Steam-Punk Romanticism

Castle S03E04 Punked

This week's episode dealt with old-fashioned ideals and Romance. I absolutely loved the beginning shots of the city, the horses, and the dead body all interspersed with each other. The policemen on horses riding up to the green meadow definitely set the tone of 19th century Victorian London, and got me wondering whether they still exist today, which apparently they do!

The joke of Esposito's injured neck was used for great slap-stick effect, when he and Ryan were attempting to question 'Lord Henry', and when the suspect ran into them at the door. It was actually an awesome shot of Esposito's eyes widening, the suspect running into him, and Ryan slowly turning around.

Several fantastic shots were in this episode. I liked the one where Castle attempted to high-five Lanie, only for her to already be walking away. There was also the progression of technology for Castle's shooting attempts, although considering that he saved Beckett earlier in the show using a gun it didn't really make sense, but it was hilarious. Another awesome scene was Castle's talk of love with Alexis, only to turn around and ask Beckett.

However, there was one shot that kind of bothered me. After the talk with the sister of the murdered man, the shot showed Ryan just standing there facing the camera, a good ways away from the door, when he had just knocked. Why couldn't they have had him stand at the door as if he had just knocked?

Anyways, the episode was a tiny bit predictable - I managed to grasp the idea immediately after the clothes were shown, although that may have been the point. Right up until Castle explained the idea to Beckett and Ryan, I was thinking 'Come on, come on...I have to be right.'

The best part was that I learned of a new culture - steam-punk society, a sub-culture of sci-fi and history. In essence, it incorporates the time when steam power was prominent (usu 19th century/Victorian London) with the ideas of sci-fi/fantasy. Although I've seen instances of steam-punk and its other variants (e.g. cyberpunk, gaslight romance, clockpunk, etc.), I had never known that it was actually an entire sub-culture. I loved the entire geekiness of it.

Unfortunately for Castle, not only did Alexis fall in love this episode, but also Beckett (sorta). She has a new boyfriend, Josh, and he drives a motorcycle. Beckett's back in her wild-child phase :P I kind of feel sorry for Castle, but he totally blew his chance, speaking of which, I haven't seen his ex-wife/girlfriend this season yet they continue to introduce her character as his current girlfriend. >.>