It seems like Beckett's still out of shape from her shooting.  I can't recall the last time she successfully beat up someone and handcuffed them like she used to.

Yes, I loved Fillion's emotional outburst.  The rawness of his relationship monologue was really refreshing.  Also, when Beckett questioned whether she could trust him he looked like he was going to explode!

I go into everything with the precaution of partially covered eyes, that way I am usually pleasantly relieved.

That's true but there is often a dramatic moment where the hero/heroine goes off and cries/dances in the monsoon rain to show off their hot bod.

If they started a band and invited Martha, Alexis, Ryan, and Gates along for the ride I imagine the show would end up becoming Josie and the Pussycats.

I completely agree, whatever failings this episode had, I think it's helped the show in the long run by resolving the relationship drama.  Uniting Castle & Beckett and pitting them against amusing obstacles is much more rewarding to watch than angst.

The one step forward is that they finally know who shot Beckett.  I admit it's not much, but at least the police have a clear target to go after.

The funny thing is, you're probably right—the ultimate conspiracy is that Esposito is getting paid under the table and wants Beckett to die.  And he was so close too! If it hadn't been for Ryan's meddling!!

They could go the route of Monty Python's Flying Circus, and occasionally insert the titles at the end, or a random point during the show—perhaps as a punchline.

Since Ryan and Esposito are basically the same-sex version of Castle & Beckett, Espo will treat Ryan like crap for a while…maybe even a whole season.  Ryan will pine for Esposito while the farce that is his marriage slowly crumbles.  By next season finale I imagine they will both get trapped in a burning building…

Beckett's soul-searching in the rain was screaming Bollywood-melodrama, but what mostly bothered me about the scene was the goofy background music.  Someone should dangle the score/sound crew from a rooftop until they re-evaluate their work.

“How are we supposed to investigate it if we can’t investigate it?” 
I thought Ryan said that… not Esposito.  Although it probably doesn't matter a whole lot.

@drdarke:disqus : No worries, your response wasn't curt.  It's definitely true that Castle is head-over-heels for Beckett, and it's made him mushy as oatmeal.

I think the writers wrote themselves into a corner this week when they created the crime. 
They created a scenario where a murder was committed, but the killer was in a mental state where he had no control over his violent actions and therefore was innocent. 
Since the killer wasn't mentally ill, the only explanation…

I was hoping using the drug meant the patient does not feel pity, remorse, or fear and absolutely will not stop, ever, until he is dead.

I agree in principle, though Castle really should have considered rage-quitting last month when his feelings were raw. I would have liked to see him express some anger at Beckett for lying.

@drdarke:disqus  , My thoughts exactly…Gates shows up so infrequently I was almost expecting her character to evolve into an ominous, unseen presence sort of like Maris Crane in "Frasier". 

That's true and it's probably my fault for expecting Castle to act on strong feelings like that by confronting Beckett…and before the finale no less! Shame on me!

@avclub-2fb050f720ec05278c847e73863e15fe:disqus , I think it was because key parts of the episode were anticlimactic, e.g. a zombie horde swarmed Beckett & Castle, but then became instantly harmless.  Also, Castle stated that it was his last case with Beckett, but he forgave her after a short chat and never discussed…

The Katic-bashing & Fillion-mancrush-ing forces reached a reasonable equilibrium in this week's review.  However, I would have given the episode at least a B/B-.  It was similar in quality to Headhunters, and significantly better than "The Limey"…I would have put that episode in the C range.