My finale recap has moved to the new home of my TV reaction/analysis posts, my blog Nerdy Girl Notes. 

Go check it out, and comment over there (or over here) - I want to talk about the finale so badly! 


( Spoilers under the cut!  )

I don’t know how they did it, but they did it.

I’m excited about Castle again.

I knew that all I’d need to dive right back into my obsession with this show and this ship was a moment of openness between Castle and Beckett. I knew that all it would take is a little hope, a little spark, and a little believability in their interactions.

And that’s exactly what I got this week.


( "That wall I was telling you about? I think it's coming down..." )

It was fun while it lasted.

I really enjoyed last night’s episode of Castle in the moment (which is more than I can say for the last few episodes, if I’m being honest), but I find myself getting more and more frustrated with how it played out as time goes on. There were a lot of fun things in this episode, one awesome “BAMF Beckett” moment, and some interesting turns on the highway of Castle/Beckett melodrama that these last few episodes have turned into.

But those turns didn’t exactly lead them to the right place, in my opinion – especially considering the speculation about the finale. I’m all for dramatic season-enders, but I hate when everything before those episodes feel like filler.

Maybe my natural impatience is starting to show itself, but I’m not so sure that’s the case. I could wait for a long time for a couple I love to get together if the reasons felt organic to their characters and right for the plot. At the beginning of this season, I loved that both of these characters were going to take it slow and wait until they were ready to finally be together, but now those reasons for waiting and taking it slow have become muddled in a haze of miscommunication, childish reluctance to talk like adults, and very strange writing choices.


( "Woman like that, you storm the beaches or die trying..." )

Title: Belief
Author: bright_lights28
Pairing/Characters: Emma Swan 
Word Count: 589
Rating: G
Spoilers: Through 1.17 "Hat Trick"
Warnings: Some angst. 
Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time or any of the characters mentioned here.
Summary: Emma knows that Henry's stories are only stories, but sometimes she lets herself believe. 
Author’s Note: This was written for my onceuponaprompt table: Table E, Prompt 04 "Mystery."



( Sometimes she wants to laugh at Henry's theories. But sometimes she wants to cry... )

It’s been a long time since I’ve actually written one of these. Part of the reason for my absence has been work-related; I’ve been so busy that I have barely had time to breathe let alone write about Castle. But part of my absence can also be explained by saying that I didn’t really have a lot to write. Until last week’s episode, this show has felt kind of stagnant. The main reason I love the show so much – the development of the characters and their relationships to each other – seemed to be, as Lanie put it last night, in a holding pattern.

For the last two episodes, though, there has definitely been development on the Castle/Beckett front. I’m just honestly not sure if it’s the kind of development I’ve been hoping for.

I love angst as much as the next person. I love that this situation is forcing them to confront some very real issues, insecurities, and fears that they each have when it comes to a relationship with the other. I love when Stana and Nathan get to show their dramatic acting abilities.

But I hate watching two characters that I love hurt each other.


( "People change while you're not looking..." )

Title: A Promise Kept
Author: bright_lights28
Pairing/Characters: Prince Charming (David Nolan)/Snow White (Mary Margaret Blanchard)
Word Count: 1150
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: Through 1.05 (“That Still Small Voice”)
Warnings: Suggestive content. Lots of fluff.
Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time or any of the characters mentioned here.
Summary: David Nolan didn’t remember much, but he remembered that he loved the sunrise – and he loved watching it with one person in particular.
Author’s Note: This was written for my onceuponaprompt table: Table E, Prompt 08: “Sunrise.” I wrote this as a little birthday gift for two of my favorite people, ggjunkie33 and mylar1. Happy Birthday, my dears!


( Sunrise belonged to them... )

I know this is almost a week late, and I am very sorry about that. I was sick with a really awful cold for the beginning of the week, and then I had a ton of work to catch up on after having to call in sick. This has just been a really stressful and emotionally draining week on a lot of levels, but I’m feeling better today – so it’s time for me to at least try to recap my general feelings on this film noir tribute.

I loved it. I loved every beautiful minute of it.


( "Tell me you love me, Joe..."  )

Who’s ready for some long but impassioned Once Upon a Time (specifically Mary Margaret/David) meta?


( Apparently Castle is not the only show that brings out my overly-analytical side... )

Sorry this recap is so late, fellow Castle fans. This entire week at work has been one long meeting, and my nights (when not at the dance studio) have been spent deeply engrossed in John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars. Also, to be honest, I don’t have much to say about this episode. I enjoyed it immensely, but I think the reason for that can be summed up in one word: Royal. The writers definitely played on my weakness for golden retrievers in this one.


( "They do look like the enjoy each other..." )

Title: A Life She’s Never Had
Author: bright_lights28
Pairing/Characters: Mary Margaret Blanchard (slight hint of Mary Margaret/David)
Word Count: 743
Rating: G
Spoilers: Spoilers through 1.09 “True North”
Warnings: Angst (that turns somewhat fluffy in the end)
Disclaimers: I do not own Once Upon a Time or any of the characters mentioned here.
Summary: Emma’s baby blanket seems strangely familiar to Mary Margaret – like something out of a dream.
Author’s Note: This is my first venture into Once Upon a Time fic, so I hope I did this incredible show justice. This fic was written for my onceuponaprompt table: Table E, Prompt 05: “Obscure.”


( She doesn’t remember much about these dreams – a strong hand on her back, her cheeks damp with tears and perspiration, and a baby…always a baby. )