Castle Review: A Groovy Kind of Love

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Can you dig it?

Castle Season 6 Episode 20 stepped back in time with "That '70s Show" and as Seamus Dever shared with us earlier, it was hard to decide who was having more fun. 

We'll start from the beginning. Castle gave Martha one simple task: Gather ideas for floral arrangements. Knowing his mother as well as he does, perhaps he should have expected the tunnel of love display and the giant couples portrait made entirely of flowers.

Especially since she'd previously come up with ice sculptures of Nikki Heat, the Vienna Boys Choir and a Blue Angels flyover as wedding appropriate ideas.

Suddenly, Kate and Rick were tasked with finding some way for Martha to participate that she couldn't turn into an over the top disaster or else hurt her feelings. 

In that way, Harold arrived in the nick of time. 

Pathological grieving may have seemed a little far-fetched, but it sure turned out to be highly entertaining. Apparently, after his best friend Vince disappeared in 1978, time stopped for Harold. Maybe that should have been a clue to their real relationship. 

There were many things about this '70s turn that I expected and other things that I didn't. The powder blue, polyester suit wasn't a shock. Not even the fact that it survived over three decades under concrete. 

It was Harold's Archie Bunker era view of women that shook me. In some ways, 1978 doesn't seem that far back - but thankfully society's view of women has come a long way. Harold only viewed Kate in one way as witnessed in this Castle quote

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.

Harold could barely fathom that Kate Beckett was a detective and he immediately assumed that Castle must outrank her, which led us to Captain Castle and Detective Cupcake. In addition, Harold referred to her and Lanie as hot mama, little lady, sweetheart, sweet cheeks and chick.

Admittedly, Beckett was smoking hot in her '70s attire. The woman looks amazing in anything so that didn't come as a surprise. 

However Lanie's Foxy Brown outfit stopped traffic…and Esposito in his tracks. I wasn't sure which was funnier: Espo's dumbfounded stare or the fact that Kevin couldn't even look at her when he said, "nice dress."

But the fun really began when the precinct had to be turned into its version of 1978. Out when the computers and cell phones and in came the typewriters and Martha Rodgers. 

Martha painstakingly got every part right, even bringing in help from the outside, including Alexis…

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

I love that no matter what else is going on, Castle always reacts as her Dad. 

But not even Alexis' halter top could beat out Snookie and Ray, aka Esposito and Ryan. Honestly, I didn't even recognize Kevin Ryan at first, the transformation was so complete. To say they got into their roles was an understatement. 

I tell you, these clothes, that car. I feel invincible man. LIke Ray Price, kicking ass and taking names '70s style. I get it now baby.

Ryan

To find out that Harold and Vince were actually lovers was very sweet, and truly sad. As mobsters in 1978, their lives would have literally been at risk if their secret had gotten out. Thankfully, much of our society has evolved on that front as well.

As everyone got together at the old Gliterati to dance their last '70s dance, even Gates appeared to be having fun. She might even give Castle a pass for impersonating a Captain. 

You turn, TV Fanatics, who do you think had the best '70s transformation on this episode of Castle?

Here is your first look at Castle Season 6 Episode 21, "Law & Boarder."

That '70s Show Review

Editor Rating: 4.7 / 5.0
  • 4.7 / 5.0
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User Rating:

Rating: 3.9 / 5.0 (136 Votes)

C. Orlando was a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. Follow her on Twitter.

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Castle Season 6 Episode 20 Quotes

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.

A testament to the truly indestructible nature of polyester.

Castle

Castle Season 6 Episode 20 Music

  Song Artist
Last Dance Donna Summer iTunes
A Fifth of Beethoven Walter Murphy iTunes
Get Up And Boogie (That'S Right) Silver Convention iTunes