Once again, I'm being a lazypants and just basically copying what I wrote on LJ, here:

There were "other show references" out the wazoo, weren't there!? BUFFY, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (lest we forget the "other gynecologist")…

Re: Castle, Beckett, and Alexis–this was handled beautifully. They aren't all "we're a family" yet, but Alexis is really respectful of Beckett and Beckett is really respecting how Alexis is so different from her father in the responsibility department, but that she has his same tenacity and instincts. :) I think, in a way, that's what Castle is enjoying so much, when he's just looking at Beckett. He's a bit happy that Kate is liking the things about Alexis that he might have influenced directly.

As for Ryan and Esposito!!! SO much more than the comic relief. Their participation, their chemistry with the leads really makes them sort of the third lead, collectively. I so love those two. I look forward to their scenes so much.

I'm really going to suffer until Dec. 7 :(

Excellent episode as always, but instead of writing about what I liked this time, I'm going to write about what I'd like to see.

In a nutshell, I think the writers have toned down the relationship between Castle and Beckett to an almost non-existent level, and are in danger of turning "Castle" into just another buddy cop show.  Now don't get me wrong:  "Castle" is still an excellent show, and nothing's going to tear me away from the TV on Monday nights whether or not the relationship ever really develops, but the thing I like the most about this show is the same thing I loved about X-Files, Farscape, Moonlighting, and even Who's the Boss (good God that's a name I haven't heard in a while)…the romantic relationship aspect.

Over the past few episodes, there has been a remarkable lack of flirting going on between the two.  There have been moments of course, but for the most part Castle gives Beckett an opening, and all she does is roll her eyes or shake her head.  I'd love to see more moments like the one between them where Castle notices she smells like cherries, or when she goes home to read his book.  A single scene like these can make an entire episode, if not a season, and by focusing more on the humor, the witty one-liners, and the crime of the week, and less on the budding relationship, the writers are in danger of having Castle enter the "friend zone".  I'm afraid that when it comes time for the story to actually bring them together in a romantic fashion it's not going to feel right because the groundwork hasn't been properly laid out.

Truthfully, what I think the show needs is a hackneyed old "we're stuck with each other in an elevator that we can't get out of and we have no choice but to talk about things that actually mean something instead of one-upping each other" episode to turn up the heat a bit.  I like slow builds, but this is almost the halfway point of season two.  Something needs to happen pretty soon.

Anyway, that's my opinion.  As for this episode, everyone did a phenomenal job…and I'd love to see Alexis become a permanent volunteer around the police station.  She obviously enjoyed the work, and finding ways to bring her into the mix so she can play go-between with Castle and Beckett should be a priority for the writers.  In fact, taking this episode together with last week's episode, I'm wondering if Alexis isn't looking ahead to when she'll be moving away to college…and is actually trying to set her father up with Beckett so she won't have to worry about him when she leaves.  For Beckett's part, she's probably looking at Alexis and thinking "a man that could raise such an extrordinary daughter can't be the buffoon he makes himself out to be.  These waters are deeper than I thought."

Blackfel 

Blackfel: I agree with you wholeheartedly with what you said about the relationship with Beckett and Castle. I started to notice it in 'Famous Last Words' and on. It's losing it's spunk. Stana and Nathan have amazing chemstry and it should be put to the test, peoples!

I don't know how other people feel about Alexis's wardrobe in this episode, but I was actually annoyed because they made her kind of look like Beckett in a way…I mean, I get that she's the role model, but Alexis has a personality all her own. Everyone on the show has a set identity. So, it's kind of weird to see Alexis come out looking like Beckett…also, I don't think the look suited Molly Quinn very well. Is it just me?? Thoughts??