Weird to see J.B. Smoove, here as Norman Jessup, playing something other than the buddy on a comedy series. In fact, it was really weird to see him on Castle only 24 hours after watching his Leon Black pretending to be a Jewish accountant in order to allay Michael Richards’ fears of Grote’s disease, on Curb.
He was okay, but Smoove isn’t really so much of a shining actor. Then again, he and Castle bantered excellently, so the turn had more pluses than minuses … wait a second; is Smoove in line for another sidekick role here?
I doubt it, since that’s Castle’s role on the show, at least as far as Beckett goes. But it would be funny for Castle to call up Jessup somewhere down the line when he’s stuck on a book. After all, he is a “wordsmith.”
I was actually pretty bored by this week’s case, and I did not find it up to this season’s snuff. For me, it was really the ancillary stuff that was interesting. For instance, anyone see a familiar face when they saw John Knox? That’s Jonathan LaPaglia, better known as ADA Bell on Cold Case. That’s silly.
Or how about Castle’s Cape Fear file? It really is interesting to see how on-par Castle is with seasoned detectives. I used to think that that denigrated the police, but last week’s episode gave me a much better perspective on things. When Castle lectured Captain Montgomery on murder having some basic principles, it really swiveled the entire show for me. A detective is still a detective, but a mystery writer develops the same intuitive skills that a successful cop must. I don’t think Castle would make it with a gun and a badge, but it doesn’t detract from the NYPD that Castle’s their match in the brains department.
And I loved Castle “writing a book” while riding in the car with Beckett. It’s fun that he gets to wink and nod every time he can make use of Beckett’s not-so-secret love for his work. I wonder what she’d say if we could ever get inside the confessional with her.
And then there was Alexis reaching out to Beckett with her secret. Putting aside everything else, when did their relationship develop to the point where Alexis would even have her number, let alone use it to get together with Beckett? And does it mesh with what we know of the character that Castle was able to keep his head while not knowing what Alexis was keeping from him? Speaking of, is it fathomable that she’s such a nerd? A program in France is something to play close to the vest?
Oh, and before I forget: what’s with the weekly elementary intro this season? Is the show picking up so many new viewers each week that they need to air a brief rundown of the premise? Because it’s a little strange for us long-time viewers. Just something to stick in your cap before the quote:
“I’ve always been good with locks. When I was in the joint, I was thinking, ‘How can I take this and make it more productive?’ You know? So I’ve been applying to locksmith schools. But, you know, they won’t let me in on account that I’m a felon. Can you believe that?” – Jessup, to Castle and Beckett
Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Nov 17, 2009 @ 14:00 EST5EDT
I think that it’s natural that Alexis would go to Beckett and it’s definitely in Alexis’ character to be such a nerd. Beckett is a smart, professional woman who Alexis respects and is a friend of the family (they’ve all hung out together) and she’s not her grandmother or her dad. And Castle has been getting top grades in the Father department so his behaviour was “meshing” too.
I think they might be setting up Smoove to be a sidekick. I thought he was pretty funny and charismatic and fit in well.
It’s sweeps, of course they’re gonna put in the intro! This is definitely when they want new viewers.
*POST AUTHOR*
I actually had forgotten that they’d spent time all together. Still it seems a bit strange that Beckett would even come to Alexis’ mind for advice, but I guess, like you intimate, her circle is rather small.
I also guess the intro makes sense for sweeps, but what about all these past weeks? Are they worried we’d forgotten? ;)
i like the intro… too many shows now are just the title and a sting.
i thought jb fit in well too. hoping he becomes a somewhat recurring character!
*POST AUTHOR*
I’m not finding anything to confirm that he’s due back, but it might be interesting here and there. I think he’s outplayed his hand as a constant sidekick, though (the actor). But a source of information, or whatever, for Castle, could work well.