Amazingly Embarrassing Parents: Hurricane Meredith blows into town and brings destruction with her, including pulling Alexis out of school so they can go shopping.
Combat Pragmatist: Castle uses a champagne bottle to draw out the attacker so Beckett can get a clear shot on him.
The Friend Nobody Likes: Meredith. Her own daughter doesn't even seem to like her much, especially when she cuts into school time.
Hollywood Voodoo: In-Universe. Castle did actually do research on real Vodou when he decided to use it in a book, but apparently decided to take lot of liberties anyway.
It's All About Me: Castle tells his mother she's just worried about how Meredith being there will affect her, and he's right.
Lampshade Hanging: Beckett tells Castle to stay back, but he never listens.
Like Parent, Like Spouse: When Martha asks Castle how he could have married someone like Meredith, he answers maybe it's because she reminded him of her.
Loophole Abuse: Discussed. The makers of the counterfeit Gucci bags avoid legal action by having two Cs on the bags instead of Gs, even if the rest of the design is the same.
The Muse: Meredith says she was once this for Castle before Beckett.
Status Quo Is God: Meredith doesn't move back to New York, thankfully.
Storefront Television Display: When Castle and Beckett are looking for clues about a murder suspect on Canal Street, Castle notices a display like this across from the bodega where their victim worked. It gives us the signature scene where Castle briefly admires his face on the screen from the camera mounted in the window, saying "I really am ruggedly handsome, aren't I?" before pointing out to Beckett that their killer would have been caught on the same camera.
