I shouldn’t have worried.

While not my favorite episode of the season, it was a blast from start to finish.

Our story begins when the gang is called to a murder inside an old, deserted bar. The bar had its heyday during the 1940′s when it was owned by a crime boss. The victim is a treasure hunter who thinks he may have stumbled on a great find – the Blue Butterfly. And just what is the Blue Butterfly? It’s a necklace the crime boss’ woman wore made out of rare blue diamonds and worth a million dollars.

One of the pieces of evidence the crew finds is a diary from a PI in 1947. Castle thinks it may be the key to solving the murder, so he takes it home and reads it. As he does, we get flashbacks complete with costumes, sets, hairstyles, and our main characters filling in for the characters in this 65 years old story. Probably the biggest surprises to me here were Susan Sullivan as the PI’s secretary and Molly Quinn as the woman who hires the PI to find her sister. Their only involvement in the episode was in the flashbacks, and their characters were quite different from Castle’s mother and daughter. But they seemed to be having fun just like everyone else.

The PI (Castle) is hired to find a woman named Vera (Beckett). When he does track her down, she’s on the arm of a notorious crime boss who owns the bar with the beautiful necklace on her neck. It’s love at first sight for both of them, which means the PI gets a beating from the crime boss’s henchmen (Esposito and Ryan). And the singer in this bar? Lanie of course. I haven’t read confirmation anywhere, but I’m guessing that was her real voice. She can sing.

The PI and Vera decide to run away and sell the necklace to start over. But somewhere along the way, they both wind up shot and the necklace goes missing. Just like all good noir mysteries.

Back in the present, Castle and Beckett are hot on the trail of the necklace and the killer. There’s the real treasure hunter that the victim contacted for help. There’s the former bookie who was financing him. And there’s his estranged wife who left him over his obsession with finding a treasure.

But the big shock comes when they learn that the gun that committed the present day murder was the same one used in the unsolved murders from 1947.

Eventually, Castle and Beckett are able to piece together both mysteries. In 1947, the woman who hired the PI was actually trying to get revenge on Vera. Honestly, I didn’t quite understand this part. Was she trying to get Vera away from the mob boss’s goons to kill her? And how did she know that the PI would be able to do that? Frankly, this part seemed a bit convoluted to me, but it was the perfect noir twist. However, what we eventually learn is that the actual dead bodies from 1947 were the Client and the bartender. One got shot accidentally, the other in self-defense. Then the PI and Vera burned the corpses to avoid their identities becoming known, changed their names, and lived happily ever after. Not such a noir ending after all.

And the necklace? Turns out they decided they didn’t want it, so they hit it in a lose brink outside the bar. The present day murder victim found it, but was killed by…the PI and Vera’s present day home help/nurse. His exact job was a little unclear, probably because he only had two lines before he was revealed as the killer. He was the grandson of the PI’s secretary from 1947 and he was trying to track down that necklace. He hadn’t intended to kill anyone, just steal the necklace after the treasure hunter found it.

To wind things down, Beckett decides not to prosecute the elderly couple for the deaths in 1947 because it sounds like self-defense and because she’s a softy. I think that has more to do with it than anything. The necklace is recovered from the killer’s apartment, but it turns out the diamonds are fakes. That’s right, all this crime and drama has been over imitation jewelry worth hardly anything. And with that noir twist, the episode ends.

There was a lot of story to this episode, but they managed to get most of it in without leaving too many loose ends. The biggest for me being why the PI was hired to find Vera in the first place. And once again, the killer was someone who looked like an extra until he was revealed as our villain. It’s a cheat, but it never feels like one to me because they are always able to explain it so it feels like the only logical end to the story. I also wish they had found a way to work Penny Johnson Jerald into the flashbacks; that would have been a blast.

But I just loved the noir parts. The dialog was cheesy and cliched; the acting was a bit over the top. And that means it was pitch perfect as an homage to the genre.

Of course, another reason for the episode was to have Castle and Beckett kiss and go off to live happily ever after via their 1947 flashback selves.

All told it was a fun episode with several great laughs and decent twists, mainly in the 1947 story.

It was nice to have a light episode this week because next week starts what looks like the big, dramatic February sweeps two parter they love to do each year. Look for that with a cliffhanger ending next Monday.

In the meantime, come visit me at my normal home where I am talking about the books I read in January.

Castle 4-14 Recap: The Blue Butterfly originally posted on
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Patricia A. Disney, 77, vice chairman of Shamrock Holdings, Inc., the investment company for the Roy E. Disney Family, died today of Alzheimer’s. Mrs. Disney devoted much of her life and energy to the activities of her late husband, Roy E. Disney, the former chairman of Shamrock Holdings and former vice chairman of The Walt Disney Company. Mrs. Disney enjoyed a long and active interest in higher education, literature, sailing, and painting. She was a former regent of St. Mary’s College in Moraga, Calif., a past member of the board of the Peregrine Fund in Boise, Idaho, and a former trustee of Occidental College.

She is survived by four children: Roy Patrick Disney, Susan Disney Lord, Abigail Disney, and Timothy Disney, and 17 grandchildren. Mrs. Disney was born in New Orleans, moved to Southern California as a young child and attended the University of Colorado. Before her marriage to Roy Disney in 1955, she lived in New York and worked in advertising.

Funeral services will be private. In honor of Mrs. Disney, gifts may be made to: The Alzheimer’s Association, Southern California Chapter, attention John Seiber, or the Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center, Providence Saint Joseph Foundation, attention Theresa Meyers.

However, the really beautiful story of Patty’s life & legacy is on WeLovePatty.com.

Patricia Disney Family Obituary originally posted on
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Last week a fascinating show was aired on WMFE.org, the Central Florida NPR station, that looked at what SeaWorld needs to do to complete its recovery from the twin blows of a deflated economy and the death of a trainer who was attacked by the largest killer whale in the pod.

SeaWorld decided not to send a representative to take part in the show, but I found that the 1st half of the show was reasonably balanced and had some new insight I hadn’t considered. Alas, the second half of the show featured a decidedly one-sided view of what it was like to be a trainer and work with killer whales.

The episode is now online or you can download it as a podcast and is worth your time if you’re interested in the future of SeaWorld. Myself, as long as training is improved and safety procedures followed, I’d like to see trainers back in the water with the whales. The show has greater power when audience members see how close our future is tied to the survival of the ocean. Putting a barrier there dulls the impact.

Another group that’s interested in SeaWorld is PETA (people for the ethical treatment of animals). But rather than see improved safety in the pools, they want a judge to declare that keeping animals as part of a show, is the equivalent of slavery. I find that to be a pretty extreme position, but a judge didn’t see it that way and actually heard preliminary motions in the case. Let’s hope this case is thrown out on it’s ear before we’re having to free all the fish from our aquariums, dogs from our kennels, or cows from their ranges.

What must SeaWorld Do To Fix Shamu Show, Parks? originally posted on
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Disney has released a few stills from its next animated feature “Wreck It Ralph.” Ralph is a video game bad guy who decides to see if there is more to life than what he experiences in his game.

Ralph decides that he can be a hero and finds his way into a game called Hero’s Bounty, headed by hero Sgt. Calhoun. Ralph jumps inside this game to fight off oncoming bugs but unleashes a terror that could destroy his whole arcade.

Finally, we have by what looks to be another world for Ralph to explore.

Very interesting. As you might expect in a film where the protagonist moves from video game to video game, it looks like visual style will shift greatly throughout the film. I have to say that none of these ‘wow’ me like the early stills from “Brave” did. But I am intrigued. The concept and the character have a lot of potential for some great story telling. Let’s hope Walt Disney Animation Studios hits this one out of the arcade.

Wreck It Ralph his theaters in November 2012.

Wreck It Ralph Stills Released originally posted on
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NFL World Champion New York Giant’s & two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning managed to put in an appearance as scheduled after winning Super Bowl XLVI and recording the world famous “What Are You Going To Do Next?” commercial. Why go to Walt Disney World, of course.

“I’m going to Disney World!” proclaimed Manning Sunday shortly after his team scored a dramatic 21-17 win over the New England Patriots to capture Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis. In a gala parade Monday at Magic Kingdom, Manning made good on that promise, waving and smiling alongside Mickey Mouse from a red convertible in the shadow of Cinderella Castle.

Four years ago the scene wasn’t the same as Manning left Pop Warner players to ride the parade route alone after deciding to stay at the Super Bowl scene. Even though Manning still has childish good looks, he has matured and was at the park for a full parade and an interview session.

Fans of the Giants and Manning, including those sporting team jerseys Monday, got to see their hero up-close as he rode the route. New York Giants balloons mixed in with red, white and blue balloons along the parade route, Mickey Mouse was joined by other Disney characters and confetti in the shape of the Lombardi Trophy (awarded to the NFL champion) rained down on the happy scene. Manning was later joined in the Magic Kingdom by NFL Youth football players.

Manning’s “I’m going to Disney World!” — anchoring one of TV’s most enduring and iconic Super Bowl commercials — was captured seconds after the final whistle. Monday’s visit marked his second “What’s Next…?” appearance in the Disney commercial. In 2008, Manning was celebrated following the Giants’ 17-14 upset win over the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.

This latest commercial is the 45th in a series that began in 1987 following Super Bowl XXI. The first “I’m going to Disney World” commercial, featuring New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms, was regarded as a groundbreaking concept – a produced national commercial involving a current event, airing on major networks within hours of its conclusion. Manning again joined a lineup of people from sports and beyond who have celebrated milestone accomplishments in “I’m going to Disney World” commercials.

Next up for Manning and his teammates? A Ticker-tape parade in New York City.

(photos courtesy Disney)

Previously: Eli Manning to visit Walt Disney World.

Eli Manning Visits Walt Disney World as two-time Super Bowl MVP and NFL World Champion originally posted on
The Disney Blog - Disney News and Information -- by fans, for fans

                          

The Disney History Institute scores big again with a vintage color film from 1957 Disneyland. DHI uses the same transfer process that Ken Burns does to get his amazing footage and the result is something with the truest and brightest colors I’ve ever seen from Disneyland’s early days.

Go read the original post where Todd J Pierce points out some of the amazingly cool things even I missed in these clip.

1957 Disneyland Film is a Treasure originally posted on
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Discovery Cove is great for relaxing or having fun (mix and match to your own desire) and the addition of the Freshwater Oasis will add even more fun to the mix. No matter where you turn in the area’s water-filled trails, you’ll find endless discoveries. I’m looking forward to the river otters myself.

Here Discovery Cove Vice President Stewart Clark leads us on a sneak peek at the progress made so far.

Look for more Webisodes as they get closer to the opening of Freshwater Oasis later this year.

Discovery Cove’s Freshwater Oasis – A Sneak Peek originally posted on
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Eli Manning and Wife Abby McGrew at Disneyland in May 2008

The 2012 46th Super Bowl was eerily similar to the 2008 game, it featured an amazing acrobatic catch and the winning team is once again the New York Giants over the New England Patriots. Once again Eli Manning was voted Most Valuable Player, just as he was in 2008. And once again Manning recorded the famous ‘What Are You Going to Do Next’ commercial. Of course, there’s one event from 2008 we hope Manning does not recreate… missing his Disney Main Street victory parade.

The Disney Parks Blog notes that Eli Manning will be parading down Main Street USA at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World on Monday, but in 2008 Manning decided he needed to stay in town and do some other engagements. So the parade float with Pop Warner stars went down the route with out him (see this sad photo on LaughingPlace). Manning finally made it to Disneyland in May and met with the youngsters, but it wasn’t cool to leave the Pop Warner football stars and all his fans hanging like he did in the first place.

Wouldn’t it be funny if everyone stayed home tomorrow so Eli Manning could get a dose of how it feels to be left hanging.

NFL Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning Appearing at Walt Disney World on Monday originally posted on
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So, I guess it is left up to the fans to fill the gap. Take Robert Piquel. He’s 25 years old and from France. He’s spent the last 5 years learning how to program because he wants to make a great Disney TakeSpin Fan Video Game. The following video is a concept piece for the game he really wants to make.

It’s not exactly cutting-edge, but it has me excited to go back and revisit the stories from shows like TaleSpin or Gummi Bears and tell new stories in the modern video game format. What about you?

Where are the Disney Game Apps? originally posted on
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Prepare to have your sweet tooth teased. The latest “Every Role a Starring Role” video from Disneyland picks the ‘rolls’ of the new Jolly Holiday Bakery Café on Main Street, U.S.A.. Head Chef Janine Ruozi is responsible for these amazing creations (look for the Matterhorn Macaroons).

Did this one may make you hungry, or what?

Jolly Holiday Bakery Café at Disneyland, Sweet Treats originally posted on
The Disney Blog - Disney News and Information -- by fans, for fans