It’s been a while since I have written a new post on my blog. What better way to start writing again than a post on Castle. After all, it is the show that got me writing and blogging again after almost a 3 year break. Ok, back to the show! Castle is definitely one of the most popular shows in the world today. How do I know that? Simply because of the number of countries it airs in and the number of fans it has. Also because of a cast and crew that in one word, is Brilliant!!

         Andrew W. Marlowe. The creator. He and his team would have guessed that Castle would be a hit. Having said that, I do not think even they would have expected the show to become such a huge success. In these 4 years, Castle has had a lot of great moments. Some average ones and a few dull ones. But, that was to be expected. I mean, when you have had five seasons with 100 episodes, there are bound to be a few that are not as appealing as the others. I am pretty sure when any fan looks back at the 5 seasons that have gone by, it would be very difficult to pick the top five or ten or even twenty episodes. Now, that is the best victory any show could achieve. Thank You Andrew and Terri for such a wonderful show.

        So…. What has changed over these 4 years of Castle? Well, for one Beckett’s hair has grown longer and longer. Ok ok… Just kidding guys! No offense meant to any of the fans! Jokes apart, some characters have left the show and new ones have joined. Like Captain Gates for Roy Montgomery. Castle and Beckett are now in a relationship. About time I would say! Ryan got married. Javi and Lanie are in a relationship too. Errm… I think they are. You are never quite sure with them. We met Castle’s dad. Alexis went to college and so on. Beyond all that, the change that strikes me the most is how the characters have matured. Alexis and Ryan in particular. And it looks like there is still a lot more to these characters. Especially Richard Castle.

         Molly Quinn’s performances have been brilliant in the last few seasons. After 100 episodes, Molly’s growth as an actress is what I have come to admire a lot. The same I would say for Seamus Dever. Tamala Jones, Susan Sullivan and Jon Huertas are a joy to watch. Penny Johnson Jerald did not have much to do in Season 4 except make life tough for the team. In Season 5 though we have seen a whole new side of her! Pretty sure, the fans are loving her now (Episode 3, Secret’s Safe with Me). Though he is no longer part of the show, Ruben Santiago-Hudson will always be missed by the fans.

       Finally, Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic! The two reasons why I started watching this show; and I have two words guys, Simply Superb! So many episodes come to my mind when I think of their performances or of their Caskett moments. The crew of Castle deserves a special mention. They have worked really hard to create a show that is loved by people of all ages, gender and nationality. They say when you do things from your heart, it is inevitably a huge success. I guess Castle is straight from the hearts of our beloved Cast and Crew! That is why it is a huge success and the awards it has won at the PCA ascertain that.

      When I started out to write this post, there were a lot of things I wanted to say. I ended up saying a bunch of other things. I didn’t want it to be too long. I guess it is impossible to write a tribute for the show you love in 500 or 600 words. No poll this time guys. Just let me know what you think about the show in the comments! I would love to hear from all the amazing fans of Castle. The show that will remain one of my favorites… Always!

Now, On to Castle 100 – The Lives of Others!!

        It was not a surprise when I received a mail from Raghav on Friendship Day. I knew if there was one friend who would send an emotional mail on Friendship Day, it would be him. As I sat down to write a short reply to the mail, memories came flooding back. For once after a long time, words failed me.

        Come August 21, it would be six years since the day I met these guys for the first time. I did not know then how much my life would change because of them. Looking back today, I can see just how much it has. So many things I never thought I could be, I am today. There was a Prashant who used to be terrified of an audience. Stutter when confronted by even ten people. Could hardly write a paragraph that made any sense. Today, I hardly recognize who I used to be. That’s just one instance of the kind of influence friends have had on me.

         I have always wondered; how do two people become friends? Do they assess each other? I believe it just happens. You could go on and on saying my friends are this, they have done this for me. Today, I don’t want to do that. Simply because, no words of praise or gratefulness are enough to do that. Good friends stand by you for eternity and beyond. They always make you feel special. You feel like a star. However, they are the real stars of your life.

       To quote a friend, Words can never justify emotions. Maybe they were never meant to do so. The beauty of Friendship lies in the fact that they are free from the confinements of description. Even if your friends are thousands of miles away, even if you don’t talk to them for months, the bond only grows stronger.

       A lot of people say that their friends are special. Today I understand that there’s no such thing as special friends. Its just friends who make you feel special. I have felt that. Thank you for all the wonderful memories guys. I have not named any of my friends here. However, when they read this I am sure they will understand. It has been an honor to have you guys in my life. Good friends are a blessing. I hope this journey continues for eternity. Gracias Amigos!

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         Having seen all four seasons, I think it would be fair to say that Season 4 has had its share of awesome and not so awesome episodes. 47 Seconds was a remarkable episode in the second half of the show. Undead Again was a lot of fun. Pandora and Linchpin were also good as they involved some powerful performances from the cast. The writers reserved the best for the last. May 7, 2012 – Always. It is one of the best episodes of Season 4, if not the best. I would even put it as one of my five all-time favorite episodes of Castle.

         Looking at where the story and the characters stand, it is obvious that there are many missing links. Beckett’s mother’s murder is far from being closed. I was a bit unhappy that, they touched upon that case only twice during the course of this season. A fleeting reference to Castle’s father during Linchpin, Kate resigning from the NYPD, introduction of her would-be assassin, the problems between Esposito & Ryan, 3XK evading arrest and the role of Victoria Gates in Season 5. Something tells me its going to be a crucial one. Just saying. I may be wrong. As for the Casckett moments, there were plenty this season and in the finale Beckett admits her love for Castle. Not sure what happens after that. Guess we wait till season 5 to find out. And! Almost forgot! Esplanie! Jon and Tamala have been wonderful together! The Esplanie moments have been so much fun to watch. I just hope they get together again next season.

        As I said in my previous post, I love the way the characters have evolved this season. The performances of the entire cast have been brilliant. With individual brilliance like Molly Quinn in Cops & Robbers, Seamus Dever in Kick the Ballistics, Stana Katic in Kill Shot, etc. Tamala Jones and Jon Huertas have been superb throughout the season. Everybody came together in Always. In my opinion, Nathan Fillion was the best in the season finale. Of all the characters, the ones of Kate Beckett and Alexis Castle have evolved the most in this season.

         One special mention here. Molly Quinn has been brilliant this season. The transformation of Alexis Castle has been handled really well by the writers. Her speech in the finale was well written. However, the way she delivered it was what made it look that good. I just hope we get to see Alexis in the coming seasons even though she is going off the college.

         I wanted to write this post immediately after Season 5 was announced. Just could not do it due to some other reasons. I hope I have not offended anybody by my comments. Even after three years, Castle remains one of the best shows on TV with the best fan base. The two People’s Choice Awards that Castle won ascertained that. In a single sentence, the entire Cast and Crew of Castle are just amazing. Special mentions to Andrew Marlowe and Terri Miller. Thank you for a wonderful show people! Now, the wait begins for Season 5. As far as the fandom is concerned, I know that come what may, they will love the show and its cast… ALWAYS!

Please find below a poll to pick the Best Episode of Castle Season 4. Please note that you can pick up to two episodes! Because I know that picking one can be very difficult! Do let me know your opinion regarding the post and Castle as your comments.

For catching up with me, do check out my twitter page.  Follow @prashant_dracus

I would like to end this post with something I enjoyed a lot in this season. The Graduation Speech of Alexis Castle. Well Written and Sincerely Delivered.

There is a universal truth we all have to face, whether we want to or not, everything eventually ends.

As much as I’ve looked forward to this day, I’ve always disliked endings.

Last day of summer, the final chapter of a great book, parting ways with a close friend.

But endings are inevitable, Leaves fall, you close the book. You say goodbye. Today is one of those days for us.

Today we say goodbye to everything that was familiar, everything that was comfortable. We’re moving on.

But just because we’re leaving, and that hurts, there’s some people who are so much a part of us, they’ll be with us no matter what.

They are our solid ground. Our North Star. And the small clear voices in our hearts that will be with us … Always.

Please Note: The Graduation Speech is from the Castle Season Finale “Always” and is not written by me.

           July 12, 2010. To quote a lot of people I heard saying at that point of time, “I stepped into a new life”. One year later, I feel, nothing has changed except for the fact that I am being paid. Although I did not have much expectation from the job, I was delighted at the prospect of meeting new people in a new environment. After a year, I would say that I did meet a lot of people. Some who thought I was a strange person and some who I thought to be strange people. Nevertheless, I must admit that in course of this one year I did meet people from whom I learned a lot.

         If I met the most brilliant person I had ever seen, in college, I met the one of the dumbest here. I even met people who you talk to for a few months and you see the words “Stay Away” in Red, glowing above their heads! Having said that, some of the people I met here are just wonderful. People you take a liking to, the minute you talk to them. The bottom-line would be that I made a lot of acquaintances. However, only a handful of friends. For obvious reasons, I have not used any names through this post. That is not cowardice on my part. It’s just that, I didn’t want any hard feelings.

         My professional life has been a good one. I was put into the domain of SAP, which is damn interesting. Though it is a technology I know very little about, it’s always good to learn something new. By sheer happenstance, I now have a manager from the same town as me. More than anything, it reduced the time taken to connect. From whom I have learned a lot about things that otherwise I would have learned the hard way. When it comes to the team, I was in one of the best. A mix of different kinds of people. Hard Working (Maybe a bit too much, But I am hardly the one to judge), brilliant, very helpful and more importantly, they have put up with me, which is a challenge in itself owing to my adamant and talkative nature.

         When I look back at this one year, I do notice a lot of changes in myself. I do not think they are in anyway related to the new job or the new people. Except maybe a few that is. I have made some mistakes in the one year as well. Bad Judgment, my nature and circumstances are responsible. My only regret is that most of them could have been avoided if I had been a bit more careful.

        The best part of the year is that I found the answer to the “When?” that I have mentioned above. Coming to the post, it is a bit vague. It’s only because I wanted it to be so. It wouldn’t be complete without mentioning something I realized recently. It is addressed to Raghav Ravichandran. Raghav, we have had many discussions related to this industry. Dude, I know now that we were both right. Maybe you were right in a touch more instances than I was. I know you will understand what I am trying to say.

         Going into each episode in a whole season review is impossible. So, I will stick to giving my opinion on the entire feel of the season. As I had said before, Season 3 had been a serious one as there were many cases like 3XK, Setup & Countdown, Knockdown, Knockout, etc. that were presented on a more serious note than the usual fun filled episodes. I suppose that was needed as Castle otherwise had started to revolve around relationships. It is after all a police procedural. An example is Kate Beckett getting shot and the death of Roy Montgomery. This was a vital part of the season finale to make sure that the mystery around Kate’s mother’s murder stays alive. Otherwise, Season 4 would have become a dull experience and the viewers count would have dropped for the next season.

         As for the fans and people who love Castle for the Caskett moments, the season finale would have come as real shocker. I feel It was a necessary twist in the story. Perhaps the best twist yet. Knockout was perhaps the most anticipated episode due to the emotions involved and things that hung in the balance. It was also the episode where the cast gave their best performances. The plot had also been an excellent one. The ending of Knockout is the best the producers could have asked for. The way in which the real culprit behind Beckett’s mother’s case was never revealed is what will bring the audience back in Season 4.

          Mid-Season, the post I had made for Castle’s second anniversary, Castle is Two Years Old, was written when seven episodes remained in Season 3. It was just after Castle Season 4 had been announced. Since then, a lot of things have happened. The story moves quickly towards the end of Season 3 just like in Season 2. The difference between the two being that, in Season 3, a lot of unexpected things happened. In Season 2, the storylines of cases were weak except in a few episodes. It is good that, in Season 3 that is not the case.

          This time around, there was a definite maturity in the characters. Almost all the cases were pretty interesting. The unexpected element was handled really well by the writers. The ending was perhaps a heart-stopping moment and will keep every single Castle fan waiting for September 19. Am I right in assuming that guys? I myself am waiting for Season 4 with a lot of excitement.

          The critical reasons that have made Castle an all round entertainer include, the cases, the relationships involved, the case of Beckett’s mother, the real world publication of Richard Castle’s books Heat Wave, Naked Heat and the awaited ones Heat Rises and Derrick Storm Animated series. I am not sure if the Heat Wave movie is actually coming out! I think it is! Not sure when though! Coming back to Season 4, There are a lot of questions that need to be answered on September 19 and throughout the course of Season 4. However, I feel we have more season in Castle and they will leave some old and many new questions unanswered.

           As a final note, I would like to say this, Who would have known that a mid-season replacement show would become one of the biggest shows on ABC ever! Full credit to the cast and crew for this one! The Castle cast and crew Rock!!! Stana Katic, Nathan Fillion, Jon Huertas, Seamus Dever, Molly Quinn, Tamala Jones, Susan Sullivan and of course Ruben Santiago-Hudson and all the others who work behind the scene, you guys are Awesome with a capital ‘A’!

          I have tried to remain objective while writing this post! I have tried to keep my fan emotions out while writing this. But, I guess its obvious once you read this one and the previous one as well! Do let me know your views on the post and on Castle itself either here as comments or on my twitter page! I just love to meet new people, especially if they share the same interests like mine like Castle fans!
My twitter profile is prashant_dracus. This post is dedicated to all my fellow Castle fans and all who love this awesome show!

          Please find below a poll to pick the Best Episode of Castle Season 3. Please note that you can pick up to two episodes! Because I know that picking one can be very difficult! Do let me know your opinion regarding the post and Castle Season 3 and your views on how Castle Season 4 should be in the form of comments below! Thanks guys!

For catching up with me, do check out my twitter page. Just a click away! I just love to meet new people!
Follow @prashant_dracus

       The idea is to answer certain questions with titles of books. The content of the book has nothing to do with my references! Just what the titles mean. Here’s my life.

In School I was: Crazy

People Might be surprised I’m:  The Man In The Iron Mask

I will never be: Dracula

My Fantasy job is: Highway On My Plate (Yes, There is a book based on the show. Written by the hosts. Would love to do that Job!)

At the end of a long day I need: A Little Night Music

I Hate It When: Troubled Sleep

Wish I Had: The Time Machine

My Family Reunions Are: Never A Dull Moment

At A Party You’d Find Me: Having Fun

I’ve Never Been To: Journey To The Center of the Earth

A Happy Day Includes: The Good Book

Motto I Live By: Life Is What You Make It

On My Bucket List: Train to Pakistan

In My Next Life, I Want To Be: The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari

Try it and let me know guys! Do let me know your comments on my choices of book references as well!

For catching up with me, do check out my twitter page. Just a click away! I just love to meet new people!
Follow @prashant_dracus

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011