Recap / Castle S 6 E 3 Need To Know

With Beckett still in D.C., Castle insinuates himself into Ryan and Esposito's latest investigation, the murder of former child star Charlie Reynolds. The case is soon taken over by Beckett and McCord when evidence ties Charlie to the Russian mafia, and Beckett is confronted with an ethical dilemma that ultimately costs her her job with the Attorney General.

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• Continuity Nod:
  Castle: Guys, this is my fiancée. What does it say about the future of our relationship if I push the boundaries like this?
  Ryan: Castle, the entire history of your relationship is based on pushing boundaries.
• Germans Love David Hasselhoff: Conversed In-Universe — Charlie had made a number of fan appearances in Russia over the years because his sitcom character Dewey is to Russia "what David Hasselhoff is to Germany." It later turns out this was invoked by the CIA when they hired Charlie to infiltrate the Russian mafia.
• It's Personal: Gates insists that they have to pursue Charlie's killer. After five minutes, he'll be a distant memory for the CIA, but he deserves justice.
• Homage: The in-universe show 2 Cool For School is one for Saved by the Bell. There is even a Shout-Out to Mario Lopez in the episode.
• Jurisdiction Friction: Beckett takes over the investigation from the NYPD.
  Esposito: We are not serving them coffee! You bought this espresso machine for the NYPD! This is NYPD coffee only.
  Castle: Come on, guys... That's a little harsh...
  Ryan: Harsh?! Beckett's a Judas. Her and her partner just hijacked our case. Whose side are you on?
• Reboot Snark: The episode centers around the murder of Charlie Reynolds, the star of a Saved by the Bell-like show who was shooting a reunion movie with his former co-stars. The detectives laugh at the contrived plotline of the characters coming back as teachers, and their use of old sitcom catchphrases like "Hubba-hubba". It gets even sillier when they witness the Russian cast and crew trying to recreate the American sitcom vibe. The hackneyed nostalgic setup turns out to be entirely justified, since the film was backed by the Russian mafia and Charlie had been hired as a spy for the CIA because his sitcom character was beloved in Russiainvoked — Charlie used his nostalgic icon status to get an in.
• Reasonable Authority Figure: Gates
  Gates: Gentlemen, I take you're wrapping up the paperwork on the case you're no longer on?
  Castle, Ryan, and Esposito simultaneously: Yes, sir. [looking at stuff that is not paperwork]
  Gates: Good.
• Replacement Scrappy: In-Universe, there's a new detective at Beckett's desk and... he's a shlub.
• Screw the Rules, I'm Doing What's Right!: Beckett's actions to save Charlie's girlfriend cost her the job.
• Shout-Out: Esposito says, ""Not so fast, Clarice." to Beckett's new federal partner.
• Star-Crossed Lovers: Charlie and his girlfriend, who is the niece of a Russian mobster.
• Status Quo Is God: Beckett's DC job is toast.
• Trash the Set: Beckett's replacement is a slob who leaves her desk covered with garbage and discarded food. Castle can't stand it.
• Turn in Your Badge: Treated with realism. A cop as independent and relying on her gut as much as Beckett was never going to last long as a federal officer. When McCord confronts her on leaking the story to the press, Beckett figures she'll get a warning or at most a reprimand. Instead, McCord says they can't employ someone who so blatantly ignores her boss' orders and fires Beckett on the spot.