CASTLE: Andrew Marlowe on the ‘Personal Stakes’ in the Two-Parter, and More

CASTLE’s annual two-part arc kicks off on Monday, and instead of things being deadly on a grand scale, the stakes are much more personal for Castle — his daughter, Alexis, has been kidnapped.

I spoke with CASTLE creator Andrew Marlowe about taking this step (and why they could only do it once), how everyone else will be reacting to the close-to-home case, the future of 3XK on the show, whether Beckett might say “I love you soon,” and more…

What can you say about the two-part arc that’s kicking off with “Target”?
Andrew Marlowe: The two episodes are really fantastic and I’m really pleased with how they turned out. I think we have a really special story to tell with that. And having watched our two-parters get progressively bigger from a serial killer to a dirty bomb in Manhattan to basically saving the world last year, I felt it was time to take it back to more personal stakes. And I felt that throughout the history of the show, we only had one opportunity to put Alexis in danger, because otherwise there’s a cheese factor and we had to make the most of it. And this seemed like a great opportunity.

I’ll tell you this: Nathan [Fillion (Castle)] has never been better. If you’re a Nathan Fillion fan, you’re going to watch both of these episodes, because what he has is such a range of emotions he goes through in this storytelling, it’s incredible to watch. He really brought it.

And, by the way, Stana [Katic (Beckett)]’s fabulous, too. To be put in the position where you want to make the pain go away for the person you care about, and you kind of have a position of authority where you’re supposed to be able to do that, and yet because of how the case is unraveling, you can’t do that for them? She has a great journey in this as well.

Does Beckett get to go with Castle as he tries to find Alexis, or does she have to hold down the fort?
AM: It’s a bit more complicated than that, and it’s split over two episodes. Castle ends up being pretty driven and goes off the reservation. He and Beckett work together and then it gets more complicated…The surprising escalation [of the story] will leave viewers wondering.

You mentioned scaling things back a little bit this year to make it personal, even though things are a bit grand. Aside from the big name guest star, is there anything else you included in the arc to make it feel like the quintessential CASTLE two-parter?
AM: I love tradition, but I also know that [by] changing tradition, you can [have an] impact. I think we have tremendous support cast across both of those episodes, but it’s a little bit different than what we’ve done in the past; certainly bringing in someone like James Brolin in the role he plays, which is interesting, mysterious, and complicated. It’s very exciting for us to have our guys be able to work with someone like him who is a legend.

How is Alexis handling her kidnapping?
AM: I’ll say this: Alexis is her father’s daughter and she is not somebody to take this situation lying down.

Do we get to see Molly Quinn (Alexis) in a way we haven’t before?
AM: Yeah, you do. But in not taking the situation lying down, there is often a cost for that.

Is there a balance you needed to be very aware of by doing this episode and keeping the tension genuine? Because while there is clearly danger, I’m guessing most fans won’t go into the arc thinking you’re going to kill off Castle’s kid…
AM: You know, I think the trick with stories like this — and to guide the audience through stories like this — is to make sure you’re maintaining the story of a character. And in this situation, the character is Castle. The character who doesn’t know anything, is desperate to find out, and is doing everything in his power to resolve the situation.

Completely reasonable. Is Meredith brought up in this arc?
AM: [Laughs] Embarrassingly, no. I assume there were some off-screen conversations that took place.

It’s a tough spot to be in, because you just brought her back a few episodes ago and Darby Stanchfield (Meredith) is busy on SCANDAL.
AM: It’s also impossible to play given the time-frame we’re working in, having that emotional intrusion when you want to focus on Castle and the Castle-Beckett of it all. She’s a little bit like Richie Cunningham’s brother in this episode.

And what role does Martha play in this arc?
AM: She plays an interesting role. One would think someone who’s as dramatic as Martha would act accordingly, but it’s interesting the choice she makes because of where she sees her son going.

How about Ryan and Esposito? Are they involved?
AM: Oh, yeah, absolutely.  Alexis, they all feel like she’s part of the family, so they’re all working hard to resolve the situation.

Will Alexis being put in danger make Castle reevaluate what he does with the NYPD?
AM: I don’t think so, because of the complications involved in the case.

Looking ahead, is 3XK going to be a factor later in the season?
AM: [Joking] I don’t understand this question: didn’t you see Castle shot 3XK [and] he fell off a bridge. Isn’t he dead?

I’ve watched enough horror movies to know that’s likely not the case. And clearly, 3XK was never tricky. Ever.
AM: Never been tricky!

Is that something you’re looking to play with this season or are you thinking of holding it until next year?
AM: Let’s say it’s an arrow in my quiver and we’ll see what happens.

He always was so fantastically terrible to our guys.
AM: It was also fun to give Nathan those moments to act. He’s oftentimes the fun, quippy, Castle, but it’s great to see him when there’s real gravity and real stakes. The acting job he does in the two-parter is just phenomenal.

With the recent addition of the extra episode to the season’s order, was this something ABC had been talking to you about for a while?
AM: It was sprung on us recently and we’re trying to adapt because we’re very challenged on our production schedule already, so we’re trying to figure out how to fold it in.

On an entirely other note, fans have noted that Beckett hasn’t verbalized that she loves Castle. Is that something that’s coming up?
AM: I think fans can expect to see that by the end of the season. And if she hasn’t said it already, she probably will by the end of the season.

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CASTLE airs Mondays at 10 PM on ABC. (And make sure to check back soon for more from my chat with Marlowe!)

Related:

CASTLE: ‘Target’ You Ask, I Answer
CASTLE: Andrew Marlowe Previews ‘Reality Star Struck’
CASTLE: Andrew Marlowe Teases Episode 100

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