The Listener is back for another summer ride, though the weather in the episode didn't quite catch up yet.
But, surprise, Michelle has a baby (which skips about 10 months from the season four's finale).
Which, to Toby, is a painful 10 months to beg Tia to move in with him. I imagine it would be an awkward conversation when Toby was convincing Tia without using his abilities. Though I don't think Toby could find a house for themselves by simple emotion reading. He must have used his ability somehow during their house hunting to lock in their favorite.
Anyway, Toby the listener has grown up from the wish-fulfilling paramedic at the hospital, to a man who makes his own decision. But Oz still buzzes around him like a fly that sucks. His ability is in control, seemed much stable and useful than before. He also expressed confidence in his own special assessment of the suspect during his confrontation with Michelle. Toby has grasped the root of his mind reading and he is ready to take on the hard cases.
This episode brought back the occasion for the IIB's elites to gather around in a chatter, with mugs in hands, and jokes in the air. Though it would not be the same soon, as Alvin, the boss-figure of this tiny circle will be departing for Paris's Interpol. Maybe there's potential cross-department collaboration in the near future? IIB at Paris? Michelle would be eager to go there.
Back to the case. The episode starts in an office building with a heavyset female janitor, which is not usual, for Castle's standard. But put it here in The Listener, it just gave away the unique Toronto flavour as developed in the previous four seasons. If The Listener is trying to be the Castle of Canada, then I think season five would be the end of its life cycle.
The Listener was about Toby, the mind reader, attempting to make good use of his ability while maintaining control. He struggled with it and that almost costed his life, more than once. Now he is a veteran mind reader, he knows what he's doing and what he's searching for. He has a goal, he has a team, he has a life with purpose. But that brings him to the critical point of challenging tv production. Should Toby stay as he is right now and continue the episodes progressively with the 'case of the week' style, or focused on his ability and character development.
One thing The Listener did right is involving the innocent child. But they didn't show how much a child is going to impact the story as far as the first episode goes. Michelle is still stubborn to bones, though she showed care for her child, she also splitted her heart to her work. Her dedication in fighting crime has surpassed her love to the child, and that's a messy situation to tackle with.
One thing the Listener lacks right now is a character that has impact on Toby. The relationship between Toby and the people around him seemed to grew with distance the farther he achieved in IIB. Toby coops with these people and they seldom gives him trouble. The only trouble he has right now is how to pass the day and how to catch a criminal. If only he has more trouble. Not just ability-wise, but his life, his friends, people he cares about.
The city is not safe, it will never be safe. Toby can help catch a criminal, but he has no connection to them other than listening to their thoughts. His fellow IIB workers often gave him credit but not the conversation he craved. Oz gives him troubles, troubles that no beers can't solve. Tia is a hidden element. We still don't know how will she affect Toby. More romance? Tia seemed manly throughout the episode. Dominate, playa?
Afterall, Toby is too plain. Toby is honest but hide away while he can. He didn't like the exposure, he wholeheartedly love Tia, he has one true friend named Oz, and his colleagues think of him highly. Please, more trauma, more mind melting troubles. Plain is not drama, plain is just life.
More Toronto flavor, please.
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