Castle - Episode 6.22 - Veritas - Review

This week’s episode really cemented the fact that I hate commercial breaks. Really, how intense was that episode? Even though we know nothing seriously bad would ever happen to them because it’s Castle and Beckett and they always make it, “Veritas” had me on the edge of my seat. The fast pace of the episode had my heart pounding. I wouldn’t take every Castle episode like this because the fun, light episodes make me laugh, and sometimes it’s what you need from a show, but I really loved this episode. There were a couple of things that tickle me, but I’m trying to let them go.



"Veritas" was the penultimate episode of the sixth season and finally, Beckett can put her mother’s case to rest. It was time and it was a nice touch to let her have closure just before the wedding so she can really get on with her life.

What I absolutely loved about this episode was that the takedown of the almighty Senator Bracken was a team effort. It’s been her personal vendetta for the longest time and having the whole gang, or family, as Esposito clearly stated was touching. Early seasons Beckett liked to do things on her own, in her own way, and even though we caught a glimpse of her when she went to confront Simmons, we could mostly see the growth in her character throughout the episode. She acknowledged the fact that sometimes, she couldn’t go at it alone, she needed the help and she took it, even if it meant bringing them down with her. (Its their choice, really.)

I was mad at the writers at the beginning of the episode when we witnessed Kate investigating, alone in her car. When the last two season have been about how she was putting it (sort of) behind her. I was relieved to know Castle was in on it and they had seemed to have talked it over. I don't think I could of stomached another Beckett goes rogue alone storyline. Trailing Vulkin and trying to link him to Bracken was their own little couples project (Would be wierd had it been anyone else, right?) Eventually, when it becomes too much for them to handle on their own, Ryan, Esposito and even LT get in on it. Gates even gets to learn the whole story about Beckett's mother's murder. It was about time. The writers have done a great job with Gates lately. Even Montgomery, was, in the end, crutial to closing the case.



So, for the six weeks following the torture in the drug lord's basement, Beckett and Castle, have been trailing Vulkin Simmons. Just as they are about to catch a break and link Bracken and Simmond, the DC political consultant that could have been the key is found dead. He could have exposed that Bracken’s campaign funding was corrupt. Following Beckett's hunch, its not long before Vulkin and Marx, the victim, are linked. Given her involvement with Simmons, Gates pulls her off the case, and it's more than understandable (If she only knew half of it!)

The guys are the ones working the case, and really Kate should trust them, they are good detectives. When Esposito and Ryan have to let Vulkin go, it triggers the return of bad descision Kate. Leaving Castle in bed, she decides it's safe, only a calculated risk, to go after Simmons by herself. Its just lousy police work there, she has no warrant and she knows she's going to find some evidence. (Anonymously call the precinct or something! I know you get emotional an stuff, but rookie mistake there.)

“Get a girl’s hair wet and they never let it go.” -Vulkin Simmons

This rogue investigation also gives Bracken the perfect opportunity to frame her when Vulkin then ends up dead, tortured by someone who knew what the cops would be looking for. When its revealed he was killed with Beckett's gun, it's time to run. Its already established that Beckett is not a cold blooded killer, but someone is trying to frame her nonetheless. I once again really loved that all her people had her back, Gates included. Internal Affaires conducts a massive manhunt for the detective, because really its not enough to have Bracken wanting to kill her, she also has to deal with that.

We can asssume Simmons was killed only to frame Beckett, but it wasn't confirmed, right? Also, I’m a little fuzzy on how Bracken knows Beckett was bluffing. Was he tailing her, while she was tailing them? I know he's almighty and all, but wouldn't she have caught onto it?

When it's clear they need all the help they can get, they seek out Smith's help. Yes, Smith is alive, and it would have come as a shocker if it hadn’t already been leaked in the sneak peaks (ABC spills way too much!) He calls them on Castle's burner phone, nothing the man can't do and we learn something important, Castle isn’t big on multi-tasking, run and talk, bud, run and talk. They meet in the parking lot, same one Castle and Smith met in way back during the fourth season. There is nothing much he can do for them, but he mentions a recording that would be enough to bring the man down.

“Run. Disappear. Because if you don’t, he will kill you.” -Smith

Following Smith's advice Castle and Beckett get to a flimsy hotel where they can change their looks and hatch a plan. Castle knows a guy, he always has a guy, that can get them a car so he leaves her, promising to be back soon. The way she looked at him when he closed the door, I was shaking my head at the man thinking, come on Castle, can’t you see she’s going to run, without you. I was wrong and she went to the bathroom and for a second there, I thought we would get to see peroxide blond Beckett.

A sound startles her and she runs out of the bathroom, ambushed by Bracken and his men. They verbally spare.

“Is that how you justify murder, it builds character? Then why don’t you give me a chance to build yours?” -Beckett

Bracken leaves her to his men with a goodbye, a promise to never see her again, and I was really wondering how they’d get her out of this one. The two men tie her to a chair and drug her, they make her drink until her head doesn't seem to hold itself up. At first I was appalled by the direction this was taking, I know Castle is 10pm show, but rape seems so un-Castle like. When they see she's drunk enough, it's time to make it look like the rogue police officer who committed suicide. Then the magic happened and Badass Beckett came to life as she spit out the drugs and kicked the crap out of the two guys. She shot the dude in the face and it was awesome! But not before receiving a massive blow to the head.



Beckett leaves a blood trail on the wall as she stumbles into the hallway. She sports an intense injury to the head, and yet Castle lets her sleep it off in the car. (Have you ever heard of concussions man, but she’s fine, so will let that slide. Also, her head injury did seen to have magically healed. Let's just pretend, he had a guy for that too.)

During the head trauma induced flashback, it's the much appreciated return of Captain Montgomery. (Kate's memory wasn't like Montogomery had described it, flashlight and all, but maybe they just had different takes on it and don't remember it the same. I'm really trying here!) Kate wakes up with the certitude they have to go back, that Montgomery is the key and that her mother has the tape they have been looking for.



The partners get back to New York and are able to sneak into her old appartment with Ryan and Esposito's help. Just when you feel they are about to crack the code, the door is busted down and all four of them are arrested. Back at the precinct, Beckett flashes on the family of elephants parading on her desk and she goes for it, she has nothing left to lose. After fildling with them, the cassette falls out and I absolutely adored the fact that the row of elephants we’ve been seeing on her desk for the longest time got its own storyline!

After listening to the incrimminating recording, Beckett gets to make the official arrest and you could just see she was trying not to smile too much. It was the most satisfying end of an episode ever (Yes, I'm including the season 4 finale). I couldn't help myself from smiling. I was happy for her, proud for her. I was proud of a freakin fictional character, ohhh what this show does to me.

“It’s over. Senator Bracken you are under arrest for conspiracy, fraud. And the murder of my mother, Johanna Beckett.” -Beckett