Summary and spoilers
A body is found in an illegally parked car a week after the actual murder took place. The victim is Dr. Leeds, a young plastic surgeon who was just about to be married. Initially, Leeds appears squeaky clean, with no enemies or secrets. But Ryan and Roy discover that Leeds had just done a clandestine operation for the Government as part of the Witness Protection Program. Organized crime killed Leeds while trying to find the whereabouts of the witness whose face he changed. Now, Kate and Richard have to find out the identity of that witness and catch the killer.
Behind the scenes, Richard has tasked his friend the forensics expert with finding out more information about the murder of Kate’s mom. When Martha finds out, she insists that Richard tell Kate that he is pursuing this. Kate makes it clear that he must stop or "we’re through," but Richard continues anyway. Richard’s friend discovers that her murder was made to look like that of a crazed killer – except the first stab wound was lethal and the others were just for show. What’s more, there were three other murders around that time with the same MO. As the episode ends, Richard is just about to give this information to Kate.
While all this is happening, dad Richard has to watch his little girl trying on dresses and growing up. Alexis is going on her first date – to the junior prom.
Comments
Considering Kate’s negative reaction to reopening her mom’s case, Richard probably was right to stick to his original plan to look into the case behind her back, rather than asking her for her permission, getting a ‘no’ answer, and then continuing anyway. In any case, we will wait to see how Kate reacts. Obviously, she is not going to enforce her "we’re through" verdict, or the TV show would be over.
It was nice to see that quite a few arcs are being following throughout the series. Alexis is growing up, Martha is more than a cardboard character there for humor, Kate’s mom’s unsolved murder is an important plot point, and Sorenson reappears as the former lover.
Star Trek alumni Robert Picardo guest stars as Richard’s forensics expert friend.
Memorable Moments
- Richard’s initial plan for initiating Alexis’s prom date
- Richard’s Christopher Walken imitation
Castle Quotes
Richard: It’s her first real date.
Ryan: And you’re worried he’s a serial killer? You should be more worried he’s a teenage boy
Richard: Why don’t you want to investigate it?
Kate: Same reason a recovering alcoholic doesn’t drink. You don’t think I haven’t been down there? You don’t think I haven’t memorized every line in that file? My first three years on the force – every off-duty moment was spent looking for something someone missed. It took me a year of therapy to realize if I didn’t let it go, it was going to destroy me. And so I let it go.
Kate: What is it with men and boobs, anyway?
Richard: Biological. We can’t help it.
Kate: But doesn’t it bother you that they’re so obviously not real?
Richard: Santa’s not real; we still love opening his presents.
Richard: Used to be all she needed to feel beautiful was a pink tu-tu and a plastic tiara.
Martha: We spend out whole lives trying to feel that way again.
Richard: I know a guy who owes me a favor.
Kate: You know a guy? What is this, a Mamet play?
Alexis: Dad! No – no severed heads!
Richard: That’s – I – it’s time honored!
Richard: [as Christopher Walken] Hi, Detective Beckett. I’m so glad you called. Regale me.
Kate: Castle?
Richard: It’s my Chris Walken, what do you think?
Kate: Needs work.
Richard: In all fairness, part of it’s visual.
Richard: Did you have fun?
Alexis: As a matter of fact, I did. This dating thing’s kinda nice.
Richard: How was Owen? Don’t worry; I closed my eyes for the kissing part.
Alexis: Yeah, me too.
