A word to the wise: when an episode opens with Castle dressed up as Elvis and being manhandled by some bodyguards, you know you’re in for an interesting ride. 

I’d be lying if I said this was my favorite episode, but it did have its merits. Lanie was back (and sassing Esposito in a very pissed-off-ex-girlfriend kind of way), and Alexis was being a teenager! I know, it was kind of a shocker. As a 20-year-old who appears to have blinked and missed her own teenage rebellious phase, I love that Alexis isn’t a wild child. But sometimes she seems a bit TOO perfect, and this party was a good way to have Alexis fill her teenage rebellious phase quota. I, personally, really wanted her to call Beckett for help getting everyone out of her house, but at least we know she can take care of herself!

Oh, and special props to Alexis and Castle’s shout out to John Hughes. If this means that Castle’s a Breakfast Club fan, I might have to fall a little bit more in love with him. Just sayin’.

This episode was boys vs. girls until close to the end, with Ryan, Esposito and Castle in Atlantic City, and Beckett and Captain Gates in New York. There was some great bro bonding time, and those three have an absolutely hilarious dynamic. My personal favorite was Esposito asking Castle, “What, Elvis can’t be brown?”

 

Brb, LOLing forever.

Back on the homefront, Beckett and Gates had significantly less fun, but it was interesting to watch nonetheless. Gates (finally) wasn’t a total bitch, and actually acknowledged to Beckett that she thinks our girl is an awesome cop, and that Gates wants her to prove herself. The main pro of not having Castle around is that we got to see Beckett do something she doesn’t do when he’s there: say nice things about him to other people. It may not be shippy in the strictest sense, but the fact that Beckett flat out told Gates that Castle’s crazy theories are helpful and that he’s “so good” at what he does is a rather huge milestone.

No hair porn this week, though. The buns are getting a little stale for me. I miss the long, loose, flowy Beckett hair! And seriously, where’s her scar? Didn’t she have open heart surgery in episode one? Tumblr has given us scarf porn, though, so allow me to share.


LOL, BAMF. 

I wasn’t riveted by the case, though I called right from the beginning that the security guy and business partner were involved somehow.  Are the people involved with the cases getting easier to spot, or am I just getting better at spotting them? I mean, I’ve been watching the show since 2009 — it’s about time I learn to start spotting murderers. This guy was killed by his ex-wife, who is clearly a massive sociopath. Bummer there was already an episode called “Hell Hath No Fury,” ’cause damn. This lady was vicious!

I like that this episode harkened back to Castle’s wilder days. Setting a mattress on fire, and curtains covered in jam? Beckett’s my homegirl so, uh, don’t wanna know. And disorderly conduct? Resisting arrest? Methinks someone’s grown up a smidge or two! But having him come home completely hungover after Ryan’s impromptu bachelor party was a nice touch. Castle does have those partying tendencies in his past, and we haven’t seen that in a really long time, if ever. I’m wondering if it’s an issue for Beckett, who’s much more of a homebody. But it’s good to see that, as much of a softie that he is, he’s still the same old Castle that stole a police horse in the buff.

Your weekly dose of Castle will be taking a hiatus next week, but will be returning on November 21 with the next new (EPIC) episode. The promo for it nearly put me in the ground, guys. I had to remind myself how to breathe.

But I’m getting ahead of myself! What did you think of this week’s episode?