So I have taken the time of the hiatus to finally decide which box to put this episode in! I’ve come to the conclusion, that although “Meme is Murder” had a good message, it is probably getting put in the box with season 4’s “Heartbreak Hotel”, never to see the light of day, unless it is on in the background.
And while the social media aspect could have been executed better, the case had one of the creepiest overtones of any that I can remember. I think what made it so creepy, is the fact that unlike the common supernatural themes Castle usually takes on, this culprit was altogether too believable. We have all had instances in which we’ve been bullied or made to feel less than. It is what you choose to do in those moments that will ultimately define you. And in this case the victim became the ultimate victimizer.
The actual message in this episode came very much in the form of social commentary. With a world that is connected by social media, where popularity is achieved via likes and shares, where are the limits? What will be that step too far? Now while it is true that relationships can be fostered, unfortunately most of them are one sided. Another high point of the episode was the suspect calling out, who was actually sicker, him for posting or other’s for liking and interacting. I especially love the call out to the false power and confidence that comes with anonymity. As much of a tool as the internet can be, the reality is, that there are real people on the other side.
Castle Writers Panel commentary Via @gayle_lynne Twitter
As nice as it is to see the author side of Rick, it has seemed to take on a couple other connotations. When he appeared on the morning show, the reporter downright attacked him, and now this “web-mercial” business went viral, but for all the wrong reasons. I appreciate the humor to which Fillion plays the character of Castle, but making him the butt of the joke is getting old.
Some of my favorite scenes of Katic’s are Beckett’s interrogations, however this interrogation, even with its valid points seemed so overdone. There was no “Good Cop” to balance out her “Bad Cop” persona. But I do like that they used Castle and the cop from the Cyber Division to collect the clues that Kate draws out to help find the media moguls.
The Gates/Beckett interaction that we have had this season is only getting better and better! It is a callback to Gates and her hopes for her relationship with Kate. Victoria backs her, even in the face of the suits down at 1PP. I like what has been developing with the two of them over the past couple of seasons and I am glad that it is getting more screen time in S7!
So overall, this was my least favorite episode so far this season. The social media aspect could have been executed better, in my opinion. There were parts of the episode that seemed very pointedly directed to the negative and unfortunately vocal part of the fandom, and there were parts that were just downright preachy. Hoping for an upturn in S7 with the upcoming huge episodes!
What did you think about the ep? Love it, hate it? Drop me a line in the comments, tweet me @camifaith_fn and on tumblr at drinkingcastleskoolaid.tumblr.com!
Coming up tonight: “The Time of Our Lives” What would Kate’s life be like without Castle? Find out at 10/9central! Come join the liveblogging conversation on Twitter using the Hashtag, #CaskettAtLast!
