The Mayor is being framed for murder in order to remove Castle's and Beckett's political protections, leaving them vulnerable to murder themselves.
- Frame-Up: The mayor is being targeted by the mysterious people behind the murder of Beckett's mother.
- Shout-Out: "She went from professor to... janitor? That's like Good Will Hunting in reverse."
- Who Watches the Watchmen?: Gates knows her reputation and her nickname. She loves cops, but she also knows they have to be held accountable.
