The death of a man who was involved in a simulated spy game leads Castle and Beckett to wonder where exactly the game ends and reality begins. Against this backdrop, Castle and Beckett struggle inwardly with their feelings for each other, even though Beckett is officially dating Demming and Castle is severely behind in his writing for the second Nikki Heat book. After receiving advice from family and friends, both come to separate decisions that could make or break their relationship in the future.
This episode shows examples of...
- And You Thought It Was a Game: The ep manages to both play this straight and subvert it. When a man is murdered and the police a lot of cool spy gadgets in his possession, Castle and Beckett assume he was involved with something. They catch a man who seems involved but he refuses to talk in interrogation, smirking that Beckett will be receiving a phone call telling her to let him go and hinting they're into something over their heads. Checking the guy's phone, they seem to find evidence of a hitman out to kill a diplomat. Beckett is about to call the United Nations and FBI but Castle finds something odd, looks up on his phone and discovers the country this "diplomat" comes from doesn't exist. He and Beckett go back to their suspect and relate what they now know: That this whole thing is one massive live-action role playing game. The guy hisses "You're breaking the fourth wall here." but they make it clear they're not playing, they're real cops investigating a real murder and the man's suave demeanor drops as he realizes he's in way over his head and in lockup with a genuine criminal. Beckett and Castle proceed to confuse several more players in the game who assume they're All Part of the Show. It turns out the victim was being chased by the killer because of his business. He, however, assumed that this was just another player in the game, ready to confront him for a fake fight and shocked when he was shot dead.
- Cliffhanger: Beckett breaks up with Demming only for Castle to announce he's back together with his ex-wife/publicist. Castle heads off to the Hamptons, leaving a heartbroken Beckett behind for the summer.
- Embarrassing Alibi: A man is brought in after his business partner is found murdered, the insurance on their floundering business a prime motivator for murder. He explains that he couldn't have murdered his partner, because he was in another city having an affair with the murdered man's wife. Ryan and Esposito confirm after interviewing the neighbors, who reported that it was a hot night, the windows were open, and they'd heard everything.
- Everyone Can See It: Esposito straight up tells Beckett to stop pussyfooting around with Castle, because "He's not hanging around here to watch you be with another man.". Montgomery is a little more subtle, telling her that "It's sad that this all happened because no one was brave enough to say what they feel".
- Foreshadowing: At the poker game, Castle is told that the reason anyone commits murder is either love, money, or to cover up a crime: the killer turns out to be the husband of a woman the victim was having an affair with, angry that his wife spent thousands of dollars on a spy game, and used said game as a misdirect to cover up the real motivation.
- Stating the Simple Solution: Lampshaded by Castle's fellow authors who point out that the spy game and trying to look for a solution connected to it have turned up dry. This is because murder is rarely so complicated and can be boiled down to "love, money, and to cover up a crime."
- Two-Timing with the Bestie: Evidence points to the friend and business partner of the victim having motive and opportunity... until he offers as his alibi that he was not murdering his friend... because he was sleeping with the guy's wife at the time. The wife confirms. And the neighbors, as well (implying The Immodest Orgasm by pointing out it was a hot night and they'd left the windows open).
- Wacky Parent, Serious Child: Quickly lampshaded by Castle and Alexis.Castle: I can't believe you're blowing off illegal fireworks for a shot at an early education!
Alexis: I know, I'm a serious disappointment.
