A Death in the Family (11 May 2009)

Plastic surgeon Dr. Joshua Leeds (37) was asphyxiated by plastic bag in has long overdue parked car, but first tortured. He was reported missing weeks ago by fiancée Courtney Morantz. ... See full summary »

Director:

Bryan Spicer

Writers:

Andrew W. Marlowe (creator), Andrew W. Marlowe (teleplay),

Stars:

Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Susan Sullivan

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Nathan Fillion	...	Richard Castle
Stana Katic	...	Kate Beckett
Susan Sullivan	...	Martha Rodgers
Ruben Santiago-Hudson	...	Captain Roy Montgomery
Molly C. Quinn	...	Alexis Castle (as Molly Quinn)
Jon Huertas	...	Javier Esposito
Tamala Jones	...	Lanie Parish
Seamus Dever	...	Kevin Ryan
Bailey Chase	...	Will Sorenson
Ion Overman	...	Candace Robinson
Robert Picardo	...	Dr. Clark Murray
Jackie Geary	...	Maggie Dowd
Robert Costanzo	...	Sal Tenor
Joe Marinelli	...	Jimmy Moran
DeLane Matthews	...	Jacey Goldberg

Storyline

Plastic surgeon Dr. Joshua Leeds (37) was asphyxiated by plastic bag in has long overdue parked car, but first tortured. He was reported missing weeks ago by fiancée Courtney Morantz. Castle has a forensic expert look into the murder on Becket's mother 15 years ago. And checks on Owen (15), his daughter's 'suspiciously' inconspicuous prom date. Leeds has threatening dissatisfied patient; and a secret patient, which Becket's FBI friends and Castle's mob contact contact, with surprising results.

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Plot Keywords:

false identity | torture | sexual tension

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 May 2009 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Beacon Pictures, Barry Schindel Company, The, ABC Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 43 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

Esposito claims the FBI SUV was shot up with "cop killer" bullets that were Teflon coated, explaining the penetration of the bullet-proof windows. Armor piercing bullets have hardened steel cores, which penetrate, the Teflon coating only helps protect the gun barrel from damage.

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Quotes

Alexis Castle: [Alexis discussing her 15 year old boyfriend] Dad, all we've done is hold hands.
Richard Castle: Ew, okay, please. Don't need details.

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Soundtracks

"Castle Theme"
Written by Robert Duncan (nm0242084)

User Reviews

Exciting and intense story, entertaining guest characters, convincing Stana Katic performance but awkward genres mix, anecdotic Alexis arc and missing ex-wife

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.