Matt’s Inside Line: Scoop on White Collar, Castle, Once Upon a Time, NCIS, Parks & Rec and More!
What giant plans does Once Upon a Time have? Will White Collar‘s Neal leap a tall building in the name of love? Will Castle fans meet Rick’s father anytime soon? Is Xena staying put in Pawnee? Read on for answers to those questions plus teases from other shows.
Christmas is right around the corner, so this week I’ve chosen to simply “unwrap” some questions from the Inside Line mailbag….
Seeing as how Sara (played by Hilarie Burton) is (supposedly) going to be in half of this season’s remaining White Collar episodes, can we take that as a sign that she and Neal will be getting back together before the season ends? Please, say yes! Those two belong together! –Michelle
We have a full-on Season 4b preview coming your way soon, but in the meantime I can offer you five not-so-randomly chosen words from our chat with series creator Jeff Eastin, pertaining to the aformentioned duo: “Empire State Building… fantastic moment.” (I can also reveal that the Neal/Sara smooch spied in the new promo takes place in an episode during which they’re kidnapped.)
RELATED | Once Upon a Time Casts Rose McGowan as Young Cora for Origin Episode
Is there any news about Once Upon a Time‘s Hook and Emma? I’m so hoping they hook up cause they make a good pair. –Jennifer
For starters, the wordplay whore in me will forgive and even applaud your use of “hook up” in this context. Secondly, I will tell you that I have a full-blown Q&A with Colin O’Donoghue posting closer to the show’s Jan. 6 return that will address this and other hot topics. (Something to keep in mind: Will Charming let this scoundrel anywhere near his daughter?) And lastly, here’s a random other scooplet: Sources confirm that the “Tiny” Episode 13 I told you about last week will in fact feature the return of Jorge Garcia and unspool “a story/backstory that touches many core characters in a surprising way.”
Is Lucy Lawless sticking around on Parks and Recreation? I’d hate to see Ron’s bacon-loving heart get broken. –Suzanne
The NBC comedy just shot another episode with Lawless as Diane last week, and there could be more. A lot more. As show boss Mike Schur explains, “The idea was that through the first four seasons we’ve seen Ron in one or two OK relationships and several entirely disastrous, miserable ones. So… this was a big thing we wanted to check off, to give him a lady friend who was significant and important in his life. We certainly have a lot of plans for [Lucy] through the rest of the season — and hopefully beyond.”
PHOTOS | Castle‘s Ex Marks Her Spot! Plus: GH Vets Jack Wagner and Nancy Lee Grahn Visit
Any word on who will play Castle‘s dad? –Alana
Not yet, and for good reason: Contrary to one published report, this season’s February two-parter might not necessarily tackle that tale. “It’s certainly something that we’re thinking about seriously and trying to find the right angle in on,” show boss Andrew Marlowe explained to me. But as of a few days ago, it’s “not definitely” going to happen by sweeps. Instead, he says the Castle team is mulling an alternate storyline that promises the annual allotment of “big tension,” “personal stakes” and ” fun twists and turns.”
Do you have any scoop on NCIS‘ two-part January episodes about Ziva? –Marla
Only that Eli David is Rick Castle’s father! No, I kid. (Too much eggnog.) When I said to showrunner Gary Glasberg that Eli’s appearances seldom bring good tidings, he countered, “You might be surprised. There are a lot of layers to what we’re going to try do this time around, and Michael Nouri was totally willing and had fun with it. I think people are going to be excited by what they see.” He also clarified that the Ziva twist I’ve been telling you about does not coincide with Eli’s latest encore. “He definitely plays a part in it, but the Ziva stuff will continue all the way through the season.”
RELATED | NCIS Casts Young Abby for Origin Episode Full of ‘Prizes’ for Longtime Fans
Can you give us something on when Nashville‘s Rayna tells Deacon her first child is his? –Maggie
You apparently missed our midseason post mortem/preview, so allow me to regurgitate this quote from exec producer Callie Khouri: “Like all these family situations, [what Lamar teased in the pilot] is more complicated than I can tell you. Soon these things will start to be revealed.”
Any scoop on my favorite new comedy, The Mindy Project? –Noreen
Get ready to meet Ms. Lahiri’s brother Rishi, to be played by Pitch Perfect‘s Utkarsh Ambudkar in Episode 11. Alas, it’s not a warm reunion, as Mindy’s bro has decided to take a break from college and pursue a career as a rapper.
If there’s a show you’d like the Inside Line on, email mattmtvguy@gmail.com, and maybe it’ll get some love the next time around! (With reporting by Vlada Gelman and Meg Masters)
The new episode of Spoiler Alert! shares scoop from Once Upon a Time‘s Hook, reviews this winter’s big finales and sizes up the new Grey’s cast. PRESS PLAY!
Can’t wait to see who plays Castle’s dad!
In a related “Who’s your Daddy?” thread, I nominate Mike Farrell [BJ on M*A*S*H] to play McGee’s dad on NCIS. For Castle, I’d go with either Christopher Plummer [another Canadian] or John Anniston [Victor on DOOL and Jennifer’s dad].
Castle’s Dad!!!
I’ve been waiting to met such guy
Not sure who should play Castle’s dad, but he needs to be ruggedly handsome.
I nominate Art Hindle as Castle’s dad. Something about his jawline suggest Castle’s ruggedness.
Just as long as Castle’s dad has NOTHING to do with kate’s mother’s murder. That would kill the show for me.
I would cast the ruggedly handsome Kent McCord as Castle’s father, but find out that is a decoy and it really is William Shatner.
I say back in the day it was instant love for Martha and her then young costar that turned out to be a current movie executive and they meet when Castle is in negotions to put one of his novels on the big screen – oh and I think it should be Clint Eastwood who is MORE RUGGEDLY HANDSOME WITH THE TWINKLE THAN CLINT??????????
Well, I’m glad de Marlowe is taking his time to find the right approach present Castle’s dad’s storyline, otherwise it would feel too forced. I trust him, so whenever he’s ready, I’m ready.
I am one of the few that doesn’t wish to know about Castle’s father. I don’t see what it can bring to Castle, the show and the characters. But they seem to want to do it. So if I have to watch it, then, I am really glad they at least trying to find the best way to do it and not rushing into doing something.what would be forced or bad. If I have to watch a devellopment I didn’t want, it better be very very good.
I agree, if Castle’s dad breaks up he and Kate i will stop watching!
DITTO! Im more glad than disappointed actually. If this means a bigger n better Castle dad story arc thn im glad Marlowe is doing it. I trust him too, he’s really the only showrunner that i can say that about.
Marlowe is cool because he doesn’t play games with his audience and he tries his best to be true to the show and characters, BUT he also cares about and listens to his viewers. He respects his audience and we respect him. Which is one of the reasons he’s so well-loved among showrunners. I’d agree with you on him being the one I’d trust the most. He’s also one of my favorite showrunners, along with Bruno Heller and Glasberg. Why? They’re all down-to-earth guys, humble, very good writers, and, much like Marlowe, show kindness and respect for their fans.
No to Emma and Hook. Haven’t really liked any of the guys that others have her linked to.
I’m with you on the “no to Emma and Hook” thing, but I kinda liked Emma with Graham. Although Emma/August is really the only “ship” I can’t stand, because he abandoned her, stole from her, and returned only when it suited his needs and is hiding important information about Neal from her.
Yeah, I don’t like the idea of Emma/Hook either. I also liked Emma with Graham , too bad he was killed.
I forgot this one. Captain Hook HATES children and Emma has a kid, so Hook/Emma has got to be a no go. It doesn’t make sense in any other way.
hmmm, gotta disagree, LOVE Emma and Hook/Killian. I love how the creators have hinted he may be a hero trapped inside a villain’s body… bc he is most definitely a match for emma, they push each other and challenge each other yet have this understanding that’s really beautiful… really hope they make something big out of them!
I’m with Rachel on Emma and Hook/Killian. The writers have shown us too many parallels between the two and too much back and forth banter that could tip the scales toward a romantic pairing that it’s hard to ignore. (comparisons of their past and similarities to Snow/Charming by ouat watchers has been illuminating) They challenge each other, and I think they may help one another at some point with breaking down emotional barriers.
Hook and Emma have similarities to Snow and Charming???? For God’s sake! Charming did not run away with a married woman. Charming does not hit women, Charming does not humiliate people like Hook made with Rumpel (before Rumpel becomes the Dark One).
Make Hook a hero, it is almost an insult.
Hook is a villain. If the creators keep evil as the original story, I will like….Otherwise, goodbye Once Upon a Time.
Yeah I mean August is great…Abandoning her as kid, not really giving a damn about her until she was 17, convincing her guy to abandon her and frame her then taking all her money and losing himself then years later ohh hi you have to believe…GREAT GUY!
For some apparent reason my post with the link to your question was deleted but I will say that yes they’re definitely very paralleled to each other.
Thank you. Hook IMO is all wrong for Emma and even more wrong for Henry. And he really is not all that compared to August or Graham.
Yeah I mean August is great…Abandoning her as kid, not really giving a damn about her until she was 17, convincing her guy to abandon her and frame her then taking all her money and losing himself then years later ohh hi you have to believe…GREAT GUY!
August was a 7 year old kid when he got send to a whole new, different world with no parent or adult to guide him. Give him a break. The way we he behaved in Tallahassee is another story, but I can’t believe people blame him for what he did as a young, abandonned child.
I’m the same. Not crazy about any of them. And Hook and Emma as the generic, seen a hundreds of times “heroine and the bad guy who will by redeemed with luuuuurve” seems like the most boring of all the story setups they’ve presented us with for Emma.
Emma and Hook? NOOOOOOO
With chemistry or no chemistry. I’m totally against Emma n´ Hook.
Even if the writers want to redeem Hook. After Hook have hit Belle, He destroyed any rendering acceptable. Heroes don’t punch women
But Rumbelle is just great right??? Ha! Actually Emma is not completely good as Killian is not completely bad..and if you’re the ones that are like he hit Belle he is so EVIL..Nothing he has done is as bad as Rumple,Regina or Cora…
I’m Rumpel fan but I’m not Rumbelle fan.
Like I’m Hook fan, but not Captain Swan fan
I’m totally against Emma & Hook too.
Similarly to what has been said, and even the creators say that Hook is a Dark Hero. From the moment that Hook assaulted Belle, he is anything but Hero. Heroes are not abusive.
I’m sorry, but do you have any other arguments than “but character/ship xy is (supposedly) even WORSE than Hook”? Do you honestly think this makes Hook look better?
Hook lied, screwed people over and killed. That’s right down the alley of Rumple, Regina and Cora.
Agree Lane!
What about Jefferson? I love Jefferson! Yes, he was somewhat “mad” at the time they met, but with good reason. He was trying to get his daughter back. Granted kidnapping isn’t really the way to sweep a girl off her feet. I thought she & Jefferson had great chemistry together. If anyone can relate to doing anything for your child it would be him. He made a big impression on me in his first episode and became my favorite character other than Rumple. I would love for him to come back and share more scenes with Emma and see where things could go. Heck I would just love to have him back on my screen period!
I haven’t really imagined Emma with a guy except from Granham! So angry he died so soon in the series! How about Regina and Hook being together? The Ultimate evil couple, huh?
That Castle scoop is…intriguing? It seems like they’ll have to start filming the two-parter pretty soon after their Xmas filming break, so it’s interesting that they’re still thinking about what story to tell. But I’m sure whatever they come up with will be good!
Thanks Matt for the spoilers – especially the NCIS scoopage :) I just hope these so-called “Ziva twists” concerning her Dad or whatever else leaves her character and/or the team as whole in a positive light, rather than causing her to suffer even more emotional damage, courtesy of Eli David. He’s done enough of that already.
Okay…this in my inkling…I’m thinking that Tony & Ziva are already involved. There have been a lot of little looks, just this last week when a diamond was mentioned and Tony glanced knowingly at Ziva for a second. I am thinking….. :)
Hmm. Could be. Saw the looks too. And how everyone looked at Ziva when Daddy DiNozo if anyone had seen Tony’s place. And I think Ziva was too quick to indicate that she’s never been there… Although a single bed is not a good indicator. I could buy they have been spending time at Ziva’s place. They have been becoming closer… If the season is cumulative to Ziva’s twist, and it’s not only her dad’s visit. Makes me curious.
Oh I’d be happy to go right along with that thought!! Not sure though; with all these never-ending, “deep, emotional, psychological issues” the characters seem to suffering from….who has time to be happy or romanticallly involved at all? Seems to me the entire team would be too busy spending most of their time at the Mental Institution. Sheesh :P I feel sorry for this cast!!
Barry Bostwick must play Castle’s father.
cool
I am more than okay with this suggestion.
I want to see Emma and Jefferson not with Hook to me she had more chemistry with Jefferson and even August but to me they are more like big brother and little sister
hook and regina
booth and ruby
jefferson and emma
Booth & Ruby? Talk about dating out of your species. LOL I agree about Jefferson being the perfect match for Emma. With Grace/Paige they could create a nice blended family.
I could live with August and Ruby, but I don’t see any basis for the other two couples. Jefferson kidnapped, drugged and assaulted Emma and her mother. Why would she even bother with the guy again? Being the “mad hatter” doesn’t excuse his behaviour. Besides, any serious love interest for Emma would have to be a series regular and that’s not gonna happen with Jefferson any time soon. Hook and Regina makes even less sense to me. Never mind the fact that Regina is not even looking for a relationship after everything that happened to her since the end of season 1 with losing Henry, losing Daniel AGAIN, and trying to become a better person, what would be the basis for a relationship between them? Besides, I’m not sure nothing ever happened between him and Regina’s mother. So yeah, I don’t see him and Regina at all.
hook and regina – OK, interessing (but a relation with Archie will be more fun)
booth and ruby – OK ( they’re singles but I prefere Archie and Ruby)
jefferson and emma – Not OK. And Neal? I hope a return of Graham also
I’m excited for them to get going on the story about Castle’s dad, but I’m glad they’re making sure it’s done right.
Yay more Lucy Lawless!!!! Thanks parks and rec
I personally love the interactions between Emma and Hook. Chemistry is subjective so everyone sees it differently. For me, Emma and Hook have smoldering chemistry together. Jennifer and Colin’s scenes the first half of this season have been some of my favorites. They have a dynamic that’s fun, yet their shared situations (I do love that Jennifer and Colin both said they were “kindred spirits”) and experiences open the characters’ interactions to visit deeper levels. I think it’d be hilarious to see Charming in protective daddy-mode, especially with Hook. I can’t wait to read Colin’s interview and I can’t wait for this show (and Jorge Garcia!) to return!
^ This is exactly how I feel! Emma and Hook have amazing chemistry and the parallels in their past just beg for a romance! I would love to see Charming in protective daddy-mode, his relationship with Emma is one thing I can’t wait to see more of and the Hook element would certainly add some hilarity to that!
I totally agree that Hook and Emma smoulder onscreen. And as much as I love the show and this season their scenes has been by far my favourite, I’m looking forward to more in the second half of the season.
Amen to everything you said! I can’t wait for Hook and Emma to meet in Storybrooke. I want to see more of them together. I love their chemistry. I also can’t wait for Colin’s interview! I am so excited for it to come back Jan. 6th! I’m having major OUAT withdrawal.
I also love Emma and Hook together, I do hope the writers explore their relationship since they already have amazing chemistry. I have to respectfully disagree to people that say that Hook and Emma will be boring because of the “Bad guy redeeming himself through love”, since OUAT, for me, is not only about hope and love and happy endings but also about redemption, we are seeing it with Regina really loving Henry and doing the right thing for him, and also with Rumple and Belle. I do think a relationship between Emma and Hook will be really interesting because I don’t see Hook as a flat-out villain, he is more like an anti-Hero, and when the writers explore his story more I think we’ll get to see it. I love him as a character (and not only because Colin O’Donoghue is so incredibly handsome) because he does have a code even though he does bad things, and the connection he shared with Emma was real, “kindred spirits”. Also, I really don’t think he would be “horrible” to Henry at all, and if this show has taught us anything is that Fairy-Tale characters are not always what we expect them to be, and I’m sure there will be surprises with Hook’s backstory on this count.
In summary, I really really like Emma and Hook together and I hope the writers do develop a relationship between them, it will be really great to watch.
Took bad Eli David really couldn’t be Rick Castle’s father – that would be a weird sort of awesome!
Please tell us which episodes include Sara so I don’t have to watch them
Preach! I can’t stand Sara. IMO Neal belongs with Alex.
Same here! Every time I read another spoiler about her return I look less forward to White Collar’s return.
Intrigued by the slow build dynamics of Emma/Hook. Yes to that.
Why is there never any Justified scoop? The premiere is so close there has to be something you can tell us.
You peope are crazy Hook is a Villian who has let people be murder’s and you want emma who is good to hook up with him ugh she much better with Neal
I agree with you I don’t get why People want Emma to be with a villian like Hook I think the show would be better off keeping Hook a bad guy and if they put him with Emma they would have to water down and change him too much .Let Regina have Hook and let Emma have Neal I want Henry to get his happy ever after by having his family together.
Thanks for the WC scoop! Neal & Sara<3
I agree. I’ve never understood the Sara hate. I love her character.
Thirded! She’s such a fierce, fantastic female character. USA Network could use more of those.
Fourthed (is that a word?)!
Emma and Hook has gotten so much attention and I’m glad for it. Even Jennifer and Colin call them “kindred spirits” because they had upsetting pasts with their past relationships. Even Hook’s revenge to Rumpelstiltskin is due to Milah’s death and not just the loss of his hand. Emma has a lot to deal with Neal especially with what he did to her. I think they’ll come to a full understanding with each other even if they don’t end up together. The creators said that Emma will have a few romantic interests — note a few and interests with an s, if you don’t believe me, look in the past articles — in this season and I don’t think we should count out Hook, not after Tallahassee. Even if anyone thinks otherwise, I wish some people could stop denying these two. Even if Hook is a villain, well so has Rumple and Regina and they actually have/had love interests in the past.
Different strokes for different folks? It’s very nice that Emma and Hook works for you, but that doesn’t mean it has to work for everyone and that people who don’t see it are denying anything. They just see things differently.
sooooo excited about the potential Emma/Hook scoop and Charming/Hook interaction yaaay \o/
I want to Emma and Hook together!!! :)
I absolutely love Captain Swan and can’t wait to see their next scenes together. I see the chemistry and the potential between Emma and Hook and i am really excited. I don’t know why people hate this ship but everyone has the right to hate/or love a ship. I really hope, it turns out good for Emma and Hook and they come together.
But there is one thing that always surprises me. There are so many people saying that Emma can’t be with Hook because he is a villain who murdered people and yet they love Rumpelstiltskin and Belle together (I absolutely love Rumbelle, don’t get me wrong) Rumpelstiltskin is a murderer too so why is he allowed to be with a wonderful girl like Belle? And Hook not?
I don’t want to offend anyone with this but it really confuses me.
I want Emma and Hook together!
Emma is a idiot if she dates Hook. Shouldn’t be she be thinking about Henry when she starts dating. Decide she really want a creep like Hook in son’s life. She might as well give Henry back to Reginia. At least Regina loves Henry.
Emma is a mother. Who she dates affects her son. Herny will be hurt by Hook. I mean Hook was about to kill Belle in the flashbacks. If Emma dates Hook, she should loose her son.
I would think that if they were seriously considering Hook as a romantic candidate there would be a redemption arc in the works. Still too soon. I really just want her to sock Neal and August first before anything else.
I am hoping we get a lot of Hook x Emma (Captain Swan) scenes in the second half of the season. Those two are fantastic together!
I need Captain Swan! They are incredible together. Looking forward to Daddy!Charming too.
I love Hook and Emma, plus the idea of Charming trying to keep Hook away from Emma sounds like so much fun. The more Hook and Emma the more I love the episode. They’re my 2 favorite characters and they are so much fun together.