I thought the NCIS: LA crossover eps were...passable. But now they've added Linda Hunt and that gets them at least one episode. I have to see her firecrackers.

Last night was the first time I watched Castle. That's a fun show! Now to find something for the hour between House and Castle.

edit: Something called Mansion or Apartment or something.

Villa! Cottage! Hovel!!

I didn't like the new opening (of Castle) but the episode itself was quite good.

Connie:

ha! I think you should find something on HGTV in the 'tween time.

I figure they'll be keeping the new narrative beginning to Castle just long enough to get new viewers up to speed, and then probably drop it next year.

Liked the ep last night! Nice to see the cop group all having their moment under the tree, complete with My Favorite Coroner (that woman kicks ass and delivers really good snark) and the two minions adding to the snark level ("Dead body in a tree, mommy and daddy arguing--all's right with the world").

Here's hoping that now that Beckett and Castle are back together, we'll have more daughter time next week.

I really enjoyed the Castle episode too. NF can do not much wrong in my mind. Loved the father/daughter time, as usual.

I was surprised to see that they seem to be toning down Castle's mom's joie de flair and Beckett's severe presentation. Her hair is longer, lighter and layered...her clothes, softer. I'm not sure why she needs to be more 'accessible.'

I totally agree about the coroner. She's my favorite sub-character.

Stephen J. Cannell! I love the writer's poker game. I doubt we'll get much of it...probably wicked expensive...but I find myself hoping for it in each episode.

Now that you mention it, who was the other writer in the poker game? I heard him called Colin, but all I could think of was Colin Dexter, who's British, so that couldn't be right.

It was Michael Connelly, Kathy. I haven't read any of his stuff, but may now...go team cross marketing!

I loved that James Patterson was in an episode last season. I've listened to nearly ALL his stuff.

Thanks, bonny! So it was "Connelly" I heard, not "Colin." They did reference his detective's name, but since I've not read his books, it didn't help ID him for me. He's a pretty stiff actor--you could tell they decided to give most of the lines to Cannell instead probably due to the fact he was better on screen. Loved the reference to his book King Con, which is probably my favorite of his. I'm a sucker for good con game stories, though.

I know nothing about Russian accents--was hers at all correct?