(S02E22) "The eternal struggle between work and play. The trick is, when you grow up, to find work that feels like play." - Castle to Alexis

This episode of 'Castle' really played out like a whodunit mystery novel. I guess they all do, but this one really jumped out at me that way, like a Nikki Heat book sprung to life. Plus, it's pretty cool that Castle is a foodie and a fan of the fictional 'Kitchen Wars.' And I'm not surprised that Beckett had no idea the reality show even existed. She's very busy. Solving crimes and all.

You know, in this household, we're always fearing for Chef Ramsay's life on 'Hell's Kitchen.' You can just imagine that one day he'll be found bludgeoned to death by a contestant who snapped after Ramsay got in their face one too many times. But then you see him on 'Kitchen Nightmares' and he's totally different -- sweet (sort of), caring and really helpful as he's trying to save a restaurateur from going under. Anyway, these are the things I thought of while watching Castle and Beckett deal with a reality kitchen star found frozen dead in his kitchen, the victim of a liquid nitrogen canister gone horribly awry.

I thought I had it all figured out during the first few minutes. Madison and Beckett were oh so friendly, having gone through high school together, knowing each others' secrets and all (and what?! Beckett loved watching reruns of 'Saved by the Bell"?!). Anyway, of course my first impression was totally wrong.

They finally got around to fingering Madison, but you knew she couldn't have done it because the show still had 30 minutes to go. Obviously, it had to be one of the people we met along the way, but I didn't figure on it being the foster brother. Nor did his girlfriend seem like the kind of gal to be sleeping with Chef Wolf. Still, it was fun to see how it all played out.

Ok, let's get to the important stuff. First, how hot was Beckett's red leather jacket towards the end of the show? They didn't have a picture of it on the ABC press site, but run it back and let me know what you think. I'm also loving her hair these days. More sleek. Less mullet-ish.

This little cat-and-mouse game she and Castle are playing is getting a little old. I sort of want them to get together RIGHT NOW, but I'm sure the writers will save it for the finale. Look, clearly they've got the hots for each other -- she was put out that Castle was going to the charity event with Madison, and Castle was jealous that Beckett was spending time with Demming. Castle brings her coffee in the morning! If you can get a guy to do that, you've got something special.

A few other thoughts:

A purple shirt and a red tie? I'm sure it was a reference to something else Nathan Fillion has done, but I'm not sure what. Did Dr. Horrible wear that outfit? Fillion did Dr. Horrible's evil laugh while playing with the liquid nitrogen in his kitchen. And by the way, it was pretty funny watching him freeze apples and other stuff, then let them splinter into pieces on the floor.

"You were just giggling over the risotto with our suspect!" - Beckett
"Which was to die for, by the way!" - Castle

Very sweet scene at the end where Alexis asks her dad to order her to stay home from the Hamptons so she could study.

Julie Gonzalo, who played Madison, also played Maggie Dekker on 'Eli Stone' and Parker Lee on 'Veronica Mars.'

What did you guys think about this episode?

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