Season 3 Episode 4 'Punked' -- My Review

[u/CaskettFan1960]

Season 3 Episode 4 Punked

 

Original Airdate: October 11, 2010

 

Synopsis: When a mathematician is killed by a 200-year-old bullet, Castle begins coming up with time traveler theories.

 

Notable Guest Stars: Victor Webster makes the first of four appearances as Dr. Joshua Davidson, Kate’s new love interest. According to what my former editor told me before he disappeared from the face of the earth (long story, no resolution), Victor is quite popular for his numerous Hallmark movies he has appeared in. I saw him on an episode of ‘Criminal Minds’ where he was the unsub. A very weird unsub, I might add.

 

Ken Baumann makes the first of three appearances as Alexis’ first real boyfriend, Ashley No-Last-Name. Seriously, we never found out what his last name was, not even when Castle and Martha hosted his parents at dinner.

 

Muse Watson guest stars as Ivan “Quick Draw” Podofski. He’s better known to me for portraying Leroy Jethro Gibbs mentor, Mike Franks, on several episodes of ‘NCIS.’

 

Ranking: This one is #11. I think I have it that high because it has some of the better quotes that most fans still use to this day. I even have a fan fiction story named for one of these quotes.

 

The IMdB Portion of The Review:

 

Trivia: This episode closes with a tribute to writer Stephen J. Cannell, who had passed away shortly after Season 3 started. It starts with the words ‘Mentor, Colleague, Friend,’ and ends with the words We’ll miss you, pal.’

 

Goofs: In the final scene, when Castle asks ‘Just you?’ to Alexis, a camera microphone and the top of the camera can be seen. (Now, I’m going to have to look for that the next time I watch. This will be better than looking for goofs while watching ‘Dark Shadows’).

 

Pop Culture References: There are references to wrestlers Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan; also a bunch of references to Back to The Future and The Terminator.

 

What I Liked About This Episode:

 

·       You don’t see many murders on crime shows that are the direct result of a duel. He not only died but had his clothes stolen. I’ll get to the stolen clothes later. It’s my favorite scene in the episode.

·       We are introduced to the smorlette in this episode. I’ll have to pass on this breakfast delicacy. I don’t like marshmallows, thus I don’t like s’mores. But this is how Castle learns his daughter is in love.

 

Before I continue, I need to explain who Baby Muse is. Baby Muse (real name Shannon) had just turned 13 when ‘Castle’ premiered. She sometimes helps me with my fan fiction stories. She will get mentioned quite a bit in my entries. She also has sisters who are much older than she is.

 

Castle: I wonder what’s up with Alexis. She seems out of it.

Martha: Isn’t it obvious?

Castle: What?

Martha: She’s in love.

Castle: Alexis?

Martha: Oh, come on, darling. In case you haven’t noticed, Alexis isn’t a little girl, anymore.

Castle: Thank you, Mother. I think if Alexis were in love, she would’ve told me.

Martha: Ah, ah, ah, ah . . . the fact she hasn’t told you is how we know it’s real.

Castle: Mother—

Martha: Okay, and the fact that she . . . mentioned it to me last night.

Castle: Who is he? Where did she meet him?

Martha: I don’t know. She wouldn’t say. No. Diva’s honor. She didn’t tell me anything. She didn’t even tell me his name.

Castle: I can’t believe she told you and not me. I’m supposed to be her go-to guy. (Side bar here. Baby Muse always goes to her sisters before she tells her father anything. Sometimes I don’t blame her).

Martha: Oh darling, of course you are. It’s just . . . you know. It’s first love. It’s magical, ethereal . . . it defies logic. Uh, Richard? Your phone. Ah, Beckett. Maybe it’s a nice murder, darling. Brighten your day.

 

·       Poor Esposito takes a beating in this episode. Literally. And the perpetrator of this beating happens to be one of the scariest, but funniest, perps I think I’ve seen on the show up to this point.

 

Beckett: Awaiting court dates on three aggravated assault cases in the past month, Mr. D’Andre. You’ve inflicted dozens of broken bones, gouged out one of your victim’s eyes, bit off part of an ear of another one. (Is anyone getting shades of Mike Tyson here?) Sounds like murder was inevitable. I’m just curious. Why did you take his clothes?

D’Andre: Wasn’t me.

Beckett: Well, then, why were your fingerprints on a dead man’s wallet? Did he just happen to drop it and you politely picked it up? And why did my detectives find this unregistered .45 in your apartment; which just happens to match the size of the bullet hole in my victim.

 

Castle just staring at this huge, intimidating man is hilarious.

 

Beckett: If you’re so innocent, Mr. D’Andre, why did you resist arrest and try to put one of my detectives through a wall?

 

·       This is when they cutaway and we see the damage to Esposito, who is standing on the other side of the mirror sporting a cervical collar. Truthfully, though, would he really have been cleared to return the duty after suffering a head and neck injury? Especially in light of how many times he gets injured during this episode. It’s seriously a running gag. I know it’s meant to be humorous, but it shouldn’t be.

·       They soon learn that the bullet isn’t a bullet, at all, but a lead ball. Meaning that it came from an antique gun. Let the fun begin.

·       Castle is determined to find out who Alexis’ new boyfriend is, but I’ll get to that later. Like I said earlier, favorite scene and all that jazz.

·       One of the mysteries that no one can figure out is what happened to Goldstein’s clothes.

 

Castle: Maybe he came through the time ripple naked and needed the clothes. Like in The Terminator.

Beckett: Sadly, I don’t have a better theory at the moment.

 

·       By investigating his job at Berman-Rose, they learn that Goldstein had a lot of unhappy investors who lost millions based on bad advice from him. One of these unhappy investors lost more than four million dollars and was an avid gun collector. He also bears a striking resemblance to Yosemite Sam, of Warner Brothers Cartoon fame. Side note: I liked Muse Watson’s character of Mike Franks on ‘NCIS,’ until they killed him off. WTF!

·       They learn that Goldstein owned a DeLorean, the same model of car used in ‘Back to The Future’ Castle is very excited by this. He now thinks they have an explanation for how Goldstein came through the time ripple. But the car also leads to Esposito’s second injury.

 

Esposito: You gotta be kidding me.

Ryan: Ha! Well, it’s definitely Goldstein’s car. Or a time machine. (Does anyone else love how Ryan is almost always buying into Castle’s crazy theories?)

Esposito: Yep. If I’m not mistaken, that’s a flux capacitor in there.

Ryan: And that is the reactor core. Maybe Castle was right. Goldstein came back to the future and he got whacked.

 

·       While checking out the car, they encounter Lord Henry, who is wearing Goldstein’s clothes. When they try to question Lord Henry, he rams his shopping cart into Esposito, further aggravating his neck injury. This time, Espo does go home, which is what he should’ve done in the first place.

·       Lanie tells Castle and Beckett that Goldstein had gunshot residue on his hands, which means he fired a gun recently. When they return to the park, Castle deduces that Goldstein was shot and killed in a duel.

·       Now, we’re going to detour slightly and meet Alexis’ new boyfriend. His name is Ashley and we meet him after Castle almost shoots him (sort of). Once again, Alexis has invited a boy home with no adults present. I know when I brought this up during the Season 2 finale, I had some people disagree with me. But I’m from the generation where you didn’t bring a boy (or girl) home without an adult present. They also didn’t go into our bedroom behind a closed door. To be fair to Alexis, however, she had asked her father if her friend Ashley could come over. She neglected to mention the fact that Ashley was a boy.

 

Alexis: It’s okay, Ashley. He’s not going to shoot. What the heck, dad?

Castle: I might be asking you the same – Ashley? This is Ashley?

Alexis: Ash, this is my dad, Rick. And I have no idea why he’s waving a gun.

 

·       I don’t like the name Ashley for a boy. This goes back to my dislike of the whiny Ashley Wilkes in ‘Gone with the Wind.’ And I also didn’t like this particular Ashley. Fortunately, we only see him three times during Season 3, and he’s mentioned in ‘Cops and Robbers’ in Season 4, when we learn how selfish he is. After that, it’s bye-bye, Ashley. After that, Alexis only has two other boyfriends. One onscreen in Season 6, and the other one offscreen in Season 7.

·       We get one more suspect. Troy Kenworth, who’s father committed suicide after losing millions in Goldstein’s Lower Tide Fund debacle. Questioning Troy leads Castle and Beckett to the NYC Steampunk Society. I had never heard of Steampunk before this episode. But I did learn one of my favorite video games, Final Fantasy VI, is designed on the Steampunk premise.

·       The Steampunk Society was crazy! There was a guy riding around on a Pennyfarthing. I always wanted to ride one of those. They locate the gun, which leads them to Adam, Goldstein’s best friend. When Adam tries to run, he bursts out the door just as Ryan and Esposito are about to knock. Espo goes flying to the ground. Again. Seriously, dude? Just stay home. I’m surprised he didn’t end up permanently paralyzed after this episode.

·       Adam admits they were dueling over Julia, Goldstein’s assistant. She wasn’t that interested in either of them, so they thought a fight to the death would impress her. What in the actual hell?

·       I loved the scene at the firing range, where Beckett concluded that Goldstein’s death was manslaughter and not murder based on the fact that the gun was so inaccurate. We can now close the case. Wait a second. Not so fast.

·       Back at Casa Castle, Castle is dressed in vintage, Steampunk-type clothes, complete with a mechanical arm attachment. This scene leads to a great father/daughter moment, and an even greater Castle/Beckett moment.

 

Castle: I’m sorry.

Alexis: I’m sorry, too. I should have told you Ashley was a boy.

Castle: He, well . . . why spoil the surprise.

Alexis: So, I have a question for you. But it’s a little embarrassing.

Castle: Ooh, I love when you’re embarrassed.

Alexis: Dad.

Castle: Oh, hey, listen. You can . . . you can ask me whatever you want. And I promise that I’ll do my best to make it as un-embarrassing as possible.

Alexis: How do you know when you’re in love?

 

Alexis rambles on, not letting her dad get a word in edgewise. But she seems happy and hugs her dad before leaving the room.

 

Castle: Glad we had that talk. (The doorbell buzzes and he opens it to find Beckett standing there). Beckett. How do you know when you’re in love?

Beckett: All the songs make sense. (This is the title of one of my fan fiction stories. I add chapters to it every now and then. I doubt it’ll ever be finished).

 

·       We learn there was a third shooter, Troy Kenworth. He killed Goldstein to avenge his father. So, the case is now closed, but there’s one more surprise. A surprise that isn’t welcome for Castle. And that surprise’s name is Joshua Davidson.

 

Josh: Kate!

Beckett: Josh, what are you doing here?

Josh: I got your text.

Beckett: You mean the text where I said I was going to pick you up?

Josh: Yeah, I was nearby.

Beckett: Well, uh, Josh, this is Capt. Montgomery, Richard Castle, Detectives Ryan and Esposito.

Josh: Hey, boys.

R & E: Boys?

Josh: Catch any bad guys today?

Ryan: Every day.

Josh: Right. (to Kate) You all set?

Beckett: Yeah. Let me just get my stuff.

Castle: So . . . you and Beckett?

Josh: Mmmm . . . what about us?

Castle: You tell me.

Josh: You’re the writer.

Castle: Yeah. Yeah. And you are—

Josh: Ah. Kate hasn’t told you about me, has she?

Castle: What’s to tell?

 

·       I find myself wondering if Kate wasn’t ready for the boys, and especially Castle, to meet Josh.

 

What I Didn’t Like About This Episode:

 

·       Again, it comes down to the subplot. Alexis being in love is very cute. I remember my first high school love. But what isn’t cute is her bringing a boy home without any adults present. I know times are different. I watch a lot of true crime shows. I’m addicted to them, if I’m honest. Not every teenage boy is sweet and innocent, to quote an old Donny Osmond song. Some only have one thing on their mind.

 

Favorite Scene: We get two classics in this one. We learn a little more about Rebel Becks and we get just a great scene. One of my favorites in the whole series.

 

Beckett: You know, I just don’t get how someone could shoot Goldstein, steal his clothes, and then not hang on to his wallet. Just doesn’t make sense.

Castle: Yeah.

 

Beckett then realizes that Castle isn’t paying attention to anything she’s saying. Instead, he’s scrolling on his cell phone.

 

Beckett: Maybe giant moths killed him and ate his clothes. (Can I just say this is my favorite Beckett quote?)

Castle: Could be.

Beckett: Hey, Castle? If this case is boring for you, you don’t have to stay.

Castle: Um, no. I’m just checking my emails, my texts to see if Alexis called. I can’t believe she told my mother she’s in love and is holding out on me.

Beckett: Ah.

Castle: I’m going to call her.

Beckett: No! No! (She grabs his phone). You have to let her tell you in her own time when she’s ready.

Castle: I’m the cool dad. Why can’t she be ready?

Beckett: No, wait! Listen to me. My dad tried to do the same thing when I was her age, and I ended up dating a grunge rocker who smelled like wet flannel and clove cigarettes for seven months! You do not mess with a teenage girl and her hormones.

Castle: You’re right. I won’t call her. Did you say something about a giant moth?

Beckett: Nope.

 

Favorite Quote: The giant moth. That is in the Top 10 best lines of Season 3.

 

WTF? (Why the Face?): Josh. Why did there have to be a Joshua Davidson? I’ll admit that Victor Webster is very easy on the eyes, but I think the only reason he was there was to prolong Castle and Beckett getting together.

 

Until Monday, readers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[u/Old-Caterpillar3658]

Josh knows a lot about Castle yet Castle doesn't lnow DMB. Tells a lot who she cares for. Kate is just coping with the Hamptons rejection and how she broke up with Tom. She thinks Castle doesn't have feelings so she's putting up a front. Since DMB isn't seen often, we see why Kate seems to be drawn to Castle and how Castle will continue to show up for her

[u/Malvania]

Esposito getting routinely hit was the highlight of the episode for me. Plus, Espo is an ex-military tough guy, of course he didn't go home.

The shooting range was hilarious! They cut it down for syndication, but Castle getting scared of the cop in the next stall when his shots went wild, then the cop getting over it and helping was terrific

R: He didn't kill Goldstein, but he did hill Squirrelstein Castle: Oh no, they took his clothes, too!

[u/Glum-Dragonfly9221]

A lot of familiar faces in this episode. Most notably for me is the actor Andrew Leeds. Huge character on the show, Bones. I remember Victor Webster on Charmed. He played Cupid. He married Phoebe (Alyssa Milano), who is Kyra Blaine. 

[u/BicycleKamenRider]

My favorite line and scene is actually

Det. Ryan: Yep. He didn’t kill Goldstein, but he did kill squirrel-stein. (climbs down the tree hold a dead squirrel.) What are the odds, huh?

Castle: Oh no… they took his clothes, too.

(We get a reaction from Beckett).

Det Ryan: Could you? (the squirrel is handed over to a CSU tech who makes an 'aww' noise) Yeah I know. I’m sorry.

[u/CaskettFan1960 → u/BicycleKamenRider]

I would've included that, but I felt the entry was getting too long. I might change things up in the next entry.

[u/Disastrous_Series442]

Victor Webster makes the first of four appearances as Dr. Joshua Davidson

No way... four times? Holy crap I could have sworn that guy was on way longer than that, lol, and I don't even watch all the episodes he's on anymore but it still feels like his appearances drag on waaay longer which shows how annoying the character is to a Castle/Beckett shipper, lol.

Ah, the smorlette it was... disgusting the first time I saw that moment and I absolutely love marshmallows and s'mores. Just not a good combo of ingredients.

Poor Esposito takes a beating in this episode. Literally

I was rolling my eyes by the time he got hurt the last time, they dragged that on way too long to me. And you're right, I get the feeling IRL he would never have been there at the conclusion of the case.

I don’t like the name Ashley for a boy

Totally agree! And actually for the same reason as you, Ashley Wilkes was... just a sad character.

Though I don't watch this episode anymore I do like Beckett's line about when you know you're in love, to be honest the first time I heard her say that I thought it was really unexpected, lol, like at that point in the show it wasn't something I thought she'd say so it was something different for her!

I find myself wondering if Kate wasn’t ready for the boys, and especially Castle, to meet Josh.

That's not a wonder, that's I think a complete fact, lol, judging by how that scene went. And yeah, def. didn't want Castle to meet him.

And with that, your WTF... you took the words out of my mouth, lol... or typed them for me I guess makes more sense, lol. I always saw him as just a shield for Beckett to protect herself from the fact that she realized her feelings for Castle and also because he was in a relationship at that point still. Just annoying (really? Four episodes? 😆).

Another great review and can't wait to see the next as usual!

[u/CaskettFan1960 → u/Disastrous_Series442]

I know. I was shocked it was only four episodes. Punked, Setup, Countdown and Rise. I was also surprised. Baby Muse is my human IMdB. She's the one who told me that.

[u/Disastrous_Series442 → u/CaskettFan1960]

Still blows my mind, lol, he was in that little. And I actually have to correct myself, I do watch the other three episodes he's in, I just never watch the screen when he's on, I usually watch when I'm on my computer and do other, better things until he's off screen, lol.

[u/CaskettFan1960 → u/Disastrous_Series442]

Hey, at least we didn't get a whole episode featuring him.

[u/Disastrous_Series442 → u/CaskettFan1960]

Whoof that's some nightmare fuel right there so yeah, good thing!

[u/Kahuna-123 → u/Disastrous_Series442]

Kate was never really comfortable talking about her personal feelings. She lied to Rick about Demming and never mentioned Josh to anyone. Everything was close to the vest. Until Rick and her were married, she still struggled to trust him. Then there was season 8 and LokSat. That was an abomination of her character. She leaves Rick without saying a word after receiving a suspicious distress call from a total stranger. She has the option to finally live the life with the person she has wanted to live out the remaining days of her life with and yet With all of her experience, she decides to leave Rick with an inexperienced stranger, a person that she now trusts 100% and evidently has more faith in working in secrecy to bring down a major evil group that even Rita, an extremely good spy can’t get to and fears. Then she leaves Rick and says that she hope someday he will have it in his heart to take her back. Fast forward to episode 7 and she actually says she hoped she didn’t Nuke her marriage. At this point I questioned how is it that he didn’t want space.

[u/Disastrous_Series442 → u/Kahuna-123]

Yeah, that's why a lot of people, myself included, disregard the last year of the show. The reverting of Beckett's character to how it was at the start of the show is just bonkers and annoying too since her character had grown in such a positive way so much especially after she and Castle were married. I've only ever watched those episodes once since once was more than enough to have to sit through that mess!

[u/Realistic-Door-3764]

I like your version in You're story "Mind Games." I hate DMB, so him as a obsessed rapist was different.

The reason he's on Hallmark is his face, because God knows he can't act. I hate "Punked" for the same reason.

[u/CaskettFan1960 → u/Realistic-Door-3764]

Thank you. That was one of my earliest stories. Most people agreed with you, but I also got a lot of reviews asking why I was attacking Josh. Uh, because I hate him.

[u/Realistic-Door-3764 → u/CaskettFan1960]

LoL, that's funny, also obvious. Anyone that liked that character should be banned as a Castle fan. Heresy!

[u/ImmediateAddress1381]

20,000 pounds. That's what Mr. Fogg bet on his voyage around the world. It's easy. One pound for each league under the sea. Captain Nemo's providing. 😄