Castle: That '70's Show

By Michael Seese

Wow!

The folks behind Castle really found another gear this week. "That '70's Show" was fun on so many levels.

SPOILERS ahead.

Just the idea that in order to solve a decades-old crime they needed to recreate the era was an inspired concept. (Or one borrowed from the movie "Good Bye, Lenin!" I'm just sayin'...) Then, add on Castle's whole gung-ho "let's put on a show" attitude which, naturally, was countered by Beckett's skepticism, disbelief, and ultimate acquiescence. Finally, at the end throwing us a curve with the unrequited love angle. In many shows, a "gay surprise" comes across as contrived or cobbled on; here, I thought it worked.

(Note the photo of Jimmy Carter, above)

Other noteworthy bits:

- The "Starsky & Hutch" rip-off that Esposito was watching was great.
- The gangster's wives were wonderfully cliched.

Quick aside #1: Though I didn't voice it, something told me that Frank Russo's wife would be involved.
Quick aside #2: My wife did opine that Harold was faking his "trapped in the 70s" shtick.

- I had to back up the DVR and re-watch the scene where they took Harold into the precinct, focusing on the homage to Kojak.
- Ryan's "smooth speech" to Harold.

All in all, a great episode.

There were so many good lines, I lost count.

Martha: "I just wanted to wait until you two were finished doing whatever you were doing in there."
Castle: "Sleeping."

Castle: "A testament to the truly indestructible nature of polyester."

Harold: "Have you ever seen a cop with an ass that fine? If this women's lib I'm all for it."
Castle: "To be fair, you do have a very fine... Never mind."

Beckett: "Don't go there, cupcake."

Castle: "We will solve the greatest mystery of the disco era. Besides the popularity of disco itself."

Castle: "What is she? I said 70s. Not Pam Grier."

Alexis: "Halter tops were big in the '70s."
Castle: "So were those peasant blouses. Why didn't you wear one of those?"

Beckett (in the fake interrogation): "I want it now!" followed by a look at script, and a hand slam.

And the looks were everywhere...

Castle and Beckett, as Martha laid out her florid plans.

Beckett, when Harold called her "cop Kate."

Esposito's drop-jaw when he saw Lanie as Foxy Brown, followed by her "Don't say another word." (And then capped with Ryan's understated, "Nice dress.")

Quick aside #3: No "lividity" this week. I suppose with a 40-year-old corpse, it would have been pretty hard to say.

Two picky asides, which came to me this morning:

1. So we're to believe that Russo's wife (who did not look like a Russian shot-putter) killed Vinnie (without a trace of blood anywhere), loaded his body into a car (without a trace of blood anywhere), drove to a construction site, dumped his body in, fired up the cement mixer, and covered him in concrete.

2. Maybe it's just me, but I can't imagine the precinct wanting to party at a club 24 hours after arresting the (mob-connected) owner's wife.

Oh well.

Let's hope the fun continues next week.

Feel free to share your thoughts on "That '70's Show."