Castle Review: Much Ado About Murder (Season 8 Episode 20)

Let’s pretend just for a moment that we haven’t heard the news. That everything is peachy keen and that we don’t have the slightest inkling of what’s to come.

Because if you don’t consider the fact that Kate Beckett only has a few episodes left on Castle, then it’s pretty easy to enjoy an episode like “Much Ado About Murder.”

It’s quirky and fun, and it has a lot of the elements we love, even the ones that are a little predictable.

I mean really, I’ve lost count of how many times Castle has gotten into trouble because of his involvement with a case, but that’s kind of the point. Seeing how he gets out of those situations is always great.

Plus, he has Kate Beckett and the rest of the 12th precinct on his side. Oh, and a very fancy credit card, which actually allows him to be tracked.

That whole idea leaves me feeling a little bit unsettled, to be honest. But as excited as Castle was about a card that seemed unnecessary, it’s kind of perfect that the same card turns out to be incredibly useful.

Castle is also enthusiastic about the case, as always. This one brings us to the theater, a bonus because of how Martha plays into it as well. And I think we can all agree that one of the best moments from this episode is seeing both Castle AND Ryan try out their best Shakespearean dialogue.

Esposito, on the other hand, isn’t having any part of that.

Equally fun, and a little bizarre, is Ryan’s enthusiasm for his daughter’s preschool play. It’s amazing how children can bring out something totally different in a person.

He also helps Sarah Grace get motivated for the play by singing the song with her at the precinct, for what is one of the most heartwarming moments we’ve seen from Kevin Ryan.

Jewel Staite guest stars on this episode, yet another Firefly alum this season (we’ve also seen Summer Glau and the return of Adam Baldwin), though we don’t get a chance to see as much of her as I would have liked.

Castle and Beckett also balance the episode with their own brand of romance in the form of competitive date nights, and Beckett has the perfect plan for a quiet night in. There’s even Chinese food.

What did you think of this episode of Castle? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Castle airs Mondays at 10/9c on ABC.

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Ashley Bissette Sumerel

Ashley Bissette Sumerel is a television and film critic living in Wilmington, North Carolina. She is editor-in-chief of Tell-Tale TV as well as Eulalie Magazine. Ashley has also written for outlets such as Rolling Stone, Paste Magazine, and Insider. Ashley has been a member of the Critics Choice Association since 2017 and is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. In addition to her work as an editor and critic, Ashley teaches Entertainment Journalism, Composition, and Literature at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.