Castle - Rise, S04E01

It's more than good enough.

Castle's season 4 premiere may have been darker than previous seasons...a lot darker - even Ryan (Seamus Diver) and Esposito (Jon Huertas)'s usual banter was sharp and cut short - but I'm pretty happy about that.

Sure, I'm going to miss watching Castle as a feel-good, will they/won't they drama (if that isn't where it returns within a few episodes, with the serious stuff framing the humour, but remaining separate as it is all supposed to be secret), but how else could the show advance?

That ending was incredible. Kate (Stana Katic)'s reveal that she remembers the entire incident (although we cannot say if she does actually remember what Castle (Nathan Fillion) said to her, or if she simply means being shot and tackled) was not as impressive as her return to therapy. Gotta give the woman props for getting the help she needs. What I really loved, though, was Castle's murder board. The computerization was intense, but his own decent into that dark place Kate used to dwell in, done to spare her, is so twisted and chivalric all at the same time.

Can they and we live with this new darkness? I can't wait to see where it takes us. But if you think that all light is gone, than ye have little faith in the universe that is Castle. We'll get our funny. And, we will continue to be reminded to strive for perfection, even if we have to live for a little while with something that is enough.

What are your thoughts?