Castle: “An Embarrassment of Bitches”

Dogs and reality stars take center stage in this week’s episode of [easyazon-link asin=”B00716B2OY”]Castle[/easyazon-link]. Hilarie Burton ([easyazon-link asin=”B004VJJFNO”]White Collar[/easyazon-link]) is completely transformed in her role as Kay Cappuccio, a Kardashian-type reality socialite. Her boyfriend, Reggie Starr, is played by Justin Hartley ([easyazon-link asin=”B0037EXYPE”]Smallville’s[/easyazon-link] Green Arrow). The body of the week is that of the Sunfare Kennel’s Dog Show judge, Francisco Pilar.

While Beckett and her team work to solve the case, they find themselves caring for Pilar’s dog, Royal. It’s decided that Rick and Kate would share custodial duties after several rounds of roshambo. In a blatant ‘shipper’ moment, we’re treated to some Rick and Kate hand-holding, which results in a few lingering glances.

They meet with Royal’s therapist, played by [easyazon-link asin=”B00062RCC6″]Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s[/easyazon-link] Nana Visitor. Details emerge that reveal Royal had undergone some drug-enforcement training, and he had been giving the team clues as to what went on in Francisco’s dressing room when he was killed. I won’t give away the culprit, but the murder involved the celebrity couple, two dogs, the feed from a video tracking bug, and a drug cartel. Trust me, it did actually make sense.

The two B stories are quite cute. Alexis goes with her friend ‘Buttons Dutton’ to scope out a few colleges. The opening scene shows Castle  rethinking his habit of finishing a conversation after picking up his cell phone, since he utters nicknames for himself to his partner, Kate. It was apparent that she threatened to call him ‘No Hassle Castle’ when he turned away from his mother and daughter to start the conversation with Beckett. Alexis’ story bookended the show with only two scenes, but these interactions between Rick and his daughter & mother have become some of my favorite moments on the show.

The second of the two side stories ran throughout. After a brief interchange between Esposito and his (seemingly former) girlfriend, Lanie Parish, he dotes on Ms. Cappuccio and develops quite the crush. Because of his affection for the reality star, he digs deeper into her connections with the Vasquez drug cartel, and reveals the identity of the guilty party. Javier also defends her honor when interrogating a suspect, and winds up receiving Kay’s gratitude in the form of a flirty kiss on the cheek.

Rick and Kate both offer to take Royal permanently, but as they can’t decide for themselves, they used the time-honored ‘dog luring’ technique to allow the dog make the choice. Royal mirrors Esposito by developing an affection for Kay’s pet Chihuahua and runs to her side instead of going to either of the two leads.

This week, we were treated to another light-hearted procedural episode, and it was very enjoyable. The creators seem to be inching closer and closer to a deepening in the Beckett/Castle relationship. The fantasy noir episode coming next week apparently shows the pair in some steamy situations, so people interested in seeing what a romance between the two would be like will be temporarily appeased.

Castle returns Monday February 6th with the highly-anticipated noir episode, “The Blue Butterfly”.