Castle Review: Private Eye Caramba (Season 7 Episode 12)

I’m really enjoying this new direction for Richard Castle. Being a P.I. actually seems perfect for his character, and it’s definitely a lot of fun to watch.

Martha is worried about Castle’s motivation for sticking with it, and Kate is too. Maybe pride plays a part in why he wants to continue, but I also think he enjoys the idea of investigating his own cases.

The new role also gives us something to hope for with the relationship between Castle and Beckett. The driving force of the show has been their love story, and now that they’re married, they can just live happily ever after. But it would be too perfect if they were also allowed to continue working together. So instead, there are new boundaries. Literally. Castle isn’t allowed to cross into a crime-scene with his wife. Just as they are finally together as a couple, they are separated as partners.

This creates an interesting new dynamic for their relationship. There’s the role playing scene filled with blatant innuendo — which by the way, had fans on Twitter buzzing like crazy. It’s cute and endearing. Though of course, they are interrupted. Later, Castle asks Beckett to help him track down a VIN number when she is clearly expecting something more intimate.

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But I wonder how long this P.I thing will go on? Castle is having trouble getting legitimate cases, after all. I’m also curious to see if Beckett and the team start finding it more difficult to solve cases without Castle involved. It’s already clear they miss his help. And I, for one, miss his blue “Writer” vest.

The nods to film noir and the classic detective films also make these last two episodes special. There’s the music, Castle’s narration, and even a pretty fantastic femme fatale! As for Castle’s first official case, he’s after a missing purse. That detail alone makes me love “Private Eye Caramba.” Even better, the purse is much more important than it seems.

We’re also reminded of Castle’s disappearance, but barely. My hope is for that mystery to be dealt with soon. Maybe Castle’s new role as a P.I. will lead us in that direction somehow.

What did you think of this episode? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to give “Private Eye Caramba” a rating of your own!

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Castle airs Mondays at 10/9c on ABC.

Ashley Bissette Sumerel

Ashley Bissette Sumerel is a television and film critic living in Wilmington, North Carolina. She is editor-in-chief of Tell-Tale TV as well as Eulalie Magazine. Ashley has also written for outlets such as Rolling Stone, Paste Magazine, and Insider. Ashley has been a member of the Critics Choice Association since 2017 and is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. In addition to her work as an editor and critic, Ashley teaches Entertainment Journalism, Composition, and Literature at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.