away and my jaw literally fell to the ground when the charge went off and the bad guys blew up. I didn’t think my heart was even intact anymore, but it broke even more when Castle wanted more time with his father. I’m pretty sure everyone that knows me, knows I totally freaked out when his father said “Always.” It’s such a trigger word for me. I could hear someone say it at work or while I’m out and I automatically squee and think of Castle. Yes, I am well aware I am a freak.

Before I get into the ending, I need to discuss that interrogation scene. There have been some pretty amazing interrogation scenes in this show, but the one in “Hunt” is just the best. I’m even going to be so bold as to say it’s the best one I’ve ever seen on any show! Just give Stana all the awards please. Kate kicked the chair from underneath the table while Henson’s girlfriend was sitting on it!! I got some serious shivers down my spine when Kate said, “I’m not a cop today, honey.” Pure perfection! I think I fell even more in love with Kate Beckett. If that’s actually possible. Just like her facial expressions, Stana just rocks the interrogation scenes. I could watch them all day long.

I absolutely loved the ending. Castle and Alexis were just too cute for words. I would say he’s one of the best father’s on television. Who would have guessed that when this series first started? We always talk about Beckett’s progression during the years, what about Castle? He’s grown so much as a man and father. My heart melted when Beckett gave that huge hug to Castle and said “Please don’t do anything like that again without me.” We also got a Caskett kiss with crap lighting. Ok! who wants to start sending lightbulbs to Marlowe and co.? Come on man! You’re killing us here. Here’s hoping the 100th episode will have many bright kisses. I also really loved the Kate and Alexis hug. They were even walking arm in arm. I would really love to see more of their relationship going forward.  Castle, Kate, Alexis, and Martha were just so adorable. I love all 4 of them together.

My heart is racing like mad just thinking about “Hunt”. Such an incredible episode. The whole Castle team just amazes me week after week. I literally fall in love with this show more and more after each episode. This show always makes my heart melt.

Now we have to wait 3 weeks for an all-new episode. A re-watch is definitely in order. Don’t worry, I have many incredible episodes to choose from.

The post Castle Review: “Hunt” appeared first on TVHackr.

So let me begin with the case. Santa was last seen falling from the sky to his untimely death. Castle, the big kid and traditionalist he is obviously was quite upset Santa was dead. Beckett on the other hand is a realist and didn’t believe in all this Santa stuff. Santa otherwise known as James Edmund Smith was shot and fell out of a helicopter. Edmund had an epiphany one night after watching A Wonderful Life, and he left his wife and comfortable life and started a new journey as Santa. The truth was, back in Edmund’s previous life the company he worked for scammed families out of their homes. He was trying to redeem himself so he moved next door to one of the families he destroyed. He came up with a plan to work the Case Commerce holiday party as Santa so he could get the unaltered loan documents that were in the storage room. The murderer ended up being Edmund’s ex wife. She couldn’t let Edmund take away her lifestyle if his swindling came out into the open.

I was so happy we got a Lanie and Esposito scene. I love these two characters and I’m really hoping they find their way back to each other. You really had to feel for Espo. He was alone for the holidays and tried to get with Lanie, but she already had plans. She told him she didn’t want one of those sad desperate holiday hookups. If after the holidays he still wanted to get together, he should call her. It was just so incredibly sweet when Esposito showed up to the Cabot’s with their clock. His face totally lit up when the Cabot’s invited him to spend Christmas Even with them.

We learned Jenny wants to try for a baby and Ryan is scared about it. We got such a sweet moment with Espo and Ryan. Esposito reassuring him he’s ready to have a baby just reminds us how great friends these two are. I can’t wait to see Kevin as a dad.

The funniest moments had to belong to Captain Gates. Her mother in law is staying at her house during the holidays and she makes it quite clear she’s not happy about it. “Detective, if you happen to receive a report of a homicide tonight at my address, do me a favour ignore it.” I almost fell off my bed laughing when Gates saw Esposito holding up lingerie meant for Jenny. Gates said something I thought I’d never hear on television let alone from her. “Let’s finish up this hoochie-coochie thing and get on with it.”  We’re really starting to see a playful side of Captain Gates and I’m loving it. Penny Johnson Jerald is so funny in real life and I’m just so happy we get to see this side of her character.

I’m obviously saving the best for last. Kate told Castle she couldn’t come over to his house for Christmas Eve because she had to work. Castle was obviously upset, which I didn’t blame him. He later learned from Gates that Beckett was the one to volunteer to work that night. I got a little worried how Castle would handle the news. If you recall last season when Castle found out Kate actually remembered everything from her shooting, he didn’t exactly handle things well. I still get upset watching those episodes because I didn’t believe for a second Castle wouldn’t confront her. This time though Castle confronted Kate and she opened up to him. Christmas doesn’t mean the same thing for her as it does for him. Kate associates Christmas with her mother’s murder and it’s hard for her. Stana just killed this scene and Nathan was so great just soaking in all her words. I love these heartfelt scenes between the two of them. It shows me how much these two characters have grown and how much they truly do love each other. I honestly don’t need to hear those 3 little words from Kate just yet. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to hear them soon but she loves Castle, I just see it by her actions. It torn me up to have Castle and Beckett standing underneath the mistletoe at the precinct and not being able to kiss.

Everything turned out amazing though when Beckett came by Castle’s loft just as he was going to rush out to see Kate at the precinct. She knew how much the holiday’s meant to him and wanted to start a new tradition. That kiss near the huge Christmas tree was just perfection! For a split second when Kate started to whisper something I thought she was going to say those 3 little words. It ended up just being “Merry Christmas” but it was just as sweet. Of course Castle had to tell her he didn’t buy her anything which added humour to the scene. In Castle’s defence, Kate did tell him to not buy her anything. Since when does Castle listen anyways?

Usually by a 5th season of a show starts to go in this downward spiral. Not Castle! I feel as though I’m watching a whole new show. This is a true testament to everyone who works on this show. The cast and crew love this show as much as the fans and they want to make it the best show possible. I’m just so happy I’m along for this wonderful ride.

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