Interview Questions (Interviewed Sandra Contreras)

1. How would you feel if Castle was not in the show? Why do you feel that he has such an important role?

“It would defeat the purpose of the show, and then it would be just like any other show. It’s why the show was named after him. First of all, he is the main character of the show. Second of all he works for free to solve murders, who else is going to do that for free?”

2. What makes the show Castle different from other similar shows? Give examples.

“It’s funny. Castle’s comments are smart but funny. Detective Ryan and Esposito add to the comedy of the show. Castle and Beckett are engaged now, so it’s cute when they work together to solve murders. Any other show is business; they would never allow a writer to work with them (the detectives).”

3. As a fan, what do you like the most about the show? What do you dislike?

“I like that Castle and Beckett are finally together after denying their love for each other for so long. I like Ryan and Esposito, they’re cute. I also like the twists within the murders and Castle’s crazy theories. I don’t like that we haven’t found out what happened to Beckett’s mom.”

4. What got you into the show? Why did you keep watching it?

“I think it was Castle’s creativity and his persistence to help solve the murders that got me into the show. I found out about the show through Diana (my other sister) and I just love crime investigation shows like CSI, and NCIS. I kept watching it because it’s funny and you can actually learn a thing or two from it.”

5. What are some words you would use to describe Castle? How do they contribute to the show?

“Funny, smart, witty, crazy, frustrating, ‘ruggedly handsome’ (as Castle says), immature, spontaneous, annoying, persistent, caring, and unique. Castle’s personality can turn any murder into a real life crazy mystery. He develops crazy theories that seem out of the question, though they actually help solve the case.”

Rules and Conventions for Castle

Castle is the only actor in the show that is not an actual cop. Beckett, Ryan, and Esposito are all detectives for the NYPD. Whenever the crew arrives at a location that is dangerous they are all required to wear bulletproof vests. This is a must; however, Castle wears a vest with the word “WRITER” written across the chest. Castle is never seen carrying a gun, probably because he is not allowed to. It is unclear whether he is trained how to use a weapon. Inside the office there must be absolutely no parties. Work is work and the faster a murder is solved, the better. Drinking inside the office is an obvious of what should not happen inside the office, though it has in a couple of instances. Every time the crew leaves the office to go after a suspect they must make sure they have backup in case anything happens. The detectives are required to keep the captain of the NYPD informed. Failure to do so could result in serious consequences. Creating any sort of personal relationship with any of the suspects is a huge “don’t.” The police are required to keep cases strictly business and should worry about keeping the public safe.

Castle

Season 6 Episode 11

6 pm-6:45 pm

28 January 2014

Opening scene: Castle and Beckett are at a scene where a building has been engulfed in flames. Firefighters are doing their best to control the fire and rescue Esposito and Ryan. Beckett gets a call from Ryan’s wife (Jenny), who is in labor. Beckett tells Jenny to stay calm because something has happened.

6:02 - Castle suggests that Detective Kevin Ryan name his son Cosmo. Ryan argues that instead of picking a name for his kid, Castle should pick a date for his own wedding. This shows the relatively goofy side that Castle has. Castle and Beckett have moved on to take a look at the victim, who was burned. It is concluded that the victim is a male.

6:04 – The fire department of NY tells the detectives and Castle that they need to get out of a burning building where a homicide took place since the fire did structural damage. Castle is the first to run out the door. This shows that Castle is not trained to be a cop in a life threatening situation.

6:06 - Castle and Beckett are now interviewing the owner of the building who claims he has no idea who the victim was. He states that no one was even supposed to be inside the building.

6:08 – The head of the fire department investigates the building and finds a distinct burn mark on the carpet. She cuts the carpet open and discovers a cross shape drawn on the floor.

6:09 – Laney gives information about the suspect. Cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head. She says there is no smoke in the lungs, so the victim was burned post mortem. After discovering who the burned body was (a man who worked with the fire department), the detectives and Castle are left with a possible suspect given the name of “The Phantom.” Beckett does not like the name because she says it sounds silly, but Castle likes it. He says it sounds better than arsonist because at least it doesn’t start with “arse” and The Phantom puts some mystique into it. Castle is a more fun person than Beckett. He likes to be more spontaneous and put more mystery into a case due to him being a mystery writer.

6:11 – As Beckett interviews a suspect, Castle stands at the back of the room, kind of hidden. This may offer that even though he works with NYPD he is still not allowed to do what they are because he is not trained in the area.

6:13 – While in the questioning room, Castle finally speaks up. He quickly jumps to conclusions which makes the suspect tell what happened the night of the murder, and how he was not a part of it. Castle seems to be good at intimidating people because he cuts to the chase unlike Beckett who asks questions in a chronological order.

6:16 – After the questioning is over and Castle and Beckett move back behind the double sided mirror, Castle remarks that the suspect’s story makes sense on a character level. Here, his mystery writer kicks in since he is tying the case to something he would write.

6:30 – The building where Ryan and Esposito were searching has gone up in flames. While Beckett and Castle can only wait outside Castle tries to remain optimistic while Beckett is more realistic. Castle may have a hard time accepting what could be true, it could be explained by his mystery writer side. See, in his books he decides who gets killed and who doesn’t, but that isn’t the case for real life.

6:43 – The case has now been solved. Previously, Detective Ryan’s wife was in labor, but Ryan could not be there due to his trapping inside the burning building. After minutes of struggling to get Ryan and Esposito out, the fire department is able to do so. Ryan and Esposito make it out alive and he has time to see his baby, who was born on the scene. Castle and Beckett can’t help but hug each other both relieved and emotional.

Actors

Richard Castle: is a mystery writer who gets permission from the mayor of New York City to work with the NYPD after one of his stories is copied into a real life homicide. Castle has absolutely no training to be a cop, and wears a bulletproof vest with the word WRITER written

across the chest. Castle is funny, spontaneous, optimistic, and a little scared of real life. Castle is that person that adds interest to the show. He is the one who develops crazy theories that do not follow storylines unlike other investigation shows. Castle’s casual attitude toward work takes the show out of context and makes it a “lighter” situation, in other words he makes the show interesting and suspenseful.

Kate Beckett: is Castle’s fiancée and works with the NYPD. Beckett is very mature and rational. She is the complete opposite of Castle, which is probably why they work best as a couple. She takes her work seriously and likes to get things done properly. Her attitude towards work adds a level of seriousness to the crimes.

Kevin Ryan: is another detective who works with the NYPD. At times he likes to act childish while other times he likes to take things seriously. For example, he buys lots of lottery tickets and hopes he wins it because he says how else will he pay for his kid’s education when he grows up? In this particular episode, he displays his more emotional side. He cries when he thinks he won’t make it out of the burning building alive. If his wife has a boy he wants her to name him Javier after his partner Javier Esposito. His attitude really adds a touch of realism to the show.

Javier Esposito: is another detective with the NYPD who is Ryan’s partner. Esposito is always serious no matter the situation. He handles his work in a fashionable and convincing way as most detectives would be expected to do.

Laney – Medical examiner for the NYPD. In these episodes she dates Detective Javier Esposito. Laney has seen all kinds of gruesome things. She is a serious person and enjoys her job.

Artifacts

Badge: the badges that the detectives carry to represent themselves as a part of the NYPD is important. It is a reminder that their work is serious and there is no time to play.

“Fun in the workplace”: this theme adds a little more suspense to the show than expected. Because Castle is a mystery writer he likes to blow situations out of proportion and make them crazier than they should be; it also tries to keep serious situations a little more optimistic, which is difficult to do.

Figured World: is a world that is set where culture and social life comes into play among its actors who presume a certain identity within its realm.

Artifacts: are like evidence in a figured world. Artifacts may or may not be tangible, but play an important role in the figured world.

Actors: are people who play a role in a figured world, whether it be significant or not.

Castle

Season 6 Episode 12

6 pm-6:45 pm

03 February 2014

Opening Scene – A man (whose face is not shown) is wearing gloves and dialing 911. When the operator picks up the man sets the phone down. The camera focuses on a body placed in a shower with the water running. The person is dead. The operator keeps asking if the person needs help or is in danger. No one responds.

6:02 – As Castle and Beckett enter the crime scene they are still trying to decide when and where their wedding should be. Castle makes a joke about Beckett being “flexible” though he meant it literally; comments such as these show that Castle is random and funny, which contributes to the show. It makes it interesting.

6:05 – Beckett notices that the shoes the victim is wearing are tied differently. Once she is at the crime scene she is very serious about work and very observant. She is the complete opposite of Castle.

6:09 – While at the office, Detective Ryan comes back from paternity leave. As he flaunts the picture of his newborn Beckett makes a smart remark about the baby. She says that she is cute

but it looked like Esposito. Ryan comments that he “expected that from jackass but not from her.” Even Beckett has her moments where her seriousness escapes her.

6:14 – Castle and Beckett are now in the conference room where the murder victim tried to hack its system. However the owner of the Manhattan branch is actually Castle’s father. Castle is told not to react to it, since it would throw the investigation off and Beckett too. As Castle and Beckett are leaving she can’t help but turn around and ask if she has met the man before. Bingo! Beckett realizes that she has seen the man before, though she can’t pin point it. This only further proves that she is very observant and hardly forgets anything.

6:16 – Beckett and Castle are now back at the lab, taking a look at the victim. Castle seems to be dazing off because he is confused on why his father is even involved in the case. While they are taking a look at the victim, there is an imprint on his foot. Beckett asks Castle if he has any crazy theories such as international intrigue or covert espionage. Even Beckett expects this from Castle, but this time he is so distraught by his father’s appearance that he responds rationally saying there is not enough evidence to suggest such theories.

6:20 – Laney is disgusted that her victim ate clams and funnel cake right before his death. Beckett remarks that she opens up bodies for a living and is grossed out by that? Beckett is definitely reasonable, only further proving that her job is serious unlike Castle. This difference between the two could be explained because Beckett is an actual cop and Castle is not, he’s simply a writer.

6:30 – The team is now watching the surveillance video to discover who the murder could possibly be. The video shows that Anderson Cross (Castle’s father) followed the victim. Beckett automatically assumes that is the killer. Castle quickly responds arguing that no such conclusions can be made yet. He is defending his father even though he has only met him once before in 40 years. Though Castle may act tough on the exterior, he is still human and has unwanted feelings towards his father whom he never formed a bond with.

6:35 – Anderson Cross shows up at Castle’s home with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Anderson asks Castle to remove the bullet for him so he can sew himself back up. As Anderson is stitching himself up Beckett walks through the door. Castle runs to meet her and tells her to meet her future father in law. Beckett is very surprised to see Anderson Cross. Castle and Beckett begin arguing because she claims Castle is fostering a fugitive. Anderson Cross comes into the scene and tells his story of everything that has happened. Beckett refuses to believe it and he tells her to turn on the TV. Everything that Anderson told is all over the news. After seeing that Beckett is still in denial she receives a phone call from Ryan who is at the scene where everything started. Ryan says that they cannot retrieve information because the hard drive on the computer was stolen. Anderson pulls out the hard drive from his pocket. Beckett is now forced to believe the truth.

6:43 – The case has now been solved and Castle and Beckett are at her desk. Turns out that Castle’s father works for the CIA and can’t keep communication with him because it will put him in danger. Castle states that he keeps making the mistake in thinking that he is family, but he’s not since he doesn’t keep in touch. Castle is only human and can’t help but feel some affection towards his father, but blood doesn’t make them related. If he had tried to be a good father he would have kept in touch with Castle but he didn’t, so Castle feels frustrated.

Actors:

Anderson Cross – Man who is the “owner” of the Manhattan branch of Universal Banking Solutions. The victim worked there. In reality, Anderson Cross is a fake name. He is really Castle’s father and a former, undercover CIA agent.

Castle

Season 6 Episode 14

8 pm – 8:45 pm

03 February 2014

Opening Scene – A male and a female are digging through a dumpster full of fabric. They are in search of a good quality fabric for a midterm old couture project. They are fashion students. Both of them suddenly find a fabric that catches their eye. They begin to tug on it and soon enough a body surfaces to the top.

8:02 – As Castle’s mother is exposing Beckett to wedding dresses Beckett can’t help but think that all of the magazines are full of models staring out into the distance. Castle’s mom says she needs to get over the fairytale portion. Beckett was never a girly girl, which is why she is so serious. Castle and Beckett are trying to decide on a venue for their wedding. After seeing a page on The Cordova House in a magazine, they both agree to hold their wedding there. It isn’t long before Beckett gets a text. There has been a murder.

8:05 – Beckett and Castle have now arrived at the crime scene where Esposito gives them background on the victim. Here it is noticed that Castle seems to know a lot of information about the fashion world. Esposito says real men wouldn’t know about that and Castle replies that they are just uninformed then. It seems that Castle has is more informed about the world a little more than the other male detectives.

8:07 – The victim was found in a dumpster in an alley. Castle and Beckett have reached Laney. Here, Laney informs them that the victim was strangled with a blue scarf. There were blue hairs

found around the victim’s neck. Castle suggests that the victim was either killed by a little old lady or Katy Perry.

8:09 – Ryan and Esposito are at the victim’s place. They are questioning Ella’s roommate. The roommate says that the last time she saw Ella had been the morning before her death. She states that Ella was up at 5 in the morning ready to go to work. She is asked if she saw Ella after work and she says no because she works at that time. The roommate states that Ella did not have a boyfriend because she was always on call for work. She says that she didn’t have the time for boyfriends, or for what she really wanted to do: design. The roommate also says that Ella had been stressed lately, a little more than usual and that Ella would only say it was about work.

8:11 – The detectives are still at Ella’s place. Ryan tries to make a call, but gets no cell phone reception. Ella’s roommate tells him he can use the landline. Ryan gets up to use the phone and begins dialing, but he notices there is a static on the phone.

8:14 – Castle and Beckett have entered Modern Fashion, where Ella worked. Castle remarks that you have to be a “total hottie” just to work there. As they approach the reception desk Beckett pulls out her cop badge and asks to speak with Matilda King. The receptionist asks if they have an appointment and starts freaking out. She says that she just took that job that very morning and that Matilda will freak out if she adds Castle and Beckett to the schedule. The receptionist asks “Do you have any idea what happened to the last assistant?!” Beckett replies that she was murdered. At that very moment Matilda King is exiting the elevator. She approaches the reception desk and calls out “new assistant.” The assistant says her name is Carrie and Matilda replies that she will learn her name when she has earned it. Then, Matilda turns her attention to Castle and Beckett and asks who they are. Beckett pulls out her badge and says they need to ask her a few questions. Matilda takes off her sunglasses and looks at Beckett and says “Kate Beckett. I never could forget those cheekbones.” Castle is surprised that the two even knew each other.

8:16 – Castle and Beckett have entered Matilda King’s office. Matilda tells them that Ella is her former assistant and had been fired the previous afternoon for a scheduling mistake. She tells them that Ella had been making multiple scheduling mistakes lately. There is a man named Julian inside Matilda’s office. He interrupts the questionnaire by showing some pictures to Matilda. Beckett is clearly bothered by this and clarifies that they are investigating a murder. Matilda has no idea it is her former assistant. Julian suggests that her death may be related to an incident with Grace. Grace is Matilda’s other assistant whom she also fired. Apparently the two got into a brawl in the middle of a photo shoot. Grace blamed Ella for getting her fired too. The photographer luckily shot a couple of frames with Ella and Grace fighting in the background. In the pictures Grace is seen wearing a blue scarf, a match to the murder weapon.

8:17 – The murder is now under full investigation. Castle is a little confused based on what one of the suspects said. However, the suspect’s alibi checks out, so she is not the killer. This

particular suspect claims that everyone in Modern Fashion got the blue alpaca scarf as a Christmas gift. She also mentions that a couple of days earlier she was seen outside of a coffee shop arguing with a man who threatened her. Ella responded that she would call the police if he didn’t leave her alone. Now Castle and Beckett sit in front of the white board where they lay out their suspects and possible scenarios of what could have happened. Castle is very confused on why someone would even kill a person like their victim. This is probably the first time that Castle does not have some crazy theory. Lack of evidence at this point suggests that Castle cannot be his “normal” self without anything to base it on.

8:21 – The investigation is going on and there is enough evidence to point to the one person who killed the victim. As Beckett stares at the whiteboard she automatically jumps to conclusions and is so sure that a woman they had already interviewed is the killer. This is something that both Beckett and Castle have in common. They both seem to jump to conclusions very rapidly. Beckett probably does it because as a detective she has to solve cases quickly. Castle probably does it because it is his mystery author side kicking in.

8:31 – It is to Beckett’s luck that she happens to be at the right place at the right time. While visiting the victim’s work place an inconvenience pops up and Beckett is asked to model a wedding dress. As she stands in front of the mirror she can’t help but wonder what she will look like on her wedding day. However, she starts having second thoughts, something that she almost never does because she is just that person that is always so sure about what she wants and what to do.

8:34 – Back at the office Esposito has done some investigating and found a guy named Youmi related to the case. When asked what Youmi’s last name is Esposito says he doesn’t have one. He says he can probably charge more because he doesn’t have one. Esposito is always making smart, funny remarks like these.

8:36 – Beckett has brought in Youmi for questioning. Youmi is a designer, whose top five picks were going to be featured in Matilda’s magazine. It was found that Ella’s sketches matched Youmi’s designs, only that Ella had created the sketches months before she presented them to Youmi. Youmi copied Ella’s designs and planned to take full credit for them. Castle and Beckett have intimidated Youmi to the point where he says he wants a lawyer.

8:37 – Youmi has now left and Castle and Beckett are sitting in the office. Ryan comes up and claims that Youmi didn’t kill Ella because he was in the studio past three AM, which is way past Ella’s time of death. However, after Ella saw Youmi, he made half a dozen phone calls to Modern Fashion. Now, Castle and Beckett head back to Modern Fashion to talk to Matilda. She says that if anyone found out the Fab Five picks were corrupt, it would destroy the company. She also says that anyone involved stood to lose. Matilda makes the conclusion on who the killer is.

8:39 – Matilda is holding her morning meeting in her office. She states that they go to print in one week and she is still not happy with the cover options and that the Fab Five spread isn’t even

completed yet. She dismisses everyone and tells them to go make it happen. However, she holds Julian back. She confronts him about Youmi’s designs and how he stole them from Ella. Matilda keeps accusing Julian until he finally confesses to killing Ella. As he reaches for the door he finds the NYPD already there to arrest him.

8:42 – The case has been solved and Beckett has headed home where she finds a box containing the wedding dress she had modeled earlier. As she takes it out of the box she can’t help but feel sad because her mom is not there with her to celebrate the moment. However, she realizes that she is ready to get married. Beckett is ready to face the inevitable future with Castle.

Actors:

Ella Hayes – Victim with blond hair, age 26, who lived in an apartment in Brooklyn. Ella worked for Modern Fashion as the assistant to the editor in chief. Modern Fashion is owned by Matilda King.

Matilda King – Red headed lady with short hair and a temper. She is the owner of Modern Fashion, which happens to be the most notorious magazine in Manhattan.

Julian – Man who works for Matilda King. He is her personal assistant. Julian was trying to take down Matilda ever since Modern Fashion was bought out. He is the one who kills Ella.