Castle ratcheted up the drama last Monday, airing an episode that took Beckett back to the time of her shooting. It was emotional stuff all around, anchored by an outstanding performance from Stana Katic.

Our Round Table panel of Chandel Charles, Jim Garner, Courtney Morrison and Christine Orlando needed a few extra days to analyze "Kill Shot," given all that went down during the hour, but they've finally returned for their weekly Q&A. Pull up a virtual chair and sound off with your thoughts now...

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What was your favorite scene?
Chandel: When Esposito made Beckett confront the gun that shot her. It was a really powerful moment and I don't think that anyone other than Esposito could have handled her and the situation quite like he did.

Jim: Beckett and Javier with the sniper rifle. We have never gotten to see the protective side of Javi the way we saw it here. No wonder Lanie is in love with him. I'm gonna start getting a man-crush at this rate.

Courtney: I loved Kate’s breakdown in her apartment where her PTSD was at its highest. Excellent acting by Katic once again. My other favorite? Espo shooting the sniper. He is quickly climbing to the top of my list of favorites.

Christine: I'm with the majority on this one. Kate and Javi talking over the sniper rifle. To have her in tears and admit how broken she feels and not have him flinch. Simply telling her she needs to turn it into a strength. It was such a powerful moment.

Did your opinion of Captain Gates change at all with this episode?
Chandel: I think she's been growing on me a bit throughout the season, even though I'm not completely sure how to read her.

Jim: She wasn't the total bitch we have come to expect. I think she is softening to the team.

Courtney: I had a feeling that with each passing episode she would get a little better. It’s not that she ever did anything wrong, she was just strict and by the books; not what we were used to.My feelings didn’t really change because I don’t really hate her. But I do appreciate her asking Castle case questions.

Christine: I'm with Courtney on this one: because I never hated her my feelings haven't changed. I did like that once Castle proved himself useful she didn't resist having him help with the case.

They seem to be playing with other pairings this season: Esposito and Beckett, Castle and Ryan, etc. Do you have a favorite?
Chandel: I think Esposito and Beckett are probably my favorite pairing. You realize just how much of a brother-sister relationship that they have when they interact. I'm really liking getting to know the groups dynamics in individual pairings as opposed to working all together all the time.

Jim: Ryan, Castle, Esposito as the Threee Elvises (Elvisi?) - by far the funniest parring of the year. 

Courtney: Obviously Castle and Beckett stay at the top, but my second place goes to Esposito and Beckett. They are serious, don’t mess around type cops and they have each other’s backs. They don’t need the joking mentality because they are just two bad ass cops.

Christine: I've always loved Becket and Esposito. They have this great underlying brother/sister vibe that has been their since season one. They want the best for one another and they have each other's backs. It's a relationship that continues to get stronger.

Do you want Michael Dorn to stick around as Beckett's therapist?
Chandel: Yes, if only so that we get to see more moments of Beckett getting real and confronting her trauma and how she wants to move forward.

Jim: OMG, I want Michael Dorn as my therapist! Dorn is doing such a great job of being reassuring and supportive but making Beckett take a hard look at herself, and I swear his deep voice could melt butter! How could you not feel better after an hour of those soothing tones.

Courtney: He can stick around as long as he wants, as long as he is fixing Beckett in the process.

Christine: That voice. I could listen to it all day long. I love that we finally get a glimpse into what Kate is thinking and feeling. I only hope we get to a point where she's talking about happier things soon.

What do you think of the relationship between Castle and Beckett this season?
Chandel: It's had a pronounced tendency to be less spicy or sexually charged as it used to be. It's like the games aren't as necessary anymore and Beckett is still trying to figure out who she is and who she wants to be. And I really like it. I can feel the growth in their relationship without being slapped in the face with it.

Jim: Stop stalling! I'm okay with slow, but this is "stopped" - this was the perfect episode for them to get closer, maybe have Kate either tell the whole truth that she remembers or she could tell Castle she's "beginning" to remember. and nothing!!! GAAAAH!!!

Courtney: As much as I want them to be a couple, I’m fine with it. They had the push and pull seasons prior, they both had other relationships. And although we know they are endgame and the chemistry is on fire, they have built a solid foundation as friends and as partners and that will come in handy in the future.

Christine: I'm with Jim. As much as I love the progression, I need more. I was actually a little disappointed with the last scene because it felt like there should have been more of a connection between the two. Castle said "Always" but the emotion didn't come across the screen for me. Plus, I think we'll get back to some real fun once these two become romantically involved. I just can't wait.